C17 Nangong Han Fell Ill

Chiyan spoke earnestly, "I heard you're a doctor, and I'd like to ask you to take a look at my master. He fell ill last night and has been in a daze ever since, refusing to let anyone near him. I can only ask you, ma'am, to help him. I'm sorry for the trouble."

After speaking, he bowed deeply to Xuanniang as an apology.

Xuanniang quickly supported him, remembering that she was a woman and felt embarrassed to be in such close contact with a man on the street.

Feeling awkward, Xuanniang realized the official's condition must be quite serious; otherwise, this gentleman wouldn't have broken his previous promise. Growing anxious, she said, "Sir, you're too kind. My life was saved by the Official Master, so it's no trouble at all. From what you're saying, it sounds like his condition is severe. Please, take me to him quickly."

When Xuanniang arrived at the new mansion with Chiyan, she found Nangong Han in a fit of rage.

Along the way, there were pavilions, towers, clear water, and artificial hills, but none of the beautiful scenery caught Xuanniang's eye. Her only concern was healing her patient, so much so that she barely heard Chiyan explaining the reasons behind the mansion's construction.

A plaque hung above the mansion's entrance, bearing the words "Nangong Mansion." Chiyan explained that since his master had been unable to solve the Headless Corpse Case, they bought this property for convenience.

To maintain anonymity, the sign could only display "Nangong Mansion."

As Chiyan introduced the place, Xuanniang pretended to agree. Finally, under Chiyan's slow guidance, they reached Nangong Han's private quarters.

Before they even reached the door, they heard Nangong Han's furious roar, accompanied by the sound of shattering ceramics. "Get out! Who told you to come in? Get out of here!"

A maid, visibly terrified, emerged from the bedroom, trembling as she carried the broken pieces. She nearly collided with Chiyan and quickly knelt to greet him.

"Good day, sir. The master still hasn't taken his medicine, and he seems to be burning up with fever. Should I prepare more?"

"No need, don't brew any more for now. I'll give you a new prescription later. You may go."

Without paying attention to the maid's curious gaze, Chiyan hurriedly led Xuanniang inside.

"Get out! Didn't I say no one was allowed in here? You..." Nangong Han turned, ready to shout again, but stopped abruptly when he saw Xuanniang in the room.

His expression was a mix of anger and his usual cold demeanor. "Chiyan, who told you to bring her here? Why did you call her?"

Nangong Han was dressed in a single layer of clothing, not lying under the covers. He had noticeably lost weight, with his cheeks and eyes deeply sunken. A flush that didn't belong to him colored his face, a sign of a persistent high fever, Xuanniang knew.

This official was burning up with fever, yet he was throwing a tantrum like a child. Xuanniang sighed inwardly as she grabbed Nangong Han and tried to drag him back to bed.

"What do you think you're doing, woman?" Nangong Han shouted, trying to break free from Xuanniang's grip, but the long-lasting fever left him weak and sore.

Xuanniang forcefully tucked the grown man back into bed. Nangong Han attempted to get up again, but Xuanniang ordered Chiyan to hold him down firmly. Nangong Han was furious; a general like him being subdued by a mere fever and a determined woman was not how he saw himself.

"Chiyan, have you lost your mind? Let me go! Damn woman, what do you want?" Nangong Han argued like a child, shouting a few more times before a fit of coughing overtook him.

His coughing was relentless, so severe it seemed as if he might cough up a lung.

Xuanniang observed closely, covering his mouth with a cloth as Nangong Han coughed up quite a bit of phlegm, thankfully without any blood.

Seeing Xuanniang clean up after him, Nangong Han finally calmed down, reverting to his usual stoic and intimidating demeanor.

"Good thing it's not too late. If it were, your lung condition would be beyond help. If the fever continues, you'd start coughing up blood, and the pain would be unbearable. But don't worry, as long as I'm here, I'll make sure you're well taken care of."

After examining him, Xuanniang confidently reassured Nangong Han.

Nangong Han scoffed, "You think I'll be grateful? Just tell me, how much money do you want this time?"

Ignoring his harsh words, Xuanniang walked over to the table, dipped a brush in ink, and wrote a prescription in an unusual script.

"Chiyan, could you please take this prescription and get the medicine? I'm not sure if the stone ear mushrooms I gathered earlier are still around, but if we can add some fresh ones, the effect will be much stronger."

Xuanniang handed the prescription to Chiyan, never once acknowledging Nangong Han's remarks.