Chapter 5: SHE MUST BE A MAGICIAN The moment Su Yueqing disappeared beyond the entrance of the main hall, the atmosphere inside the Xi Manor changed completely.
The soft sound of her footsteps faded further and further away until the hall finally became silent again.
But this time, the silence no longer felt normal.
It felt heavy.
Nobody spoke immediately.
Every member of the Xi family was still frozen in their seats, as though their minds had not fully recovered from everything that had just happened.
The servants standing nearby lowered their heads nervously, not understanding why the masters had suddenly gone quiet.
Zhao Rui slowly tightened her grip around the head of her cane before finally speaking in a cold voice.
"Everyone leave."
The servants immediately bowed.
"Yes, Old Madam."
"Guards outside as well," Zhao Rui added sharply.
Within moments, the maids and guards hurried out of the hall one after another. The large doors closed heavily behind them, finally leaving only the direct Xi family members inside.
The moment the doors shut—
Xi Qianqian immediately stood up from her seat.
"What was that?!"
Her voice echoed through the hall.
"No— seriously, WHAT was that?!"
Xi Yunchen finally stopped holding back and burst into laughter.
"I knew I was not going crazy!" he said while holding his stomach. "I heard everything! Every single thought!"
"She called Grandmother scary!"
"She called our family a tragedy!"
"And she said Elder Brother becomes crippled in the future!"
"Xi Yunchen!" Xi Yunhao snapped immediately.
But even Xi Yunhao himself looked disturbed.
Because he had heard it too.
Every single word.
Xi Lanyin frowned deeply while turning toward her mother.
"Mother..."
Her voice became softer.
"...What she said earlier... was it true?"
The entire hall became quiet again.
Everyone slowly turned toward Lin Meiyun.
Lin Meiyun sat stiffly in her chair, her fingers still hidden beneath her sleeves.
For the first time in years, her calm and graceful expression looked shaken.
Xi Qianqian stared at her anxiously.
"Mother, why didn’t you tell us your body was getting worse?"
Lin Meiyun lowered her eyes quietly.
"At first, I only thought it was exhaustion," she admitted softly. "Then the physicians said my blood circulation was weak due to stress and poor rest."
She paused slightly before continuing.
"My skin started changing slowly afterward. The marks beneath my fingers became darker. My hair also began falling more than usual."
Xi Yunhao’s face immediately darkened.
"And you still said nothing?"
Lin Meiyun forced a calm smile.
"I truly did not think it was poison."
Those words caused the atmosphere to become even heavier.
Xi Qianqian slowly sat back down in shock.
"So... she was telling the truth..."
Even Xi Yunchen no longer looked playful.
Because if Su Yueqing had only guessed randomly, it would have been one thing.