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No matter what he said, Lin Zixun insisted on calling him “master,” and Yuan Bao couldn’t do anything about it, so he had to let him go on like that.
However, they each had their own way of addressing each other, or else things would be completely chaotic.
“It’s fine like this.”
Three days later, the people of the Hou family were executed, and many commoners came to watch on that day.
For them, the death of the Hou family members was a cause for celebration.
After the members of the Hou family were all executed, Yuan Bao went to see the Hou family’s diligent father and son.
After Xiao Bao’s poisoning incident, Wan Gu specially made an antidote for them to take.
Moreover, the poison, a stronger form of cold poison, would flare up every day.
Wan Gu and Bai Qi only ensured that the two wouldn’t die, but they didn’t intervene in the poisoning process at all.
When Yuan Bao came to find Hou Jiaqin, he happened to not be experiencing any symptoms of poisoning.
Seeing Yuan Bao approaching, Hou Jiaqin’s expression turned cold. “What are you here for?”
“I’m just here to tell you something. The people of the Hou family have all been executed today.”
Hou Jiaqin’s face changed drastically, unable to believe what he was hearing. “What did you say?”
“It’s an imperial decree. The evidence of the Hou family’s treason is conclusive. Once captured, they can be executed under the supervision of the Marshal, without the need to be brought back to the capital.”
“Today is the day when all the members of the Hou family will be executed.”
Hou Jiaqin glared at Yuan Bao with bloodshot eyes, struggling to strike at him. “I’ll kill you.”
Yuan Bao stood before Hou Jiaqin, looking down on him with disdain. “Hou Jiaqin, you joined as a spy just recently; you should have been prepared to face death.”
“You…”
“But you and your son will still be alive. Rest assured, we will let you both return to Lu Empire.” Yuan Bao’s words held a deep meaning as he looked at Hou Jiaqin.
They would indeed return alive, but what awaited them upon their return was something he should concern himself with.
“The things you asked for are ready now,” Wan Gu entered from outside and addressed Yuan Bao.
Yuan Bao turned to Wan Gu. “How is the situation on Young Master’s side?”
“The medicinal materials sent by the Emperor are very effective. The medicine to suppress the cold poison has been made, and it works well. Hopefully, Xiao Bao will suffer less in the future,” Wan Gu reassured Yuan Bao.
Upon hearing this, Yuan Bao felt relieved. “That’s good to hear.”
“What are you going to do with these things?” Wan Gu asked.
“Master instructed before he left: disable their hands, pull out their tongues, blind their eyes, and send them back to Lu Empire, to the family of the Empress Dowager,” Yuan Bao replied with a smile on his face, but his words sent shivers down one’s spine.
It was the first time Wan Gu had seen Yuan Bao speak with such an expression while saying such words.
“It seems we have underestimated you,” he remarked.
This guy was also capable of dark deeds.
“Thank you for your praise. I’ll take care of this person,” Wan Gu replied.
“No problem.” With Yuan Bao’s words, Wan Gu understood what Su Yu wanted.
Su Yu wanted him to render the man unable to speak, write, or see.
What fate awaited such a worthless person upon returning to Lu Empire? Unfortunately, they wouldn’t be around to see it.
After Yuan Bao left, Wan Gu proceeded to disable the father and son as instructed.
Hou Jiaqin never imagined he would one day become such a pitiful sight.
If it weren’t for Lu Empire suddenly demanding action, he wouldn’t have ended up like this—unable to speak, write, or do anything.
Regardless of Hou Jiaqin’s resentment, the father and son were sent back to Lu Empire.
After seeing off the father and son, Wan Gu returned to the pharmacy to continue researching some medicines. With Bai Qi helping by his side, everything became much simpler.
Seeing Xiao Bao finally sleeping peacefully, Wang Jinhe felt relieved. He was grateful to Xuan Feiran for sending these medicinal materials. Otherwise, what would they have done about Xiao Bao?
Xiao Zhi stood by the bed, watching Xiao Bao sleep soundly. His brows furrowed slightly. “Mom, will Xiao Bao be okay?”
Wang Jinhe nodded earnestly. “Don’t worry, Xiao Zhi. Xiao Bao will be fine. Once your dad and Uncle Nan Qiao bring back the medicinal materials, Xiao Bao will get better.”
“That’s good.” These days, Xiao Bao hardly woke up, which made Xiao Zhi feel uneasy.
He and Xiao Bao had always been inseparable, but this was the first time it was like this.
Even though Xiao Bao was right there, they couldn’t study and practice martial arts together, or play together.
“Mom, I miss Xiao Bao,” he longed for that quirky and playful Xiao Bao.
He didn’t like seeing Xiao Bao lying on the bed, unconscious.
Wang Jinhe didn’t say anything because, like Xiao Zhi, she was also starting to miss Xiao Bao.
She missed going around with Xiao Bao and Nan Qiao, taking Tangyuan and the others out to play.
She missed seeing Xiao Bao scold Big Flower.
As long as Xiao Bao was well, she wanted him to be well; she didn’t want to see him lying on the bed like this.
“Big brother!” Su Yanxi and Su Yanchen, the two children, were brought over by the maidservant, running clumsily to the bedside.
Perhaps hearing the voices of the two children, the drowsy Xiao Bao slowly opened his eyes.
“Big brother is awake!” Yanxi looked at Xiao Bao happily, patting her own little hand.
Yanchen grabbed a piece of pastry and ran to the bedside, standing on tiptoe to feed Xiao Bao.
“Big brother, eat!”
Xiao Bao looked at Yanxi and Yanchen, a smile appearing on his pale face. “Big brother won’t eat, Yanchen will eat.”
“Okay.”
“Big brother, let’s play!” Yanxi, seeing Xiao Bao awake, continued to lie on the bed, grabbed his hand, and pointed outside.
This was obviously an attempt to get Xiao Bao to get up and play with her.
Little Zhi’s eyes were a bit moist, and Wang Jinhe turned his head to wipe his eyes. After than she talked to the little ones.
“Xixi, big brother is sick and can’t play with you. Can big brother play with you after he gets better?”
Yu Mosun ran over and looked at Xiao Bao. “Why isn’t Xiao Bao getting better? It’s been so many days since he practiced martial arts, and Brother-in-law isn’t home either.”
“I’ll be fine when Dad comes back,” Xiao Bao said weakly, as if he had exhausted all his strength.
Gu Jiuning walked in and saw them all. Looking at Xiao Bao like this, she couldn’t help but feel sorry for him. “Is Xiao Bao okay?”
Xiao Bao nodded with a smile. “Grandma, don’t worry, I’m fine.”
Seeing Xiao Bao trying to comfort them despite his discomfort, Gu Jiuning felt a pang of heartache.
“Xiao Bao, you don’t have to force yourself to smile,” she said softly, although he was at an age when crying and fussing were normal.
“Xiao Bao is still a child, you don’t have to be so mature,” Gu Jiuning reached out and gently held Xiao Bao’s hand.
Xiao Bao blinked in surprise, then smiled and nodded. “Grandma, don’t worry about me, I really am okay.”
Gu Jiuning was momentarily unsure of what to say. This child was truly too well-behaved.
“Xiao Bao…”
Wang Jinhe smiled at Gu Jiuning. “Mother, don’t worry, Xiao Bao will be fine.”
“Xiao He, your father and your uncle are both very angry. Things on their end are moving faster, they’ll be back soon,” Gu Jiuning suddenly mentioned.
Wang Jinhe paused, realizing she hadn’t informed her father and uncle about Xiao Bao’s poisoning because she thought they were busy.
“Mother, did you tell father and uncle about it?”
“Yes, this is something they need to know,” Gu Jiuning replied. If her husband and brother-in-law returned and found out about Xiao Bao’s poisoning without anyone telling them, they would surely be angry.