Genuine or Pretense

 Most of the items Second Elder brought over this time were basic living supplies. Of course, the most important ones were always the books and sewing materials. After handing over all these supplies to Ling Chunxi, Second Elder asked her to proffer her wrist so he could check her pulse. Ling Chunxi watched his expression closely and caught the flash of surprise that shot across his eyes.

'He's surprised? That the poison in me is gone?' So, Second Elder did know she was poisoned. Why didn't he help her get rid of the poison for all these years then? Why let her suffer all the ridicule thrown at her?

Was Second Elder's kindness genuine or was it all pretense?

"Well, Chunxi, there's nothing much wrong with you. But seems your body is a little heaty. Have you been eating a lot of spicy and oily foods?" deduced Second Elder after checking her pulse.

"Ah, really?" Ling Chunxi feigned ignorance. She had intentionally kept her abilities well hidden. Since Second Elder was only at Battle Qi Level 6, he was unable to detect her abilities. However, his diagnosis of her being heaty was accurate. She was indeed feeling a little heaty and she knew exactly why. It was what tended to happen when one feasts on meat to the extent she did.

"So, there are no health problems anymore?" asked Aunt Wang hurriedly in excitement.

"No problems. No problems at all. I'll prescribe you some medication and you'll be just fine. Say, Aunt Wang, what have you been cooking for Little Chunxi lately?" inquired Second Elder with a smile as he retracted his hand from Ling Chunxi's wrist.

"Braised beef, meat buns, roasted duck..." The more dishes Aunt Wang listed, the deeper her brow furrowed. These were greasy foods indeed.

"That must be it then. No worries though, I'll prescribe two doses of medication and all will be well. All you have to do is decoct them for Little Chunxi to drink," instructed Second Elder as he wrote up a prescription. "Little Chunxi, it's best you don't leave the house these days. Practice cultivating at home. Didn't you want to participate in the clan assessment and attend White Stone Academy? Practice cultivating properly and don't go running around."

"Yes, I know." Ling Chunxi was trying to contain the surge of shock running through her heart as she read the prescription Second Elder had just written out. The ingredients he had listed were fine individually but were mildly poisonous when they were all decocted together.

It was Second Elder who had poisoned her! Why?! When she had suffered so much due to her face sprouting sores from being poisoned, was it Second Elder's doing? Why… Why! Ling Chunxi was dying to know. However, this was not the right time to ask him. Even if she successfully tore down his lies, she might not necessarily obtain the truth. Since she now knew it was Second Elder who has poisoned her, the matter should be resolved in an easier manner. After all, an investigation becomes easier with clues at hand.

There wasn't any change in Ling Chunxi's demeanor as she observed Aunt Wang happily accepting the prescription and trotting off to the medical hall to procure the ingredients for the poisonous concoction she was to make. Ling Chunxi continued talking and laughing with Second Elder as she always did. Only when she saw Second Elder off did Ling Chunxi realize she was clenching her fist hidden in the folds of her sleeve. She had clenched her fist so hard, her veins had practically popped. There was great pain in her heart. All the memories of the travesties she endured as a result of being poisoned bubbled up within her and overflowed, overwhelming her. The gutting feeling of being deceived and betrayed by someone so close to her filled her with immense agony. Though Ling Chunxi struggled to explain how or why, this emotional pain made it seem as though the past Ling Chunxi and her were now one entity. She could feel the same anguish the past Ling Chunxi felt and it made her incredibly uncomfortable. 

'I must find out what is going on!' Ling Chunxi vowed to herself.

…

The Ling clan's assessment was just around the corner. The clan would only decide on which participants to recommend for the White Stone Academy entrance exam upon completion of their own assessment.

Days went by the same way. Ling Chunxi would bring Little White along with her to Purple Maple Mountain's rear peak and diligently practice her cultivating for hours on end.

After some time had passed like this, it was finally the day of the clan's assessment.