Zhao Xun froze, the tip of his blade stopping just short of Doctor Zhen's chest.
"Consider yourself lucky." He withdrew the blade, thought for a moment, and asked Doctor Zhen, "Do Master Qian and Mrs. Qian absolutely have to die at Pingping's hands?"
From Doctor Zhen's account just now, Zhao Xun had a fairly clear understanding of how deeply he hated Master Qian and Mrs. Qian. He also knew that having the two die at Pingping's hands was the most important part.
So, if he wanted to complete this hidden mission, he had to clarify that point.
"Yes. Their deaths will only mean anything if they die at Pingping's hands," Doctor Zhen answered.
"What's your plan?" Zhao Xun continued. "How do you intend to have them die at her hands?"
"Pingping puts slow-acting poison in their tea every day. It takes six months to take effect," Doctor Zhen answered as readily as ever. "Counting the days, it should happen sometime in the next few days."
Zhao Xun thought for a few seconds, then asked, "You waited these six months so they could witness their children and relatives hurting each other and their entire family falling into ruin. You wanted them to suffer in body and mind before they died, didn't you?"
"Yes," Doctor Zhen confirmed.
"So you hypnotized Master Qian and Mrs. Qian." Zhao Xun wasn't asking a question, merely stating a fact. "You made them live like ordinary people while remaining fully aware of all the changes in the mansion, but unable to stop them or fight back."
Although Doctor Zhen hadn't mentioned any of this, Zhao Xun figured that was more or less how it worked.
At least, that was what Zhao Xun would have done in his place.
Being fully conscious while suffering was far more interesting