When Madam Xu's condition worsened, Xie Jiang followed the butler to her residence. All of the Xu family descendants were gathered in the courtyard, keeping vigil.
"He, he's the Poison Doctor? How could..."
Xu Hengyi, his eyes swollen from crying, saw Xie Jiang's face and felt as though a holy light shone upon him. More questions froze in his throat.
The renowned Poison Doctor was actually his age.
And his appearance was... so, so...
The people of their Duke Wei's manor never lost in terms of appearance, but compared to this youth, they all paled in comparison. Only his elder brother, who was like an immortal, could be mentioned in the same breath. Especially that glance he had just received, it was directed at him, wasn't it? He, a mere youth, had made his heart flutter!
Steward Zheng also harbored doubts, but no one had ever seen what the Poison Doctor looked like, nor knew their age. Perhaps they were this young? And their appearance...
Steward Zheng quickly looked up and scanned the young masters and ladies. As expected, they were all stunned into silence. They had all doubted the Poison Doctor's youthfulness, but after a single glance, everyone fell silent. Did they all think that glance was meant for them? The Poison Doctor's appearance was truly... too much...
"Has the Poison Doctor arrived?" Madam Duke Wei, along with her two sisters-in-law, rushed out anxiously. "Please quickly..."
The three sisters-in-law were all taken aback. Steward Zheng quickly introduced, "This is the Poison Doctor." He had introduced himself as such. But who would dare to impersonate the Poison Doctor at their Duke Wei's manor? So, it was likely true.
Madam Duke Wei quickly regained her composure. No matter how surprised she was, this was not the time to investigate. "Please, come in quickly."
Madam Xu's face was dark, clearly indicating deep poisoning, her breath shallow. Xie Jiang took Madam Xu's pulse and then peered at her eyelids. The two physicians attending the patient frowned and exchanged glances. Such casualness and playfulness, it was nothing like a proper medical examination. Was this truly the Poison Doctor?
"How is it?"
"There's still a breath left. There's hope."
Madam Duke Wei was overjoyed, "Truly?" She subconsciously couldn't believe it, as Xie Jiang spoke so casually, as if Madam Xu's condition were not a difficult matter at all. After all, before this, whether it was imperial physicians from the palace or renowned doctors from the populace, they had all exhausted countless methods and tried innumerable prescriptions. Not only had they failed to truly detoxify her, but they could only watch helplessly as Madam's condition worsened day by day.
Her son, Hengdan, had achieved considerable success in medicine after entering the Daoist sect, but it was precisely at this unfortunate time that a few days before Madam was poisoned, Hengdan had left the capital to gather herbs. They had sent people to search across famous mountains and great rivers, but they couldn't even find a trace of Hengdan.
Fortunately, when they were at their wits' end, they heard that the Poison Doctor had come to Mount Hexian. Being respectfully called the Poison Doctor meant they had unique expertise in the field of poisons. The third son, Hengyi, volunteered to go up the mountain to invite them, but by chance, the Poison Doctor was out and had not returned. The Poison Doctor's attendant, seeing Hengyi's sincerity, informed him of the Poison Doctor's return time and asked Hengyi to come up the mountain punctually to fetch them.
However, it rained heavily the night before, and Hengyi was delayed on the road, thus missing them again. Hearing that the Poison Doctor had come to the capital, they dispatched people to search the entire city for them. Seeing that Madam was about to give out, they all thought Duke Wei would have to hold a funeral this time, but who knew the Poison Doctor would come to their door himself? And declared there was hope!
Madam Duke Wei pushed aside her doubts. The Poison Doctor was their last hope. Since they said there was hope, there must be hope. Did they come here to joke around?
"Whatever you need us to do, please just command us. If you need any medicine, the manor has it all prepared, feel free to take what you need."
Xie Jiang took out a small paper packet from her purse and handed it to Steward Zheng, who was closest to her. "Dissolve one pill in warm water and give it to Madam to take."
Steward Zheng received it solemnly, then stared at the paper packet in his hand, bewildered. The oiled paper was too ordinary, the kind readily available on the street, and it was wrapped so casually.