"You want to help me with the treatment?" Rong Zhi rejected the suggestion without a second thought. "Absolutely not. This method requires not only a meticulous mind but also extensive clinical experience. You've never practiced medicine before, and even if I teach you now, you might not grasp it fully. Zhang Yajing is in a delicate condition, and I cannot gamble with her life."
Xia Yunting wanted to say more, but Chu Qing interjected from the side, "If she can't hold on, I'm here. Don't worry."
Although his internal energy wasn't enough to complete the treatment alone, he could serve as a backup.
Hearing this, Xia Yunting didn't insist further and focused on guarding Rong Zhi.
After about two hours, Rong Zhi was drenched in sweat. The beads of perspiration streamed down her face, dripping onto the ground and forming dark plum blossoms.
Her body swayed, and she gritted her teeth, saying to Xia Yunting behind her, "Help me."
Xia Yunting placed his palm on her back, channeling internal energy to her. Rong Zhi's expression eased slightly, but it didn't last long.
She felt the pain in her meridians again. This pain instinctively made her want to withdraw her internal energy, but if she did now, all her efforts would be in vain.
She bit her lower lip tightly, tasting blood. As she continuously channeled her internal energy, the medicinal fragrance in the room flowed into Zhang Yajing's body. Zhang Yajing's chest rose and fell more noticeably, her complexion became more normal, and her eyelashes twitched slightly, showing signs of waking up.
Victory was within reach.
However, at this critical moment, Rong Zhi suddenly spat out a mouthful of blood, and her right hand, which was holding Zhang Yajing's wrist, drooped.
"Xiao Mo!"
Xia Yunting exclaimed in alarm.
"Chu Qing!"
Rong Zhi, enduring intense pain, called out. Chu Qing quickly took Rong Zhi's place, and Rong Zhi retreated to the side to regulate her breathing.
With a brief rest, she could make one final push for success.
She had been too optimistic. Chu Qing, who had just taken over, lasted less than fifteen minutes before his strength gave out.
"My internal energy is insufficient..." Chu Qing gritted his teeth, trying his best. Just as he was about to spit blood, a powerful surge of internal energy coursed through his body.
"Hold on."
Xia Yunting pressed his pulse point, his voice serious. Chu Qing nodded, managing to maintain his effort.
With their combined efforts, Zhang Yajing's lips parted, appearing as if she were about to wake up.
"No..." Chu Qing suddenly clutched his chest, a bitter sweetness rising in his throat.
His grip loosened, and the person on the bed paled and suddenly coughed up a mouthful of blood.
"Don't stop!" Rong Zhi shouted from the side, but Chu Qing was completely drained.
Rong Zhi's face showed anxiety. If they stopped now, all their previous efforts would be for naught.
At this moment, Xia Yunting glanced back at her, giving her an encouraging look. Rong Zhi had no choice but to grab Xia Yunting's hand and channel a trace of internal energy into him.
"Follow this pattern, pay attention to the dosage."
Xia Yunting nodded and quickly went to the bedside, pressing Zhang Yajing's pulse point and channeling internal energy according to the method Rong Zhi had taught him.
Zhang Yajing's gradually paling complexion began to improve.
Rong Zhi and Chu Qing watched closely from the side, afraid of any mishap. As Xia Yunting worked, Rong Zhi continuously offered guidance.
"Moderate your energy; she can't withstand too much."
"Open the Heyang, Qihai, and Taixi acupoints to ensure the medicine fully integrates into her body, and finally, gather the internal energy in the Dantian."
With each instruction, Xia Yunting adjusted the intensity and direction of his internal energy. Gradually, he seemed to have grasped some of the techniques.
Chu Qing's eyes widened.
"He's never studied medicine, yet he's so proficient?"
"This technique primarily requires strong internal energy, not necessarily a deep understanding of pharmacology," Rong Zhi explained, looking at her hands with some weakness.
"It seems my skills are still insufficient."
Chu Qing lowered his head, deeply agreeing.
Compared to the two of them, Xia Yunting possessed the most profound internal energy. If he also had medical skills, they might have to yield the title of 'Divine Physician' to him.
Another half hour passed. Rong Zhi, sensing that the time was right, signaled Xia Yunting to stop.
Strangely, the person on the bed showed no signs of waking up. Rong Zhi exclaimed, "Oh?" and stepped forward to feel Zhang Yajing's pulse.
After a moment, she turned to the two men and said, "You two, please leave the room for now."
They nodded and exited.
At this point, Zhang Yajing's eyelids twitched, and she slowly opened her eyes.
Looking at the familiar room and familiar faces, tears welled up in Zhang Yajing's eyes.
"Divine Physician Lin." Her voice was soft, barely a whisper due to her recent awakening.
Rong Zhi responded gently, "Your life is saved. It's been seven days now, and the news of your poisoning and suicide has likely spread, possibly even reaching your family. Would you like me to visit them on your behalf?"
Zhang Yajing thought of her haggard mother and recalled her days of unconsciousness as a journey through hell, where all she saw was desolation. Now, awake again and feeling the warmth of the real world, she realized how precious life was.
She finally understood how foolish and misguided her act of attempted suicide had been.
She nodded, "Please, Divine Physician Lin."
"You're welcome. It's my duty. Since you're awake, focus on recuperating and don't do anything rash again."
Zhang Yajing lowered her eyes.
"Rest well. I'll go and prepare some tonifying medicinal ingredients for you." She began to get up.
"Wait a moment," Zhang Yajing hastily stopped her.
"Divine Physician Lin, could you... not tell Divine Physician Chu that I've woken up?"
"Why?"
Zhang Yajing remained silent. Having died once, she understood that Chu Qing genuinely cared for her. However, his feelings were merely those of a doctor for a patient. He had fulfilled her wish that night, and she no longer sought anything more. Now, she did not wish to see him again.
"In any case... I hope you can keep this a secret for me."
Rong Zhi nodded, "Alright."
As Rong Zhi stepped out, Chu Qing and Xia Yunting stood at the doorway, their faces etched with anxiety. The difference was that Chu Qing's gaze was fixed on the room, while Xia Yunting's eyes were solely on her.
"You heard everything just now, right? Don't see her for the next two days. Prepare some tonifying medicinal ingredients. Although she's awake, her body is still very weak."
Rong Zhi deliberately lowered her voice.
These two had been listening at the door, so they would naturally know what Zhang Yajing had just told her.
Chu Qing's eyes darkened, and he reluctantly withdrew his gaze, turning to prepare the medicinal ingredients.
Rong Zhi swayed, feeling a bit dizzy, and the next moment, she found herself in a strong embrace.
"Xiao Mo, are you alright?"
Rong Zhi rubbed her temples. "Not really."
This body seemed to have a congenital deficiency and couldn't withstand the 'Imperial Wind Technique'. No matter how much she cultivated, she couldn't make any progress. She would have to focus on recuperation.
She looked up at Xia Yunting and said with a half-joking tone, "I didn't expect you to save the day at a critical moment. You really do have some talent for medicine. Want to return to Medicine King Valley with me? I'll take you as my disciple."
Xia Yunting considered it seriously. "I think that's possible, but first, the Emperor would have to release me."
Upon hearing this, Rong Zhi's smile turned cold, revealing a hint of disdain. "Your Emperor might not have many other talents, but he's certainly adept at snatching people."
The entire Medicine King Valley had become the territory of the Tian Que Kingdom. She would settle this score sooner or later.
In the following days, Chu Qing diligently prepared and brewed medicines, while Rong Zhi took on the task of delivering and administering them. On the third day, Zhang Yajing was able to get out of bed and move around a bit.
Rong Zhi decided to take a small break and asked Chu Qing and Xia Yunting to stay at the mass grave. She went to Zhang Yajing's home alone.
She had intended to simply report that Zhang Yajing was safe. However, as soon as she entered the mansion, a chill wind blew towards her, making the entire courtyard feel eerie and desolate.
She walked around the front hall and the back courtyard, seeing no one. If not for the clearly marked 'Zhang Mansion' at the entrance, Rong Zhi would have thought she had come to the wrong place.
Just as she was about to enter a room, she detected footsteps under the eaves. Turning, she saw Cui Xi standing somewhere, watching her with a hint of vigilance.
"Cui Xi, why are you here alone? Where is everyone else?"
Rong Zhi asked. She noticed Cui Xi's sallow complexion and vacant stare, as if she had been greatly frightened. Rong Zhi walked closer, intending to check her forehead to see if she had a fever. To her surprise, before she could even touch her, Cui Xi suddenly seemed to awaken as if from a dream and knelt on the ground.
"Divine Physician Lin!" Tears fell as she knelt.
Rong Zhi was surprised. "What on earth is going on? Why is the courtyard so deserted? Where is your madam?"
Cui Xi remained silent, only shaking her head and sobbing.
"How can so many people just vanish into thin air?" Rong Zhi said, a bad premonition dawning on her.
"Where is your madam?" she asked again. Seeing Cui Xi's uncontrollable crying, Rong Zhi stopped questioning her and strode towards Madam Zhang's room.
Behind her, Cui Xi's sobs grew louder, and her body bent lower and lower, as if all her strength had been drained. She collapsed onto the ground.
When Rong Zhi pushed the door open, only a stiff, lying body remained on the bed, its hair disheveled, face pale, and utterly devoid of life.
Rong Zhi trembled. From the appearance, she had been dead for several days, and not even someone to arrange for her burial was present.
Judging by her simple attire and messy hair, it seemed she had left in a hurry.
It appeared Zhang Yajing's family had completely fallen apart.
At this moment, Cui Xi appeared behind Rong Zhi, her face streaked with tears, her body heaving with sobs.
"Divine Physician Lin, can Madam still be saved?"
Rong Zhi shook her head and sighed, "I am a physician, not an immortal." How could she possess the ability to bring the dead back to life?
She felt only sorrow.
"How long has Madam been gone?"
"Three days." Remembering this, Cui Xi began to cry again.
"Three days ago, a group of commoners suddenly stormed into our house, wielding knives, spears, and clubs. They claimed to be carrying out heavenly justice, but they were merely bullying my madam and me, who had no power to resist, and venting their anger. Madam died from excessive fright. The few remaining maids and servants in the mansion have all scattered. I have no money to arrange Madam's funeral, so I can only keep her here in this courtyard for now."
Cui Xi's voice was soft with each word, but with every sentence, it felt like a heavy stone pressing down on one's heart, making it difficult to bear.
Rong Zhi felt a surge of anger. "I can't believe such a thing happened. Doesn't the Prefect do anything?"
Zhang Chu was indeed guilty, but he had already been imprisoned. These people barging into someone's home armed, scaring the mistress to death, looked like nothing more than bandits and bullies.
Cui Xi wiped her tears. "Those people searched the place but found nothing. When they saw Madam was dying, they all got scared and ran away. Now there are no witnesses or evidence left. I don't know what to do. Moreover, the Prefect came this time precisely to investigate our lord. How would I dare to report this?"
"This is outrageous!" Rong Zhi clenched her fists, making a decision. "I'll help you."