Chapter 218: It’s Out

Su Wan’s eyes widened. There was actually such a tactic?

Without waiting for Su Wan to refuse, the female official quickly placed the government documents on the table. “The Empress Dowager has not yet retired for the night, so this servant will take her leave for now.”

“Wait—” As soon as Su Wan spoke, the female official walked even faster, afraid that Su Wan would return the documents, making it impossible for her to complete her duty.

Su Wan stared at the tall stack of memorials on the table, then glanced at Ji Xuan, who was equally silent. She couldn’t quite grasp the Empress Dowager’s intentions.

Just a moment ago, she had said that if Ji Xuan and Qi Min were to be together, Su Wan would have to be detained here to prevent Ji Xuan from harboring any ill intentions and turning Xiliang into part of the Great Zhou territory.

And the next moment, she absentmindedly sent over the memorials. Her own father was still here, so why wasn’t she worried anymore?

Ji Xuan coughed a few times. “You go rest; I’ll handle it.”

“No need, you go to sleep.” Su Wan stuck the sugar painting into the chopstick holder and casually picked up a memorial, glancing over it. She read several in a row, all reflecting the state of affairs in Xiliang.

She couldn’t help but feel embarrassed. Were they trying to get her involved in Xiliang’s affairs, so that later they could accuse her of stealing Xiliang’s secrets and prevent her from leaving?

Su Wan sighed, closed the memorial, and decided to send them back tomorrow.

But she couldn’t help but wonder if they might need these for the morning court session…

So, like being forced into action, Su Wan read through the memorials, provided her own insights, and then instructed Luo Cheng to send them back.

For the next two or three days, government documents were delivered promptly every day, each day bringing even more than the last.

Su Wan went from initial resistance to eventual numbness, handling them whenever she had time.

Today was the day to remove the mother-child gu from Qi Min and Ji Xuan. Su Wan hadn’t slept well the entire night. She splashed her face with cold water, the chill jolting her fully awake and alert.

After gathering the necessary items, Su Wan went to the side hall, where breakfast had already been set, and Ji Xuan was seated, waiting.

“Did you sleep well last night?” Su Wan glanced at Ji Xuan, noticing the dark circles under his eyes. She knew he hadn’t slept well either. “Have a bit of breakfast, and then take the medicine.”

A palace maid brought over a bowl of freshly prepared medicine, placing it in front of Ji Xuan, releasing a waft of bitterness.

Seeing his distasteful frown, Su Wan pushed over the prepared candied fruit.

Ji Xuan had little appetite, only taking a few bites before drinking the medicine, not even touching the candied fruit.

The father and daughter went to Qi Min’s palace. The Empress and Master Mingjue were already waiting there, but the Empress Dowager had not come.

“Wanwan, the medicinal bath is ready, and I’ve already given Elder Sister the medicine. When do you plan to begin?”

The Empress had stayed here all night handling memorials and hadn’t returned to her quarters, coming straight over after morning court.

“Let’s start now.” Su Wan placed her medical kit on the table, taking out two slices of a century-old ginseng root and setting them on the table before pulling out her needle pouch.

She glanced at Qi Min, who was forcing herself to stay alert, and said to Master Mingjue, “Please wait in the outer hall. If I can’t manage, I’ll call for your assistance.”

Master Mingjue recited a Buddhist mantra, “This humble monk will wait outside.”

Su Wan kept only the female doctor and Ji Xuan, and asked everyone else to leave.

An extra bed had been added to the room. Ji Xuan glanced at Qi Min; their eyes met briefly before Qi Min looked away. Without a word, Ji Xuan lay down on the bed.

Su Wan took out silver needles, protecting both of their heart meridians, then, together with the female doctor, placed Qi Min into the medicinal bath for fumigation, using bloodletting to draw out the poisonous gu.

Qi Min’s face turned deathly pale, her body trembling in pain as if she could barely hold on. Su Wan brought over the ginseng slices, placing one in her mouth.

“It’s… it’s coming out!”