Chapter 22: Treating Mother

The two went together, still a bit uneasy at first, but they didn't expect the Shen Family to be so warm, showing no disdain or anything, "Come sit, we've ladled you some porridge, drink it while it's hot."

The two each were given a bowl of hot porridge, plus a steamed bun and a Sweet Potato.

The porridge was thick, simmered to a dense, glutinous consistency, its aroma filling the nose.

Their bowls were filled to the brim, just like everyone else in the Shen Family.

Huang Yuanchang inhaled the fragrance, his stomach already growling with hunger, rumbling several times.

These days he has been rescuing people everywhere, so busy his wheels keep turning; although unlike other refugees who can't get a meal each day, he can at most eat a third full, and even that is the kind of black, mushy fare.

One bite doesn't even satisfy the throat; the point is it doesn't fill you, and after a short while you're hungry again. Some children and elders with weak stomachs get sicker from eating this; even though he's a doctor, he hasn't had such fine food in a long time.

He cautiously looked at the Shen Family, seeing them eat earnestly without glancing at him; Huang Yuanchang felt a sigh of relief and couldn't help lowering his head to sip the porridge.

After a mouthful of hot porridge, he took a deep breath.

How long has it been since he last drank a mouthful of hot porridge like this?

He suddenly felt like crying, his eyes involuntarily reddening.

The old Huang beside him felt the same.

The two's expressions were noted by the Shen Family, but to avoid making them uncomfortable, they pretended not to notice.

Shen Yubai had already eaten, and not feeling hungry, he stuck close to Shen Qingquan and her three younger siblings, chatting with them.

As he talked, he stared eagerly at the big sister, those black, shiny eyes gleaming with longing.

Shen Qingquan found it amusing, pulled a Tomato from her pocket and handed it to him, "You can eat at most three today; if you eat too many at once, your stomach won't handle it."

The little fellow's greedy expression was both obedient and cute.

"Got it, big sister~"

"Big sister, I want it too~"

Shen Yuhuan, seeing this, also begged for a pet and a pat, "Little four, don't think you can hog big sister alone!"

Shen Qingci also stared eagerly from the side, and finally each of the three held a Tomato, happily gnawing on it, their puffed cheeks like three little squirrels.

The elders of the Shen Family smiled as they watched the youngsters get along merrily; Shen Qingquan, surrounded by the three little ones in the middle, occasionally smiled and gently patted the heads of the younger siblings.

The smile was indulgent and serene.

If you really count, Qinger isn't much older than them, but she is the legitimate daughter of the Shen Family, the oldest among the women. The younger ones from the first and second branches love to circle around her.

It was so before, and it still is.

The girl sat on a chaotic pile of stones, behind her a ruined wall, her clothing a plain cloth robe. Yet the calm and aura that radiated from her whole being could not be concealed.

Every gesture and movement exuded poise.

Not only her, but the others of the Shen Family as well.

Even in coarse cloth and tattered robes, they could not conceal the outstanding temperament that radiated from their very bones; it was not deliberately crafted, but cultivated from childhood, a result of countless layers of heritage and family upbringing.

Huang Yuanchang's eyes flickered slightly, his mind vaguely speculating about their origins.

…

After the meal, the two showed their wounds to the Shen Family; Old Huang even took the time to take Ning Shi's pulse and examine her condition.

"Huh? Madam, this pulse appears weak, yet there seems to be a faint thread of vitality circulating… Could it be that you recently gave her some medicine?"

Old Huang was surprised, checked the pulse again to confirm he hadn't misdiagnosed, then said with some astonishment.

Shen Qingquan again marveled at his medical skill, and did not hide it: "We used some medicines."

She poured a Secret-made Pill from the bottle, Old Huang took it and brought it to his nose, sniffing, "There must be many kinds of medicinal ingredients here, all for protecting the fetus, but some… I, an old man, cannot discern… What kind of medicine is this? How can it be tanned into such a tiny pill? Its effect is so miraculous?"

Such a tiny pill might even compare to the painstakingly brewed soup medicine, and it's also convenient to carry,

and easy to take.

【9】 He had never seen this method of pill‑making! The key is that it contains many ingredients he doesn't know.

I've never seen this kind of drug‑making method! The key is, there are many ingredients in it that he doesn't know about.

Old Huang boasted of his superb medical skill; his Huang clan ancestors originally served in the palace, with generations of imperial physicians, but later were caught up in harem conflicts and expelled, stripped of their imperial physician status, and the family eventually fell into decline, leading them to wander here.

He adhered to his ancestors' teachings, especially excelling in the priceless art of medicine, and he was also outstanding in other fields; discerning flavors and identifying medicines was a specialty of the Huang physicians.

For ordinary medicines, he could almost smell them instantly, but this pill contained many unfamiliar scents.

Is it his overconfidence, or are the Shen Family's pills just too unusual?

"This is a Secret-made Pill from my home, made using a special manufacturing method."

Shen Qingquan had already prepared an excuse; after hearing it, Old Huang seemed to understand, "I see…"

He didn't doubt, because any great clan inevitably has some deep heritage, and having some legendary elixirs passed down isn't surprising.

"Old Huang, how is my mother's condition?"

"Madam, your body is weak; there were signs of a miscarriage, but thanks to timely medication, the pulse has stabilized. Going forward, just rest quietly for a few days, avoid traveling and overexertion, conserve your spirit, and also maintain nutrition, refrain from pride and impatience."

Hearing about the miscarriage, Shen Juancheng's heart nearly leapt out.

After that, hearing no further obstacles, his anxious heart eased a bit, yet his brows still bore worry; Ning Shi, seeing this, calmly held his hand to comfort him.

"The doctor also said I'm fine."

She said softly, "Don't worry."

Shen Juancheng said, "These next few days, just focus on restoring your health; leave everything else to me."

"Alright."

They've been traveling for many days, all bearing injuries, and with their mother also ill, it's a good chance to recuperate in Xiangcheng for a few days.

Old Huang gave a few more reminders, and also administered an acupuncture to her; shortly after, Ning Shi fell asleep.

Shen Qingquan and the others left the courtyard, and the three talked outside.

After this round of treatment, Old Huang also realized that all the medicines the Shen Family used were unfamiliar to him. Whether for disinfection, wound healing, or for pregnant women… those odd, varied pills seemed to tell him how narrow his knowledge was.

Old Huang felt this way, let alone Huang Yuanchang.

He was somewhat excited, "Miss Shen, do you have any medicine or formula for treating the plague? If it could solve this outbreak, then…"

"Chang Er!"

Before he could finish, Elder Huang loudly cut him off.

Although he knows they worry about the plague victims' ailments, such a secret formula is not something one can just demand. Moreover, if there truly were a cure for the epidemic, it would have already caused a sensation throughout the Xia Dynasty, and would not have lasted until today. Even if it exists, it belongs to others, and forcing it out in this manner is certainly not the conduct of a gentleman.

"Miss Shen, I'm sorry, I am not…"

Huang Yuanchang also caught on, feeling a bit ashamed and wanting to explain, while Shen Qingquan gave a faint smile, "I understand both of your intentions; as physicians, your benevolent hearts earn my respect. Though I am a woman, I also know how cruel the world is and how people have lost their ancient virtue. You are wading in mud yet still possess a compassionate heart—such rarity is truly precious. So what is there to apologize for?"

She spoke earnestly, and after her words finished, Huang Yuanchang felt his chest surge, unable to calm for a long time.? This book was first released on 17K Novel Network; view the official content promptly!