I said, “I’ll try a few medicines on him first. If that doesn’t work, we’ll look for other options. I’ve heard that the customs of the Eastern Lands and the Li Kingdom are very different, and we’ve been fighting them for so many years but still haven’t been able to take them down. If a rising star like you and a master like me go there, it’s bound to cause racial conflict.”
Lou Xiyue said, "I have already sent someone to invite Doctor Xia."
I frowned. "Don't you trust me?"
He nodded solemnly, "Yes."
I slammed my fist on the table, my spirit and body jolted simultaneously. "Lou Xiyue, you wait. If you don't cure your third uncle, I, Qi Xiang, will change my surname to Lou." With that, I flicked my sleeve and strode out of the restaurant.
That night, I studied by lamplight, traveling north until I finally reached page twenty-five of the manuscript. It contained the words: "Eastern wolfsbane leaves, round with serrated edges, and highly poisonous veins; those poisoned will fall into a deep sleep, their blood color unchanged, the poison affecting the brain. Only acupuncture and internal energy cultivation combined with Eastern Sea Bloodstone Grass and Eastern Snow Plum can cure it."
I was shocked. The symptoms of poisoning from wolfsbane leaves matched those of Lou Sanjian perfectly. But how could Master be so familiar with the poisons of the East?
Main text [17] The Rebellion in Nanyang (Part 3)
The moon hangs high in the sky, its silvery light spilling forth.
I was overjoyed to have found a way to cure the poison, and immediately took the notes to find Lou Xiyue.
He opened the door, yawned casually, wearing only his undergarments, his collar open, revealing half his chest, and said somewhat languidly, "What's wrong?"
I went straight into his room, found a chair and sat down. "I've found a way to cure the poison. To cure your third uncle's poison, we need two kinds of medicinal ingredients. One is the Bloodstone Grass from the East Sea, and the other is Snow Plum. Snow Plum grows in the Eastern Lands."
He frowned. "Where can we find the medicinal ingredient?"
"Naturally, we'll go to the East Sea and the Eastern Lands."
"This round trip takes too long."
I said, "We can first insert needles into your third uncle's brain, and you can have someone use their internal energy to suppress it. The medicinal properties of Bai Ling Cao and Donghai Bloodstone are incompatible, so I will use Bai Ling Cao to prepare a prescription for now."
I asked him, "Didn't you say you sent someone to invite my master? He might have the medicinal ingredients ready by his side."
Lou Xiyue shook her head, "Divine Physician Xia has not returned to Medicine King Valley, and the disciples of the sect have not been able to find him."
I asked curiously, “It’s the time when the cloud orchids are in bloom, so Master should be in the valley refining medicine. I’ll have Dafeng deliver a message to him. I’m not familiar with the wolfsbane your third uncle was poisoned with, and I have no idea how long he can last. I feel that your third uncle has extraordinary internal strength, and judging from his pulse, the poison is deep enough not to kill him. However, Master’s notes mention that this poison attacks the brain, and I’m afraid that if I’m not careful…”
His eyes narrowed. "What?"
I whispered, "Idiot."
Lou Xiyue frowned and her expression darkened. "I'll have Ji Jiu pack up. We'll set off at dawn."
Afterwards, I took silver needles and applied them to Lou Sanjian's face. I carefully observed his features: a straight nose, long eyebrows reaching his temples, and fair skin. Compared to Lou Xiyue, he possessed less of a sinister air and more of a feminine grace. When I touched his acupoint, Lou Sanjian's brows furrowed suddenly, and he murmured, "Ah Zhao..."
My hand paused, I stopped what I was doing, and guided him, "I'm here."
His lips moved, and from the shape of his mouth, it was still the two words "Ah Zhao".
I leaned down and whispered in Lou Sanjian's ear, "I am A-Zhao, Third Brother. Do you have something to say to me?"
Lou Xiyue leaned against the bedside, watching me and his third uncle speak softly to each other, without saying a word.
Lou Sanjian stopped responding.
I wanted to try a different way of putting it, so I lowered my voice and said in a seductive tone, "Third Young Master, I am A-Zhao~~ What did you call me just now?"
Lou Xiyue trembled.
I tried every imaginable approach – gentle, charming, cheerful – but still couldn't wake Lou Sanjian. I sighed, about to continue applying the acupuncture, when the needles pierced the Tangzhong acupoint a little deeper. Suddenly, Lou Sanjian opened his eyes, his gaze tender. He pulled me into his embrace, closed his eyes, and called out again, "Ah Zhao, I'm sorry..."
After that, there was no further movement.
He just pulled me close, and my face was pressed against his chest; I could hear his heartbeat.
Lou Xiyue coughed lightly behind her.
I sat up straight, straightened my clothes, and said calmly, "Your third uncle is just like you."
He glanced at them. "What do you mean?"
"Even when he was seriously injured and his mind was clouded, he could still flirt with others anytime, anywhere, without even knowing who he was targeting." I gave him a serious, envious glance.
Lou Xiyue opened her fan and covered her mouth with a soft laugh.
I finished setting up the needles and glanced at Lou Sanjian. His breathing was becoming heavy; I didn't know if he had fallen asleep or fainted.
I asked Lou Xiyue, "Who is A Zhao?"
Lou Xiyue gazed at me silently, his expression complex. After a long while, he finally spoke, "I don't know."
I said, "I tried so many methods just now but your third uncle didn't react. Your third uncle's name is Lou Zhao. This 'A Zhao' isn't referring to himself, is it?"
Lou Xiyue moved closer to me, pinching my chin with his fingertips, frowning as he carefully examined me. I could see my reflection in his dark eyes. After a while, he released his hand and asked casually, "Xiao Xiang, why are your eyes lighter in color than most women's?"
I was both confused and puzzled. "Really?"
His fingertips brushed across my eyebrows and eyes, stopping at the corner of my eye, gently caressing it, and he said softly, "Mmm."
Lou Xiyue gazed at me intently for a long time before raising his hand, his brows and eyes relaxing. "It's getting late. Let's catch up on some sleep before dawn."
The next morning, the sun was just beginning to rise.
Lou Xiyue placed a stack of clothes on the table and said, "These are what I picked out for you. See if they fit."
I glanced at the clothes; they were a satin white dress with a light blue lining. I shook the dress open to reveal a blue bodice embroidered with "Phoenix Wearing Peony." The bodice was smooth and slightly cool to the touch, and had a faint orchid fragrance.
I flinched and looked at Lou Xiyue. He was resting his chin on one hand, smiling at me.