Chapter 358: Chapter 358: Suspecting the Mu Family’s Son-in-law
Mu Ziquan made a mental note to assign two more people to guard Gu Jiaojiao, ensuring her absolute safety.
She was highly capable, but the people targeting him were no pushovers. He still couldn’t help but worry about her.
As Mu Ziquan was lost in thought, a crisp, pleasant voice rang out. "Mu Ziquan, it’s time to go in for your acupuncture."
"Alright. Thank you for your trouble, Great-Aunt."
"It’s fine. Not that much trouble," Gu Jiaojiao said nonchalantly.
It was written all over her face: ’You’re just a test subject for me, and I find your condition fascinating.’
What could Mu Ziquan do when faced with this side of Gu Jiaojiao? He could only pretend he didn’t see a thing.
While Gu Jiaojiao was performing acupuncture on Mu Ziquan, the Wang men and Mu Qingtong arrived, just as Gu Jiaojiao had previously requested of Old Mu.
She wanted to meet Old Mu’s son-in-law and see for herself if he was the type to covet the Mu Family’s fortune and harm Mu Ziquan.
This time, the Wang Family’s adopted daughter, Wang Yuting, did not come with them. Perhaps she was registering for school, or perhaps Old Mu had asked that she not visit the Mu residence.
"Father-in-law, is there a reason you’ve called our family over?" Wang Heming asked respectfully.
"Grandfather, are you well? And is our cousin feeling any better?" the Wang brothers asked in unison.
"Dad, is Ziquan any better?" Mu Qingtong also asked quietly. She had always been terrified of her father.
"Ziquan’s condition has shown improvement. The Divine Doctor’s disciple is performing acupuncture with the silver needles right now. This old man is so happy, I wanted to have you all back for a meal."
Mr. Mu received his son-in-law’s family in the living room and instructed the kitchen to prepare a few extra dishes.
Although Mu Ziquan’s room was well soundproofed, Gu Jiaojiao had excellent hearing and could still make out everything clearly.
Mu Ziquan’s hearing wasn’t as sharp as Gu Jiaojiao’s, and more importantly, his mind was elsewhere, so he didn’t hear the sounds from the living room.
He asked tentatively, "Great-Aunt, did you ask Grandfather to call my uncle’s family over because you suspect something?"
In truth, he had his own Hidden Guards and had already turned the Wang Family inside out with his investigation. He’d even dug up their family history going back eighteen generations.
"You’re the sole heir of the Mu Family. I’m afraid some people might start getting ideas," Gu Jiaojiao said, stating the obvious.
"Thank you, Great-Aunt, for being so thoughtful on our behalf," Mu Ziquan said calmly, suppressing a wave of emotion.
"Your grandfather, Old Mu, insisted on becoming my sworn brother. That makes you my grandnephew, which means you’re family. And I look out for my family."
Mu Ziquan was speechless. ’I got my hopes up too soon!’
He thought he’d sensed a different kind of feeling from her, but it turned out to be... familial affection!
"However, once your legs are healed, it’ll be your turn to protect your Great-Aunt."
Seeing Mu Ziquan fall silent, Gu Jiaojiao assumed his masculine pride couldn’t handle the idea of a woman protecting him.
"You saved my life, Great-Aunt. Once I’m recovered, I will protect you with my life," Mu Ziquan vowed.
"There’s no need to protect me with your life. That would just make me feel guilty. I just hope we can all live well from now on."
"Don’t you worry, Great-Aunt. We’ll be fine. My grandfather has bodyguards, so if Wang Heming and his sons try anything, we’ll definitely find out."
Still, Mu Ziquan couldn’t resist hinting at some of the Mu Family’s less-known capabilities.
"So, you’re saying the people who poisoned you might be trying to harm me, too? If that’s the case, this is serious. We’re talking about either spies or traitors."
Mu Ziquan had long suspected one of those two possibilities, but he never expected a young woman from a small town to be aware of such things.
His admiration for Gu Jiaojiao was already immense, and now it reached a new peak.
He told Gu Jiaojiao everything he had found out. "Right. I was wounded on the battlefield, but the manic episodes didn’t start until after that. This means whoever inflicted me with the Poisonous Gu had to be an acquaintance."
"That’s why I wanted to meet your uncle’s family. But if you trust them, then you should investigate Wang Yuting. It’s possible she’s being used by a spy organization to get to you."
"Of course! Why didn’t I think to investigate her?" Mu Ziquan was stunned. Her words were a wake-up call.
’The person who planted the Poisonous Gu must have been someone who could get close to me!’
"After ten more days of acupuncture, you’ll be ready for surgery. Then, after two months of physical therapy, you’ll be able to walk again."
"Su Shuochi was walking less than a month after his surgery," Mu Ziquan said, looking up.
"He did extensive prep work beforehand. Between detoxification and surgery, the entire process took over three months, and that was the fastest possible."
Gu Jiaojiao knew Mu Ziquan was a sharp man and was constantly comparing himself to Su Shuochi.
’When I started treating Su Shuochi, I didn’t have the spiritual spring water to cheat with, so it really did take over three months.’
’Now I have a secret weapon. I could get Mu Ziquan walking much faster, but why should I take that risk?’
’Every man for himself, as they say.’
"I didn’t mean anything by it. I just want to be sure I’ll be able to walk normally again."
Mu Ziquan said quickly, seeing the look on Gu Jiaojiao’s face and realizing he had been too impatient.
"I get it, I get it. Take your time getting dressed. I’ll head out first." Gu Jiaojiao opened the door and left.
The moment she entered the living room, she saw the family of the Mu’s son-in-law sitting on the sofa.
"Hello. You must be the Divine Doctor’s disciple? I am Qingtong’s husband, Wang Heming. This is my elder son, Cheng Rong, and my younger son, Wang Chengyao."
"Hello. I’m Gu Jiaojiao. It’s a pleasure to meet you," she replied with natural grace.
Though nearly fifty, the Mu Family’s son-in-law was still a dashing middle-aged man.
He had a handsome, scholarly appearance and exuded an air of refined amiability. He seemed like a thoroughly upright man.
Apparently, he had been the only one from his village to attend university back in the day and was Mu Qingtong’s college classmate.
The talented husband and beautiful wife were a perfect match, and their two sons were both tall and well-built.
The elder son’s eyes in particular shone like black gems, giving him a gentle and bright disposition.
He was the spitting image of his father and looked to be about twenty-three.
The younger son, however, took more after Mu Qingtong. At first glance, he was so beautiful it was hard to tell if he was male or female, and his age was difficult to guess. In any case, he was absolutely stunning.
Even women would likely feel inadequate in his presence, thinking themselves less attractive than he was.
Yet here he was, sitting beside Mr. Mu, the very picture of a dashing and gentle youth, as fine as jade.
His face was fair and smooth, like a freshly peeled egg—so much so that an actual egg would look like a cheap imitation by comparison.
As Gu Jiaojiao sized them up, the Wang men were doing the same to her—especially Wang Chengyao.
A smile played on his lips as he gazed at Gu Jiaojiao, his eyes seeming to hold a thousand different emotions.
He seemed to be comparing his own peerless beauty to Gu Jiaojiao’s. And he’d lost.
No, really. Gu Jiaojiao could read that exact message on his face.
If she were truly eighteen, she might have taken the silent competition just as seriously. Instead, Gu Jiaojiao just smiled and asked, "You look put out. Don’t like losing?"
