Chapter 451: All Returned

After the Hua family joined the Xuanfu Manor, they were assigned to various posts. Hua Changxi arrived suddenly, and most of the Hua family members were on duty.

So when Qin Feng led Hua Changxi to the courtyard where the Hua family lived, only Yao, who was recuperating at home from an injury, and Sheng Yuantang, who had come specifically to look after her, were present.

"General Qin!"

The courtyard gate was wide open. Sheng Yuantang, who had been practicing swordplay in the yard, saw Qin Feng, quickly sheathed her sword, and hurried forward to greet him.

Since she had never met Hua Changxi before and didn't know who she was, she only gave her a quick glance before returning her gaze to Qin Feng.

"General Qin, do you have any orders?" Sheng Yuantang's tone was respectful, her manner modest.

Before Qin Feng could respond to Sheng Yuantang, Hua Changxi stepped directly into the courtyard, her steps light and swift as the wind, her gaze firmly locked onto Yao, who had come out of the house upon hearing the commotion.

"Mother, how did you get injured?"

The call of "Mother" was clear and urgent.

Sheng Yuantang's expression stiffened; she turned her head sharply and when she looked at Hua Changxi again, her eyes were completely different—she had guessed her identity.

In the courtyard, Yao saw her daughter return, and a bit of color returned to her pale face: "Jiuniang, you're back!"

Hua Changxi took two steps at once, quickly came before Yao, supported her body, and looked at her mother's pale complexion. Her brows instantly furrowed, her expression darkening: "How did you get such a severe injury?"

The internal organs were shattered, the right arm was nearly crushed in several places, three meridians were severed, and over the wounds clung a yin-cold demonic aura.

"Mother is fine." Seeing Hua Changxi's dark expression, Yao hastened to soothe her, forcing a smile: "The manor's physician has already treated me, and I've taken medicine. It's much better now."

Even so, Hua Changxi saw at a glance: the treatment had been timely but somewhat rough. The demonic poison was merely suppressed, not eradicated.

If she relied only on pills to slowly dissolve the yin-cold demonic aura, it would take too long, and during that time the patient would have to endure the yin-cold's invasion day and night, suffering terribly.

"Let's go inside."

As Hua Changxi helped Yao into the house, she asked, "How did you get hurt?"

Yao explained with a smile: "Mother was on duty in the kitchen with your Second Aunt and Fourth Aunt. Two days ago, the logistics department sent a batch of slain sea demons for the kitchen to process. Who would have thought—one of those sea demons was only feigning death. Mother was injured while handling it."

"Does this happen often?"

"Not often. Since entering Xuanfu Manor, this is the first time."

Hearing it was an accident, Hua Changxi said no more: "Mother, lie down. I'll treat your wounds again." With that, she took out the spirit needles she carried with her. A faint light shimmered at her fingertips as she prepared to apply the needles.

Sheng Yuantang returned after seeing Qin Feng off. Just as she stepped through the door, she saw a blue yin-cold demonic aura continuously dispersing from Yao's body. Yao's originally pale complexion was visibly regaining a rosy glow.

Watching this, Sheng Yuantang's heart trembled, and she almost held her breath.

Although she had long known that the Hua family's Ninth Daughter was a highly skilled physician, a figure renowned above all others in the Elixir Saint Hall, seeing it with her own eyes was still shocking.

For one had to know that every physician in Xuanfu Manor possessed genuine talent and solid learning.

The method they used to treat Aunt Hua was exactly the same as that used for the Xuanfu Army—a standard approach verified by countless battle wounds: safe and efficient. Even the Demon Suppression Army used the same medical techniques.

The Xuanfu Manor physicians had originally estimated that Aunt Hua would need at least half a month of rest with daily medicinal treatment before the yin-cold demonic aura in her body could be completely expelled.

But now—in less than the time it takes half a cup of tea to cool—Aunt Hua was already glowing with vitality!

Was this the difference between one physician and another?

Having completely expelled the demonic aura from Yao's body, Hua Changxi put away her spirit needles: "Mother, if anyone in the family gets hurt in the future, send a message to Third Brother and have him come back to take a look."

"The Elixir Saint Hall has a wider variety of medicines and more refined treatment methods."

"Healing the injury a day earlier means both less suffering and a better chance of avoiding hidden chronic problems."

When Hua Changxi put the needles back into their case, Yao felt completely light and at ease. The persistent yin-cold, bone-piercing sensation of the past few days was gone, with no trace of stagnation left in her body.

At this moment, the look she gave Hua Changxi was filled entirely with relief and pride.

"Alright, Mother will do as you say."

At this point, Sheng Yuantang stepped forward gently and called softly, "Aunt."

Yao quickly took Hua Changxi's hand and introduced: "Jiuniang, this is your eldest brother's fiancée. I've been unable to move easily these past two days, and I've relied entirely on her care."

Hua Changxi looked at her with curiosity. She had only glanced at Sheng Yuantang at the courtyard gate earlier, and then her attention had been drawn away by Yao.

Now, examining her closely, she saw that Sheng Yuantang had a straight posture, gentle features, a dignified manner, and eyes that were clear yet firm.

"Sister-in-law?"

Yao immediately patted Hua Changxi and said, "They're not married yet. Call her 'sister.'"

Sheng Yuantang was a bit embarrassed by the address, but she still smiled generously at Hua Changxi and said amiably, "Jiuniang, I'm a few years older than you. You can call me Yuantang-jie."

Hua Changxi followed the suggestion: "Yuantang-jie, thank you for coming to take care of my mother."

Sheng Yuantang's smile was warm: "It's only right."

They smiled at each other, the atmosphere harmonious.

Just then, hurried footsteps and commotion came from outside the courtyard.

Old Master Hua had returned with Second Uncle Hua and Fourth Uncle Hua.

"Jiuniang! You've finally come back!" Second Uncle Hua's voice was loud as he entered, "Some time ago, Sanlang sent word you were coming back, and we hardly dared believe it! Never expected you'd arrive so quietly today!"

Hua Changxi smiled and stepped forward to greet Old Master Hua and the other two. Ten years had passed, and everyone's spirit and energy were very good.

Seeing Yao's rosy complexion, Old Master Hua was overjoyed and quickly asked for the reason. Learning that Hua Changxi had cured her, he nodded repeatedly, his eyes full of relief.

Noticing Hua Changxi looking behind them, he knew she was looking for Hua Minghe. The old master smiled and said, "Jiuniang, your father is now a soldier in the XuanYuan Army. When he's not on a mission, he has to train strictly every day. He won't be back until evening."

"But your grandmother, as well as Qiniang and the others, should be back soon. They work in the logistics department, and if something comes up, they can request leave."

"Oh, and Silang and the others all work at the Martial Arts Hall. If they perform well, they can become XuanYuan soldiers in the future."

"As for me, I work in the library. Your second and fourth uncles are in charge of the storeroom."

"Now our family has gained a firm foothold in the XuanYuan Estate."

Old Master Hua wasn't sure what else to say to Hua Changxi, so he explained in detail the Hua family's situation in the XuanYuan Estate.

Second Uncle Hua and Fourth Uncle Hua also chimed in from time to time, laughing or sighing, keeping the atmosphere warm and dispelling much of the estrangement from the ten-year separation.

Soon, Old Madam Hua entered the courtyard with several granddaughters, and instantly it became lively.

The women surrounded Hua Changxi, chattering and asking all sorts of questions. Some touched her hands, some pinched her cheeks, as if to confirm that she had really come back.

What was even more unexpected was that Hua Dalang also rushed back in a hurry.

"Grandfather, Grandmother."

Hua Dalang first paid his respects to the elders, then looked at Hua Changxi: "Jiuniang has returned."

Hua Changxi looked at her eldest brother before her, her heart trembling slightly.

Hua Dalang now carried a kind of calmness and alertness tempered by long years on the battlefield—an instinct forged through countless brushes with life and death.

"Elder Brother."

Yao was a little surprised that Hua Dalang had returned: "Dalang, why are you back?"

At this, Sheng Yuantang immediately stepped forward, a little shy but frank: "Auntie, it was me who sent a message to Brother Hongyi. I thought since Jiuniang was back, the siblings ought to see each other."

Hua Dalang smiled slightly and did not refute.

Yao looked at Sheng Yuantang and smiled with relief: "Look at me, I forgot everything. I should also call Sanlang and Liulang back."

Hua Changxi heard this and wanted to stop her, but then Hua Dalang said, "I've already sent messages to Sanlang and Liulang."

Old Master Hua and Old Madam Hua expressed their approval.

Before long, Hua Erniang arrived with her husband and two sons.

Second Uncle Hua laughed heartily: "It was me who notified Erniang! Jiuniang hasn't been home for ten years, so the sisters should have a good reunion!"

After that, Hua Wuniang also came with He Sanshi and He Xiaoman.

The last to return were Hua Liulang, as well as Hua Sanlang and Zhu Qinghuan.

Hua Changxi looked at the now-crowded Hua family courtyard and pulled Hua Qiniang aside to ask in a low voice: "Doesn't the XuanYuan Estate forbid outsiders from entering?"

Hua Qiniang gave an "Ah?" and said, "Where are there outsiders? There are no outsiders."

Hua Changxi: "..."

Hua Qiniang realized what she meant: "The relatives of people in the estate are allowed to visit, as long as they have reported it beforehand."

Hua Changxi twitched the corner of his mouth, looking at the family gathered together, feeling a bit... uncomfortable.