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墨書 Inktalez
On the way, the Clerk from the Teahouse happened to run into Liu Family.
Following instructions, the Clerk went to Jishengtang to find Shopkeeper Liu, but found the door tightly shut. After asking a nearby merchant, he learned that Shopkeeper Liu had matters at home and Jishengtang had been closed for several days. After pondering for a while, he could only boldly approach the Liu Family, and after some persistence, the steward finally let him in. However, as soon as he saw Shopkeeper Liu, before he could even say a word, he was promptly thrown out.
At this moment, seeing Madam Liu was like a drowning person spotting a last straw to grasp onto.
“Madam, please tell Shopkeeper Liu that someone is about to die in my Teahouse.”
Madam Liu was tightly holding onto Xing Ruyi while avoiding the Clerk's entanglement. Her expression grew increasingly anxious and helpless. “I’m really sorry, I don’t have the energy to deal with other matters right now. Please let me be.”
The Clerk looked dejected but thought of his livelihood and the sour face of the Tea House Manager; he could only muster his courage and refused to budge. They pushed and dodged each other, with no one willing to listen to Xing Ruyi's words.
Xing Ruyi protected Yin Yuan while reminding herself internally: “Calmly! Calmly! Don’t get angry! Don’t lose your temper! You are a lady! You must not frighten the child in your arms.”
At this point, the Clerk yanked hard on one side while Madam Liu pushed on the other, causing Xing Ruyi to stumble and nearly fall. Yin Yuan assessed the situation and, sensing something was wrong, opened his mouth and began to cry.
Yin Yuan's cries startled both Madam Liu and the Clerk, causing them to simultaneously release their grips. The first to react was Madam Liu; her face filled with trepidation as she cautiously approached Xing Ruyi and glanced at the child before speaking: “Fox Demon, I didn’t mean it. Is the child alright?”
“He’s just frightened; it’s nothing serious.” Xing Ruyi said as she patted Yin Yuan and gave him an approving look when she bent down. Yin Yuan grinned proudly, his cries gradually subsiding into soft sobs.
Only then did the Clerk come back to his senses and hurriedly apologized to Xing Ruyi: “I’m sorry, Ruyi. I was just anxious; you know there’s been trouble at the Teahouse. If I can’t get Shopkeeper Liu, our manager will surely skin me alive.”
“Don’t worry; your skin will be just fine. I just came from the Teahouse; that gentleman is already fine.”
“Is what you say true?”
“What benefit would I gain from lying to you?”
“Well, that’s true.” The Clerk chuckled sheepishly while scratching his head.
“Shouldn’t you hurry back? If you’re late, it might not be skinning you alive, but they certainly won’t pay you.”
Upon hearing about deductions from his pay, the Clerk's expression changed instantly as he hurried off towards the Teahouse. Just as he had run quite a distance away, he suddenly turned back and bowed to Madam Liu and Xing Ruyi.
“Madam Liu, Ruyi, I apologize for my rudeness earlier. Please don’t hold it against me considering I was anxious.”
“Go on! Madam Liu has a kind heart; she surely won’t blame you!” Xing Ruyi waved her hand and turned to Madam Liu: “Madam left in such a hurry earlier that Fox Demon didn’t have a chance to ask in detail. Did you come looking for Fox Demon regarding something important?”
After a recent ordeal, Madam Liu's previously anxious heart had calmed somewhat.
"It is my son."
"Is your young master not the husband of Qingluan?"
Qingluan's death was a recent event, and for that, the Liu family held a grand funeral. As a friend of Madam Liu, Xing Ruyi was also invited and had met Qingluan's husband on one occasion. However, as a witness to the birth of the Demonic Fetus and the one who understood Qingluan's true cause of death, she felt a sense of guilt when facing Liu Young Master. Therefore, during the funeral, Xing Ruyi deliberately avoided him and did not engage much. At this moment, hearing Madam Liu mention him made her heart skip a beat, fearing it was still related to the matter of the Demonic Fetus.
Madam Liu had her own concerns and did not notice the subtle changes in Xing Ruyi's words. She sighed lightly, her eyes slightly moist: "It's my poor child!"
"Is Liu Young Master ill?"
"Yes! He is ill, and it's quite serious; even my husband is at a loss." Madam Liu pressed her hand against her chest, feeling intense pain there. A mother's heart is connected to her child; seeing her son deteriorate day by day, nearing the Gates of Hell, that kind of heartache and helplessness is beyond what common people can understand.
"Madam, please do not worry. If the Fox Demon can help, I will certainly do my best!" Xing Ruyi gently embraced Madam Liu, trying to offer her more comfort, but as she spoke, she found herself at a loss for words.
At that moment, she missed that fox even more.
Regarding Liu Young Master's "illness," Xing Ruyi had speculated many things along the way, but when Madam Liu opened that door, she was still taken aback. She could not reconcile the sight of this man with sparse hair, a hunched figure, and a complexion resembling death with the handsome young man from before who had been melancholic yet charming.
"Ruyi, Liu Jisheng begs you, please save my son!"
"There is no need for such formality, let me first examine your son."
Handing Yin Yuan to a nearby maid, Xing Ruyi steadied her mind and approached Liu Young Master, exchanging a glance with him. Liu Young Master seemed weak; he merely smiled faintly before closing his eyes.
What appeared to be a pulse diagnosis was actually an inquiry using supernatural techniques. As she looked within him, she found his insides were shrouded in darkness. Not only that, but his pure Yang energy was severely depleted.
"Ruyi, do you have any results?"
Seeing Xing Ruyi stand up, the couple from the Liu family hurried over.
Xing Ruyi nodded but kept her gaze on Liu Young Master.
"There are some questions that may be inappropriate for me to ask as a woman due to their nature; however, they concern your son's condition. I hope you both can answer truthfully."
"Please ask, young lady!"
"The first question, aside from Madam Qingluan, can Liu Young Master take a concubine?"
"Never! My Liu Family has always advocated for the love between husband and wife. Even after many years of marriage without children, I have never considered taking a concubine. My husband feels the same way."
"What about after the Young Lady's passing?"
"That is even less likely. Since my Daughter-in-law passed away, he has been melancholic. I have mentioned the idea of a Second Wife to him, but he dismissed it without a second thought. On ordinary days, aside from worrying about court affairs, he just stares blankly at my Daughter-in-law's Portrait."
"However, based on the Young Master's pulse, that does not seem to be the case." Xing Ruyi glanced at Liu Jisheng. "When a person is excessively depleted of essence, it leads to illness. Depletion of essence results in low energy, and low energy causes scattered spirit. From the Young Master's pulse, it appears he is deeply affected by lust."
"My husband?"
Madam Liu looked at her husband in confusion, her eyes filled with questions.
Liu Jisheng felt somewhat embarrassed but still forced himself to respond honestly. "Ruyi is correct; he does indeed show these symptoms, but I have diagnosed him and found it is not the root cause."
"Then for the second question, I must ask Liu Young Master." Xing Ruyi turned to Liu Young Master. "Could you please recall carefully what you have eaten since returning to Luoyang?"
Liu Young Master slowly opened his eyes and looked at Xing Ruyi, asking, "Does this relate to my condition?"
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