A few people left Li Family Village past ten in the evening. During this time, the old woman had not woken up. Seeing the worried expression on Old Man Li's face, Su Muqing checked her again with the detector before leaving.
Her overall condition was stable, her vital signs were normal, and with the blessing of the spirit spring water, the wound on her head was also recovering well. However, she had been injected with concentrated medications and might sleep for one or two days before waking up.
As for treating Li Yong, Old Man Li had prepared himself to let his son be foolish for life. But after hearing what Li Yong said, he finally decided to let him take a gamble.
When Su Muqing left, she gave medicine to both the Li father and son. Li Yong still had to take a period of blood-dissolving medicine before the surgery, so it could only be done after they returned from the capital.
Of the items brought to Old Man Li and his family, everything except the soft cakes that could be stored was given to Li Hong. The weather was too hot, and meat would spoil if kept for too long. Li Hong was told to take it back and cook it, and then bring some to the father and son.
Tomorrow, Qi Xingjie would send two people to specifically look after Old Man Li's family. All food and supplies would also be prepared and brought over by them.
Su Muqing had wanted to leave some silver for Old Man Li, but the young overlord absolutely refused. He said the money shouldn't be hers to spend and patted his chest, guaranteeing that as long as he was around, he would never let Old Man Li's family go hungry.
Su Muqing didn't want to argue with the young overlord and quietly tucked fifty taels of silver notes into the bag containing the medicine.
As the group rode their horses back to Yong'an Town, the city gates behind them slowly closed. Leng Ren and the others were waiting anxiously in the inn.
They had originally thought that Su Muqing and Huo Qiyuan were just going out for a bit and would return soon. However, as time ticked by, the four who had left showed no sign of returning.
Finally, at eleven o'clock at night, the sound of horses' hooves echoed outside the inn. Leng Ren and the others hurried to the entrance and saw the distinguished man with silver hair on horseback, and the small, delicate young gentleman in his arms.
"Whoa~"
Three horses stopped sequentially at the inn entrance. The fatigue was visible on everyone's faces. Seeing that they had finally returned, Leng Ren and the others rushed to the kitchen to bring the continuously heated dishes to the table. They could eat as soon as they washed their hands.
The stableman was also called to eat with them, but he felt a bit uncomfortable dining with these noble people. Seeing his shyness, Steward Tu served him a large bowl of white rice, piled high with exquisite dishes like a small mountain.
He had originally thought that as a stableman who just ran errands, he would be lucky to get a few steamed buns. Until the bowl full of rice and dishes was placed in his hands, the stableman still found it hard to believe.
This was rice? And it was piled high with various meats and some foods he had never seen before. Were these good things really all for him?
The stableman's stomach had been growling with hunger for a long time, but after taking the rice, he didn't immediately devour it. Instead, he carefully placed the rice and dishes on a table nearby.
Rubbing his hands somewhat shyly, he awkwardly asked Steward Tu if he could take this bowl of rice and dishes home to eat. He didn't earn much money all year round, and his family had never eaten such good food.
After receiving Steward Tu's nod of agreement, Su Muqing learned that the stableman's family had over a dozen mouths to feed. She then asked Leng Ren to get a large bowl and filled it with meat dishes for him. The stableman was so moved by the two bowls of food that he was speechless and repeatedly promised to return the bowls the next day.
He felt he was truly lucky to have landed this job. Not only was the time short, but he also received an extra two taels of silver as a reward upon his return, and he got to eat a banquet with the nobles.
After the stableman left, Huo Qiyuan, Su Muqing, Steward Tu, and the young overlord sat at the eight-immortal table and began to eat. Leng Ren and the others, along with the steward's family, had already finished eating a long time ago.
Because they were delayed for several hours, everyone's stomachs were extremely hungry. The food that evening was still as appetizing as ever, but everyone ate with less gusto than at noon, and no one spoke during the meal.
Especially the young overlord Qi Xingjie, who looked preoccupied and had no appetite while eating, completely lacking his usual good spirits from noon.
The dinner, which had been well-prepared, was eaten so late it became a late-night snack. After eating, Su Muqing shared her thoughts with the young overlord.
She believed that Old Man Li's granddaughter might still be alive. Of course, this was just her personal speculation. That's why Su Muqing hadn't mentioned this possibility when they were at the Li family's.
But she hoped the young overlord would send people along the river to search the surrounding villages. If Li Xiaocui was found alive, it would be a great comfort to Old Man Li's family.
If, unfortunately, her body was found, they should bring her back for a proper burial. That strong young girl had already endured so much misfortune; she shouldn't have to be left exposed to the elements in her final moments, with no one to collect her remains.
Qi Xingjie nodded. His current priority was to take good care of the patients in the Li family, severely punish the thugs who bullied the Li girl, and find the unfortunate Li Xiaocui, dead or alive. This was all he could do for the Li family.
Thinking of the family of three all being patients, Qi Xingjie asked Su Muqing for many more precautions, for fear of missing a single detail and causing them harm.
Halfway through the discussion, Su Muqing mentioned that they would be traveling overnight, which made Qi Xingjie seem reluctant.
As a divine doctor, what would happen to Old Man Li's family if she left? More importantly, if they left, wouldn't he miss out on all the delicious food?
This would not do! Qi Xingjie remembered the grand vow he had made to eat all the delicacies in the world. But after meeting Su Muqing and the others, he realized that the food he had eaten before was not gourmet at all.
Otherwise, should he shamelessly go with them? But if he left, who would be responsible for finding Old Man Li's granddaughter? Moreover, those thugs had not yet been punished.
Seeing the young overlord's fluctuating expression, Su Muqing quickly said that since she had promised to treat Li Yong, she would definitely return to Yong'an Town after she had finished her personal matters.
Seeing her earnest promise, the young overlord finally abandoned the thought of leaving with them.
It was a pity that they were about to depart, and there wasn't enough time. Otherwise, Qi Xingjie would definitely have gone back to call all his household staff to listen carefully as Su Muqing explained the precautions to take when caring for patients.