Until the servant went inside, Su Luo asked Li Tianjue, "Who is he?"
Li Tianjue found it a bit strange that she would inquire about a servant, but he still replied, "This is Uncle Zhong. He's been taking care of Fifth Brother for over ten years."
"Oh? I find him a bit peculiar." Su Luo said this intentionally.
"You're quite observant."
Li Tianjue, however, didn't think anything was amiss and said lightly, "Uncle Zhong used to follow my master. But then an accident caused him to lose his speech and hearing, and his cultivation was completely ruined. My master, grateful for their past association, had him come to care for Fifth Brother. Uncle Zhong has done his duties diligently, day in and day out for over a decade."
So that was the case, but Su Luo's suspicion deepened.
Because Ganlinlu was very special, it first had to be collected from dew on flower petals and leaves before sunrise. Once it was touched by sunlight and became tainted with heat, it would not work. When refining it, one's hands must remain clean, free from any dirt, not even a speck of dust.
Once or twice was understandable, but people who were in long-term contact with Ganlinlu would have hands that were somewhat different from ordinary people.
Uncle Zhong, a servant, looked to be in his forties or fifties?
His hands were too fair and tender!
Su Luo feigned curiosity and voiced her question again. Li Tianjue said, "Uncle Zhong has been taking good care of his hands to collect morning dew and brew medicine for Fifth Brother. Even when subjected to others' strange glances, he never minded."
Impressive. This Uncle Zhong was definitely a master!
Even if Uncle Zhong gave Bai Qi Ganlinlu every month, no one would suspect him, as he had too many opportunities. Even if he personally collected the morning dew to refine it, everyone would just assume he was using it to brew medicine.
Doing it so openly and tirelessly, he was indeed a loyal servant.
If it weren't for the fact that Su Luo already knew through the Divine Eye Mirror that Uncle Zhong had not lost his cultivation and was neither deaf nor mute, she would have been deceived by his simple and honest appearance.
But she wouldn't reveal it directly.
Without evidence, Su Luo didn't believe Li Tianjue would believe her.
Even if the six elders had a good impression of her, they wouldn't allow someone who had just arrived in Qingxu Tian to falsely accuse a loyal old servant of eighteen years. More importantly, it would alert the target.
The group soon left Yongfu Residence, where Bai Qi was recuperating.
After the six elders left, Li Tianjue's gaze darkened. He pulled Su Luo aside to a secluded spot and then asked her with a stern face, "I know you were just comforting the elders earlier and speaking so casually. Tell me, what exactly is wrong with Fifth Brother's illness?"
She knew she couldn't hide it from Li Tianjue.
Su Luo considered her words before saying, "Fifth Senior Brother is indeed poisoned. It can be treated, but it's very difficult. If you're not careful, all your efforts will be in vain. And..."
"And what?" Li Tianjue pressed.
"N-nothing. I wanted to say that the detoxification cannot be rushed. After all, Fifth Senior Brother has been poisoned for so many years. Even if he can be cured, it must be done gradually." Su Luo found an excuse to brush it off and didn't say more.
In fact, she had more information from the Divine Eye Mirror, including the configuration of the poison by someone named Ma Dalong.
But Su Luo was also taken aback.
Who would have such uncultured parents to give their son such a name?
If he were named Pillar, Dog-waste, or Big Ox, Su Luo would have found it somewhat normal, but Ma Dalong... With a surname and given name, it wasn't a childish nickname, but a genuine given name!
Su Luo couldn't bring herself to say the name, as Li Tianjue would definitely not believe her, and she couldn't find a reason to tell Li Tianjue how she knew this name. The more she said, the more mistakes she would make, so she decided not to mention it.
Su Luo only mentioned that Bai Qi was suffering from over ten types of terrifying poisons, that they needed to be removed step by step, and the complexity of observing the changes in the poison and subsequent treatment, all of which were true. Li Tianjue's face was clouded with a dark expression, his fists clenched, as if he might explode at any moment.
"If I ever find out who poisoned him, I will never let them go!"
As if making an oath, he said word by word.
Su Luo also felt immense pity. Fifth Senior Brother was truly pathetic, poisoned since childhood and tortured for eighteen years.
She couldn't stand to see beauties suffer.
"Eldest Senior Brother, please don't tell the grand elders about Fifth Senior Brother's condition. I'm afraid they'll worry even more. I'll go back and think about how to administer the medicine. You can also try to investigate who the Sect Master's enemies are and approach it from multiple angles."
Li Tianjue's gaze fell on Su Luo's face, a hint of gentleness added.
"Thank you."
Su Luo felt a warmth in her heart for no reason, unable to move her eyes from Li Tianjue's deep gaze.
So he could also be so gentle!
If he continued to treat her this way, she could quickly ask Li Tianjue for a position as an steward or elder, and live a carefree life of eating and drinking in Qingxu Tian!
Although he was only the Eldest Senior Brother, he definitely had the authority to speak in Qingxu Tian and could decide many things.
"Alright, hurry up and prepare the medicine for Fifth Senior Brother. Don't dawdle."
Li Tianjue felt uncomfortable under Su Luo's gaze.
His calm heart began to beat uncontrollably. He quickly averted his eyes and, feigning coldness, called a servant: "Take Miss Su to Wanghe Residence and have Xiao Guo arrange a room for her to stay."
After speaking, he left without looking back.
This man changed his mind so quickly. It seemed she had to show some real skill.
Su Luo quickly followed the servant, walking along the blue stone path through the mountains, to a courtyard full of lotuses.
The servant respectfully said, "Miss Su, this is Wanghe Residence, where Miss Tang lives."
In Qingxu Tian, servants were not allowed to address inner disciples as Senior Brother or Senior Sister. They were solely responsible for the inner disciples' daily lives, cleaning, cooking, and so on, so that they would not delay their cultivation due to these chores.
"Xiao Guo, are you there?"
Su Luo had barely called out twice when Tang Xiao Guo ran out, "Sister Su, you're back!"
"Xiao Guo, your living place is so beautiful! Do you like lotuses?"
A large lotus pond, with graceful lotus leaves, and lotuses of pink and white, swaying slightly with the breeze, like young girls dancing on the water, a beautiful sight.
Tang Xiao Guo pulled Su Luo inside and chattered, "Of course! Lotuses are beautiful, and lotus leaves can be used to make tea. Lotus seeds can be used to cook porridge and lotus seed cakes. In autumn, we can also dig up lots of lotus roots..."
As expected of a little foodie, even when planting flowers, she prioritized these aspects.
Tang Xiao Guo then asked Su Luo about Fifth Senior Brother's condition.
Su Luo told her there was hope but it would require slow treatment. Tang Xiao Guo immediately became excited and took her to choose a courtyard.
There were many courtyards reserved for inner disciples on Qingxu Mountain. Su Luo chose one next to Tang Xiao Guo, named 'Feihong Residence', separated only by a moon gate, making it convenient to come and go. It would also be livelier for the two of them to keep each other company.
"Sister Su, you go prepare the medicine for Fifth Senior Brother first. I'll go and get the rice, grain, and blankets for you. Leave these trivial matters to me," Tang Xiao Guo said obediently, then left with two servants.
Su Luo knew her current priority.
If she wanted to stay in Qingxu Tian, she had to cure Bai Qi.
She calmed her mind and sat at the desk, preparing to start her investigation with Uncle Zhong.