DPSDH 13

Chapter 13

Grandfather Coughed Up Blood

“Second Madam, please stop talking! Old Master can barely breathe anymore!”

A woman’s crying voice sounded miserable.

“You shameless woman, are you cursing Elder Brother?” the sharp female voice spoke again harshly. “Hasn’t he already been like this for the past two years? You’re crying so miserably that people would think he’s about to die!”

“And besides, am I wrong?” she continued. “Zhao Ning is the only child left in the eldest branch of the family. Elder Brother worked so hard to raise her, yet now she has caused such shameless and disgraceful trouble outside. Of course I have to tell Elder Brother about it.”

“That child Zhao Ning is truly unfilial. She even offended Eldest Miss Li. Elder Brother should forget about buying medicine from any pharmacy in the future. If he gets too angry and cannot catch his breath, he definitely won’t even be able to hire a doctor!”

“Divine Doctor Li has enormous influence in the capital. All the doctors listen to him. As long as he says one sentence, no doctor will ever come treat Elder Brother again.”

“And Zhao Ning also offended Xiao Shizi. Xiao Shizi already said Zhao Ning will never marry anyone in this lifetime. Maybe after being publicly rejected, she could not bear the humiliation and secretly killed herself somewhere already…”

“Pfft!”

The white-haired old man lying on the bed suddenly spat out a huge mouthful of blood.

Zhong Bo, who stood beside the bed, cried out in terror,

“Old Master!”

“Second Madam! Why must you come here just to provoke Old Master?” Xiao Tao shouted angrily. “Our Miss clearly sat in the bridal sedan chair and went properly to the Xiao residence. Xiao Shizi promised before that he would take good care of her. She is already married to Xiao Shizi and living properly as the Shizi Consort now, yet you insist on coming here and speaking nonsense before Old Master. What exactly are your intentions?!”

Unable to endure anymore, Xiao Tao rushed forward to push Second Madam out.

But before she could even touch her, the servant woman beside Second Madam fiercely grabbed Xiao Tao’s arm and twisted it hard.

“You little slut! How dare you attack our Madam? Let me teach you a proper lesson!”

Xiao Tao’s arm hurt so badly it felt close to breaking.

She almost screamed from pain, but remembering Old Master had already coughed blood, she feared her scream would make things worse for him. She immediately bit down hard on her lip.

Tears flowed from the pain.

Second Madam covered her mouth with a handkerchief and laughed lightly.

“Xiao Tao, you’ve really misunderstood me. I did not make these things up. The entire city is already talking about it. You people simply stayed inside all day and haven’t heard the news. The moment I found out, I hurried here to tell Elder Brother.”

On the bed, Old Master Fu coughed up another mouthful of blood. His consciousness grew heavier and heavier as he nearly fainted.

He wanted desperately to stay awake and ask Second Madam properly—

How was Zhao Ning now?

Where was Zhao Ning?

But darkness kept swallowing his vision.

Old Master Fu felt that his life had already reached its end. He could almost see the darkness of the underworld before him.

“Zhao… Ning…”

“Elder Brother, at least say something. It would be best if Xiao Tao and the others hurry outside to search for her. Maybe by the river, beside a well, or hanging from some crooked tree.”

“Really now, being publicly rejected by Xiao Shizi while the bridal sedan chair was already almost at the gates—what enormous humiliation! If it were me, I would feel too ashamed to stay alive.”

“If Second Madam feels too ashamed to stay alive, why not die right now?”

A cold voice suddenly entered the room.

Bang!

The half-open door was violently pushed against the wall.

Everyone inside instantly turned toward the doorway.

Wearing bright wedding robes and looking stunningly beautiful, Fu Zhao Ning walked in from the darkness of the night, her eyes cold as frost.

Second Madam’s mouth dropped open in shock.

Why had Fu Zhao Ning suddenly returned?

“Miss!”

The moment Xiao Tao saw her, tears filled her eyes as she cried out.

Wuwu, Miss had really returned at this time…

Had Xiao Shizi truly rejected her?

Fu Zhao Ning strode forward quickly, grabbed the servant woman’s wrist, and squeezed hard.

“Ahhh!”

The servant woman screamed in pain and immediately released Xiao Tao’s arm.

Fu Zhao Ning then lifted her leg and viciously kicked her.

The servant woman crashed onto the ground and screamed again.

Second Madam was both furious and shocked.

“Zhao Ning! Have you rebelled?!”

“Xiao Tao!” Fu Zhao Ning said coldly, “Take a broom and drive them out. If anything happens, I’ll take responsibility!”

Although she truly wanted to kill Second Madam immediately, Old Master Fu’s condition was critical, and she had no time to waste.

So Fu Zhao Ning ignored Second Madam completely.

“Yes!”

Although Xiao Tao was shocked by Fu Zhao Ning’s sudden change, she had already been filled with anger. She immediately obeyed the order, rushed to the doorway, grabbed a broom, and fiercely swung it toward Second Madam and her servants.

“Get out! All of you get out!”

Second Madam was furious and alarmed as she hurriedly dodged.

“Xiao Tao, you little slut! You dare attack me? Just wait! If your slave contract falls into my hands someday, I’ll definitely sell you to the filthiest brothel possible!”

“Get out!”

Xiao Tao cried while charging at them with the broom.

Fu Zhao Ning no longer paid attention to them. She quickly rushed to the bedside and knelt beside the bed.

“Grandfather!”

The moment she saw Old Master Fu, her eyes became hot, her nose turned sour, and tears immediately fell uncontrollably.

Old Master Fu gave her the exact same feeling as her own grandfather.

“Miss…” Zhong Bo also began crying.

“Zhong Bo, listen carefully and do exactly as I say.”

Fu Zhao Ning forcefully wiped away her tears. Her voice became calm and steady, carrying a power that unconsciously made others calm down with her.

“Miss?”

“Prepare hot water and yellow wine. Go to the medical clinic at the alley entrance and borrow a set of silver needles from Doctor Song first.”

Fu Zhao Ning spoke clearly and quickly. After pausing for a moment, she gritted her teeth, removed a golden buyao hairpin from her head, and handed it over.

“No, buy them from him! Also buy at least one piece of thirty-year-old ginseng and have him slice it immediately. Do these things first and hurry back.”

As Zhong Bo tremblingly accepted the golden buyao, Fu Zhao Ning had already stood up, helped Old Master Fu sit properly, pulled open his collar, found the correct spot with her palm, and pressed downward.

This golden buyao belonged to Prince Jun’s residence.

When they dressed her earlier, she had specifically chosen this one, and Hong Zhuo had placed it in her hair.

She originally did not want anything belonging to Prince Jun’s residence. She planned to return it later.

But now the situation was urgent. She had no choice but to use it temporarily.

Afterward, she would earn money and redeem the hairpin before returning it to Prince Jun.

Zhong Bo stared at the golden buyao in his hands.

The workmanship was exquisite and luxurious, complicated and noble-looking. It felt heavy and valuable at first touch.

Clearly, this was not something ordinary families could possess.

When Miss left home earlier today, she definitely had not been wearing such a hairpin.

“Hurry and go!”

Fu Zhao Ning shouted sternly.

Zhong Bo trembled and hurriedly ran outside.

When he reached the back gate, he noticed a saddleless horse standing there. But at this moment, he had no time to think about it. He quickly opened the gate.

At that exact moment, a carriage stopped outside.

Prince Jun, still wearing his mask, stepped down from the carriage.