"It was you, wasn't it?" Xiang Minghou's voice trembled.
Old Madam Xiang buried her face in Xiang Minghou's chest, her skin a ghastly white. It took her a long moment to find her voice. She let him go, only to raise her hand and take his. "There are no classes at the academy today. Let Mother see if your teacher has rapped your knuckles."
Xiang Minghou pulled his hand away. "I know you're not crazy."
"Eldest, what's wrong with you? I'm your mother. You won't even let me take a look?" Old Madam Xiang muttered to herself.
"Did you poison Father?" Xiang Minghou asked again, his voice hoarse.
"Eldest, when you're older, you must remember to take good care of your little brother." Old Madam Xiang again took Xiang Minghou's hand, leading him to Xiang Mingli's side. "Look how good your brother is. He's fast asleep."
