Seeing the four heads peeking out from the doorway, Liang Xiao quickly changed the subject.
"What can I do if I can't stand it? Do you have anesthetic to give me?"
Mu Xueqin frowned. "Anesthetic? I've been contemplating such a thing recently, but I need to research a suitable formula."
Liang Xiao asked again, "The poems and verses that Xiao Shuangzi and Zhuo Lingjun gave you, you didn't burn them all, did you?"
Mu Xueqin laughed. "I didn't burn them, but these are all my property now."
Everyone was speechless. Liang Xiao, having successfully diverted the topic, let out a sigh of relief.
Mu Xueqin then looked at Jian Qinwan, who was at the door. "My child, go and prepare hot water. Don't stop."
"I'll go call Diao'er and the others to help..."
Jian Qinwan was about to leave when Mu Xueqin stopped her.
"No need. Just you girls prepare the fire. No one else is allowed to help."
Luo Qingxue and Yue Lian readily agreed. Jian Qinwan, with a pained expression, glared at Liang Xiao again before reluctantly walking towards the firewood in the distance.
Liang Xiao watched as Mu Xueqin took out her tools and put them in boiling water, feeling relieved.
This person actually had the foresight to balance medical resources and emphasize sterilization. In this era, she could indeed be called a medical sage.
The bamboo house was filled with the aroma of medicinal herbs, yet Liang Xiao felt no discomfort. On the contrary, he felt unprecedented comfort.
Liang Xiao was certain that this place was far cleaner than anywhere outside. He couldn't wait to recover and see Xiao Shuangzi's happy expression.
Ding Wuyi personally took charge of guarding this place. He looked at the three girls preparing water in the distance and nodded slightly.
To his surprise, Jian Qinwan did not continue to complain.
She disliked Liang Xiao, but that didn't mean she couldn't endure hardship due to her privileged upbringing.
Jian Qinwan and Luo Qingxue still glared at each other from time to time, as if they wanted to devour each other alive.
Yue Lian also sensed the tension and, fearing she might disturb Mu Xueqin inside, dared not speak or ask.
After preparing the herbs, Mu Xueqin examined Liang Xiao's back and took his pulse.
After a moment, Mu Xueqin said, "It's perfect. You haven't eaten anything yet, so let's start directly while the spring warmth lasts."
Liang Xiao's heart leaped with joy, and he readily agreed, lying on the prepared sickbed, afraid Mu Xueqin might change her mind.
Outside the house, Luo Qingxue and the others were filled with doubt.
They came back to their senses and savored Mu Xueqin's words, feeling something was amiss, yet they couldn't pinpoint what it was.
As the knife moved, Liang Xiao, despite being prepared, felt a sharp pain in his back and tore the bedsheet with his grip.
He knew that the toxins accumulated in his body were considerable, so much so that even renowned old imperial physicians dared not act rashly.
If these toxins could not be expelled, they would continue to affect his health, and were one of the reasons for Liang Xiao's frailty.
Witnessing Liang Xiao's reaction, Mu Xueqin was startled but quickly calmed herself and continued to scrape the bone and heal his wounds.
"This boy's willpower is indeed extraordinary..."
Mu Xueqin marveled inwardly, strengthening her resolve and her eyes grew moist.
For the sake of the people of Great Gan, she had to make him well!
Mu Xueqin was a compassionate healer by nature, not truly heartless. Liang Xiao's words from before still resonated deeply with her.
Everyone has food to eat, and everyone has the chance to learn!
A prosperous nation and strong people, peace throughout the land, and all foreign aggressors who dare to wage war shall be exterminated!
She knew that she could only save lives, while Liang Xiao might truly be able to save lives and hearts!
As dusk fell, Mu Xueqin only performed partial bone scraping on Liang Xiao to stop the bleeding and allow him to rest.
At this moment, Liang Xiao's face was ashen, yet he remained silent.
Despite the pain, Liang Xiao felt that the previous gloominess in his body had significantly reduced!
"How many more times?" Liang Xiao asked.
"That depends on how long you can endure. From three days to half a month," Mu Xueqin replied sternly while cleaning her instruments.
Without Mu Xueqin's order, Ding Wuyi and the others dared not enter the house to disturb them.
"Miss Qinwan, why don't you go rest first?" Yue Lian looked weakly at Jian Qinwan.
"No need!" Jian Qinwan shook her head and glared at Luo Qingxue. "How can I be outdone by someone of the same ilk?"
Veins bulged on Luo Qingxue's forehead. "Look at you..."
For Liang Xiao's sake, she would endure it for now, but she would remember this.
In the capital, outside the Tongxuan Hall, Xiao Qing, accompanied by Ning Xuejun, gazed at the river and wept uncontrollably.
"I wonder if Elder Brother can move the Medical Sage..."
Ning Xuejun said resolutely, "My Lord, Second Young Master Liang will surely succeed, because he will not let you be left without an heir, and will work with you to bring lasting peace!"
Xiao Qing blushed and nodded, looking at the new moon in the sky. "At this moment, we see each other but cannot hear each other; I wish to follow the moonlight to illuminate you..."
At this moment, she could better appreciate the exquisite beauty of this poem.
Let the moonlight carry her longing!
After letting Liang Xiao rest, Mu Xueqin emerged from the bamboo house, instructed Luo Qingxue and Yue Lian a few things, and had them go in to take care of him.
"Mother?" Jian Qinwan looked at her mother with worry.
By the firelight, she could see that her mother was somewhat weary. She truly worried that she wouldn't be able to cope.
Mu Xueqin merely smiled faintly and walked to Ding Wuyi, whispering, "Eunuch Ding, send someone back to inform His Majesty. Even if I die, I will definitely cure Liang Xiao..."
Ding Wuyi was stunned, his face full of joy. He put on his mask and went down the mountain to deliver the message.
"Mother, why did your attitude change so quickly..." Jian Qinwan could no longer hold back and asked in a low voice.
Mu Xueqin smiled bitterly again and sighed. "Don't ask for now. Wait until I finish treating him. We'll see. After all, I can't be completely certain myself..."
Jian Qinwan pouted. "Then can you retract the order and not make him her guard? He peeked at me bathing, and I didn't stab him to death or gouge out his eyes. I've already been extremely magnanimous. How can you..."
But the next moment, Jian Qinwan met Mu Xueqin's stern gaze again, and she was so frightened that she dared not make a sound.
The next morning, Liang Xiao continued to receive Mu Xueqin's treatment.
After a night of rest and nourishing medicinal meals, Liang Xiao felt invigorated all over.
He possessed the pride of a soldier ingrained in his bones. Compared to that, the current intense pain was insignificant.
For over a month, he had been constantly worried about his identity being exposed and bringing disaster to his family.
Even killing twelve assassins at the Heavenly General Temple had caused his wounds to split open!
Heroes do not fear death, they only lament their inability to do what they wish!
On this day, Liang Xiao endured even more excruciating pain consecutively, but he still held on.
A wooden bucket by the bedside contained the turbid blood flowing out of Liang Xiao's body.
Ding Wuyi stood by the bed, witnessing it all and listening to the sound of bone scraping, his heart filled with dread.
He could endure this too?
"Shall we stop for now and continue next time?" Mu Xueqin asked.
"Continue if you think it's appropriate. Don't mind my pain," Liang Xiao replied.
Mu Xueqin sighed and continued to wield her knife.
In the afternoon, Mu Xueqin emerged from the bamboo house, a slight smile on her weary face. She called over Luo Qingxue and Yue Lian, who were in the distance.
"It's over. The medicine has been applied. You two, go take care of Liang Xiao..."
Luo Qingxue and Yue Lian were overjoyed and tears streamed down their faces. They quickly entered the bamboo house.
Jian Qinwan looked confused. "Mother? Didn't you say it would take three days? And, can you retract the order? I really don't want to..."