Lan Musi hurried over and placed his hand on Ling Yun's other wrist.
Three minutes later, the siblings exchanged a look, their faces etched with a rare solemnity.
Ling Xiaoling's heart sank as she observed the children's expressions.
"Xi'er, what's wrong with your mother?"
Lan Yuxi tightly pursed her lips, "My mother's been poisoned. No wonder he let her go so easily; he was waiting for this!"
Ling Xiaoling pressed, "What kind of poison? Is there a cure?"
Lan Yuxi said gravely, "We'll need to draw blood for analysis. Once the composition is identified, I'll have a solution."
Lan Musi asked, "Yun Mama, have you been taking medicine all along?"
Ling Yun, far from panicking, managed a smile. "It's nothing to worry about. My heart only aches occasionally. I won't die."
Lan Yuxi waved to summon the butler and gave him a few instructions.
Soon after, the butler brought Ling Yun's own housekeeper.
Lan Yuxi looked at him coldly, "How long did Hong Feng give you for the antidote?"
The housekeeper stole a glance at Ling Yun, then quickly lowered his head.
Ling Yun gave a self-deprecating laugh. "I trusted you so much, and yet you are ultimately his person."
The housekeeper fell to his knees with a thud. "Island Master, I had no choice. But my heart has always been with you."
"Get up. You don't need to follow me anymore."
"Island Master, I only found out recently that my mother passed away two years ago. He lied to me all this time and threatened me with my mother's life, forcing me to be his informant." The housekeeper, tears streaming down his face, took out a medicine bottle from his robes. "There's only one antidote here, and it only lasts for a month. Without this antidote, you'll die in agony within seven days."
Lan Yuxi raised an eyebrow. "He only gives you one antidote a month?"
The housekeeper nodded repeatedly. "Yes, every time he sent supplies, he would give me a pill and instruct me to mix it with water for the Island Master on the last day of the month. I didn't have a chance to act yesterday or today, which is why the Island Master is showing symptoms."
Lan Yuxi reached out and took the medicine bottle. "Fortunately, you didn't have the chance to act, otherwise I would have to concoct the antidote myself."
Lan Yuxi said, looking at Ling Yun, "Mom, you can't take this pill yet. Come with me to the bedroom, I'll give you some acupuncture to alleviate the pain."
Ling Yun waved her hand. "No need. I can bear this pain."
Lan Yuxi pursed her lips tightly. "There's no need for you to endure it like this."
Ling Xiaoling reached out and held her daughter's hand. "Listen to Xi'er."
Lan Zixin, lips pressed together, helped Ling Xiaoling up. "Mom, I'll escort you to your room."
Ling Yun nodded and followed Lan Zixin to the guest room.
After she left, Lan Yuxi looked at Lan Musi. "Second Brother, can we draw blood here?"
Lan Musi nodded. "Yes, I'll get it right away."
Lan Yuxi handed the medicine to Lan Xiaoqi. "Seventh Brother, I'll have to trouble you with this. Don't use too much; I fear I won't be able to develop an antidote within a week."
"Understood, I'll head to the hospital immediately." Lan Xiaoqi took the medicine bottle and walked out briskly.
Once everything was arranged, Lan Yuxi entered the bedroom with her golden needles.
Fifteen minutes later, Ling Yun, after having her blood drawn, fell into a heavy sleep.
Lan Yuxi walked out of the bedroom and said to Ling Xiaoling and Nan Zhenting, who were waiting outside the door, "Until I can research an antidote, my mother will remain asleep. Only then will the toxins in her body react more slowly. You'll need to inform my father; don't let him wait anxiously."
Ling Xiaoling nodded. "Alright, I'll go over shortly."
"Then you can come with us. I also need to go to the hospital to analyze my mother's blood sample." Lan Yuxi clenched the blood sample in her hand, her expression exceptionally grave. "I hope this poison isn't too complex."
Ling Xiaoling reached out and stroked her head. "Just do your best."
Lan Yuxi nodded forcefully and looked up at Nan Xiao. "I don't know when I'll succeed in developing an antidote, you should go back first."
Nan Xiao pondered for a moment. "I'll wait for you until tonight. If it's not possible, I'll return overnight."
Lan Yuxi pursed her lips, helped Ling Xiaoling, and walked quickly with Lan Musi.
Nan Zhenting followed them out after some thought.
Ling Xiaoling stopped and looked back. "Xi'er and the two children rarely visit. You stay to accompany them."
Nan Zhenting said with difficulty, "I'm afraid you won't be able to convince Jinsong, and he'll insist on being discharged."
Lan Zixin, carrying a food container, hurried over. "Grandfather, I'll go. My father will listen to me."
"Alright, then you two go quickly." Nan Zhenting glanced at the food container in her hand. "Made something delicious for your father again?"
"This is for Xi'er to eat on the road. As for my father's, I delivered it to him this morning."
Lan Yuxi smiled and accepted the food container. "My sister-in-law still cares about me the most."
Lan Zixin gave her a playful glare and helped Ling Xiaoling into the car.
Lan Yuxi was gone for the entire day. At dinner, Nan Xiao received a call from Lan Yuxi, learning that she would need at least three more days to develop an antidote. Nan Xiao had no choice but to return to China alone.
For these three days, Lan Yuxi, Lan Musi, and Lan Xiaoqi lived and worked in the laboratory. On the third night, the antidote for the heartache was finally developed.
Lan Yuxi dragged her heavy legs to a chair and sat down.
Lan Musi rubbed her shoulder with concern. "Go lie down on the bed for a while."
Lan Yuxi shook her head. "Yun Mama can't wait. I need to go back after a short rest."
Lan Xiaoqi walked over with a test tube. "Xi'er, this has been extracted. Take a look."
Lan Yuxi took the test tube and held it up to the light, shaking it. "No, it's still not pure enough."
Lan Xiaoqi sighed softly. "But this is the best I can do."
Lan Yuxi took the test tube and handed it to Lan Musi. "It's okay. Nan Xiao already sent the sample back with Brother Jiaqi. I believe he'll be able to refine it."
Lan Musi glanced at the test tube. "The antidote to awaken memories isn't urgent. You two should rest. I'll get that bottle of antidote, and then we'll head back."
"It must be kept away from light! Never mind, I'll do it myself." Lan Yuxi said, steadying herself against the table as she stood up.
Lan Musi shook his head helplessly. "You! You always have to do everything yourself, it's exhausting."
Lan Yuxi gave a slight curl of her lips, picked up a special container, and slowly walked out.
Lan Xiaoqi went to the bed and flopped down with a thud, yawning. "Second Brother, I'm not going back."
"Alright, you get some good sleep. I'm so tired I could die, but I have to go back. Otherwise, your Second Sister-in-law will worry if she doesn't see me."
Lan Xiaoqi pouted, pulled the covers over his head, and mumbled, "I really don't know what you all are thinking. Isn't being alone enough? Why find trouble for yourselves!"