The system’s voice carried a hint of pride; finally, there was something the host didn’t know. "Why?" Meng Yao asked. [It’s because of poison insects.] Meng Yao was a bit surprised. Is it true there are such things as poisonous insects? She always thought they were made up for novels. Unexpectedly, they actually exist? "How to dispel it? Do you know?" [If this system were in peak condition, it would be no problem. But currently, it can only sense why they are in a coma. To dispel the poison insects, either the person who cast the spell must remove it, or it needs an ancestor proficient in handling poison insects.] The so-called ancestor who’s proficient in handling poison insects is referring to someone who uses the Poisonous Insect King to eradicate the poison insects within these people. From the system, Meng Yao learned that in Miaojiang, raising insects is widespread. Most who raise these insects are from there or the practice spread from there. There are many types of poison insects, but few Poisonous Insect Kings. Much like how two tigers cannot share one mountain. The entire Miaojiang might have only one or two Poisonous Insect Kings. Meng Yao did not know who planted the poison insects. She had even less idea who possessed poison insects. The rıghtful source is 𝕟𝕠𝕧𝕖𝕝✶𝕗𝕚𝕣𝕖✶𝕟𝕖𝕥 "Is there no other way?" Meng Yao asked. [Yes, there is. Spiritual power can strangle poison insects. But, host, you don’t know how to use it. In this world, only one person can use spiritual power to strangle poison insects, and that’s Tao Hua. Of course, this can only happen after the spiritual body has fused with the host.] Meng Yao wanted to roll her eyes. The system had mentioned that it would take years for the spiritual body and the host to fuse, even at the fastest rate. Who among these people can wait for years? So, they must first find out who is responsible for planting the insects. "Mom, is there a way?" Zhao Xiaohua asked anxiously. "I found the reason, but getting them to wake up will take some effort." Meng Yao stated truthfully, "Axing, I have something to discuss with you." Lu Luoxing immediately dismissed the crowd, "Master, please speak." "Their sleep isn’t due to the calming incense, nor due to their own ailments. It’s because they have all been affected by poison insects." Meng Yao’s expression was serious. As a member of the Lu Family, Lu Luoxing was not unfamiliar with poison insects. In fact, the ancestor who founded Hundred Herbs Hall had practiced the Poisonous Insect Technique and was said to have mastered it, maintaining good relations with the High Priest of Miaojiang. But later, no one in the Lu Family inherited the ancestor’s poison techniques. It’s only recorded in some ancient texts that have been passed down through the Lu Family. Unlike medical skills, where one might learn quite a bit from reading medical books, reading ancient texts will definitely not teach you the Poisonous Insect Technique. Otherwise, the Lu Family would have someone skilled in poison techniques by now. "Master, do you know the Poisonous Insect Technique?" Lu Luoxing asked. Meng Yao shook her head, "The Poisonous Insect Technique is different from medical skills. I can determine it based on experience, but I am powerless." "There are records about the Poisonous Insect Technique in the Lu Family." Lu Luoxing stated, "Perhaps you could find a solution in them?" Meng Yao shook her head, "I don’t have such abilities. However, if there are skilled practitioners of the Poisonous Insect Technique in the Capital City, some information should have surfaced. Also, I need to meet the families of these people and ask them some questions." Lu Luoxing made all the necessary arrangements. Placing poison insects is not done from a distance; most of the time, it’s ingested. So, what Meng Yao needed to investigate was who among these people’s acquaintances could have been colluding with someone. Meng Yao’s goal was clear: to identify those responsible for their daily meals. The scope was relatively small, making it easier to pinpoint suspects. After ensuring nothing was overlooked, Meng Yao did not immediately alert anyone, but instead took Zhao Xiaohua to the Zhao Mansion. This wasn’t something she could handle alone, and when there were connections to make use of, wouldn’t it be a waste not to? The old lady of the Zhao family now knew that Zhao Ting’s ’weakness’ was a necessary pretense. Furthermore, she had learned that the genuine weakness he experienced previously was due to Meng Yao’s careful and tireless care, bringing him back to health. Otherwise, he might really have been gone. Thus, when the old lady saw Meng Yao bringing Zhao Xiaohua home, her eyes lit up. "Yaoyao, you left in such a hurry earlier, I didn’t have time to give you a meeting gift. Here, let me make it up to you." The old lady pushed a box towards Meng Yao. "Lady, I can’t accept this." Meng Yao refused. In this situation, accepting it would certainly imply she acknowledged her relationship with Zhao Ting, wouldn’t it? "Who could accept it if not you? These are all from my private collection, all intended for Atin’s wife. Tell me, who else can I give them to if not you?" said the old lady, speaking firmly, "After all, Dahe and Xiaohua are Atin’s children, and you are their mother. To me, you are Atin’s wife." The relationship put this way was indeed logical. The flaw lies in the fact that she was not the original, and she had no affection for the false Zhao Ting. Under such circumstances, how could she casually tangle herself in? "Old Lady, I haven’t made up my mind yet." Meng Yao spoke candidly. "Make up your mind, but that doesn’t interfere with you accepting my gift. Not as Atin’s wife, but as Dahe and Xiaohua’s mother, or as Atin’s life-saving benefactor. Any of these identities grants you the right to accept." The old lady insisted. That made a lot of sense. [Host, accept it, accept it. The things this old lady gives are not poor quality at all. Even if you don’t cherish them, accepting them and giving them to me to use is fine, right? There are two ancient jade pendants here that hold spiritual energy.] The system’s voice was filled with barely contained excitement. [It means, by absorbing the spiritual energy, I can undergo self-repair.] Being too eager, the system referred to itself in the first person. This was the first time Meng Yao had heard such a proposal. So, should she accept it? The old lady’s face beamed with joy, "Good child, good child." Accepting her meeting gift was good, indicating that Meng Yao cherished Atin and the children. "Xiaohua, stay and chat with your grandmother. I have some things to discuss with Zhao Ting." Meng Yao said. Zhao Xiaohua nodded, "Okay, Mom." Zhao Ting led Meng Yao to the study. "Xiaohua, based on your understanding of your mother, when do you think she’ll come home?" the old lady asked. Zhao Xiaohua shook her head, "Grandmother, that’s hard to say. My mom is a very independent woman who never fears others’ opinions. That’s why her decisions are often unpredictable." If the things that happened to her mother had happened to another woman, the outcome would probably have been one of joyous return to the house. But her mother wasn’t like other women. So, her return would largely depend on her father’s abilities, wouldn’t it? She’s heard the elders say, a strong woman fears a persistent man. If her father could persistently pursue her mother and she and her brothers could speak on his behalf, her mother might soon return to the Zhao Mansion? However, if her mother truly didn’t want to, they wouldn’t go against her wishes to support their father. After all, both hands and hearts are equally important. Moreover, clearly, their mother was more important than their father.