Chapter 222: Zhuyou Technique

Su Wan’s heart skipped a beat, and she quickly adjusted her collar, smiling, “It’s fine, I’ve already forced it out. I just slept too long, so my whole body feels weak and limp.”

“Are you sure you’re alright?” Qi Min asked, still worried. “I’ll have Master Mingjue take a look at you later.”

“Master Mingjue examined me that day; I asked him to prepare jiacao,” Su Wan said, noticing Qi Min’s lingering doubt and realizing she couldn’t brush it off easily. With a relaxed expression, she added, “It’s really nothing. Jiacao specifically counteracts the poison gu. Although the mother gu was expelled from my body, some residual toxin remains. After taking jiacao, it will be fine.”

Qi Min, still somewhat skeptical, said, “Let the female doctor check your pulse later, just to ensure your safety.”

Su Wan’s eyes flickered, and she silently consented.

A palace maid brought over chicken soup and minced meat porridge. Qi Min fed Su Wan a few sips of water, then half a bowl of the porridge and half a bowl of the chicken soup.

Su Wan wasn’t satisfied, gazing longingly at the remaining food.

“You can’t eat too much at once,” Qi Min said gently. “You’ve been hungry for too long; overeating would be harmful. Today, you’ll eat small, frequent meals.”

Qi Min instructed the maid to take the remaining food away. Seeing Su Wan’s reluctant gaze following the maid’s retreating figure, Qi Min’s lips curved slightly. “I heard Yangyang brought you government affairs to handle? If you don’t want to do it, don’t feel obligated. Just send the memorials back.”

Su Wan thought for a moment. “Why are they giving me memorials?”

“It’s a test,” Qi Min’s smile faded. “They want to see if you have potential. They’re hoping you’ll stay.”

Choosing an heir now—are they really this reckless?

Just grabbing whoever’s available?

Picking the tallest among the short ones?

“Let me take your pulse.” Su Wan took Qi Min’s hand to check her pulse, a faint smile appearing on her pale face. “Your body is severely depleted. Although the poison and the gu have been cleared, your health is still very weakened. With proper rest and care, you can recover.”

“My health isn’t something you need to worry about. Focus on taking care of yourself first.” Qi Min suddenly asked, “Regarding my memory loss, is there a way for you to cure it?”

Su Wan replied honestly, “Your memory loss doesn’t seem accidental. When I arrived, I studied a book on witch doctor practices, and it mentioned a technique called the Zhuyou technique.

The Zhuyou technique involves talismans and spells. It can be used to heal but also to harm. However, I’m not skilled in witchcraft, so we’d need to consult an expert witch doctor.”

“Alright.” Seeing Su Wan’s lack of energy, Qi Min stood up and said, “Rest a bit more; I’ll head back now.”

Su Wan nodded.

Just as Qi Min reached the doorway, she encountered the Empress hurrying over. “Summon the female doctor to check Wanwan’s pulse.”

The Empress’s expression shifted slightly. She glanced at the main hall and whispered, “I’ve detained the female doctor and placed her in the dark prison for interrogation.”

“What happened?” Qi Min’s expression turned serious.

“Yesterday, I noticed something was off with Wanwan’s demeanor. I couldn’t shake the feeling that something was wrong. When I questioned the female doctor, she insisted Wanwan was fine, but I remained uneasy, feeling that there was something unusual in her expression.

It just so happened that Wanwan requested Master Mingjue to check her pulse. So, I sent someone to bring Master Mingjue to the Mingxin Hall to inquire about Wanwan’s condition.”

The worry in the Empress’s eyes was unmistakable. “Master Mingjue said her pulse showed no abnormalities, but there was one flaw. Wanwan claimed she used the child gu to force out the mother gu. If she could have extracted the child gu first, then Ji Xuan’s poison gu would have been removed back in Great Zhou, sparing him months of needless suffering. Why would she wait until reaching Xiliang to find the mother gu and remove them together?”

“Master Mingjue mentioned that her medical skills are highly advanced, and she might have used some method to suppress the poison gu, making it undetectable to him. Since Wanwan wanted to keep it hidden, he didn’t press further and simply gave her an antidote pill.”

The Empress took a slender wooden box from her wide sleeve. “This is the jiacao that Master Mingjue sent over.”