Yun Xiao’s pupils were stained with a thin, cold mist, deepening into a somber darkness. Her body remained still, lost in thought, like a sculpture that showed no reaction for a long time.
Wanwan, unaware of the underlying situation, raised her eyebrows curiously as she looked at her mistress. Why had the gentle person of moments ago suddenly exuded destructive coldness? Had something happened?
What was the connection between this Ximen Yao and the Ximen Yao in the palace?
As Wanwan pondered, the door creaked open, and the inn server who had brought the medicine box entered. He also brought brush, ink, and paper. He had worked hard, and Wanwan stepped forward to help him carry the items.
Together, they carried the things inside. The medicine box was placed by the bedside, and the brush, ink, paper, and inkstone were arranged on the table. Everything was set.
Yun Xiao returned to her senses. Looking at the unconscious patient on the bed, saving him was the priority. Other matters could be discussed later.
Perhaps she and he would never cross paths again, so why trouble herself? If they met again, she would not let him off the hook. He had actually caused her father to travel to the border, and now this had happened.
If her father were to meet with misfortune, and she had to bear his love alone, she would definitely avenge him.
“Young Master, shall we begin?”
Seeing that her mistress was not moving, Wanwan couldn't help but urge her on. Yun Xiao walked to the chair by the bed and sat down. She instructed Wanwan to open the medicine box. Taking out the silver needles, she began the acupuncture.
In reality, puncturing acupuncture points with silver needles was not particularly effective for pneumonia. It merely served to assist him in absorbing the medication more effectively, thus speeding up his recovery.
This pneumonia with fever required reducing the fever and dispelling toxins first, then using Ziyuan Tang to nourish the lungs, replenish qi, and resolve phlegm to achieve a therapeutic effect.
After inserting several needles, Yun Xiao remained still. She then stood up and walked to the side to write a prescription.
The first prescription was still the Shenxi Liangfang, using rhinoceros horn and rehmannia root as the main ingredients, along with honeysuckle, forsythia, ophiopogon japonicus, and Isatis indigotica, totaling over a dozen types of herbs. This decoction, taken one bowl in the morning and evening daily, could quickly remove the heat and inflammation in his body.
The second prescription was Ziyuan Tang, which focused on conditioning the body and gradually helping it recover.
Ziyuan Tang contained many precious medicinal ingredients, which were very valuable. Furthermore, it needed to be taken for a month. She feared that this person might not be able to afford it, but she couldn't refuse to help someone in need.
Yun Xiao buried her head and wrote quickly.
The Ziyuan Liangfang, with anemarrhena, fritillary bulb, and Zi Wan as the main ingredients, paired with ginseng, schisandra, poria cocos, and others. This medicinal formula was meant to nourish the earth to foster metal, tonify the middle and clear the heat. Taking it for a month would surely restore his vitality.
After writing the prescription, Yun Xiao threw down her pen and stood up, turning to retrieve the silver needles from the patient.
By the table, the inn server had already picked up the prescription.
Upon seeing the first prescription, his expression turned somewhat strange. When he looked at the second one, his face darkened completely. This prescription was too valuable; who could afford such a thing?
However, anemarrhena and fritillary bulb were precious medicinal ingredients from the sea treasury. Coupled with donkey-hide gelatin and ginseng, even a single ingredient would cost a fortune. And to take it for a month! This person had no money to even pay for his lodging, how could he afford this medicine?
Could it be that he was destined to die? He couldn't help but sigh.
Wanwan walked over and looked at the prescription in the inn server’s hand. She glanced at it, recognizing only a few characters out of many. Therefore, she didn’t understand why the inn server’s face was so grim.
“What’s wrong?”
“This medicine is too expensive; where can he afford it?”
The inn server’s face was full of distress. Hearing him speak, Yun Xiao became somewhat interested. “You can read.”
In this era, especially for someone of an inn server’s standing, he should have been illiterate. She hadn't expected him to be able to read. No wonder he was so upright; he had also studied the Four Books and the Five Classics.
The inn server scratched his head sheepishly. “My mother was originally from a wealthy family, so she knew how to read. However, our family later fell into decline, and she married my father and gave birth to an incapable son. When I was young, she taught me the Four Books and the Five Classics, so I know some characters.”
“Mm, that’s good,” Yun Xiao raised her eyebrows. She hadn’t expected that simply studying the Four Books and the Five Classics would lead to such virtuous actions. It seemed that people are not divided by status; it is a matter of inherent disposition.
“Wanwan, give him a five-hundred-tael silver note,” Yun Xiao instructed. Then, carrying the medicine box, she started walking out. Wanwan quickly handed the five-hundred-tael silver note to the inn server and chased after her mistress. They returned to their room.
Wanwan couldn't help but mutter, “Mistress, that’s five hundred taels of silver! Do you think that person will just pocket it? Then we won’t be able to save that old gentleman, will we?”
“No, don't underestimate him just because he’s an inn server. His character is not comparable to ordinary people because he has a good mother.”
After Yun Xiao finished speaking, she ignored the stunned Wanwan and went to wash up and sleep. At the hour of Yin, it would be time to depart for Fengya Pass.
Wanwan came back to her senses and hurried to attend to her. Just then, the door knocked. The two exchanged a glance, and Wanwan went to open the door.
She saw the inn server standing at the door, looking flustered. Wanwan was startled. Had he overheard what she had just said? She felt a moment of awkwardness and said in a low voice,
“Second brother, is there something you need?”
“I, I?” The server dared not look Wanwan in the eyes, clutching the silver note in his hand, wanting to return it to them.
If they didn’t trust him, why give it to him?
But as he thought of Mr. Ximen, he didn't want to refuse it. However, he didn't blame this young lady at all. Five hundred taels of silver was something he couldn't earn in his lifetime. If it were him, he would also be suspicious. But he would not embezzle this money.
“I’ve come to ask what this young master’s name is. When Mr. Ximen wakes up, I can tell him.”
Yun Xiao walked out of the room and glared at Wanwan. She was truly reckless. See, she had hurt his feelings. She had said that this person could be trusted, not everyone was so heartless.
“My name is Feng Guan. Second brother, please send someone to get the medicine immediately. For the first prescription, ensure the town has all the ingredients. Let Mr. Ximen take it overnight. As for the second prescription, you’ll have to go to the city to get it, as this small town likely doesn’t have it. Also, the remaining money is yours; it is what you deserve.”
“Thank you, thank you.”
Upon hearing Yun Xiao’s words, the inn server finally breathed a sigh of relief, as if Yun Xiao had saved him personally. He turned and left.
Wanwan stood by the door, regaining her composure. It turned out she had been overthinking things. Thinking of the hurt she had caused the inn server, she couldn’t help but rush out the door and call out to the retreating figure.
“Second brother, I’m sorry.”
The inn server turned his head, smiling at the woman like mist and smoke in the hazy lamplight.
These people seemed to be like characters from myths. How he wished he could be like them! Hearing such a person apologize to him, he felt a surge of emotion, his eyes moistening. His mother’s words were true; as long as a person is kind-hearted, they will eventually encounter their predestined benefactor.
He knew that there was still a lot of money left from the five-hundred-tael silver note. He would use the remaining money to start a small business.
“It’s alright, young lady. Please go in and rest.”