CHAPTER 1758: 1758: HER PRUDENCE

"Why is your maid so fierce? I just wanted to test the dexterity of my new hand by moving her hairpin, who knew she’d react so seriously," Xu Huilin mumbled, noticing there was still a hairpin hanging on his artificial hand upon closer inspection.

Min Xiang’s face flushed deeply red, she hurriedly bowed to Bai Ruozhu, saying, "Please punish me, Master. It’s my reaction that was too extreme."

Bai Ruozhu finally understood. Xu Huilin wanted to test his artificial hand, but couldn’t you choose something other than the girl’s hairpin? Isn’t this akin to teasing her?

"You may rise. He suddenly made a move like that, you were protecting me, so a strong reaction is understandable." Bai Ruozhu shot a glare at Senior Fox. Even though her maid was a subordinate, she couldn’t be bullied or teased at will.

Xu Huilin rubbed his nose; it wasn’t that he was in exceptionally high spirits today, and for a moment, he got carried away.

Unfortunately, Bai Ruozhu wasn’t helping him, so he could only get up by himself, sit properly, and avoid provoking that pair of master and servant again.

Min Xiang quietly knelt back to her place, though her heart was somewhat stirred. She originally thought her master would make her apologize to Young Master Meng. Isn’t that how aristocrats behave? Regardless of who’s at fault, a maid like her would be overstepping.

Yet, unexpectedly, her master sided with her. Could it be because she was assigned by the emperor?

Min Xiang felt curious and moved. In the days to come, she slowly realized that Bai Ruozhu didn’t care who assigned whom; as long as you were hers, she would protect you, regardless of status or rank.

Upon arriving at Beiyu Inn, Bai Ruozhu saw the noticeably weary-looking Meng Liangshen.

Before she could pay respects to Meng Liangshen, she noticed his eyes fixed straight behind her. Of course, Meng Liangshen was looking at Senior Fox.

She silently stepped back half a step, allowing the father and son some private time to talk.

"Huilin, you look well." Meng Liangshen’s voice was somewhat excited and cautious. He felt he owed too much to this son, even if his birth was destined to be a mistake. He was, nonetheless, his son.

Xu Huilin also stepped forward and bowed, "Huilin pays respects to father."

Seeing Meng Liangshen’s appearance, he couldn’t help feeling a pang of discomfort.

Meng Liangshen hurried to help him up, but his hand grabbed his newly attached right arm instead, showing a look of surprise, "Is this?"

Xu Huilin smiled, "Bai Ruozhu helped design the blueprint, and Uncle Bai and craftsmen from the Bai Family helped make it. It’s quite convenient."

Meng Liangshen wanted to lift Xu Huilin’s sleeve to inspect but hesitated. How could a dignified city lord be so cautious?

Xu Huilin casually lifted his sleeve, continuing, "This artificial limb needs further improvements. It will be more convenient in the future. Once Bai Ruozhu finds the National Master and incorporates Mechanical Technique, it will be even better."

Bai Ruozhu stood by, smiling with pursed lips. Xu Huilin hadn’t been this happy for many days. Though he wore a smile, he hadn’t been this genuinely happy in a while.

Meng Liangshen also delightedly turned to Bai Ruozhu and bowed, "Ruozhu, your adoptive father thanks you."

"We are family; no need for formality, adoptive father. Are you treating me as an outsider?" Bai Ruozhu joked.

Meng Liangshen laughed heartily, "Good, good, I’m indeed treating you as an outsider. Let’s go check on Cheng Yu first. If he really dies, it’ll be quite troublesome."

Despite his excitement, he didn’t forget his responsibilities.

Bai Ruozhu followed him to the backyard, where she saw Jiu Sheng and others looking at her with hopeful eyes, their gaze incredibly bright.

"What’s the matter, is it serious?" Bai Ruozhu asked.

Jiu Sheng hurried forward to salute, "Yes, Master, we can’t resolve it and dare not recklessly administer medicine lest it worsens. We’re waiting for you to intervene."

Bai Ruozhu gave him a strange look, "Why do I feel you’re all excited? Shouldn’t you be a bit dejected?"

Jiu Sheng and the others chuckled awkwardly and quickly restrained themselves.

Bai Ruozhu didn’t rush into the room to check on Cheng Yu; instead, she handed Jianqi a medicine bottle, saying, "Open it under his nose, wait for two breaths before covering it again. Oh, and better stimulate his sleep acupoint."

Jianqi immediately understood; his master was being cautious.

Jiu Sheng was puzzled, "Master, what medicine is that?"

"Mystical Fragrance." Bai Ruozhu uttered the two words, leaving all Imperial Doctors stunned. This person is about to die, and you let him smell Mystical Fragrance? Aren’t you afraid he won’t be saved?

Bai Ruozhu had to explain, "Recently, King Rui sent assassins after me. I can’t afford to be careless. If the poison was self-administered by the envoy and he can cure himself, what if I go to treat him and he suddenly poisons me?"

Everyone came to an understanding, Jiu Sheng showed an embarrassed expression, "I didn’t consider this thoroughly, letting you take the risk, Master."

Bai Ruozhu didn’t blame him because she hadn’t taught anyone poison skills, so Jiu Sheng’s inadequate detoxification skills were understandable.

She didn’t want the world to know she was skilled in poison, nor did she wish to teach others to harm. But given the chance, she could teach them to detoxify.

Once Jianqi completed Bai Ruozhu’s instructions, she finally entered the room, followed by Jiu Sheng and others.

Bai Ruozhu checked Cheng Yu’s pulse, then examined his eyelids before fetching the silver needle.

"This is the needlework to protect the Heart Meridian. You should all learn well." She intended to teach, so her movements were slower than usual, occasionally providing explanations.

"Now the toxins won’t spread to the Heart Meridian, so the danger isn’t great anymore. Next is how to detoxify." She said as she administered a Detoxification Pill she usually carried into Cheng Yu’s mouth.

Then she distributed one pill each to Jiu Sheng and the others, saying, "This is my regular Detoxification Pill. It can’t neutralize all toxins but can suppress the poison’s potency."

Sure enough, after taking the Detoxification Pill, Cheng Yu’s face was less red, and his temperature decreased significantly.

Bai Ruozhu also wrote a Formula, carefully explaining why those medicinal materials were used. Finally, she handed the Formula to Jiu Sheng, instructing him to brew and administer it to Cheng Yu.

After finishing everything, she stepped out of the room and found Meng Liangshen had gone to attend to official duties, but Senior Fox was still waiting for her in the courtyard.

"Why didn’t you go back first?" she asked.

Xu Huilin chuckled, "There’s only one horse carriage. If I take it, what if you urgently need it? Who knew you’d take this long."

Bai Ruozhu felt a bit embarrassed; she wanted to teach others, thus temporarily forgetting Senior Fox.

"Alright, let’s go. I’ll treat you to the Buddha Jumps Over the Wall from Yingke Lai. It’s limited edition, and I’ve arranged for the shopkeeper to reserve one for me in advance. Otherwise, it wouldn’t be available for you to even taste it." She felt she should compensate Senior Fox a bit.

"Okay, then I won’t be polite." He said and turned to walk away, his empty sleeve swirling and folding dramatically, an incredibly desolate sight.

Bai Ruozhu’s eyes darkened for a moment, but she quickly replaced it with a smile and hurried to catch up with him.