Yan Rulie, by all accounts, had lowered himself considerably.
Consider his status; he could have easily spoken to them with far less gentleness.
Yet, he chose to be exceptionally mild.
Though he executed it well, he likely didn't foresee that this would not only fail to elicit surprise or gratitude from Shen Xiaoyan and the others but would instead heighten their wariness of him.
Zheng Wei stepped forward, taking Shen Xiaoyan's hand and walking towards the inner room. His voice, neither too loud nor too soft, was just audible enough for everyone in the house to hear, "Why are you standing there blankly? Are you still thinking about that dream from last night? I've already told you... it was just a dream..."
As the two gradually entered the inner room, Zheng Wei's voice faded to intermittent murmurs.
Hearing Zheng Wei, Yan Rulie felt a slight sense of relief.
So, Shen Xiaoyan had been愣着 (dazed) because she was thinking about last night's dream.
This was good. He had thought Shen Xiaoyan was doubting him when he saw her earlier.
Seeing that only the two of them remained in the room, Yan Rulie turned to look at Yi Maodun. "Maodun, after centuries of connection with Yin Susu, are you truly going to watch her die? Or will you listen to me and quickly send A'Xie to Yaohuang Valley? Let his friends accompany him, and I'll assign some people. With them together, you need not worry about safety at all. They will absolutely ensure his safe return."
"I am also forced to do so. Due to past events, Yin Susu's relationship with Yaohuang Valley has become tense. However, A'Xie is her blood, can he truly stand by and watch without offering aid?"
"If you agree, I can have them depart immediately. What do you say?"
Yan Rulie's words were filled with earnest sentiment.
Yi Maodun, however, looked at him from beginning to end, not uttering a single word. Not even a flicker of expression crossed his face.
Yan Rulie felt immense frustration seeing Yi Maodun like this.
He detested this about Yi Maodun.
Ever since they were young, no matter what happened, even if the sky seemed to be falling, Yi Maodun's expression remained unchanged, as if those matters had nothing to do with him.
And he himself was always outshone into the dust by Yi Maodun.
Yin Susu, too, was captivated by Yi Maodun, oblivious to his affections, ultimately leading him to witness them together, in love for a hundred years.
Yan Rulie took a deep breath, suppressing the surge of rage within him.
He could not let Yi Maodun see through him. It had been too difficult to reach this point.
"Have you thought it through? If you are truly unwilling to swallow your pride, preferring to watch Yin Susu die rather than send A'Xie, then I can't do anything. Just consider me as if I never came today."
Yan Rulie spoke with his eyes full of disappointment.
Yi Maodun knew very well that Yan Rulie was employing a psychological tactic, yet anger still welled up within him.
What right did Yan Rulie have to say such things?
Over the years, who had been the most selfish?
And Yin Susu's current state, lying in bed, tormented by the蛊毒 (gu poison), might very well be Yan Rulie's doing.
Yet, he still presented himself before him as if he cared for them.
His heart seethed with anger; Maodun almost wanted to tear off his mask then and there.
At the very moment he was about to make a decision, Yi Zhixie emerged from the inner room.
Yi Zhixie walked step by step, his face devoid of expression. He went directly to Yan Rulie.
Yan Rulie looked at Yi Zhixie standing before him. Because Yi Zhixie was standing, his shadow completely enveloped him.
Yan Rulie felt a sense of disorientation. When had the little boy from his memories grown so tall?
"A'Xie, why are you looking at me like that?"
Yan Rulie spoke with a smile, but his hand, hidden within his wide sleeves, was already prepared for attack and defense.
Unexpectedly, a flash of mockery briefly appeared in Yi Zhixie's eyes. When Yan Rulie looked closely, he saw only gratitude.
"Elder, in your busy schedule, you still care about my mother's health, offering plans and exerting effort. Everything you do is for my mother's well-being. If we refuse, wouldn't that be a waste of your good intentions?"
Hearing Yi Zhixie's words, Yan Rulie was greatly surprised. "I truly never expected that A'Xie has genuinely grown up and understands my painstaking efforts."
Shen Xiaoyan, who was in the inner room, heard this and couldn't help but burst out laughing.
How old was Yi Zhixie this year, yet Yan Rulie said he had finally grown up.
Such praise for Yi Zhixie was truly a mixed bag of emotions.
Yi Zhixie's lips twitched, and he finally lowered his eyes, saying gratefully, "Elder is wholeheartedly looking out for us. If we don't accept and understand, what kind of people would we be? My father is indecisive. Elder doesn't need to ask him. I will make the decision. We will go to Yaohuang Valley to seek the medicine."
Hearing Yi Zhixie's final sentence, Yan Rulie looked up in surprise. "Really?"
Yi Zhixie nodded earnestly. "It concerns my mother's life and death, how can I joke about it?"
Yan Rulie pondered. It was indeed so.
While other words might not be trustworthy, concerning Yin Susu's life and death, Yi Zhixie was the most filial and would absolutely not trifle with it.
However, to avoid any further delays, Yan Rulie still pressed, "Then when do you plan to depart?"
Yi Zhixie replied, "I also wish to depart as soon as possible, but preparations are necessary to avoid any accidents on the way."
Hearing this, Yan Rulie hesitated.
He wanted Yi Zhixie to leave immediately, but Yi Zhixie's words made sense.
While he was struggling, he heard Yi Zhixie say, "We will depart tomorrow morning. I would trouble Elder to arrange for the accompanying people. As soon as dawn breaks tomorrow, we can set off."
"Good."
Yan Rulie, filled with excitement, stood up from the wooden chair.
Having finally obtained the answer he wanted, Yan Rulie no longer bothered to conceal his excitement. He said directly, "I will go arrange people now. You all prepare yourselves, and I will personally send you off tomorrow morning."
After speaking, Yan Rulie left immediately.
Watching him stride away with such vigor, a mocking smile played on Yi Zhixie's lips.
Did he even bother to pretend anymore?
Did he think that his hasty departure would make them believe he cared for Yin Susu and them?
Yi Maodun watched Yan Rulie leave, then turned to Yi Zhixie and said, "Why did you agree? Your mother hasn't returned to Yaohuang Valley in centuries. We have no idea of the current situation there. If you go now, aren't you just...?"
Yi Zhixie stopped Yi Maodun and said directly, "Father, let's go inside. Mother has something to tell you."
Upon hearing that Yin Susu wanted to see him, Maodun no longer lingered and turned to quickly walk into the inner room.
Inside the inner room, he saw Yin Susu leaning back.
Although her face was still pale with a hint of grayish-blue, her spirit was actually quite good.
"Susu, what A'Xie said earlier..."
"I told A'Xie to agree," Yin Susu said.
"Why?" Yi Maodun was very puzzled.
She had explicitly said they couldn't go to Yaohuang Valley two days ago, so why agree so suddenly now?
"I heard everything you just said. You should also understand that Yan Rulie's insistence on sending A'Xie to Yaohuang Valley undoubtedly has ulterior motives. It's not a solution for us to keep blocking it. You and I both know that whatever he wants to do, he will achieve it regardless."
"To avoid us being so passive, and to understand his true intentions, it's best to let A'Xie go."
"Actually, I have my own selfish reasons too. I haven't returned to Yaohuang Valley in so many years, and news from there has always been kept from outsiders. Therefore, over all these years, I've been unaware of how my relatives in Yaohuang Valley are doing. So, taking this opportunity, I also want to send A'Xie back to take a look in my stead."
Shen Xiaoyan listened to Yin Susu and couldn't help but feel a myriad of emotions.
Yin Susu's agreement had two purposes.
However, neither of these purposes concerned her own poisoning.
Wholeheartedly devoted to her child, husband, and relatives.
Shen Xiaoyan couldn't help but think of Zhen Lingrong.
That woman who left her and Shen Xiaoming without a word for over ten years, what was most important in her heart?
A slight ache bloomed in her heart, but Shen Xiaoyan quickly suppressed the feeling.
Yi Maodun remained silent for a long time, then finally sighed, "Since that's the case, then go. But A'Xie, remember this: once you arrive, your own safety must be paramount. Everything else is secondary, do you understand?"
Even Yi Maodun did not mention asking Yi Zhixie to seek medicine for Yin Susu.
Shen Xiaoyan and the others felt a surge of emotion.
Yi Zhixie agreed verbally, but in his heart, he had made up his mind.
Yi Maodun and Yin Susu not mentioning it was for his own good, and he wouldn't say anything, but that didn't mean he wouldn't do anything.
Since they had to make this trip no matter what, he would complete everything that needed to be done.
Shen Xiaoyan watched the scene, hesitated for a moment, then took out some Immortal Crystals and Immortal Spring Water from her space and handed them to Yi Maodun.
Yi Maodun looked at the items in his hand, appearing very shocked. "This..."
Shen Xiaoyan shook her head. "Elder, please don't refuse. Yi Zhixie and we are good friends. Yi Zhixie's parents are almost like our own family. Since that's the case, it's only right to honor family when we have good things."