"Miss Li, can you cure the General's poison?" Gong Xiao asked, cupping his hands towards her.
"It's a minor matter. As long as the herbs are complete, the poison can be resolved quickly. Moreover, the dosage isn't large, and it won't take the General's life in a moment or two. You can rest assured," she replied.
Gong Xiao thanked her again, then said, "There's one thing I don't understand and wish to ask for Miss Li's guidance."
"Please, speak freely."
"Ordinary people who are poisoned either vomit uncontrollably, fall unconscious, or bleed. Our General, however, has no discoloration of his lips, nor any other symptoms; only leg pain. This..." The implication was that poisoning shouldn't trigger Xiao Rudeng's old injury.
"There are no absolutely harmful medicines in the world, nor absolutely curative ones. Some medicines, though poisonous, can save a life if used correctly, but harm if misused. There are methods of using poison to combat poison, and there are also cycles of mutual restraint. Once poison enters the body and reaches the internal organs, it damages the lungs and spleen, and harms the heart's pulse. It bullies the weak and fears the strong, specifically targeting ailments. Do you understand what I mean?"
Gong Xiao, comprehending only vaguely, said, "Please, Miss, enlighten me."
"There's no time," Li Man'er stated. "If you continue to ask questions, I fear it will be too late to save him."
Xiao Qiniang quickly stepped forward. "Uncle Gong, saving Father is the priority."
Gong Xiao then realized his oversight. "It is my fault. Please, Miss."
Li Man'er instructed, "First, seal the leftover dregs. Take that rat away. Not too many people should be in the room. Prepare hot water and clean towels, as I need to draw blood to detoxify General Xiao."
This time, no one questioned her.
Soon, everything she requested was brought.
Li Man'er had Gong Xiao remove Xiao Rudeng's outer garment. She then sealed several major acupoints on his body and pricked the tips of his fingers to draw out the poisoned blood.
The blood dripping from his fingertips was indeed dark, appearing abnormal.
Li Man'er glanced at it briefly, then accelerated the bleeding process. Only when the blood dripping from Xiao Rudeng's fingertips returned to its normal color did she stop the bleeding. She then had someone use hot towels to apply to his injured leg.
"This will alleviate the pain and help his muscles relax," Li Man'er explained. "Besides acupuncture and medication, regular massage of his leg can also be very effective."
Gong Xiao and Xiao Qiniang listened intently.
"Before massaging, one should apply hot towels..." Li Man'er provided many important points, and only then removed the needles from Xiao Rudeng.
"Liu Ya, these needles need to be sterilized. Boil them in water, then soak them in strong liquor, and dry them before they can be used again."
"Yes, this servant understands." Liu Ya wrapped all the used silver needles in cloth and put them away.
Xiao Qiniang looked at her father's complexion and anxiously asked, "Sister Man'er, is my father out of danger?"
"Discovered in time and handled properly, the poison is resolved. However, Aconitum carmichaelii is quite potent. To be safe, I suggest taking some detoxifying medicine for three days."
Drinking this medicine until New Year's Eve was rather ominous. But there was no choice. One couldn't forgo the medicine for the sake of auspiciousness. If anything were to happen, who would bear the responsibility?
"Very well, Sister Man'er, please write the prescription. We'll have someone fetch the medicine."
A maid brought paper and a brush. Li Man'er quickly wrote the prescription, along with a few notes on precautions.
Xiao Qiniang profusely thanked her and handed the prescription to Gong Xiao. "Uncle Gong, at this juncture, we don't know who to trust. This matter will have to trouble you to handle it personally."
Gong Xiao took the prescription. "Young Lady Qi, you are too kind. This is my duty. However, given the General's condition, he cannot be left unattended. Please stay here and look after him. I will instruct the guards to protect him. You need not worry."
Xiao Qiniang nodded. "Uncle Gong, you've thought of everything. Please go and return quickly."
Gong Xiao cupped his hands and left the room with the prescription.
Now, only the unconscious Xiao Rudeng, Li Man'er, Xiao Qiniang, and Liu Ya remained in the room.
"Young Lady Xiao, I have no further business here, so I shall take my leave."
Xiao Qiniang stood up and blocked her. "Sister Man'er, I am feeling scared. Can you stay with me for a while? Besides, when the medicine is brought back, I'd feel at ease only if you personally examine it before my father takes it. If there's anything wrong with the medicine, we wouldn't know."
Li Man'er smiled. "Young Lady Xiao is truly filial. Very well, as you wish." She sat back down.
Liu Ya, carrying the medicine chest, stayed close to Li Man'er, wary of any tricks Xiao Qiniang might play.
Xiao Qiniang's reaction seemed normal; she kept staring at Xiao Rudeng, as if eagerly awaiting his awakening.
"Young Lady Xiao is truly filial."
Xiao Qiniang's expression turned somber. "How can this be called filial piety! I can neither take my father's place nor alleviate his suffering, I can only fret uselessly. Please forgive my making a spectacle of myself, Sister."
"Not at all! Young Lady Xiao's sincere heart, I believe the General will understand."
As they were speaking, someone brought in tea and refreshments, serving tea to both Li Man'er and Xiao Qiniang before withdrawing.
"Sister Man'er must be hungry after a busy morning. I was too abrupt this morning, and you didn't even have a proper breakfast."
"It's nothing," Li Man'er said indifferently. "As doctors, we are like this. When we encounter patients, how can we worry about eating? The patient is most important."
Xiao Qiniang lowered her head slightly. "Sister truly has a benevolent heart. You are skilled and beautiful."
Liu Ya found it strange. Had this Young Lady Qi suddenly changed her temperament to start praising their mistress?
"Sister, perhaps you should have a few pastries to stave off your hunger. Once Father wakes up, I will definitely arrange a banquet to properly thank Sister for her great kindness."
Li Man'er readily agreed and took a sip of tea. "This is good tea. It's very fragrant, unlike anything I've ever had in the capital."
"This is our local tea, perhaps different from what you've had before. However, women generally like it. As for men, they say it's too cloyingly sweet and they can't drink it."
Li Man'er nodded. "In that case, it's their misfortune."
"Nothing is absolute; there are men who enjoy this tea, just fewer of them." Xiao Qiniang perked up and said to Li Man'er, "Sister, please have another pastry. These pastries are not as exquisite as those in the capital, so please don't disdain them."
Li Man'er picked up a pastry and looked at it. "These pastries have a rich milky aroma. Are they made with milk?"
"Yes," Xiao Qiniang replied. "I didn't expect Sister to know about culinary matters."
"Nor did I expect that I considered you a friend, yet you wanted me to be your stepmother." Li Man'er threw the pastry back onto the plate, her eyes turning icy as she looked at Xiao Qiniang. "Young Lady Xiao, I suspect both these pastries and this tea have been tampered with, haven't they? I fear I lack the fortune to enjoy them."