Knowing the Warmth of Southern Tea (GL) - Chapter 14

Chapter 14

The night was slightly cool, and the candlelight dim. A woman leaned lightly against a wooden chair, a copy of the Detailed Prescriptions for Emergencies (千金方) in her hand, having quietly fallen asleep. Suddenly, the sound of the door pushing open startled her awake. She knew Xiao Zhuang had received news from an old friend and went to help. She believed nothing would go wrong, but she couldn’t help but worry.

“Who is it?” the woman stood up and asked. Gathering her thoughts, she realized it was already the Hour of the Ox (around 2:00 AM). By this time, he should have returned with their daughter. Xingyue really was something else, insisting on following him just to cause trouble.

She went out to greet them, only to see her husband carrying a woman in his arms, walking rapidly toward the house, followed by another woman whose clothes were somewhat disheveled. At a glance, it looked like they had been rescued from bandits… He went out to be a hero, but surely it wouldn’t result in another “offering herself in marriage” situation, would it?

Years ago, Xiao Zhuang was managing the city’s security and saved a woman from being assaulted. That woman insisted on marrying him, even arrogantly claiming she would be his concubine. It had terrified Rongrong. Luckily, their neighbor Da Na chased her out with a broom, or they might not have known how to resolve it!

“Me. Saving someone,” Zhuang answered simply. Over the years, Rongrong had long grown accustomed to Zhuang’s brevity; she could understand his meaning without him saying a word. She immediately set aside her stray thoughts to focus on the patient.

Zhuang placed Wen Cha on the bed in the medical room, which Rongrong had specially set up for patients. Rongrong stepped forward; the girl’s face was deathly pale, and cold sweat poured down like rain.

“Take the others out. Don’t let anyone in to disturb me,” Rongrong commanded with a glance at Nan Nuan, turning to grab her needles. When Rongrong treated patients, she preferred to be alone. Any sound could interfere with her concentration.

Hearing this, Zhuang led Nan Nuan out of the room.

“Sir, may I ask who this person is?” Nan Nuan felt an unsettling tremor in her heart, a panic she had never experienced since childhood. The blunt question escaped her lips before she could think. It sounded almost like an interrogation—speaking this way to a savior was no different from questioning their motives.

Though Nan Nuan had remained calm on the road, seeing Wen Cha vanish behind closed doors made her anxious.

Zhuang glanced at Nan Nuan, his eyes cold and sharp as a sword. However, he didn’t take offense. He had met people far ruder than her; after seeing enough of the world, one encounters all types. “My wife, Rongrong.”

“Is she the Physician Immortal, Rongrong?” Nan Nuan asked. Though she was still uneasy, knowing it was the legendary Rongrong made her feel slightly more at ease. After all, the medical skills of the Physician Immortal were known to all.

“Yes.”

“Sir, you arrived so opportunely… was it at the request of another?”

“Yes.”

Zhuang ignored Nan Nuan further and turned to go back inside to help, leaving Nan Nuan alone outside the door.

Nan Nuan stood there, restless, filled with worry and anger. Yet she didn’t know why she was angry; she had lost her usual composure. Perhaps it was because this was the first person “foolish” enough to risk their life for her. Ultimately, she was different from the others. A woman with no vested interest in her…

Actually, that wasn’t entirely true; their lives were tied together.

Her chest ached slightly. Was it the Love Gu acting up? Or was it because Wen Cha had found a place in her heart? Indeed, if all of this was truly an accident, then Wen Cha was indeed a friend—a friend she could trust.

Inside the room, Rongrong was preparing to cut Wen Cha’s clothes.

“Don’t… these are new clothes,” Wen Cha shouted while lying prone on the bed. Nan Nuan had given these to her!

“New clothes are only useful if you’re alive to wear them,” Rongrong replied unsympathetically and cut them away.

“Beautiful sister… please be gentle! Ah…”

…

Zhuang entered and immediately soaked a cloth. Wen Cha thought he was going to wipe the blood off her, the patient. Instead, Zhuang tenderly used the cloth to wipe the sweat from Rongrong’s brow. He did this repeatedly.

So you came in just to wipe your wife’s sweat? Have you considered the patient’s feelings? I’m already this miserable, and you’re still showing off your affection.

…

“Young lady, I am pulling the blade out. It will hurt.”

“Wait… it hurts.” Wen Cha wished she could just pass out so she wouldn’t have to feel it. Pain, pain, pain.

…

Rongrong methodically applied medicine and bandaged the wound. Wen Cha finally got her wish and lost consciousness. By then, the sun had fully risen.

“It was a bit close. Three inches to the side and even I couldn’t have saved her. Luckily, this girl has a strong constitution, otherwise, she wouldn’t have survived the trip here,” Rongrong said as she wiped her hands and stepped out of the room, addressing Nan Nuan in the outer chamber.

“Thank you, Madam, for saving her life,” Nan Nuan said, kneeling directly on the ground.

“There is no need for this, please get up quickly,” Rongrong hurried to help her up. Suddenly, her head spun; she stumbled and began to fall backward. Nan Nuan rushed to catch her, but before she could move, Zhuang, who had followed out of the room, had already caught her.

“Are you all right?” Zhuang asked softly in her ear.

“It’s nothing, just exhausted from last night,” Rongrong leaned on Zhuang to stand straight again and hurried to help Nan Nuan, who was still kneeling.

“Sir, Madam, please accept Nan Nuan’s bow.” Nan Nuan performed a formal salutation.

“This…” Rongrong looked at Zhuang. Zhuang accepted it naturally, leaving her speechless.

“Thank you, Sir, for saving our lives. Thank you, Madam, for your healing,” Nan Nuan thanked them sincerely.

“You’re welcome. Stand up first,” Rongrong helped her up. She noticed the various wounds on Nan Nuan as well and realized how dangerous the previous night must have been.

“Miss Nan, I’ll have Xiao Zhuang get you some ointment for your wounds.” Rongrong glanced at Zhuang, who silently went to fetch the medicine.

“You can use clean water to wash away the grime before applying the medicine. If you have any difficulty, feel free to call me. Please follow me; I’ll get you a couple of suitable dresses.” Rongrong led Nan Nuan into an inner room.

“Madam, do you have something to tell me?” Nan Nuan asked.

“Miss Nan, are you aware that you have a Gu insect inside you?” Rongrong asked.

“How did you know, Madam?” Nan Nuan countered, now fully believing the legends of the miraculous physician.

“I can tell with one look,” Rongrong replied.

“Do you have a cure?” Nan Nuan asked.

“I need time to observe it.” As Rongrong spoke, she handed Nan Nuan two dresses and brought her back to the outer room, where Zhuang had returned with the ointment.

Nan Nuan took the medicine and followed Rongrong into a guest room.

“This room hasn’t been lived in for a while. Though I clean it regularly, there might be some dust. I hope you don’t mind.”

“It is more than enough. Thank you, Madam.”

“If you need water, the well outside the door will do. If you need anything else, just let me know. I’ll go brew some medicine for you shortly; taking it internally and applying it externally will help your wounds heal faster.”

“Thank you, Madam.”

“You should get cleaned up first.”

After expressing her care, Rongrong left the room. Nan Nuan took a careful look around the room; it was simple yet warm. The potted plant by the window, the painting on the wall… it was clearly the home of someone who lived a refined life.

This kind of ordinary life… it’s truly quite dull, Nan Nuan thought.

Always the same paintings, the same plants. A life that never changes—where is the joy in that?