Chapter 21: Poisoned (T-Revised) Does she look...
After a long time, everything outside the room returned to silence. Zhou Tinglan felt a little itchy in her throat. She opened the door of the room, exchanged glances with Xie Zechuan who was hiding in the dark, and called the waiter.
"I'm a little thirsty, please bring me a pot of tea."
The tea was soon delivered to the table in the side room. Zhou Tinglan picked up the cup and took a sip of hot tea. The warm water moistened her dry throat, and she felt a little better.
The note told her to come tonight, but she had been in the room for so long and no one had come.
Just as Zhou Tinglan was wondering whether the information in the note was correct, the door of the wing room was knocked again, and Xie Zechuan's voice came from outside the door.
"Miss Zhou, I'm here to bring you some food."
Zhou Tinglan opened the door and saw Xie Zechuan had changed into a waiter's clothes and was holding a tray in his hand. She looked around and hurriedly pulled him into the side room.
"How can you come in person? It's so dangerous."
Xie Zechuan shrugged and said nonchalantly, "No one's here right now, and there are soldiers watching all around. I'm afraid you'll be bored, so I'm pretending to be a waiter to keep you company."
He placed the side dishes on the table and said, "The conditions are limited at night. I brought these from the inn kitchen. If you are hungry, please have some."
Zhou Tinglan lowered his head and picked up the chopsticks. He saw Xie Zechuan standing beside him dutifully with a tray, acting as a waiter.
The tense atmosphere disappeared, and in the dark room, the girl and the waiter looked a bit like a scene of an affair in a novel.
The dazzling white light shone into the room through the curtains. The two stayed in the room all night, but no one came.
Zhou Tinglan rubbed his swollen waist and stood up, complaining: "The kidnappers are playing tricks on us."
The best golden rescue time for the kidnapping was about to pass. Now they couldn't even see the kidnapper, and they didn't know how their mother was doing.
She sighed, "Let's go."
How dare you play tricks on me? When I catch you, I will stew you.
The two walked out of the door of Su's Inn, Zhou Tinglan was in front, and Xie Zechuan was still wearing the waiter's clothes from last night. A light seemed to flash on the roof in the distance.
The two reacted quickly and shot several arrows towards the entrance of the inn.
"Lan'er, be careful." Xie Zechuan shouted and rushed to Zhou Tinglan and held her in his arms.
In order to better disguise himself as a waiter, Xie Zechuan did not carry a knife with him. He held Zhou Tinglan in his arms and easily avoided the arrows.
The arrows formed a straight line behind the two men, burying themselves deep into the ground.
As they approached the inn's gate, the archer seemed to sense something was wrong and turned to shoot at Zhou Tinglan, who was being protected in Xie Zechuan's arms.
Zhou Tinglan also noticed the change in the direction of the arrow. She complained in her heart, who is this person, so shameless!
The arrows were getting denser and denser, and Xie Zechuan didn't dare to move too much while holding Zhou Tinglan.
"Lan'er, are you okay? We'll be back to the inn soon."
"I'm fine, just be careful with the arrows."
Zhou Tinglan breathed a sigh of relief as she stepped into the door of Su's Inn, but unexpectedly, an arrow shot directly at her.
"Lan'er, be careful." Xie Zechuan rushed towards Zhou Tinglan. His shoulder was cut by an arrow and blood immediately oozed out.
Zhou Tinglan looked outside the inn and saw a man standing across the street. He was holding a longbow and smiling at them.
The soldiers hiding in the dark heard the noise and rushed over quickly. Seeing the person on the roof trying to escape, they went forward to chase him.
Zhou Tinglan took out a handkerchief from his pocket and covered Xie Zechuan's bleeding shoulder: "Are you okay?"
Xie Zechuan comforted her, "They are just minor injuries, don't worry, Lan'er."
The soldiers had already captured the man, who had a Taoist scar on his face. He stared at Xie Zechuan and the other man, and when he saw the arrow wound on Xie Zechuan's arm, he burst into laughter.
His smile gave Zhou Tinglan a bad feeling.
The next moment, Zhou Tinglan saw him raise his head and shout, "Xie Zechuan, you're dead this time!"
He said, using all his strength to break free from the soldiers who were holding him, and then he committed suicide by taking poison and died on the spot.
Zhou Tinglan hurriedly checked on Xie Zechuan. Seeing that he was fine, he asked in confusion, "What did he mean by his last words?"
"No matter what it is, finding my aunt is the most important thing now."
Xie Zechuan walked towards the dead man on the ground, lowered his head to examine him, and was shocked. He concluded, "It's a Northern Di person."
"My mother was captured by the Northern Di people!" Zhou Tinglan said angrily. Good, very good, their country has been destroyed but they are still like indestructible cockroaches, could it be that they want to restore their country?
"Lan'er, you didn't sleep all night last night. Why don't you go back and rest for a while?" After recognizing that the person on the ground was a deserter from Beidi, Xie Zechuan blamed himself for not being able to protect Zhou Tinglan.
Zhou Tinglan was unwilling: "It's okay, I'm not tired, let's continue looking for mother."
With the clue of Beidi, the soldiers came to the ruined temple and finally found the unconscious Qiao.
When Zhou Tinglan saw Qiao tied to the stone pillar, tears could not help but flow down her face. Her heart ached. She ran forward crying, "Mother, mother, how are you?"
Seeing that Mrs. Qiao didn't respond, Zhou Tinglan looked at Xie Zechuan who had followed him: "Xie Zechuan, mother..."
Xie Zechuan wiped the tear marks on Zhou Tinglan's face and said, "Auntie is fine, she must have just fainted. Where's the military doctor?"
The military doctor was startled by Xie Zechuan's roar and hurried in to examine Mrs. Qiao: "Mrs. Zhou just fainted from hunger because she hasn't eaten for a long time. There's nothing serious wrong with her."
"Thank you." Zhou Tinglan looked at Qiao's unconscious face and recalled every detail after the time travel. In her heart, she had already regarded Qiao as her biological mother.
She murmured, "I hope nothing happens to you."
Xie Zechuan asked the soldiers to come in and carry the person. Qiao was placed on a simple stretcher and sent back to the barracks.
Zhou Yiming rushed over when he learned that Qiao was rescued safely. His eyes were bruised, and it was obvious that he did not sleep well last night.
He rushed to Qiao's bed, his eyes red: "You are still alive, God bless you, you are okay!"
Mrs. Qiao had already woken up. She gently stroked Zhou Yiming's cheek and said, "I'm back. Don't cry. General Xie is watching you. I've gone to get some porridge and will be back soon."
Zhou Yiming glanced at Xie Zechuan and saw that he turned his head away and didn't look at them: "No one is looking at us."
As he spoke, he leaned forward and pecked Qiao lightly on the lips, then quickly left.
"Damn it, you're so old, yet you're still so disgusting."
Zhou Tinglan walked in with a bowl of hot porridge and looked at his mother lying on the bed with soft eyes. Seeing that his parents were talking, he stood side by side with Xie Zechuan.
"How is my mother now?"
Xie Zechuan and Zhou Tinglan looked at each other and said, "Aunt is doing very well."
When Zhou Tinglan saw her parents stop moving, she stepped forward and said, "Mother, the porridge is here. You didn't eat anything yesterday, so you'll feel better if you drink some hot porridge."
Zhou Yiming took the bowl of porridge from Zhou Tinglan's hand: "Lan'er, I'll feed your mother."
He turned around and looked at Qiao with a tender gaze. He scooped up a spoonful of hot porridge, blew on it, and then brought it to Qiao's mouth.
Zhou Tinglan saw that his mother was in good condition, and then noticed the dark circles under Zhou Yiming's eyes. He said dissatisfiedly, "Now that mother has been rescued, father should also take better care of himself."
Xie Zechuan watched from the side and couldn't help but think of his parents who were far away in Shangjing City. Although his mother was always talking about her marriage, and his father had a stern face all day long.
He would go back to the tent and write a letter to them later.
Suddenly, Xie Zechuan felt a sharp pain in his chest. He covered his chest. Zhou Tinglan noticed his abnormality and hurriedly supported him: "Xie Zechuan, what's wrong with you?"
The noise between the two startled Zhou Yiming and his wife on the bed. Zhou Yiming stood up and came over to support Xie Zechuan: "General Xie, you..."
Before he could finish his words, a mouthful of black blood spurted out of Xie Zechuan's mouth. He looked at Zhou Tinglan beside him and stretched out his hand to cover it up, but he felt dizzy. He saw Zhou Tinglan's anxious expression and lost consciousness completely before he could say the words to comfort her.
"Lan'er..."
As soon as Xie Zechuan lost consciousness, Zhou Tinglan and his father Zhou Yiming helped him to the bed.
Zhou Yiming looked at the unconscious Xie Zechuan and comforted him, "Don't panic, Lan'er. Father will go get a military doctor."
Zhou Yiming turned around and went out to find a military doctor. Behind him followed Qin Sinian, Xu Cheng and Xin Ping who had rushed over after hearing the news.
As soon as Xin Ping entered the room, he asked loudly, "What happened to General Xie?"
No one answered his question. Everyone looked at the serious-looking military doctor. After examining Xie Zechuan's various physical symptoms, the doctor speculated, "General Xie must have been poisoned."
Poisoning?
Could it be that arrow?
Zhou Tinglan showed the arrows he had collected at the entrance of Su's Inn to the military doctor. The military doctor took them and examined them carefully.
"Yes, the arrow was poisoned. If I remember correctly, the poison is called Youmeng Powder, a secret medicine from the Northern Di. Those poisoned will fall into a coma and die in their sleep a week later."
After hearing the military doctor's words, Zhou Tinglan could no longer suppress the anger in his heart. The Northern Di people were so cruel. This was their ultimate goal.
The others were also very angry. Xin Ping even started swearing and calling the Northern Di people inhuman.
"Damn it! We never used poison when we caught them before, but they actually dared to use poison on General Xie!"
Zhou Tinglan looked at the military doctor holding the arrow and asked, "Is there any way to detoxify it?"
The military doctor shook his head and sighed, "This poison is a secret medicine from the Northern Di people. It is extremely toxic. I'm sorry that I don't know how to detoxify it."
"What should we do then?" Zhou Tinglan exclaimed and turned to look at Xie Zechuan.
Xie Zechuan, you must be fine. You haven't helped me complete my revenge yet, you haven't married me as promised, you haven't taken me...
If you die, I will be criticized to death and labeled as a jinx.
Seeing her daughter anxious, Mrs. Qiao felt anxious too. It was all because of her uselessness. Otherwise, General Xie wouldn't be lying in bed, his life or death unknown, and Lan'er wouldn't be so sad.
What should I do? Is there anyone who can save General Xie?
Suddenly, an idea flashed in her mind, and she blurted out: "Lan'er, Doctor Li!"
Doctor Li?
Zhou Tinglan turned to look at his mother, his mind unable to react for a moment.
Mrs. Qiao held Zhou Tinglan's hand and said, "Since Doctor Li was able to save your father, he can probably save General Xie as well."
Doctor Li, Zhou Tinglan kept repeating in her heart. She stumbled to her feet and ran out of the barracks.
Yes, she wanted to find Dr. Li. Even if there was only a tiny hope, she wanted to give it a try.
She ran on the street and bumped into many people from Beijiang City on the way.
Zhou Tinglan lowered his head and continued to run forward, saying, "Sorry."
Seeing her so anxious, the people were confused: "Miss Zhou, is there something urgent?"
"I don't know. I haven't heard of it."
Zhou Tinglan followed his memory and returned to the door of the small pharmacy. The door was open and Doctor Li was sitting inside grinding medicine.
She rushed into the small pharmacy panting, and saw Doctor Li glance at her, then lowered his head and continued with the work in his hands.
"Don't tell me that it's your parents who don't take care of themselves and come to me for medicine." Doctor Li said as he looked at the herbs in his hand.
Zhou Tinglan hurriedly explained: "No...it's not."
"You're breathing so hard, it's not too late to slow down first and talk later." Doctor Li said with disdain.
“No… no need.”
Zhou Tinglan gasped for breath. She told Doctor Li about Xie Zechuan's poisoning and asked uncertainly, "Do you have a way to detoxify him?"
Yes, tell her there is a way quickly, Zhou Tinglan screamed wildly in his heart, hoping that Doctor Li would say this word.
Doctor Li stopped what he was doing, thought for a moment, and said, "I do have a solution, but I need to see the specific situation first."
Zhou Tinglan was overjoyed and blurted out, "Then can you come with me to get treated? We will definitely reward you handsomely."
Great, Xie Zechuan is saved, it’s Doctor Li!
"Wait, Miss Zhou, I told you when I first met you that I only treat people who are destined to be treated, regardless of their identities." Doctor Li stopped Zhou Tinglan's joyful movements.
Zhou Tinglan was worried that Doctor Li would refuse to see her. Thinking of Xie Zechuan lying on the bed, he said, "Doctor Li, what do you think will make you agree to see me?"
No matter what, I will invite him to see Xie Zechuan.
Doctor Li stood up and picked up a box from the table beside him. He glanced at Zhou Tinglan and then looked down at the box: "Are you sure you will do whatever I ask you to do?"
"I'm sure." Zhou Tinglan said without hesitation.
"Okay, eat it." Doctor Li handed the box to Zhou Tinglan.
There was a black pill in the box, and Zhou Tinglan immediately thought of the ancient emperors who sought immortality and searched for pills.
Doctor Li shouldn't be that kind of person. You know, the cinnabar and mercury in the elixirs that ancient emperors took could make her ascend to heaven.
Seeing Zhou Tinglan's hesitation, Doctor Li snorted and said, "If you don't want to, please go back."
"Doctor Li, your pill is non-toxic, right?" Zhou Tinglan adjusted his facial expression and asked with a smile.
You have to ask clearly before eating, she thought, if you want to die, you have to die quickly and with a reason, otherwise she won't be able to save Xie Zechuan and die from poisoning from the pill.
"I made this pill some time ago, but I haven't tried it yet. It's a good opportunity for you to come and help me test it."
Zhou Tinglan was helpless. Doctor Li was telling her that he didn't know whether it was poisonous or not.
Forget it, I'll take the risk. If it turns out not to be poisonous, she will make a lot of money.
She picked up the pill and swallowed it directly. Zhou Tinglan was shocked. This taste... was not that of a pill.
Zhou Tinglan smacked her lips a few times. It tasted sweet, like candy beans. She looked at Doctor Li in disbelief.
Seeing Doctor Li's beard shaking with laughter, Zhou Tinglan felt that she had just been fooled by the Northern Di people last night and was fooled by Doctor Li again today.
Does she, does she look playful?
"It tastes good, right? What's in the box are not pills, but homemade candy beans. They're just a little big." Doctor Li showed a look of disgust when he talked about the things in the box, as if he was talking about a failed product.
Zhou Tinglan felt very uncomfortable. If it was just a candy bean, why did you say it so scary!
Doctor Li and Zhou Tinglan returned to the barracks to check on Xie Zechuan's condition and came to the same conclusion as the military doctor.
"I can cure this poison, but I lack a key ingredient. This ingredient is extremely rare, and I don't have it right now."
**
Zhou Tinglan and Qin Sinian were commanding the soldiers in the barracks to search everywhere for medicinal herbs that could cure Xie Zechuan. Notices were posted in the city, offering a large reward for the purchase of medicinal herbs.
She looked at the busy soldiers in front of her and ordered, "Have the students in the forging class help me manage the swordsmithing exhibition in the city."
Qin Sinian asked worriedly, "Miss Zhou, do you think that medicinal herb is easy to find?"
"We'll definitely find it within a week."
Zhou Tinglan comforted himself that with so many people looking for the medicinal herb, they would succeed.
On that day, the soldiers searched the city for many medicinal herbs. Some were sent to the barracks by the people, and some were bought by the soldiers from the surrounding cities at full speed.
Zhou Tinglan immediately ran to find Doctor Li after receiving the herbs. Doctor Li picked up the herbs, examined them carefully, and whispered, "This one looks a bit like it."
"Which flavor?"
Zhou Tinglan looked expectantly at the herbs in Doctor Li's hand, only to see him put them down again: "No, I saw it wrong."
“This one is similar.”
Zhou Tinglan looked again, but it was still not the one.
In the end, Doctor Li checked all the collected medicinal herbs and found that none of them were what he needed.
Zhou Tinglan's confidence, which had been so high during the day, suddenly plummeted to the bottom. She had found so many medicinal herbs, but none of them were hers.
Doctor Li comforted her upon seeing this, "Miss Zhou, this medicinal herb is indeed hard to find. You must not be discouraged."
Zhou Tinglan forced a smile: "I will."
Zhou Tinglan returned to the tent dejectedly. She sat beside the bed and looked at Xie Zechuan who was still unconscious.
How can she find this life-saving herb? Xie Zechuan, you have to hold on.
"Tell the soldiers to expand the search range, speed up the pace, and continue looking!" Zhou Tinglan ordered.
She looked towards the border of Beidi Kingdom. Was she going to go there to look for it in the end?
**
Zhou Tinglan was taking care of Xie Zechuan in the tent, gently wiping his cheek with a warm towel.
It's the last day, Xie Zechuan, when will you open your eyes and look at me?
Qin Sinian walked in quickly from outside: "Miss Zhou, there is news about the medicinal herbs. Master Su said he has some."
Zhou Tinglan stood up and asked happily, "Really?"
While she was delighted, she also felt very strange. There had been such a big fuss about searching for medicinal herbs in the city recently. If Su Mingzhuo had the medicine, why did he come only today?
Moreover, according to Doctor Li, this medicinal material is extremely rare. How could it be such a coincidence that Su Mingzhuo has it?
Zhou Tinglan's expression became increasingly depressed. Perhaps it was the same medicinal herbs again.
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com
