Chapter 368: Young and Foolish

Seeing a petite figure stumble backward, Zu An, quick as a flash, instinctively grabbed her. He felt her small hand, cool and extremely comfortable.

He wasn't sure if it was from his earlier frantic run, but he felt an inexplicable heat throughout his body. So, this cool sensation was incredibly soothing; he wished he could hold on forever.

It was then that he saw who it was, and he was overjoyed. "Xiao Xi, it's great to run into you here. I have..."

Before he could finish, Ji Xiao Xi's face flushed. She pulled her hand free, then turned and walked away with a stern expression.

Only then did Zu An remember that the previous incident, when he experimented with "Eighteen Degrees of Spring Breeze," had truly angered her. He hadn't realized she was still holding a grudge.

"Xiao Xi, I really have an urgent matter that needs your help this time," Zu An said anxiously. Qin Wanru, in his arms, had already fallen unconscious, almost completely limp.

"No!" Ji Xiao Xi glanced at the woman in his arms. Qin Wanru's face was buried in Zu An's chest, so she couldn't see her clearly. Ji Xiao Xi thought to herself, *This guy actually brought a woman with him to see me.*

Rage points from Ji Xiao Xi +33+33+33...

Seeing the string of rage points in the system, Zu An was dumbfounded. This girl was usually quite good-natured; he never expected her to hold such a grudge.

"Xiao Xi, I'm truly sorry about the 'Eighteen Degrees of Spring Breeze' incident. You can hit me or scold me as much as you want later, but today, you really have to help me save someone." Zu An grew desperate.

Ji Xiao Xi's face reddened. In truth, simply accidentally tasting the "Eighteen Degrees of Spring Breeze" wouldn't have made her so angry. The crucial part was that, to detoxify, she had to undress and soak in the bathtub, and, even worse, she was seen and even touched by Zu An, and then seen and misunderstood by Chu Huanzhao. As someone pure as a blank sheet of paper since childhood, how could she tolerate such a thing? Thus, she had carried a small grievance in her heart, and every time she saw Zu An, she felt a complex mix of resentment and shyness.

She was about to refuse again, but being kind-hearted by nature, she now noticed that something was wrong with the woman in his arms. Just as she was about to speak, a furious roar suddenly erupted: "Eighteen Degrees of Spring Breeze? How dare you bully my daughter!"

Rage points from Ji Dengtu +678!

Soon, Ji Dengtu stormed out, roaring, with an expression that conveyed he wanted to tear Zu An apart.

Zu An was startled. Before he could explain, Ji Xiao Xi became anxious. "Father, it's not what you think."

"How is it not what I think? I clearly heard you talking about 'Eighteen Degrees of Spring Breeze'! This scoundrel dared to use such a despicable drug on you! I'm going to skin him alive and tear out his tendons!" Ji Dengtu cherished his daughter above all else. He usually doted on her, carrying her in his hands for fear of dropping her and holding her in his mouth for fear of melting her. The thought that his pure, innocent daughter, whom he had meticulously nurtured for over a decade, had been defiled by a pig—and not just once, but eighteen times—made him nearly go mad.

Rage points from Ji Dengtu +999+999+999...

Ji Xiao Xi's small face flushed crimson. She wanted to explain but didn't know how.

Sensing Ji Dengtu's continuous and incredibly strong resentment, Zu An knew that if he hesitated for another second, he would absolutely be torn to shreds by the enraged man. He blurted out urgently, "Divine Doctor Ji, you've misunderstood! We weren't talking about Xiao Xi just now, but about Lady Chu, who was poisoned by 'Eighteen Degrees of Spring Breeze'!"

As he spoke, he brought Qin Wanru's face closer to them. She was now unconscious, her skin as red as a cooked shrimp. Even through her clothes, they could feel the astonishing heat radiating from her body. Whether it was due to the drug or something else, a strong, fragrant aroma emanated from her, somewhat like roses but also distinct.

"Wanru!" Seeing the incredibly beautiful woman in his arms, Ji Dengtu's eyes lit up. "This is easy! I can cure this!" He reached out to take Qin Wanru from him.

Zu An was startled. He quickly took a step back, looking at Ji Dengtu with extreme vigilance. "I won't trouble Divine Doctor Ji with this. After all, men and women should keep their distance. Let Xiao Xi help instead." *What a joke! Didn't Zu An know what kind of person Ji Dengtu was?* This was the man who had previously asked her to steal Qin Wanru's personal undergarments. How could he possibly hand Qin Wanru over to such a perverted fellow? Wouldn't that be like sending a sheep to a wolf?

Ji Dengtu said with a smile, "No, no, Xiao Xi can't cure this poison. Only I can."

Zu An secretly sneered. *Nonsense! I know that kind of cure. Why would I specially come to you then?* The two men stared at each other, neither willing to give an inch.

At this point, Ji Xiao Xi couldn't stand it any longer. She walked over directly and said, "I can try." She was kind by nature and knew what it was like to be poisoned by that kind of drug, having experienced it firsthand. Naturally, compassion rose within her.

Seeing that it was her, Zu An finally felt relieved. He had originally planned to hand Qin Wanru over to her, but seeing her petite figure, he was worried she wouldn't be able to carry her. So, he proactively helped by carrying her into the inner room.

As Zu An walked, he said, "Also, she is severely injured and her life could be in danger at any moment."

At this, Ji Dengtu put away his frivolous smile, frowned, and came closer. He examined the injuries on her back. "Heart-Shattering Fist? That fellow Hong Zhong actually rebelled? I really didn't expect that."

Zu An was somewhat surprised. This guy really knew a lot about the Chu family's affairs.

Ji Dengtu took out a pill and put it into Qin Wanru's mouth. "This pill can temporarily protect her heart meridian. First, detoxify her, then treat her injuries. Otherwise, given her current condition, any nourishing or healing medicines would make her die faster. We must be quick."

Seeing his unusually solemn expression, Zu An was startled. "Is it really that serious?"

"It's more serious than you imagine," Ji Dengtu said, his face grim. He then quickly instructed Ji Xiao Xi, "Xiao Xi, also, she isn't poisoned by 'Eighteen Degrees of Spring Breeze,' but by 'Bull's Milk.' Use the detoxification method I taught you: the Heart-Calming and Spirit-Soothing Pill, plus Royal Bamboo Grass, Rootless Water..."

"Alright, alright, you two grown men, get out!" Ji Xiao Xi pushed both men out the door, one hand on each of their backs, and then slammed the door shut.

Ji Dengtu was about to turn around and speak, nearly getting his nose hit by the door. He said dejectedly, "Who is she keeping out? Daughters are supposed to be their father's warm little jackets, but my daughter isn't caring at all."

Zu An looked at him with a strange expression. *Don't you know why yourself?*

Nevertheless, he was still extremely impressed. He had originally thought to remind Ji Xiao Xi that Qin Wanru's poison wasn't "Eighteen Degrees of Spring Breeze," but who knew Ji Dengtu could tell with just a glance? He was truly worthy of the title "Divine Doctor."

"Tell me what happened in the Chu family," Ji Dengtu said, pulling Zu An to sit down on the steps outside the door.

Zu An then briefly recounted to him what had happened in the Chu family.

Ji Dengtu said huffily, "That good-for-nothing Chu Zhongtian can't protect the Chu family's foundation externally, nor can he protect his wife internally. Wanru must have been blind to choose to marry him."

Zu An asked tentatively, "What was your relationship with Lady Chu back then?"

Ji Dengtu said proudly, "Of course, we were childhood sweethearts, deeply in love! But that fellow Chu Zhongtian, relying on his status as a duke, intervened to steal my love. The Qin family was also snobbish, which cruelly separated us, this loving couple."

Zu An was speechless.

*I don't believe a word of it. That old scoundrel is truly wicked.* Every time Qin Wanru mentioned him before, she looked disgusted. Where was the slightest hint of love? Most likely, this guy had a secret crush on Qin Wanru back then, and after his goddess married Chu Zhongtian, that's why he held such a grudge against the Chu family.

"Speaking of which, that Chu Tiesheng usually looked like a good-for-nothing, but I never expected him to be so capable," Ji Dengtu suddenly remarked.

"Capable? Are you saying he successfully seized power?" Zu An was curious.

"What's so capable about that?" Ji Dengtu looked at him as if he were an idiot. "Of course, I'm talking about him finding 'Bull's Milk'! You know, in all my years, I only ever luckily got a bit when I was young, and I bloody used it all for experiments and research! Sigh, I was so foolish when I was young... Later, I tried to find it again but never could. Heh heh, I never expected Old Chu to have some. Next time, I'll definitely go to him and take all the rest!"