Just as Yun Chunfeng directed the coachman to stop the carriage in front of the General’s residence, he saw Jiang Xingyan hurriedly walking out, carrying Huo Ci horizontally in her arms.
His heart sank.
Though he could deduce what had happened, he had no control over personal emotions.
If the young mistress, moved by someone’s vulnerability during illness, rekindled old feelings, he feared he might not be able to stop himself from slaughtering the entire Huo family all over again.
Jiang Xingyan spotted her own carriage at once.
The reason was simple: after the unexpected good fortune of securing a steady job, the coachman had been so excited that he stayed up all night repainting the carriage, adding bells to its four corners, and completely refurbishing the interior.
Not only that, he had also bought a tall black horse to replace the original yellow one, even fitting it with a silver forehead ornament that made it look quite imposing.
Parked in front of the General’s residence, the carriage was so eye-catching that it drew a crowd of onlookers.
Yet instead of carrying Huo Ci into the carriage, she flagged down a passing ox-cart and hurried away.
She thought to herself that since her own body was on the verge of death, bringing it into the carriage might frighten Xiao Ya.
Witnessing this, Yun Chunfeng snapped.
He clenched his fingers tightly, struggling to suppress the boiling killing intent in his heart.
Suddenly, he let out a cold laugh, his right hand forming a swift seal as he muttered an incantation under his breath.
Boom!
A thunderclap exploded in the clear daylight, startling everyone.
Then, a bolt of lightning struck directly at the Huo residence.
Crack!
It split the purple sandalwood plaque bearing the golden characters “General’s Residence” clean in two.
The plaque fell with a crash, shattering into pieces on the ground.
The bystanders admiring the carriage and the servants at the entrance were all stunned.
When they realized what had happened, terror instantly seized them.
The General’s residence had been struck by lightning!
The news spread like wildfire among the people, while the servants rushed to report to Old Lady Huo.
In Yun Chunfeng’s arms, Xiao Ya blinked, glanced at the scattered wood fragments, then turned to look at the man behind her, who seemed wronged and aggrieved.
She tilted her head—the world of adults was truly hard to understand.
“Uncle, fun. Do it again.”
Boom!
…..
Jiang Xingyan took Huo Ci directly to the Imperial Hospital.
She could only hope that Physician Sun’s skilled hands could work miracles and save him.
This man clearly didn’t care about her body at all!
The more she thought about it, the angrier she became, and she ended up slapping Huo Ci’s body twice.
Hearing that “Huo Ci” had burst in carrying someone, Physician Sun’s hand trembled, nearly dropping his medical book.
Stepping out, he saw what looked like a corpse being carried.
Jiang Xingyan dropped to one knee and pleaded, “Physician Sun, I beg you to save my wife!”
The words of refusal stuck in his throat, so Physician Sun reluctantly reached out to check the pulse.
To his surprise, the pulse was so faint that most physicians wouldn’t even detect it.
Young General Huo certainly had a keen eye for talent.
He knew that in the entire capital, only Physician Sun could save her.
“The young general’s wife is a woman. It would be improper for an old man like me to administer acupuncture—”
Jiang Xingyan urgently interrupted, “Physician Sun, at a time like this, I don’t mind.”
Physician Sun shot her a disapproving look and said impatiently, “What’s the rush? Let me finish!
My granddaughter has inherited my skills. She will administer the acupuncture for your wife, while I prepare the prescription.”
Jiang Xingyan hastily agreed and carried Huo Ci to the east wing.
Soon after, a medical attendant arrived hurriedly with a wooden case.
The moment she touched Huo Ci’s arm, her delicate eyebrows furrowed, and she scolded Jiang Xingyan sternly, “Her clothes are soaked through. Why hasn’t she been changed?
Judging by her pulse, she’s had a high fever for three hours. Why wait until she’s nearly dead to bring her here?”
Jiang Xingyan couldn’t explain her predicament, so she could only reply gloomily, “There wasn’t enough time. I apologize for the oversight.”
The medical attendant snorted coldly but efficiently gathered Huo Ci’s hair, only to notice the slap marks on his face.
Jiang Xingyan froze.
In her anger, she’d forgotten that any harm to Huo Ci’s body would transfer to her own!
Those two slaps she’d delivered earlier—had they actually landed on herself?
Where was the justice in that?
The medical attendant’s mood darkened further, and she furiously shooed Jiang Xingyan out.
“Get out of here! How could a great general strike a woman?”
Tears welled in Jiang Xingyan’s eyes: No, wait, let me explain…
The medical attendant’s outburst quickly spread throughout the Imperial Hospital, and soon everyone knew that Young General Huo had struck his wife in private.
In an instant, the glances directed at Jiang Xingyan were filled with contempt.
She initially tried to explain urgently but then paused: Wait, I’m Huo Ci now!
Once this realization sank in, she immediately relaxed and met their scrutinizing gazes calmly, even feeling tempted to nod and admit: Yes, that’s right. I, Huo Ci, am indeed a beast who treats his wife poorly.
Even if he hadn’t done it himself, his mother had.
A son repaying his mother’s debt was equivalent to him doing it himself.
No mistake there!
When Physician Sun emerged with the prescription, he saw “Huo Ci” standing proudly in the courtyard, nodding at him: “That’s right, I, Huo Ci, am the one who hit her. Go ahead, everyone, condemn me.”
Physician Sun rolled his eyes.
Was this man losing his mind?
He disdainfully tossed the prescription to her: “Get the medicine according to this. Three doses a day.
If she isn’t better after three days, prepare a coffin!”
Jiang Xingyan felt uneasy—what if Huo Ci really dragged her body to its death?
Just as she took the prescription, a commotion broke out outside.
“Hey, this is the Imperial Hospital, not a marketplace.
The general barging in is one thing—we can’t stop him—but you’re following his example? Scram!”
“Sir, please have mercy! I’m also from the General’s residence. I have urgent news to report!”
Jiang Xingyan recognized the coachman’s voice and quickly strode through the moon gate to the front hall, where she found him.
“What’s all this fuss about?”
The coachman looked as if he’d found his savior. He dropped to his knees with a thud: “The State Preceptor has fainted in the carriage! General, please come quickly!”