From the family treasure tree to build an eternal family

Chapter 161 Account
Zhang Tuo waved his hand and shook his head: "No need, the spirit stones you gave me are enough. I want to remind you that your daughter was harmed by a villain and took some poison that damaged her lungs, which caused this lung-like illness."

I neutralized the toxins in her body; her illness will soon be cured.

Murdered by a villain?!

Ma Erjue's eyes widened. He had been somewhat skeptical when Yingzi said that the Xu family's concubine had a problem, but now the Immortal Doctor had confirmed it.

"I saved your daughter, but I couldn't save the baby in her womb."

The fetus in the womb?

Upon hearing this, Ma Erjue's heart sank: "My daughter is pregnant?"

"Yes, about two months."

Ma Erjue was stunned for a few moments, then hurriedly pleaded, "Immortal Doctor Zhang, please save the baby. Shujie finally got pregnant, and if this pregnancy is lost, she may never be able to be a mother in her life!"

He held traditional views and believed that a woman's life was incomplete if she did not have children.

"In your daughter's condition, the fetus in her womb is almost completely dying. I cannot save her."

Zhang Tu shook his head regretfully. If he had the strength of the late stage of Qi Refining, he might have been able to try, but with his current abilities, he had no hope of reviving a stillborn fetus.

"This...sigh."

Ma Erjue's heartache turned into a long sigh, thankfully his daughter survived.

After repeatedly expressing his gratitude, Zhang Tuo took his leave.

Sigrún has taught at the Iceland University of the Arts as a part-time lecturer since and was Dean of the Department of Fine Art from -. In – she held a research position at Reykjavík Art Museum focusing on the role of women in Icelandic art. She studied fine art at the Icelandic College of Arts and Crafts and at Pratt Institute, New York, and holds BA and MA degrees in art history and philosophy from the University of Iceland. Sigrún lives and works in Iceland.

Inside the room, everyone gathered around Ma Shujie with concern.

Ma Erjue walked into the room with a grim expression. He felt heartbroken thinking about how his daughter and unborn child had almost died.

What kind of treatment did his daughter receive at home? It wouldn't be an exaggeration to describe her as the "apple of everyone's eye."

When he arrived at the Xu family, he was almost killed by one of the concubines.

No, it's not just the concubine. Maybe the concubine is being instructed by that lecherous playboy Xu Zhongchao who loves to frequent brothels!
"Shujie, do you know you're pregnant?"

Ma Erjue walked to the bedside and asked softly.

Pregnant?
Ma Shujie was helped to sit up by the others. Her face was still a little pale. She shook her head and said, "I don't know."

Upon careful recollection, she recalled an encounter with Xu Zhongchao two or three months prior.

Is she pregnant?

"Doctor Zhang said that your illness was so severe that you lost your baby. He also said that you were secretly poisoned."

Think carefully, what suspicious things have you been eating lately? Did Xu Zhongchao give them to you, or did that concubine give them to you?

Ma Erjue did not hide anything and told the truth.

This statement caused an uproar among the Ma family, especially among Yingzi.

"I knew it was that lowly concubine who caused it, and I was right!"
Xu Zhongchao might also be involved. He watched helplessly as the young lady nearly died of illness, and even lied to me saying he would hire a famous doctor, but he ended up spending time with that slut!
Favoring a concubine over one's wife is utterly immoral!

Yingzi was furious.

Ma Shujie stroked her belly, feeling that she had finally gotten pregnant, but unfortunately, she couldn't keep the baby.

Reflecting on her life during this period, she suddenly realized: "It was those pastries. Liu Yun's pastries were delicious, and she often brought me my favorite ones. I would often feel dizzy and sleepy after eating them."

The Ma family members learned the general outline of what had happened.

Ma Erjue waved for everyone to leave: "Everyone, please go out first and let Shujie get some rest."

Afterwards, everyone left the room, leaving only Yingzi to take care of her.

Ma Erjue sent someone to invite his elder brother, "Ma Dahou," because this matter couldn't just be left like that.

So what if the Xu family is powerful?

They can't tolerate being bullied like this!

Sigrún has taught at the Iceland University of the Arts as a part-time lecturer since and was Dean of the Department of Fine Art from -. In – she held a research position at Reykjavík Art Museum focusing on the role of women in Icelandic art. She studied fine art at the Icelandic College of Arts and Crafts and at Pratt Institute, New York, and holds BA and MA degrees in art history and philosophy from the University of Iceland. Sigrún lives and works in Iceland.

The next day.

A large convoy of trains traveled from the county town to Baihe Mountain.

Ma Erjue brought quite a few people with him. His elder brother was at the third level of the Innate Realm and ran a martial arts school; he also had a son at the Innate Realm.

Both of his sons were innate martial artists.

In addition, his family's escort agency sent two Xiantian martial artists, and his martial arts school sent one Xiantian martial artist. Adding the high-level martial artists who were just there to make up the numbers, there were a total of twenty or thirty people.

The Ma family is in the right in this matter.

However, the fact that the Xu family tolerated Xu Zhongchao's act of favoring his concubine over his wife suggests they might be protecting him.

Therefore, Ma Erjue brought so many people to bolster his power; otherwise, he would have allowed the Xu family to bully Ma Shujie's family because they had no one to rely on.

The convoy was stopped by the innate martial artists guarding Baihe Mountain.

"Who are you?"

"I am Ma Erjue, the in-law of the Xu family!"

Grandmaster Ma Erjue's internal energy amplified his voice, which carried for miles like rolling thunder.

relatives by marriage?

Why are so many of my in-laws coming to our door in such a menacing manner?
"Please wait a moment, everyone. I will go and deliver a message."

The innate martial artists guarding the mountain dared not allow so many martial arts experts to break into Hundred Valleys Mountain.

"No need!"

Without waiting for his message, Ma Erjue led his convoy into Baihe Mountain and headed deeper into the mountain along the mountain road.

Seeing that there were so many powerful opponents, the innate martial artist guarding the mountain could not stop them and could only hurriedly send a message.

The in-laws led a group to forcibly break into Baihe Mountain? This is too strange.

Moments later, the Ma family's convoy arrived at the second residential area of ​​Baihe Mountain. At the same time, news that "someone has broken into Baihe Mountain" reached Xu Xiaoyun and Xu Xiaoan.

Xu Xiaoan went to the core area to inform Xu Fugui, Xu Xiaohou and others, while Xu Xiaoyun hurriedly welcomed his in-laws.

Sigrún has taught at the Iceland University of the Arts as a part-time lecturer since and was Dean of the Department of Fine Art from -. In – she held a research position at Reykjavík Art Museum focusing on the role of women in Icelandic art. She studied fine art at the Icelandic College of Arts and Crafts and at Pratt Institute, New York, and holds BA and MA degrees in art history and philosophy from the University of Iceland. Sigrún lives and works in Iceland.

Several carriages lined up in a row, and Ma Erjue led everyone out of the carriages.

Twenty or thirty martial arts experts gathered, including one martial arts grandmaster and several innate martial artists, creating a formidable force.

Xu Xiaoyun saw him from afar and quickly stepped forward. Although he was puzzled, he remained respectful and polite on the surface: "I did not know that my father-in-law was coming. I am sorry for not welcoming you properly."

"Father-in-law, it's been a long time. Your Xu family has grown and prospered. Have you forgotten how you used to come begging for a daughter-in-law?"

Ma Erjue surveyed Baiheshan and recognized the family's wealth and influence, but he remained impolite and sarcastic in his remarks.

"Ah? What does my father-in-law mean by this?"

Xu Xiaoyun couldn't understand why they were making sarcastic remarks right from the start.

"You don't know? Call your eldest son, Xu Zhongchao, and his concubine here for a face-to-face confrontation!" As the two were talking, the commotion attracted the attention of the Xu family members.

The Xu family members living here, including Zhongyi and Zhong'er, are not innate martial artists.

And then there are the Xu family's wives and children.

Compared to the powerful martial arts aura of the Ma family, the Xu family consisted mostly of women, children, maids, and servants.

Soon, Xu Zhongchao and Liu Yun arrived after learning the news.

Xu Xiaoyun asked in confusion, "Achao, where is Shujie?"

"Father, she...she..."

Xu Zhongchao stammered for a long time, not daring to speak. He hadn't told his father about Ma Shujie being taken away by Yingzi yesterday.

"Say!"

Xu Xiaoyun glared angrily at Xu Zhongchao and shouted. Although he was not born with innate talent, he had run his business for many years with his own abilities and was known as "Fourth Master Xu". His aura was far from that of an ordinary person.

Xu Zhongchao felt fear and lowered his head, not daring to speak.

“Let me explain. Shujie is recuperating at my house,” Ma Erjue said.

"Your eldest son favored his concubine over his wife, allowing her to poison Shujie, almost killing her and causing her to lose her unborn child!"

Upon hearing this, Xu Xiaoyun's mind went blank, and he staggered, his legs almost giving way and causing him to collapse.

Xu Zhongyi, who was standing nearby, quickly stepped forward and helped his fourth uncle, Xu Xiaoyun.

After a long pause, Xu Xiaoyun suppressed her turbulent emotions and looked at Xu Zhongchao and Liu Yun with suspicion and uncertainty: "Aren't you going to tell me?"

At this moment, Xu Zhongchao was also shocked and puzzled: "Poisoning? Father-in-law, have you misunderstood? Shujie's cold has worsened and she has developed tuberculosis. How could anyone dare to poison her?"

Also, is Shujie pregnant?

"Misunderstanding? Haha."

Ma Erjue sneered, "What misunderstanding? It's the result of Doctor Zhang's home visit. Why don't you go and ask? Shujie was poisoned by a villain!"

Xu Zhongchao turned to look at Liu Yun in disbelief, instinctively taking a few steps back: "Xiao Yun, you...you poisoned Shujie?"

When Liu Yun heard the word "poisoning," her heart sank to the bottom.

She thought her plan was perfect, having carefully selected a slow-acting poison and even bribed Li Zhikang, the doctor in the Xu family.

Unexpectedly, Ma Shujie's family was so powerful that they invited a renowned physician to treat her.

At this moment, she couldn't possibly admit it, so she feigned grievance: "I'm innocent! I'm innocent! Madam treats me like a younger sister, how could I dare to poison Madam? Waaah~~"

His weeping and wailing had a pitiful quality to it.

But which of the people present would be fooled by her acting skills?

Xu Xiaoyun's face was extremely pale. He hadn't expected such a big thing to happen to the Xu family, and he hadn't even known about it. A few days ago, he heard that Ma Shujie was sick, so he specifically asked Li Zhikang about it. He heard that she had caught a cold and told Li Zhikang to take good care of her.

He almost died from the disease in just a few days?
It was his carelessness.

"Father-in-law, don't you owe us an explanation?"

After Ma Erjue spoke, a group of martial artists behind him shouted loudly: "The Xu family favored their concubine and killed their wife. Give us an explanation!"

"To favor a concubine over one's wife is an outrageous act!"

"..."

Xu Xiaoyun's face was extremely gloomy. He knew that what Ma Erjue said was probably true, but it was only one person's opinion and there was no evidence yet: "Once I find out the truth, I will definitely give you an explanation."

As he spoke, he hurriedly ordered his servants to search Xu Zhongchao and Liu Yun's residence.

"Investigate? What else do you need to investigate?"

What explanation can you give us?

The Ma family members were relentless in their pursuit.

Sigrún has taught at the Iceland University of the Arts as a part-time lecturer since and was Dean of the Department of Fine Art from -. In – she held a research position at Reykjavík Art Museum focusing on the role of women in Icelandic art. She studied fine art at the Icelandic College of Arts and Crafts and at Pratt Institute, New York, and holds BA and MA degrees in art history and philosophy from the University of Iceland. Sigrún lives and works in Iceland.

At this moment, Xu Xiaohou was hiding in the shadows.

He first learned from Xu Xiaoan that someone had broken into Baihe Mountain.

He initially thought someone was courting death, but it turned out to be Xu Xiaoyun's in-law. So he didn't show himself and just stayed hidden in the shadows, observing silently.

This is his fourth brother's family matter, and he doesn't want to get involved.

He is the Xu family's hidden weapon; there's no need for him to show himself over such a trivial matter.

Just then, a presence flew in from afar.

It was Xu Xiaoniu who came after hearing the news.

He is the Director of the Demon Subduing Division, and a Qi Refining Level 7 Immortal Official in the Xu family!

The aura of a late-stage Qi Refining cultivator caused the Ma family members to fall silent.

Xu Xiaoniu descended from the sky, and the invisible pressure he exuded made the Ma family members tense. They all knew that the Xu family's current power was due to Xu Xiaoniu.

"how?"

Unaware of the situation, he glanced at the crowd, but no one dared to answer.

"Big brother, it's like this..."

Xu Xiaoyun whispered a few words in his ear.

Xu Xiaoniu frowned upon hearing this. When had such a thing ever happened in their Xu family? "Fourth brother, it's your fault for not raising your son properly."

"Sigh, it's my fault. What do we do now?"

"Let's wait for Father to come and handle it. Fifth Brother is waiting for his cultivation to end."

"..."

The two whispered a few words to each other, then fell silent and waited quietly.

This left Ma Erjue completely baffled.

Xu Xiaoniu, the highest-ranking member of the Xu family, is already here. Who else are we waiting for?

Before Xu Fugui arrived, Xu Zhongche and Xu Zhonghuai arrived together.

Just then, the servants brought pastries and daily necessities from Xu Zhongchao's residence.

"Jungcheol, try these pastries."

Xu Xiaoyun had just heard Ma Erjue mention that Ma Shujie was poisoned after eating pastries.

Xu Zhongche picked up a piece of pastry and put it in his mouth to taste.

After chewing for a moment, he spat it out with a "pui".

(End of this chapter)