Chapter 94: Chapter 95: Treatment

“Stop the nonsense, if you won’t drink, give it here.” Qi Yue feigned reaching for the water flask.

“Drink, why wouldn’t I drink,” Huang Zai’an hastily stuffed the water flask into his chest, his face breaking into a smile, “Good disciple, will you give your master a flask every day from now on?”

“Mmm.”

With narrowed eyes, Qi Yue hummed an affirmation from her throat.

She had just taken his pulse and realized that her inexpensive master’s lungs was damaged, and without the right medicine, he was unlikely to live much longer.

Although Huang Zai’an was a master she met midway, he had been kind to her.

Besides, given the current situation, she would inevitably have to deal with Hu Chengxuan and his son in the future, and the title of Huang Zai’an as her master was a layer of protection for her, bringing many conveniences.

Although the Spiritual Spring Water was not any special medicine, it possessed multiple benefits such as nourishment and healing, life extension and vitality enhancement, physique strengthening, and toxin expulsion. Drinking it over a long period would greatly benefit his health.

“Really? You truly are my good disciple.” Overjoyed like nothing else, Huang Zai’an hurriedly pulled out the flask and took a sip.

Qi Yue glanced at him, “Just now you called me a curse-born disciple.”

“It’s all in the past, all in the past!” Huang Zai’an said with a beaming smile, but his face quickly turned solemn again.

“It’s no good, disciple, no matter how good this water is, it can’t make Hu Keqing stand up!”

“If Hu Chengxuan finds out that you and I, master and disciple, have conspired to deceive him, he’ll chop us both up without hesitation.”

Qi Yue thought to herself that since there was only one White Rhino Horn, it certainly couldn’t be used for Hu Keqing.

If it were a common bone fracture or broken leg, she might try the Ghost Gate Needle.

After understanding Hu Keqing’s injuries, she immediately decided on the treatment process in her mind.

“Master, I can treat this leg, but it just means Hu Keqing is going to have to endure some pain.”

Rejoining broken bones, without good medicine, would indeed be agonizingly painful.

Huang Zai’an waved his hand dismissively.

“What’s there to fear? Hu Keqing is a soldier, he can take any suffering. When the time comes, you’ll operate, and your master will assist you.”

Qi Yue thought it over and figured that, in the worst case, she could personally give him some high-quality painkillers.

“Alright. But I have one more condition.”

“What condition?” Huang Zai’an tucked the water flask suspiciously into his chest.

“After the treatment is finished, I’m leaving, and you have to cover for me.”

“Sure, that’s no problem. I know you’ve got someone on your mind,” Huang Zai’an said with a smirk.

“Also,” Qi Yue ignored his teasing and continued, “you have to tell me about the National Treasure.”

Huang Zai’an almost sprayed out the Spiritual Spring Water he sipped, and, with a pained heart, he swallowed it down, gasping for air.

“…That won’t do!”

“Then I won’t treat him,” Qi Yue glanced at the flask in his hand, “and you can forget about this water in the future!”

“You, you…” Huang Zai’an was again so angry he was at a loss for words.

“What’ll it be? Just say yes or no!” Now it was Qi Yue’s turn to be smug.

She was starting to suspect that Huang Zai’an was one of those entrusted by the old Emperor with the National Treasure.

And since he knew Zhao Xiyan was Mo Zhizhi’s disciple, after Mo Zhizhi’s death, Zhao Xiyan, who obtained the Beiyuan Local Chronicles, became one of the legitimate Guardians of the treasure.

That must be why he’s protecting Zhao Xiyan!

Tsk tsk, what incredible luck.

She was about to find out where the National Treasure was!

Ha ha ha…

“Fine. Of course, it’s fine.” Huang Zai’an gritted his teeth, “Who else but my own disciple!”

“Exactly,” Qi Yue nodded repeatedly, “So master, when do you plan on telling me?”

Suddenly, Huang Zai’an’s sly old eyes rolled, and he clutched at his chest with a pitiful expression on his face.

“Disciple, ah, your master is about to die. This secret, sooner or later, will be handed over to you anyway, so why be impatient? You should know that everything has its right timing, location, and human harmony, and cannot be forced too much.”

Qi Yue also felt that this was reasonable; once she found the map, it wouldn’t be too late to ask about the treasure’s location.

The matter was thus set aside for the moment, and master and disciple chatted idly for a while longer before each went to sleep, waiting for the next day to treat Hu Keqing.

The next morning, Qi Yue got up, tidied herself, and went out to meet Huang Zai’an, planning to go with him to see Hu Keqing’s injuries.

Just as she stepped out of the courtyard, she saw Hu Keqing, sitting in a wheelchair, smiling at her.

“Doctor Qi, good morning.”

“Good morning,” Qi Yue returned the greeting woodenly.

To be fair, Hu Keqing really was likable. Although he was also in the military, unlike his father, Hu Chengxuan, he lacked the chilling aura of the battlefield, instead exuding the warmth of a sunny older brother next door.

Moreover, his appearance—with his dense eyes and a face full of sincerity, immediately revealing a lack of guile—really made it hard for anyone to dislike him.

“Doctor Qi, the women’s attire you have on today looks very nice, it suits you well.”

Today she had changed into the red dress Shen Yu had made for her.

The dress indeed looked good, discarding the complexities of traditional women’s attire for a hint of the crispness of men’s clothing, making it very comfortable to wear, which she liked very much.

She couldn’t help but recall that while on the road fleeing famine, Zhao Xiyan had also said something similar to her.

At that time, he had simply smiled faintly, saying she looked very good after losing weight.

That voice had instantly engraved itself in her heart, and now, thinking back, her heart couldn’t help but flutter slightly.

Hu Keqing’s compliments were bold, yet sincere.

Unwilling to make such a person feel too embarrassed, she smiled and said “thank you” to Hu Keqing.

Only then did Hu Keqing somewhat bashfully lower his head, but soon he enthusiastically asked where she was heading and if she had had breakfast yet.

Upon learning that she was going to see Huang Zai’an, Hu Keqing immediately indicated that he was planning to check his leg with old Huang to see if it was suitable to begin treatment today.

The two of them followed each other to Huang Zai’an’s courtyard.

Along the way, Hu Keqing’s wheelchair was difficult to maneuver, so Qi Yue helped out, attracting secretive whispers from passing maids and matrons.

She didn’t think much of it, and they quickly arrived at Huang Zai’an’s residence.

Seeing Hu Keqing’s injured leg with her own eyes, Qi Yue breathed a sigh of relief.

Her improvised master was not malicious at heart; although he had deceived Hu Keqing and his father, he had been using nourishing herbs to protect these legs for more than a year.

Therefore, Hu Keqing’s leg muscles and bones had suffered no damage or decay, and treatment could easily restore them as long as it was started.

“Master, why not just start the treatment as soon as possible!” Qi Yue broke the silence first, thinking that once it was over, she could leave.

Huang Zai’an immediately agreed and discussed with Hu Keqing to begin in the afternoon.

“Young Master Hu, because it’s been delayed a bit too long, and the herbs we’ll be using this time are quite special, the treatment might be somewhat painful. You must endure it,” said Huang Zai’an with feigned seriousness.

Listening to Huang Zai’an’s blatant lie, Qi Yue silently tugged at the corner of her mouth.

Hu Keqing firmly agreed, declaring that no matter how painful, he would bear it.

“Master Huang, don’t worry about treating me; I want to stand up quickly.”

As he spoke, Hu Keqing’s eyes stayed intensely on Qi Yue, making her uncomfortable.

Truthfully, anyone else who wasn’t as cold-hearted as she was would have been frightened away by his gaze.

For the son of the Prefectural Magistrate to undergo treatment was a major event, and the entire Hu Family began to prepare for it.

In the afternoon, even the busy Hu Chengxuan rushed back specially, waiting outside Hu Keqing’s treatment room.

The wife of Mr. Hu also arrived, a woman of striking appearance, radiant and elegant, after whom Hu Keqing clearly took after for a good part of his looks.

Under everyone’s watchful eyes, Qi Yue and Huang Zai’an entered the treatment room.