Chapter 233: Pampering Daughter Maniac

"What do you mean, 'what shouldn't be said'?" Zu An asked, tilting his head.

Qin Wanru gasped, then slowly regained her composure. "You can't be so foolish as to not even know that, can you?" she said after a long pause.

Zu An spread his hands. "Second Uncle and Third Uncle are both Chuyan's uncles. Surely I can tell them?"

"You told them?" Qin Wanru's eyes widened.

"I didn't say anything; I was just curious why I couldn't tell them," Zu An replied. He wanted to use the opportunity to gauge the internal dynamics of the Chu family.

"That's good," Qin Wanru's expression softened slightly. "This matter concerns the future of the Chu family, so naturally, it cannot be easily disclosed."

Considering that Zu An would inevitably interact with the second and third branches now that they would be living under the same roof, she added, "Although they are Chuyan's uncles, they are not from the same branch of the family. Everyone has their own agenda, so you should still be somewhat cautious."

Zu An nodded. "Understood."

It seemed that Chu Zhongtian's lineage and the second and third branches were only putting on a show of harmony. However, this was normal; in large families, with various conflicts of interest, even blood brothers could turn against each other, let alone Chu Tiesheng, Chu Yuepo, and Chu Zhongtian, who were only cousins.

As they spoke, they arrived at Chu Chuyan's room, where the butler, Hong Zhong, stood guard at the door.

Seeing Qin Wanru bring Zu An, Hong Zhong's surprise was momentary; he quickly stepped aside to let them enter.

They entered the bedroom. Chu Zhongtian sat somberly across the room, while Ji Dengtu was behind a screen, three thin threads connecting his fingers to Chu Chuyan's wrist. He sat with closed eyes, stroking his beard as he took her pulse.

Bao Youlu stood nearby, watching him enviously. He had never mastered this 'suspended thread pulse diagnosis' technique in his entire life; truly, Ji Dengtu was worthy of his reputation as a renowned divine physician.

Chu Hanzhao sat nervously by her sister's bed behind the screen. Though Zu An had reassured her yesterday, she still felt a sense of unease.

Noticing their arrival, Chu Zhongtian merely gave a slight nod, still absorbed in his thoughts.

Ji Dengtu, however, turned to Qin Wanru and winked, a flippant expression on his face.

Qin Wanru frowned slightly but said nothing, instead quietly sitting beside Chu Zhongtian and gently taking his hand.

Witnessing this, Ji Dengtu pouted, clearly displeased.

Zu An observed coolly. It seemed the rumors about Ji Dengtu pursuing Qin Wanru in his younger days were true, though Qin Wanru herself was wholeheartedly devoted to Chu Zhongtian.

It made perfect sense. Chu Zhongtian was handsome and a respected Duke—a prime catch in any world. While Ji Dengtu wasn't bad-looking, he was too unkempt and ultimately just a doctor, incomparable to a Duke.

It was obvious who a woman would choose.

Zu An secretly sighed, "A beautiful wife truly invites covetousness." First Chu Tiesheng, then Ji Dengtu, and yesterday that look from Shi Lezhi—he had already noticed so many people eyeing her in such a short span of time.

His father-in-law should be careful lest his own household catch fire.

Just then, Ji Dengtu retracted the three threads. The Chu family members quickly rose and asked, "Divine Physician Ji, how is she?"

Ji Dengtu replied, "I just diagnosed Miss Chu's pulse. Although cold air has entered her body, and it superficially appears to be a terminal illness, I can faintly detect a hint of vitality. It's not as exaggerated as you initially described."

Watching him speak, seemingly glowing with a certain aura, Zu An couldn't help but marvel. This guy was usually so slovenly, yet in his professional domain, his demeanor was entirely different.

He must have used this to trick Ji Xiaoxi's mother back then, otherwise, given his usual appearance, it was truly hard to imagine that a woman capable of bearing such a beautiful and lovely daughter as Ji Xiaoxi would have fallen for him.

Speaking of which, he had never heard Ji Xiaoxi mention her mother, and during his previous visits to their home, he hadn't noticed a female presence. He wondered what her mother's situation was.

"Is that truly the case?" Chu Zhongtian exclaimed, jumping up in surprise and joy.

Bao Youlu beside him looked doubtful. He had diagnosed Chu Chuyan as incurable just yesterday, but Ji Dengtu's reputation was so immense that he hesitated and said nothing.

Ji Dengtu gave him an annoyed look. "Lin Dandan, are you doubting my professional abilities?"

Being called by his old nickname in front of the younger generation, Chu Zhongtian's face flushed crimson. Ordinarily, he would have retaliated, but with his daughter's safety at stake, he suppressed the urge to retort. "Then how should she be treated?"

"Don't celebrate too soon," Ji Dengtu's expression turned serious. "Your esteemed daughter's condition is quite peculiar. Although there's a trace of vitality in her pulse, it's like rootless duckweed, seemingly on the verge of vanishing. The cold energy has infiltrated her internal organs, and attempting to extract it through external force is almost impossible. Those areas are too fragile; any slight, improper force from an outsider could cause irreparable damage, perhaps even instant death."

Behind the screen, Chu Chuyan's expression shifted. What Ji Dengtu said was exactly what Zu An had told her last night. Where did that guy learn such miraculous medical skills?

"What if she tries to expel the cold air using her own cultivation?" Chu Zhongtian asked tentatively. "Chuyan's cultivation is already outstanding among her peers."

He spoke with a touch of pride.

Ji Dengtu snorted. "Lin Dandan, what do you know? Chu Chuyan herself cultivates ice-elemental techniques, and her vital energy is also ice-attributed. Using ice to expel ice will only worsen her injuries and make her die faster."

Sprayed with spittle, Chu Zhongtian couldn't get angry; after all, he had suggested a terrible idea.

Seeing Chu Zhongtian's face flush crimson, unable to retort, forced to endure the scolding, Ji Dengtu felt an unprecedented thrill of satisfaction.

Seeing her husband being bullied, Qin Wanru felt a surge of quiet anger. Coldly, she asked, "Then how *should* she be treated? Divine Physician Ji, what are your brilliant insights?"

Ji Dengtu's face stiffened, and he gave an awkward laugh. "I still need to deliberate on this. However, even if she is cured, Miss Chu's cultivation will likely not be preserved; at the very least, it will be much weaker than before."

"What!" The announcement shocked everyone. Qin Wanru's reaction was particularly strong. "No, absolutely not! Chuyan has always been the best among her peers. If... if..."

She couldn't bring herself to finish the sentence.

Ji Dengtu said earnestly, "You must understand that for Miss Chu's condition, simply saving her life is a great outcome. There's no such thing as perfection in this world."

Bao Youlu echoed, "Indeed. It's a pity my medical skills are inferior; I couldn't even save Miss Chu's life. Divine Physician Ji's ability to save her has already greatly surprised me. To preserve Miss's cultivation, I'm afraid even immortals couldn't do it."

Zu An's expression was peculiar, thinking how much he wanted to step forward and show off.

Chu Chuyan and Chu Hanzhao behind the screen clearly had the same thought, and both turned their gaze towards him.

Feeling their admiring gazes, Zu An puffed out his chest even further.

Never mind, never mind. With Empress Sister still in slumber, I'd better keep a low profile to avoid drawing too much attention and inviting trouble.

Next, Ji Dengtu gave some more precautionary advice, then stated he would return to deliberate on the treatment method.

Though Chu Zhongtian was displeased, the other party had saved his daughter's life, so he felt obliged to rise and see him off.

However, Ji Dengtu waved his hand dismissively. "Seeing you annoys me. Don't bother seeing me out."

Chu Zhongtian's face instantly darkened like charcoal. Qin Wanru gently patted his hand in comfort, then instructed Hong Zhong to see Ji Dengtu out.

"No, no, just let this young man see me out," Ji Dengtu said, casually pointing at Zu An.

Everyone in the room was astonished. They had not expected the renowned divine physician to hold Zu An in such high regard.

Only Zu An vaguely guessed what Ji Dengtu wanted from him.

Qin Wanru frowned, then told Zu An, "Since Mr. Ji wants you to see him out, then do so properly. Mr. Ji is an honored guest of our mansion, so you must not be negligent."

Zu An grumbled inwardly, "If you'd just lend me two sets of underwear, I could probably spit in Ji Dengtu's face without offending him."

Of course, he didn't dare say that aloud. He simply bowed and affirmed, then looked at Ji Dengtu. "Divine Physician Ji, this way please."

"Hmm," Ji Dengtu responded haughtily, not even glancing at him, and strode ahead.

The two had barely left the courtyard when Chu Tiesheng and Chu Yuepo appeared from nowhere, addressing Ji Dengtu repeatedly as "Divine Physician Ji" and offering him valuable gifts, attempting to glean information about Chu Chuyan's condition.

Ji Dengtu was no fool; he happily accepted all the gifts with a smile, but spouted a lot of nonsense, ultimately revealing no actual information.

Only the two of them were left bewildered, endlessly pondering the meaning of Ji Dengtu's words.

Zu An secretly admired him. This man took money without delivering concrete results, yet managed to avoid causing resentment. He wondered how many gifts it took to perfect such a skill.

Noticing they were alone, Ji Dengtu's aloof expression instantly melted into a fawning smile. He intimately hooked his arm around Zu An's shoulder. "Hey, little brother, that book you wrote last time—what's the rest of the story?"

"I didn't write it, I don't have it, and don't talk nonsense," Zu An denied vehemently.

"I understand," Ji Dengtu said with a knowing look. "The way you portrayed Headmaster Gao in that book, hehe, if Xiaoxi's aunt saw it, you'd be in serious trouble."

Zu An's face darkened. *I'm more wronged than Dou E*, he thought. *If I'd known I'd later meet the beautiful Headmaster, I would have found you a different book.*

"What's the rest of the story? Update it quickly; I promise I won't tell anyone else," Ji Dengtu urged. The previous book had indeed excited him, but using it too many times made it lose its novelty. He needed new stimulation.

"I'll try to find time to see if there's a second volume," Zu An said, feeling a headache brewing. He originally didn't want to bother with such things anymore, but he also didn't want to offend a powerful divine physician.

"Hahaha, that's good. Speaking of which, it's strange. Your 'thing' wasn't working before, yet you wrote such a good story. Is it that virgins are better at imagining these things?" Ji Dengtu asked, laughing.

Zu An: "..."

*Where the hell is my knife?*

"Oh right, I heard from the Chu family that you fed the Traceless Phantom Lotus to Chu Chuyan. You certainly are generous," Ji Dengtu said with a peculiar smile. "Has your 'thing' recovered?"

"Go ask your daughter; she knows," Zu An retorted irritably.

Ji Dengtu: "..."

"What did you say?" came a voice, gritted through teeth.

Anger value from Ji Dengtu: 999!

A powerful pressure enveloped Zu An, instantly freezing him in place.