Mystique Soul: A Cultivator's Flame
Chapter 45

Chapter 45: Chapter 45

Feng Jiao Xue’s pale figure lay motionless on the bed, her skin pale as paper and her cheeks gaunt, her limbs skin and bones. She looks as pitiful as she intended to be.

Mo Tianze watched the two before reluctantly going outside to let his master’s plow play out.

Feng Haoyang’s heart twisted with guilt and helplessness as he sat by her bedside, holding her hand. His usually carefree demeanor was replaced by a furrowed brow and clenched fists. As the fourth son, he was free to roam wherever the winds carried him, unshackled by the burdens of duty and responsibility. He grew up without much pressure since his big brothers excelled in almost everything and he never cared about that because he was loved by his family still. This only allowed him to do as he wishes.

Yet now, faced with his niece’s state, he found himself questioning everything.

"How could I let this happen?" he muttered to himself, his voice barely have any strength as he sound as broken as he felt. "How could I not have noticed?"he asked again softly, tears threatening to fall from his eyes.

Feng Jiao Xue may not have known but even if Feng Haoyang is barely at home, he had kept in tough with his family. The ’Feng Jiao Xue’ in his letters was lively, spoiled, and bratty but he had expected that much from a young miss of his family.

He reached out, brushing a lock of hair from her forehead. She felt cold to the touch, her skin devoid of the warmth that should have been there. Guilt clawed at his chest as memories of her once vibrant smile surfaced. Smiles that he had only witnessed when she barely reached his knees, pudgy and sweet, like that of a peach... his little peach always trottling after his father.

Feng Haoyang choked out a sob.

"Xun Yi!" Haoyang barked, his voice sharp and urgent.

From the shadows, a middle-aged man clad in plain black robes stepped forward. Xun Yi, his most trusted servant, inclined his head respectfully. "My lord?"

"Find the best healers in the city. Alchemists, mages, herbalists—whoever is capable. Bring them here immediately. I don’t care what it costs," Haoyang ordered, his tone brooking no argument.

"Understood, my lord." Xun Yi bowed low before leaving.

Feng Haoyang heavily sigh, dragging a hand through his hair. His gaze returned to Feng Jiao Xue, who lay motionless on the bed, her delicate features marred by the faint sheen of sweat. She looked so different from the lively little girl he remembered.

He hadn’t seen her in years, not since he’d left the family estate to roam the world as he had always dreamed of. He had enjoyed a rare kind of freedom, unburdened by expectations. He had spent his days traveling to distant lands, savoring the pleasures of life like a bird soaring through the skies.

But now, staring at the fragile figure of his niece, he felt the weight of responsibility settle heavily on his shoulders. What kind of uncle had he been to leave her behind?

He thought that surely, it was fine. She had her first and second uncle as well as her grandfather to take care of her. What could he? The clan’s prodigal, irresponsible master contribute to raising a child? Surely, he would only be a bad influence on his nieces and nephews...

His eyes roamed the room again, this time taking in the details he had initially overlooked. In the corner stood a basin of murky water, its surface speckled with grime. A small pile of clothes lay on the floor nearby, their fabric threadbare and stained. On the table sat a bowl of thick, congealed goo that turned his stomach just looking at it.

His lips curled in disgust as he approached the bowl, picking it up to examine its contents more closely. The stench was vile, a sickly-sweet odor that made him recoil. "What is this? Surely this can’t be food."

Behind him, a faint groan broke the silence. Feng Haoyang turned abruptly, the bowl nearly slipping from his grasp.

"Fourth Uncle?" Feng Jiao Xue’s voice was barely above a whisper, weak and trembling. Her eyes fluttered open revealing tired and warry eyes. "You... Why are you here? How are you here?"

Haoyang rushed to her side, setting the bowl down with a clatter. "Jiao Xue! You’re awake. Don’t move. Save your strength. I’ve sent for the best healers in the city. Everything’s going to be okay, okay? We’ll figure out what’s wrong."

Her lips parted in a faint, shaky smile. "You... you didn’t have to go through so much trouble, Uncle. I’ll be fine. I... I’m used to this." she porpusely coughed weakly making Feng Haoyang run to her side and offer her some water.

His chest tightened at her words. "Used to this? What are you talking about? This...!" he gestured to the room around them, his voice rising with indignation, "!...this is unacceptable! You’re the daughter of the Feng family. You should be living in comfort, splendor and with everything the skies have to offer! not... this!"

Tears welled in her eyes, spilling over and tracing pale streaks down her cheeks. "After you left, everything changed. I didn’t want to be a burden, so I... I adapted. I thought it would be easier for everyone if I didn’t complain."

Feng Haoyang’s hands clenched into fists, his jaw tightening as guilt surged through him. How had he not known? How had things fallen apart so completely in his absence?

Before he could respond the door creaked open, and his trusted servant entered, bowing low. "My lord, the healers and alchemists have been summoned and await your command."

"Bring them in immediately," Haoyang snapped, his tone sharper than usual.

Xun Yi returned, followed by a procession of healers. Each was distinguished in their own way, one bore the robes of an alchemist, another carried a staff adorned with magical runes, and the third had the air of an experienced herbalist. They wasted no time, crowding around Feng Jiao Xue’s bedside and examining her with a mix of tools and spells.

feng Haoyang stood back, his tension palpable as he watched them work. He wanted answers but more than that he wanted her to be okay. he just wants his little peach back. His healthy, cheery little peach.

After what felt like an eternity, the alchemist straightened and turned to him, his expression grim. "My lord, she has been poisoned."

Haoyang’s breath caught. "Poisoned? How?"

The herbalist stepped forward, a vial in hand. "The poison is slow-acting and subtle. It designed to weaken the body over time. It’s a cruel concoction, intended to cause prolonged suffering rather than death. Whoever administered this had malicious intent."

Feng Jiao Xue almost burst out laughing at that but she just coughed profusely making Feng Haoyang rub her back in comfort.

The mage nodded solemnly. "This is not the work of an amateur. The poison is sophisticated, likely the work of someone with extensive knowledge of alchemical or magical toxins."

Feng Haoyang’s hands trembled with barely restrained fury. He turned back to Feng Jiao Xue, who looked up at him with teary eyes.

"Who did this to you?" he asked, his voice soft but filled with an undercurrent of rage but he did not expect a reply as he immediately turned to his most trusted friend and servant. "Xun Yi" Haoyang said, his tone cold and commanding. "Find out who’s responsible. I want every servant, every guard questioned. And I want this poison identified immediately. Search every corner of the clan grounds. I want every item, every vial, every trace of poison found. No one is above suspicion."

"Yes, my lord," Xun Yi replied, bowing before leaving to carry out his orders.

The servant hurried out, leaving him alone once more with his niece. His gaze swept the humble room, noting the stark simplicity of her surroundings. The thin, threadbare blankets draped over her frail body looked as though they could barely ward off the cold.

Her fingers tightened around his weakly, and she whispered, "Thank you, Uncle."

But behind her tearful expression and fragile demeanor, Feng Jiao Xue’s mind was alight with satisfaction. The vial of poison she had planted earlier had been found, its composition perfectly matching what the healers would detect in her body. Every detail, from the state of her room to the vile bowl of "food," had been meticulously arranged to paint a picture of neglect and suffering.

Her fourth uncle, the free-spirited wanderer who had once seemed so distant, was now firmly within her grasp. And while he stewed in guilt, regret and anger, Feng Jiao Xue allowed herself a small, unseen smile.

Hours passed, and the search of the Feng clan grounds was conducted with meticulous precision. Every room, every storage area, every hidden corner was combed through by the servants and guards under Feng Haoyang’s command. The tension in the air was palpable, the entire household on edge. No one dared to resist when they saw that the servants and guards turning the entire Feng Territory bore the emblem of the main household.

Even family of the eldest master cooperated willingly when they explained what had ahppened and the second household of the main branch, assured by their own arrogance and ignorance, allowed them to search. They knew that the guards would not find the poison they used in Feng Jiao Xue years ago not knowing that Huang Jin de had already planted the ’evidence’ in their home.

It was late in the evening when the servant returned, his expression grim. He knelt before Haoyang, holding out a small, ornate vial. "My lord, we found this in the second madam’s personal quarters, hidden among her belongings."

Feng Haoyang’s eyes narrowed as he took the vial, his fingers tightening around it. The distinct, acrid scent of poison emanated from it, unmistakable.

"The second madam?" he repeated, his voice dangerously low.

"Yes, my lord. The results confirm that the substance in this vial matches the poison affecting Lady Jiao Xue," the servant said. "We also found traces of correspondence with an outside source. It seems she may not have acted alone."

Haoyang’s grip on the vial tightened. The second madam was known for her ambition and so did his second brother but to think... His fist punched a hole on the wall causing Yin Xiao to whine angrily in the storage ring ’Bad bully! How could he destroy their home’s walls! He cleaned those walls really well!’

Huang Jin De patted the wronged deer that was huffing smoke in his snouth.

Feng Haoyang knew that the woman his brother merried often schems to raise her children’s standing within the clan. But to go so far as to poison Jiao Xue? It was unthinkable. She was family, their niece, he never thought that his own big brother would allow Feng Jiao Xue to be harmed! What was his Eldest big brother and second big brother thinking?!.... what was he thinking...

He slumped on the chair defeat. How could he face his third big brother now?

His gaze flickered to his niece, who stirred faintly in her sleep. Her lips parted, and a weak whisper escaped. "Uncle..."

He was at her side in an instant, his hand gently clasping hers. "Jiao Xue, I’m here. Don’t worry. I’ll make everything right."

Her eyes fluttered open briefly, clouded with pain and exhaustion. "It hurts..."

"I know, little one, I know" he said softly, his voice trembling. "But I promise, you won’t suffer like this any longer. I’ll find a way to make you better."

Her lips curved into the faintest semblance of a smile before her eyes closed again, her breathing steady but weak.

Feng Haoyang rose to his feet, his expression hardening. He turned to his servant. "Have the second madam confined to her quarters under strict guard. No one is to speak to her without my permission."

"Yes, my lord."

"And send word to the elders," he continued. "This matter will not be swept under the rug. I want every detail uncovered, who else is involved, how long this has been going on, and why."

As the servant departed to carry out his orders, Haoyang turned back to Feng Jiao Xue, his heart aching with both guilt and resolve. He knelt beside her once more, brushing a hand over her hair.

"I’ve failed you as your uncle and I’ve failed your father as a brother" The whispered kissing his forehead "But I won’t fail you, my brother and sister in law again. I’ll protect you, Jiao Xue. No matter what it takes."