Chapter 764 A Dream of Youth 296
Xie Ning followed General Xu towards the main courtyard. The furnishings of General Xu's mansion were more spacious and open than those in the capital. There were fewer green plants and gauze curtains, but more gold, silver and porcelain pieces were placed on expensive tables as decorations.
The main courtyard was very large, and there was also a martial arts training platform inside, much larger than the one in Xie Qi's courtyard. Various weapons were displayed on it, and Xu Hongying's eyes lit up as she could tell that the weapons were forged with excellent craftsmanship.
Seeing that everyone had gone up the steps to the main room, a maid lifted the felt curtain and they all went into the main room together.
Upon entering, Xie Ning smelled a fragrance—sandalwood, known for its calming properties. He nodded inwardly, noting that sandalwood also had anti-inflammatory and antibacterial effects, making it a perfect choice for this occasion.
Inside sat an elderly woman secretly weeping and several young women. General Xu stepped forward and bowed, saying, "Mother, this is Lady Xie. I will lead her in to examine Father."
Then she looked at Xie Qi and the other person beside her and introduced them, "These are Ying'er and her husband from the Qian Yue family. Please entertain them, Mother."
A servant had just run up to report this. Madam Xu pointed at General Xu and said, "You're such a grown man, yet you still don't know your manners. Tao'er, quickly take these distinguished guests downstairs to freshen up."
General Xu blushed. He had indeed been too hasty. He had just entered the house when he heard the servants report that Xie Ning had arrived with his men. He hurriedly led his men to the main courtyard, fearing that his father might not make it in a moment.
"It was my rudeness."
"It's alright."
Xie Ning breathed a sigh of relief. Even if Old Madam Xu hadn't spoken, she would have. After such a long and arduous journey, she didn't know how many germs she had picked up on her. She wouldn't dare enter General Xu's room without washing and disinfecting herself first.
Seeing the maid leave with her entourage, Old Madam Xu stood up and grabbed General Xu's ear, scolding, "What's your rush? That little girl almost broke her legs running! She came in to inform us, and you immediately brought your entourage in. Are you possessed?!"
"Mother, oh... Mother, it hurts!" The other women seemed unfazed. One of them, a woman with a dignified face, covered her mouth with a handkerchief and suppressed a laugh for a while before stepping forward to help General Xu out of the predicament.
“Mother, my husband has just returned. Let him go down and wash up first. Besides, the doctor said that he should burn incense and bathe before entering Father’s room.”
Old Madam Xu snorted coldly, released her hand, and then softened her expression as she said to Madam Xu, "Go and keep an eye on things. If there's anything that needs to be added, make sure everything is arranged properly."
Thinking of the bright and beautiful Xu Hongying, Old Madam Xu felt happy. However, the situation of the eldest branch of the family was not good. The Xu family was once so glorious, but it had fallen into decline for more than ten years. They were demoted to a remote area to survive, and it was not easy for them to climb to their current position.
The eldest son's side didn't even have a single male descendant left.
Xie Ning quickly arrived with Du Mingzhao and the others. She didn't delay and came in with her hair still wet. She bowed to Madam Xu and said, "Madam, time is of the essence, please forgive my rudeness."
"It's nothing, thank you for your help, Physician Xie." Old Madam Xu, leaning on her cane, followed into the room. Everyone else, except for General Xu, remained in the main hall.
Madam Xu, who was outside, pulled up Xu Hongying, who was bowing, and led her into the room on the east side to talk.
As soon as Xie Ning entered the west room, she heard a "clang" sound, like a golden bell or bronze chime. It was a mechanical clock she had designed, which was also there. The palm-sized clock was something she carried with her.
A doctor was waiting inside. Xie Ning glanced at the soundly sleeping General Xu, walked over to the doctor, and asked softly, "How is General Xu doing now?"
As he spoke, he gently turned over General Xu's hand to take his pulse. Unlike Shi Ji, General Xu's back of the head was a yin ailment, and it wasn't as serious.
The old doctor glanced at the young and inexperienced Xie Ning with surprise and suspicion, unsure of her identity. However, seeing the Xu family's respectful attitude towards Xie Ning, he hesitated for a moment before saying, "...When the inflammation first appeared, before the swelling on General Xu's body had ruptured, I mashed Asarum and Acorus calamus roots, mixed with wine and sugar, and applied it externally... Yesterday, pus formed, and this morning I cleaned the surface pus for him. As for deeper cleaning..."
The old doctor sighed, "My skills are not up to par, and I dare not cut it open to drain the pus without authorization. Moreover, General Xu's body cannot withstand stronger medicine."
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