Chapter 28: How Could Such a Shy Youth Exist?
Chapter 28: How Could Such a Shy Youth Exist?
“When picking a wife, the candidate should be worthy and virtuous, ah,” Old Madame told Supreme Commander Gu.
Gu Chen looked at his wife. When picking a wife, the candidate should be virtuous and worthy. That was common sense, so why was she telling him these things now? Old Madam then detailed all about Yu Xiaoxiao spilling Gu Xinglang’s medicine.
Old Supreme Commander Gu’s face fell. “You sent Qingyu to serve Xinglang right after the princess married in?”
Old Madam replied, “Qingyu will join Xinglang’s household sooner or later. I wanted to give Her Royal Highness some mental preparation.”
“Ridiculous!” Supreme Commander Gu kicked the chair in front of him, giving Old Madam a fright.
“Without Her Royal Highness, you would still be in the prisons right now,” he told her, “A person should know to repay kindness with gratitude. Don’t mistake good from bad!” Although they’d been married for decades, this was the first time old Supreme Commander Gu had ever spoken such serious words to Old Madam. Even his expression had shifted.
“You’re completely unreasonable!” he didn’t wait for Old Madam to defend herself, but flicked his sleeves and stalked out.
Old Madam’s heart ached with fury. So in the end, you’re saying that I’m the only villain here? Outside, Qinghe and the others hardly dared to breathe.
Two hours later when it was just getting dark, the wedding feast was ready and the guests streaming into the manor. Everywhere in the Gu Estate was filled with boundless joy. Naturally, all the members present ignored what had happened during the day. Once night fell, the feasting began along with the play onstage. Cups were clinked as drums sounded onstage, a lively event that made people forget their worries.
Meanwhile, the new bride and groom were in their bridal chambers. They should have been the stars of the banquet, but neither of them were interested in the feast. Yu Xiaoxiao stared at the doctors that Wang momo had invited over before trying to communicate with them with difficulty. She discovered that this world lacked any antibiotics Forget about penicillin, they didn’t even have sulphanilamide!
Beneath the lamplight, one doctor used a brush to write out a prescription for reducing inflammation. “Your Royal Highness, this is the medicine currently being used to treat the royal son-in-law’s legs.”
Yu Xiaoxiao looked at the formula and chuckled a few times. Wang momo hastened to ask, “Is the prescription no good?”
Yu Xiaoxiao placed the prescription on the table. It had been a while since she’d transmigrated to this world, but she hadn’t had time to read any books. Just then, she realized that she couldn’t read the prescription at all because it was written in traditional Chinese characters. At this rate, she was going to be illiterate!
The old doctor looked at Yu Xiaoxiao’s expressionless face and asked, “Does Your Royal Highness have any advice?”
How could she advise them when she couldn’t even read? Yu Xiaoxiao scratched her head and asked, “Do you use this medicine for all wounds with inflammation?”
The doctors all nodded. Although they each had different prescriptions, the pharmacodynamics wouldn’t change.
If every inflammation wound is treated the same way, why should I persist in looking for antibiotics? “Then you guys prepare the medicine and help me with the surgery,” Yu Xiaoxiao said as she clapped.
All of the doctors exchanged looks. They had all examined Third Young Master’s injuries before. Was there still hope left?
Yu Xiaoxiao then told Wang momo, “The lighting in this room is too dim. Momo, bring over a few more mirrors.”
Wang momo was completely lost. Would a few mirrors be enough to fix the dim lighting?
When Yu Xiaoxiao saw that no one had budged after her instructions, she clapped her hands and declared, “It’s better to do the surgery now rather than later. Everyone, let’s work together, ah.”
Wang momo pulled Yu Xiaoxiao to Gu Xinglang’s bedside and spoke loud enough for the man to hear. “Princess, this servant hasn’t told Supreme Commander Gu and the rest about this yet. What do you think?”
Yu Xiaoxiao didn’t hesitate. “Then give them a heads’ up.”
Wang momo said, “Suppose we can’t cure the royal son-in-law’s legs?”
“That’s impossible,” Yu Xiaoxiao declared.
Wang momo wanted to slap the princess. The empress had sheltered this girl all too well. She didn’t know how to be shrewd at all! Everyone would be happy if she cured third young master’s legs, but what if she failed? Judging by the temper of that Old Madam, the princess would be blamed for making her precious grandson suffer some more.
Yu Xiaoxiao was incapable of being on the same page as Wang momo. However, Gu Xinglang could pick up her cues and told her, “Momo, my tendons are already broken. How much worse could they get? Let Her Royal Highness have a try.”
Wang momo said, “This is what the royal son-in-law said himself.”
Gu Xinglang said, “All of the gentlemen in the room heard. Would I go back on my words?”
Wang momo finally nodded.
“What are you two talking about?” Yu Xiaoxiao asked.
“I’ll go get the mirrors,” Wang momo resisted the urge to sigh and roll her eyes as she left.
“I’ll have to trouble you gentlemen,” Gu Xinglang cupped his fist at the gathered doctors.
When the doctors saw that Third Young Master Gu was willing to let the princess have a try, they had nothing else to say. Each of them rose and hastened to prepare the medicine. Yu Xiaoxiao brought the little stove to th side of the bed. By now, the water in its pot had already started boiling. Yu Xiaoxiao picked up all the knives from the doctors and tossed them in the pot.
“What is this for?” Gu Xinglang asked.
“Sterilization,” Yu Xiaoxiao replied.
“Did your master teach you this?” Gu Xinglang asked.
Yu Xiaoxiao pursed her lips. They don’t even know to disinfect their tools before a surgery? Just how did the people in this world survive to adulthood? Did they never get hurt in their lives, or just relied on luck? Holding a cloth soaked in alcohol, Yu Xiaoxiao began to undo Gu Xinglang’s trousers.
Alarmed, Gu Xinglang moved to pull his pants back up. “What are you doing?” he cried desperately.
Yu Xiaoxiao gave him an odd look. She was going to disinfect him, so why was he acting like she was going to force herself on him? “Sterilization,” Yu Xiaoxiao repeated. “It’s not easy to perform surgery when you have your pants on, either. Take them off.”
Gu Xinglang didn’t reply, his hands still on his trousers. Although they were husband and wife, they’d only known each other for a day!
Yu Xiaoxiao asked, “Aren’t you wearing underpants? I just won’t look at you, okay?”
Gu Xinglang’s face abruptly turned a scorching red.
How could such a shy youth exist? Yu Xiaoxiao cupped his cheek and said, “Your skin is so thin. Were you really a general?”
Gu Xinglang replied, “How, how could you be so bold?” But he regretted the words as soon as he said them. Wasn’t he accusing the princess of being shameless?
Yu Xiaoxiao nodded. “I’ve always been fearless.” Otherwise, how could she put her life on the line fighting zombies in the army?
Gu Xinglang’s apology rose to his lips before Yu Xiaoxiao’s reply made him swallow his words.
“Isn’t it just taking off some pants?” Yu Xiaoxiao swatted away Gu Xinglang’s hands and tugged off his trousers, then wiped him down with the alcohol-soaked cloth.
Gu Xinglang only shut his eyes and play dead. He didn’t know what else to do.