After Transmigration, I Picked Up A Husband and Daughter
Chapter 218: Counterproductive

Chapter 218: Chapter 218: Counterproductive

Su Yu pressed on, "Are you certain that Third Aunt died from bleeding through all seven orifices?"

Jiang Ziling nodded affirmatively again, that horrifying image, despite the passing of years, remained as clear as yesterday.

Su Yu’s furrowed brows gradually relaxed as she explained in a professional tone, "Although poisonous mushrooms vary in toxicity, they typically damage organs such as the liver and kidneys, and the nervous system, leading to multiple organ failure rather than directly causing bleeding through all seven orifices. This symptom is more commonly associated with other highly toxic substances."

"Therefore, I speculate that Third Aunt’s misfortune might not have originated from mushrooms, but rather from some other more insidious poison. Those mushrooms were but a carefully arranged smokescreen, intended to confuse and deceive."

"You mean to say..."

Shocked beyond belief, Jiang Ziling’s lips trembled, struggling to believe such a twist.

"I mean, Third Aunt may have been harmed by a villain, and you all, innocently became the victims and scapegoats of this conspiracy."

With a resolute gaze, Su Yu seemed to see the first light of truth, "Trust me, hidden within there’s a mystery you’ve yet to detect. Consider going over that memory in detail once more, perhaps then you’ll find the key clue to unraveling this enigma."

"Moreover, those fresh mushrooms, were they truly tasted only by Third Aunt? None of you, had ever taken a bite?"

Jiang Ziling’s eyes flickered with confusion, his tone revealing incredulity.

"Why was she, of all people, struck by this calamity? The situation is shrouded in doubt, and the truth behind it is far from as straightforward as it seems."

His voice was deep and determined, as if striving to lift the fog of memories.

Jiang Ziling’s brows were tightly knit as he tried to search his mind for more fragments.

Back then, he was still young, lacking keen insight and understanding of the many complex matters of the world.

In his memory, only a blurred image remained—the arrival of Third Aunt was like a refreshing spring breeze, followed by him and his elder brother taking to the forest paths to pick those seemingly harmless wild mushrooms.

Who could have predicted that, after that night’s dinner, Third Aunt would be poisoned by them, her life’s flame gradually extinguished.

The reason he and his elder brother hadn’t eaten them was simply that they, like squirrels in the woods, had long been accustomed to the gifts of the forest, and had lost their novelty for these mushrooms; knowing Third Aunt’s particular fondness, they had sincerely wished for her to enjoy them to her heart’s content.

For years, Jiang Ziling harbored a sense of guilt within, always feeling that it was his and his elder brother’s momentary oversight that inadvertently led to this tragedy.

"Thus it seems, to uncover this mystery, I must seek a thorough inquiry with my elder brother. At that time, he was slightly older than me and surely remembers the details more vividly."

Jiang Ziling’s expression was grim, his brows furrowed in thought.

If Su Yu’s conjecture were true, then who could it be, lurking within this tranquil home, who had heartlessly struck down Third Aunt?

The Jiang Family, after all, was but a handful of people.

Since the grandparents passed away, and the uncle’s family, due to some grudge, had completely severed ties with their own, erecting a cold wall between the two families, they had been as strangers evermore.

As for Changxi and Changle, they were too young at the time to conceive of such a malicious scheme.

This left, in addition to himself and his elder brother, only Lady Zhao and Jiang Xunzhong as possible suspects.

But Jiang Xunzhong, as Third Aunt’s own elder brother, bound by blood thicker than water, would never harm his only sister in such a way.

Hence, all suspicion and speculation naturally focused on Lady Zhao.

Internally, Jiang Ziling considered, Lady Zhao often acted suspiciously; this deed was not her first offense.

"As you say, if someone indeed poisoned on purpose, the prime suspect could only be Lady Zhao without doubt."

Jiang Ziling clenched his fists tightly, and in a burst of anger, slammed them down on the table with a heavy thud, as if to release years of pent-up frustration all at once.

Su Yu, seeing the situation, quickly soothed, her voice gentle yet firm, "Calm yourself first. Although she is a prime suspect, this matter is old, and finding evidence will not be easy. We need to think long-term and act cautiously, lest we startle the snake by hitting the grass."

Jiang Ziling took a deep breath and nodded slowly in agreement.

The reminder from Su Yu was sound; any rash action might lead the opponent to fortify their defenses in advance.

During the interval of their conversation, the kettle in the kitchen began to bubble with a gurgling sound, the rising steam filling the air as if to signal that something was about to boil over.

"You go back and rest first, I’ll come find you after I’ve freshened up."

Su Yu said softly, her eyes full of care.

Jiang Ziling nodded slightly, his hand on his cane, as he walked slowly toward the bedroom step by step.

His heart was a tumult of emotions, a tangle of thoughts, making sleep under the night sky exceedingly difficult.

The words of Su Yu washed over him like the tide, repeatedly beating against his heart, making him eager to immediately find his elder brother and inquire about every tiny detail of those buried past events.

However, remembering his brother’s current difficulty with speech and that he was still in recovery, Jiang Ziling had to forcibly suppress his inner urge.

He thought it best to wait until his brother’s condition improved; otherwise, it would only add to his worries.

The next morning, with the first light of dawn just showing, Su Yu went to visit Aunt Li at the Li family’s home, bringing with her several doses of newly prepared medicine.

There lay Aunt Li, sleeping soundly with a face of utmost tranquility, as if the troubling visions that had beset her were now dispersed.

Su Yu gently checked Aunt Li’s pulse and turned to explain to Uncle Li, "Aunt Li is out of danger now, just a bit weak. I’ve brought the detoxifying medicine with me; she’ll need to continue taking it for three more days, and during this time, the diet must be light and easy to digest."

"Alright, alright, thank you so much!"

Uncle Li expressed his thanks repeatedly, his eyes full of gratitude.

His wrinkled face was framed by deep, dark circles, signifying his utter exhaustion.

A wave of sympathy arose in Su Yu’s heart; the old man was advanced in years, how could he endure such toil.

"Why don’t you go and sleep for a while? I can take care of her."

Su Yu suggested with concern.

"No, I’ll do it, that way I’ll be at ease," Uncle Li insisted, his steps slightly unsteady, yet stubbornly refusing to leave.

Realizing that Uncle Li’s body was nearing its limit, Su Yu knew that continuing to force himself like this might have the opposite effect.

"I think you should rest. If Aunt Li’s condition improves but you collapse first, what then?"

Su Yu’s persuasion carried an unquestionable resolve.

Uncle Li hesitated, "This..."

Catching the subtle shift in Uncle Li’s attitude, Su Yu urged him, "Please go now. I’m here, just rest assured and rest for a while."

Gently pushing Uncle Li toward the next room, Su Yu watched him enter the house before she could rest easy.

Uncle Li was indeed extremely tired; he had intended to nap just for a moment before taking over for Su Yu. But as soon as his head touched the pillow, sleep came flooding over him like a tide, and by the time he woke up again, it was already noon.