The pain, which he thought he could bear, intensified several times over, almost making him cry out.
Cold sweat beaded on his forehead, and his face was drained of color.
He gritted his teeth, his hands clenched tightly, enduring wave after wave of agony.
The蛊虫 (gǔchóng -蛊 worm) was gnawing at his internal organs!
Tao Lengshuang monitored Zi Cheng's condition while teaching Xiao Feng relevant medical skills, emphasizing the dangers of蛊虫 and also mentioning that they could be used to treat illnesses.
Hearing this, Xiao Feng's eyes sparkled as he looked at his cousin. In his mother's words, he was a perfect, readily available test subject.
When the time was right, Tao Lengshuang first nicked Zi Cheng's right index finger. Then, using medicine and silver needles, she forced out the蛊虫 that had been struggling for a long time.
The moment the蛊虫 was expelled, a随从 (suí cóng - attendant) swiftly drew his sword.
The蛊虫 was eliminated.
Tao Lengshuang sprinkled medicinal powder on the dead蛊虫, wrapped it up, and handed it to an attendant: "Take it to a secluded place, burn it, and bury it."
The attendant took the item and left.
After applying needles to Zi Cheng, Tao Lengshuang untied the ropes binding him: "When you return, investigate which family suddenly hired a doctor and purchased these medicinal ingredients."
"The person responsible was injured by their own mother蛊, and they require these medicinal ingredients to slowly recover. For a period, they will be unable to use蛊虫 to harm others, unless they wish to die."
Zi Cheng, supported by an attendant, sat up. Weakened, he repeatedly thanked Tao Lengshuang: "If not for the doctor today, I fear I would not have survived."
For this kind of蛊虫, no one could resolve it except a doctor.
Tao Lengshuang glanced at him and extended her hand, wiggling her fingers: "I prefer tangible thanks."
Zi Cheng smiled warmly and produced a fifty tael silver note, handing it to her: "If there is an opportunity in the future, I will surely repay the doctor."
The doctor, seeing a silver note for the first time, sat with Xiao Feng to examine it.
"Mother, it's really a silver note! So this is what silver notes look like."
"It's my first time seeing one too, treasure. With fifty taels of silver, we can buy so many things. When the time comes, I'll take you to town to buy things, okay?"
"Okay, okay! Let's go to town and buy lots and lots of things!"
Fifty taels of silver! That was a huge sum.
She never expected her cousin to be so wealthy.
She really hoped her cousin would visit more often, then her family would have lots and lots of money.
Zi Cheng listened, feeling a pang of heartache and pity. Xiao Feng should have been accustomed to a life of luxury.
Yet here, Xiao Feng could live freely, without any schemes or suspicions, without daily anxiety, and could live happily.
As the saying goes, fortune and misfortune are intertwined.
"Oh, right, here is the prescription."
Tao Lengshuang wrote two prescriptions for Zi Cheng and reminded him: "You should return as soon as possible."
"The蛊虫 in your body has been removed, and they will notice. They will target you again next."
Zi Cheng naturally understood this.
After inquiring about detailed precautions and receiving two sachets, he left with his attendants.
Tao Lengshuang stretched lazily, contemplating how to allocate the fifty taels of silver.
It couldn't be spent all at once.
She would keep forty taels and use the remaining ten taels to purchase supplies for unforeseen circumstances.
"Thank you for your help this time."
Mo Lingxi walked in and thanked her solemnly: "If you ever need help in the future, don't hesitate to ask me."
Hearing this, Tao Lengshuang sent Xiao Feng back to his room to carefully reflect on what he had just learned.
"Sit," she invited Mo Lingxi to sit down.
Mo Lingxi's brow furrowed slightly, sensing a bad omen: "What do you want to talk about?"
"About divorce."
Tao Lengshuang stated directly: "At the time, you were forced to marry me. Now, we don't get along, so I want a divorce."
"If you feel divorce is not good for you, you can divorce me."
Mo Lingxi never expected Tao Lengshuang to suddenly bring up divorce. His handsome face changed instantly, and his voice deepened: "You want a divorce?"
Tao Lengshuang touched her slightly chilled neck and nodded heavily: "We were bound together by force."
"You suspect me, and I don't want to be with you anymore. It's better to separate."
As the saying goes, it's hard to find a three-legged toad in this world, but two-legged men are everywhere.
Once she loses weight and earns money, she can have any handsome man she desires, even keep a few.
Mo Lingxi's face was frosty, his gaze like a knife. He let out a cold snort: "You've got it all figured out, haven't you."
Tao Lengshuang thought Mo Lingxi had guessed her intentions and replied without evasion, smiling: "That's a strange thing for you to say."
"Do you expect me to be like those women, who even if you beat and scold me, even harm me, would still obediently stay by your side?
What a daydream you're having!"
Mo Lingxi took a deep breath, feeling a bit agitated: "Divorce is impossible..."
"Then divorce me," Tao Lengshuang cut him off. "I don't care if it's a divorce or if I'm divorced; I just want to separate from you quickly."
Mo Lingxi almost ground his teeth: "If you want a divorce, fine. Xiao Feng stays with me."
"Dream on!"
Tao Lengshuang slammed the table forcefully, glaring at him: "Xiao Feng must stay with me."
"If he stays with you, he will face endless trouble and danger."
Hearing this, Mo Lingxi calmed down and glanced at her indifferently: "As if you are not surrounded by trouble and danger."
Tao Lengshuang fell silent. Yes, she was also surrounded by endless trouble and danger, and she didn't even know who wanted to harm her.
"I can protect Xiao Feng. Can you?"
"Can you protect Xiao Feng? Mo Lingxi, speak with a clear conscience. Can you truly protect Xiao Feng? They even have蛊虫. What will you use to protect Xiao Feng?"
Mo Lingxi said unhurriedly: "At least, I have the ability and the means to protect Xiao Feng."
"Unlike you, if I hadn't intervened, you would have died countless times already."
Tao Lengshuang was momentarily speechless.
But giving up Xiao Feng was absolutely impossible.
Mo Lingxi raised an eyebrow at her expression, his voice slightly faint: "You have two choices."
"Either I agree to the divorce, and you cannot take Xiao Feng, or you do not divorce, and you can continue to live with Xiao Feng."
Tao Lengshuang gritted her teeth, once again hating her lack of power.
But she also knew that even with some influence, she couldn't contend with Mo Lingxi. He was no ordinary scion of an official family.
"I'll consider it."
Mo Lingxi's thin lips curved slightly, and he gave her a cold glance: "Very well."
Tao Lengshuang glared at him fiercely, contemplating how she could take Xiao Feng with her. A foolproof plan was necessary.
"Mo family's, Mo family's, are you home?"
At this moment, a neighbor aunt's voice called out.
"Yes, I am."
Tao Lengshuang put on a distant smile and walked out: "Auntie, what is it?"
The neighbor aunt whispered: "Just now, someone from another village took away the Tao family members."