Chapter 89 Alive

Mr. Li put down his teacup and looked at Fang Chengxian, who was mocking himself. Fang Chengxian had an expression that said, "These days are stolen, and if I can live a few more years, it's a bonus." Mr. Li felt sorry for him, for such a gentle and refined young man.

"Since you, Young Master Fang, are so able to let go of this, what else can I say? I can certainly help you detoxify."

However, let me make this clear from the start: the treatment contract you mentioned to Third Sister still needs to be written. My Third Sister and I will certainly not publicly acknowledge our involvement in treating Fang Langjun.

Our Li family is just a small, insignificant household; we truly don't want to get involved in other people's power struggles.

"Of course it is so. Chengxian is not the kind of ungrateful person. Please rest assured, Doctor Li."

Father Li nodded and continued, "Also, as I just mentioned, firstly, the poison has already entered Fang Langjun's lungs and internal organs. In order to detoxify him, in addition to drinking the decoction, he also needs to take a medicinal bath. The process of taking a medicinal bath will be very painful, and Fang Langjun must be able to endure it."

Li's father raised his hand, signaling Fang Chengxian not to rush to agree and to listen to him finish speaking.

"Secondly, doctors are not gods. All that San Niang and I can do is help Fang Langjun detoxify, reduce his physical suffering, and extend his life a little."

To live to the age of fifty or even seventy, like an ordinary person, is simply impossible; at least, neither my third sister nor I could achieve that.

However, if Fang Langjun cultivates his character, remains calm and composed, and takes good care of himself, there is still a chance that he could live past twenty-five.

But whether he can live a few more years depends entirely on the young man's luck.

Just when things seemed hopeless, Fang Chengxian thought that being cured of the poison would alleviate some of his physical pain, but according to Li's father, he could even break the curse that had been hanging over him since childhood and escape the fate of not living past twenty-five. It was truly an unexpected joy.

Before Fang Chengxian's face could light up with joy, Li's father said, "Young Master Fang, don't be so happy yet. What I mean by cultivating one's character is truly cultivating one's character."

To put it bluntly, it is not advisable for Fang Langjun to marry and have children in the future.

Even running and jumping freely are impossible; one must avoid extreme sorrow or joy, and simply rest and avoid overexertion in order to preserve one's life.

Before Fang Chengxian could react, Xu Jingzhen, who was standing nearby, became worried. "Dr. Li, even if we detoxify Chengxian, it might not work?"

Father Li shook his head and slowly explained, "Young Master Xu, how can one force one's fate?"

Hearing Li's father's words, Xu Jingzhen was deeply moved, recalling the divination he had performed this morning in the garden after bathing in the early morning sun. Was it truly fate? And couldn't it be forced?

Xu Jingzhen turned to look in Li Sanniang's direction. Li Sanniang, who met Xu Jingzhen's gaze, was completely confused. She didn't know why Xu Jingzhen was looking at her when she was discussing Fang Chengxian's illness with her father.

"It was already a huge risk to detoxify Fang Langjun, but that's because if we didn't detoxify him, he would be beyond saving once the poison entered his heart meridian."

However, Fang Langjun's poison had already penetrated his lungs and internal organs. Unless a god descended to earth, what method could be used to cure him?

It really can't be forced.

Fang Chengxian was easygoing. He reached out and patted Xu Jingzhen, who was sitting next to him, interrupting Xu Jingzhen's words. He then respectfully said to Li's father, "That's good. I never expected to look like an ordinary person. Being able to live past the age of twenty-five is already an unexpected joy."

From now on, I'll have to trouble Doctor Li and Madam Li.

After Fang Chengxian finished speaking, he stood up and bowed to Li's father and Li Sanniang.

Father Li accepted it calmly, but Third Sister Li got up and hid to the side. After all, she was still learning how to use poison. She was good at diagnosis, but if she were to prescribe an antidote, she would need to practice for some time.

Since it had been Li's father in charge for the time being, and Li San Niang was the one who was learning and assisting Fang Chengxian in the matter of detoxifying him, she was not shameless enough to accept Fang Chengxian's bow, so she avoided it.

Li's father took the paper and pen handed to him by his second brother, who had been standing silently by, and carefully wrote down two prescriptions.

Li Erxiong took the two prescriptions and handed one to Li Sanniang. The two of them looked at them and Li Sanniang whispered to Li Erxiong what the main ingredients of the similar poison made by Poison Yama were. The two of them then discussed the prescription written by Li's father.

Li San Niang could tell that her father's two prescriptions had been specially adjusted for Fang Chengxian's physical condition. Her father had replaced one of the herbs, which was in considerable quantity, with another herb that was inherently toxic.

Although Li Erxiong was not particularly talented, his basic medical knowledge and understanding of medicine were solid, which is why he was able to spot the poisonous ingredient among the herbs.

"Fight poison with poison!"

The two men spoke in unison, face to face, startling the three people chatting nearby.

"What's all the fuss about? Go and prepare the medicine."

Li Erxiong and Li Sanniang exchanged a glance, bowed their heads to listen to the instructions, and then took the prescription, bowed, and left the house.

Xu Jingzhen found it interesting. "Dr. Li, is this the medicine?"

In front of outsiders, Li's father naturally had to maintain the airs of a doctor, not to mention that this person was Xu Sanlang from the Duke of Ying's mansion. Not to mention that Xu Jingzhen was on the list of beauties in Chang'an City because of his appearance, there were many rumors about him in the streets when he was young because of the saying about fate.

These gossips have decreased now, partly because more than ten years have indeed passed, and the gossip in Chang'an changes constantly, so how can things from more than ten years ago still be so popular?

Secondly, no matter what, Xu Jingzhen's grandfather, Li Ji, was one of the twenty-four meritorious officials of Lingyan Pavilion during the reign of Emperor Taizong, and the famous Duke of Ying.

Although it is now Xu Jingzhen's elder brother who has inherited the title, the intimidating presence of the Duke of Yingguo's name still exists. The people of Chang'an are very good at reading between the lines. If you don't see the gossip in the streets, it's mostly about the jealousy and rivalry between women in the inner quarters, or the affairs between men and women.

Regarding the recent incident involving the daughter of the Duke of Liang's mansion falling into the water, which led to the Ministry of Revenue Minister Gao's family being surrounded by the Imperial Guards, as well as the case of Wu Silang's sudden illness that led to the relationship between Xu Jingzhen and Li Sanniang, you should go to teahouses, restaurants, the East and West Markets, or places like Pingkangfang to listen. You definitely won't hear a single word about it.

This is also the way of life for the people who settled in Chang'an: they know what they can say, and they dare not say what they cannot say.

Therefore, as time went by, few people talked about the fact that Xu Jingzhen was sent to Wudang Mountain to cultivate Taoism when he was young because of the theory of destiny.

But the older people in Chang'an, like Li's father, naturally knew of such a person.

Who would have thought that more than ten years later, Li's father would still have dealings with such a family?

"Because of the seriousness of Fang Langjun's condition, I administered a strong dose of medicine, which was indeed a case of fighting poison with poison."

Xu Jingzhen nodded, then turned and began to compliment Li's father on his excellent medical skills.

The three of them had a good chat. When Xu Jingzhen wanted to please someone, he would flatter them in a subtle way that seemed very sincere. Naturally, Li's father was rarely flattered like this, especially by a young master from a high-ranking noble family like the Duke's mansion. So, he found the compliments more pleasant than those from ordinary people.

Anyway, when Li San Niang came in again, seeing Li's father stroking his beard and laughing non-stop, it was clear that he was genuinely happy.

"Young Master Fang, have you had breakfast?"

"I had a bowl of chicken porridge this morning."

Li San Niang looked at Li's father, "Father? Should we invite them to stay for dinner?"

Father Li nodded and explained to Xu Jingzhen and Fang Chengxian, "This medicine is easy to prepare. We'll pack it up and divide it for you to take home when you return. Erlang should have already taught your servant how to brew it."

It would be best if the first three hot spring baths were done under our watchful eyes, so we could observe the effects of the medicine and determine if adjustments needed.

For Fang Langjun's condition, I used the method of fighting poison with poison. The dosage was heavy and should not be taken lightly. It is best to take the medicine after meals.

Please don't mind, we'll have lunch here.

Once Li San Niang received confirmation, she went out to tell Li Da Sao how to best prepare the meal.