After Xiao Duo finished explaining the sequence of events, Zhang Zhirou’s large, round eyes glared fiercely at him.
Xiao Duo shrank his neck, not daring to utter a word.
Zhang Zhirou walked over to Shu He with a look of apology on her face. "I am sorry, madam. It was my servant who misunderstood you. My brother’s survival today is entirely thanks to your timely intervention. Please accept..."
Before she could finish, Shu He interrupted her impatiently. "That’s enough. Keep the pleasantries to yourself. I am in a hurry—please step aside!"
Calculating the time, she figured the authorities might arrive soon. Shu He looked down at Xiao Yi'er, who was wrapped tightly in her arms, and decided to leave immediately to find another apothecary for the medicine.
Seeing her leave, Zhang Zhirou quickly reached out and grabbed her. "Wait, madam, may I ask your name?"
After all, anyone capable of waking Zhang Zhili from his coma could not possibly be mediocre in medical skill. Perhaps, after consulting with her brother and grandmother, she could invite this woman to the Zhang Estate to treat her brother.
Xiao Duo stared nervously at his mistress's hand, terrified that the temperamental and volatile woman might toss her out the next second. After all, he had just been on the receiving end of several of her kicks. This woman was no simple character.
Just then, the sound of official guards approaching on the street became rapid and distinct. Shu He knew that if she tried to leave now, it would be too late.
She masked the impatience and annoyance in her eyes, her expression turning cold. "Please release me, Miss!"
Realizing she had been improper, Zhang Zhirou hurriedly let go. Just as she was about to explain, the woman spoke again. "The authorities are here. Since you know I did not harm your brother, please handle the trouble outside for me."
"Hey, you woman, what kind of attitude is that? My mistress—"
Before Xiao Duo could finish his indignant protest, he saw Zhang Zhirou raise her arm to stop him. "That is only right. Please wait a moment, madam."
Zhang Zhirou turned to Zhang Zhili. "A-Li, come with me."
Seeing them step out to deal with the guards, Shu He ignored them and walked straight up to Cheng Qi. She pulled out a slip of paper and said, "I want all the medicinal ingredients on this list."
Cheng Qi’s face turned deathly pale. He had almost caused this woman to be framed for murder. Recalling the experience of the Zhang Estate servant, his legs went weak. Would she give him a few kicks too?
"What are you dazed for? Afraid I can’t pay?"
Shu He felt a surge of anxiety and tossed out all the silver she had scavenged from the farm.
"No, no! Not at all!"
Startled by her shout, Cheng Qi hurried to fill the prescription. However, as he gathered the herbs, he grew increasingly alarmed. Besides the common medicine for trauma, recovery, and blood stasis, the list actually contained several highly toxic poisons! If the dosage wasn't precise, it could easily cost a life.
But he dared not slacken now and quickly packed the medicine for her.
When Shu He reached for the package, she saw Cheng Qi hesitating, clutching the medicine tightly as if he didn't want to hand it over.
"Madam, there are several highly toxic ingredients in this prescription. Please be very careful..."
Shu He stared at him blankly. Did he really think she didn't know the properties of the medicine she had prescribed herself? Just as she snatched the package from his hands, Xiao Yi'er woke up in her arms.
"Mother..."
The soft, weak voice made Shu He’s heart tremble. "Xiao Yi'er, Mother is here!"
Cheng Qi heard the sound and only then realized the "bundle" in her arms was actually a child.
"Mother, Yi'er hurts..."
The child’s face, barely the size of a palm, was all bone. Her sunken eye sockets made her look terrifying.
"This... how could this child be in such a state?!" Cheng Qi leaned in curiously, discovering that the child was nothing but skin and bones, almost unrecognizable as human. What kind of ordeal could leave someone so emaciated? Furthermore, even with just a glance, he could tell the child had suffered severe internal injuries; otherwise, her complexion wouldn't be that ghastly pale, which looked like internal organ damage.
No wonder her list included so many trauma and recovery herbs. She was treating this child.
"Xiao Yi'er, don't be afraid. It will stop hurting soon!" Shu He stroked her bloodless face with heartache. Seeing her fall into a deep sleep again, she quickly bundled her up once more.
Although Cheng Qi’s medical skills were mediocre, he at least had a heart for saving lives. Seeing the child in such a state, he felt a pang of sympathy. "Madam, my master’s medical skills are among the best in Yuancheng. Why don't you wait a moment? I will send someone to fetch him. He will surely be able to save this child!"
Shu He ignored him and moved to leave, but just as she reached the door, she locked eyes with a constable.
"Apologies, Head Constable Qin. It was a misunderstanding. Sorry to have troubled you." Zhang Zhirou pulled a money pouch from her robe, offering it with a grateful smile. "A small token of appreciation. Please buy your men some tea."
Head Constable Qin shifted his gaze away from Shu He. Although a flicker of doubt remained in his eyes, the woman before him was a member of General Zhang's family; she was not someone they could afford to slight.
"Second Miss, you are too kind. We received a report, so it was our duty to investigate. We cannot accept your gesture. Since it is a misunderstanding, my men and I will withdraw."
Qin Yi'an raised his fist in a salute toward Zhang Zhirou. After she returned the gesture, he prepared to lead his men away.
"Oh, right," Qin Yi'an suddenly remembered something and turned to call out to the departing Zhang Zhirou. "Second Miss, a major homicide occurred at a farm in the West Suburbs. Seven or eight people were killed. The perpetrator is rumored to be a woman carrying an infant, and she has escaped. The culprit has not been caught yet; you and your brother should be careful when out and about, and do not trust strangers easily."
"What? A woman?" Zhang Zhili was both shocked and suspicious. "A woman with a child could kill so many people?"
"I cannot disclose the details of the case, but several of the victims were strong, able-bodied farmhands, which implies the killer has extraordinary martial arts skills! I’m only giving you a warning—if there’s no urgent business, try not to go out."
A glimmer of light flashed in Zhang Zhirou’s eyes, but her face remained perfectly calm. She simply thanked Qin Yi'an, "Thank you for the warning, Head Constable Qin. We understand."
After Qin Yi'an left, Zhang Zhirou returned to Shourentang. Shu He was just about to leave, so Zhang Zhirou spoke quickly. "Madam, would you be willing to treat my brother’s chronic illness?"
Shu He was about to refuse, but Zhang Zhirou cut her off. "It is about to snow heavily. My family has an estate in the East Suburbs with excellent heated floors, which is perfect for avoiding the cold and recuperating. Would you be willing to rest there for a while?"
Shu He looked at Zhang Zhirou. Her eyes were bright, like stars twinkling in the night sky, and the slightly upturned corners of her eyes felt like warm sunshine in winter. There was no malice, but there was a hidden meaning.
Had she noticed something?
Seeing her hesitation, Zhang Zhirou cast a glance at the "bundle" in her arms.
To Shu He's surprise, she didn't expose the existence of Xiao Yi'er, as if she were kindly reminding her that even if she didn't fear the cold, the child certainly couldn't endure it!
Lowering her eyes, Shu He made her decision. "In that case, thank you, Miss Zhang."
Seeing Shu He agree, Zhang Zhirou’s eyes brightened even further. She suppressed her excitement and said, "I will take you there right now. Once I have informed my grandmother and brother this evening, I will come to find you!"
Zhang Zhili’s condition had improved significantly, and his face now wore the bright, cheerful expression of a youth. He bowed deeply to Shu He with a smile of gratitude. "Thank you for saving my life, madam!"
Xiao Duo had already quietly told Zhang Zhili what had happened earlier. Unsurprisingly, he received another tongue-lashing. He felt bitter inside: *Why am I always the one getting hurt? I didn't know that woman was so strange! Looking so unremarkable and scrawny, who could have guessed she was a healer with such skills?!*
As they were about to leave, Cheng Qi immediately approached Zhang Zhirou to remind her that the woman was carrying a severely injured child...
But before he could finish, Zhang Zhirou whispered, "Do not mention the child she is carrying to anyone. Do you understand?"
Cheng Qi had discovered the child while near the medicine cabinet. At the time, the guards had arrived, so everyone's attention was outside. Only Cheng Qi had noticed Xiao Yi'er.
Looking at the threatening glint in Zhang Zhirou’s eyes, he immediately understood her meaning and quickly replied, "Don't worry, don't worry. I don't know anything. I didn't see a thing..."