Miraculous Doctor Yu rose and went to the table, swiftly writing out a prescription. "As quickly as possible."
As he spoke, he wrote another prescription. "This formula is for a medicinal bath. Boil it in a large pot for two ke."
Without needing to explain how serious it was, everyone already understood the gravity—Doctor Yu had never been this tense before, his brows never so deeply furrowed.
Nian Qiu took the prescriptions and ran at a speed she had never achieved before. Hua Pingyang immediately dispatched servants to follow her.
Madam Zhu was completely panicked, trembling so much she could barely form words. "Doc... Doc... Doctor..."
Hua Pingyu held his wife tightly and hoarsely interjected, "Doctor Yu, what exactly is wrong with Zhi Er?"
Though accustomed to life and death, Doctor Yu found his throat tightening. He offered an analogy: "The young lady's condition is like ocean waves. One wave crashes ashore, briefly recedes, and the next may strike with even greater force. Who can stop the waves from advancing? No one. All we can do is try our utmost to prevent the young lady from being drowned by them."
The implication was clear—would it get worse than before? Madam Zhu's legs gave way, nearly buckling beneath her. Her daughter had done so much, protected the country and so many people—why couldn't Heaven show her more mercy!
Hua Pingyu tried to lead her out, but Madam Zhu stubbornly shook her head, pushing her husband away and stumbling to sit by the table. She would stay right here, nowhere else, absolutely nowhere else!
No one tried to persuade her further; there was no time.
Fu Dong arrived with the decocted medicine. Gu Yanxi took it and patiently fed it to her mouthful by mouthful. Though most spilled out, he managed to force a little down.
One ke, two ke, half a shichen passed peacefully. Everyone secretly hoped for improvement, but only Doctor Yu and the keenly perceptive Gu Yanxi knew things were likely to worsen—and they were powerless.
Just as everyone grew weary from waiting, bad news struck without warning.
Gu Yanxi watched as A Zhi's skin flushed red, felt her exhales scalding to the touch—and he was helpless.
Doctor Yu turned and asked, "Is everything prepared?"
Fu Dong nodded repeatedly.
"Prepare the medicinal bath." Doctor Yu took out silver needles and approached the bed. "Extend her feet."
Just as before with bloodletting from her fingers, this time it was her toes. Afterward, Doctor Yu inserted seven needles into the tips of her feet, leaving them briefly before removing them. "Soak her now. Take your time adding water gradually—don't let her get cold."
Gu Yanxi didn't dare delay. He lifted her and strode toward the side room. In that moment, no one else existed in his world—not the Emperor, not the Hua family members inside or out. Only A Zhi mattered to him.
Once again, he undressed A Zhi completely, then removed his own clothes. Skin pressed against skin, more intimate than ever before, yet this time Gu Yanxi felt no improper thoughts. He frequently pressed his forehead against hers, checking her temperature, praying for it to drop, to drop further—but...
"Bao Xia, come feel this."
Bao Xia tremblingly reached out and touched her, her heart leaping in alarm. "How... how does she feel even hotter!"
Ying Chun hurried over to check—it was true, truly hotter to the touch! What to do, what to do...
"This servant will go ask Doctor Yu!"Miraculous Doctor Yu paced back and forth. If it were merely a fever, he could manage it, but the eldest young lady was no ordinary patient. Her constitution was severely depleted, requiring extreme caution with medication—not just potent remedies, but even slightly aggressive formulas would overwhelm her system.
"I'll perform acupuncture on her back. The medicinal baths must continue as well. Prepare accordingly."
Ying Chun bit her lip and glanced at Old Master Hua, concerned about the young lady's reputation...
Hua Yizheng's expression turned resolute. "Make the preparations. Preserving her life matters more than anything."
If the Regent King minded such things, the Hua family would care for this young lady themselves! Let her live as she pleased, freely and contentedly!
Tears streaming down her face, Ying Chun kowtowed to Hua Yizheng. Before anyone could react, she sprang up and dashed back to the room, the door slamming shut behind her.
Hua Yizheng bowed deeply to Miraculous Doctor Yu. "Please proceed without hesitation, Doctor. Do not concern yourself with other matters."
"The Hua family is fortunate to have such an eldest young lady, and she is equally fortunate to be born into the Hua family," Miraculous Doctor Yu returned the bow. Due to strict gender segregation, countless women had succumbed to minor illnesses, and for young maidens, it was even worse—dying to preserve chastity was often the norm.
At least the eldest young lady's efforts over these past two years had not been in vain.
The conversation outside was clearly audible from nearby. Under the anxious gazes of Madam Zhu and Bao Xia, Gu Yanxi instructed, "Scoop out some of the water."
Bao Xia immediately complied, stopping only when he signaled.
It wasn't until she saw the Regent King carefully adjust the young lady into a prone position, resting her head on his arm with only her back exposed, that she understood—he feared the water might be too deep and drown her. This proved he didn't mind!
Bao Xia and Ying Chun nearly wept with joy, while Madam Zhu, already prone to tears, was crying openly.
"Fetch a cloak—not too thick."
"Yes."
Ying Chun, still by the door, rushed out and quickly retrieved an early-autumn cloak, handing it over. Gu Yanxi took it, draped it over A Zhi's back, then tore an opening with a sharp tug. The pale skin of her back was fully exposed, while the rest remained securely covered.
Suddenly, Bao Xia understood. And because she understood, she couldn't hold back her tears. The Regent King did mind—even if it was Yu Lao performing the procedure. But compared to that, he cared more about whether the young lady would recover.
"Invite Yu Lao in."
"Yes."
Upon receiving the message, Yu Lao glanced at the women present. "I must borrow a handkerchief."
Without a second thought, Hua Ling offered hers. Xia Shi's expression shifted—a young lady's handkerchief was not to be given lightly...
But Yu Lao declined, pointing to the one in Su Momo's hand. "This one will do."
Su Momo paused, then promptly presented it with both hands.
Yu Lao took it and blindfolded himself. "In decades of practice, I dare claim second to none in locating acupoints. Someone assist me."
Ying Chun silently kowtowed three times to Yu Lao before respectfully guiding him inside.
Everyone visibly relaxed. Though they had prepared for the worst, preserving Zhi Er's reputation was still preferable.
Seeing Yu Lao like this, Gu Yanxi did not remove the cloak. Call him petty or suspicious—he accepted it. But when Yu Lao took out the golden needles after checking her pulse, his expression changed. Holding A Zhi tighter, he asked, "Must we use the golden needles?""It is time. Guide my hand to the young lady's head."
Following the contour from head to neck hollow, Miraculous Doctor Yu confirmed the young lady's posture. Without hesitation, he wielded the needle in his right hand and inserted it—nine needles in total, with the final one landing at the crown of her head. He could only hope that this treasured technique of his would lend the girl a helping hand.
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