lava

Chapter 17

Who provides you with the food, clothing, and other necessities?

"Yes, Master," Han Xiaoyue replied, bowing his head lower.

"Who provided your brother with the food, clothing, necessities, medical expenses, and medicine?"

"He is also a master."

Nie Chengyan glared at her: "Then why did you leave me aside for a broken medicine box?"

Han Xiao knelt down with a thud. She truly knew she was wrong and felt she had done something terribly wrong. "This servant was wrong, please punish me, Master."

"Get up, why are you kneeling?" Nie Chengyan felt inexplicably uncomfortable seeing her kneeling so humbly. Han Xiao bit her lip: "Master, please don't be angry. This servant will fumigate you with medicine right away."

"Move that medicine box away, it's in the way." Han Xiao received the order and reluctantly picked up the medicine box, stroking it repeatedly, looking it over from all sides, and finally placed it under the table. If her master couldn't see it, it wouldn't be in the way anymore, right? She turned back and looked at Nie Chengyan questioningly, and heard him give a soft hum without saying anything, so she knew that he had given his permission.

Han Xiao ran back and forth, bringing over a large basin, pouring in boiling hot medicinal soup, setting up a net made of coarse cloth rope over the basin, removing Nie Chengyan's cloth socks, placing his feet on the coarse rope net, and then covering the basin and legs with a wide, thick cloth, wrapping them in the medicinal steam to fumigate his feet. This was for nourishing tendons, promoting blood circulation, and clearing the meridians, and had to be done every three to five days. Nie Chengyan gasped in pain, and sweat quickly beaded on his forehead.

Han Xiao took a towel to wipe his sweat and then massaged the acupoints on his legs to promote the effects of the medicine. Once she got serious, she became completely absorbed. Because of the pressure on her hands and the steam from the heat, her face soon turned rosy, and strands of hair brushed against her cheeks. Nie Chengyan, who had been gritting his teeth and enduring the pain, glanced at her unintentionally and was somewhat stunned. Han Xiao tested the temperature of the medicine and found it wasn't hot enough, so she took the medicine pot from the small stove outside the door and added more hot medicine to the basin.

Watching her busy, Nie Chengyan suddenly reached out and brushed the strands of hair from her cheek, tucking them behind her ear. Han Xiao immediately felt her face burning, shrank back, and ran out to put away the medicine pot. She took a few deep breaths to calm herself down before running back to wrap Nie Chengyan's feet in cloth and then began to massage his acupoints.

Nie Chengyan said softly, "Xiaoxiao, starting tomorrow, I'll have Ziming teach you some self-defense skills. You'll have to work hard, so try to practice properly in the afternoon."

Han Xiao paused for a moment, then quickly recovered and replied, "Yes, Master." He Ziming, like Huo Qiyang, was one of Nie Chengyan's personal guards, and Han Xiao had met him several times since arriving at the Nie residence. However, the point wasn't who taught her, but rather that, like learning medicine, she had inexplicably started practicing martial arts.

Nie Chengyan seemed to realize that something was amiss. After all, studying medicine was her interest, and his willingness to support her was understandable. But martial arts were something she had absolutely no background in. So he frowned, intending to explain, "You understand, the matter of my poisoning isn't resolved yet. If you're with me, what if something happens…"

"This servant understands." Han Xiao looked up and smiled at him, replying, "This servant will definitely practice diligently." She lowered her head and continued massaging his acupoints. Although he hadn't been able to get out of bed for half a year, he had been well cared for, and she had massaged and exercised his legs every day, so his legs were in normal shape and hadn't atrophied. Looking at his legs, Han Xiao couldn't help but say, "Although this servant doesn't have much skill, this servant knows the principle of repaying a small kindness with a great one. This servant will certainly not let down my master."

Nie Chengyan opened his mouth, but ultimately said nothing. After a long while, he softly hummed in response. Han Xiao looked up and smiled at him again, a genuine smile. Nie Chengyan was slightly taken aback, and couldn't help but reach out and pat her head.

The fumigation with the medicine took half an hour. Afterward, Nie Chengyan meditated and circulated his internal energy. Once everything was finished, he suddenly instructed Han Xiao to bring her medicine box. Han Xiao, not understanding his meaning, nervously took the box and carefully handed it over, saying, "Master, it's not good to take back something that's been given away."

Nie Chengyan remained silent, opened her medicine box and looked through it for a while. Han Xiao then said, "Master, it turns out that each person uses their own medicine box, scalpel, and needles because they are made according to each person's hand strength and palm circumference." She meant that her medicine box was not suitable for anyone else to use.

Nie Chengyan gave her a half-smile: "I have no interest in taking your medicine box, and I don't like snacks." Han Xiao pouted at the teasing, and Nie Chengyan continued: "Where's the dagger I gave you? Give it to me."

Han Xiao was stunned for a moment: "A dagger? What's it for?"

Nie Chengyan turned to look at her, his face hardening: "Where's the dagger?" He seemed to see right through her guilty conscience, which made Han Xiao panic: "The dagger... I..." After thinking for a moment, she didn't dare to lie and say that she had lost it, so she told her younger brother.

Nie Chengyan frowned, his face dark. Without asking why, he simply shouted, "Go and get it back." Han Xiao lowered her head, not daring to object, and obediently went to retrieve it. Nie Chengyan sat on the bed, took the dagger, and casually tossed it onto the pillow, angrily telling her, "Get out."

Han Xiao felt sad. Her master's temper was truly unpredictable. She awkwardly agreed and left the room. Not daring to go far, she sat down on the veranda a few steps from the door, staring blankly at the door. She thought for a long time but still couldn't figure out what her master was angry about.

For the rest of the day, Nie Chengyan was unhappy, his stern face causing everyone to discreetly avoid him. Even the most boisterous Han Le became well-behaved and actively requested to go back to her room and go to sleep early. Everyone avoided him, but Han Xiao couldn't escape him. She was depressed all night, and as she lay in bed, she thought that perhaps to achieve great things in building a city, one needed this strange and formidable temperament, making people afraid and unable to fathom it.

The next day, when Han Xiao returned home from school at noon, she saw a medicine box and a dagger on the small table in front of her bed. Both items were engraved with the character "笑" (smile). The characters were vigorous, powerful, and flowing. Han Xiao stroked the characters and suddenly understood. She felt a sweetness mixed with a bittersweet feeling, a sensation she couldn't quite describe.

From that day forward, as instructed by Nie Chengyan, Han Xiao began learning self-defense skills. She was healthy and quick-witted, but unfortunately, she wasn't cut out for martial arts. After only ten days, He Ziming had reached a conclusion. He reported to Nie Chengyan that this young girl, Han Xiao, could at most master some rudimentary skills—fancy moves but ineffective. She could manage to defend herself against ordinary people, but if she encountered a martial arts expert, she would likely be no match. Nie Chengyan pondered for a long time, only instructing her to practice diligently every day and not to slack off.

Han Xiao was not good at martial arts, but her medical skills improved rapidly. She could apply what Doctor Li taught her in various ways and even explain some of the more profound theories. She had already memorized the medical classics, and now with a specialist to guide her, her progress was rapid. After studying for just over two months, Nie Chengyan personally tested her and then had Steward Chen arrange for Han Xiao to take turns helping out at different clinics.

Han Xiao is considered a minor celebrity in Baiqiao City. Her reputation as a lucky star before she went to Yunwu Mountain still circulates in the city. In addition, she has the great influence of being personally appointed by the city lord. Therefore, when Steward Chen announced that he would arrange for Han Xiao to help out at various medical clinics, it attracted a lot of competition from the clinics. They even guaranteed that they would give this young lady the opportunity to practice medicine and that she would not be used as a servant.

So Han Xiaoshun began to smoothly come into contact with all kinds of patients. With the help and guidance of doctors from various families, she took pulses, prescribed medicines, and assisted in the treatment of those with acute illnesses. Her good fortune continued, and none of the patients she treated died. The doctors at the clinic were so happy that whenever the lucky star stayed at the clinic, they would put up a sign in front of the clinic to advertise for her.

Han Xiao understood Nie Chengyan's intentions in making this arrangement. Firstly, on Cloud Mist Mountain, those who came were mostly terminally ill, limiting the number of patients. While she could witness advanced medical techniques, she wouldn't have the opportunity to treat a large number of common illnesses. Furthermore, simply observing a few severe cases was insufficient for her to truly master medicine; she needed to treat a wide variety of patients to make any progress. Secondly, Han Xiao couldn't help but wonder if her ostentatious medical studies in Hundred Bridges City had already reached Cloud Mist Mountain. Once the news reached the mountain, the whole story seemed completely different.

But this didn't dampen Han Xiao's enthusiasm for studying medicine. As the saying goes, a knife has two edges; it can hurt others or itself. How can anything only have benefits without risks? Han Xiao has been encouraging and spurring himself on these days, having come to terms with things. Who knows, it might be a blessing in disguise.

That day, after finishing work at Doctor Shen's clinic, Han Xiao didn't go directly to the Nie residence. Instead, she went out of the city, intending to pick some primroses on the outskirts. These wildflowers were not valuable and seemed rare in the city, but they grew in abundance outside the city.

After picking the flowers, Han Xiao carried her beloved medicine box on her back, humming a little tune all the way home. The medicine box wasn't heavy, and it wasn't filled with much medicine, but she carried it everywhere she went, feeling particularly at ease. As she approached the city, she saw two luxurious carriages parked by the roadside, with several servants huddled around them, seemingly shouting in a panic.

Han Xiao looked closely and saw an old man lying there unconscious. A girl got off the carriage and hurriedly shouted at the servants, "What are you all standing there for? Get him to the clinic quickly. If you delay, I'll take your heads."

The servants dared not disobey and quickly lifted the old man up, carrying him towards the carriage. Han Xiao rushed forward, glanced at the old man, and was startled. He shouted at the servants, "Don't move him! Put him down!"

Lucky Star Healer

When everyone saw that it was a little girl carrying a medicine box, she was probably a doctor's maid. But when they looked around, they didn't see a doctor. They thought it best to send her to the city clinic as soon as possible so as not to delay her life. So they continued to carry and lift her to put her on the carriage.

Han Xiao panicked and rushed over, spreading his arms to block the carriage door: "His mouth and nose are crooked, and he is unconscious. He has suffered a stroke and must not be jostled. If you rush him into the city in the carriage, it will kill him. Put him down quickly."

Upon hearing that the old man had suffered a stroke, the servants were all shocked. Although they did not know much about the disease, they knew that it had a very high mortality rate. The young girl seemed to be speaking eloquently about it, so they dared not move him and laid him flat on the ground.

Han Xiao squatted down to examine the old man's eyes and take his pulse. He then looked up and shouted to the servants, "One of you, hurry to the city and fetch a doctor. Tell him it's a stroke and he needs medicine to save his life. The rest of you, stand here upwind to protect him from the wind." Seeing the urgency of the situation, the servants quickly agreed. One of them unloaded a horse from the carriage and ran off at full speed, while the others unloaded cloth from the carriage and stood upwind.

The woman who had just been shouting and giving orders, seeing Han Xiao's actions, gave a wink to the maid beside her. The maid stepped forward and asked, "Who are you?"

As Han Xiao opened his medicine box and took out his needle drawer, he replied, "Medical servant Han Xiao."

"A mere servant?" The woman was initially suspicious, but then, seeing Han Xiao pressing the old man's acupoints, she shouted, "A lowly servant dares to act so recklessly? If anything happens to me, the steward, can you bear the responsibility?"

Han Xiao remained calm and composed: "I won't move, will you do it?" She took out a short, thick needle from the needle case and squeezed the old man's hand.

"How dare you! What are you doing? We've already gone to fetch a doctor. Wait until the doctor arrives before you make a move." The maidservant beside her was so anxious that she jumped up and down, but like the woman, she was afraid that it was some strange illness and dared not approach the patient. Several servants stood there, not knowing whether they should stop Han Xiao or not.

Han Xiao didn't turn her head, letting the maid shout behind her. She took the needle and forcefully pricked the old man's fingertip. Blood gushed out from the old man's fingertip. As she pricked, Han Xiao replied, "This stroke and fainting is a critical condition. If he is not treated in time, even if he survives, he will likely suffer endless troubles. If you really want to save him, then stop arguing."

The maidservant fell silent, and the woman remained silent, only watching Han Xiao's actions. Han Xiao pricked all ten of the old man's fingers, drawing blood from each one, and then rubbed the old man's ears. Seeing Han Xiao's strange methods, the woman couldn't help but ask, "Did your doctor teach you to treat strokes like this?"

“No, the best treatment is acupuncture combined with moxibustion, depending on the type of wind symptoms, different acupoints should be needled and drained.” Han Xiao rubbed the old man’s ears vigorously until they were congested and red: “But this place is cold and windy, and the patient cannot be moved. Taking off his clothes for acupuncture may only worsen his condition.”

The woman panicked slightly: "Then what are you doing right now?"

"Bloodletting." Han Xiao took a needle and pricked one on each of the old man's earlobes, and beads of blood immediately gushed out.

Is there any basis for this claim?

"Medical books contain similar methods; in such a critical situation, we had no choice but to try." In other words, she was simply boldly attempting to use the methods recorded in the books to save the person. After Han Xiao finished doing all this, seeing that blood had flowed out, she breathed a sigh of relief, put away the needles, and sat down beside the old man to wait.

The woman clenched her fist: "Dare to try? Do you know who you're targeting?" Only then did Han Xiao have a chance to take a good look at the woman. Her attire, jewelry, and makeup were truly luxurious and opulent. Judging from her young age, she was probably only 18 years old, but her demeanor and actions exuded an air of authority and power. She was likely from a wealthy family like Long San's. Han Xiao suddenly realized that she really didn't know anything about Long San's background.

The woman was glaring at her. Han Xiao had just heard her say that the old man was her manager, so she replied, "Isn't he your manager and patient at the same time?"

Han Xiao remained calm and composed, unlike an inexperienced novice. The woman looked her over again and finally pointed at her, saying, "If my steward makes a mistake because of your reckless actions, I'll take your head." She stopped just as she finished saying the word "head," because the old man lying on the ground slowly opened his eyes.

Overjoyed, the woman rushed to his side and called out, "Eunuch Cui." Han Xiao, who was taking the old man's pulse, breathed a sigh of relief at his awakening. Hearing the woman call him "Eunuch Cui," he couldn't help but glance at her a few more times. The woman seemed to realize her slip of the tongue and glared at Han Xiao fiercely.

When Eunuch Cui woke up and recovered, he was able to speak a few words. Han Xiao quickly had the servants help him into the carriage so he could rest. Before long, five or six fine horses and a carriage came galloping over. The servants who had gone to fetch the doctor arrived, along with Doctor Liu, Doctor Lü, and several other doctors and physicians.

It turned out that the servant first went to fetch Doctor Liu from the Liu Family Clinic, which was closest to the city gate. However, Doctor Liu could tell from the servant's attire that his master was of high status. Upon hearing that the patient had suffered a sudden stroke in the suburbs, Doctor Liu knew that the patient's chances of survival were slim and dared not go alone. But he couldn't not go, so he gathered a group of several doctors from other clinics to go with him. Even if something happened to the patient, with several doctors examining him together, the patient's family wouldn't be able to say anything.

Several doctors jumped down from the carriage and were startled to find the stroke victim sitting peacefully with his eyes closed in his own carriage. They had been discussing the situation incessantly the whole way, unable to think of a way to ensure his safety, constantly pondering the safest course of acupuncture and medication. Upon arriving, they found him already recovered. Seeing Han Xiao beside him, they finally understood.

"So it's Miss Han's miraculous healing touch." Doctor Liu had long heard of Han Xiao's reputation, but unfortunately, he had never been able to get her to work at his clinic. It wasn't that he wanted her medical skills, but rather that he wanted to use her reputation as a lucky charm to attract business. However, Nie Chengyan had never allowed Han Xiao to work for him, so now was a great opportunity to curry favor with the city lord.

Han Xiao waved her hands repeatedly. She wasn't stupid; she knew that Doctor Liu wasn't genuinely praising her medical skills. She quickly steered the conversation back to the patient's family, explaining Eunuch Cui's symptoms, pulse, and her emergency treatment. The doctors, who had initially thought it wasn't a stroke and therefore nothing serious, all rushed to check Eunuch Cui's pulse upon hearing Han Xiao's explanation.

The woman coldly watched Han Xiao respectfully step aside, thinking that if the doctors pointed out any mistakes in her treatment, she would immediately punish her. However, after taking the pulse, the doctors were amazed and questioned Han Xiao for a long time. Finally, the doctors all confirmed that the most critical moment of the old man's illness had passed and he should be fine. Now, they should just travel slowly by carriage, and after entering the city and settling into his lodgings, they would administer acupuncture and medicine, and he would recover in a few days.

The woman was secretly surprised; this little servant doctor named Han Xiao actually had some skills. Seeing that everything was alright, Han Xiao hurriedly took his leave. It was getting late, and he feared he would be scolded by his master again if he went back.

The woman boarded the carriage and watched Han Xiao's departing figure, while listening to the doctors discussing among themselves: "Where did this Miss Han learn her bloodletting technique? I've never heard of it before."

“She visited many medical clinics in the past few years and I heard that she read a lot of medical books and miscellaneous books. Perhaps she learned those things back then.”

"I heard that she once used a needle to pierce the heart of a person on Yunwu Mountain and brought them back to life."

“I’ve heard about that too. She’s really bold. But her medical skills are really mediocre. She works at my clinic, and she doesn’t know much about many common illnesses.”

"Perhaps they really are blessed by a lucky star."

The woman listened without showing any emotion, then sent her maid out of the carriage to ask, "Esteemed doctors, whose household did that young servant belong to?"

"She's not a doctor. She's the maid of the city lord of Baiqiao City. Her name is Han Xiao."

"Lord of Baiqiao City?" The woman suddenly lifted the carriage curtain. "Nie Chengyan?"

Han Xiao was unaware that her mistress was being targeted. When she returned to the manor, she was indeed reprimanded.

"Why is it so late?" Nie Chengyan asked with a dark face. He had assumed that Doctor Shen was too busy today, causing Han Xiao to be late in returning home. He had even sent He Ziming to pick her up, but He Ziming reported back that Han Xiao had already finished work and returned home. This made Nie Chengyan extremely anxious, and he was just about to have everyone in the mansion search for her everywhere.

"I thought it was still early, so I went to the outskirts to pick some primroses to bring joy to my master and my younger brother."

"Aren't the flowers in the yard enough? Do you have to go to the suburbs to pick them?" He was almost driven crazy by her.

"The courtyard is the courtyard, and the outskirts are the outskirts; they look different," Han Xiao argued softly. Seeing that Nie Chengyan was getting increasingly angry, she quickly said, "Master, please don't be offended. I did a great deed today, which is why I'm late." She recounted her rescue in detail, becoming more and more animated as she spoke. This acute illness was difficult to treat, yet she miraculously brought it back to life. For a junior servant with no qualifications or experience, it would be a lie to say she wasn't proud.

But after hearing this, Nie Chengyan was not happy for her at all. Instead, he was furious. He slammed his hand on the armrest of his chair and shouted, "You, you've really gotten bolder and bolder!"

Han Xiao was also unhappy upon hearing this: "Didn't you teach me that the way of medicine is to be meticulous and bold? Now I followed this principle and saved the person, but you blame me. You are being unreasonable."

"You dare to talk back?" Nie Chengyan said angrily, "I also taught you to avoid trouble and always protect yourself. Where did you hear that?"

Han Xiao retorted, "Master never said that it meant he would stand by and watch someone die. If it's not reasonable, this servant cannot listen to it."

"Outrageous!" Nie Chengyan grew angrier the more he thought about it. Today, she was lucky to have saved someone, and the other party hadn't pursued the matter. She was alone, intervened halfway through the journey, and it was a critical illness. Other doctors would at least bring a group of people along to help them through the danger, but this stupid girl thought she was a hero. In this kind of situation, even a slight mistake could leave no room for explanation. And this was a royal family; if anything serious happened, they could just kill her on the spot. Where would he find her then?

The thought of her foolishly escaping danger and still arguing back at him without making sense made him want to whip her. His hand touched the long whip on the table, but he couldn't bring himself to do it. He could only point to the ground and shout at her, "Kneel down and recite 'Avoiding disaster first, self-preservation is paramount' a hundred times."

Han Xiao gritted her teeth, feeling so sad she wanted to cry. Just a few days ago, he had forbidden her from kneeling before him, but now he was punishing her by making her kneel. What a fickle and unpredictable temper, such a stubborn and rotten personality. She had only saved someone; she had done a good deed. What had she done wrong?

With tears in her eyes, she met Nie Chengyan's gaze and knelt heavily on the ground with a thud, repeatedly chanting the words: "Avoid disaster first, protect yourself above all else." She stared at Nie Chengyan, blinked, wiped away her tears, and glared at him fiercely. Her master was being unreasonable, and she, as his servant, was unhappy.

"What are you looking at? Don't stare at me like that!" Nie Chengyan yelled at her again.

Han Xiao, in a fit of pique, turned around and knelt in a different direction, her back and buttocks facing him. "Bad master, I hate you, master."

Chief Steward Chen cautiously entered and reported, "My lord, Princess Ruyi has come to visit."

Heart to Heart

"No." Nie Chengyan refused decisively. He hadn't settled his score with his unruly little maid yet, so why should the rest of us get involved?

Steward Chen hesitated for a moment, but did not leave. Finally, he said, "The princess said she came to thank Miss Han for saving Eunuch Cui's life."

Han Xiao, who was kneeling and reciting the "Nie Family Scriptures" with her head down, looked up in surprise. When she heard the woman call "Eunuch Cui" today, she thought that the woman must be related to the royal family. But she did not expect that the woman was actually a princess. Moreover, she had just arrived home and had not even finished her punishment when someone came to her door.

Han Xiao was feeling uneasy, wondering what the princess meant, when she heard Nie Chengyan say to Manager Chen, "Tell her that my little maid is ill-mannered, so there's no need for thanks. Princess, you must be tired from your journey, so you should go back to the inn to rest as soon as possible."

Steward Chen lowered his head, wiping away imaginary sweat from his brow. The princess had already brought her luggage, so it seemed she intended to stay. His master's words indicated he understood the princess's temperament quite well. He forced a smile and continued, "The princess said that if Your Majesty feels that Miss Han's status is too lowly to meet with you, that's alright. She has documents the Crown Prince wants to give Your Majesty, and requests a private meeting."

Han Xiao's heart pounded. Even the Crown Prince had been brought up; was this a serious matter? But Nie Chengyan replied, "I am aware of what the Crown Prince is discussing. If it is inconvenient for the princess to leave the records, that is fine. Steward Chen, tell her that my injuries have not yet healed and I am having difficulty walking. I will visit her again when I am fully recovered."

Steward Chen finally obeyed and withdrew. Han Xiao turned to look at her master in surprise, thinking to herself how dare he refuse the princess such a request. Nie Chengyan glared at her and snorted, "Finished reciting it a hundred times?"

"I didn't count," Han Xiao answered honestly.