"Consort!" Physician Yang stepped out and called out from behind Lanqin.

"Imperial Physician Yang!" Lanqin was surprised to see Imperial Physician Yang appear and turned around to respond.

"Consort, the medicinal ingredients are ready. But before we remove the curse from the husband inside, I must explain to you the dangers within," said Physician Yang.

Lanqin felt a sense of unease. She had originally thought that finding those two hard-to-find items would save Mu Qingyang, but now she could tell from Physician Yang's eyes that it wasn't such a simple matter.

"Doctor Yang, is there some difficulty?" Lanqin asked, naturally sensing that Doctor Yang seemed to have some unspeakable trouble.

"Consort, whether this young master can be cured of the curse depends on his fate. The method I'm about to use is extremely dangerous. If we're not careful, the curse will only worsen. That thing is very cunning. We must seize the moment when we lure it out and then quickly and decisively clamp it down. Otherwise, once it realizes it's a trick, it will never leave its body again," said Physician Yang.

Lanqin felt disgusted when she heard this. She knew there were many parasites in the human body, but she never knew that those parasites had intelligence! It sounded terrifying!

"My lady, I need someone like this by my side, someone who can catch me when I'm trying to lure that thing out," said Physician Yang.

Lanqin understood Physician Yang's request, but where could she find such a person? Such a person must be resolute, have strong self-control, and be quick and decisive.

"Imperial Physician Yang, it's really hard to find such a person right now. Is it possible that you don't have anyone like that by your side?" Lan Qin asked.

"If I had someone by my side, I wouldn't be asking the concubine," said Physician Yang. "The concubine would better find someone as soon as possible, otherwise, if it drags on, the young master's life essence will be completely drained by this Gu worm, and he will be beyond saving."

Lanqin felt a chill run down her spine. She thought about it and realized that Shuiling was the bravest among the maids, but ever since she had scolded her that time, the girl had hardly come to serve her anymore.

"Physician Yang, let me think about it and see if there's anyone suitable to do this!" Lanqin said.

"Consort, we can't wait any longer; his time is running out. You'd better decide on a replacement today so we can expel the Gu worms as soon as possible," said Physician Yang. With that, he turned and walked inside.

After much deliberation, Lanqin decided to go find Shuiling. As she walked, she thought to herself, "Shuiling is usually bold and quick-witted, and she is indeed a very useful maid. But this girl is more cunning than other maids."

Lanqin returned to Wan'an Fanghe and said to Sihua, "Go and call Shuiling into the house!"

A moment later, Shui Ling came in with Si Hua. She saw that Lan Qin had specifically called her in to talk, and wondered what it was about, feeling rather uneasy. Ever since Lan Qin had scolded her that day, Shui Ling had felt that she had lost face in front of everyone, and no longer took the initiative to serve Lan Qin, only doing some chores outside the house.

"This servant greets Consort Shui Ling!" Shui Ling said.

"Shui Ling, do you know why I scolded you that day?" Lan Qin said with a stern face.

"I said something I shouldn't have," Shui Ling replied, bowing her head.

"Then do you know where you went wrong by saying those things?" Lanqin asked.

“This servant shouldn’t have said such things to others. Consort, you never fight with anyone. I was just being presumptuous,” Shui Ling said.

Seeing that she had realized her mistake and had already been reprimanded, Lanqin softened her tone and said, "Shuiling, you have always been kind to Guoling. From the first day you entered my South Courtyard, I have always put you in my service. Now, there is something I need to tell you first, so I can see if you can handle it."

When Shui Ling saw that Lan Qin had something for her to do, she immediately perked up and said, "If Consort Lan Qin has something to do, this servant will go through fire and water without hesitation."

"Don't rush. This depends on whether you can do it or not. If you can't, it won't work," Lanqin said, and then she told Shuiling what Doctor Yang had said.

After hearing this, Shui Ling felt a little scared, but she didn't think it was a big deal. It was just a matter of cooperating with the doctor to catch a bug.

“Consort, Shui Ling is willing to go!” Shui Ling thought for a moment and then said.

“Those who are timid will not be able to do it. Can you, a young lady, do it?” Lanqin asked.

“I’ve been brave since I was little. The fact that Consort thought of me means that I’m braver than most maids,” Shui Ling said.

Lanqin nodded, and had to admit that Shuiling was indeed smart and capable.

When Lanqin brought Shuiling to Doctor Yang, Doctor Yang asked Shuiling some questions, and then took her inside by himself.

Lanqin and Sihua waited outside. After a quarter of an hour, Doctor Yang came out, but Shuiling did not.

“Consort, your maid is truly courageous. She can endure what most men would find unbearable. Let her help this old man exorcise the curse from that young master,” said Physician Yang.

"That's good. I was worried she wouldn't be up to the task," Lanqin said happily.

"Consort, please write down what you need and send it over immediately. We'll begin right away; we can't delay any longer," said Physician Yang.

“Okay, please speak,” Lanqin said immediately, her expression serious.

"Please fetch a copper basin with some charcoal, a tinderbox, an iron pot with a stand to hold it up, some copper bells, some mugwort leaves, and some hot water," said Physician Yang.

Lanqin noted everything down and immediately instructed Sihua to prepare. In no time, all the items were moved over. After examining each item, Physician Yang ordered several maids to ring a copper bell at the door of the room.

Lanqin and Sihua stood outside, unaware of Physician Yang's intentions, and could only wait.

Half an hour had passed, and the maids were still ringing the copper bells, but there was no sound from inside the room. Lanqin was growing anxious. She didn't know what was going on, whether Mu Qingyang would be in trouble, or whether Shuiling was capable of handling the task.

Just then, a maidservant rushed over and said to Lanqin, who was standing on the steps, "Reporting to Consort, something has happened to Consort Liu."

Lanqin was worried about what was happening in the house when she suddenly heard this news. She was so shocked that she stood there, speechless.

"What happened to Liu Gege?" Lanqin asked immediately after regaining her senses.

"Reporting to Consort Liu, Consort Liu has slipped and fallen," the maid said, bowing her head.

Lanqin frowned, wondering to herself: Why did Liu slip and fall at this exact moment?

"Consort, Consort Liu says she has a stomachache and requests your presence," the maid said, bowing her head.