Chapter 401: with translation of chapter title

Receiving her master's unconditional support, Gu Xixi felt deeply moved.

But she still said helplessly, "Master surely wouldn't think I'm going to kill to silence someone, would you?"

Lao Langzhong didn't speak; his expression clearly conveyed that meaning.

Gu Xixi unconsciously raised her hand to rub her temples.

She truly hadn't imagined her own master would have such a shocking idea.

After a moment, Gu Xixi sighed, "It's all my fault for not explaining clearly."

"You've always had a benevolent heart as a healer, yet to protect me..."

She turned her head toward Lao Langzhong and smiled, "Since Master is letting me have my way, I won't stand on ceremony."

Lao Langzhong's vacant eyes also showed a smile, "Good."

At the same time, he clearly looked relieved.

At Gu Lao San's house, the courtyard gate stood open.

Gu Lao San and Liu Shi each gnawed on a cold steamed bun as they were about to go out to work.

Seeing Lao Langzhong appear, they were quite delighted.

"The divine doctor has come! Quick! Please come inside!"

Gu Lao San shouted again at Liu Shi, "Boil a bowl of our tea, and put in extra sugar!"

"Is Tiezhu up yet? What time is it, and you didn't even call him!"

"We need to hurry and change his clothes; his disheveled state is no way to be seen."

Liu Shi's hands and feet were flustered; she didn't know which task to do first.

Lao Langzhong said, "No need to fuss; we came after eating and drinking our fill."

"We?"

The couple both froze, then noticed another person leisurely appearing at the doorway.

Gu Xixi didn't address them as third uncle and aunt, only saying, "I'm accompanying my master on his rounds."

Initially, Gu Xixi told outsiders that Lao Langzhong was a distant maternal uncle who had come from elsewhere to rely on them.

Later, everyone gradually learned that Gu Xixi had taken that uncle as her teacher and occasionally studied medicine preparation.

Gu Lao San and Liu Shi looked on with complex expressions, utterly unsure whether they should invite her in.

Gu Xixi, however, naturally stepped over the threshold and stood beside Lao Langzhong.

Liu Shi glared at Gu Xixi, about to erupt, but Gu Lao San grabbed her arm and gave it a subtle squeeze.

Gu Lao San laughed and said, "Tiezhu is inside the house,"

"It's trouble for the divine doctor and... Boss Gu not to hold past grudges, yet still willing to save my son's life."

Gu Lao San is more scheming than Liu Shi.

First, having heard that Lao Langzhong had cured many difficult ailments, they sought his help, hoping their son might regain his senses.

Second, Lao Langzhong is the best divine doctor they could find, and his fees are cheap.

And third...

Last year, when buying fertilizer for the first time, Gu Lao San had thought Gu Xixi would take revenge publicly and refuse to sell to him.

Fortunately, Gu Xixi didn't take it to heart and gave him the same treatment as everyone else.

In the end, his millet harvest indeed increased far more than in previous years.

Nowadays, not only does the whole village look to Gu Xixi, but people from surrounding villages also await the chance to curry favor with her and learn farming from her.

So, having tasted the benefits, Gu Lao San neither wants to offend Gu Xixi again nor dares to provoke public anger.

The days when he was like a rat crossing the street remain vivid in his memory to this day!

Thus, Gu Lao San, with an apologetic smile, personally led Lao Langzhong and his disciple to Gu Tiezhu's house.

At a glance, the interior didn't look filthy, but the smell was quite unpleasant.

Gu Xixi said, "Leave the door open."

Gu Lao San nodded, not daring to say more.

This room isn't large, perhaps to prevent Gu Tiezhu from smashing furniture when his illness flares.

Looking around, it's bare except for a wooden plank bed and a wooden box for storing things beside the bed.

Next to the wooden box sits a low stool; perhaps they usually use the box as a table.

Gu Tiezhu sat on the bed, his disheveled hair covering half his face.

Compared to when Gu Xixi last saw him, he has lost a lot of weight, almost like a different person.

Clearly someone had entered, yet Gu Tiezhu showed no reaction.

Gu Lao San spoke awkwardly, "Zhuzi, the divine doctor has come to see you!"

Suddenly, Gu Tiezhu began to mutter.

"Rat, rat stealing grain to eat, the rat went mad, the rat bites."

Gu Xixi followed Lao Langzhong up close, observing Gu Tiezhu without changing her expression.

She bent over, pulled over the low stool, and helped Lao Langzhong sit beside the bed.

Lao Langzhong rolled up his sleeves, facing Gu Lao San's direction, and said, "I need a basin of clean water; I'll wash my hands later."

Gu Lao San startled, then hurriedly agreed and turned to go out.

Gu Xixi glanced toward the doorway and said, "They've all left."

"We are now treating the patient; today we have plenty of time, so we must thoroughly employ every method."

She said these words to Gu Tiezhu.

Gu Tiezhu still kept his head down, his eyes silently murmuring.

Lao Langzhong had just reached out, not yet touching Gu Tiezhu, when he suddenly leapt up from the bed.

He shouted wildly, "Don't touch me! Rat, don't touch me! I'll bite you, I'll bite you!"

By the stove, Liu Shi was boiling water.

You hear this ruckus—Gu Xixi wouldn't take the chance to do something nasty to our son, would she?

Gu Lao San, however, didn't think much of it: "When isn't there this kind of commotion in our house?"

"Gu Tiezhu is like this now; nobody needs to bother with him."

"On the contrary, if something happens to him while we're treating him here, they'd still be liable."

Liu Shi calmed a little, but still said resentfully, "I just can't stand her frivolous manner!"

"Look at her now—she doesn't even act like a junior; she doesn't call you uncle or aunt, and still orders you around to do this and that."

"You too, learning from others to indulge her by calling her Gu Boss—really giving her face!"

Gu Lao San gave a self‑mocking chuckle, "What are we to do?"

"You wouldn't actually go in right now and completely offend her, would you?"

"And from now on, don't envy how much grain others have."

Liu Shi stared at the boiling pot and said nothing.

Gu Lao San sighed and comforted, "Besides, no matter what you say, our son being frightened into that state by a rat isn't Gu Xixi's fault."

"Later, when you're in front of her, don't act all nose‑not‑nose, eye‑not‑eye."

Liu Shi nodded reluctantly.

Inside the room, Gu Xixi coldly watched Gu Tiezhu thrash about on the bed, shouting wildly.

"Master, don't rush; be careful not to hurt him."

She took out a medicine bottle, and when Gu Tiezhu rolled over again, she lightly flicked it at his face.

As the powder scattered, Gu Tiezhu visibly blinked.

He continued rolling.

But by the second roll, his movements grew sluggish and his cries weakened.

In an instant, Gu Xixi seemed to see panic and confusion in Gu Tiezhu's eyes.

She deliberately said to Lao Langzhong, "Disciple gave him a little calming medicine."

"He's still conscious, so you can examine him with peace of mind."

Lao Langzhong nodded and accurately felt Gu Tiezhu's wrist.

Gu Tiezhu couldn't muster any strength, lying there with his eyes wide open.

After a moment, Lao Langzhong released his fingers and silently nodded to Gu Xixi.

Gu Xixi understood; it seemed the pulse was definitely normal.

"Master, the patient shows no response to the outside world—should we increase the stimulation?"

Lao Langzhong understood and replied, "If hysteria isn't caused by stagnant qi and blood, then it arises from the heart."

"Indeed, there is such a record: acupuncture stimulation therapy can help the patient wake sooner."

"Moreover, ordinary needle depth isn't enough; at least the needles must go in three cun."

Gu Xixi sucked in a cold breath, "Three cun?! That must hurt a lot!"