by N/A
The gu slowly moved, testing the patience of everyone in the room. Du Xiao Li was staring the gu the whole time, and when it was about to reach the wrist, she said: "Xia Yuan, dagger."
The dagger was brought before Du Xiao Li. Taking the dagger, Du Xiao Li lightly slit a cut across the Grand Empress Dowager's wrist. Fresh blood slowly flowed out.
"Number five." Du Xiao Li handed the dagger back to Xia Yuan, and then said. A silver needle immediately was placed into her hands. She took the needle and inserted it into a point near the wrist, and the outflowing blood instantly stopped.
Seeing Du Xiao Li stop the blood like so, Hu Yi Jian's eyes lit up. Then seeing her steady and calm appearance, he smilingly nodded his head.
"It's come out." Niu Jing and the others, who have been continuously paying attention, softly said when they saw the gu already moving towards the cut slowly.
Du Xiao Li took out a pouch of white powder, and using her nail, scooped a little bit and placed it by the cut, faintly emitting a delicate fragrant. The gu seemingly likes this smell a lot, because its migration towards the cut increased quite a bit. In the end, it exposed its fat body out bit by bit.
(T/N: My impression of gu have always been like tiny leeches or something similar-------)
Although it came out from the body, and just now, moved around the cut as well, the gu however didn't get stained with a single drop of blood, like a transparent cicada pupa.
Du Xiao Li used clamps to have the gu clipped out and placed into a prepared basin. Afterwards, using a cotton ball soaked in strong alcohol, she carefully had the medicinal powder just now wiped clean. Then, she had the cut taken care of, and after bandaging it, finally removed all the needles on the Grand Empress Dowager's arm.
"Huu-----" When she finished these things, Du Xiao Li's tense body finally relaxed, "Grandma Han, the gu is already removed."
After the gu left the body, the Grand Empress Dowager's painful expression finally eased. Seeing Du Xiao Li already covered in sweat, she said, "You've worked hard, child."
"Not at all. Grandma Han, after you eat this medicine, you'll be fine." Du Xiao Li said, and then turned to look to Xia Yuan. Xia Yuan had the container opened, taking out that small medicine pill and handing it to the Grand Empress Dowager.
When Fan Nuo'er saw the small medicine pill move into the Grand Empress Dowager's hand, the corner of her mouth slowly raised up. Once she eats this, Du Xiao Li will be doomed!
"Master, once you eat this, you'll be well again." Meng Gu brought a cup of water before the Grand Empress Dowager.
"En." The Grand Empress Dowager, after experiencing that torment just now, was already out of strength. She slightly nodded her head and took the pill with Meng Gu's help.
Done!
Fan Nuo'er anxiously looked the Grand Empress Dowager. Seeing her swallow the medicine, she relaxed a breath and asked, pretending to be concerned, "Grand Empress Dowager, how do you feel right now?"
"Already much better." The Grand Empress Dowager said, but just as she finished, she suddenly clutched her chest and urgently began grasping for breath.
"Grandmother, grandmother, what's wrong?"
"Master?"
"What's this?"
Seeing the Grand Empress Dowager like this, everyone in the room began panicking, all closing in on the guifei couch.
"Grand Empress Dowager, what's wrong?" Fan Nuo'er screamed.
"I, I feel, painful all over!" The Grand Empress Dowager said with great effort, "Wuu......"
"Little shishu, what did you give the Grand Empress Dowager! Why is she hurting like this?" Fan Nuo'er lashed out, and then grabbed the Grand Empress Dowager's hand, pretending to take the pulse, before screaming out, "Bone Devouring Powder! Little shishu, why did you give this to the Grand Empress Dowager?!"
"Bone Devouring Powder!?"
Hearing Fan Nuo'er's words, everyone all cried out in shock. Han Ming Ze thus lashed out, "Du Xiao Li, why did you poison imperial grandmother?! If you can't give a reason, this emperor will have your head!"
Before Du Xiao Li could say anything, Han Ming Yi came to her side and grabbed her hand, "Xiao Li wouldn't do something like that."
"I believe in little sister-in-law." Han Ming Yuan echoed, "Your Majesty, there must be an explanation for this."
Bai Ning Yuan glanced at the Grand Empress Dowager's situation, holding a smile in the corner of his mouth, as he stood to the side not saying a word.
"Then little shishu, please explain, why did you give the Grand Empress Dowager Bone Devouring Powder?" Fan Nuo'er loudly questioned.
Du Xiao Li looked to Han Ming Yi, then looked to Fan Nuo'er's 'you're so dead' expression, and said, "Your Majesty, this isn't Bone Devouring Powder, look."
Her calm tone made everyone present quiet down at once, and followed her gaze towards the Grand Empress Dowager, only seeing her face flushed red, trembling all over. Afterwards, she spatted out a mouthful of blood.
"Imperial grandmother!"
"Master!"
"Grand Empress Dowager!"
"Keke........." The Grand Empress Dowager grabbed Meng Gu's arm with one hand, while she waved her other hand towards the panicking crowd, indicating that she was fine.
Du Xiao Li brought over the water Xia Yuan handed over, waiting for the Grand Empress Dowager's breathing to calm down before handing it to her, saying: "Grandma Han, here, rinse your mouth."
The Grand Empress Dowager drank the water and gargled in her mouth a few times before spitting it into the basin.
"Imperial Grandmother, how are you?" Han Ming Ze asked in concern.
"Much more comfortable." The Grand Empress Dowager took the handkerchief and wiped the corner of her mouth, "After spitting out this mouthful of blood, I feel my body easing up quite a bit. The previous suffocating and nauseous feeling is all gone as well, and my chest no longer feels stuffy."
Hearing the Grand Empress Dowager's words, Han Ming Ze and the others all relaxed. Fan Nuo'er somewhat bewilderedly watched the situation before her, subconsciously voicing her inner doubts, "Did the Grand Empress Dowager get infected with the Bone Devouring Powder's poison?"
"What Bone Devouring Powder? I just gave the Grand Empress Dowager medicine to clean out the gu remains in her body. Because the gu was in the body for too long, if not cleaned out, it'll affect the body. Having all of it expelled from the body, grandma Han will feel the body is much more refreshed now! Shifu, why don't you also take grandma Han's pulse." Du Xiao Li explained and then stood up and turned to Hu Yi Jian.
Hu Yi Jian had been observing everyone's reaction from the side. Hearing Du Xiao Li's words, he stroked his white beard and said, "En, then I'll have a look."
With that said, Hu Yi Jian came to the seat and sat down, as he reached out to the Grand Empress Dowager's pulse. Everyone all held their breath and watched.
"Shigong, how is it?" When Hu Yi Jian was more or less done, Fan Nuo'er was the first to open her mouth.
Hu Yi Jian got up and said, "The Grand Empress Dowager doesn't have any signs of poison in her body. On the contrary, her pulse is much more stable than before. The previous symptoms of chest pain should be all gone. Seems this gu has been removed completely."
Hearing Hu Yi Jian's words, Han Ming Ze and the others finally relaxed for real. Since he said it was fine, then that means there aren't any problems!
Ch. 080.3 – Gu Removal! Tearing Down Her Mask! (3)
Gu Removal! Tearing Down Her Mask! (3)
"However, since the Grand Empress Dowager just suffered an enormous impact, she needs to properly rest right now." Hu Yi Jian added.
"En, imperial grandmother rest well. Meng Gu, you all serve imperial grandmother in changing." Han Ming Ze instructed.
"This old servant understands." Meng Gu nodded.
"Then imperial grandmother, this grandson will come again at night." Han Ming Ze said.
"En, go back and take care of your matters. Having Xiao Li here is enough." Grand Empress Dowager wav
ed her hand.
Han Ming Ze cupped his hand at the Grand Empress Dowager and left first. Han Ming Yuan quickly followed after, while Han Ming Yi looked to Du Xiao Li and quickly followed after as well.
Because the Grand Empress Dowager needed to change, the others also left the room in succession, coming into the flower garden outside.
"Aiyaa, originally was thinking that if you can't handle it, I can still come out and show off! Looks like there's nothing here for me, so I'll be leaving first. Oh right, recently I have a bit of business to take care of, and need to leave for a period of time, so you all don't need to worry for me." Bai Ning Yuan said as he stretched his arms.
Hearing Bai Ning Yuan's words, Du Xiao Li couldn't help but roll her eyes. Isn't this a little too narcissistic?! Furthermore, it's more like he's been lazing here and refusing to leave, alright! Don't say it like everyone's all reluctant for him to leave and thus he stayed behind!
Du Xiao Li waved her hand and said, "Walk well, not sending you, the gate is to the left. Wish you a safe trip, and also, no one will worry about you. Remember, next time we meet, bring money to redeem your plaque."
Bai Ning Yuan heard Du Xiao Li's blunt words of farewell and slanted a glance at her, "I just know you don't have a conscious! Next time, I'll definitely use a large amount of money to blind you! Hmph hmph........"
With that said, he left the estate in the large strides...............
Shortly after, Hu Yi Jiang prescribed another prescriptions for the Grand Empress Dowager, letting the servant girl bring it to her after she wakes up. And after instructing Meng Gu some things, he finally left the room and said to the people outside of the Medicine King Valley, "The lot of you follow me."
The crowd, each in their own mood, followed Hu Yi Jian to a separate courtyard. Arriving in the guest hall, Hu Yi Jian sat down at the main seat, looking to the few standing before him. "Talk, what happened today?"
Hu Yi Jian's words made everyone all somewhat at a loss. Niu Jing puzzlingly asked, "Shifu, what are you talking about?"
Hu Yi Jian didn't speak and just stared at Fan Nuo'er.
"Shigong, what are you referring to?" Fan Nuo'er looked to Hu Yi Jian's furious gaze and somewhat nervously asked.
"This still needs for me to state clearly?!" Hu Yi Jian suddenly slapped the table and berated, "You tell me what you did?"
Hu Yi Jian had never lashed out at anyone like this before at Medicine King Valley. Fan Nuo'er was completely frightened, in addition to her already guilty at heart, she stutteringly said, "Shigong, Nuo'er doesn't understand your meaning."
"You're still pretending to not know! Talk, earlier, you clearly didn't properly take the Grand Empress Dowager's pulse, why did you say she was poisoned by Bone Devouring Powder to frame your little shishu?!" Hu Yi Jian angrily asked.
As soon as Hu Yi Jian said this, everyone all understood. Hu Yi Jian was questioning Fan Nuo'er's words and action earlier.
Fan Nuo'er instantly knelt down and quickly denied, "Shigong, I wasn't thinking of framing little shishu. I was just really anxious about the Grand Empress Dowager's situation at the time and momentarily panicked, messing up the diagnosis, and thus mistakingly thought that little shishu gave the Grand Empress Dowager Bone Devouring Powder! It really wasn't on purpose!"
"Shifu, we watched Nuo'er grow up, her character, we're the most clear, how can she think of purposefully harming little junior sister?" Wang Ze helped Fan Nuo'er speak, "It's just that her medical skills aren't enough, and made an error in examination. And in the end, nothing serious happened either, so shifu don't be angry."
"Pah......" Hu Yi Jian slapped the table again, using more strength than before, letting the tea cups on the table lightly jump up. "What do you mean nothing serious happened? Just now, the Emperor almost wanted to kill Xiao Li!"
"Didn't she not get killed?" Fan Nuo'er softly said as she knelt on the ground, "If she really got killed, then that'd be great!"
Fan Nuo'er's voice was very soft, but Du Xiao Li who was near her still heard her clearly. She really didn't have any good intentions towards her!
"Shifu, Nuo'er wasn't being intentional. When we return, I'll definitely lecture her properly!" Wang Ze said.
"Hmph, from how I see it, she doesn't feel she's wrong in the least!" Hu Yi Jian angrily said.
Qing Chen looked to Hu Yi Jian, who was quite angry, and said, "Shifu, if Nuo'er just made an error in diagnosis, then when we return to Medicine King Valley, let senior brother Wang Ze properly lecture her. Please don't be angry."
Hu Yi Jian was still rather fond of Qing Chen, and hearing him plea for Fan Nuo'er, he said, "Since it's like this, then after we return to the valley, go to the bottom of the hundred feet cliff to face the wall and reflect your misdeeds! Do you know what words you can say, and what words you can't say!? As a doctor, if you can't confirm a patient's situation, then don't recklessly speak! Today, you almost caused Xiao Li to get punished, so apologize to her."
(T/N: This like the ancient chinese version of go sit in the corner.)
Originally when Fan Nuo'er heard she needed to go to the hundred feet cliff to reflect, she was already very unwilling inside. But now, he actually told her to apologize to Du Xiao Li, making her feel that it was all because of Du Xiao Li that she's getting berated by shigong in front of everyone. Inside, she further resented Du Xiao Li! She thought back to how she was the pampered princess of Medicine King Valley in the past, but now, not only did she get her limelight stolen by Du Xiao Li, she even needed to lower herself to apologize to her!
"Shigong, I admit, my learning isn't good, and made an error diagnosing the Grand Empress Dowager's situation, but I really wasn't purposefully going against her, so why should I apologize her? Shigong shouldn't favor little shishu to this degree!" Fan Nuo'er looked up to Hu Yi Jian, her eyes full of resentment!
Since they entered, Du Xiao Li hadn't said a single word, and just stood in the back, watching everyone's reaction. Listening to here, she went forward two steps and said, "Whether or not she apologizes, doesn't matter. I want to ask disciple Nuo'er, at the time, why were you so sure that I fed the Grand Empress Dowager Bone Devouring Powder? Just purely from the Grand Empress Dowager's expression? Although everyone all say your learning is lacking, this bone devouring powder is a very simple poison. The symptoms you wouldn't be unclear of, right?"
"Of course I know this!"
"Then why were you so certain that I gave the Grand Empress Dowager Bone Devouring Powder? If you can't even make clear of such obvious symptoms, then when you're treating someone, afraid it will cause very serious consequences." Du Xiao Li said.
"I already said just now, at the time, I was merely too anxious and didn't check clearly, thus made an error!" Fan Nuo'er retorted.
Ch. 080.4 – Gu Removal! Tearing Down Her Mask! (4)
Gu Removal! Tearing Down Her Mask! (4)
T/N: Chapter sponsored by Iris, Kiem, Kim, and Aamd! Thank you for sponsoring!
"Is that so?" Du Xiao Li came before Fan Nuo'er, "Was it really an error in diagnosis?"
"Of course it was an error in diagnosis!" Wang Ze to the side said, "Little junior sister, Nuo'er's action today indeed almost brought you harm, but since you're Nuo'er's elder, don't be this stingy, alright!?"
Du Xiao Li was completely bewildered by Wang Ze's word. She merely asked a few words, but it turned into bickering over trivial matters, losing an elder's bearing!
"Senior brother Wang Ze, disciple Nuo'er is truly fortunate to have a shifu like you. Just, don't know if this crime of poisoning the Grand Empress Dowager you are able to bear for her?" Du Xiao Li slowly said. But those words made everyone present startled, letting Fan Nuo'er's expression instantly change!
"Little junior sister, you're merely a disciple accepted by eldest senior brother on shifu's behalf. Speaking of which, you can't be considered a person of Medicine King Valley. Slandering Nuo'er like this, what intentions are you harboring!?" Wang Ze immediately bellowed.
&n
bsp; "Little junior sister, you need to be cautious with your words!" Even Qing Chen couldn't help but frown. This crime of poisoning the Grand Empress Dowager, never mind her noble status, just based on this decades of relationship with Hu Yi Jian, if Du Xiao Li's words are true, then the consequences will be very serious!
"Whether or not I'm slandering disciple Nuo'er, she's the most clear, no?" Du Xiao Li looked to Fan Nuo'er and said, "Why were you that certain that the Grand Empress Dowager was poisoned with bone devouring powder? Not because it was an error, but rather because you saw me give her that small medicine pill. And you thought that the medicine pill I gave her was the pill you poisoned last night."
"What poisoned pill? Little shishu, don't say nonsense!" Fan Nuo'er flatly denied.
"Since you're not admitting to it, then I'll just let you see. Xia Yuan." Du Xiao Li said.
Xia Yuan brought over a box and opened it, letting Fan Nuo'er see the two pills lying inside.
Fan Nuo'er's expression changed, but still pretended to be calm, "Little shishu, what is the meaning of this?"
"Little junior sister, what is this?" Niu Jing asked.
"This is just two medicine pills that I made, the same as the ones for the Grand Empress Dowager today. Originally, I only made this in case something happened." Du Xiao Li said, "Disciple Nuo'er, are you familiar with seeing this?"
"I've never seen this before." Fan Nuo'er replied.
"Last night, at midnight, you blew sleeping incense into my room, and then entered my room. Afterwards, you added bone devouring powder into the medicine pill I placed in the box. Because last night, during dinner, I said I only made one set of pills, that's why when you saw this box, you thought it was the medicine for the Grand Empress Dowager. Am I right?" Du Xiao Li fixedly stared at Fan Nuo'er and asked.
"I don't know what you're talking about. Last night, I was sleeping in my room the whole time, and simply never went to your room! And further didn't touch that box you speak of!" Fan Nuo'er shook her head and said, "Back at the valley, Nuo'er would never do something like this, let alone towards the Grand Empress Dowager! Shigong, shifu, shishu, shibo, you all have to help Nuo'er!"