Chapter 15
Chapter 15
Nanny Zhou also remembered that high-spirited young master from before he turned nine, who had been the most pampered child imaginable.
When Ji Yan’an was nine, tragedy struck the Ji Family in rapid succession. Amidst a household draped in the white silk of mourning, he became the only surviving male heir. All the burdens of the Ji Family began to weigh heavily on his small shoulders.
From then on, the face of that little boy never knew childhood again.
At nine, his cousin the Crown Prince died. Ji Yan’an found himself surrounded by constant threats-assassination attempts and poisonings.
If not for the formidable skills of the household troops left behind by Old Master Ji, the Ji Family’s only male heir would likely have been lost as well.
Even so, he was eventually poisoned. His healthy body-once praised by Old Master Ji as that of a martial arts genius-became frail and sickly. He was even afflicted with a sterility poison.
Recalling these events made Nanny Zhou’s heart ache.
Forget it, she thought. Perhaps this little girl, Jiang Yunsui, really could make the Young Master feel a bit better.
“Don’t be angry. There’s still tea left; I’ll pour you another cup.”
Jiang Yunsui looked at him cautiously with her large eyes, comforting him in a sweet, milky voice.
Ji Yan’an huffed coldly. “I told you to pour tea, yet you went and drank it yourself first.”
Jiang Yunsui gave him a placating, flattering smile.
If nothing else, her beautiful little face was truly endearing.
Ji Yan’an pinched her cheek. Now that she had put on a little weight, her skin felt exceptionally soft to the touch.
“Go pour the tea. If you drink it again, you can just watch me eat next time.”
This threat was incredibly effective on Jiang Yunsui.
Ignoring the slight sting in her pinched cheek, she nodded hurriedly.
She ran off to pour him a fresh cup of tea.
Naturally, she used a clean cup this time.
After he finished the tea, word came from outside that Shen Qingzhu had arrived.
Ji Yan’an said, “Let Doctor Shen in.”
With a stranger arriving, Jiang Yunsui instinctively tried to make herself scarce.
Shen Qingzhu didn’t even notice her as the group moved into the inner chamber.
Seeing everyone go inside, Jiang Yunsui naturally followed them on tiptoe.
“Young Master, please remove your upper garments. I need to administer the needles.”
Hearing this, Ji Yan’an complied decisively, stripping to the waist.
Jiang Yunsui watched as the gentle-looking young man in green robes took out silver needles and began pricking them into Ji Yan’an’s body.
She let out a soft gasp, her eyes widening as if the needles were being stuck into her own skin.
The sound she made caused everyone to turn their gaze toward her.
Shen Qingzhu’s pupils contracted slightly.
He hadn’t even noticed there was a little girl in the room.
Ji Yan’an remained calm. “Be quiet, or get out.”
He was used to it.
Jiang Yunsui covered her mouth with her hands and shuffled her feet behind Uncle Li.
Her bright eyes seemed to scream, ‘I’m being very good.’
Ji Yan’an didn’t bother with her further.
Shen Qingzhu was steady and composed. Despite his surprise, his hand remained firm as he placed the needles.
In less than the time it took to drink a cup of tea, over a dozen silver needles were embedded in Ji Yan’an’s body.
With every needle that went in, Jiang Yunsui’s little face twitched and crumpled in sympathy, her expression incredibly vivid even though she didn’t make a sound.
Sweat began to bead on Ji Yan’an’s skin. While it wasn’t painful yet, a gradual numbness and itching spread through him, and more sweat broke out across his body.
Eventually, he looked like a hedgehog covered in needles.
“Endure it, Young Master. It might hurt in a moment.”
Ji Yan’an closed his eyes. “Do it.”
It was just a bit of pain; it was no big deal. Ngh-
Ji Yan’an suddenly gripped the bedding, his face turning deathly pale. His handsome but overly thin features contorted in agony.
Fearing he might bite his own tongue, Uncle Li quickly folded a soft cloth.
“Young Master, bite down on this!”
Jiang Yunsui grabbed Nanny Zhou’s hand, staring at Ji Yan’an with wide, anxious eyes.
It looked incredibly painful.
Nanny Zhou watched Ji Yan’an, her heart aching with sympathy.
“Ngh…”
It had to be said, he truly had a high tolerance for pain.
Shen Qingzhu marveled silently; he was indeed a member of the Ji Family.
The toxins had accumulated deep within his meridians. Forcing them out now felt as if his very veins were being torn apart.
Ji Yan’an’s entire body was trembling, yet he didn’t struggle much.
As the final step concluded, he spat out a mouthful of blood.
The blood was pitch black and carried a foul, rancid stench.
“Young Master!”
Uncle Li and Nanny Zhou rushed forward in concern.
“These are the toxins that were clogging his meridians. I’ve only managed to force out a portion of them for now. This will merely alleviate his symptoms; it treats the symptoms but not the root cause. Unless we can produce an antidote, his body will continue to generate more poison.”
Uncle Li now felt an urgent desire to immediately find all the medicinal ingredients Shen Qingzhu had mentioned.
Ji Yan’an had already lost consciousness.
Shen Qingzhu began removing the needles from his body.
He handed a prescription to Uncle Li. “Gather the herbs according to this list. After simmering them for forty-five minutes, mix the medicinal decoction into hot water. Once the Young Master wakes up, have him take a medicinal bath.”
Uncle Li hurriedly asked how much hot water to use and whether there were any dietary restrictions.
Shen Qingzhu answered each question patiently.
Meanwhile, Nanny Zhou cleaned up the blood Ji Yan’an had spat out.
Jiang Yunsui edged closer to Ji Yan’an and squatted down to look at him.
Even though this man was sometimes mean to her, he had saved her, given her food, and provided a place to stay. He was a good person.
Grandpa Banyan had once said that spirits must repay their debts of gratitude, otherwise they would be entangled in karma, which would hinder their cultivation.
But the Little Mushroom didn’t have much power.
She grabbed one of Ji Yan’an’s fingers with her tiny hand.
“It doesn’t hurt, it doesn’t hurt…”
The silly Little Mushroom, who lacked any grand abilities, could only slowly send Moonlight Essence spores into Ji Yan’an’s body.
However, these spores were invisible to human eyes.
The Little Mushroom’s only real talent was her ability to absorb Moonlight Essence and store it in her body, then disperse it in the form of spores.
She used to be stronger and could even heal the small animals in the mountains.
Now, she was very, very weak.
Oh, she had one other talent!
The Little Mushroom felt a surge of pride. Wherever she stayed, mushrooms grew exceptionally well and were particularly delicious.
Everyone who ate them said they were the best!
Lost in her own thoughts, Jiang Yunsui let out a silly giggle, her small head swaying slightly.
Shen Qingzhu glanced at her several times.
This little girl seemed a bit dim-witted.
As a newcomer, although he was curious about the child, he didn’t ask any questions.
After packing his things, he departed.
Nanny Zhou said, “Yunsui, go tell Qiuyue to bring some water.”
Jiang Yunsui stood up, chirped a soft response, and ran outside.
Uncle Li finished dressing Ji Yan’an and went out to arrange for the medicine to be brewed and the hot water to be prepared.
Jiang Yunsui watched as everyone moved in and out in an orderly fashion. Soon, the bedsheets and quilts where Ji Yan’an slept were all replaced.
They also lit incense and opened the windows for ventilation. The bloody scent in the room quickly dissipated.
With nothing left to do, she simply sat by the edge of the bed with her short legs crossed, waiting for Ji Yan’an to wake up.
Feeling a bit bored, Jiang Yunsui began to study the patterns on her clothes.
About two hours later, Ji Yan’an regained consciousness.
Hearing light, shallow breathing nearby, he opened his eyes and his mind cleared.
He turned his head to see a familiar little thing curled into a ball, leaning against the edge of the bed fast asleep.
Ji Yan’an: “…”
How could this little thing sleep so much?
He sat up and looked at the sky outside the window; it was already dusk.
This time, Jiang Yunsui was quickly startled awake by Ji Yan’an’s movements.