Chapter 51: Murdering One’s Father-in-law?

Bo’an bowed with a gentle smile, greeting, “Uncle Du, it is good to see you.” He straightened, but as his eyes fell upon Du Ruhui’s pallid, sickly complexion and heard the weakness in his voice, Bo’an’s heart filled with worry and his brows drew together.

“Uncle Du, you don’t look well. Is the medicine I prescribed not working?” he asked in surprise.

The remedy he had given Du Ruhui was one tested and proven time and again by physicians in later generations—a renowned formula for treating consumption. By all rights, it should have had a remarkable effect.

Bo’an simply could not fathom why Du Ruhui’s face still bore that unhealthy, wan hue.

Du Ruhui paused for a moment, then shook his head and chuckled. “Bo’an, your prescription has no issues. It’s just that I’m getting on in years and have grown lazy. A period of bed rest should see me right.”

His heart was warmed by Bo’an’s concern, and he spoke honestly, without concealment. After all, Bo’an would soon become his son-in-law. Why hide things from family?

“No, Uncle Du,” Bo’an refused firmly, his tone resolute and his expression grave. In the next instant, he strode quickly to Du Ruhui’s bedside.

He extended his hand and took Du Ruhui’s pulse, stubbornly insisting, “Uncle Du, let me check you. This must not be taken lightly.”

After all, Du Ruhui was his father-in-law; if anything untoward happened, it would be disastrous.

Unable to argue, Du Ruhui yielded to Bo’an’s insistence. He trusted Bo’an’s medical skill implicitly—had it not been for Bo’an, he might already be on the other side.

After a thorough examination, Bo’an found Du Ruhui’s pulse steady, his illness much improved, and nothing amiss. He finally felt at ease.

To be certain, Bo’an decided to teach him Taiji, a method to nurture the body.

“Uncle Du, let me teach you a set of movements,” Bo’an said seriously. “It’s called Taiji, passed down from my master. It’s excellent for health and breath regulation. Uncle, let me help you up, and we’ll practice together.”

“No need, Bo’an, I just need to rest for a while,” Du Ruhui protested, shaking his head.

He had already taken a stroll around the estate with Lady Du that morning, and felt rather tired, so he was resting in bed. Yet Bo’an had come and was determined to take him out to practice boxing—wasn’t that tormenting an old man?

But Bo’an’s attitude was as unwavering as before; he helped Du Ruhui from his sickbed, dressed him carefully, and guided him outside.

Du Ruhui’s face betrayed mute exasperation, his features twitching as if cat whiskers were quivering.

He was nothing but old bones now, longing only to rest in bed and recover. Wasn’t this simply too much trouble?

Though Bo’an was his son-in-law, a father-in-law could still give him a good thrashing if he pushed too far!

In the end, Du Ruhui could not resist Bo’an’s well-intentioned persistence and allowed himself to be led to the rear garden.

“Uncle Du, follow my movements,” Bo’an instructed.

He began to slowly demonstrate the Taiji set.

“Well, very well,” Du Ruhui sighed helplessly.

Bo’an’s efforts were for his sake, and Du Ruhui could not bear to refuse. Thus, he followed Bo’an and began practicing.

Bo’an’s Taiji movements were slow and unhurried, and the routine itself was not complicated, making it easy to learn.

After just a short time practicing with Bo’an, Du Ruhui was astonished to find that his body no longer felt as frail and weak. Though a lingering soreness remained, he was significantly more robust than before.

His face had lost its sickly pallor and now bore a healthy flush, with beads of perspiration gently rolling down his forehead.

“This Taiji is truly miraculous,” Du Ruhui thought in wonder.

He cast a sidelong glance at Bo’an, who practiced with utmost seriousness.

At that moment, Du Ruhui fully understood Bo’an’s intentions, and could not help but view him in a new light, unsure how to express his gratitude.

“Heh… What need is there for unnecessary thanks between family?” he thought with a smile.

With newfound diligence, he practiced with earnestness never before seen.

In the rear garden, only the sounds of practice and steady breathing drifted quietly through the air.

…

After their playful quarrel in the boudoir, Du Xiaomei and Li Lizhi finished dressing and made their way to the main hall, only to find Bo’an was nowhere in sight.

“Where has my husband gone?” Du Xiaomei wondered aloud, turning to Li Lizhi.

Li Lizhi shook her head, indicating that if Du Xiaomei didn’t know, she certainly did not.

Du Xiaomei pondered for a moment—it did make sense.

“I’ll go ask someone,” she said to herself, and together with Li Lizhi, they left the Tang mansion and encountered a servant.

“Have you seen where my husband went?” Du Xiaomei asked anxiously.

The servant paused and replied with a smile, “Young lady, Master Li and the lord are practicing boxing in the rear garden.”

“Boxing…?” Both Du Xiaomei and Li Lizhi were taken aback.

They knew well that Du Ruhui, having just recovered, was best suited to rest in bed. Yet Bo’an, upon arriving, had taken him out to practice boxing?

What was he thinking—was he trying to murder his father-in-law?

At this thought, Li Lizhi hurried after Du Xiaomei, and the two hastened toward the rear garden.

But when they arrived and saw the scene before them, both were struck dumb.

In the garden, Bo’an and Du Ruhui stood a short distance apart, both practicing. Du Ruhui’s face glowed with a healthy flush, a smile brightening his features, and he seemed genuinely joyful.

There was not a hint of reluctance.

Du Xiaomei realized she had not seen such a genuine smile on Du Ruhui’s face for a long time.

“Husband…” Du Xiaomei was rendered speechless, not daring to interrupt them.

Li Lizhi, meanwhile, observed the boxing routine with a slight frown.

She had never seen such movements before.

Du Ruhui’s posture was languid, at first glance like an old man learning to walk, his steps unsteady. Yet despite the slow pace, his motions carried an impressive, powerful structure.

She glanced at Bo’an, clad in white, practicing with an air of ethereal grace—almost as if he were an immortal.

“This boxing is simply incredible!”

Li Lizhi blinked and, without a word, watched attentively, her curiosity about Bo’an growing ever stronger…

(The end of this chapter)