Sigh. In ancient times, even when effective anesthetics like Mafeisan existed, why were they banned? Lixia thought as she finished her work.
She placed a clean, steamed gauze pad over the wound and secured it firmly with a triangular bandage.
"It is done," Mo Lixia said, exhaling a long breath. "Do not let the wound touch water. Keep it clean. In a moment, I will write a prescription for an herbal decoction to prevent... to keep the wound from festering again." She noticed Dr. Chai's confusion at the word "anti-inflammatory" and quickly rephrased it. She had to remind herself that this was the ancient world; modern terminology could be scandalous.
Thanks to the acupuncture, the child hadn't felt the worst of the pain. As the surgery ended, the little girl even managed a sweet smile, revealing two tiny, budding front teeth.
Mo Lixia, however, remained cautious. This surgery was performed under primitive conditions—the tools and gauze hadn't been strictly sterilized. Fortunately, the abscess was superficial. Had it been deeper or involving the skull or body cavity, such conditions could be fatal.
The first time I performed surgery in this world was for that man... I wonder if he has fully recovered yet?
The crowd smiled, seeing the child's relief, and looked at Lixia with newfound respect. The mother was in tears, bowing repeatedly in gratitude.
"The Master's disciple truly has remarkable talent," Dr. Chai whispered with a satisfied smile.
"She should be fine now," Lixia added. "Bring her back tomorrow afternoon for a dressing change. If there is no more pus, she will be on the mend."
The couple happily took the medicine and left the shop. Once they were gone, Dr. Chai led the medicine boy in a formal bow. "The Young Master is here! Please accept my humble respects."
"Uncle Chai, please rise. I cannot accept such a gesture," Lixia said, while Xiqiu hurried forward to help the old man to a chair.
"You can, and you should," Dr. Chai insisted. "Back when the Master was here, the Kirin Pharmacy was at its peak. The Master was known as the 'Eccentric Doctor Qianchuan.' People flocked from all over, though he rarely took patients. But when he did, there was no illness he couldn't cure. However..." He paused, looking wistful. "Since he left, the shop has declined. If you hadn't come, I doubt I could have held on much longer. Now, I officially return this shop to your hands."
Lixia didn't refuse. Dr. Chai was indeed too old to work, and his loyalty in staying this long touched her. She didn't have the heart to tell him the full truth about her Master's death just yet, fearing the old man couldn't bear the shock.
The "Lethal" Plum Wine and Lunch
When Lixia returned to Leng Xue's shop, lunch was already served.
"I was just about to send Xichun to fetch you," Leng Xue said. "Why did you run off to the pharmacy?"
"Sister-in-law, that Kirin Pharmacy was left to me by my Master," Lixia explained as she sat down.
"What? Your Master?" Leng Xue's eyes widened. "Is your Master truly the 'Eccentric Doctor Qianchuan'?"
"You know of my Grandmaster?" Mochen asked.
"Doctor Qianchuan was famous across the entire Great Imperial Dynasty! Even people from neighboring kingdoms sought his help. But he had a strict rule: he would never treat anyone from the Imperial Family. He vanished ten years ago... so he was in seclusion all this time!"
"Yes. If not for Master, I don't know where I would be now," Lixia said softly.
"You were lucky to find such a master," Leng Xue said, sensing the somber mood and quickly changing the subject. She patted Mochen's head. "Come, try my cooking!"
Mochen looked at the beautifully presented dishes, remembering the maid Xichun's earlier warning about her lady's "lethal" cooking. His face turned into a mask of polite suffering.
The Elite's Drinking Session
Meanwhile, on the second floor of Julong Zhai, Mo Zhanchen was drinking with his close friends.
"So, Mo Zhanchen," said Yi Liujing, a handsome young man in red silk with an aura of noble laziness. "What is this 'precious treasure' of a sister actually like? Why won't you bring her out for this Prince to see?"
"Keep your hands off my sister," Zhanchen replied, snapping his folding fan shut.
Beside them, the elegant Jiang Yinghan laughed. "We're just curious. Why so tense? Unless she's as... robust... as my Princess Mu?"
"Jiang Yinghan, you better behave," Yi Liujing barked. "If I find out you're cheating on my sister, I'll tear you apart!"
Jiang Yinghan sighed, fanning himself to cool his nerves. Meeting anyone from the Yi royal family is bad luck, he thought. His mother had arranged a childhood engagement with Princess Mu Tong, a woman whose sturdy frame could reportedly crush two Jiang Yinghans. Despite his grumbling, he was famously devoted whenever the Princess was actually present.
"By the way," Zhanchen asked, his tone turning serious. "How is Prince Kang faring?"
"He's better," Yi Liujing sighed. "Fortunately, the physician Baili returned yesterday, or else..."
A chill settled over the group. Someone had been ruthless enough to target Prince Kang with a lethal Cold Toxin. It was only through sheer luck and early detection that he was still alive.
"It seems Baili shouldn't leave the Capital again," Jiang Yinghan remarked. "Every time he leaves, the Prince ends up in trouble."
"Baili isn't the Prince's personal servant; who can stop him when he wants to go?" Yi Liujing replied. "The toxin is severe. It will take significant time for the Prince to recover."
The group fell into a somber silence.
The Aftermath of Lunch
When Zhanchen arrived at Leng Xue's shop to pick them up, he saw Mochen standing at the door with a dazed expression.
"Why are you waiting out here?"
"Brother, you're finally here... I think I should wait in the carriage," Mochen said, scurrying into the vehicle before Zhanchen could respond.
Zhanchen turned to the servant, Chuyao. "What's wrong with him?"
Chuyao whispered, "The Little Master... he ate a bit too much today. It was... Lady Leng's cooking."
Zhanchen understood immediately. He cleared his throat and looked toward the backyard with a mix of affection and pity. "Keep a close eye on him."