Chapter 11

Shao Qing stayed guarded.

Unexpectedly, Dr. Yan didn’t say much. He set Wei Jing’s wrist down and immediately began prescribing a remedy. With a dismissive snort, he remarked, “If it weren’t for me, with this poison on him, he’d probably have to cross the river to seek out that master Lü Lin.”

“Does he have any other wounds that need treatment as well?”

It was clear that this man certainly knew his craft. Hastily, Shao Qing said, “Doctor, thank you for your trouble. My husband was grazed by a poisoned arrow, his leg was injured by mountain bandits, and he also fell into the water.”

She stepped forward and rolled up Wei Jing’s trousers, exposing a stab wound on his calf. The wound wasn’t very deep, but having been soaked in river water, it had turned pale and completely lost color.

Dr. Yan raised his eyelids for a glance and said, “Let’s wash it first, then excise the necrotic tissue.”

And by “wash,” he didn’t mean using clean water—he immediately went off to fetch some medicinal herbs.

Kou Yue’s elder sister-in-law, Madam Wang, looked shocked. In a trembling voice, she exclaimed, “These mountain bandits really have committed heinous acts—thank heavens you’ve managed to escape.”

Kou Yue nodded in complete agreement, then hurried off to wash the medicine jar before returning to Dr. Yan with the medicine to be decocted.

Shao Qing followed along. Kou Yue, concerned, said, “Ah Qing, you should rest—I’ll handle it.”

Shao Qing casually claimed a surname, saying that her surname was Liu—her given name hadn’t been changed, though her original owner’s and her own names were different. She smiled and said, “I’m fine. We have two doses of medicine—one for each of us, that’s just right.”

She was actually quite uneasy and insisted on keeping a close watch. She opened the medicine packets and scrutinized them but couldn’t discern anything special, so she had no choice but to put them into a ceramic pot to decoct. She was preparing the detox prescription—Dr. Yan had gathered ten packets of medicine to be taken in two doses per day, and he claimed that if taken continuously for five days, the poison would be entirely neutralized.

After the two doses were prepared and the decoction was poured out, it was very hot. After letting it cool a bit, Kou Yue went out to call Dr. Yan. Seizing the opportunity, she cradled the medicine bowl and returned first to the west wing.

At that moment, as the child began to cry, Madam Wang took the little one into the main room to soothe him, and Shao Qing lowered her voice and called, “Husband, husband.”

Ever since she had entered, Wei Jing had kept his eyes half-open. She crouched down beside him and handed him the bowl of detox medicine.

Neither of them completely trusted Dr. Yan. Wei Jing took the bowl, scrutinized the dark brown liquid for a few moments, sniffed it, and then sipped it lightly.

“How is it?” Shao Qing watched him nervously as he carefully tasted the medicine. After a moment, he nodded and whispered, “It should be alright.”

Overjoyed, she said, “Then you must take the medicine quickly.”

She had already obtained the prescription from Kou Yue, read it over several times, and put it away. She planned to try to get some of the cleansing decoction and wound-healing medicine once Dr. Yan finished treating Wei Jing’s leg and foot wounds.

The decoction looked unbearably bitter, yet Wei Jing’s expression remained unchanged. He simply tipped the bowl over and drank it all.

Just as Shao Qing had set the bowl aside, Kou Yue reappeared, this time dragging Dr. Yan along. The latter complained, “What’s all the hurry for?”

“How can we not be in a hurry? The injuries hurt so much!”

“Ha, everyone else isn’t in a rush—only you are.”

Dr. Yan entered the room, tugged back the sleeve that Kou Yue had grasped, and ordered someone to fetch an oil lamp. Unhurriedly, he sat before the bed and retrieved a sharp small knife from his medicine box.

After cleansing the wound with the herbal decoction and heating the small knife, he directly excised the pale tissue from the wound—causing blood to flow—and sprinkled some Jinchuang medicine over it before bandaging it up.

Dr. Yan worked very deftly. His movements were practiced, yet he made no special effort to be gentle. A light sweat appeared along Wei Jing’s forehead, though his expression remained unchanged, and he didn’t even let out a whimper of pain.

Both Kou Yue and Madam Wang had their eyes closed, unable to bear watching, while Shao Qing, distressed to see it, raised her hand and used her sleeve to wipe sweat from Wei Jing’s forehead.

When the treatment was completed, she took out two pieces of fragmented silver—worth about three taels—and handed them to Dr. Yan. “This is all we have left; I’m not sure if it’s enough. Dr. Yan, could you give me some more Jinchuang medicine? I’ve got some abrasions and need some medicine for them.”

Staring directly at that large jar of Jinchuang medicine in Dr. Yan’s medicine box, she added, “If the money isn’t enough, I have some more on me.”

Dr. Yan lifted his eyelids to glance at Shao Qing. Then he tossed the Jinchuang medicine over and casually pocketed the silver without commenting on whether it was too much or too little. He then grabbed his medicine box and was about to leave.

“Dr. Yan, please wait.” Wei Jing, who had remained silent until then, suddenly spoke up. Noticing Dr. Yan raise his eyebrows and turn his head, he said, “My wife was frightened and also fell into the water; please check her pulse for me.”

Hearing that term, Shao Qing was momentarily stunned. Though she had always addressed Wei Jing as Husband, that was merely a special title befitting her status—she could not call him by his given name outright, as these days, calling someone by both their first and last names is considered insulting. However, since the two presented themselves as husband and wife, when Wei Jing spoke of her to others, referring to her as Wife was perfectly acceptable. It was just that he had never used that term before, so hearing it for the first time felt quite unfamiliar to her.

Before long, Shao Qing quickly put that matter behind her. When she saw Dr. Yan approaching at a measured pace, she hurriedly sat down and extended her wrist.

“Having been startled and exposed to the cold for too long, you should take a few doses of medicine.”

Dr. Yan scribbled the prescription with swift strokes. Raising his eyes, he glanced at the corner of Shao Qing’s forehead before saying calmly, “Also, take some medicine to invigorate blood circulation and dispel stasis. Your head injury must not be bumped again.”

Shao Qing reached out and touched the spot when she hit the riverbed during her jump. Ouch—it really hurts, and the bruising was severe. She certainly can’t afford another knock there!

“Thank you for your help, Dr. Yan.”

Without replying, Dr. Yan finished writing the prescription and told Kou Yue that it would be ready for pickup later. Then, he picked up his medicine case and left immediately.

Kou Yue, looking apologetic, said, “That’s just how Dr. Yan’s temper is—he’s a good man at heart, so please don’t mind. I’ll ask him if the money is too much; if it is, I’ll return it to you.”

From outside, Dr. Yan snorted, “Do you think this little silver is plentiful? Do you know how many precious herbs went into that detox prescription?!”

After his mocking remark, he left at once. Shao Qing grabbed onto Kou Yue—who was about to follow him—but did not dwell on the topic. Instead, she took out a few coins and inquired whether her family might lend them two sets of clothes each.

Earlier, while the medicine was boiling, Kou Yue had already prepared some bathwater. Just then, Sister Wang arrived carrying two sets of thin cloth garments that were about seventy to eighty percent new. Seeing Shao Qing handing over the money, she remarked, “These are only borrowed clothes—what’s the need to pay for them?”

“We have no spare clothes to change into. It seems we’ll be borrowing them for the long run.”

In an ordinary family, a set of fine cloth garments isn’t a cheap item. They had already brought out quality ones, and since Shao Qing had some extra money on hand, she couldn’t just take theirs for free.

She insisted on paying, but Madam Wang shook her head and gestured that it was too much. Shao Qing replied, “Never mind the debt of saving my life—since we’re staying at your place to convalesce, eating and using your things, we can’t keep freeloading. If you don’t accept it, I won’t feel at ease.”

Her sincerity eventually compelled Madam Wang to accept the payment. She then advised them to settle in without worry, adding that they could make further arrangements once the injuries healed. Together with Kou Yue, she brought two large wooden platters and poured hot water over them.

“Weren’t you the one with abrasions? Shall I apply some medicine for you? Can’t you manage your own cleaning?”

Madam Wang glanced at Wei Jing. Since there were differences between men and women, she thought perhaps they shouldn’t trouble Dr. Yan once more.

Shao Qing quickly responded, “No, it’s fine; we can manage on our own.”

Besides, Wei Jing still had other wounds that needed treatment—and these must not be seen by others.

After repeatedly assuring them that it was no trouble, Madam Wang led Kou Yue out and closed the door. “Wash up while it’s still warm, and then come out so you can take your medicine promptly.”

“Alright!”

……

After Shao Qing had carefully checked the doors and windows to be sure everything was secure, she turned back and helped Wei Jing sit up. She noticed that he now seemed to have a bit more strength.

In a low voice, Wei Jing remarked, “This Dr. Yan really has some abilities.”

He knew all too well the poison he had contracted—it wasn’t something that any ordinary country doctor could easily neutralize. Yet, with just one dose of medicine, the residual toxin he had been forcefully suppressing had already started to loosen its grip.

Compared to his severe injuries, it was the poison that had sapped Wei Jing’s spirit. As a result, his condition began to improve immediately.

Shao Qing was overjoyed and quickly brought over the decoction, oil lamp, wound ointment, and other necessary items. First, she removed his upper garments, then, after wringing out a towel to wipe his body, she used the decoction to cleanse his wounds thoroughly. Finally, she carefully washed the long sword, wrapped its blade in a cloth, and held it over the lamp flame to cauterize and sterilize it.

Wei Jing took the sword and began treating the wound on his collarbone. He cut away the pale, damaged skin and tissue, and fresh blood immediately gushed out. The sight was truly enough to give one goosebumps up close, but Shao Qing dared not close her eyes. She hastily sprinkled the wound ointment over it and then bandaged the injury.

Following the same procedure for his other wounds, she wrung a towel to wipe away the blood stains. She felt bathing him was too risky for now, so this would have to suffice.

“Since we still have some silver leftover, tomorrow I’ll buy some large bones or meat—and perhaps add in some jujubes and wolfberries—to stew a nourishing broth for you.”

Excessive blood loss must be replenished in time; otherwise, it will cost him dearly later. In ancient rural settings, meals certainly weren’t meat-heavy every day—such ingredients were too expensive, so it’s only fair that one pays for them out of their own pocket.

Wei Jing replied, “Give the silver to Madam Wang. Don’t go out on your own.”

Shao Qing touched her own face, wholeheartedly agreeing. When it came to brute strength, she herself was completely no match. Once Wei Jing was settled, she hauled a large wooden basin over to the side of the bed. Using the cover provided by the cloth screen, she quickly undressed and took a hot bath.

The moment the hot water poured over her, she silently exhaled a long sigh of relief, thinking: Oh my, it feels so wonderful—at last, I feel alive again.

However, since a conscious man was still lying on the bed, Shao Qing didn’t waste time washing further. Instead, she swiftly and efficiently managed everything—tossing their dirty clothes into the basin for a quick pre-wash, along with that small, bloodstained cloth bag.

This was the very little bag she had retrieved from the riverbank, which contained something resembling documents. She casually handed it to Wei Jing and, after checking over and over to ensure that no trace of evidence remained, she finally opened the door.

Madam Wang and Kou Yue then entered to help carry water. When they caught sight of Shao Qing’s face, the two were so astonished that their mouths nearly dropped open—Oh my, she looks just like that ethereal, soaring Xuan Nu! It’s indescribable; we’ve never seen such a stunning young lady before!

And Wei Jing – what a perfect match!

“Oh my goodness, you must come from a noble family; no wonder the mountain bandits had their eyes on her!” Madam Wang exclaimed in admiration and added, “Oh, little sister, it’s a blessing you managed to escape.” She left the next sentence unsaid, for fear of imagining how those bandits might have ravaged her.

Kou Yue picked up the ceramic jar and poured out some herbal decoction. “Ah Qing, hurry and drink this—it’s still warm and goes down nicely.”

“You don’t look well either; after you drink the medicine, quickly return inside and lie down.”

With concern written on their faces, they watched as Shao Qing took a long, quiet swallow. Though the medicine was bitter enough to make her frown, she said, “I am deeply grateful for your help—I and Wei Jing owe you a debt of tears.”

Until now, she had begun to believe she had met kind-hearted people. Truly, it hadn’t been easy; after all this time, she had finally been graced by the goddess of fortune.

The two girls from the Kou family waved their hands and replied that it was simply the right thing to do. They told Shao Qing not to worry about tidying up anything else and to hurry back inside and lie down.

Unable to refuse, Shao Qing could only thank them repeatedly as she went back. After closing the door, she found that the room had only a single bed. Dizzy and utterly exhausted, she didn’t hesitate and promptly climbed onto the bed. Wei Jing was lying on the outer side, so she maneuvered to the inner side.

Wei Jing wasn’t asleep; he leaned diagonally against the headboard, flipping through something. Curious, Shao Qing peeped over.

“Eh?”