Chapter 84: Want to do something for him

Gu Xixi couldn't sleep for a moment, recalling the conversation when she was pounding medicine in Old Doctor Lao's house earlier that evening.

"The poison he's been given is too strange and complex; I've tried over a dozen methods on him, either unable to completely neutralize the toxin, or when the poison and antidote mix they disturb the meridians, and even after the poison is gone, the person is ruined."

Gu Xixi startled, the pestle struck the edge of the mortar with a clang, the sharp sound ringing in her ears.

"Master, you're testing the medicine directly on him?"

Old Doctor Lao lifted his vacant eyes, "He didn't tell you?"

Gu Xixi replied, "No."

Old Doctor Lao said, "At first I took blood from his fingertip to deduce the prescription."

"Later he said this was too slow; since he doesn't have much time left, it might be better to test the medicine directly on him, so after taking the drug he can promptly tell me his reaction, which might allow us to devise an antidote more quickly."

Gu Xixi anxiously asked, "Didn't you say an incorrect antidote could ruin a person? After over a dozen failures, how is he still fine?"

Old Doctor Lao grinned, a bit smugly, "Others' poisons I might not easily figure out the formula and solution, but for the antidote I myself formulated, if something goes wrong I still have confidence in how to handle it."

After a moment of silence from Gu Xixi, Old Doctor Lao hurriedly comforted, "Disciple, don't worry; each time he tries a new medicine, I watch him closely, and at the first sign of something wrong I reach out and pull him back."

"But his method really works; I've already determined the proportions of the seven medicinal ingredients."

Gu Xixi rubbed her forehead, sighing helplessly, "One dares to take it, one dares to treat it—I'm truly impressed by the two of you."

……

At this moment, Gu Xixi suddenly thought of a deadly place and sat up abruptly.

In the original story, it seems that after Gu Qingye married, she happened to find some miraculous antidote and saved Mu Nan Zhao.

But now everything has changed; Gu Qingye has been sent to prison, and any hope of her becoming engaged to Mu Nan Zhao is gone.

In other words, the part where Gu Qingye seeks the antidote may no longer exist.

Whether Mu Nan Zhao's life can be saved has become an unknown!

Gu Xixi was shocked in the middle of the night.

She sat dazed for a while, and a new idea gradually emerged in her mind.

Since the female supporting character Gu Xixi dies because of Mu Nan Zhao, what if Mu Nan Zhao succumbs to poison in Huachi Du Cun?

That way, the female supporting character's death crisis could also be resolved……

No, no, Gu Xixi patted her cheeks, promptly stopping her wicked thought.

Mu Nan Zhao hasn't let her down; on the contrary, he's helped her a lot—how could she wish for his death?

Now it's actually her who sent Gu Qingye to prison, possibly causing Mu Nan Zhao's death.

Gu Xixi's heart was suddenly filled with guilt.

At that moment she heard a faint creak, and without thinking further she sprang up and flung open the door.

Snow was still falling, and the courtyard was already piled deep with snow.

Mu Nan Zhao had already walked to the vicinity of the gate; hearing the commotion, he turned and saw Gu Xixi standing there in thin clothing, frowned slightly, hesitated a moment, then strode toward her.

"What madness keeps you up at midnight? Hurry inside."

Gu Xixi stepped back two paces into the house, gazing at him through the open door.

She opened her mouth, a thousand words in her heart, but what came out was, "You're leaving just like that?"

Mu Nan Zhao: "Mm."

Gu Xixi paused, then said, "The roads are slippery in the snow—watch your step."

Mu Nan Zhao's eyes warmed slightly, "A carriage is coming to pick me up, no problem."

Gu Xixi nodded, "Then go ahead; when you return I'll buy you a cloak and a pair of tall boots—warm and snow‑proof."

She immediately added, "Anyway, I earned some money today."

"All right." Mu Nan Zhao jokingly clasped his hands, "Then I'll first thank the host."

Gu Xixi watched him leave, and for the first time she felt the urge to do something for him.

Mu Nan Zhao's departure lasted two days.

When he returned it was already afternoon; the snow had melted, leaving mud everywhere.

Shitou was helping pick vegetables in the kitchen when he saw a figure come in through the window and hurried out.

"Chen Dage, I knew it was you coming back!"

"How are the other academy teachers compared to you?"

Mu Nan Zhao raised his eyebrows slightly, "Gu Xixi tells you everything."

Shitou, unaware that this was a probing question, proudly lifted his head and said, "Of course, I'm closest to Sister Xixi; if there's any inside information she'll definitely tell me first."

Mu Nan Zhao, washing his hands, said calmly, "I don't believe it."

Shitou indeed couldn't withstand the goading, "You're knowledgeable, but you're afraid you won't make a good teacher, so you went to an outside academy to observe and gain experience, hence giving us two days off—am I right?"

Mu Nan Zhao gritted his teeth, "... Right."

Had he not asked Shitou, he would never have guessed that Gu Xixi was looking for such an excuse.

Upon learning that Gu Xixi was at Old Doctor Lao's, Mu Nan Zhao headed straight for the rear courtyard.

Pushing open the door, a warmth wrapped in a strong medicinal scent nearly overwhelmed him.

He frowned and saw Old Doctor Lao measuring and mixing medicines.

By the window stove, Gu Xixi stood there waving a spatula, busy as a blazing fire.

Feeling the cold draft blowing in, the two inside turned around at once.

"Jiang Lao." Mu Nan Zhao first greeted Old Doctor Lao, then asked Gu Xixi, "What are you doing?"

Gu Xixi, stirring vigorously, replied with a laugh, "I'm frying the medicine."

"Master has come up with another method; before the antidote is ready, you can take a medicinal bath this winter."

"Once I finish this pot, you'll be able to use it tonight."

Her face was smudged with black ash, mixed with sweat in a mottled pattern.

It was somewhat comical, but Mu Nan Zhao didn't find it funny.

He walked over, casually pulled out a handkerchief to wipe her face, though he wasn't gentle about it.

Gu Xixi hadn't even reacted before the handkerchief covered her face and rubbed her roughly.

Only after he finally let go did she catch her breath, "Hey, what are you doing?"

Mu Nan Zhao gave a half‑smile, "Was it you who told people I'm afraid I can't be a good teacher?"

Gu Xixi was speechless.

After a moment she replied, "Well, I can't help it either—having a position comes with this drawback."

"You used to disappear for a day or two and no one noticed, but now if you skip school, the whole village will know right away."

She glanced at him and muttered softly, "Aren't you trying to stay hidden in Flower Pool Ford? If I don't find you a suitable excuse, you'll just invite suspicion…"

Finally, Mu Nan Zhao let out a soft sigh—both resignation and surrender.

"I'm going back to get some sleep."

Only then did Gu Xixi notice his weary expression, "Didn't you sleep well last night?"

Mu Nan Zhao said, "By the time I finished the matter it was late, so I had to hurry back."

He looked at her, "There's still a big matter tomorrow morning."

The next morning, Meng Chengping arrived as promised to pick up Gu Xixi.

Besides five soldiers on horseback escorting her, there was also a carriage.

Such a spectacle immediately caused a stir in the small village.

As Gu Xixi stepped out, she found her doorway already packed solid with people.