Cheng Lu was awakened by the pain.
It was not a sharp, heart-wrenching pain, but a dull, aching sensation coming from a place in her lower body that she had never paid attention to before. It felt as if something was gently throbbing there, reminding her that it was no longer the same.
She tried moving her fingers.
She could move them.
She then tried to open her eyes.
Her eyelids felt heavy, as if glued shut. She blinked hard and finally managed to open a small slit.
Her vision was still a bit blurry, but she could vaguely make out the pale green bed canopy above her, embroidered with sparse orchids. It was the one Sister Huan had specially ordered to be changed after she moved into the Jing'an Courtyard.
Cheng Lu slowly rolled her eyes and looked toward the edge of the bed.
A figure was sitting there.
With gray hair, a plain blue robe, and a wrinkled face, it was Imperial Physician Hua.
After washing up, cleaning away the bloodstains on his body, and changing into a new set of clothes, he had returned to the room and was sitting on the chair by the bed, one hand resting on Cheng Lu's wrist.
He was focused on checking her pulse.
His fingers, thin and warm, pressed against her wrist with a pressure that was neither too light nor too heavy, just right.
Cheng Lu did not make a sound.
She just lay there, looking at Imperial Physician Hua's focused face, his slightly closed eyes, and his gray beard gently trembling with every breath.
Her heart beat a little fast.
She wanted to ask.
But she didn't dare.
She was afraid the answer she would hear would not be the one she wanted.
However, the expression on Imperial Physician Hua's face allowed her anxious heart to slowly settle down. His expression was relaxed, at ease, and carried a sense of relieved satisfaction.
It didn't look like anything was wrong.
Just as Cheng Lu was thinking this.
Hua Yuan opened his eyes.
He withdrew his hand and his gaze fell on Cheng Lu's face. Seeing that she was awake, he smiled slightly. The smile was kind and gentle, like an elder looking at a junior in the family.
"You're awake, miss?"
Cheng Lu nodded. Her lips moved, and her voice was still a bit weak, "Imperial Physician Hua... how are my results?"
As soon as the words left her mouth, she felt silly for asking.
If it were bad, how could Imperial Physician Hua have such an expression?
But she just wanted to ask.
She wanted to hear those words with her own ears.
Hua Yuan looked at her, looking at that pale face trying hard to maintain its calm, and looking at the deep-seated nervousness and anticipation hidden in her clear eyes.
He stroked his beard, his tone gentle but firm, "Rest assured, miss. The process of restoring you to your original state went very smoothly."
Very smoothly!
These three words fell into Cheng Lu's ears, and it felt as if something had gently exploded, bursting all the way from her ears into her heart, making her eyes suddenly hot.
She closed her eyes.
She took a deep breath.
She suppressed the surging emotions.
When she opened her eyes again, they had returned to their usual calmness, only deep down, there was an extra glint of something bright.
"Thank you, Imperial Physician Hua," she said softly, her voice choking up a bit.
Hua Yuan waved his hand, "You don't need to thank this old man. Speaking of which, the surgery today went so smoothly all thanks to Lady Shen."
He paused, his tone carrying genuine admiration.
"I have practiced medicine for forty years, and I have never met anyone who coordinates with me so perfectly."
Cheng Lu was slightly taken aback.
Hua Yuan continued, "During the surgery, whatever item I needed, with just a sweep of my gaze, Lady Shen would have it prepared in advance and hand it to me. Whether it was the scalpel, silver needles, medicine, or gauze, everything was exactly right, without the slightest error."
"I am getting old, and my energy is not what it used to be. It is inevitable to feel a bit nervous during surgery, and sweat would form on my forehead. Before I could even speak, Lady Shen would step forward with a handkerchief and gently wipe it away for me. Her movements were light and fast, not affecting my work in the slightest."
"This tacit understanding..."
Hua Yuan shook his head, his eyes showing a complex mix of emotions.
"To be honest, I even suspected that Lady Shen could hear my inner thoughts."
To the side, Shen Ninghuan was standing by the table, tidying up the used items. Hearing this, she looked up and smiled slightly.
"Imperial Physician Hua praises me too much," she said humbly, her tone gentle and appropriate. "I was merely helping out on the side. The one who truly worked miracles is you, Imperial Physician Hua."
"Without your forty years of medical expertise, and without your hands as steady as Mount Tai, no matter how well-prepared I was, it would have been in vain."
These words were spoken beautifully.
She accepted Hua Yuan's praise while pushing all the credit back to him.
Listening to her, Hua Yuan stroked his beard, his eyebrows involuntarily rising, a flash of admiration in his eyes.
This Lady Shen.
She truly was a perceptive person!
Lying on the bed, Cheng Lu watched the two of them praising each other back and forth, and couldn't help but curl her lips into a smile.
"Neither of you needs to be so polite," she spoke softly. Her voice carried some weakness, but also a hint of a smile. "In short, I thank you both here together."
She paused, her gaze shifting from Hua Yuan to Shen Ninghuan.
"Thank you, Imperial Physician Hua, for your miraculous skills, and thank you, Sister Huan, for your careful care. Cheng Lu will keep this kindness in her heart."
Shen Ninghuan walked to the bed and gently held her hand.
"You're speaking politely again, sister," she said gently. "We are family; there is no need to talk about thanks."
Hua Yuan also nodded, "Lady Shen is right. I am a healer, and treating illnesses and saving lives is my duty. You don't need to dwell on it, miss."
Cheng Lu looked at the two of them.
Her heart felt warm.
She didn't say anything more, just gently nodded.
Hua Yuan stood up, walked to the table, and took out a few pieces of paper filled with writing from his medicine chest, handing them to Shen Ninghuan, "Lady Shen, these are the prescriptions I wrote. For postoperative recovery, she must take the medicine according to the prescription."
He paused and began to give medical instructions.
"For the next two days, the young miss must rest in bed and absolutely must not easily get out of bed to walk around. The wound must be kept breathable and try not to get it wet. If she needs to clean herself, use a cloth dipped in warm water to gently wipe, and absolutely do not let water touch the wound."
"As for her diet, it should be light. For these first few days, let her eat some porridge and soup, and after a few days, slowly add some foods that replenish qi and blood. Strictly avoid raw, cold, and spicy foods, as well as alcohol and fishy things."
"If the wound hurts severely, you can mix this medicinal powder with water and apply it externally. If there is a fever, chills, or the wound becomes red, swollen, and oozes pus, you must immediately have someone inform me."
He explained everything one by one, in meticulous detail.
Shen Ninghuan listened carefully, nodding from time to time, remembering everything in her heart.
After Hua Yuan finished his instructions, he took out a few boxes of medicine from his chest and placed them on the table.
"This is the medicine to be taken internally, one dose a day, decocted in water and taken warm. This is the medicinal powder for external application. If the wound hurts too much, you can mix it with warm water and apply it."
Shen Ninghuan took them and said solemnly, "Thank you, Imperial Physician Hua. I have memorized it all."
Hua Yuan nodded and lifted his medicine chest.
He prepared to take his leave.
He walked to the door, suddenly stopped in his tracks, and turned back.
"By the way," he looked at Shen Ninghuan, his gaze carrying a bit of inquiry, "Lady Shen, if I may be so bold to ask, was the golden wound medicine used today prepared by the Marquis's estate itself?"
Shen Ninghuan was slightly startled, then nodded, "Exactly."
Hua Yuan's eyes flickered.
The effects of that golden wound medicine were truly astonishingly good.
He had originally brought royal supplies from the palace, specially prepared by the Imperial Academy of Medicine using only top-grade medicinal herbs. Usually, only the nobility could use them. Yet, before the surgery, Shen Ninghuan took out a box of medicinal powder and said, "The Marquis's estate has also prepared some. Imperial Physician Hua, please see if this is suitable."
He was half-skeptical at the time, but upon opening it, he found the powder as fine as dust, golden in color, with a rich medicinal fragrance. It was even a few grades better than the royal supplies from the palace.
He tried applying it to the wound.
As soon as the powder touched the wound, a thin scab-like layer quickly formed. It looked just like a natural scab, firm and compliant. When lightly touched, it did not easily fall off.
What did this mean?
It meant that as long as there were no large movements, the wound would be fine. It meant that the risk of postoperative wound ulceration was greatly reduced.
In his forty years of practicing medicine, Hua Yuan had never seen a golden wound medicine with such excellent effects.
So he couldn't help but ask about it.
In response, Shen Ninghuan merely smiled slightly, her tone modest. "It is just some ordinary medicine prepared by the estate. Imperial Physician Hua overpraises it."
Ordinary?
Hua Yuan laughed inwardly.
If this was ordinary, then what were the royal supplies from the palace?
However, he also understood that by speaking this way, Shen Ninghuan was unwilling to elaborate. It was not his place to press further, so he simply stroked his beard, his eyes flickering slightly.
This Marquis's estate...
They truly have quite a few good things!
He thought of that stack of medical books, this golden wound medicine, and the incredibly thorough preparations made for today's surgery.
A plan suddenly formed in his mind.
I should make the beauty cream and the vitality pills as soon as possible. How could I have the nerve to borrow medical books empty-handed? And the formula for this golden wound medicine, it would be wonderful if I could exchange for it!
"In three days, this old man will return for a follow-up consultation," Hua Yuan cupped his hands, his tone solemn. "For these next few days, I will have to trouble Lady Shen to take care of things."
Shen Ninghuan curtsied. "Please rest assured, Imperial Physician Hua. I understand."
Hua Yuan nodded, said no more, and turned to leave with his medical box.
He walked rather quickly.
His steps were hurried.
It was as if he was rushing to do something urgent.
Shen Ninghuan watched his retreating figure, the corners of her lips curling up slightly into a knowing smile...
...
At the courtyard gate.
Pei Cijing was carrying a tray, walking toward Jing'an Courtyard.
On the tray sat a white porcelain bowl containing freshly stewed blood-nourishing herbal soup. It was steaming hot, the scent of medicine mixing with the aroma of meat, drifting from far away.
He wasn't walking very fast, keeping his head down to watch the bowl of soup as he walked, terrified of spilling it.
This had been stewing on the stove earlier. Cheng Lu had lost blood after the surgery and needed to be properly nourished. Shen Ninghuan had ordered someone to start stewing it beforehand, and now that the surgery was over, she had him personally bring it over from the kitchen.
When Pei Cijing heard this at the time, he felt a little sour in his heart. His wife was truly attentive to that former prince.
But he only felt sour for a moment.
After all, she had just undergone such a major surgery, taking a knife and losing blood. She was very weak. The injured and sick took priority, so he would let her have a good life for a while.
Besides, she was a woman now!
Carrying the tray, Pei Cijing walked to the entrance of Jing'an Courtyard. Just as he was about to go in, a figure suddenly rushed out from inside and nearly bumped into him.
"Hey—"
Pei Cijing instinctively stepped aside, narrowly dodging.
Looking up, he saw it was Hua Yuan.
The old man was carrying his medical box, walking so fast it looked like his pants were on fire, disappearing into the distance in a flash.
Pei Cijing stared at the retreating back, stunned.
What is wrong with...
Imperial Physician Hua?
He carried the tray into the courtyard and, seeing Shen Ninghuan standing at the door of the main room, walked over to her.
"Wife," he lowered his voice, gesturing toward the courtyard gate with his chin. "Why did Imperial Physician Hua leave in such a hurry? Did something happen? Did his old house catch fire?"
Seeing his utterly baffled expression, Shen Ninghuan couldn't help but smile.
"It is nothing," she said softly. "He is probably just rushing back to prepare gifts."
Pei Cijing was confused.
Gifts?
What gifts?
Seeing his blank expression, Shen Ninghuan smiled and explained, "The golden wound medicine you provided, Husband, is incredibly effective. After using it, Imperial Physician Hua was completely mesmerized!"
Pei Cijing blinked.
The golden wound medicine?
That thing...
He had exchanged for it from the system a long time ago, just to be prepared in case he ever got hurt and bled without any medicine on hand. Since there was a surgery today, he brought it out to use.
It seems the effects were pretty good?
"But of course," Pei Cijing tilted his chin up slightly, a hint of smugness in his tone. "Could anything your husband produces be bad?"
He silently added in his heart: System products are guaranteed to be top quality! After all, it cost me melon-eating points. The system didn't cheat me! It didn't scam this consumer!
Shen Ninghuan looked at his smug appearance.
Her smile deepened.
"Coupled with the stack of medical books you gave earlier, Husband," she continued, "Imperial Physician Hua has likely set his sights on our family's medical books and the formula for that golden wound medicine. Rushing back in such a hurry, he is most likely going to prepare gifts so he can borrow the other books and formulas during his next visit."
Pei Cijing was speechless.
His smug expression froze.
Set his sights on his family's medical books?
And the formulas?
Pei Cijing thought of that stack of medical books, the formula for the golden wound medicine, and Hua Yuan's retreating figure.
He suddenly felt a chill.
That old man...
If I can't produce them, won't he come visiting every single day?
Seeing his expression, Shen Ninghuan couldn't help but laugh out loud.
"Do not worry, Husband," she said gently. "Imperial Physician Hua knows his boundaries. If he wants to borrow medical books, he will certainly prepare generous gifts. He won't let us suffer a loss, nor will he force the issue."
Pei Cijing thought about it.
That made sense.
Hua Yuan was the head of the Imperial Academy of Medicine, a fifth-rank official who had served two emperors. A person like that knew exactly what courtesy demanded and how to return a favor.
He wouldn't do anything out of line.
However, as for the medical books and some medicine formulas, perhaps I can find some free time to slowly write them down. First, it wouldn't waste my medical skills, and second, it would leave something behind for this world...
He calculated secretly in his heart, looking down at the tray in his hands.
"Well then..." he cleared his throat. "Wife, the herbal soup is here. Should I take it inside for Miss Cheng?"
"No need, give it to me!" Shen Ninghuan reached out and took the tray from Pei Cijing's hands, speaking gently. "Sister Cheng just woke up. It is better if I go feed her the soup. You go back to Anle Residence and rest first, Husband. I will return later."
Pei Cijing nodded.
He turned to leave.
After taking two steps, he turned back around.
"Wife," he said earnestly, "if you are tired, have the maids help out. Don't carry everything on your own shoulders."
Looking at him, Shen Ninghuan's heart softened.
"I know," she said softly. "Rest assured, Husband."
Pei Cijing then nodded.
And walked away.
Watching his retreating back, Shen Ninghuan's lips curled up, and then, carrying the tray, she turned and entered the room.
