Li Yue Shu picked up a piece of meat, lowered her head, and was about to eat.
The next moment, she suddenly looked up and precisely caught a scrutinizing, hostile gaze.
It was an old wet nurse, around forty or fifty years old. Judging by her attire, she held some status among the City Lord’s household staff.
The old wet nurse seemed surprised that Li Yue Shu would suddenly look up. She subconsciously averted her gaze, her flustered expression impossible to conceal.
Li Yue Shu’s eyes flickered slightly. She calmly withdrew her gaze, as if nothing had happened.
…
As the night deepened, Li Yue Shu, Shen Wei, and Shen Ting Yi returned to the courtyard that had been arranged for them.
She lit a candle and discussed Wei Zi Miao’s illness with Shen Ting Yi.
Although the blood sample hadn't been analyzed yet, she already had a general idea.
What could be diagnosed through observation, listening, asking, and pulse-taking was enough for A'Yi's current studies.
By the time the mother and daughter finished their conversation, it was late. Shen Wei had fallen asleep at some point.
Li Yue Shu quickly blew out the candle and pulled Shen Ting Yi into bed.
The night was as dark as ink. Just as everyone fell into a deep slumber, Li Yue Shu suddenly opened her eyes.
She glanced at the father and son sleeping soundly, quietly got out of bed, and left the room.
Shen Wei, ever vigilant, naturally noticed. After the door closed, he quickly got out of bed and secretly followed her.
Li Yue Shu's attitude towards Wei Zi Miao during the day had been strangely off, and now she was sneaking out at night…
Shen Wei's expression tensed. He couldn't help but link the two events together.
What he didn't expect, however, was that Li Yue Shu was sneaking out to go to the outhouse.
Seeing the outhouse lit by a lantern in the distance, Shen Wei's lips twitched. For a moment, he didn't know how to react.
Knowing Li Yue Shu was cautious, he didn't dare get too close, and thus didn't know that there was no one inside the lantern-lit outhouse.
At this very moment, Li Yue Shu had entered her space.
This wasn't her home. She could sense the guards hidden within the City Lord’s mansion. To enter her space, she had to choose a place where she could be alone. The outhouse was her only option.
As soon as Li Yue Shu entered her space, she got busy.
Time ticked by, and finally, the results of the test came out.
Li Yue Shu took off her gloves and looked at the test tube in front of her, her eyes unfathomable.
As expected…
Outside, Shen Wei remained hidden in the shadows, watching the only lit outhouse. His brows furrowed slightly.
Why did she stay in there for so long?
Just as Shen Wei hesitated whether to go over, the tightly shut outhouse door finally opened.
Li Yue Shu walked out, appearing no different from when she had entered.
She glanced around, saw no one, and then carried her lantern back to her room.
Li Yue Shu quietly pushed the door open. As she looked up, she saw Shen Wei sitting bolt upright on the edge of the bed, almost startling her.
She gently closed the door and, lowering her voice, asked in confusion, "Why are you awake?"
Shen Wei also lowered his voice, imitating her, "A Shu, where did you go?"
Li Yue Shu, worried about disturbing A'Yi, blew out the lantern. "I went to the outhouse."
Shen Wei blinked. "I've been waiting for A Shu. Why did A Shu take so long?"
Li Yue Shu was taken aback.
How long had he been waiting for her?
She composed herself and casually made up an excuse, "You're still young and don't understand the pain of constipation. Go to sleep now, we have to get up early tomorrow!"
Shen Wei: "..."
Fortunately, the night was dark enough that Li Yue Shu didn't notice the stiffness of his expression or his slightly flushed ears.
How could this woman so calmly and directly say such private things to a man!
Li Yue Shu, oblivious to his internal grumbling, quickly pulled him into bed.
…
The next day, Li Yue Shu and the other two appeared at the City Lord's mansion dining table as guests once again.
After breakfast, Li Yue Shu proactively spoke, "City Lord Wei, I'd like to examine Young Master Wei alone."
Upon hearing this, Shen Wei couldn't help but furrow his brow, but he quickly relaxed it, and no one noticed.
Wei Tong Hao seemed a bit nervous and subconsciously stepped forward. "Is something wrong with Zi Miao's health?"
Li Yue Shu shook her head. "I just want to confirm. We'll have the results after a thorough examination."
Wei Tong Hao looked puzzled.
Didn't she say yesterday that the blood test would provide the results? Why did she need another examination today?
Thinking of this, his gaze towards Li Yue Shu became somewhat suspicious.
However, Wei Zi Miao suddenly spoke, "Then I'll trouble Madam Shen."
Wei Tong Hao frowned, looking displeased. "Zi Miao…"
Wei Zi Miao shook his head. "It's fine, I trust Madam Shen's medical skills."
Although Wei Tong Hao was reluctant, he trusted his son's intelligence.
Since Zi Miao said so, this Madam Shen must have some extraordinary ability.
Thus, Wei Zi Miao took Li Yue Shu to a private guest room, while the others waited outside.
The door closed. Wei Zi Miao, with his gentle demeanor, looked at Li Yue Shu. "Madam Shen, is there something you wish to discuss with me?"
Li Yue Shu raised an eyebrow.
As expected of the most intelligent advisor by the male protagonist's side in the original novel!
Without beating around the bush, she said directly, "Young Master Wei appears to be frail and has lung disease, but in reality, he has been poisoned. This is a slow-acting poison, and someone has been secretly administering it over the years. Based on the blood test, this poison has been latent in Young Master Wei's body for at least twenty years."
Wei Zi Miao's gentle expression faded, and his aura turned somewhat cold.
"Madam Shen means to say that the person who poisoned me is within the City Lord's mansion, perhaps even by my side?"
Li Yue Shu did not confirm his words. "I need to examine Young Master Wei's daily life, including his food, clothing, shelter, and activities, to determine the source of the poisoning. However, to simulate symptoms of frailty and lung disease for over twenty years without being discovered, this poison cannot be intermittent."
And only those close to him could achieve this.
Silence descended upon them for a moment.
After an unknown period, Wei Zi Miao finally spoke, "Can Madam Shen resolve this poison?"
Li Yue Shu nodded, full of confidence. "Within three days, I will be able to research an antidote."
Hearing this, Wei Zi Miao's eyes flickered. "I would like to ask Madam Shen for a favor."
He still appeared frail, but there was an undeniable aura in his eyes.
Li Yue Shu nodded. "Please, Young Master Wei."
By secretly informing Wei Zi Miao about the poisoning, she had stepped into the quagmire of the City Lord's mansion.
She had to help, and the poison had to be resolved. If possible, she hoped to help him overcome the tragedy of his family's destruction. This way, he wouldn't become Li Xiang Ru's ally, nor would he become A'Min's enemy.
The best approach currently was to pretend to be unaware, investigate in secret, and expose the poisoner.
However, to her surprise, Wei Zi Miao chose a more risky method. "I would like Madam Shen to tell everyone everything exactly as it is shortly, including the fact that Madam Shen can develop an antidote within three days."
Li Yue Shu was momentarily stunned, then quickly understood his intention.
Startle the snake to reveal its hiding place.
But doing so, with bad luck, could also result in being bitten by the snake.
Moreover, this would also put her in danger.
Li Yue Shu did not answer immediately, pondering in her mind.