Jian Xiu did not respond to these words but instead turned her head and cast a mocking glance at Old Madam Liu and Zhang Zihua.

“Well? Do you still have anything to say now?” As she spoke, her gaze never left Zhang Zixuan, who was lying on the ground.

Seeing Doctor Zhang visibly relax upon checking Zhang Zixuan’s condition, Jian Xiu finally let out a breath of relief.

“How is he? His wound isn’t too serious, is it?” she asked immediately.

Although Keke’s medicine had saved his life, the severity of his external injuries was still uncertain and had to be evaluated by Doctor Zhang.

“Hiss… His external injuries are quite severe, but one thing I can confirm is that they are not fatal. Looking at his condition, it seems more like he’s suffering from excessive blood loss. In the coming days, make sure to give him blood-nourishing food to help him recover. I will prescribe a few medicinal remedies. If there are any abnormalities, inform me immediately,” Doctor Zhang said, frowning.

He found it quite strange. Judging by Zhang Zixuan’s appearance, his injuries should have been life-threatening. However, when he took his pulse just now, he could clearly feel his body slowly recovering.

Such a pulse was truly unheard of.

Seeing Doctor Zhang’s puzzled expression, Jian Xiu naturally knew what he was thinking but remained outwardly calm.

Zhang Zifu, on the other hand, reacted quite differently. Upon hearing Doctor Zhang’s words, his eyes widened in disbelief, as large as copper bells.

“Doctor Zhang, say that again. My fourth brother is really going to be okay?” he asked, unable to believe it.

Growing up, he had always been closest to his fourth brother.

Seeing him in such a state now, it would be a lie to say he wasn’t heartbroken.

At first glance, Zhang Zixuan’s injuries made him want to rush over and confront their eldest and second brothers.

After all, no matter what, they were family who had grown up together.

“Yes, he will be fine. I find it strange as well. By all logic, his wounds should be… However, it is possible that his survival instinct is particularly strong, or that none of his vital organs were harmed. In any case, just follow my instructions and nurse him back to health,” Doctor Zhang reassured.

“Alright, thank you, Doctor Zhang!” Jian Xiu said politely.

Doctor Zhang was about to write a prescription when he glanced around and realized that the entire courtyard was in complete disarray.

Even finding a place to write seemed impossible.

It was only then that Jian Xiu noticed her home looked like it had been ransacked by thieves—signs of rummaging were everywhere.

In the end, Doctor Zhang had to squat on the ground and use the only remaining wooden bed board in the house to write the prescription.

“Doctor Zhang, I’m sorry. This is quite embarrassing,” Jian Xiu said apologetically.

Having lived two lifetimes, this was the first time she had ever felt so humiliated.

After escorting Doctor Zhang out, Jian Xiu suddenly seemed to recall something and headed toward the kitchen.

As expected, whether it was the earthen jars, wooden buckets, or even the stove, everything had been smashed to pieces.

Even the simple makeshift stove they had built had been kicked over.

There was no need to guess—there was likely no part of the house that remained intact.

The walls and floors were covered with dents and cracks.

Indeed, this was exactly the kind of thing that the bandits from the old house would do.

Zhang Zifu and his wife clearly saw the destruction as well, feeling a deep, indescribable anger.

Especially Wang Xiuying, who immediately started cleaning up.

“Fourth sister-in-law, let me handle this,” Wang Xiuying said helplessly.

“Don’t call me sister-in-law anymore. We have nothing to do with each other now,” Jian Xiu said calmly.

After speaking, she felt her tone might have been too harsh, so she added, “Just call me Jian Xiu.”

In the old house, Wang Xiuying had been the only one who had ever lent a helping hand to the original Jian Xiu.

Hearing this, Wang Xiuying merely nodded in understanding.

Right now, her full attention was on Zhang Zifu, worried that he might act impulsively.

For the moment, she didn’t even register Jian Xiu’s change in tone.

But even if she had, it would have been understandable.

Who wouldn’t be furious in her situation?

Seeing the wreckage and broken belongings in the house, Wang Xiuying had no idea where to start cleaning.

She also couldn’t understand—why would Old Madam Liu order the two brothers to be so ruthless toward Zhang Zixuan?

No matter what, he was still her son.

Even if there was little affection between them, he was still the flesh and blood she carried for ten months.

At this moment, Wang Xiuying had never once doubted that Zhang Zixuan might not actually be Old Madam Liu’s biological son.

Glancing at Old Madam Liu and Zhang Zihua, who were trembling not far away, Wang Xiuying then turned to look at Jian Xiu, whose expression remained eerily calm.

She asked, “Jian Xiu, what do you plan to do with them?”

After interacting with Jian Xiu a few times, Wang Xiuying knew that this matter would not be easily resolved.

For some reason, she had a strong feeling that the calmer Jian Xiu looked, the worse things would get for those from the old house.

But who could blame her?

Anyone in Jian Xiu’s place would have lost their mind by now.

If, at the beginning, Wang Xiuying had only considered separating from the family as an option, she was now utterly determined.

With such a cruel and ruthless family, she feared that one day, their branch of the family might end up like Zhang Zixuan.

If that happened, no one would come to their rescue.

Unlike Jian Xiu, she didn’t have the courage or the martial arts skills to fight back.

Recalling the lengths Jian Xiu had gone to in order to gain independence for their fourth branch, Wang Xiuying was certain that if she attempted the same, she would end up just like Zhang Zixuan.

Jian Xiu had dared to do it because she had the strength to protect herself.

Thinking of this, Wang Xiuying instinctively asked, “Jian Xiu, how did you learn martial arts?”

As soon as she spoke, Wang Xiuying was stunned.

She hadn’t meant to blurt it out like that.

Jian Xiu, too, was momentarily taken aback by the question.

But she quickly understood what Wang Xiuying was getting at.

“When the people you want to protect are being bullied, you will naturally learn,” Jian Xiu replied slowly while looking at Zhang Zixuan.

Her words were ambiguous, leaving Wang Xiuying completely confused.

Zhang Zifu, who had been listening nearby, immediately made a promise.

“Jian Xiu, don’t worry. Third Brother will get justice for you!” he declared.

With that, he turned and strode out.

When he had returned earlier, he had only focused on retrieving their belongings.

In his rush, he had completely forgotten to ask their father and eldest brother why they had resorted to such cruel measures.