novelraw Chapter 675: 659: The Heart of Little Demon Star Warrants Punishment
Chapter 675: 659: The Heart of Little Demon Star Warrants Punishment
Chapter 675: Chapter 659: The Heart of Little Demon Star Warrants Punishment
Regarding Old Mrs. Qin, Qin Liuxi had no particular fondness for her, but not much aversion either, because she simply did not care.
Old Mrs. Qin’s disposition and actions, she could understand them, because of social status. She knew people are ranked differently, and what kind of status determines what kind of experience, which creates what kind of personality. Like Old Mrs. Qin, who had fallen from a high place but still carried herself with dignity, she was not the only one, nor would she be the last.
Qin Liuxi did not expect an elderly lady who had lived in luxury for decades to suddenly come to terms with reality, nor did she expect her personality to become gentle, modest, and agreeable, because a personality once formed is not so easily changed.
But knowing that is one thing, and obliging her is another.
Faced with Old Mrs. Qin’s ‘moral coercion,’ Qin Liuxi was neither angry nor annoyed, her expression indifferent: “Old Lady, you need not plead; I don’t have the capability you imagine I possess. I haven’t even seen the patient, so it’s premature to talk about whether I could save him or not.”
Old Mrs. Qin gasped heavily, her eyebrows furrowed tightly.
Qin Liuxi glanced at her again, saying, “Rather than worrying about whether the Quan Family’s son can be saved, you might want to worry about your own health, and whether you can hold on until the masters of the house return.”
“Xixi.” Mrs. Wang, massaging Old Lady Qin’s back, paused slightly, looking at her helplessly.
Qin Liuxi continued, “Old Lady, you are well aware of your own health; otherwise, why would you say you don’t have many years left to live?”
Old Mrs. Qin’s body stiffened.
She had meant those words to take advantage of her old age, but hearing Qin Liuxi’s words felt as though they hammered the life out of her own statement.
Was she really saying that she didn’t have long to live?
Old Mrs. Qin looked at the bright red stain on the handkerchief on the table. Coughing up blood was not a good sign, and indeed, her health was deteriorating daily.
Could it be that she truly could not hold on until the day the old men returned?
Old Mrs. Qin’s complexion turned pale in an instant, fear and helplessness flashing in her eyes.
If there is a chance to live, who would choose death?
Qin Liuxi spoke again: “Being exiled to the northwest is indeed harsh, but being able to safely arrive in Wu City, managing to find a livelihood and a place to stay already counts as fortunate. Even the Quan family can only do so much; do you think they can actually bring the masters of the house back to Li City? Old Lady, the Quan family may be powerful, but not more so than fate itself. And since they are now safe, the Quan family’s intervention is merely icing on the cake, irrelevant. So, there is no need for you to regard them as a lifesaver.”
Mrs. Wang’s eyes flickered slightly, and she tightened her grip on Old Mrs. Qin’s hand.
Old Mrs. Qin remained silent.
Qin Liuxi stepped forward, took her pulse, and said, “I’ll prescribe you a different medicine.”
The prescription was changed one after another, yet her condition did not improve, worsening with each passing day, naturally due to the anxiety and worry plaguing her mind.
The old lady was tormenting herself, courting death.
Good advice is wasted on the damned.
If she insisted on self-harm, Qin Liuxi would not plead with her tirelessly. She would do what she had to and then leave. As for fulfilling filial duties, that was not her place, and she believed that Old Mrs. Qin did not need it, for her taking on such duties might only hasten her death.
Infuriating to death.
After Qin Liuxi left, Old Mrs. Qin could hardly contain her emotions, gasping for breath time and again.
Mrs. Wang was weary in her heart, but still offered a few words of comfort in a gentle voice, “Yan’er has sent me a letter; he says that he has adapted to the environment in the northwest. Everyone is doing well there, and the work is not too tiring. The third son is even working closely with a steward…”
Old Mrs. Qin immediately diverted her gaze, staring intently at her with eyes that shone brightly. Her mouth, twisted due to the stroke, appeared even more crooked amidst her excitement, as she asked, “Really?”
Mrs. Wang nodded, taking out the letter hidden in her sleeve, successfully shifting Old Lady Qin’s focus.
But before she could breathe a sigh of relief, Old Lady Qin’s tears started falling drop by drop, as she cried out, “Oh, my poor dear grandson.”
Mrs. Wang felt a lump in her throat, said nothing, and heaved a heavy sigh. Miss Xi was right; if Old Lady continued like this, she likely wouldn’t last until they returned.
Qin Liuxi returned to her own courtyard, opened the bundle Aunt Wan had given her; it was a complete set of personal clothing made from comfortable, breathable fabric. Since they were to be worn next to the skin, there were no elaborate patterns embroidered, to avoid scraping the skin, just two small flowers simply embroidered on the hem and sleeves.
The most intimate undershirt was even more plain, hemmed with an auspicious cloud pattern, with extraordinarily fine stitches – not a thread end in sight.
Truly, it was made with care.
Qin Liuxi handed over the clothing to Qi Huang to be placed among her usual attire, then called over her two disciples to join her in the Medicine House.
She needed to prepare some medicine for Du Mian, to help him recover more quickly after his treatment.
It was much later, with the moon hanging high, when Qin Liuxi finally left the Medicine House, carrying the already-sleeping Wang Chuan, followed by Teng Zhao, who yawned incessantly.
“Rest early; tomorrow we will treat Du Mian’s injuries,” Qin Liuxi instructed Teng Zhao.
Teng Zhao nodded, pausing as she passed by Qin Liuxi’s room, and took away Little Ginseng Spirit with her.
Little Ginseng Spirit: “?”
Put me down, where are you taking me?
Teng Zhao placed it back on the windowsill of her own bedroom, reaching out to gently tap its leaves and said, “Moonlight is directly facing my window, perfect for you to absorb the moon’s essence.”
Little Ginseng Spirit looked up and indeed, tonight’s moon was right above Teng Zhao’s window, pouring down silver moonlight that made its branches and leaves completely relax. For a moment, it became careless and the unique fragrance of the ginseng spread out.
How fragrant.
In an inconspicuous courtyard in Li City, Sha Yuanzi leaped onto the roof and sniffed the air, hoping to follow the scent of the ginseng. But before he could determine the direction, the scent of the ginseng had vanished into thin air.
Sha Yuanzi’s brows furrowed; such a rich ginseng scent, it must have been around for a thousand years.
Suddenly appearing, then suddenly vanishing – could it be a ginseng that has turned into a spirit?
Sha Yuanzi’s eyes brightened, a ginseng spirit, if he could catch it, that would be a great tonic.
Licking the corners of his lips, his eyes couldn’t hide his greed, this was indeed the treasure land of his little junior brother, with unexpected gains.
Sha Yuanzi guessed that the ginseng spirit’s presence, due to the quick disappearance of the scent, could not be from some household cooking soup, as that ginseng fragrance would have lingered, not vanished suddenly like this.
Looking at the row upon row of rooftops, then out towards the dense forest beyond the city, he lightly tapped his toe and disappeared in a flash.
Most Heavenly Materials and Earthly Treasures were to be found in the mountains and forests; it seemed that ginseng spirit had accidently revealed its trail and released its essence.
And Qingping Temple was just outside the city, a Taoist Temple of the Mystic Sect with incense offerings, naturally possessing the Merit Power. If he wanted those Heavenly Materials and Earthly Treasures, he would go there and steal some incense to aid his cultivation.
The Little Ginseng Spirit, having narrowly escaped discovery, was still unaware of the close call. Right now, it was being pressed down by Teng Zhao, crying and fussing, claiming that this place had moonlight, convenient for absorption – but she was clearly tricking it in order to trim its leaves!
Little Demon Star, your heart is punishable!