Nine Chapters of Strange Cases

Chapter 294 Successful Detoxification
A crisp sound came from outside the door, as if something had broken.

Ah Huang stumbled in, running so fast that his straw hat fell off. He didn't even have time to pick it up before rushing to Zhou Zhao's bedside and reaching out to check Zhou Zhao's pulse.

On this snowy day, Ah Huang's forehead was covered with a fine layer of sweat.

His face was flushed, whether from anxiety or from the discomfort of his hat falling off.

After a long while, Ah Huang finally let out a long sigh of relief.

His legs went weak, and he plopped down on the ground. "I'm fine! I'm detoxified! I'll prescribe another prescription for three days of this..."

Hearing this, Zhou Zhao sat up and gave Ah Huang a thumbs up, saying, "Ah Huang is amazing, he saved my life."

Ah Huang wiped the sweat from his forehead, his voice becoming lighter, "Mmm!"

Seeing this, Su Changying breathed a long sigh of relief. He reached out and ruffled the hair of both Zhou Zhaotong and Ahuang.

"You two must not hide anything from me from now on. I'll have Chu Yi come and bathe and change your clothes. Ah Huang didn't sleep all night, so go and wash up too. There's still breakfast warming on the stove. You've just recovered from a serious illness, so you can only have some light porridge for now."

Zhou Zhao gave a soft "hmm". She was covered in sweat and felt sticky all over, so she really wanted to take a shower.

Zhou Zhao was lost in thought when he looked up at Su Changying.

Su Changying immediately asked, "You want to ask His Majesty how to deal with Li Shen?"

Zhou Zhao nodded.

"He was indeed unaware of the situation. The Empress and other members of the imperial family pleaded with His Majesty, and out of consideration for the late Princess Changyang, His Majesty pardoned him. He has now returned to Princess Changyang's residence. Just before dawn, we found Gongzi Yu, and almost all of his remaining followers were wiped out."

Zhou Zhao knew what she wanted to know, so she stopped bothering Su Changying with questions.

After taking a bath and changing, Zhou Zhao felt much more relaxed all over. The burning pain that had been there before had disappeared.

Zhou Zhao's small room was now packed with people.

Zhou Buhai was dressed in a plain robe and looked much older than yesterday. When he saw Zhou Zhao come out, he looked her up and down. Seeing that Zhou Zhao's complexion was better, he cautiously called out "Ah Zhao"!
Zhou Zhao glanced at him and saw that his eyes were full of dark circles, so he knew that he hadn't slept all night.

Zhou Buhai didn't dare to come forward, but Zhou Xuan and Zhou Wan were different; the two of them, one on each side, directly supported her.

"Ah Zhao, thank goodness you're still alive! From now on, Ah Huang will be my living father!"

As Zhou Xuan spoke, he looked at Ah Huang, who was huddled in the corner. Ah Huang was holding a bowl of medicine in his hand. When he heard Zhou Xuan's words, his hand trembled and a few drops of the medicine spilled out.

“I am Zhao’s older brother, I can’t be your father,” Huang said, feeling that the word “father” was burning his tongue.

He didn't dare turn his head to look at Zhou Buhai. Good heavens! His own father was still alive; what kind of living father could he be!
He placed the medicine next to Zhou Zhao's rice porridge, saying, "You drink the porridge first, then the medicine. I'm going now..."

As Ah Huang spoke, he took off running without waiting for Zhou Zhao's response.

Seeing Zhou Buhai standing at the door, he thought for a moment, then suddenly leaped out the window and escaped. Zhou Xuan watched and laughed out loud. She placed the wooden box in her hand on the table. "Han Xincheng brought this early this morning. It's an old ginseng root. When you feel better, I'll have Chuyi stew it for you."

After Zhou Xuan finished speaking, he turned to look at Zhou Buhai and said, "Father, let me tell you. If you don't seek justice for A Zhao this time, then I will go to Grandmother myself to seek justice for A Zhao. Don't try to pressure me with filial piety then, I won't fall for that."

If the King of Chu hadn't kicked my grandmother over first yesterday, I would have used the whip.

What kind of heartless and vicious grandmother would refuse to let her granddaughter's coffin be buried in the ancestral graveyard? If you are A-Zhao's father, you must seek justice for her.

Zhou Xuan grew angrier the more she spoke, and it looked like she was about to explode again.

Zhou Wan, who was standing next to her, tugged at her sleeve. "Sister, let your little sister eat and take her medicine first. She must be hungry."

As she spoke, she patted Zhou Xuan's hand, "Sister, don't be angry. I escaped death this time and made a great contribution. I might even get promoted again. The marriages of the three of us sisters are too conspicuous, and Father has been reinstated."

Our every word and action is being watched by many people, who are just waiting to find fault with us.

I believe my grandmother is just old and confused for a moment and couldn't hold back... My mother, the Prince of Dai, has already sent a nanny to reprimand me..."

As Zhou Wan finished speaking, her eyes reddened and she lowered them. She pursed her lips and said, "Grandmother should not be like this in the future... Father is now the head of the family. With Father here, what do you and I have to worry about?"
We're not like those orphaned girls who have to rely on themselves for everything. We have our father!"

Hearing this, Zhou Buhai straightened his chest. After thinking for a moment, he nodded heavily, "Yes, Father is here!"

As Zhou Zhao listened, his expression towards Zhou Wan was exceptionally complex.

She'd rather have a real showdown in the imperial court than have a showdown with Zhou Wan in the inner quarters!
As she thought about it, she felt a warmth on her head. Su Changying patted her head and pulled her to sit down at the table. He picked up his chopsticks as if no one else was around, put some appetizers on Zhou Zhao's plate, and then took out some candied fruit, preparing her to take her medicine.

Zhou Wan, who had been performing on the spot, rolled her eyes upon seeing this.

She cleared her throat, and Zhou Buhai, who was standing beside her, snapped out of his daze and immediately said, "Changying, you're covered in blood. Why don't you go back and bathe, change your clothes, and rest properly? Something's happened at your residence; why don't you go back and see your father first..."

Zhou Zhao wasn't as thick-skinned as Su Changying, and felt quite uncomfortable being watched by her father and sisters.

So he reached out and nudged Su Changying, "I'm fine now, you go back and check on the cat first."

Su Changying gave a soft "Mmm," and said, "I'll come pick you up in a bit. Make sure you take your medicine properly, and if it tastes bitter, eat some candied fruit. There's no rush with the case. Once you're feeling better, we can go through it all together from the beginning. You've just recovered from a serious illness, so don't overexert your brain."

As he spoke, he added, "Ah Huang said he saved your life, so you have to listen to him."

Feeling uncomfortable under the watchful eyes of her father and sisters, Zhou Zhao waved her hand at Su Changying and said, "I know, I know."

Seeing Zhou Zhao become lively again, Su Changying's heart finally returned to its original place.

He nodded to Zhou Buhai, Zhou Xuan, and Zhou Wan, picked up the sword leaning against the bed, and walked into the snow.

Zhou Buhai snapped out of his daze and looked at Zhou Zhao. He awkwardly walked to the door, picked up a small wooden box, and placed it next to Zhou Zhao. "Zhao, here are some of Father's notes. You can read them while you are recuperating."

He paused, then added, "Father will give you an explanation regarding Grandmother's matter."