When Luo Minghuan arrived, the maids had already dressed Jun Zishu and helped her onto a chair. A few maids were also tentatively moving the flower petals in the wooden tub to try and get a look at the snake.
The water was cold, so the snake must've been placed in the tub deliberately.
"Husband," Jun Zishu called out in a daze.
"I'm here," Luo Minghuan replied as she held Jun Zishu's hand.
"I feel a little cold. It hurts a lot," Jun Zishu softly said, her complexion and lips looking slightly pale.
"Don't be scared. I'm here with you."
"Husband, am I going to die?"
"What are you talking about? You won't die."
Although Luo Minghuan was feeling a little panicked, she did her best to stay calm. Then, she crouched down to inspect the wound on Jun Zishu's foot.
"Mhm."
Jun Zishu quietly leaned back against the chair, her eyes partially closed. It was becoming increasingly difficult for her to breathe, so her mind gradually lost its clarity.
[Why must you torture yourself like this, Host?]
Little Fairy couldn't understand Jun Zishu's thought process. Jun Zishu clearly had a safer alternative she could take.
I'm pressing her to make a decision.
Jun Zishu was compelling Luo Minghuan into continuing to take action against her family members and hasten the process of her discovering the real truth. Also, while she was at it, verify her importance in Luo Minghuan's heart.
Although her method was a little crude, Jun Zishu felt that it was fine to use such crude means from time to time.
The sudden wet sensation coming from her feet caused Jun Zishu to regain some of her consciousness. Then, she panicked when she saw what Luo Minghuan was doing.
"Husband!"
"Second Young Miss!"
The maids standing nearby also cried out in surprise, one of them running out in a hurry to seek help.
Nobody had expected Luo Minghuan to suddenly crouch down and try to suck the venom out of Jun Zishu's feet. Even Jun Zishu did not expect this to happen.
Luo Minghuan originally had a weak body already. If some of that venom got into her body, wouldn't her condition grow even worse?
However, Luo Minghuan did not care about anyone's opinions as she held onto Jun Zishu's feet tightly and continued with her actions.
Some seconds later, Ruyun came running into the room after getting the antivenom from Luo Minghuan's secret compartment. Then, she passed a bottle to Luo Minghuan and said, "Young Miss, the medicine."
"Here, open up," Luo Minghuan said as she stood up and fed a pill to Jun Zishu.
Jun Zishu cooperatively swallowed the pill. However, before she could say anything, her mind suddenly blacked out, and she lost consciousness.
Seeing this, Luo Minghuan picked up Jun Zishu in a princess carry and brought her back to their bedroom.
When the servants nearby saw this, they were surprised yet again. They never thought that the frail Second Young Miss would have the strength to carry a person.
After Luo Minghuan placed Jun Zishu onto the bed, someone came to report to her.
"The doctor is here."
Since the doctor had arrived, Luo Minghuan made way for him and stepped out of the room.
Meanwhile, Ruyun dispersed the gathered servants before waiting beside Luo Minghuan.
"Young Miss, rinse your mouth with this," Ruyun said worriedly as she placed a warm cup of tea on the courtyard table in front of Luo Minghuan.
"Find out who did it."
A storm brewed on Luo Minghuan's face. Combined with the traces of blood on her ashen lips, she looked rather startling.
"Understood."
Luo Minghuan's expression grew cold as her gaze fell upon her unconscious wife.
Those people had tested her patience time and again. Had they really not learned their lesson yet?
In that case, she wouldn't mind removing the problem from the roots.
…
The culprit of this incident was quickly found, and Luo Minghuan watched him get beaten to death without batting an eye. When news of Jun Zishu's misfortune spread to the other courtyards, the owners of these courtyards came to visit her, some of them sincere and some of them not so much.
"Have them get lost," Luo Minghuan coldly said. She couldn't even be bothered to entertain those people right now. The only thing those people were good for was making noise.
Seeing that Luo Minghuan was in a bad mood, the maid who came to report to her quickly left to convey her message to the visitors.
Meanwhile, Ruyun brought over a bowl of medicine. Then, after receiving the bowl, Luo Minghuan had Ruyun leave the room as well.
Although medicinal herbs had already been applied to Jun Zishu's bitten foot, it seemed that the herbs were taking their sweet time working as Jun Zishu's foot remained red and swollen. Moreover, it didn't seem like Jun Zishu was alive as her breathing was so weak that it was hardly noticeable.
Luo Minghuan's hand inexplicably trembled when she saw this, her back drenched in a cold sweat.
"I will get revenge for you, Yuanyuan," Luo Minghuan muttered under her breath. Then, she placed the medicine on the table, deciding to let it cool for a while before feeding it to Jun Zishu.
Luo Minghuan disliked Jun Zishu's current appearance. Looking at Jun Zishu like this gripped her heart. However, Luo Minghuan kept on looking at Jun Zishu, making it seem as if Jun Zishu would open her eyes the next moment. Then, Jun Zishu would pounce into her embrace enthusiastically and call out to her.
Unfortunately, Jun Zishu remained unconscious, so she couldn't hear Luo Minghuan's words.
Luo Minghuan sat by the bed, her hand holding onto Jun Zishu's.
After the medicine was sufficiently cooled, Luo Minghuan propped up Jun Zishu's head and started feeding the medicine to her spoonful after spoonful.
However, as Jun Zishu was unconscious, she wasn't very cooperative. As a result, most of the medicine flowed down her chin and dripped onto her clothes.
Even so, Luo Minghuan continued feeding Jun Zishu patiently. Then, once she was done, she had Ruyun fetch some water and cloth to wipe down Jun Zishu's body.
Luo Minghuan lowered her gaze as she tentatively pressed the tips of her fingers against the wet cloth and gently moved it around Jun Zishu's body. For some inexplicable reason, she wanted to do this personally.
After Luo Minghuan finished wiping Jun Zishu's body, she helped Jun Zishu change into a new set of clothes.
By the time she was done with all of these actions, the sky had already darkened.
Luo Minghuan covered her mouth as she let out two coughs, followed by several more as she failed to keep them down.
Luo Minghuan frowned. She detested the state of her body.
The air outside the room was cool and refreshing. After undressing herself, Luo Minghuan laid down beside Jun Zishu and fell asleep.
When Jun Zishu regained consciousness, the sky outside was already bright. Although her head still felt a little heavy, she was fortunately still alive.
Jun Zishu wet her dry lips as she realized that her gamble had succeeded.
Luo Minghuan's medicine was very effective. It was most likely an expensive antivenom.
[Host, you're awake!]
Mhm. What happened yesterday?
[The mission target has killed the person who put the snake in the bath.]
Okay.
Jun Zishu moved her hand a little and touched Luo Minghuan's hand.
Luo Minghuan didn't sleep very well. So, she immediately regained consciousness when she felt the physical contact.
"You're awake, Yuanyuan. How are you feeling?"
"I feel a lot better, Husband. Why would there be a snake in that tub?" Jun Zishu asked weakly.
"It's because of a bad person. But it's fine. Your husband has already chased that bad person away," Luo Minghuan said, smiling as she caressed Jun Zishu's face. However, hidden under that warm and happy smile was unspeakable darkness.
"Okay. Husband is the best," Jun Zishu mumbled, a big smile on her face. She did not look like someone who had just escaped death at all.
Seeing Jun Zishu's silly smile, Luo Minghuan felt that the little dummy might not have realized how severe her situation was yesterday. Or perhaps death was merely a light concept to her.
…
Jun Zishu was only having trouble moving the foot that got bitten. The rest of her body functioned like normal. So, after getting dressed, she washed up and started eating breakfast.
Apart from looking a little pale, Jun Zishu behaved as lively as always.
When Ruyun knocked on the door and entered the room, she brought two bowls of medicine with her.
When Jun Zishu saw Ruyun placing one of the bowls in front of her, wrinkles immediately formed on her face.
"Must I drink this, Husband?"
Even at a glance, that bowl of medicine looked like it would taste incredibly bitter.
"Mhm. I'll give you some candied fruit once you finish it," Luo Minghuan said, smiling. Then, she effortlessly drank her own bowl of medicine, her expression never changing throughout the entire process.
Seeing Luo Minghuan's actions, Jun Zishu had no choice but to pinch her nose and finish her bowl of medicine. Then, as soon as she was done, she stuck out her tongue in disgust before turning to Luo Minghuan with an expectant look on her face.
Even after seeing that both her masters had finished their medicine, Ruyun did not leave. Instead, she looked at Luo Minghuan as if asking for instructions.
"Just say it here."
"We've uncovered the mastermind already. It is…the Second Madam."
When Ruyun mentioned this person, she carefully glanced at Jun Zishu's expression.
However, Jun Zishu was focused on her candied fruits, so she didn't look at Ruyun.
"Is that snake still here?"
"It's in the kitchen."
"Go and get Ah Da. If the snake is still alive, send it back to its rightful owner. Find a few companions for it while you're at it," Luo Minghuan said in a calm and indifferent tone. Her eyes, though, revealed hints of ferocity.
"Understood." Ruyun nodded to express her understanding.
Luo Minghuan didn't intend on stopping at simply returning a tooth for a tooth. She was a very enthusiastic person, always paying back the gifts she received severalfold.
After Luo Minghuan talked and played with Jun Zishu a little, she went to the study.
Meanwhile, with nothing better to do, Jun Zishu started watching a movie with Little Fairy in the room.
…
It had been a day since the snake bite already, so the swelling on Jun Zishu's foot had vanished already. Though, the skin surrounding the bite mark was still slightly red.
When night arrived, and it was time to take a bath, Jun Zishu adamantly refused to get into the bath by herself.
"Husband, I want to bathe with you," Jun Zishu pleaded to Luo Minghuan with an expectant gaze.
Luo Minghuan was stunned, her mind failing to react to this sudden request.
"Is that not okay? I don't want to bathe by myself. I'm scared," Jun Zishu said as she held onto Luo Minghuan's sleeve tightly. Under the glow of the candlelight, her misty eyes looked exceptionally attractive.
"Okay."
Luo Minghuan nodded and comforted the frightened little dummy.
However, when it was time to undress, Luo Minghuan found that she wasn't feeling as calm as when she agreed to Jun Zishu's request. The strange feeling she previously experienced had resurfaced in her heart, causing her heart to beat faster and her breaths to grow stifled.
Yet, Luo Minghuan found that she wasn't disgusted by this strange feeling.
Not knowing what to say in this situation, Luo Minghuan looked down and avoided Jun Zishu's gaze.
"Why aren't you undressing, Husband?" Jun Zishu asked as she happily undressed and stepped into the tub. Then, she started moving her hands around playfully, creating small splashes in the tub.
The water covered up to Jun Zishu's shoulders. Paired with the flower metals, everything beneath the shoulders was hidden. However, finding the flower petals a hindrance to her enjoyment, Jun Zishu kept pushing those flower petals away.
The water underneath the flower petals was crystal clear, so Luo Minghuan could see the bottom of the tub from her angle. Naturally, she also saw the dazzling white bundles swaying under the water.
Luo Minghuan bit her lip as she started undressing.
Meanwhile, Jun Zishu stared at Luo Minghuan without blinking, her eyes looking clear and focused.
Luo Minghuan was very white and skinny.
However, it was neither the healthy type of white nor the healthy type of skinny. Her waist, in particular, looked like it could snap at the slightest force.
Luo Minghuan's collarbone, though, looked exceptionally beautiful.
As for the mountains under that collarbone, they naturally did not exist. Of course, that wasn't to say that Luo Minghuan was flat. Based on Jun Zishu's observation, Luo Minghuan might be between A and B.
Luo Minghuan undid her hair and let it scatter freely across her back, a few strands falling on her chest. Then, she stepped into the bath, her entry creating ripples in the water and causing the flower petals to attach to her hair.
After sitting down, she looked at the person across her, her eyes crystal clear.