Zhao Ran from the Zhao Family Clinic was the one arriving. She quickly moved through the crowd and bowed respectfully beside Madam Shen.
"Why has Doctor Zhao come?" Madam Shen nodded to Zhao Ran in greeting.
"I heard a large crowd had gathered outside the Shen manor, so I came to join the excitement," Zhao Ran replied. She then turned to Lu Yu, "Oh, Doctor Lu is here too. I've heard your medical skills are superb, and I've long wanted to spar with you."
Lu Yu gave her a slight nod but did not reply.
"I just heard that Lu Fulang wishes to conduct a blood-mixing test with the Shen family head. That is indeed a good choice. I've also heard the recent rumors, and this method will surely reveal the truth."
With Zhao Ran's words, the crowd was once again informed that a blood-mixing test could prove the matter. As a doctor, her words carried more weight and were more convincing to the common folk.
Thus, if the blood did not blend, the recent rumors would be proven true.
"Doctor Lu, what do you think of this method?" Zhao Ran turned to Lu Yu and asked with a smile.
Zhao Ran had already pushed the matter to this point. Shen Xuan was Lu Yu's husband. If Lu Yu publicly refused the blood-mixing test, it would only make people more suspicious of the truth.
However, if they agreed and the blood failed to blend, any explanation afterward would be seen by the public as Lu Yu trying to cover for Shen Xuan after seeing the results, thus solidifying the rumors.
"I disagree." Since it was a no-win situation, Lu Yu chose the method that would cause the least harm and be the most secure for Shen Xuan.
"I don't believe whether blood blends or not can accurately determine if two people are mother and son."
This statement caused a huge stir, and the crowd erupted in an uproar. Lu Yu knew this explanation would overturn their previous understanding, but she could only try her best to explain and make them believe her.
"Everyone, please listen to me. Human blood has different blood types. These blood types are not based on shape as you might imagine, but on the differences in antigen components within the blood."
To make it easier for everyone to understand, Lu Yu rephrased her explanation in simpler terms after finishing.
"Simply put, the substances in human blood are different, which is why they are divided into different types. Blood of the same type can blend, while blood of different types cannot."
"But can a mother and son have different blood types?" someone in the crowd asked with doubt.
"Of course," Lu Yu replied affirmatively.
"How is that possible? I think she's just trying to deceive us."
"Yes, yes. I've never heard of such a thing."
"She's probably just making excuses for the results in advance."
Most people in the crowd did not believe her. However, some knew of Lu Yu's excellent medical skills and suspected that her statement was not made lightly, remaining half-believing.
"Please calm down, everyone. I am also a doctor, but I have never heard of such a claim." Zhao Ran's words caused another wave of commotion among the crowd.
In the past, there were few doctors in town. Lu Yu's mother was a renowned physician, and Zhao Ran was not inferior. Therefore, with Zhao Ran's statement, people were more inclined to believe the words of the more experienced doctor.
"It's useless to discuss this now. Let's quickly proceed with the blood-mixing test," Madam Shen interrupted, her face stern, unwilling to get entangled with them further.
Shen Xuan subconsciously looked at Lu Yu. Seeing Lu Yu looking at him, and hearing Lu Yu's words again, Shen Xuan felt uneasy, his hands trembling slightly.
He finally avoided Lu Yu's gaze and nodded under everyone's watchful eyes, deciding to proceed with the blood-mixing test.
Madam Shen did not want to delay and instructed a servant to prepare clean water.
"Mother, there's no need to prepare. I've already asked the servants to get it ready." Shen Jia, dressed in a light green outfit, arrived gracefully, with a young servant carrying a bowl of water beside her.
She walked up to Madam Shen and bowed slightly, clearly having dressed up for the occasion.
She inadvertently glanced at Zhao Ran, who frowned slightly.
"Mother, I heard my brother was going to conduct a blood-mixing test in the courtyard, so I rushed to have clean water prepared. Fortunately, I wasn't too late."
"Jia'er, you are so thoughtful." Madam Shen smiled and nodded, her attitude towards Shen Jia and Shen Xuan being markedly different.
"Wait a moment." Lu Yu stepped forward, took the bowl from the servant, examined it carefully, and then touched the rim of the bowl before tasting it.
"This bowl was taken from the kitchen, wasn't it?" Lu Yu asked Shen Jia.
Shen Jia became flustered by the question and avoided Lu Yu's eyes. "So what if it was? Can bowls be kept elsewhere?"
"This bowl must have contained vinegar. When blood is dripped into a bowl that contained vinegar, it will not blend. Doctor Zhao, am I correct?"
Lu Yu did not press Shen Jia further but suddenly turned to Zhao Ran. She had not missed the exchange of glances between Shen Jia and Zhao Ran when Shen Jia arrived.
"That's right, Doctor Lu is correct."
Zhao Liu had not informed Zhao Ran that Lu Yu would also be present when she sent someone to notify Zhao Ran. Now that Lu Yu was here, her little tricks would naturally not be hidden from her.
"I'm sorry, Mother. I don't understand these things." Shen Jia, seeing that she had been discovered, quickly lowered her head, her eyelashes covering the hatred in her eyes, feigning an innocent appearance.
"It's alright, just go and get another bowl! Young Master Shen Jia wouldn't understand these things," someone in the crowd shouted.
"Then go and get another one," Madam Shen said, choosing to go along with the suggestion rather than scold Shen Jia in front of everyone.
This time, Lu Yu personally accompanied them to ensure that no tampering occurred.
"It blended!" Afu, who had been standing beside Shen Xuan without speaking, shouted with joy upon seeing the blood blend.
Shen Xuan's eyes were sore from staring. Seeing that their blood had finally blended, Shen Xuan excitedly gripped Afu's hand, took a step back, and steadied his slightly trembling body.
Lu Yu also breathed a sigh of relief. It was best that the blood blended.
"Everyone has seen this result. My husband is indeed the biological son of the Shen family," Lu Yu paused and then continued, "As for the other remarks you've made, I can address them one by one."
"Before Shen Xuan married me, he had never been intimate with any strange woman, so he was naturally a virgin. If you continue to slander his chastity or spread these rumors, I, Lu Yu, will not tolerate it!"
"That's right, the town's atmosphere indeed needs a good rectification. The rumors of these past few days are forbidden from being spread from this moment on. If I hear any more such words, I, as the town mayor, will not forgive it."
Zheng Yu, who had witnessed the entire incident from within the crowd, stepped forward to Lu Yu after she finished speaking and took over.
"So it's the town mayor."
With Zheng Yu's words, the common folk dared not continue to gossip. Moreover, they had personally seen the blood blend. Even if someone intended to spread rumors again, they would have no way to do so.
Zheng Yu ignored Madam Shen and spoke loudly to the crowd, "Since the rumors have been clarified, everyone may disperse!"
"Wait a moment! I still have something to say!"