"Forgive my previous ignorance, Your Highness. I hope you can overlook my transgressions and save my child! If you are still displeased, you may deal with me as you see fit afterward!"
General Shangguan said in a deep voice, his expression unusually serious, as if he was determined to admit his mistake and apologize, seeking the other party's forgiveness.
Faced with this situation, no matter how much anger Su Qingcheng had held inside, it all vanished at this moment.
She had come here precisely to save the child. If it weren't for her desire to save the child, why would she have sat before the general's mansion in such an undignified manner, enduring mockery?
"General, please rise quickly. You are humbling me too much."
Su Qingcheng quickly walked over and helped General Shangguan up, with no trace of blame on her face.
For a distinguished general, decorated with military achievements and admired by the populace, to kneel before a weak woman was already giving her ample face!
General Shangguan was helped up by Su Qingcheng, but his eyes on her were still filled with guilt and regret, which refreshed his impression of her.
Putting aside his previous prejudice, Su Qingcheng genuinely admired the middle-aged general before her, respecting him from the bottom of her heart.
If nothing else, his character of taking responsibility was enough to quell Su Qingcheng's residual anger.
Moreover, she understood that General Shangguan's distrust towards her was due to the mess left by the original host.
Under such circumstances, the fact that General Shangguan was willing to kneel before her in front of so many servants to beg for forgiveness for the sake of his child, made him a very responsible father!
Su Qingcheng, who had no intention of holding a grudge, nodded slightly and followed General Shangguan back into the mansion.
Upon seeing Su Qingcheng, the madam's tear-streaked face broke into a surprised smile, and she quickly brought the child to her.
"Your Highness, please save my child!"
Su Qingcheng took the child and examined him carefully, getting a clear idea of his condition.
She placed the child, who could no longer cry, onto the bed, and then instructed the wet nurse to close all the doors and windows in the room, preventing even a wisp of wind from entering.
Then, she unwrapped the child's swaddling clothes, took out her silver needles, and began the treatment.
This time, General Shangguan did not dare to interfere. He stood obediently by the side and watched.
Treating a child with needles was not as complicated as treating an adult, with fewer steps, but it required more meticulous attention, sharp eyes, and complete focus.
Therefore, after only half an hour of treatment, Su Qingcheng was already sweating profusely and felt deeply fatigued.
Fortunately, the child's condition had stabilized completely. The child's complexion gradually softened, his breathing returned to normal, and the bluish-purple marks on his body began to fade.
Such a clear change brought immense relief to the general and his wife, lifting a great weight from their hearts.
In the silent room, only the faint sound of needles piercing the skin could be heard. Everyone else held their breath, watching Su Qingcheng's every move with extreme tension.
Only after the child's condition was completely controlled and his breathing and appearance returned to normal did Su Qingcheng stop the treatment.
After removing all the silver needles, the child had fallen into a peaceful sleep, his small face regaining its rosy color.
Not only the general and his wife, but Su Qingcheng's own anxious heart also finally relaxed. Then, she felt her hands become as heavy as if they weighed a thousand pounds, feeling utterly exhausted.
However, the result was gratifying. Through this treatment, the child's life was at least temporarily saved.
"Thank you so much! You have come to help our child and cure his illness without holding any grudges. I am truly ashamed!"
General Shangguan looked at Su Qingcheng, his attitude having undergone a 180-degree turn from before. He apologized with shame.
The latter merely smiled faintly and shook her head, indicating that she did not mind.
In reality, this incident was also deliberately orchestrated by Su Qingcheng.
As soon as she saw the child, she had predicted what would happen next, including the turn of his condition.
However, Su Qingcheng had not expected that General Shangguan would be so resistant to her, even wanting to drive her away at the slightest disagreement.
Under these circumstances, she could only seize the opportunity to reveal what she had deduced to awe them and allow her to proceed with the treatment.
Even if General Shangguan had not stopped her from administering the needles at that time, she would have had to wait for the duration of half an incense stick before starting the treatment.
The previous doctors were correct; the General's legitimate son was too young to withstand medication or other forms of treatment.
What's more, needles would inevitably cause some damage when used.
The child had just passed his hundredth day and did not have the same resilience as an adult, with all his organs still underdeveloped.
If Su Qingcheng had rashly administered needles from the start, the risk would have been extremely high, and the child might have perished before his condition could be stabilized.
Such concerns also existed in her heart. After much deliberation, she decided to employ the strategy of "putting oneself in a desperate situation to find a way out"!
The moment she saw the child, she had judged that his condition, having dragged on for so long without effective treatment, was clearly at its last gasp.
She had also predicted with great certainty that his condition would suddenly worsen after half an incense stick. Only in such a situation could she observe the frequency of the child's chest movements and accurately locate the points for her needles!
Fortunately, everything had proceeded as she had predicted, and it had gone exceptionally smoothly.
Looking at the child's steady sleeping face, Su Qingcheng's face broke into a relieved smile, and for a moment, her hands didn't feel so painful anymore.
"General, Madam, please prepare paper and brush. I will prescribe a few more gentle herbal formulas for the young master, which he must take daily to control his condition and prevent recurrence."
Upon hearing this, General Shangguan did not doubt her and quickly ordered someone to fetch the writing instruments.
Su Qingcheng wrote down several formulas for protecting the heart, specifically preparing two copies of each. One was for consumption before the age of three, with some of the stronger medicinal ingredients removed. The other was the complete formula for consumption after the age of three.
She meticulously explained the usage of both formulas, to prevent any mix-ups or complications.
Having witnessed her pulling the child back from the brink of death, General Shangguan had long since cast aside the words of the previous doctors who had advised against medication.
Now, he trusted Su Qingcheng one hundred percent.
After writing the prescriptions, Su Qingcheng also took the madam aside and explained in detail.
"Madam, your son's heart condition can only be suppressed for now and cannot be completely cured. For the next five years, you must not let the young master engage in any strenuous activities, expose him to any shocks, and he must always have someone looking after him."
The General's Madam nodded repeatedly, agreeing, her gaze towards the child filled with affection and concern.
General Shangguan also felt a pang of sadness. He had welcomed his first child in his forties, and now to discover he suffered from a heart condition, preventing him from inheriting his legacy.