045 Not a Psychopath

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Ning Qian walked over and bent down to look at the medical book. The moment she saw the tiny, densely packed characters, her face turned pale. Straightening up, she asked, "My lord, based on your deductions, which two poisons do you think it is?"

"Judging from Father’s condition, he once experienced suffocation, weakness, and convulsions, and his body curled into an arch. That is a clear sign of strychnine poisoning. However, he also suffered from vomiting, diarrhea, numbness in his limbs, breathing difficulties, and irregular heartbeat—those are symptoms of aconite poisoning. All this I gleaned from the books, but the final diagnosis still awaits Mr. Chen’s conclusion."

Ning Qian hesitated, unable to put her thoughts into words. Yu Ziqi’s demeanor didn’t seem feigned in the slightest; he genuinely appeared worried for Master Yu. Yet, for a child who had never known parental affection, how much fatherly love could he truly harbor? But to say he was pretending didn’t seem right either. The more she pondered, the more complex it seemed.

Yu Ziqi turned and noticed her hesitant expression. Setting the book aside, he pulled her over and seated her on his lap. "My dear, if you have something to say, just say it. There’s no need for reservations between us."

"I... I..." Ning Qian faltered for a long time but failed to continue.

"Speak freely, there’s no harm."

Lowering her head in silence for a long while, Ning Qian finally decided to voice the question that had been troubling her. "My lord, do you remember the story you told me some days ago? Though you never said outright who it was about, from your expression, your demeanor, and your mood, I guessed that person was you, wasn’t it?"

Yu Ziqi smiled faintly. "My dear, I have always said you are a clever woman. When I told you that story, I was, in truth, indirectly telling you about myself. And I knew you would figure it out. What is it? Do you have further questions about that tale?"

"My doubts aren’t about the story itself, but they are connected to it. From that story, I can tell that your childhood was far from happy. Now you have your own family and career, and you are gentle in daily life, but I can still feel the loneliness and sorrow in your heart."

Yu Ziqi smiled. After hearing so much, he understood what Ning Qian was getting at. She was probably worried he might become twisted and do something wrong.

"My lord, I..."

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"No need to say more, I know what’s on your mind. You’re thinking, how could someone who suffered such treatment as a child still feel any affection for such parents? Now that Father has been poisoned, you see me so anxious and wonder if I am pretending, or if I have some ulterior motive."

Ning Qian stood up uneasily. "My lord, I worry for you. I know you had an unhappy past, but the past is past. I only hope you can let it go and focus on the future. I wish nothing more than for you to live a joyful and happy life." Not to mention, they were now like grasshoppers tied to the same rope.

Yu Ziqi stood as well, strolling slowly to the window. Gazing out at the blooming red plum tree, he smiled. "Rest assured, I am not a scheming villain. If I want something, I will rely on my own abilities to obtain it. My parents treated me poorly—that is their doing. As their son, it is my duty to serve them. I would never do anything to violate the bonds of family."

Ning Qian let out a long sigh of relief. Thank goodness, thank goodness he was not psychologically twisted. After all, she was a woman from the modern world; people with childhood trauma often grew up with issues. After hearing his story, she had long suspected her husband might be abnormal. Now, at last, she could be at ease.

"Actually, your worries are not unfounded. At first, I was filled with resentment—why did my brothers and I receive such different treatment from the same father? Over time, the resentment grew. Had it continued, I don’t know what I might have become. Until I met my destined benefactor—it was he who made me realize that one’s parents are the most important people in this life, and it was he who led me out of the mire and awakened me completely."

"My lord, now I am even more curious. When might I have the chance to meet this benefactor of yours?"

"You will have the chance, certainly. And my dear, I know you still have questions in your heart. Let me use this opportunity to answer them all. The reason I wish to become the head of the Yu family is simply to prove that I am not inferior to my elder brothers. And, as a man, one should aspire to greatness—no man wishes to live a mediocre life. I want to achieve great things, as my father did."

In truth, Yu Ziqi still withheld some things; his story was not only that one. But now was not the time to bare his entire heart.

"My lord, with your words, I am reassured. I do not wish for anyone to say you resorted to unscrupulous means for the sake of power. As long as you never betray your conscience, that is enough."

"With your words, I too am at ease. The Yu family is in troubled times—my dear, you must be cautious. Nothing is more important to me than you." Yu Ziqi took Ning Qian’s hand. "Be careful in all things."

A warm feeling surged in her heart. Ning Qian nodded, "You too, my lord."

"Oh, by the way, some days ago you mentioned that one of Elder Brother’s concubines was pregnant, is that so?"

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Ning Qian was puzzled as to why Yu Ziqi suddenly brought this up, but she nodded. "Yes, she has already reported it to Mother."

Yu Ziqi sighed deeply. "I fear this child is doomed. Lately, unless it’s necessary, you’d best not interact with her too much, lest you become entangled in trouble."

"I understand, my lord. But if she comes to my courtyard, it would be unseemly to avoid her, wouldn’t it?"

"Why not? Such a woman is best avoided altogether. If she comes again, have Nianyu send her away. I suspect her visits are not without ulterior motives—there must be more to it."

Ning Qian’s heart skipped a beat. She had thought about this before, but not so deeply. She was Yu Ziqi’s wife, while that concubine belonged to the eldest master. They were not on the same side—what purpose could seeking her out possibly serve?

Just then, Nianyu knocked on the door from outside. "Young Master, Mistress, the Old Madam has sent someone to summon you."

"Understood, we’ll be out at once," Ning Qian called out loudly. Then she turned to Yu Ziqi. "Shall we go together, my lord?"

"Yes," Yu Ziqi replied, taking her hand and leading her out.