Liu Rumei didn't even have time to invite Old Bang to come into the mansion for a drink before she hurriedly rushed Old Bang to the princess's sleeping quarters.
Chen Xiaobei, who did not know martial arts, could barely keep up with their pace. Seeing this, Chen Xiaobei felt genuinely happy, as it showed Liu Rumei was truly worried about the princess.
Upon entering the princess's chambers, the usual notions of propriety between men and women were cast aside.
Chen Xiaobei stepped forward directly and exposed the princess's injured lower leg for Old Bang to examine.
Old Bang was startled and immediately knelt down to kowtow, "Your Highness Princess, please forgive me. In order to detoxify you, I must press on your leg. I beg your forgiveness for this offense."
Princess Zhaoning slightly raised her hand but said nothing.
Chen Xiaobei knew that Princess Zhaoning was already somewhat delirious. He quickly interjected, "It's alright, Old Bang. Her Highness the Princess absolves you of your fault. Please proceed with the detoxification quickly."
Old Bang acknowledged with a sound, stood up, and pressed twice on the princess's dark leg. A foul-smelling bloody fluid began to seep from the needle prick.
Seeing this, a flicker of joy flashed in Old Bang's eyes. He swiftly pulled out the dagger he carried with him.
Witnessing this, Zhou Quan and Bai Han, who were standing nearby, were about to step forward, but Liu Rumei stopped them with a gesture. Old Bang took out his dagger and made a slight incision at the princess's wound. He then turned to Chun Hua and Qiu Yue and said, "Please squeeze firmly from the outside, and keep squeezing out the black fluid until bright red blood flows."
Then Old Bang stood up and turned to walk out. Chen Xiaobei and Liu Rumei hurriedly followed.
Old Bang went to the outer room, picked up his brush, and wrote a prescription. He then handed it respectfully to Liu Rumei, "Miss Liu. Please obtain the herbs according to this prescription. The princess should recover in a few days."
"However, it has been delayed for quite some time. To fully recover her vitality, she will likely need to recuperate for six months to half a year."
Hearing this, Chen Xiaobei could not help but sigh, "I truly never imagined that this poison was so potent."
Old Bang looked at Chen Xiaobei and cupped his fists in a salute, "This poison is a royal poison from the Great Earth Kingdom. While it does not immediately take a life, if left untreated for too long, the person will slowly decline."
Liu Rumei chimed in, "Indeed, what Old Bang says is true. If not for that bottle of pills you gave me last time, Her Highness the Princess would have been beyond recovery!"
Upon hearing this, Chen Xiaobei's mind raced, "Rumei, do you think we could ask Old Bang to visit Fang Jun's residence!"
Liu Rumei also considered it and nodded slightly, "Old Bang, Fang Zheng, the former Prime Minister, his grandson Fang Jun, after being kidnapped by a group of bandits, returned with a persistent fever. I suspect he may have contracted an illness or been poisoned. Could you trouble yourself to take a look?"
Old Bang nodded, "I will obey Miss Liu's instructions in all matters."
As they spoke, the group headed towards Fang Zheng's mansion. Upon meeting Fang Zheng and explaining their purpose, tears streamed down Fang Zheng's face.
"Thank you, Consort Chen. Thank you, Miss Liu. I appreciate your concern. Please, come in quickly."
Fang Zheng personally led the way, escorting everyone into Fang Jun's bedroom once more.
This time, Old Bang felt much less pressure. He stepped forward, opened Fang Jun's eyelids to examine them, and then took his pulse. His expression became somewhat grave.
"I know of a flower in the Central Plains region called Rooster Comb Grass."
"This grass is peculiar. It withers in summer and sprouts in winter."
"Some people eat this grass and are unaffected; it even helps to clear heat and detoxify..."
"But for others, it is not so. They develop various symptoms, just like Young Master Fang currently..."
Hearing this, Fang Zheng became overjoyed. The root of the illness had been found, and naturally, there would be a solution.
"Ah, my dear friend, then please tell me quickly, how can the poison of Rooster Comb Grass be cured?"
Old Bang pondered for a moment, "Esteemed Prime Minister, let us speak outside."
Old Bang led Fang Zheng out of Fang Jun's room and stopped only after they had walked a considerable distance.
"Esteemed Prime Minister, please forgive my bluntness, but the poison of Rooster Comb Grass can heal without medicine. If the fever persists, it will take at least a month to recover slowly."
Hearing that the fever would last for a month, Fang Zheng still felt concern for his grandson. However, Old Bang's next words left him stunned.
"Esteemed Prime Minister, you must be prepared. While this poison is not fatal, and the person can recover, their face will be ruined. I see that Young Master Fang has fair skin and a handsome appearance. After a month, his face may become like mine, aged, pitted, and with many wrinkles."
Upon hearing this, Fang Zheng's heart sank. If his grandson were to become like this, Fang Jun himself would not be able to bear it!
Thinking of this, he sighed again, "Alas, to become like this at such a young age, before he is even married, I fear the blow would be too great for him."
Old Bang cupped his fists again, "Esteemed Prime Minister, I will write a prescription for you. If you wash his face frequently with this medicinal water, perhaps after three to five years, it might improve significantly, making him at least appear like a middle-aged man!"
The atmosphere fell silent. Chen Xiaobei knew that if the situation were truly as Old Bang described, looking younger would be the absolute limit, especially in this era without Western medicine or surgery.
Using traditional Chinese herbal washes to make a person look like a middle-aged man was already considered a miracle.
Liu Rumei looked at Fang Zheng and offered words of comfort, "Grandpa Fang, let's focus on saving him first. As for whether his face is beautiful or not, I don't think Miss Yue will mind."
Fang Zheng nodded slightly, "Indeed, Miss Yue is not that kind of person. It's just that she will be put to hardship."
As they were speaking, the old steward hurried over, "Master, Marquis Liu has arrived. He says he has come to bid you farewell."
Fang Zheng nodded and bowed respectfully to Old Bang, "Thank you, my dear brother."
He then turned to the steward, "Go fetch two silver notes and let my brother have a cup of tea on his journey."
With that, Fang Zheng hurried to the main gate to welcome Liu Xiangnan.
Liu Rumei and Chen Xiaobei asked Old Bang to wait a moment; they also had to pay their respects, as he was their father and father-in-law respectively.
As they walked, Chen Xiaobei advised Liu Rumei, "Rumei, Father-in-law is taking others to the border. You should stay this time. Wànniàn City needs you now."
Liu Rumei nodded gently, "My father told me long ago that he would not allow me to go this time, no matter what. I've also come to understand that campaigning and fighting are matters for you men. As for me, I will stay home and accompany you!"
Hearing this, Chen Xiaobei felt a wave of blissful dizziness. Having such a capable wife, both in martial and literary arts, by his side every day gave him a greater sense of peace.
Upon meeting Liu Xiangnan, before Chen Xiaobei could even speak, Liu Xiangnan addressed him first, "Xiaobei, you will remain here while I go to the border. I have something important to instruct you on!"