Chapter 2066: Chapter 2064: You Are Cursed

“Granduncle, don’t get agitated. How can we confront the Second Elder without evidence?” Bai Ruozhu advised. “Besides, if he fails once, he’ll come up with another plan. We won’t be able to fend off every scheme, so why not play along for now and mislead him?”

The Third Elder slowly calmed his anger and nodded. “You all are indeed calm. I have suffered quite a bit from my hot temper.”

“I also agree with Ruozhu’s approach, but we can’t just let this slide. Daring to harm us like this, we must settle this score!” Jiao Ling said angrily.

“Little Ling, when Fen Jiu comes over later, don’t mention it to him. Given his temper, he’ll surely confront the Second Elder and could implicate the Fen Family,” Jiao Yunyun suddenly said.

Jiao Ling nodded, “Only our family should know, don’t speak of it outside.”

The Third Elder smiled, liking Jiao Ling’s reference to “our family.” He didn’t feel like an outsider. Bai Ruozhu noticed his reaction and glanced at her grandmother, who seemed to treat the Third Elder like a brother with no other thoughts.

“For the next few days, let’s be cautious with water use. We should still draw water from the well to avoid arousing suspicion, but use separate water for consumption,” Bai Yihong mentioned.

Bai Ruozhu nodded; her father’s thinking had become increasingly thorough.

Everyone discussed it for a while, deciding to temporarily use the water in the jar, drawing well water just for appearances, then discarding it.

That night, sure enough, the person poisoning the well appeared again, sprinkling some mandala flower powder into it. This time, the Third Elder and the others stayed awake, hiding in the shadows to observe. Bai Ruozhu saw Fen Cheng standing by the peach forest; seeing her not act against the person, he turned and left.

Bai Ruozhu wanted to ask if anyone else in the family saw Fen Cheng, but worried about being discovered by the poisoner, she swallowed the question.

After the poisoner left, Bai Ruozhu lay down to sleep, dreaming again of Jiang Yichun covered in blood, walking further and further away.

She woke with a scream, also waking the little Tiaotiao on the bed next to her. She hurriedly comforted the child until he stopped crying and slept again.

Bai Ruozhu felt a deep sadness. How could she have such dreams two consecutive nights? Had something really happened to Achun, or was something wrong with her, causing these nightmares?

She opened the window in irritation, letting the night breeze, filled with the scent of peach blossoms, hit her face, clearing her head a bit and easing her gloom.

Suddenly, that pale figure appeared again under a tree at the edge of the peach forest, watching her from a distance, with a slightly worried look on his handsome face.

Bai Ruozhu frowned; why did she feel he wasn’t human? But he wasn’t a ghost either, so what was he?

From afar, Fen Cheng suddenly opened his mouth, his voice drifting lightly over.

“You are under a curse.”

Bai Ruozhu’s heart skipped. “What curse? By the Fo Family?”

Fen Cheng shook his head, “Not sure, could be from before you arrived. You’re in a bad state now.”

Bai Ruozhu rubbed her temples, feeling even more downcast. No wonder she kept having bad dreams; was it because of the curse?

“If the curse isn’t lifted, what will happen to me?” Bai Ruozhu asked.

“Recurring nightmares, mental instability, until a breakdown.” Fen Cheng paused, “In the end, you might become like someone who has lost their mind.”

Bai Ruozhu felt her head ache more. Annoyed, she hit her head, asking, “Do you have a way to lift it?”

“If I had a way, I’d lift it for you right away. I owe you a favor,” Fen Cheng said, shaking his head slightly, his face filled with even more worry. “Perhaps I can help you find someone. Do you know anyone who can break curses?”

Bai Ruozhu first thought of Ao Song but wasn’t sure if she could do it, given Ao Song was still a young girl. Then she thought of a female expert Gao Deng knew, but Gao Deng was on his way to the Capital, and the expert’s whereabouts were unknown.

“I want you to check on my husband, see if he’s safe,” Bai Ruozhu suddenly said.

Fen Cheng was stunned, “Where is he?”

She suddenly felt she might be asking too much, having Fen Cheng check from such a distance. Was this demand unreasonable?

“He went with the Danliang Emperor to reclaim Jiang Mountain and should be near the Danliang Capital by now. There’s a medical sage with him who should know how to break my curse,” Bai Ruozhu said.

“So far…” Fen Cheng seemed to be considering something but quickly nodded, “Alright, I’ll set off immediately.”

“No, never mind. Help me find a Commerce Association to send a letter. They can transmit messages to Achun quickly and get a reply fast,” Bai Ruozhu hurriedly said.

Fen Cheng nodded, “That works, too. Write your letter and give it to me.”

Bai Ruozhu turned to find paper and pen, writing a letter to Fen Cheng. She didn’t want Achun to worry, but didn’t want to become a madwoman when she saw him again. She also worried her condition might harm her family and children.

Looking at her three sleeping children, her mind slowly calmed. Everything would be alright; she had found antidotes for even the deadliest poisons. What’s a curse? Would it really stump her?

Fen Cheng took the letter and walked quickly out of the valley. Who knows what method he had to freely enter the Jiuli Barrier.

The next day, Bai Ruozhu spoke to the Third Elder, her aunt, and Fen Jiu about the curse she was under. She didn’t plan to tell her grandmother or parents to avoid worrying them, especially as her grandmother’s health wasn’t well.

“Do any of you know experts skilled at breaking curses?” Bai Ruozhu asked.

Jiao Ling, worried, held Bai Ruozhu’s hand, “When did this happen? Was it done by the Second Elder?”

“Not sure, it might have happened before entering the valley, or in recent days. It’s still unclear if it was the Second Elder.” Bai Ruozhu felt it unlikely to be the Second Elder. If he wanted the black meteoric iron back, he wouldn’t drive her mad; otherwise, how would he ask for the iron’s whereabouts?

“How did you find out?” the Third Elder suddenly asked.

Bai Ruozhu wanted to say it was Fen Cheng, but since no one had seen him, it would sound like a joke. So she changed her story, “I was once a disciple of the Astrology Tower and learned some basic magic techniques. Even though I’m not deeply studied, I still noticed something wrong. I’ve woken from nightmares two nights in a row, with chest tightness and headaches.”

The Third Elder nodded, “The clan’s Tenth Elder has some research on curse techniques. I’ll get him to take a look at you.”

He started to leave, but Bai Ruozhu quickly stood up, “Let me accompany you to visit the Tenth Elder. As you elders shouldn’t be running around on my account.”

The Third Elder showed approval; this child was neither arrogant nor impatient, with outstanding talent yet not as self-absorbed as the Fo family’s girl. She was indeed a promising talent.