Chapter 181 - Xiao Baoshan Appears (2/2)

“According to my investigation, it was the state preceptor,” said Xiao Baoshan.

Li Chengyi fell into silence. He was exiled to Baoning city just because of the state preceptor’s smear. Therefore, he was not surprised at the result. “Why did he do this?” he asked.

Xiao Baoshan said, “The way we were defeated was quite strange, so I suspect that there’s a traitor among us and he may be the state preceptor. The fourth prince had the best forces and was supported by most ministers. If he and his forces died, the state preceptor and the one he supported would be the biggest beneficiaries.”

“Who does he support?” Li Chengyi asked.

After staring at the man briefly, Xiao Baoshan finally said, “I suppose it’s the third prince.”

Li Chengyi was astonished.

…

Qinghe county.

When Ye Xiaoxian had sold out of the snacks, Fengsheng rushed over to her.

“Mrs. Ye!”

Embarra.s.sment written on his face, he seemed to have a favor to ask of her.

Noticing his awkwardness, she broke the ice, “What?”

Hesitating for a while, he finally said, “Mrs. Ye, my young master is seriously ill. I’ve sent many doctors over, but he’s still in a coma. Could you please help him?”

Ye Xiaoxian couldn’t help smiling and said, “I’m not even a doctor. Why come to me for help?”

He looked very anxious. “I don’t know. You’re always so capable. Maybe you know some good doctors?”

She shook her head softly. “I’m just an ordinary woman. Oh yes, doesn’t your master know Squire Liu? He knows many more people than me. Perhaps he can help.”

He gave her a wry smile. “They just barely knew each other but were not real friends.”

Feeling that she was not helping, Fengsheng didn’t insist anymore. “As you can’t help us, I think I should leave now. Sorry to bother you.”

Ye Xiaoxian felt a surge of compa.s.sion. Although Li Chengru wasn’t her friend, she didn’t have the heart to leave him in suffering.

“Fengsheng!” She stopped him. “All right, I can go with you. But I’m not sure whether I can help him or not. Let me check his condition first.”

Fengsheng suddenly beamed with joy. During these days, he had asked numerous doctors for help, but none of them could bring his young master back to health. Now, Ye Xiaoxian became his last hope. If she couldn’t offer any help, he might have to watch his master die in this strange land.

…

Li Chengru was still living in the inn. It would be better to rent a house if he wanted to stay long in this county. But it didn’t seem a problem for this rich man. As long as he could pay, the waiters would provide perfect services for him.

Gravely ill, Li Chengru lay motionless on his bed. Standing a meter away from him, Ye Xiaoxian could feel the heat from his body.

She covered her nose and mouth before approaching him, in case the disease was infectious. His forehead was awfully burning.

She turned to Fengsheng and asked, “How long has the fever been?”

“Three days.”

“Which doctor has he met? What medicine has he taken?”

He replied, “All the doctors in the county. They diagnosed it as typhoid and also prescribed some medicinal herbs. But my master isn’t getting any better.”

Ye Xiaoxian didn’t know much about traditional Chinese medicine. She only knew that she must do something to reduce the fever first. Since there were no anti-inflammatory drugs in this era, she had to try the physical way.

She said, “Don’t bundle him up. Cool him down first and let a waiter get some warm water. He needs a warm bath. I’ll help you find a doctor now.”

He was confused. “Take a warm bath? No need to put anything else in the water?”

“No. Take a bath for a quarter of an hour. Don’t dress him too much or cover him with a thick quilt. Just let him wear something light and simple.”

She remembered when she was small and caught a fever, she would have a cold shower and had an antipyretic patch on her forehead. If the fever was too serious, she would take some febrifuges, which would be impossible in ancient times.

Then, Ye Xiaoxian went back to ask Li Hongmei for help. Doctors indeed knew how to cure diseases, but some folk remedies were also useful. When Xiao Baofeng once had a high fever, Li Hongmei used some method to cure him immediately.

…

“What? You want to save him?” Li Hongmei was rather surprised. “Little Ye, don’t you remember he pressed a knife against your neck?”

<script>