Chapter 461: I Believe Her

Yina's vital signs are currently fairly stable.

But given the fetus's condition, if this continues, the mother's body won't be able to hold out—it's only a matter of time.

After Gu Xixi had a look, someone immediately brought water for her to wash her hands.

But Gu Xixi swiftly opened her sling bag, took out a bottle of pills, and placed two at Yina's lips.

"Hold it under the tongue."

The elderly servant woman still seemed somewhat hesitant.

Yina, however, opened her mouth without hesitation and took the medicine.

Immediately after, Gu Xixi took out her needle case, unrolled the whole roll, and, lowering her eyes, said:

"These pills contain nothing but good stuff; they can help you keep your strength up."

Seeing Gu Xixi take action, everyone's eyes lit up—could there still be a cure?

Lin Aunt, somewhat doubtful, asked, "Could it be that by needling now we can turn the baby's position?"

Gu Xixi shook her head. "It's discovered too late; it can't be done."

While speaking she didn't idle; her right hand moved lightly up and down, inserting the silver needles into the points.

"For now I can only needle her, to lengthen the intervals between her labor pains."

"Buy a little more time; perhaps with luck we can wait for the true lifesaver."

The baby's hand came out first; in a modern hospital this situation would also require rushing straight to the operating room for a cesarean.

Let alone such medical conditions in ancient times.

Faced with this imminent danger, we can only attempt things that seem impossible; perhaps there is still a sliver of hope.

That is, as the saying goes, "treat a dead horse as if it were alive."

Everyone looked at each other, waiting for the lifesaver?

Could it be that, besides Boss Gu, someone even more capable has come to this place?

Seeing everyone's expressions, Gu Xixi said, "It's not my master."

"This time it's unfortunate; he has several critical patients on his hands and really can't leave."

She spoke frankly, "I've sent Lv Jing to fetch the military doctor."

"If things go smoothly, he should be here soon."

So it's just a military doctor, huh.

Everyone's emotions went through great ups and downs.

The military doctors of the Northwest Army aren't skilled in obstetrics or pediatrics.

Even the most capable among them, Doctor Bai, whom the army venerates as a divine physician, admits that in terms of delivering babies he probably can't compare to the most experienced midwife.

In a situation where even Gu Xixi is at a loss, would calling a military doctor be of any use?

But at the same time everyone believes Gu Xixi wouldn't do this for no reason.

So while waiting, everyone divided up the tasks.

Boiling water, wiping the mother's body and sweat, those who lived nearby even went back to fetch some food.

Because Gu Xixi said there might be work later, everyone was hungry and had no energy.

Around noon, Zao Hua arrived.

She went to the small courtyard to bring Gu Xixi food, and upon hearing that something had happened here, she rushed over as well.

Two jars of dumpling soup, one for Gu Xixi and one for Lv Jing.

Tiny oatmeal dumplings stewed with various vegetable minced meat made a thick soup, finally topped with golden egg flowers, giving it perfect color, aroma, and flavor.

The soupy liquid looks easy to swallow, easy to digest and nutritious.

The Bei Li old woman glanced at Yina, hesitated a moment, and begged Gu Xixi, "Could you please share a bit with my master?"

"She felt unwell this morning and hasn't eaten anything."

Gu Xixi ate the dumpling soup with a wooden spoon.

She was indeed hungry too, and eating big mouthfuls it tasted wonderfully sweet.

"No."

Hearing Gu Xixi's refusal, everyone was somewhat surprised.

Then Gu Xixi said, "It's actually better not to have eaten anything this morning."

The Bei Li old woman felt a bit angry, but because she had a request she didn't dare to lash out.

Zao Hua and the others quietly exchanged glances, all wondering why the usually generous Boss Gu was acting this way today.

Lin Aunt, however, understood better in her heart, and told the old woman, "It's just a mouthful of food; Boss Gu is certainly not stingy."

"Look, Boss Gu just gave you such good medicine without even blinking."

The old woman lifted her eyes to Gu Xixi, looking somewhat dazed.

At this moment Yina spoke; it was the first time she had spoken Chinese to the old servant, just so everyone could understand.

"Grandma, whether I'm awake or in a stupor, dead or alive, you must listen to Boss Gu's words."

"Whatever she says, you must do it."

"Because I believe in her."

The old woman nodded through tears and agreed.

Yina turned her head to Gu Xixi, curled a smile, and said, "Sorry, Grandma is my wet nurse; she worries about me and isn't intentionally opposing you."

Gu Xixi thought of how Aunt Zhang also protected her without principle.

Her gaze softened involuntarily, and she said, "I can understand."

She also added an explanation, "The medicine you're holding under your tongue already supplies enough strength; you don't need to eat anything else."

Instead, eating other food might affect the treatment later.

Yi Na could even smile, saying, "Although I don't understand, I trust you."

Gu Xixi said, "Don't speak for now, close your eyes and rest."

After waiting a while, the sound of horse hooves came from outside.

Lin Aunt showed a look of surprise and joy, saying, "It must be Miss Lü returning; I'll go check!"

Soon, everyone heard Lin Aunt's surprised voice coming from outside:

"Physician Bai? Why are you alone?"

"Where is Miss Lü?"

Physician Bai dismounted, took the two large medicine boxes from the horse's back, and said:

"That little girl said it's an emergency here, she's slow on her mule, so she sent me ahead to save people."

"I'm here, rushing as fast as I can."

"Sigh, who exactly has the acute condition? What are the symptoms?"

Lin Aunt led Physician Bai into the house while saying, "The baby's position is wrong! If we delay any longer, the baby's hand will come out!"

Physician Bai stared, then suddenly stopped in his tracks.

"What? A woman giving birth?"

Lin Aunt also stared, saying, "You don't know?"

Physician Bai felt bitter, saying, "I just came out of the pharmacy when the General's people sent word, telling me to bring my medical supplies to outside the camp."

"Just out of the checkpoint, they had my horse ready, and then that little girl on the mule kept urging me on."

"I'm dazed and confused; I haven't had a chance to ask clearly!"

"No." Physician Bai shook his head. "I can't treat this illness."

He lowered his voice, saying, "This is so dangerous that even if you immediately summon the imperial palace's female obstetrics expert, it would be hard to save!"

Seeing him turn to flee, Lin Aunt swiftly grabbed him.

"You can't leave!"

"Don't you forget, the General ordered you to make this trip!"

"So whether you can cure it or not, you must go in and see the patient!"

Physician Bai stiffly turned his head, his expression full of despair.

The room wasn't large; their conversation was naturally heard clearly by everyone inside.

The Bei Li old woman's face turned pallid, filled with panic and grief.

Yi Na herself, however, remained calm.

She had already envisaged the worst outcome; what was there left to fear?

Physician Bai entered, saw the silver needles on Yi Na's body, frowned, and said, "There's already a doctor here; why call me?"

He looked around but didn't see anyone who looked like a doctor.

Until Gu Xixi stood up and said, "Mr. Bai, may we speak privately for a moment?"

Some secrets naturally must not be heard by the Bei Li people.

"I've heard Mr. Bai is skilled at treating arrow wounds: cut open the wound, extract the arrowhead, clean it, then suture the wound. Finally, apply your specially made medicine to reduce inflammation, cool the blood, dispel decay, and promote flesh growth."