"I already had a physician look me over," Uncle Tian said after a moment. "And I'd say his skills weren't bad. If there were a problem, he should've found it."
Ryou didn't hesitate. "If I'm saying it, it's because I'm sure. If you still don't believe me, we can go to Bubu Pharmacy and have Baizhu-sensei check your pulse. My father was treated by him before. He's young, but his medical skills are the real deal."
"But—" Ningguang started.
"Ningguang," Uncle Tian cut in, glancing at Ryou. "A trip won't hurt."
Baizhu had a solid reputation in Liyue Harbor. Strange temper, weird pricing—he charged depending on who you were—but nobody could deny his ability.
Uncle Tian nodded. "Let's go."
They arrived at Bubu Pharmacy.
Baizhu took Uncle Tian's pulse. After a long beat, he withdrew his fingers and looked up at the group.
"Tian-san body is strong. The reason he's like this is poison—slow-acting, chronic. Most physicians won't notice unless they examine him very carefully. Whoever did it was cautious. Small doses each time, so the early effects are subtle." His gaze sharpened. "But given enough time, a chronic poison will still kill."
Ningguang and Uncle Tian both froze at that.
Uncle Tian let out a breath—half laugh, half sigh. "A hero really can come out of nowhere, huh… I didn't think you'd end up saving my life. If you hadn't warned me, I doubt it would've been long before I was nothing but a corpse."
He shook his head, then couldn't help himself. "Such a shame. Back then, I should've insisted a bit more with your father. If you'd become my son-in-law—" He caught himself and cleared his throat. "Keqing, sorry. I'm just a bit emotional, that's all. And I'm grateful to this kid. If it weren't for him…"
"Uncle Tian, don't make it sound so serious." Ryou lifted a hand and gave his shoulder a light pat. "You and my dad are old friends. Either way, I had to tell you. From here, just listen to Baizhu-sensei and focus on treatment. You'll recover. Don't overthink it."
"So you're Ryou." Baizhu studied him, interest plain in his eyes. "I've heard your name. Was it you who noticed Tian-san poisoning?"
From what Uncle Tian had said, Baizhu could already guess Ryou was the one who'd caught the problem. A toxin like this was extremely well-hidden. Even he'd needed a careful, thorough check to be certain.
And Ryou clearly wasn't a physician.
So how had he seen it?
"I've read a few medical books," Ryou said.
"Oh?" Baizhu's curiosity perked up. "Which one?"
Ryou rubbed his chin. "Uh… I think it was Liyue Medical Notes."
Baizhu's eyelid twitched.
Liyue Medical Notes was basically a casual collection of medical trivia—simple to the point of being harmless.
And this guy wanted him to believe he'd spotted chronic poisoning from that?
Behind them, Ningguang's expression turned strange. She leaned closer to Keqing and lowered her voice. "Does he seriously read something like Liyue Medical Notes at home? Isn't that just a pile of random trivia?"
"Well…" Keqing hesitated, then nodded. "He actually does have a copy in his study. I've seen him flip through it."
"Oh, come on." Ningguang rolled her eyes. "And you're telling me that book can diagnose people?"
She didn't buy it for a second.
Baizhu was terrifyingly skilled, and even he had to be careful to confirm the issue. Meanwhile, Ryou had taken one look and called it poisoning.
To Ningguang, that wasn't reading a book. That was Ryou holding back.
She was already thinking: when she got the chance, she should ask him to treat her too.
Keqing caught that look immediately. Her gaze snapped to Ningguang. "Ningguang, don't you start. Thinking my husband's going to treat you? Keep dreaming."
"You said treat me," Ningguang shot back. "It's not like I'm going to eat him. What are you so nervous for?" She tapped Keqing's shoulder, then her tone turned sharp. "If anything, I haven't settled accounts with you yet. You disappeared for almost three days and didn't show up at the Ministry."
"I…" Keqing met Ningguang's eyes. Her mouth opened—then she couldn't get a single word out.
Ningguang leaned in, voice dropping to a wicked whisper. "He worked you over for three days, didn't he? Don't play innocent. I've been there, girl. Just looking at you, I can tell you haven't had an easy time. Want your big sister to help you out?"
Keqing's eye twitched.
"The hell you have." She jabbed a finger right at Ningguang. "Ningguang, I'm married. I have a husband, got it? And you're here acting like some 'experienced' veteran—do you even have a man? You're single and you're putting on this act in front of me?"
"You—" Ningguang's breath caught, and for a second it looked like she might actually blow a fuse.
[End of chapter]
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