After returning home, except from the first day where Bai daiyu Madam Wu had caused a commotion saying she couldn't accept a daughter like Wu Ning who was a disgrace to the family insisting that they send her back abroad so she won't be embarrassed them anymore the following days went by very quickly with Wu Ning preparing to go on visit to see her sick grandfather who lives in the countryside far away from the capital.
On getting to designated day of her visit, she packed up a few necessary things she would need for her journey before leaving for her grandfather's house.
****
Wu Ning stepped off the public bus and onto the winding country road, the warm sun casting a gentle glow on her face. She had chosen to travel by public transport, eschewing the luxury car that would have drawn unwanted attention. The rustic scenery and fresh air were a welcome respite from the city's chaos.
As she walked towards the small, yet elegant house, Old Master Wu's butler, Butler Li, emerged from the doorway. His eyes, clouded with age, sparkled with warmth as he bowed respectfully. "Young Mistress Wu has arrived."
Butler Li hastened to inform Old Master Wu, who sat in the courtyard, surrounded by vibrant flowers and the soothing sounds of nature. The air was filled with the sweet fragrance of blooming jasmine and the gentle chirping of birds.
With Butler Li's announcement, Old Master Wu's face lit up with a warm smile. He beckoned Wu Ning to approach, his eyes twinkling with affection. "Ning'er, come, come. It's been too long." He said standing up slowly with the help of his walking stick as he opened his arms to welcome his deares granddaughter.
Wu Ning's heart swelled with love as she rushed to her grandfather's side and jumped into his embrace, "Grandpa..." She whispered feeling a turbulence of emotion growing inside her, her feelings were a jumbled mess like a tangled web she couldn't untangle.
She didn't what to feel at moment, she felt happy seeing her grandfather again, sad that she had disregarded and him in her past life and not pay attention to his health, regret that she couldn't save in her life in her past life and angry at the conspirators who would stop at nothing to take her grandfather's life.
After the short emotional moment between the grandfather and granddaughter they spent the entire afternoon lost in conversation, discussing everything from the latest village gossip to the current situation in the Wu family, Butler Li, discreetly served them tea and refreshments, his movements silent as a ghost not to disrupt atmosphere between the grandfather and granddaughter duo.
"Ning'er, what is your situation with that Mu boy, are you really planning to break off the engagement with him" Grandpa Wu asked taking a sip of his tea.
"Yes Grandpa, I don't think we are fit for one another " Wu Ning replied looking at the vast courtyard.
"Not fit for each other? Hmmm" he said stroking his chin deep in thought before laughing heartily "Well then since that is what you want who I'm I to stop you, anyways I didn't even like that Mu boy very much, I always felt he wasn't good enough for you, but seeing much you were in love with him I didn't want to interfere but now I'm so glad you saw it for yourself" he said elated.
Wu Ning couldn't help but laugh seeing how happy her grandfather was after hearing she had broken off her engagement with My Ling, he said Mu Ling wasn't good enough for her, someone of Mu Ling status wasn't good enough for her?, Although he was from a side branch of the Mu family, the head of the four great family in the capital. He was still a big deal!. And here her grandfather saying he wasn't good enough for her showing how highly he thought of her, even though the outside world deemed her as useless and unfilial, her grandfather saw her something very different from that, she thought with a warm smile enjoying the feeling of being loved by someone.
As the sun began to set, casting a golden glow over the courtyard, Butler Li presented Old Master Wu with his medication. Wu Ning, ever the attentive granddaughter, volunteered to administer the drugs herself. Butler Li hesitated for a moment before bowing and retreating to the kitchen.
Wu Ning's hands moved with precision as she handed her grandfather the pills. Her eyes, however, darted towards the medications, her mind racing with the knowledge she had acquired from her master, the renowned Doctor Wang who was a respected master in the industry. During her time abroad, he found her and taken a liking to her so he had thought her everything he knew about Chinese and western medicine leading to Wu Ning current knowledge of medicine.
As she helped her grandfather swallow the pills, Wu Ning's fingers deftly palmed a few of the tablets into her bag, her movements swift and imperceptible. Butler Li, oblivious to her actions, returned with a refill of tea, allowing Wu Ning to pocket the evidence.
The visit drew to a close, with Wu Ning promising to return soon. As she bid her grandfather farewell, her heart ached with a mix of emotions. She knew she had to uncover the truth behind the sinister plot threatening his life.
Instead of heading back to the city, Wu Ning made her way to the hospital, the pills secure in her pocket. She sought out the help of Doctor Wang in helping her prepare a doctor who would help her with her current situation.
Within the hospital's sterile walls, the doctor specially sent by Doctor Wang came forward with the report . "Miss Wu this digoxin is a potent cardiac glycoside. Prolonged use can be catastrophic, especially for someone with a pre-existing heart condition" he said handing the report over to her.
Wu Ning's grip on the report in her hand tightened. Her suspicions had been confirmed – someone was indeed trying to kill her grandfather. A shiver ran down her spine as memories of her past life resurfaced through her mind. She had been too late to save him then, but she vowed to protect him now.
With a newfound sense of urgency, Wu Ning devised a plan in her mind on how to catch the pepertrator, she knew she couldn't directly stop her grandfather from taking the pills as to no raise suspicion from the conspirators, even if she didn't know who they were, she could guess they were close probably an insider to be able to easily add this drug to her grandfather drugs.
As Wu Ning navigated the hospital corridors, her thoughts whirled with possibilities. Who could be behind this heinous plot? A family member, a business rival, or someone from the shadows?, She thought her mind feeling all fuzzy.
In the silence of the night, Wu Ning's resolve hardened. She would shield her grandfather from harm, no matter the cost. Her rebirth had marked a new beginning, and she would fight tooth and nail to protect those she loved, she thought as determination flashed through her eyes.
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