Chapter 49: Fear not the road ahead without a confidant; who in the world does not know you?

Du Gou opened his mouth, and even Li Shimin said nothing further.

Because the one lying on the bed was someone's father.

Among those present, who could decide for Du Ruhui? Undoubtedly it was Du Gou, Du Ruhui's eldest son.

Chen Yan guessed Du Gou's role and looked at Du Ruhui on the bed, "Cai Duke, what do you think?"

"To be frank, my cure is extremely painful, even worse than Guan Gong's bone‑scraping toxin cure; if you can't endure it, you could actually die on the spot."

Guan Gong's bone‑scraping toxin cure!

Li Shimin and several ministers were startled.

They were all well‑read and naturally understood the matter of Guan Gong's bone‑scraping toxin cure.

Originally, when they learned that Chen Yan could heal Du Ruhui, albeit with an extremely painful method, they had already braced themselves mentally.

But they never imagined it would be painful to that degree.

More painful than bone‑scraping—just thinking of it makes one's scalp tingle!

Not to mention Du Ruhui, a civil official; even a battle‑hardened general would probably not claim to withstand the pain of bone‑scraping.

"Ke Ming..." Li Shimin hesitated, sighed, and turned away.

"Consider it yourself."

Du Ruhui twitched his mouth corner and laughed at himself, "I, Du, originally thought my life had reached its end and had calmly prepared for death."

"To see His Majesty and the colleagues at the final moment, to learn that the world still has a talent like the Marquis of Weinan, I, Du, have few regrets in my life."

"Yet I never imagined that upon learning the Marquis of Weinan could save me, even if the process were extremely painful, a lingering affection for the world rose in my heart, wishing to continue admiring these splendid lands."

He paused there, then with difficulty bowed to Chen Yan, "Marquis of Weinan, please go ahead with the treatment."

"Although I, Du, am merely a civil official, not comparable to heroes like Guan Gong, I was fortunate to have followed His Majesty onto the battlefield twice."

"I have once wielded a sword to behead an enemy chief, and have also been grievously wounded for two months without recovery."

"I, Du, am certainly not a weak person!"

Chen Yan felt a surge of respect after hearing that; he had explained so clearly, even citing Guan Gong's bone‑scraping toxin cure as an example.

Yet Du Ruhui's face showed no trace of fear at all; instead, he was completely calm.

Because of Du Ruhui's boldness, he could not let Du Ruhui die!

"Fine, then, please have Young Master Du prepare a basin of boiling water, a basin of hot water, a pot of warm wine, a fire basin and a branding iron, three pieces of white cloth, and also..."

Chen Yan paused, then added, "Also hemp rope; later, to avoid accidents, we must first bind Cai Duke."

"I'll prepare it right away," Du Gou said without further question, sprinted out, and ordered the servants to gather Chen Yan's requested items.

Chen Yan looked around and fixed his gaze on the desk behind the screen.

He walked over, swept everything off the desk onto the floor, then dragged the desk to the bedside.

"Someone, help me lift Cai Duke down and place him on the desk."

Fang Xuanling intended to step forward to help, but Li Shimin was a step ahead and came to Chen Yan's side.

The two carefully lifted Du Ruhui onto the desk.

Fortunately, Du Ruhui's household had many affairs, and their desk was long enough to accommodate a person lying down.

Sufficient to serve as a temporary operating table.

Soon, Du Gou returned with two maidservants, bringing the items Chen Yan requested.

Chen Yan immediately ordered Du Ruhui to be firmly bound to the desk, ensuring he wouldn't move during the procedure.

Throughout the process, Du Ruhui cooperated fully, offering no resistance.

Even though Chen Yan's actions caused him excruciating abdominal pain, he gritted his teeth and remained silent.

When everything was ready, Li Shimin asked in a deep voice, "Zi An, what should we do next?"

Chen Yan originally intended to send them out, but then thought that this is ancient times, and the environment is inherently poor.

Moreover, the anesthetic effect is weak; rather than sending Li Shimin and the others out, it's better to keep them here to talk with Du Ruhui and distract him.

Thinking of this, Chen Yan solemnly said, "From now on, whatever I do you must not stop me, and you must not disturb me."

"Then, you should talk more with Cai Duke, divert his attention, so he feels less pain!"

Li Shimin and the others recalled Guan Gong's bone‑scraping, when generals drank wine and ate meat, understood Chen Yan's meaning, and nodded heavily in agreement.

"Zi An, you may treat without worry; I will never disturb you, nor let anyone disturb you!"

With Li Shimin's promise, Chen Yan felt a little more at ease.

He opened his medicine box and first prepared the items needed for the procedure, such as a sterilized surgical knife, clean homemade bandages, anesthetic powder infused with mandrake flower, as well as sheep‑intestine thread and curved needles, among others.

Then he took a silk scarf from the box, tied it around the back of his head as a mask, put on sheep‑intestine gloves, and looked at Du Ruhui with a calm gaze.

"Cai Duke, are you ready?"

Du Ruhui glanced at the knife Chen Yan produced, and couldn't help but swallow a mouthful of saliva.

He took a deep breath, closed his eyes, and called, "Gou Er!"

"Father, I'm here." Hearing his father's call, Du Gou hurried over and asked, "Do you… do you have any further instructions?"

Du Ruhui said in a deep voice, "Regardless of whether father lives or dies today, the Marquis of Weinan will always be a benefactor of our Du Family; have you remembered that?"

Du Gou's eyes reddened, "Father… I remember, Father, you will certainly be fine!"

Du Ruhui ignored him, calmly said, "Marquis of Weinan, I, Du, am ready; please make your move."

Chen Yan's eyes flashed a hint of smile, "Cai Duke, just because of your words, I can't let you die today."

"Life brings no joy, death brings no fear!" Du Ruhui said freely, "If I didn't still wish to follow His Majesty and properly behold these splendid rivers and mountains, contributing my part, I would never let you endure such great risk."

Chen Yan was slightly startled, then understood Du Ruhui's meaning.

He feared that if Chen Yan mishandled the treatment and killed him, rumors might spread later, tarnishing Chen Yan's reputation.

"Rest assured, Cai Duke, you will see it."

Inside the house, a sudden breeze stirred, making the lamp shadows sway.

Chen Yan softly chanted: "A thousand li of yellow clouds, the sun dimmed; the north wind blows geese, snowflakes swirling."

"Don't worry about the road ahead having no true friend; who in the world does not know you?!"

Du Ruhui's calm expression was instantly shattered; as soon as that line "Don't worry about the road ahead having no true friend; who in the world does not know you?" left his mouth, it stirred a storm in his eyes.

Li Shimin, Fang Xuanling, Changsun Wuji and others were shocked in their hearts.

A casual recitation, and it's an absolute masterpiece for the ages!

Such talent, who else in the Tang Dynasty could surpass it?

"Hahaha, good, good, good!"

Inside the house, Du Ruhui suddenly burst into unrestrained laughter, "What a fine line: Don't worry about the road ahead having no true friend; who in the world does not know you?"

"Having obtained this poem, what does it matter if I die?"

"......"