Chapter 594: Chapter 594: Doubts

The woman was dressed in a properly fitting dress that, although it looked quite ordinary, one could tell by the fabric that it was definitely of considerable value. Moreover, she wore just a few pieces of understated jewelry that, despite their simplicity, could not conceal their worth.

However, there wasn’t a trace of color on the woman’s face, and she was even gasping for air as she walked.

The woman was beautiful; even in her weakened state, she resembled a heart-clutching Xi Shi rather than an unsightly Dong Shi imitator.

Upon seeing the newcomer, Baili Hengyuan’s already unsightly expression darkened even more, his hands clenched into fists.

Zhong Niangyao and Lu Yichen exchanged glances and could guess who this person was.

“Wanwan.”

Seeing the arrival, Yi Huai nearly jumped up; he hurriedly stepped forward to support his wife, allowing her to lean on him completely.

“Why did you come?” There was a hint of reproach in Yi Huai’s tone, but it was overwhelmed by concern, “Didn’t I tell you to rest at home and not to come out?”

“As this matter involves me, it’s natural that I should come.”

The woman, known as Wanwan, couldn’t help coughing a few times while speaking, clearly indicating how poor her health was at the moment.

“What a pity!” Zhong Niangyao looked at Wanwan and said, “Just another ten days or half a month and you could have completely recovered your health.”

“You–”

Wanwan, that is, Huang Wan, was shocked upon hearing Zhong Niangyao’s words. When she looked at Zhong Niangyao, her eyes were filled with disbelief.

“Feels strange, doesn’t it?” Zhong Niangyao said with a smile, “Actually, my arrival was quite timely. Otherwise, the day you fully recovered would have been the day my mother perished in the Netherworld!”

“Don’t talk nonsense.” Yi Huai quickly stood up and positioned himself in front of Huang Wan, “I have never thought of claiming Le Yao’s life. Once Wanwan recovers, Le Yao will also wake up.”

Indeed, he spoke the truth. Although they hoped to prolong Wanwan’s life through Baili Lele’s vitality, Baili Lele had been his cherished younger sister from childhood, and he never intended to take her life.

“You say you don’t harbor such thoughts, but can you guarantee your wife doesn’t?” Zhong Niangyao’s sharp gaze fell on Yi Huai and Huang Wan, “From the moment you planned to use my mother’s vitality to prolong life, you’ve already put her in a very dangerous position.”

“So, do you think anyone would believe these words of yours?”

Yi Huai wanted to retort but couldn’t say anything against it. In Zhong Niangyao’s presence, he always felt a sense of guilt.

And now, with Wanwan’s life in Zhong Niangyao’s hands, he dared not make any rash moves.

Huang Wan pushed Yi Huai away, who was standing in front of her, and faced Zhong Niangyao directly, “I know, no matter what I say now, you won’t believe it. But I still owe you an apology. I am truly sorry.”

“Your apology is more than I can bear,” Zhong Niangyao shook her head and coldly retorted, “Whose idea it was originally, the fact remains that my mother has been bedridden all these years. She has been used as a tool for you to prolong your life, and that’s also a fact.”

“Then what exactly do you want?” Yi Huai was also becoming agitated, “We’ve apologized and are willing to offer any compensation. Can’t you just let Wanwan go?”

“That’s not possible.” Zhong Niangyao’s response was firm and resolute, “If a few apologies could smooth things over, then if I killed you now and apologized afterward, would that be acceptable?”

“Why continue wasting words with them?” Lu Yichen extended his hand, gently holding Zhong Niangyao’s, his actions tender yet his words frighteningly harsh, “If we really can’t stand these two, why not just kill them?”

At these words, Yi Huai and Huang Wan immediately felt a chill run up their spines.

Although it was just a simple exchange, they could feel that Lu Yichen was not just talking idly, but was indeed ready to act.

It seemed that if Zhong Niangyao gave the word, he would not hesitate to kill them on the spot.

“Frightened, are you?”

Seeing Yi Huai and Huang Wan’s expressions, Zhong Niangyao couldn’t help but laugh, “Just a moment ago you were promising to repay with your lives if necessary. So why the sudden cowardice now?”

“Cowardly and fearful of death!” Baili Hengyuan looked at Yi Huai with nothing but disdain in his eyes.

Yi Huai’s face grew even uglier after being insulted like this, but since it was Baili Hengyuan who had spoken, and he was indeed at fault this time, he managed to hold back his anger.

“Grandfather,” Zhong Niangyao looked at Baili Hengyuan and gently shook her head.

Baili Hengyuan didn’t understand what Zhong Niangyao was planning, but at her gesture, he refrained from further mocking Yi Huai.

“Actually, I am a bit curious,” Zhong Niangyao sat down, her demeanor somewhat calmer, resting her chin in her hand as she looked at Yi Huai and Huang Wan, “With so many people in the world, why did you particularly target my mother?”

“If you had chosen any ordinary person from the outside world, it wouldn’t have been difficult, yet you specifically targeted my mother. This is something I truly cannot comprehend.”

Upon raising such a question, even Baili Hengyuan was somewhat taken aback. However, he too began to entertain the same doubts.

Indeed, the Baili Family is a Hidden Family, and Baili Lele is his most beloved daughter. If this affair came to light, it would be more than just a matter between two people; it would become an issue involving both the Baili and Yi Families. When that happens, Yi Huai would certainly not fare well. He could potentially face the vengeance of the Baili Family and even be disowned by the Yi Family.

If it was merely about using someone’s vitality to nourish Huang Wan’s body, then finding an ordinary person in the outside world to perform the ritual would be far simpler, wouldn’t it? And it would be less likely to cause a scandal. Even if it did come to light, Yi Huai would not face severe punishment.

Yi Huai was certainly not ignorant of such simple logic.

Yet he had deliberately chosen the most difficult path, scheming by all means to target Baili Lele’s vitality. This was truly baffling.