Old Madam Huo’s distrust was well within Mu Qingxuan’s expectations.
She set down her spoon and said patiently, "Grandmother, let’s make another bet. Give me three days. If I haven’t improved your condition by then, you can punish me however you like."
It was a similar approach to the military-style promise she had made about cooking yesterday. Old Madam Huo was taken aback, and before she could speak, Mu Qingxuan added:
"Even if you want me to chew on bitter coptis by then, I’ll accept it."
Old Madam Huo’s eyes widened. She felt a twinge of being moved, but she was too embarrassed to agree outright.
Seeing that the old lady’s attitude had softened, Maid Wang stepped in to persuade her: "Old Madam, you might as well agree. No matter what, let’s try it out. Whether it works or not, we’ll know after we’ve tried."
Old Madam Huo took the step down Maid Wang had provided, snorted, and said, "Fine, we’ll try. But if it’s useless, you’ll have me to answer to."
Mu Qingxuan smiled faintly, walked over to Old Madam Huo’s side, and took her pulse.
With Old Madam Huo’s cooperation, the treatment process went much more smoothly. The only difficulty was that the old lady complained about the Chinese medicine being brewed in the house; the air was filled with a foul odor that made her feel nauseous.
Grumbling, Old Madam Huo took off her reading glasses and went out for a stroll.
The residents of the Military Compound were all acquaintances. As soon as someone saw Old Madam Huo and exchanged a greeting, they covered their mouths in surprise: "You look wonderful today! Truly, a happy occasion brings a refreshed spirit. Now that your grandson’s marriage is settled, you look much more energetic than before."
Old Madam Huo was stunned.
She subconsciously touched her face and asked, "I look that good?"
"Of course! You look like you’ve shed ten years of age," the person congratulated her joyfully. "You’re already so happy just from the wedding; if the new bride gets pregnant soon and gives the Huo family a big, healthy boy, won’t you be so happy you’ll feel like you’ve turned back into a child?"
Old Madam Huo rolled her eyes at her: "Enough, enough. I know your granddaughter-in-law went for a check-up a while back and the doctor said it was a boy. You’ve bragged about it several times already. You’re not tired of saying it, but I’m tired of hearing it."
After sharing a few laughs, the two, who had known each other for decades, parted ways as the woman turned to head home with her groceries.
Old Madam Huo watched her leave, falling into deep thought.
Why would her complexion be good just because she was happy about Huo Changfeng’s marriage?
If anything, her mood had been sour ever since she heard that her most prized grandson was being forced by some ridiculous betrothal to marry a village girl from the countryside. She had been terrified that Huo Changfeng’s entire life would be ruined by this marriage.
Her good complexion was purely because she had slept an incredibly well-rested night for once, and her spirit, drained by years of poor health, had been somewhat replenished.
But as Old Madam Huo pondered it back and forth, she still attributed the improvement to Mu Qingxuan’s treatment.
A complex mixture of emotions rose within her.
Old Madam Huo strolled around the compound until she grew tired, then turned to head home. To Mu Qingxuan’s surprise, after the old lady went out for a walk and returned, she was exceptionally cooperative with the treatment.
After the silver needles were removed, Mu Qingxuan cleaned them while advising, "Grandmother, the worst thing for your condition is pent-up emotions. You must try to let things go and not harbor internal frustration."
She paused, remembering that Old Madam Huo always seemed to have an opinion of her, and added, "If there’s someone you’re unhappy with, feel free to just scold them directly. Don’t keep it inside; holding it in only leads to more problems."
In any case, if she scolded her, it would just go in one ear and out the other. Mu Qingxuan thought to herself, not minding at all.
Old Madam Huo looked at her with a complicated expression. She recalled that last night, she had been disgusted by the smell of her own feet, yet Mu Qingxuan hadn’t even furrowed her brow. Today, she had also been very patient in treating her.
For a moment, the old lady’s attitude softened significantly. "I understand. Thank you for your hard work today."
Mu Qingxuan looked up, surprised, and revealed a sincere smile. "This is what I should do."
The corners of her mouth curved upward, revealing a few pearly white teeth, and her eyes crinkled gently like a little cat’s, shimmering with a brilliance like starlight.
In the blink of an eye, three days passed.
After three days of treatment, Old Madam Huo’s migraines had improved significantly; they had almost stopped recurring entirely. Even the nerves that usually tormented her at night and prevented her from sleeping had quieted down. Her appetite, which had been affected by the migraines, had also gradually recovered. For three consecutive days, Old Madam Huo had eaten half a bowl of rice more than usual, and her condition was getting better and better.
Huo Jianye and Cui Lirong had also learned that Mu Qingxuan was treating the old lady. They hadn’t held much hope initially, and Cui Lirong had even specially told Mu Qingxuan not to worry, that it didn’t matter if she couldn’t cure her.
They never expected that in just two short days, Old Madam Huo’s physical state would undergo a world-shaking change.
On the evening the bet ended, the family sat at the dining table. Cui Lirong praised, "Xuanxuan, I never realized your medical skills were so good at such a young age."
The old lady had been tormented by migraines for so many years, and none of the doctors she saw could make her better. Yet, after Mu Qingxuan inserted a few silver needles, she was practically cured. Cui Lirong couldn’t help but marvel.
Mu Qingxuan modestly declined the credit. "Grandmother was seeing Western doctors before. Western medicine treats the symptoms, not the root cause. When the head hurts, they just prescribe painkillers, but once the medicine wears off, the pain returns."
"This isn’t just my doing; it’s because Grandmother has a good foundation, and she followed my medical advice and cooperated with the treatment, which is why she recovered so quickly."
Huo Jianye spoke up: "Regardless, it is all thanks to you."
The man, who had spent his whole life working in the military, carried a unique aura of authority. He was usually very serious, but at this moment, his eyebrows softened, and he wore a benevolent smile. It was clear he was genuinely grateful to Mu Qingxuan from the bottom of his heart.
Cui Lirong echoed, "You child, you are just too humble."
She picked up a piece of meat and placed it in Mu Qingxuan’s bowl. "It’s just a pity that Changfeng has buried himself in the laboratory again and hasn’t returned even now."
Otherwise, she should have let Huo Changfeng see how capable his wife was. Cui Lirong felt a bit regretful.
Mu Qingxuan subconsciously glanced at the empty seat beside her, a strange feeling stirring in her heart.
Huo Jianye didn’t think there was anything wrong with Huo Changfeng’s actions. He said indifferently, "The laboratory provides food and board. Are you worried that a grown man can’t take care of himself? He should take advantage of his youth to contribute more to the motherland; that is his life’s value."
Cui Lirong rolled her eyes at her husband.
When can’t he contribute? Why did he have to choose the time when he was a newlywed? The men had achieved their ambitions, but they had left their wives behind—that didn’t strike her as heroic.
Cui Lirong hummed with dissatisfaction and comforted Mu Qingxuan: "I’ll give Changfeng a call later and tell him to come home to keep you company when he’s not busy."
Mu Qingxuan shook her head, just about to say it wasn’t necessary, when an abrupt, alarm-like telephone ring suddenly exploded in everyone’s ears.
Maid Wang ran over to answer, only to hear the voice on the other end say:
"There has been an accidental explosion at the laboratory. Director Huo Changfeng was in the direct line of fire—he is in critical condition!"