Maestro de la ambigüedad

Capítulo 2

"Not really. I've just become a doctor through long-term illness. My younger brother was sick for two years, and I took care of many patients. I learned a little bit from the doctors and have a basic understanding of medical skills and principles." Han Xiao said, taking out a small notebook from his pocket and scribbling something down with a charcoal pencil.

What are you writing?

"I'm noting down your master's symptoms and pulse," Han Xiao said, carefully examining the young master's face, then turning her gaze to his eyes. Xiao Huan exclaimed in surprise, about to stop her, but Han Xiao had already finished reading. She wrote something in her notebook for a while, then went to examine the young master's hands.

This time, Xiao Huan wasn't worried. She sat on the chair by the bed and chatted with Han Xiao: "What are you going to do with all this?"

“Every patient is different, except for their pulse. Their complexion, eyes, tongue coating, and hand lines are all different. I have read some books that record this. Although I can’t quite explain it now, I write down the characteristics of each patient and compare them one by one. I can find some patterns. With my rudimentary medical skills and some folk remedies, I have even cured some people.”

Xiao Huan seemed to understand, but not quite. Other doctors didn't see it that way. This little girl was quite bold, daring to treat people with only rudimentary medical skills. Han Xiao seemed to know what she was thinking and smiled, "Poor families, who can't afford to see a doctor or buy medicine, don't they have to try whatever methods they can find?"

Xiao Huan thought about it and agreed, then asked, "Have any of the patients you've cared for really never died?"

Han Xiao nodded, but said, "But I'm not a lucky star. Every patient I take care of has a suitable diagnosis and medication. It's the doctors' skill that matters. If the right method or medicine isn't used, they'll still die. It has nothing to do with being a lucky star. If you're sick, you need to see a doctor. What good is seeing a lucky star?" He dared not say anything about Xiao Huan, after all, Han Xiao had been brought here as a lucky star.

Han Xiao continued, "My parents died early, and my younger brother is seriously ill. The aunt who adopted us said I was a jinx." She smiled and said, "But here, I've become a lucky star." As she spoke, she touched the head of the young master of the Long family.

"What are you doing now?" Xiao Huan looked at her actions, unsure whether she should stop her.

"His external injuries have all healed, but he hasn't woken up, which means there's something wrong inside. His pulse is clear, so it's probably a head injury."

"Oh, right, right, that seems to be what the doctors said. But they don't know how to treat it. They said it would require surgery or needles, and they're too afraid to do it."

"Hmm." Han Xiao stopped touching his head. "I've never seen such a disease before." He couldn't find anything by touching his head, so Han Xiao picked up the booklet and made a few more notes.

After she had read and memorized everything she could, she put the booklet away and began to ask, "Sister, if your master really is gone, will Granny Yu do something to us siblings?"

"What nonsense are you talking about? We are a wealthy family and would never harm anyone. However, it is true that the old woman has a bad temper. If you go along with her and say some nice things to win her favor, things will be easier for you in the future."

Han Xiao nodded, but in her heart she was pondering what to do. The young master of the Long family had been rejected by Elder Yunwu, and no doctor could cure his illness. It seemed that he would not recover, and his death was only a matter of time. What would Granny Yu do with her and her brother after that? Judging from the mansion and servants, it must be a very wealthy family. The two siblings were helpless and alone. What could they do?

Just then, a commotion broke out outside, and someone shouted, "There's an assassin!"

Xiao Huan and Han Xiao were both startled and stood up. Then they heard shouts outside: "Fire! Put out the fire!" Han Xiao didn't care about anything else and rushed to the door. He saw that many people were fighting outside and more people were rushing towards them. Han Xiao rushed to the small room next door and saw Han Le lying there alone. He was a child and sick, and his legs were not able to walk, so the people here were naturally not guarding him.

Han Xiao rushed over, picked up her younger brother, and ran outside. Flames raged outside, and the sounds of fighting filled the air. Han Le said, "Sister, hurry back to their master's house. In this chaos, that's the only place where everyone can protect themselves; it's safe there."

Han Xiao thought it made sense, so he carried him back into the room. Xiao Huan was extremely anxious but didn't dare to leave. Seeing Han Xiao come in, she felt a little more at ease; it was always good to have someone with her.

Han Xiao placed Han Le on the young master of the Long family's bed, saying, "I'll go take another look outside." She had just reached the door when a short knife whizzed past. Han Xiao ducked, and the knife embedded itself in the door. Xiao Huan screamed, but dared not move. Han Xiao quickly closed the door and turned to shout to Han Le, "This is where everyone should guard, and also where attackers should focus their attacks. Lele, your idea is brilliant!"

Han Le shrugged innocently, indicating that he was just a child and wouldn't have thought of things so thoroughly.

Xiao Huan was so frightened that tears almost welled up in her eyes. She couldn't understand how the siblings could still chat at this critical moment. Han Xiao suddenly rushed to the bedside and forcefully pulled the unconscious young master of the Long family up.

"What are you doing?" Xiao Huan screamed.

"Hide him! If someone breaks in, they might leave if they can't find him." That way, they might have a chance to escape. Is that so? Xiao Huan didn't have time to think. Anyway, hiding him was the right thing to do; protecting the young master was the priority.

The two of them worked together to pull the young master of the Long family up. However, the girl wasn't strong enough, so they had to drag him. But when they were dragging him off the bed, Han Xiao tripped over a chair next to the bed, and her hand slipped. The young master of the Long family fell straight to the ground, his head hitting the floor with a loud "thud."

Han Le cried out "Ouch!" on the bed, shrank his neck, touched his head, and genuinely felt sorry for the young master of the Long family.

Xiao Huan and Han Xiao couldn't care less about anything else. The noise outside was getting louder and louder, seemingly right next to the door. They hurriedly shoved their master under the bed. The young master of the Long family was quite strong. In her desperation, Han Xiao kicked him hard twice, pushing him inside.

I had just stood up when the door was kicked open with a bang.

Another wedding to bring good fortune (revised text)

Xiao Huan nestled against Han Xiao, trembling slightly. Although she was older and taller than Han Xiao, she lacked his courage. A man in black burst in, his face masked, with thick eyebrows and narrow eyes. He immediately lunged at the bed. But upon closer inspection, he froze. Sitting on the bed was a child who looked about eight or nine years old, and two maids stood before the bed. The man they were meant to kill was nowhere to be seen.

"Where is he?" The masked man pointed at Xiao Huan with his large knife, which was still dripping with blood. This girl was obviously the eldest, and perhaps she knew more.

Xiao Huan was trembling and couldn't say a word.

The masked man narrowed his eyes, his gaze fierce. He stepped forward, about to put the knife to Xiao Huan's neck, when a handful of powder was thrown at him. The fine powder, which smelled of medicine, hit his face and was inhaled, causing him to cough twice.

All I heard was the unassuming little girl next to me say, "You've been poisoned by the Three-Step Heartbreak Incense, you'd better not make any rash moves."

The burly man cursed angrily, "Don't talk nonsense!" but didn't dare to move for a moment.

Han laughed and said, "Do you feel a chill slowly rising down your spine? Are you having trouble breathing? Is your heart beating faster? Are your eyes burning?"

The burly man was secretly alarmed. Upon closer examination, he realized that every single one of the symptoms was correct. He hadn't had any of these symptoms before, so how could they have all appeared in the blink of an eye?

Han laughed and said, "Now you should know that what I said is true. This poison is extremely potent. It is now spread all over your body. If you move, your intestines will immediately rupture and you will die in excruciating pain."

The burly man's eyes darted around as he quickly devised a plan. Han Xiao, however, said, "We have no antidote on us. My master knew you intended to attack, so he set up this trap. If you don't move, my master will come and interrogate you, and then spare your life. If you want to live, you'll have to wait for my master to arrive."

The burly man hardened his heart and roared, "I'll kill you all and take you with me!" He swung his sword, but with a clang, two guards arrived and blocked the masked man's blade. The three exchanged blows quickly for seven or eight moves, but eventually the guards gained the upper hand and subdued the masked man. The man, pinned to the ground, suddenly realized what had happened and yelled at Han Xiao, "You lied to me!" All his symptoms were just self-inflicted fear after being influenced by verbal suggestions.

Han Xiao weighed the medicine bag in her hand with a pained expression: "My brother doesn't have much medicine powder left, it's going to be a waste." Han Le, sitting on the bed, nodded repeatedly. That's right, his sister worked so hard to save up money to buy medicine for him to grind into powder for regular use. Although he didn't like it, it would be hard for his sister to waste it.

The noise outside gradually subsided, indicating that the situation was under control. Granny Yu rushed in with her men, and the guards escorted the masked man out. The old nanny looked around the room, her expression turning serious: "Where is the master?"

Xiao Huan was so frightened that she couldn't speak. Her legs went weak and she knelt on the ground. She had no choice but to act in a moment of desperation. Now, thinking back, she realized that they had dragged and thrown her, and even kicked their master under the bed. How could they possibly bear such a serious crime?

Han Xiao didn't care about any of that. She said, "He's hiding. I'll go pull him out," and crouched down to crawl under the bed. The old woman's face darkened, and she didn't say a word.

Han Xiao, being small, crawled under the bed to try and drag the young master of the Long family. With a slight effort, she seemed to hear a faint groan. Han Xiao crawled closer, her hands damp with blood. Oh dear, that hard fall must have broken his head. Ignoring that for now, Han Xiao focused on dragging him out. Turning her head, she met his eyes, those eyes glaring at her with uncontrollable rage.

The young master of the Long family has actually woken up!

The news that the young master, who had been in a coma for two months, miraculously awoke on his first night with his wife spread quickly throughout the mansion. When the other servants helped Han Xiao drag their master out from under the bed, Granny Yu was overjoyed to see that the young master was actually awake and could even hum a few words.

At this moment, all the doctors rushed in, eager to see how the young master had managed to wake up. Maids and servants bustled in and out, making preparations for him. Han Xiao's treatment immediately changed; a large room next door was quickly prepared, with warm, fragrant blankets, ready for her to rest.

Han Xiao carried her younger brother on her back, preparing to settle him down to sleep, but suddenly turned to the room full of doctors and said, "I know, he must have hit his head when he was pulled to the ground, which opened up the blood pool in his skull and restored his blood vessels, thus waking him up."

Upon hearing this, the doctors began to discuss it in hushed tones, and Granny Yu couldn't help but glance at Han Xiao a couple more times. Han Xiao followed Xiao Huan out, saying as she did so, "See, I told you, what good fortune or bad luck, illness still needs treatment. Only the right method can save a life."

After Han Xiao and her younger brother settled in, it was past midnight, and most of the night had passed. The siblings slept soundly. Han Xiao optimistically thought that if the young master of the Long family recovered and Granny Yu kept her promise and paid her a thousand taels of silver, then there would be hope for her brother's trip to Cloud Mist Mountain. With this beautiful wish, Han Xiao drifted off to sleep.

When Han Xiao woke up, it was already noon. She shook her younger brother awake and, as usual, massaged his acupoints on his hands and feet. She then helped him exercise his legs to loosen his meridians. After finishing, she asked for hot water, dissolved the medicine powder in it, and gave it to Han Le. Only then did she ask the maids for some food.

Xiao Huan brought them lunch, saying that the young master had improved a lot, was speaking again, and was much more energetic. The doctors were all amazed. Han Xiao and Han Le were both hungry, and while listening to her talk, they devoured the food in no time. The siblings had suffered a lot on their journey and had often gone hungry, so they never hesitated to eat their fill when they could, because who knew where their next meal would come from?

Xiao Huan had a very good impression of Han Xiao. Last night, she was scared half to death, but this little girl was calm and composed. Not only did she dare to hide people, but she also had the courage to sprinkle medicine powder to deceive the bandits, buy time, and save her and her master's lives. Xiao Huan didn't believe that she wasn't a lucky star. She chattered on and on for a long time, and after Han Xiao and the others finished eating, she cleaned up while saying, "Granny Yu originally said that she would go to see you when you woke up, but she has guests right now, so you should wait in the room."

Han Xiao nodded. At that moment, a maid came in and said that her master wanted to see Han Xiao.

Han Xiao entered the room of the young master of the Long family. The young man, who had been unconscious yesterday, was now awake. Compared to his near-death state yesterday, he seemed to be in relatively good spirits. He scrutinized Han Xiao carefully as she entered, a scrutiny that made her feel uneasy. Suddenly, the young master spoke: "Was it you who threw and kicked me?"

Han Xiao bowed and replied, "Congratulations on your recovery, Young Master Long."

Her response was somewhat unconventional, yet it subtly silenced his accusation. Had she not thrown and kicked him, he wouldn't be sitting here so calmly, able to speak. The young master of the Long family narrowed his eyes. He had been ill for a long time and, although he had regained consciousness, he was still weak, dizzy, and had a throbbing headache. He took a deep breath and decided to get straight to the point: "You're taking your younger brother to Cloud Mist Mountain for medical treatment, aren't you?"

Han Xiao nodded and replied, "Yes."

The young master of the Long family reached out and handed Han Xiao a pair of earrings shaped like red beans. Han Xiao was taken aback and didn't dare to take them. The young master of the Long family smiled and said in a somewhat contemptuous tone, "Of course they're not for you, you little brat. You take them and give them to Nie Chengyan, the city lord of Baiqiao City, when you get to Cloud Mist Mountain."

Han Xiao was stunned. So Lord Nie was actually on Cloud Mist Mountain? She asked, "What should I give it to him for?"

"Save his life."

Han Xiao was surprised. City Lord Nie was in trouble on Cloud Mist Mountain and needed these earrings to save his life.

"Just give it to him. If he asks, tell him that the answer is with Long San. If he wants to know the truth, he has to come to me in person."

Han Xiao still didn't dare to take it: "I haven't found the way yet, so I might not be able to get to Cloud Mist Mountain."

"What Granny Yu is seeing right now is Elder Yunwu. If you don't seize this opportunity, what are you waiting for?"

Upon hearing this, Han Xiao snatched the pair of earrings and ran outside. She had never been so close to the Cloud Mist Elder before; she wanted to beg him in person to save her brother.

Han Xiao ran to the outside of the main house in one breath, just in time to hear Granny Yu say, "Nie Mingchen, you are unwilling to treat my master, but now you have the nerve to come and ask me for her. That lucky star Han Xiao is my master's concubine. She has been married and consummated. How can you take her away just because you want to?"

An old man's voice responded, "I will not treat you members of the Long family. This is a rule that was established a few years ago. I, Nie Mingchen, have always kept my word. You old woman, don't bother making up stories about me. Han Xiao was forcibly brought here by you. What nonsense about a wedding ceremony? How laughable."

Han Xiao looked at the door and saw that the person speaking was an old man with silver hair and white eyebrows. Could he be the Cloud Mist Elder?

"Hmph, you are mean and vicious, and now you are being punished by heaven. Even you can't heal your grandson's injury. Now you can only come to my Long family to steal our lucky star?"

Just as the old man in the clouds was about to speak, he turned around and saw Han Xiao standing at the door. Ignoring Granny Yu, he went straight to Han Xiao and asked, "Do you want to treat your brother Han Le's illness or not?"

Han Xiao didn't think too much about how the old man in the clouds recognized her. She was overjoyed to hear that he could cure her brother's illness. She knelt down with a thud and said, "Please, divine doctor, save my brother."

The old man in the clouds glanced sideways at Granny Yu, but spoke to Han Xiao: "Then take your brother and come up the mountain with me."

Han Xiao was overjoyed, never expecting that things would take such a dramatic turn in just one day.

"Wait!" Granny Yu shouted. "Nie Mingchen, you left my master to die, and now you want to steal the lucky star from me to save your grandson? There's no way you can get away with this so easily."

The old man in the mist gave a cold snort. Han Xiao was filled with suspicion and uncertainty. She had always firmly believed that only medical skills could save lives, and that talk of fortune was unreliable. Could this old man in the mist also believe in unorthodox methods? How could a doctor do such a thing?

The old man in the clouds ignored Granny Yu and only asked Han Xiao, "Has that young man from the Long family woken up?"

"Yes," Han Xiao quickly and respectfully replied.

How did you wake up?

"Perhaps the impact caused blood stasis in his head, which is why he woke up." Han smiled, almost saying that it had nothing to do with the God of Fortune, but she thought to herself, what if the Old Man of Clouds and Mist was also willing to save her brother because of the God of Fortune? Then impersonating the God of Fortune would be acceptable. So she swallowed the rest of her sentence.

The old man in the clouds nodded. Han Xiao didn't understand what he meant by nodding, but then he heard him say, "Very good. Han Xiao, none of your conditions for seeking medical treatment are met, but I can allow you to come up the mountain as a servant in exchange for your brother's life."

“Nie Mingchen, don’t push your luck! Han Xiao is a concubine of my Long family…” Before Granny Yu could finish speaking, Elder Yunwu interrupted her: “A concubine forcibly taken? You have no shame. Is there a contract of servitude? Is there a marriage ceremony?” Elder Yunwu was not polite at all: “Han Xiao, putting aside your brother’s illness, in the Long family, you can eat and drink well and enjoy a life of leisure, while in my Yunwu Mountain, you will have to take care of the sick, study medicine, and cultivate medicinal herbs. The hardship goes without saying… Which do you choose?”

Han Xiao's eyes lit up, her voice brimming with barely suppressed excitement: "I can learn medicine?"

"Even the janitors of Yunwu Mountain know some medical skills. Are you coming or not?"

Han Xiao kowtowed repeatedly, saying, "Thank you for your kindness, Divine Doctor."

Granny Yu glared angrily from the side but remained silent. The old man in the clouds snorted again, "This Hundred Bridges City is my Nie family's territory. Old woman, now that the root of your Long family boy's illness has been eliminated, with proper treatment to disperse the stagnation and clear the meridians, he will recover completely. Your few incompetent doctors can cure him. It's time to pack up and leave. Otherwise, what if those bandits and assassins you've provoked wreak havoc on Hundred Bridges City? What will you do then?"

Granny Yu gritted her teeth, clearly extremely resentful, but she didn't try to win any more arguments. She just said fiercely, "Someone, show the guest out."

Just like when they arrived, Han Xiao and her brother Han Le were rudely pushed out the door. But this time, they boarded a carriage from Yunwu Mountain and finally set foot on the land they had longed for.

Cloud-shrouded Mountain, the abode of the divine healer. Only after climbing the mountain did I realize how complex the terrain was, winding and turning before finally seeing buildings and signs of human habitation. Looking up from below, it would be impossible to see the rows of residences, medicinal herb gardens, and vegetable fields that stretched across the mountainside.

Han Xiao and Han Le were still somewhat uneasy on the way. This was their last chance to get treatment and save their lives. Would anything else go wrong? The old man in the clouds sat solemnly opposite the siblings, without saying a word. He seemed to be in a bad mood. Han Le was dizzy from the swaying of the carriage and couldn't help but say to Han Xiao, "Sister, the jinx is driven away and the lucky star is snatched away. Neither is good."

Even though he spoke softly, the old man of the clouds and mist still heard him. He glanced coldly at the siblings but said nothing. The carriage drove for a long time before finally stopping.

A servant came and carried Han Le away. A young maid who introduced herself as Lian Qiao came over and led Han Xiao and her brother to a small house to settle them in. After they were settled and rested for a while, Lian Qiao served them dinner. After they finished eating, she led Han Xiao to a courtyard near the small house and said, "Miss Han, the divine doctor is waiting for you here. I will take care of your brother, so don't worry."

Han Xiao nodded his thanks, then looked up and saw a plaque at the entrance of the courtyard with the two large characters "Yanzhu" written on it.

The old man in the clouds was already waiting for Han Xiao at the courtyard gate. He told her that Nie Chengyan, the city lord of Baiqiao City, lived inside. Han Xiao's heart skipped a beat. The great man she admired had never been seen before, but now he was so close.

"From this moment on, Ayan is your master." The old man of the Cloud Mist had clearly learned from Granny Yu's experience. He pulled out a contract of indenture, which Han Xiao carefully examined before readily signing and affixing her seal. She had been a slave many times, but this time she was somewhat excited; her master was Nie Chengyan! It was rumored that Nie Chengyan built Hundred Bridges City to oppose Cloud Mist Mountain, but now it seemed the old man of the Cloud Mist also bore the surname Nie, and addressed her as Ayan repeatedly, suggesting a close relationship.

"The day your master dies will be the day you take your younger brother down the mountain." This was the old man's condition, and Han Xiao nodded vigorously without question.