Yue Ning quickly steadied Jiang Shi and urgently asked Lu Xiu, "What did Ninth Miss say?"
Lu Xiu's eyes reddened as she hesitated, "Ninth Miss didn't say anything."
Jiang Shi clutched Yue Qiong's arm, "My lord, must we really cut open Mother's belly? This method of treatment is unheard of. My lord, let's summon Divine Doctor Huang instead. Divine Doctor Huang..."
At least Divine Doctor Huang wouldn't cut people open.
Yue Qiong frowned deeply. He hadn't expected Qin Guan to propose such a method either.
They had originally trusted Huang Jinyuan, but after Grand Princess returned from the streets last time, Huang Jinyuan had admitted after reviewing the prescription that Qin Guan was more confident in treating Grand Princess's condition than he was. Thus, Yue Qiong hadn't summoned Huang Jinyuan today.
Yet when the patient was already critically ill, how could there be any hope of survival if her belly was cut open?
Yue Qiong looked at Lu Xiu, "You—go tell Ninth Miss that—"
"Marquis." Yan Chi, who had been standing silently by the window, suddenly spoke.
Yue Qiong and the others turned to Yan Chi, who said solemnly, "Grand Aunt has reached a life-or-death moment. Even if we summoned Divine Doctor Huang now, it would be too late. We might as well trust Ninth Miss."
Yue Qiong's lips twitched as he hesitated. Yan Chi continued, "In Great Zhou, we believe the body, hair, and skin are gifts from parents and must not be lightly damaged, which is why few physicians treat illnesses this way. However, during my years on the frontier, I heard that witch doctors among the Rong barbarians use such methods—opening chests and abdomens or operating on heads. There are even cases where they cut open a woman's belly during childbirth to deliver the baby, with both mother and child surviving unharmed."
Hearing this, Jiang Shi's eyes widened in shock, "Cut open the belly to deliver a baby? How is that possible..."
Childbirth was already like walking through the gates of hell—how could they cut open the belly directly?
Yue Qiong was someone who, once he trusted a person, did so without doubt. Strengthened by Yan Chi's words, he quickly made up his mind. He grasped Jiang Shi's hand, "Let's trust Ninth Miss this once!"
Jiang Shi, trembling with unease, nodded shakily, "Alright, we'll trust Ninth Miss!"
Hearing Yue Qiong and Yan Chi's words, Lu Xiu exhaled in relief and hurried back to the inner chamber.
As soon as she entered, Qin Guan asked, "Did the Marquis and his wife object?"
Lu Xiu flushed—she had slipped out secretly, and now it seemed as though she hadn't trusted Qin Guan.
"Ninth Miss, it's not that I don't trust you, it's just..."
Qin Guan shook her head as she boiled the liquor, "I understand. Just answer me."
Such a treatment method was indeed shocking. If Grand Princess weren't hanging by a thread, she wouldn't have resorted to such a risky approach either.
Lu Xiu replied, "The Marquis and his wife had some doubts, but Prince Rui's heir said witch doctors among the Rong people treat illnesses this way. He believes in you very much."
A flicker of surprise passed through Qin Guan's eyes—she hadn't expected Yan Chi to speak up for her.
Her expression firm, Qin Guan immersed Cold Moon into the boiling liquor...
In the side hall, Jiang Shi and Yue Qiong's frowns deepened.
If the belly was cut open to expose the organs, how could the person possibly survive?
In contrast, Yan Chi remained much calmer. He still stood by the window, his gaze resting on the woodruff flowers in the courtyard, though his mind was filled with thoughts of Qin Guan.The distant glimpse of her last time had already left him awestruck, but now at close quarters, the sense of wonder didn't diminish. On the contrary, the brilliance in her gaze and her courage to step forward and save the Grand Princess moved him deeply.
A sixteen-year-old maiden could actually meet his gaze with such composure.
A sixteen-year-old maiden dared to take on the responsibility of saving the Grand Princess.
She must have clearly understood that if she failed to save the Grand Princess this time, even if the Yue family was reasonable enough not to blame her, the incident would still tarnish her reputation once it spread.
Yet she didn't stand by and do nothing. What had she said?
As long as one person believed in her, she wouldn't let them down.
Yan Chi's eyes grew increasingly bright and intense.
He hadn't expected this trip to Jinzhou to yield such an extraordinary discovery.
How did the Qin Manor raise such a remarkable young lady?
Bai Feng had reported last night that this Ninth Miss Qin had been completely ignored by the Loyal Marquis Manor in the capital. After coming to Jinzhou, her circumstances were no better than those of a servant. It was also said that she had been timid and cowardly before, enduring mistreatment from the people of Qin Manor without daring to speak up. Only after jumping into the lake did she undergo a drastic change. Yan Chi narrowed his eyes. Bai Feng claimed she had returned from death—could it be...?
Extreme suffering or life-and-death situations could indeed alter a person's temperament.
But was that truly the case?
Yan Chi shook his head inwardly. With his years of insight, he was certain it wasn't that simple.
At this thought, Yan Chi suddenly frowned.
He had never paid such close attention to a young lady he'd only met twice.
Was this a good thing or a bad thing?
The wait was always long. Qin Guan had arrived at Marquis Anyang Manor at noon, and by the time dusk approached, there was still no definitive result. Only Lu Xiu came back and forth to relay updates.
"Ninth Miss first sterilized the knife and needles in boiled strong liquor, then asked for anesthetic powder and hemostatic ointment. After that, she ordered all of us to step back."
"Ninth Miss... Ninth Miss extracted a bowl of foul liquid from the Grand Princess's abdomen."
"Ninth Miss then stitched up the Grand Princess's belly with needle and thread. I took a glance—the incision was only about an inch long, not as bloody or horrifying as one might imagine..."
Lu Xiu came and went repeatedly. By the time she delivered this last report, even Jiang Shi couldn't resist the urge to peek into the inner chamber.
"Stitched up the belly? With what?"
Lu Xiu's eyes still held astonishment. "With needle and thread! Ninth Miss bent the needle over a flame and asked for hemp stalks from the household. I watched as she boiled them in strong liquor and then twisted them into extremely fine threads..."
Yue Qiong and the others exchanged glances, their faces full of shock.
"Truly unheard of. To think... to think such a method exists."
Lu Xiu added, "Ninth Miss said she should have used catgut, but there wasn't enough time to prepare it today."
Jiang Shi looked at Yue Qiong. "Marquis, you've seen many imperial physicians during your years in the palace. Have you ever heard of such things?"
Yue Qiong was the Grand Princess's only son and had practically grown up in the Great Zhou imperial palace, giving him extraordinary knowledge. Yet he shook his head. "Never. Who knows where Ninth Miss learned these unusual methods."
Hope gradually kindled in Jiang Shi's eyes. "Ninth Miss must be a divine healer of our time. She will surely save Mother."
Yue Qiong gave a slight nod. These unconventional methods might further attest to Qin Guan's exceptional skill. If so, then the Grand Princess's life was likely to be saved.
As soon as Jiang Shi finished speaking, another maidservant arrived from the inner chamber.
"Marquis, Madam, Ninth Miss says you may come in now!"Jiang Shi's eyes lit up with joy as she hurried outside, with the others quickly following suit. Yan Chi stood still for a moment before taking a step forward.
He was someone who could remain composed even in the face of an enemy's vast army, yet at this moment, his palms were slightly damp with sweat. Throughout the long hours of waiting, he had unwittingly felt tense for Qin Guan's sake.
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