After Rescuing The Sickly White Moonlight - Chapter 7

Chapter 7

Zheng Qingyun’s sudden coughing of blood terrified everyone. Zheng Heng had no time to discern whether Suo Lou’s concern was sincere or performative; he hurriedly “ushered” the man out and summoned the estate physician to examine the situation.

Lin Yu held Zheng Qingyun’s ice-cold hand, rubbing it incessantly in hopes of bringing some warmth to it.

He had been standing behind Zheng Qingyun; the moment he saw the man collapse, he had instinctively lunged forward to catch him. What met his eyes was an unstoppable flow of crimson.

His mind went blank, filled only with a buzzing sound like a thousand mosquitoes swarming his ears. His lips trembled uncontrollably. He stumbled when he lifted the man, and it was only thanks to Zheng Zhili’s support that they didn’t both crash to the ground and worsen Zheng Qingyun’s injuries.

Blood leaked intermittently from Zheng Qingyun’s mouth. His face was ashen, his expression twisted in pain.

The estate physician arrived quickly, and Lin Yu refused to move even half a step away.

After the diagnosis, the physician’s face grew grave. “Cold poison has entered the body, causing the kidney yang to fail and the limbs to fear cold. This is the ‘Wolf-Flower’ poison. Fortunately, it has not yet invaded the internal organs and remains on the surface. However, the Third Young Master has a unique constitution, which is why the reaction is so violent.”

Zheng Heng was shocked. “Wolf-Flower poison is only found in Chiying! How could Qingyun be poisoned by it? Furthermore, doesn’t it require Purple Smoke Grass as a catalyst to be effective?”

The physician explained, “Purple Smoke Grass itself is non-toxic; because of its vibrant color, it is even used to dye clothing. However, if Purple Smoke Grass and Wolf-Flower come into contact, they produce a lethal toxin. Since Wolf-Flower is rare in the Kingdom of Rong, I’m afraid a trip to Chiying is necessary to find a cure. Moreover, there seems to be another poison in the Third Young Master’s body that I have never seen before. I cannot confirm if these two poisons interfere with each other; it would be safer to consult a physician with greater expertise.”

Lin Yu gripped Zheng Qingyun’s hand, squeezing it hard.

Regulating his emotions, he stood up and said to Zheng Heng, “Uncle, I will go. I will go to Chiying to find someone who can detoxify him.”

Physician Li fed Zheng Qingyun a pill and sighed. “Young Master Lin, do not be in such a hurry…”

Zheng Heng hesitated. Reason told him it was wrong to let the son of his late friend risk his life for his own child, but seeing Lin Yu’s reddened eyes, he couldn’t voice his refusal.

He had witnessed how the two had lived together over the past four years. To force Lin Yu to stand by and watch while doing nothing would be a different kind of cruelty.

Zheng Zhili stood up. “Me too, Father. I’m going. If I go with Xiao Yu, surely you can be at ease.”

Zheng Yanzhang was about to speak, but Zheng Heng shot him a glare, signaling him not to add to the chaos.

Powerless against the two, Zheng Heng could only say, “I will go fetch Physician Chen to see if there is any other way. You two, do not panic.”

Lin Yu had Guan Yi prepare a hot water warmer, which he tucked at Zheng Qingyun’s feet, using his own hands to keep him warm. Once the medicinal decoction was ready, he carefully blew on it to cool it down and slowly fed it to Zheng Qingyun.

Spring rain is as precious as oil.

Imperial Concubine Zhang sat in her palace, opening the window as if to admire the rain. The imperial physician who came to check her pulse knelt on the ground, saying respectfully, “Your Highness is in good health; there are no issues.”

Concubine Zhang gave a lazy “Mhm” and let her maid lead the physician out. A satisfied smile appeared on her face, and she seemed to mutter to herself, “Purple… it’s quite beautiful, isn’t it?”

Upon returning to his manor, Suo Lou smashed a tea set in a fit of rage. He summoned his confidant, his eyes gleaming with murderous intent as he roared, “Go! Write to her! Ask her if sending me to the Zheng Manor was for that! What is she in such a hurry for? Striking now—is she not afraid of startling the snake?”

The confidant scrambled out, leaving Suo Lou alone in the room. His chest heaved as he paced back and forth. Finally, he sat on the couch and looked at his hand, remembering how Zheng Heng had shoved it away without hesitation.

Suo Lou stared silently at his hand, finally blinking his eyes, which were dry from staying open so long.

When Physician Chen was brought to the manor by Zheng Heng’s men, he was in a disheveled state, drenched in sweat and gasping for breath. After taking a few deep breaths to steady himself, he entered the room to examine Zheng Qingyun.

Zheng Qingyun lay on the bed, his lips pale and bloodless, his eyes tightly shut. Lin Yu guarded the bedside, never leaving, having just finished feeding him medicine.

Physician Chen sighed inwardly and said to Lin Yu, “Young Master Lin, let me examine the Third Young Master.”

Lin Yu rose to yield his spot. As Physician Chen’s fingertips touched Zheng Qingyun’s wrist, his pupils suddenly quivered. He asked Lin Yu to unfasten Zheng Qingyun’s clothing, revealing a faint, web-like blue pattern emerging beneath the collarbone—the hallmark of the “Ice Spider” poison unique to the Northern Border.

Physician Chen suddenly looked at the jade pendant at Zheng Qingyun’s waist. “May I ask, has the Third Young Master always worn this pendant?”

Lin Yu replied instinctively, “My father gave it to me. I gave it to Qingyun as a birthday gift four years ago.”

“I recall the Third Young Master being frequently drowsy and lethargic for a period, yes?” Physician Chen took silver needles from his medical chest.

Lin Yu replied, “Yes. I thought something was wrong and had the estate physician check the prescriptions over and over, but we found no issues.”

Lin Yu remembered when he gave the pendant to Zheng Qingyun; the latter had declined, saying it was too valuable. Lin Yu had been insistent, hanging it on Zheng Qingyun’s waist himself. The green jade suited Zheng Qingyun perfectly, and he never took it off after that.

“That explains it! The poison was floating on the surface and hadn’t deep-seated yet; his body couldn’t take the strain, which caused the lethargy. It’s true that Wolf-Flower requires Purple Smoke Grass as a catalyst, but the Ice Spider poison was already dormant in his body. Either poison could be fatal, and their conflict should have been fatal, but this jade pendant comes from the Kunlun Hot Springs. The three factors reached a delicate balance—until it finally erupted now,” Physician Chen explained.

Lin Yu scratched his head in frustration. What a mess! I don’t remember this happening in the previous life!

Zheng Heng suddenly recalled an incident from four years ago. “It was summer then. Qingyun accidentally fell into the lake. When he was pulled out, the doctor said it was just a common cold.”

Lin Yu looked up sharply. At that time, Zheng Heng and Zheng Qingyun had gone to Sanshan City together. Zheng Qingyun was just recovering from a major illness and his hands were freezing. Lin Yu wanted to warm them, but Zheng Qingyun said he was already used to it.

“That’s normal, as not every doctor knows the poisons of the Northern Border, so they couldn’t diagnose it. The true antidote is not in Chiying, but in the Southern Border. There is a volcanic range there; find the Scarlet Blood Grass. Use its roots mixed with century-old ginseng, Purple-Back, Tiankui, mugwort, and Angelica. Add them to water for a bath once every three days. After three months, begin acupuncture every three days for another three months, all while taking medicine according to the prescription. It will take a year of recuperation to fully recover.” Physician Chen dipped his silver needles into medicinal wine.

Zheng Heng breathed a sigh of relief. “There is plenty of Scarlet Blood Grass in the cellar of our ancestral home in the South. We just need to go back and get it. That won’t be difficult.”

Outside the window, a storm was brewing, with thunder and lightning illuminating everyone’s faces. Amidst a flash of lightning and a roar of thunder, Lin Yu suddenly drew the sword from Zheng Zhili’s waist and held it to Physician Chen’s throat. Zheng Heng and Zheng Yanzhang were horrified and tried to stop him. Zheng Zhili was stunned—how did he pull my sword away?

Lin Yu’s voice was icy, his eyes locked onto Physician Chen. “Why are you so familiar with the poisons of the Northern Border and Chiying?”

Physician Chen ignored the blade that looked ready to slit his throat and said calmly, “If you startle me and my hand slips…”

Before he could finish, the sword was withdrawn.

As he inserted the needles, he explained, “Twenty years ago when I was with the army, you weren’t even born yet. I’ve saved more people in my life than you’ve ever seen! You brat, threatening me! Hmph, when I followed the army, I saw Chiying spies use this kind of chain-poisoning scheme. Countless people in the camp suffered back then.”

Lin Yu returned the sword to Zheng Zhili and apologized to Physician Chen. “Forgive me, I was anxious…”

Physician Chen waved his hand. “You were just acting out of concern; I won’t hold it against you.”

After the acupuncture, Physician Chen packed his needles away and suggested, “I recommend you take the Third Young Master there. It would be best to let him recuperate in the South for a few years before returning.”

Physician Chen packed his chest to leave. Zheng Heng tried to make him stay until the rain stopped, but he waved it off and declined.

Lin Yu looked at Zheng Qingyun’s pained face, his heart aching. But the sick one was the one offering comfort: “Brother Yu, it’s okay. Don’t frown.”

Zheng Qingyun reached out to smooth Lin Yu’s brow, but Lin Yu caught the hand—colder than a block of ice—and repeated, “It’s okay, it’s okay…”

Seven days later, the carriage was ready.

The Crown Prince had been sent elsewhere to inspect the populace, but before leaving, he sent Li Quan with many supplements and herbs. Because Zheng Yanzhang had to prepare for the upcoming Imperial Examination, Zheng Heng could not leave at will, and Deng Yuan had to care for Zheng Zelan, it was Zheng Zhili and Lin Yu who accompanied Zheng Qingyun.

Zheng Zelan’s tears fell in large drops. Seeing her third brother in pain made her suffer as well. Zheng Qingyun forced himself to be energetic to comfort his sister. “Zelan, don’t cry. Third Brother is just going to the South to play; I’ll be back soon. Don’t make Mother and Father angry while I’m away, understood?”

Zheng Zelan nodded, struggling to hold back her tears. Zheng Qingyun looked at Zheng Yanzhang and offered a blessing: “Big Brother, I will wait for the news of you becoming the Top Scholar.”

Zheng Yanzhang nodded. “I certainly will.”

The carriage swayed as it departed. The group disguised themselves as medicinal merchants, quietly leaving through the back gate of the Zheng Manor before dawn.

Zheng Qingyun and Lin Yu sat in the same carriage. Zheng Qingyun frowned slightly, looking very uncomfortable. Lin Yu noticed and took out a jar of dried green plums from a bundle, feeding one to Zheng Qingyun’s lips. Zheng Qingyun took it from his fingers; the sweet and sour taste eased his nausea. Lin Yu pulled the man onto his lap, holding his hands to warm him and carefully covering him with a cloak.

Due to Zheng Qingyun’s health, the carriage did not travel very fast. Zheng Zhili came to check on them mid-journey, but since Zheng Qingyun was sleeping, the two didn’t speak. They didn’t stop during the day; Zheng Zhili sent Guan Yue to buy some food, and the group kept moving.

At night, they stayed in an inn. There were few guests. Lin Yu took Zheng Qingyun straight to the room, and Guan Yi brought their meals up. Zheng Qingyun had a poor appetite and could only manage a few bites; Lin Yu finished the rest.

In the middle of the night, Lin Yu woke up every so often to check on Zheng Qingyun and touch his body. After a few times, Zheng Qingyun got annoyed by the poking and burrowed straight into his arms. Lin Yu’s body was very warm, and Zheng Qingyun soon fell into a deep sleep. His ice-cold feet rested on Lin Yu’s legs, instantly shocking the drowsy Lin Yu wide awake.

The next morning, the carriage continued its journey. Upon reaching a sparsely populated area, several “bandits” suddenly rushed out from ahead, attacking without a word.

Imperial Concubine Zhang received the letter from Suo Lou. She read it indifferently before tossing it into the incense burner to be reduced to ashes.

“Tell him: whatever this Palace does is for the Great Cause. He is in no position to point fingers.”