Shen Tang acts faster than she thinks.
The moment the longsword pierced his thigh, all he could think about was regret.
It's not that she was stingy with the sword, but she belatedly realized something very important—did she reconnect the severed connection before the three-year-old benevolent thought was registered?
If the connection isn't established, this strike won't reassure Qi Shan; instead, it will deliver a fatal blow, definitively confirming that I no longer trust him. How can I explain this?
At that point, no matter how hard you try to explain, you won't be able to!
Fortunately, the three-year-old Shan Nian finally did something decent, and the dramatic scene that Shen Tang was most worried about did not happen.
As she pierced his thigh with her sword, Qi Shan was caught off guard and struck by excruciating pain, his face contorting for a moment. He looked down and saw warm blood flowing out, soaking his trousers and staining his clothes. The blood gushed out, slowly trickling down his leg.
Seeing this, Shen Tang was completely relieved.
She flashed eight teeth at Qi Shan, whose face was dark with anger. As if seeking praise, she said, "Yuan Liang, see? I didn't lie to you, did I? Calm down, I can explain slowly."
"I truly don't distrust you!"
"I trust you the most!"
"What happened just now was truly another will controlling my body; none of my actions were voluntary! I was very angry and cursed at her, but she ran away so fast. That brat is the one who ruined my life!"
The one who severed the connection was the three-year-old's good intentions.
This brat did everything!
Speaking of which, Yuan Liang seemed to only know of the existence of the three-year-old benevolent spirit, but had no idea what this brat was capable of. Shen Tang forgot that there was still a sword stuck in her thigh and instinctively tried to stride forward, but as soon as she moved, even more blood gushed from the wound.
Chu Jie was completely shocked by Shen Tang's sudden act of stabbing himself, and was so shocked that he forgot to stop her from harming herself—after all these years, his master still managed to give him new surprises!
Even Yunda couldn't find a way to break through her defenses.
She dealt herself a heavy blow in return.
Ji Moqiu's emotions had stabilized considerably. He lowered his eyelids slightly, his gaze falling on Shen Tang's thigh, and said softly, "Shen Jun can slowly explain the matter to Qi Zhongshu. But your sword struck a vital spot; wouldn't it be better to stop the bleeding first?"
Shen Jun injured himself, and Qi Zhongshu suffered the same injury.
It's not hard to guess that the two share some kind of close bond, but—Shen Jun is a martial artist with the courage of a warrior, while Qi Zhongshu is a scholar with the heart of a writer; their physical attributes are worlds apart. Given the same injury, Shen Jun would be fine, but Qi Zhongshu might bleed to death.
Shen Tang: "..."
Having used this move so often, this sword struck right at the vital artery.
Qi Shan was deathly pale. Taking a deep breath to suppress the discomfort of blood loss, she said helplessly, "My lord, please stop the bleeding first."
Although the physical abilities of a scholar are not as good as those of a martial artist, they are still far superior to those of an ordinary person. By circulating his literary energy and focusing it near the wound, he can stop the bleeding and accelerate the healing process. He said weakly, "If the master is willing to explain, Shan will naturally listen."
Upon receiving this reply, Shen Tang cried out for the physician.
Ji Moqiu volunteered, "Lord Shen, if you trust me, my clan has some healing methods that can be used in emergencies."
Shen Tang said, "Quickly, give it to Yuan Liang."
Qi Shan is a fragile character.
The medical professionals were on the front lines and arrived very quickly.
To assist in the training of medical practitioners and to ensure that medical resources benefit the entire country, all medical practitioners who join the Medical Bureau are required to regularly rotate through various regions for outpatient services, protected by the local military prefectures. Local government offices also publish information about the outpatient medical practitioners, allowing commoners suffering from intractable or rare illnesses that ordinary doctors cannot treat to seek medical help during these outpatient visits. Besides those serving the general public, the remaining medical practitioners also serve in the military, primarily border troops.
There are at least two medical professionals stationed at this strategic pass.
By the time one of the physicians arrived, the bleeding had stopped for both of them. Qi Shan's wounds still looked somewhat frightening, but they were no longer fatal, and with proper healing, they wouldn't even leave a scar. Upon hearing that Ji Mo Qiu had cured her with Gu worms, her eyes lit up considerably. Unfortunately, it wasn't a good time to ask for advice, as the King and Gong Xi Chou were also present among the wounded, besides Qi Shan.
Clean the wound of debris and assist the use of the Word of Power to apply acupuncture.
The wound healed at a speed visible to the naked eye.
After a dozen or so breaths, only a light pink scar remained.
Gong Xichou clenched his fist twice, and seeing that the wound on his arm was not unusual, he put the sleeve back on, tidied his clothes, and praised, "The Queen's medical skills are superb. This method is even more effective than the Gu worms raised by the high priest of the tribe."
The physician smiled and said, "General, you flatter me."
Even while recovering from her injuries, Shen Tang did not forget her duties as the ruler of the country.
"How have you been, doctor?"
Female doctors are rare, and even those who are mostly skilled in treating women's and children's ailments. Because they handle fewer patients, their cultivation and advancement are particularly difficult. Therefore, the early medical practitioners were mostly male. Shen Tang remembered Dong Dao mentioning the female medical practitioner before her; she was one of the few female doctors who cultivated both internal and external medicine.
Both his medical skills and medical ethics are excellent!
As a woman, Shen Tang knew that some of her wounds could not be openly exposed to others, so she went to a room alone with the physician to treat them: "There are no outsiders here. The border is bitterly cold. If the physician suffers any injustice, please tell me and I will seek justice for you."
"With the Lord's protection, nothing could be better."
After being recruited by Kangguo, she was stationed in the army. In her spare time, she would make house calls to treat patients in the countryside. Her cultivation progressed smoothly, and she did not experience any financial hardship. Here, no one looked down on her gender, and no one questioned her medical skills. Each time she went out to treat patients, she was protected by a dedicated person, so she did not have to worry about others coveting her. Since she had no acquaintances here, naturally no one would use her past to attack or ridicule her.
Compared to those dark days when there was no hope, life now can be described as happy and fulfilling.
If there is any regret—
It seems the war has reignited.
Shen Tang chatted with her for a couple more minutes.
The physician inquired about her daily life, financial situation, and family circumstances, answering all her questions in detail. She was now completely alone, without parents. She had once had a husband and children, but they had all perished in the war, killed by enemy swords and used as rations by starving, disoriented soldiers. She had wandered here alone and had taken in several qualified apprentices.
Being able to focus on a profession you love and mentor apprentices in your spare time brings you both mental and physical satisfaction.
only--
When she talked about her apprentice, she hesitated slightly.
Shen Tang straightened her clothes: "What's wrong?"
The female physician confessed, "Among my apprentices, three are orphans from the Northern Desert, their backgrounds quite pitiful. A plague struck their parents' tribe, killing most of its inhabitants. I was practicing medicine nearby when I heard of this, so I went to investigate and brought the three sisters back. This matter has also been reported..."
At that time, the relationship between Kangguo and Beimo was still harmonious.
People from both border regions often exchange ideas in Camel City.
She also frequently traveled to the impoverished northern tribes beyond the Great Wall to provide medical care, but out of caution, she did not reveal her identity as a medical practitioner, instead remaining a regular doctor. Now, with the tense situation, the three sisters' identities are somewhat awkward, and they worry they won't be accepted.
Shen Tang asked, "How old is the child?"
“One is seven years old, one is five years old, and one is three years old.” She added, “They were brought back two years ago.”
Shen Tang nodded: "The child is innocent, let's raise him."
Just as she had told Yunda before—animals care about lineage, but humans care even more about identity. The Northern Desert would eventually be incorporated into her territory, and as long as these three children accepted it, how could Shen Tang not tolerate it? The doctor's caution and apprehension exceeded expectations.
Does he feel like a tyrant who can't even tolerate three children?
Little did she know, the female doctor also had her own concerns.
"...Your Majesty is unaware of what is happening in the Northern Desert..."
Shen Tang asked curiously, "The Northern Desert?"
The female doctor said, "I heard from people who came back from Camel City that many tribes in the Northern Desert are killing people to prove their innocence. They are killing Kang Kingdom women who have married into the Northern Desert and the children they have given birth to in recent years."
Shen Tang's eyes sharpened: "Really?"
The female doctor nodded: "Everything is true!"
If these actions and attitudes taken by the Northern Desert become widely known, they will inevitably cause a stir among the people. Kunzhou borders the Northern Desert, and the people of the two places have always maintained exchanges. Over the years, there are also many commoners of Northern Desert descent within Kunzhou.
When this storm arose, they were the first to be resisted.
Shen Tang pondered for a moment: "The various tribes of the Northern Desert are mostly uncivilized, ignorant, and narrow-minded, lacking any sense of perspective. How could Kang Kingdom be the same as them? I will remember this."
The female doctor was relieved.
Although the king before him was not old, less than half his age, his conduct and actions possessed a convincing charm.
Including Qi Shan, who suffered an undeserved injury, the three were basically out of danger. The female doctor took her leave to take a look around the military camp—dozens of unfortunate guards had suffered minor injuries last night, and several others had suffered severe frostbite and were currently lying in bed unable to get up.
Shen Tang rubbed her temples and prepared to go find Qi Shan.
Open the door, and the person is right outside.
The two were separated by a door.
Shen Tang cleared her throat.
"Yuanliang, I was just looking for you. Come in and let's talk."
After last night's incident, the atmosphere between the two was no longer as harmonious as before; instead, there was an indescribable awkwardness and distance between them.
Humans have a mouth to speak.
To reduce unnecessary misunderstandings, people need to communicate effectively: "...Last night's action was my good intention; you know she exists. She's stronger than me, but not by much!"
Shen Tang used her fingers to indicate how much this "how much" was.
Just a little bit!
Qi Shan looked at her without speaking, and Shen Tang felt like she was sitting on pins and needles. She pouted and admitted, "...Okay, she is much stronger than me, but I will surpass her sooner or later. She can sever the connection between your path of the literati and me, but I swear to you, I don't know this method, and I can't do it. Even if I could, I wouldn't do it. If I could do it, I would only use it when I am about to die. At that time, it will not only be you who will be severed, but also Wu Hui and Tu Nan."
"I will take responsibility for my own life!"
“Yuanliang, to me, no one in this world is more precious than you, or any of you. In public, I am the ruler, and you are the subject, but in private, our relationship is more than that. Time will prove that my trust in you extends beyond just my wounds.”
|ω`)
I'm a thousand words short in today's update, and I'm crying my eyes out. I shouldn't have gone on a shopping spree and lost track of time. Time really flies when you're shopping.
PS: Today's temperature is 21 degrees Celsius. On December 11th, the temperature was actually 21 degrees Celsius. Do I still have a chance to wear the down jacket and thick fleece-lined tights that I bought on Singles' Day?
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com