Oops! The Black Lotus Can't Be a Female Supporting Character - Chapter 15
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- Chapter 15 - She Didn't Betray Him!
Chapter 15: She Didn’t Betray Him!
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Xiao Yanfei didn’t rush to leave; she instructed Li Shu to light incense for timing.
For a patient’s first use of antibiotics, it is possible to experience an allergic reaction, so she needed to observe Duke Weiguo’s response after taking the medicine.
In case Duke Weiguo developed acute allergies and the local physician didn’t know how to provide immediate treatment, she wouldn’t be saving lives today but causing harm.
Xiao Yanfei said gently, “Your Grace, please rest for a while; I’ll stay here.”
“When your fever subsides, I’ll leave.”
In her mind, Xiao Yanfei estimated that if Duke Weiguo’s fever subsided without any unusual symptoms, everything should be fine.
Duke Weiguo nodded and maintained a half-reclined position, closing his eyes.
The room fell silent, with occasional suppressed coughs breaking the stillness.
Xiao Yanfei was getting bored, so she picked up the pulse records and prescriptions nearby and began memorizing them. These were treasures that couldn’t be purchased in ordinary bookstores.
While memorizing, Gu Feichi, who had been resting with his eyes closed, suddenly stood up and walked quickly to the window.
Xiao Yanfei didn’t know what was happening and raised her head from the stack of silk paper in her hand.
Outside, the street echoed with the chaotic and hurried sound of horse hooves, resounding loudly as the iron hooves struck the blue stone-paved streets of the inner city.
The sounds of “Imperial guards” and “Make way” were heard one after another, creating a noisy scene. Amidst it all, a high-pitched male voice exclaimed, “I heard that these Imperial Guards are searching for Xie Wuduan’s whereabouts, right?”
“Yes, it is.” Another elderly woman’s voice declared solemnly, “Xie Yimo and his son conspired to rebel, causing the death of so many people. They deserve a thousand deaths, should be executed cruelly, and their bones ground to dust!”
“That’s right. Xie Wuduan must not be allowed to escape like this!”
The voices of these two were full of determination, and those on the second floor could hear them clearly.
Gu Feichi pursed his thin lips and opened a window slightly, peering down from the second floor.
His thick, long, black eyelashes half-lowered, casting a small shadow on his fair cheeks. His eyes had an extra touch of coldness, exuding an aura of solemnity.
How did the Imperial guards arrive? This is too coincidental! Xiao Yanfei’s alarm bells rang loudly in her mind, and she discreetly looked toward Gu Feichi.
Sensing her gaze, Gu Feichi turned his head, and his gaze landed squarely on Xiao Yanfei.
Xiao Yanfei hastily raised her hands and clarified, “It’s not me.”
She didn’t betray him!
“I know,” Gu Feichi smiled, noticing her fingers curling unconsciously, like a cat retracting its claws.
The chilling aura that had surrounded him seemed to melt away with that smile, like snow thawing.
From his expression and tone, Xiao Yanfei could tell that Gu Feichi hadn’t misunderstood her. Relieved, she smiled slightly.
With more courage, Xiao Yanfei leaned in to see. Down the street below, two imperial guards dressed in embroidered uniforms with spring knives at their waists had stopped in front of Medical Hall’s gate with a hushed “whoosh.”
“Sirs, how may we assist you?” The shop assistant approached the two Imperial guards with a forced smile, clearly anxious.
One of the burly imperial guards dismounted and demanded assertively, “From yesterday afternoon until now, have there been any individuals with knife wounds seeking treatment or buying Golden Injury Medicine?”
The shop assistant respectfully replied, “No, sirs. We treated a child with a kitchen knife wound this morning, but that’s all. I was at the shop all day yesterday, so I’m sure.”
“For the next few days, you are not allowed to sell Golden Injury Medicine,” the burly Imperial guard ordered imperiously.
“If any suspicious individuals with knife wounds seek treatment, report to the authorities immediately! Otherwise, you will be considered accomplices and punished together!”
“Do you understand?!”
The shop assistant repeatedly nodded in agreement, looking as if he had seen a ghost.
“Let’s go!”
The two imperial guards mounted their horses and left, the resounding clatter of their horse hooves gradually fading along the street.
The street once again filled with the cries of street vendors, bustling and lively.
“His fever has gone down!” Li Shu suddenly shouted excitedly, “Young Master, Duke Weiguo’s fever has gone down.”
Gu Feichi hurried back to the bedside, raised his hand to check Duke Weiguo’s temperature and smiled, “Father, your fever has subsided.”
Meeting his son’s joyful eyes, Duke Weiguo’s heart felt a mix of emotions. How long had it been since he’d seen his child so happy?!
Li Shu’s eyes sparkled, and he was so overjoyed that his eyes turned red.
Previously, when Xiao Yanfei had confidently stated that Duke Weiguo’s fever would subside in about the time it takes to burn a stick of incense, Li Shu had been skeptical.
But now, as he looked at Xiao Yanfei again, his gaze was completely different, less doubtful, and more respectful. As long as she could save Duke Weiguo, he was willing to do anything for her.
Even without a thermometer, Xiao Yanfei could tell that Duke Weiguo’s complexion was not as flushed as before, his fever had indeed subsided, and he didn’t have an allergic reaction.
However, even though Duke Weiguo’s fever had temporarily subsided, it was only due to the effect of the fever-reducing medicine. Only when the antibiotics took effect and the inflammation in his lungs was under control could he truly recover and gradually become healthy again.
Xiao Yanfei wrote down a recipe for homemade electrolyte water and advised, “Duke Weiguo, patients with a fever tend to sweat a lot, which can lead to dehydration. So, in addition to drinking more water, you should also have two or three cups of sugar and salt water daily.”
“You’ve now reduced your fever, but don’t be careless. In two hours, after the medicine’s effect wears off, you might start to have a fever again. Healing is not an instant process, so don’t worry or get impatient. Remember not to overdose on the medication. Medicine in excess is poison; too much of a good thing can be harmful.”
“Thank you for the advice,” Duke Weiguo nodded, and Li Shu also nodded in agreement.
“Well then…” Xiao Yanfei smiled and rose to bid farewell, “Duke Weiguo, Young Master Gu, I’ll take my leave now.”
“If there’s anything wrong with Duke Weiguo, Young Master knows where to find me.”
“I will come back to reexamine Duke Weiguo in three days.”
“I’ll accompany Miss Xiao.” Li Shu personally escorted Xiao Yanfei downstairs.
Through the door, the sound of footsteps descending the stairs faded into the distance.
The outside wind blew in through the slightly open window, carrying a few pink petals that brushed past the treetops.
Gu Feichi glanced down at the street below, watching Xiao Yanfei leave. He then closed the window tightly.
Turning around, he handed a cup of warm water to Duke Weiguo and whispered, “Father, would you like to rest for a while?”
Duke Weiguo drank a cup of warm water in one go, then looked at his empty hand with a complex expression.
He had been running a fever for several days, and at first, the medicine prescribed by the imperial physician was effective. But as time went on, no matter how much medicine he took, his fever wouldn’t go down.
But now, his fever had unexpectedly subsided?!
When he had a high fever, he felt weak and dizzy, but now his head was clear, and his hand had noticeably gained strength.
Could it be that the young girl could really cure him?
Duke Weiguo’s heart, as still as stagnant water, stirred with a glimmer of hope.
If he could avoid death, he certainly didn’t want to die.
If he died, his son would be truly alone in this world, with only himself to rely on.
The road ahead was challenging, and he couldn’t let his son bear it alone!
He couldn’t bear it, and even more, he couldn’t let go…
Duke Weiguo raised his spirits, his calloused hands tightly gripping the empty cup as he asked in a solemn voice, “Ah Chi, have you settled things on Zi Yuan’s side?”
Xie Wuduan, known as Zi Yuan.
He had been raised by Duke Weiguo, and even his courtesy name, “Zi Yuan,” had been chosen by Duke Weiguo.
“Dad, rest assured, I’ve arranged everything.” Gu Feichi tucked the blanket around him. “Zi Yuan will recover.”
Duke Weiguo closed his eyes, his eyes slightly reddened, revealing an undisguised sorrow. “The Xie family has been loyal for several generations, and your uncle Xie has ended up in such a state.”
Xie Yimo came from a noble family and became the top martial scholar at the age of eighteen. From then on, he was a brilliant military strategist, and in the past twenty-some years, he had participated in hundreds of battles, always victorious. He kept the Northern Barbarians at bay for a decade, earning a reputation that shook the world. The people in the Northern border all remembered Xie Yimo’s kindness, with almost every household having an ancestral tablet in his honor.
If it weren’t for the fact that no nobility titles had been granted since the founding of the dynasty, Xie Yimo’s achievements would have merited a noble title. But now, he had died in such a pitiful manner.
“If…” Gu Feichi only said two words and then pressed his pale lips together, his pupils as black as ink, thick and impenetrable.
If he had been in the capital these past two months, perhaps he could have saved Xie Wuduan’s mother, Princess Zhao Ming.
But there were no ‘ifs’ in this world, the person was already dead.
And people would continue to praise the Emperor’s kindness, allowing Princess Zhao Ming’s coffin to be placed in the imperial tomb.
Duke Weiguo let out a weary sigh, his eyes moistening at the corners. “Back then, the four of us… now only I remain.”
He, his sister, Xie Yimo, and Princess Zhao Ming had grown up together, not only as confidants but also as a family. But now, the others are gone, leaving only him.
Before long, Duke Weiguo had regained his composure and said to Gu Feichi, “If you can save Zi Yuan, his parents in heaven will finally find peace.”
A hint of sorrow and deep pain appeared on his thin face.
“Father, worries can harm the lungs. You should rest and recover first,” Gu Feichi took the empty cup from his father’s hand and comforted him, saying, “I’m here for everything.”
Duke Weiguo softly hummed and looked at the tall and upright young man in front of him.
The child he had raised hand in hand had grown up, becoming a fully fledged eagle.
A contented smile escaped the corner of Duke Weiguo’s lips as he closed his eyes once more.
This time, his expression was peaceful, and there were no more intermittent coughs.
After a while, the room was filled with a faint snoring sound, exceptionally clear in the tranquil surroundings.
Duke Weiguo, half-sitting and half-lying on the bed, had fallen asleep, snoring peacefully and deeply.
“Duke is asleep.”
The voice of Li Shu, who stood at the doorway, was intentionally lowered, shaking with excitement.
Li Shu quietly closed the door and quickly approached Gu Feichi. He gazed at Duke Weiguo, who was in a deep slumber on the bed, his eyes reddened.
Duke Weiguo has spent decades on the battlefield. He wasn’t made of steel and iron. He had many old and hidden injuries, and last autumn, he suffered a severe injury on the battlefield, only then was he ordered to go home to recuperate. Although the injuries had healed, his body was not as robust as before.
This time, Duke Weiguo had caught a chill after getting wet in the rain, which had worsened into lung abscess. His condition deteriorated, and even a familiar imperial physician had privately informed the madam that Duke Weiguo might not survive another half month…
Recently, Duke Weiguo’s condition had indeed deteriorated, and he couldn’t sleep well at night. He would either be awakened by coughing or struggling to breathe, and he hadn’t had a peaceful night’s sleep in a long time.
Li Shu choked back tears and said, “Young Master, Duke Weiguo didn’t want me to tell you, but these past two days, his coughing had become increasingly severe. He hasn’t slept for two nights.”
“Now, not only has the fever subsided for Duke Weiguo, but he has also stopped coughing.”
“This Miss Xiao is truly amazing!”
Li Shu looked at Duke Weiguo with great joy. The anxiety and fear that had weighed on his heart for days were now replaced by joy. It seemed that Miss Xiao’s medicine, although different from the common ones, was indeed effective.
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Translated By: Allthingsfluff