Chapter 34: The Zhao Family's Invitation

Within the legacy of the Flame Emperor’s medical arts, wherever the Corpse-Fragrant Blood Lotus blooms, there must be bodies to nourish it; this is the very origin of its name. Though this flower is dazzling in beauty and uniquely intoxicating in scent—enough to entrance any soul—it is a harbinger only of despair and death.

“What Corpse-Fragrant Blood Lotus? You know this flower?” Zhao Ziyun was startled by Jiang Hao’s words, looking at him in shock and doubt.

“Where did this flower come from?” Jiang Hao did not answer, instead urgently pressing the question.

Zhao Ziyun replied, “My father bought it at an auction abroad during a trip and brought it back as a gift for his mistress… Is there a problem with that?”

Jiang Hao nodded gravely. “This flower is called the Corpse-Fragrant Blood Lotus, an extremely rare poisonous plant. Its fragrance contains a slow-acting toxin. Occasional exposure isn’t too dangerous, but prolonged inhalation will let the toxin invade the lungs and even the brain, destroying the body’s nerves, paralyzing the victim, and eventually causing death.”

“How terrifying!” Zhao Ziyun recoiled several steps, his handsome face turning ashen.

“I only know of this flower from an ancient text. It was believed extinct, at least for the past several decades—no news of its existence. Who could have guessed it would appear abroad, just to be acquired by your father and brought back to our country…” Jiang Hao spoke with a wry smile.

Suddenly, Zhao Ziyun understood: the villa had never been haunted. His father’s mistress died of a mysterious illness, and his father, Zhao Shibo, was left paralyzed and comatose—not the work of ghosts, but the deadly hand of this Corpse-Fragrant Blood Lotus.

“The Corpse-Fragrant Blood Lotus must be fed with flesh and blood. Once it matures and blooms, it continues to release its poison for at least a year. Your father’s mistress kept it as a potted plant on her bedroom windowsill—if she didn’t die, who would? That your father is still alive is nothing short of miraculous.”

Jiang Hao’s words nearly made Zhao Ziyun leap in fright. “Then let’s leave—let’s get out of here now…” he urged, panic written on his face.

“Don’t worry. The flower’s poison acts very slowly. Short exposure won’t do much harm, or I wouldn’t be standing here chatting with you.” Despite his calm words, Jiang Hao had already stepped forward, removed his jacket, and wrapped up the pot.

“What are you doing, destroying the poisonous flower?” Zhao Ziyun asked.

Jiang Hao looked at him as if he were an idiot. “Didn’t I just say this flower is extinct in our country? It’s a critically endangered species, and you want to destroy it?”

“But it’s poisonous!”

Zhao Ziyun kept his distance, not daring to approach Jiang Hao.

Jiang Hao shook his head. “I can rear it and have ways to counteract its toxins, so you needn’t worry. I’ll cultivate this flower myself—it’s my contribution to our nation’s biodiversity.”

“Mr. Jiang, please, this isn’t the time for jokes…” Zhao Ziyun forced a bitter smile.

But Jiang Hao had already cradled the flowerpot and gone to the villa’s backyard. Watching Jiang Hao transplant the deadly plant into the garden, Zhao Ziyun’s heart beat wildly with fear. Yet at the same time, a surge of joy rose within him—for Jiang Hao had just said he knew how to neutralize the poison! That meant he might be able to cure Zhao Ziyun’s father.

Although anxious, Zhao Ziyun waited until Jiang Hao had finished tending the flower before cautiously asking, “Mr. Jiang, you said you can counteract the poison of this flower. Does that mean you can cure my father?”

“You can think of it that way,” Jiang Hao replied calmly.

“That’s wonderful! Could I ask you to visit my family now and treat my father? I promise, if you can heal him, I will show you immense gratitude!”

Zhao Ziyun looked at Jiang Hao, full of hope.

Jiang Hao pondered briefly, then nodded. “I can treat your father, but there’s no need to rush—it’s nearly dark. I’ll visit your family tomorrow and see to your father then.”

“Tomorrow? But what if my father… tonight…” Zhao Ziyun worried.

“Relax. Your father has only been comatose for half a month—he’s far from death. He has at least a month or two before malnutrition would cause him to fade away,” Jiang Hao said earnestly.

Hearing this, Zhao Ziyun finally settled down. To secure Jiang Hao’s help, he made many promises and, before leaving the villa, reminded Jiang Hao repeatedly, saying he’d come bright and early to pick him up the next day.

Once Jiang Hao received the key, he drove Zhao Ziyun to the real estate sales center to collect all the villa’s documents—property title and other certifications. The keys and everything else were now in Jiang Hao’s hands. Tonight, he could move into the villa.

However, he was in no hurry and instead headed first to Maple Red Estate. Standing in the hallway, Jiang Hao took out his key and inserted it into the lock, but before he could turn it, the door opened from the inside.

“I knew it was you,” said Su Qingli, who stood in the doorway with a faint, somewhat wistful smile.

Jiang Hao nodded, about to speak, but Su Qingli cut in, “My father’s back from his business trip. My mother’s here too.”

At these words, Jiang Hao’s brow furrowed. He had no desire to see Su Qingli’s mother, Zhang Liping, nor was he fond of her father, Su Bingming. In this household, the one who most despised and looked down on Jiang Hao was Zhang Liping, followed closely by Su Bingming. In the past, this pair had never shown Jiang Hao a kind face. Zhang Liping would often mock him with cold sarcasm, while Su Bingming rarely spoke harshly but treated Jiang Hao as little more than a servant.

Hearing that both Zhang Liping and Su Bingming were home, Jiang Hao was greatly displeased.

“What does it matter to me if your parents are back?” he said coldly.

At this, the little smile that had remained on Su Qingli’s face vanished completely. And from the living room, where Zhang Liping and Su Bingming had just finished their meal, the couple appeared, drawn by the voices.

“Oh, look who’s back—if it isn’t our Su family’s young master, Jiang Hao!” Zhang Liping’s words dripped with sarcasm.

Su Bingming, meanwhile, frowned and said bluntly, “Jiang Hao, I’ve heard all about what you’ve been up to these days. Since you dislike my daughter so much, you’d best divorce her as soon as possible. From now on, don’t ever come back to this house.”