Chapter 1181: Helping him pick up the pieces (1/2)

Mu Linger had set off for Medical City as soon as she received Gu Beiyue’s letter. To a pharmacist, the patient was number one. Gu Beiyue didn’t tell her about Gu Qishao, only that he had a patient who needed poisonous medicine cultivated from plague patients. He had searched through all sorts of possibilities with no success, so he came to ask her help.

He also told Mu Linger that his patient’s time was limited. At most, they had a month left to deal with things. When Mu Linger arrived, Xu Donglin gave her the keys to Gu Beiyue’s study. Inside, the doctor had left the girl a thick stack of notes and a pile of ingredients.

Mu Linger kept asking Xu Donglin what the patient’s illness was and why they needed poisonous medicine. Xu Donglin said nothing and pushed all the responsibility to Gu Beiyue. When she asked Xu Donglin for the patient’s whereabouts, he only did as Gu Beiyue instructed and said it was some famous physician who had been traveling around the world.

That only confused Mu Linger further.

She didn’t even know Gu Qishao possessed an undying body, so she had no idea that Gu Beiyue’s perilous patient was none other than the Qi gege she dearly missed! Growing up in the medical world, she knew many patients wanted to keep their identities secret. Anyone who could ask Gu Beiyue to be their personal doctor had to be a complex figure, so it was normal they kept their details private. Mu Linger stopped asking questions and begin to research ways to make poisonous medicine as Gu Beiyue requested.

By the time Gu Beiyue received news from Medical City, Mu Linger had already been in his study for three days and three nights. On the fourth day, she exited the room and wearily stretched. Xu Donglin had been waiting by the entrance for three days and three nights and hastily asked, “Miss Linger, how is it? Any solutions?”

Mu Linger’s arms were still stretched over her head when she looked at him. “Doctor Gu’s already asked Qi gege, right?”

Mu Linger wasn’t just a genius pharmacist, but also number one in all of Cloud Realm Continent. She was certain after reading Gu Beiyue’s notes that Qi gege had gotten involved along the way. Otherwise, Gu Beiyue wouldn’t have delved so deeply into the research.

Xu Donglin’s eyes flashed with sorrow. He didn’t dare meet her eyes as he said, “Of course. This Gu Qishao, he clearly promised Doctor Beiyue he’d be able to create the medicine, but ran off halfway. Who knows where he went? Doctor Beiyue had no choice but to find you.”

Gu Beiyue had instructed him to say those lines, too. He was such a thorough man that he knew it’d be impossible to disguise the notes from Mu Linger’s eyes.

Mu Linger placed her hands on her hips. When it came to medical knowledge, she would never be biased towards Qi gege. Huffily she declared, “This person’s almost dead! How could Qi gege act like this? It’s so irresponsible!”

“Is...isn’t that right!” Xu Donglin did his best to play along, but he nearly choked.

Mu Linger grew serious. “Guard Xu, I’ll tell you the truth. Doctor Gu’s given me a huge problem this time. Without the plague, it’s basically impossible to create the poisonous medicines he’s asking for. Actually, Qi gege’s already done thorough research. At most, Doctor Gu’s found me to fill in any gaps.”

Xu Donglin panicked. “Then what should we do? Gu--” He was about to say Gu Qishao’s almost dead, but quickly changed his tune upon Mu Linger’s doubtful look. “Doctor Gu is desperate. That patient…”

Doctor Gu said the patient only had two months left when he was still in Medical City. A month has already passed…

Xu Donglin felt like a boulder was resting on his chest, making it hard to breathe. He discovered for the first time how difficult it was to tell a lie.

“I know that!” Mu Linger was stern. She patted Xu Donglin’s shoulders and declared, “Guard Xu, we doctors and pharmacists can’t give up hope even if we know the patient is going to die! I’ll do my best!”

Xu Donglin nodded furiously. “This subordinate will thank you in Doctor Gu’s place!”

Mu Linger arched her brow at him before punching his shoulder. “What are you being so formal for?”

Xu Donglin was grieving, but Mu Linger thought he was just agitated. She grinned and added, “Don’t be so polite. Just count it as me cleaning up after Qi gege! Later...heheh, I’ll go find him for the medical costs!” Then she went on, “But...there really isn’t much hope.”

Xu Donglin did nothing but nod.

Mu Linger hesitated, then couldn’t help asking, “Guard Xu, where did Qi gege go? Is he over at the Yunning army camp? I’m guessing my big sis is about to deliver her baby soon.”

Because Medical City was still far away, the news of Han Yunxi’s successful delivery had yet to reach them.

“Probably? But he definitely won’t be living in the camp. His Highness would never allow it,” Xu Donglin forcefully pasted on a smile.

Mu Linger sighed. She was about to re-enter the rooms when she halted and looked at Xu Donglin suspiciously. “That can’t be right!”

Xu Donglin’s heart rose to his throat. “W...what’s wrong?”

Mu Linger studied him carefully. “You...instead of serving your masters, what are you doing staying here?”

“I, I…” Xu Donglin lost his wits as he stammered.

Now Mu Linger was even more suspicious. “Just who’s sick? Why do you have to stay here and wait for updates?”

Xu Donglin quickly said, “It’s one of His Highness’s friends. Miss Linger, His Highness won’t let me say, so please don’t make things difficult for me.”

“Long Feiye’s friend?” Mu Linger thought for a while, but couldn’t think of any candidates. “Does Long Feiye have any friends?”

Xu Donglin was struck speechless. Now he really didn’t know what to say. Mu Linger wasn’t too interested, however. After skipping sleep for three days straight, she was extremely sleepy. She had already studied all of Gu Beiyue’s notes and was going to make up for lost sleep before continuing.

No matter who was sick, she wanted to find a solution soon.