Those years when I was Cannon fodder

Cassia is Just a Seasoning

As the news reached Chu Yu's ears, her expression underwent a subtle transformation. The realization hit her with a forceful impact.

The moment she lost consciousness, it was around six o'clock in the morning. Qingyu, their household help, usually woke up at that time to prepare breakfast, and they would all sit down to eat at seven.

Considering it was now around twelve o'clock, it meant that the old man had arrived approximately at ten. During those three hours of unconsciousness, she had been oblivious to whatever transpired.

It was those three hours that held the key to her situation.

But what could have happened in such a short span of time? Could she have been rapidly cured and all her symptoms vanished without a trace?

Even Dr. Xu, a seasoned physician, was at a loss.

"Dr. Xu, I assure you that I am not joking. The books my father gave me contain no medical knowledge or records of illnesses. These anomalies I'm experiencing are not something I conjured up."

"I wasn't even aware that these symptoms indicated poisoning," Chu Yu asserted without flinching, her words laced with earnestness. "What I've shared with you is what I witnessed. Dr. Xu, do you truly believe I could fabricate such vivid and realistic nonsense?"

Witnessing the gravity in the young girl's unwavering gaze, Dr. Xu's countenance grew solemn, and he whispered,

"Could it be, Miss Chu, that you've been carrying a dormant toxin within you? Something that remains hidden most of the time, only surfacing during exceptionally peculiar moments, eluding my detection?"

Dr. Xu did not outright dismiss her claims solely based on her tender age; instead, he offered an alternative possibility.

This revelation eased Chu Yu's apprehension.

She understood that the more proficient a physician was, the more resolute they tended to be in their convictions. They would seldom entertain doubts from others and considered their own observations as the ultimate truth.

Thankfully, Dr. Xu did not possess such an unwavering disposition.

"Miss Chu, why don't we conduct another examination together?" he suggested.

However, as they reevaluated her, Chu Yu's countenance grew grim.

All the symptoms she had observed had vanished!

While examining herself, she had detected faint remnants, indicative of a moderate level of poisoning. Yet now, there was only a slight weakness remaining.

"Miss Chu," Dr. Xu observed her expression and ventured a guess, "Could it be that the high fever triggered hallucinations? The symptoms you experienced might have been a result of that."

Chu Yu maintained her composure, refusing to reveal her frustration. She felt that Dr. Xu was treating her like a mere child.

Though she was indeed only five years old presently, she did not believe that everything she had experienced until now was merely a figment of her imagination.

It was plain to her that these symptoms were not isolated to today; they had plagued her ever since she crossed over.

If all those days were mere illusions, then could she be living within a dream at this very moment?

The thought was disconcerting, to say the least.

Chu Yu decided to change the subject, redirecting the conversation. "Dr. Xu, may I see the prescription you modified for me?"

"Certainly. According to what Madam Xu informed me, you have an interest in medicine and have been collecting prescriptions. I'll write it down for you," Dr. Xu replied obligingly.

He approached the table and instinctively picked up Chu Yu's brush, commencing the writing process with deliberation.

Chu Yu glanced around the room, her senses tingling with unease, before realizing that something was am

iss. "Dr. Xu, where is Qingyi? And where are my father and mother?"

A subtle change flickered across the old man's face. Naturally, he wouldn't disclose to Chu Yu that her parents had engaged in a heated argument upon learning of his diagnosis, fearing they had disturbed her with their loud voices the previous night.

"I informed your father and mother about your condition, and they went to discuss it. Qingyu is preparing lunch for you. Since your cold symptoms have recently subsided, I've written a medicinal recipe for Qingyu. Don't worry, it's mild and won't lack in taste."

Clearly, Dr. Xu had taken note of Chu Yu's grievances regarding her father.

He approached her with the prescription, and Chu Yu immediately set aside her earlier question, focusing her attention on the written words before her.

She recalled the prescription given to her by Madam Xu with utmost clarity. Comparing it now, the similarities were apparent.

Yes, the medicinal ingredients remained largely the same, with only minor adjustments in the proportions. But something caught Chu Yu's attention—why was cassia absent?

Curiosity piqued, Chu Yu ventured tentatively, "Dr. Xu, why isn't cassia included in the prescription?"

"Cassia?" He paused momentarily, a smile gracing his lips. "Ah, it seems Madam Xu showed you that prescription as well."

Chu Yu had never laid eyes on cassia before. Even when she discovered some herbal remnants beneath the purple-leafed tree, the minute quantity prevented her from discerning its effects.

Her deduction was based on the circumstances—it was highly probable that it possessed detoxifying properties. Otherwise, it couldn't explain why the poison within her body had been suppressed and gradually diminished when she consumed the herbal concoctions prepared by Madam Xu. The improvement in her health during her bedridden days served as the most compelling evidence.

But there was no such effect when she ingested the medicinal pills.

No, it was also plausible... Chu Yu suddenly entertained an alternative possibility, her ears attuned to Dr. Xu's words. "Cassia adds sweetness and helps balance the flavors. In the decoction, I included cassia to prevent any possible discomfort or nausea. However, in pill form, such concerns are unnecessary, hence its omission. Whether cassia is present or absent, it doesn't make a substantial difference."

Cassia was merely a flavoring agent, devoid of significance?

The revelation struck Chu Yu like a bolt of lightning, rendering her momentarily speechless.

It meant that her previous judgments had been flawed!

The true antidote to her poisoning did not reside within cassia but elsewhere!

"Nevertheless, if you desire, I can include it," Dr. Xu mused, a teasing glint in his eyes. "Young friend, do you have any other inquiries?"

Yet Chu Yu's expression remained tense. Dr. Xu frowned, refraining from further comment as he made a mental note to later inform Lord Chu Feng.

His daughter, at such a tender age, bore a burden of heavy thoughts that hindered her recovery.

He knew her father well enough to realize that he was not the kind of man who would allow harm to befall the heir amid the tumultuous affairs of the concubines in the rear court.

Poisoning should be out of the question.

...

"Dr. Xu, what has become of Xiaoyuer?"

At that moment, Father Chu and Madam finally emerged, their appearances marked by a somber air. They avoided making eye contact with each other, and it was evident to Chu Yu that their conversation had not been pleasant.

She hesitated, torn between seizing this opportunity to display her defiance towards Madam and accompanying Father Chu back to the front courtyard where she might find protection from any further poisoning attempts.

Yet, another possibility flickered in her mind.

If the poison coursing through her body was the means by which the three of them exerted control over her, once she distanced herself from Madam, she would be left defenseless and ignorant of the impending danger that awaited her.