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Liu Xin continued drinking with Mr. Wu, their glasses still not empty.
Lu Man left Mrs. Fu and Liu Ya to attend there. Mrs. Fu had gone home to wait for her son, Baizhu. Baizhi opened the door at the Yuling Courtyard slightly, observing the opposite small door.
As the sky darkened, stars filled the sky, and the outside yard fell silent.
Through the crack in the door, Baizhi saw the small door open, and a head nodded at him. He quickly entered the room and whispered to He Cheng, “The door over there is open.”
He Cheng, Lu Man, Baizhi, Mr. Wu, and Liu Ya hid behind the courtyard door at the Yuling Courtyard. Liu Xin was the first to leave the courtyard. After checking the surroundings to ensure no one was around, he whispered, “All clear.”
The group quickly exited the courtyard. He Cheng, Baizhi, Lu Man, and Liu Xin swiftly slipped through the opposite small door, while Mr. Wu and Liu Ya stood in the middle of the road chatting and keeping watch. Seeing no one around, they returned to the Yuling Courtyard door, peering through a crack.
Baizhi remained hidden behind a tree. Xi led He Cheng, Lu Man, and Liu Xin out of the woods, crossed several clumps of bamboo and scattered large trees, and entered an old small courtyard.
Lu Man observed discreetly, indeed, this place was secluded enough. Even during the day, from a distance, one wouldn’t notice anyone passing by, explaining why He Cheng had visited several times without being detected.
Upon entering the small courtyard, Xi attempted to close the courtyard door behind her, but Liu Xin gestured to leave it slightly ajar. He remained on guard outside.
He Cheng and Lu Man walked straight into the house, while Xi stayed outside.
Inside, the room was dimly lit, with only a lamp glowing on a small round table. A girl in a slightly worn crimson silk garment stood at the table. Of average height, she wore a thin layer of green gauze over her head.
Upon He Cheng and Lu Man’s entry, she kneeled and respectfully greeted, “The young lady greets the two benefactors. Since taking the Bai Hezi Pills and Willow Bark Pills given by the benefactors, my ailments have improved significantly.”
Her voice was gentle and pleasant, her demeanor appropriate, contrasting with someone isolated from the outside world.
Lu Man smiled and responded, “Miss Liu is too polite.”
Through the gauze, Lu Man faintly saw that her face was purplish, and the exposed hand was also a light purple color, resembling a black person from a previous life, but with a slightly lighter shade.
Liu Xirui softly said, “Just in case, I always paint my face this color. Please have a seat, and I will now cleanse my face, allowing Third Lady Jiang to see clearly.”
As she finished speaking, Lu Man heard a familiar cat’s meow, followed by a flash of yellow, and Sweet Pea had already jumped into Lu Man’s arms. Sweet Pea was clean, fluffy, and well-groomed, even its whiskers neatly combed, clearly recently bathed.
Lu Man exclaimed, “Away from home for a few days, and you’ve been here all along.”
Liu Xirui chuckled, “After following Master He here twice, it started visiting often. It helps us chase away mice, so I make bamboo leaf cakes for it.”
Sweet Pea listened, meowed proudly a few times, cleverly lowering its voice.
Lu Man patted its backside, surprised that this little creature had become a regular visitor of Liu Xirui’s.
In a corner of the room were two copper basins. Liu Xirui washed her face and hands with soap in one basin and then rinsed in the other. Turning around, she covered her chin with one hand, revealing a beautiful maiden. Slim figure, snow-white skin, delicate features, and a composed demeanor.
Lu Man then paid attention to whether she resembled the Crown Prince. If she did, the possibility of a “catfish effect” would be more significant. However, Liu Xirui didn’t resemble the Crown Prince but strongly resembled Liu Xilan, though not as enchanting, exuding a delicate charm like a chrysanthemum.
It was said that Duke Liu was handsome. Liu Xirui’s resemblance to the Liu family wasn’t definitive, and this didn’t imply anything.
Approaching Lu Man, Liu Xirui lowered her hand, revealing a large bruise on her left jaw. The swelling, about the size of a walnut, light purple in color, looked menacing and dreadful, disrupting the overall beauty of the young girl.
However, Liu Xirui’s expression remained calm, her eyes serene, devoid of any fear or embarrassment.
Seeing this young girl, Lu Man was deeply impressed. At only sixteen, she displayed remarkable composure.
Lu Man asked, “May I take a closer look?”
Liu Xirui nodded, sat at the table, and brought the lamp closer, tilting her head slightly up.
Lu Man examined the bruise closely, noting that it was larger than the one on the Crown Prince’s back and almost the size of a baby’s small fist. According to the old woman’s explanation, if it had grown larger before meeting her, Liu Xirui could have succumbed to poisoning.
She gently pressed the bruise, feeling a slight hardness and a sense of movement.
The lump was slightly harder than the Crown Prince’s, likely becoming firmer after taking the Willow Bark Pills, an anti-inflammatory medicine.
Lu Man confirmed that her lump was similar to the Crown Prince’s, indicating that he was also affected by fetal poisoning.
She inquired about Liu Xirui’s condition once more, receiving the same response as He Cheng’s earlier description.
Liu Xirui asked, “Third Lady Jiang, they say you’re a miraculous physician. Do you think my condition can be cured?”
Lu Man nodded, saying, “I have a plan in mind, but it requires one more type of medicine. If we can produce this medicine, there is hope for your recovery. However, it may involve some suffering.”
A glimmer of joy flickered in Liu Xirui’s eyes. She rose and kneeled before Lu Man, expressing gratitude, “Thank you, Third Lady Jiang. I am not afraid of suffering. Having endured fifteen years of pain and hardships, and witnessing the ups and downs of life, I never imagined there would be hope for a cure for this ailment.”
Her voice caught with emotion as she continued, thanking He Cheng with gratitude for his kindness and valor, acknowledging him for saving her and providing the opportunity to meet Lu Man. Overwhelmed, tears welled up, and after expressing her gratitude, she wiped them away, turning back with a smile, “I am truly delighted to have this chance.”
He Cheng blushed, reciprocating the gesture, “Miss Liu, you are too kind. My medical skills are limited and not as exemplary as you describe.”
Liu Xirui softly responded, “You are too humble, Master He, your skills surpass what I have mentioned…”
Lu Man coughed lightly, advising, “In the future, Miss Liu, you must remain discreet and avoid any suspicion.” She added cryptically, “Heaven sees all, you will persevere until that day.”
Moved by the words, Liu Xirui bowed deeply to Lu Man and He Cheng.
Carrying Sweet Pea, Lu Man walked towards the door, while He Cheng handed a package containing Bai Hezi Pills and Willow Bark Pills to Liu Xirui before leaving.
Liu Xirui softly bid farewell, “Safe travels, benefactors.”