However, Hu Quan'an dared not show it.
Instead, he feigned shock and cried out, "Uncle Grandfather! What's wrong? You haven't seen me get married, you haven't held your great-grandson, how can you leave me?"
"Wuwuwu... Uncle Grandfather, don't go!"
"I lost my own grandfather when I was young, so I've always regarded you as my grandfather. And you doted on me, saving all the best food for me, and granting me every unreasonable request. Even when I was imprisoned this time, you'd rather forgo treatment for your own chronic illness to get me out of jail..."
"Uncle Grandfather, I owe you too much. I was planning to repay you tenfold in the rest of my life. How could you just let go so suddenly!"
"Why? Why is the heavens treating you like this! Good people don't live long, but scoundrels live for a thousand years..."
Hu Quan'an wept profusely, appearing heartbroken.
As if truly pained by the passing of Old Master Hu.
His wailing soon reached the outside.
The guests outside were stunned by the sound.
Old Master Hu... was dead?
Wasn't it said he had two or three more days? How could he have passed away so quickly?
The guests desperately wanted to rush in and see what had happened.
But, intimidated by Ying Chen's imposing presence, they didn't dare to stand up from the ground.
They could only shout towards the room, "Hu Quan'an, don't rush to mourn! Please ask a doctor to try and save him! Perhaps there's still hope!"
Hearing this from the ward, Hu Quan'an couldn't help but curse internally, wondering who was being so meddlesome.
If Old Master Hu were to be revived, wouldn't his dream of becoming the head of the Hu family be shattered?
Wouldn't his feigned sympathy be all for naught?
However, he obviously couldn't say such things publicly.
He cautiously glanced at Old Master Hu, confirming that his body was indeed beginning to stiffen. Only then did he stand up, wiping away tears, "Mr. Ying, please keep an eye on Uncle Grandfather's body. I'll go and get a doctor..."
"As for the grievances between us, once this matter is settled, I will give you a satisfactory answer!"
With that, Hu Quan'an rushed out.
He put on a show of being desperate to save Old Master Hu's life.
But his act was met with silent disdain from the guests outside.
Everyone knew Hu Quan'an's intentions; who didn't know he wished for Old Master Hu's demise more than anyone else present?
In contrast, the other descendants of the Hu family were genuinely crying.
As long as Old Master Hu was alive, they could at least maintain their current lifestyles. But with his death, not only would their comfortable lives be over, but they might even face retaliation from Hu Quan'an and be expelled from the family.
"Divine Doctor Liao, quickly! Hurry! My Uncle Grandfather is dying. His body is already stiffening. You must save him no matter what!"
Not long after, Hu Quan'an was seen escorting a man in his sixties towards the room.
This man was the old Chinese physician specifically hired by the Hu family.
He had treated countless prominent figures and had even received a four-character commendation of "miraculous healing" from a great figure.
He enjoyed an extremely high reputation throughout Yanjing City and even the entire Dragon Country.
Because Old Master Hu was gravely ill, the Hu family had invited him to stay temporarily at their residence to handle any emergencies.
"His body is stiffening? It's likely... beyond recovery!"
Divine Doctor Liao shook his head upon hearing this.
However, out of professional responsibility, he quickly walked towards Old Master Hu's ward.
Having lived and eaten at the Hu family's expense for days and received a substantial consultation fee, he had to go through the motions of "doing his best."
The rest was "leaving it to fate."
But as Divine Doctor Liao reached Old Master Hu's bedside, he immediately knew: Old Master Hu's fate was sealed, and there was only one outcome: death.
Because Old Master Hu's complexion was now virtually indistinguishable from that of a dead person!
The "paper-white" complexion from before was gone, replaced by a sickly pale color with a greenish-brown hue!
This greenish-brown hue only appeared when the body lost its vitality and blood ceased to flow.
In a few more hours, Old Master Hu's face would likely develop faint lividity.
"Young Master Hu... it's not that I'm unwilling to save him, but Old Master Hu is... beyond saving!"
"Whoosh!"
This statement sent a wave of uproar through the guests outside.
If Hu Quan'an had said Old Master Hu was beyond saving, the crowd might not have believed him, as Hu Quan'an was the beneficiary.
But with Divine Doctor Liao declaring Old Master Hu beyond saving, the guests had no choice but to believe!
This was because Divine Doctor Liao had nothing to gain from Old Master Hu's death; in fact, he risked being blamed for his incompetence!
"No! Uncle Grandfather! It's Quan'an, please, open your eyes and look at me again! Look at your most beloved grandnephew!"
"Divine Doctor Liao, please try again! Perhaps you're mistaken, perhaps my Uncle Grandfather can still be saved?"
Hu Quan'an fell to his knees with a thud, tears streaming down his face, pleading with Divine Doctor Liao.
His filial piety was performed with consummate skill.
It was a shame he didn't become an actor and win an Oscar for his country.
"Young Master Hu, I understand your feelings..." Divine Doctor Liao sighed, then his tone shifted.
"But... saying such things is an insult to my medical skills! In Old Master Hu's current condition, let alone me, even Shennong himself couldn't save him!"
"Of course, if you don't trust me, you can invite any renowned physician in the world. If they can save Old Master Hu, I will publicly admit my lack of skill, that I am a quack! And I will even kowtow, offer tea, and become their disciple on the spot! For all eternity, I will treat that person with the respect due to a master!"
Divine Doctor Liao was getting annoyed.
What bothered experts the most?
It was being lectured by amateurs!
People who knew nothing, but acted as if they were experts and told professionals what to do!
If it weren't for the sake of the Hu family's reputation, Divine Doctor Liao would have left in a huff long ago!
Upon hearing Divine Doctor Liao's words, Hu Quan'an was overjoyed!
This settled his remaining anxieties, and his heart felt completely at ease!
Now, all he needed to do was deal with Ying Chen, and his wonderful life would be within his grasp!
The Hu family would then belong to him, Hu Quan'an, alone!
He would be the sole authority, making all decisions!
Hiding the excitement in his eyes, Hu Quan'an wiped away tears and said, "How could I dare question Divine Doctor Liao? I simply cannot accept it! Since Divine Doctor Liao says so, then I... I will bid farewell to Uncle Grandfather one last time... and send him for cremation!"
Hu Quan'an couldn't bear to wait even a moment longer and immediately wanted to send Old Master Hu's body to the crematorium!
Divine Doctor Liao waved his hand, said nothing, and turned to leave.
Just as Divine Doctor Liao was about to exit the ward, he heard a sneer from behind: "You can't do it, so you claim no one in the world can. You call yourself a divine doctor?"
Divine Doctor Liao's expression changed drastically, and he spun around abruptly.
Then, he saw Ying Chen, with a mocking smile on his face, speaking to him.
Divine Doctor Liao's pupils contracted twice, and his gaze exuded a chilling ferocity, like a tiger before it pounces.
"You'd better explain yourself clearly, what do you mean by 'You can't do it, so you claim no one in the world can'? If you can't explain..."
"I will make you regret saying those words!"