Then, a series of light footsteps sounded.
The footsteps of the approaching person were almost imperceptible, and Gu Linchao knew immediately that this person possessed profound inner strength.
He returned to the bedside without making a sound.
A short while later, Shen Qingning's voice rang out, "Master, why are you only just returning?"
"Little Qingning, do you miss your teacher?" the visitor teased.
"Why would I miss you? Every time you leave, it's for six months or a year. I wish you wouldn't come back at all," Shen Qingning said angrily.
"Hey, I won't leave this time, okay? Don't be angry," the person said anxiously.
"It's late, go to sleep." Shen Qingning said, then added, "Oh, right, we have guests over, so don't disturb them, be quiet."
"A guest?" The visitor asked, somewhat surprised.
After that, Shen Qingning said something, and then there was silence in the courtyard.
Gu Linchao lay down again beside Wen Nongnong.
The next day, Wen Nongnong woke up at daybreak.
She thought she had woken up early today, but as soon as she turned her head, she saw that Gu Linchao had already gotten up, dressed, and was sitting in a chair.
"Your Highness?" she called out softly.
Gu Linchao turned to look in her direction, "Awake?"
"Hmm." Wen Nongnong scratched her hair and hurriedly got out of bed. "Have you been up for a long time?"
"No, I just finished washing up." Gu Linchao had already stood up and accurately picked up the dress hanging to the side and handed it to her.
Wen Nong Nong took the dress and put it on.
She had just finished washing up when Lü Qiao came to knock on the door.
"Sisters, are you up yet?"
Following Wen Nongnong's instructions, she addressed her as "elder sister" in front of outsiders.
Wen Nongnong quickly went over and opened the door. "Get up."
"I borrowed Miss Chen's kitchen to cook some porridge. Please come out and eat," said Lü Qiao.
“Okay.” Wen Nongnong said, turning around to help Gu Linchao out.
Upon arriving at the main house, they found Shen Qingning already there, with an elderly man with white hair and beard, but who was still very energetic, sitting beside her.
Upon seeing this person, Wen Nongnong guessed his identity and her face lit up with joy. "Miss Qingning, this must be your teacher?"
Seeing the two enter, Shen Qingning quickly stood up and nodded. "It is indeed my master. He only returned late last night and didn't want to disturb your rest, so he didn't tell you. Sister Wen, Brother Gu, please have a seat."
As he spoke, he eagerly pulled out chairs for the two of them.
Her actions drew some attention from the old man.
Seeing that he remained seated, Shen Qingning quickly added, "Master, these two are Sister Wen and Brother Gu, whom I told you about last night. Brother Gu has some difficulty seeing."
Before the old man could speak, Wen Nongnong bowed respectfully to him, saying, "Sir, we apologize for our intrusion."
"Since you know you're bothering us, why don't you leave quickly?" the old man said in a somewhat aggressive tone.
Wen Nongnong: "..."
Shen Qingning quickly smoothed things over, "Sister Wen, please don't take offense. My master was just joking with you."
Upon hearing this, Wen Nongnong gave an awkward laugh, "So the old gentleman was joking with me?" But who would believe that?
At Shen Qingning's prompting, the old man toned it down a bit and said calmly, "Yes, I was just joking with you."
Wen Nongnong was sweating profusely. This old man was indeed eccentric; he could make someone lose face with just a few words.
She sensed that Gu Linchao was somewhat displeased and was afraid that he would say something irreversible, so she held his hand tightly, signaling him to calm down.
The group sat down and ate breakfast quietly.
After finishing breakfast, Wen Nongnong explained her purpose to the old man.
"To be honest, sir, my husband and I have come here mainly to ask you to treat his eyes. We hope you can lend a helping hand and treat my husband."
The old man glanced at Gu Linchao and said vaguely, "I'm very tired today, let's talk about it in a couple of days." After saying that, he left, and no matter how much Shen Qingning called him, he didn't respond.
Shen Qingning was a little embarrassed. "My master has a rather eccentric personality. Please don't take offense."
"No, no," Wen Nongnong quickly reassured her.
The old man didn't return until the afternoon.
Wen Nongnong's face lit up with joy, having long forgotten the unpleasantness of the morning. She eagerly stepped forward to greet him, "The old gentleman is back."
The old man glanced at her but ignored her.
Wen Nongnong was not discouraged. "Sir, can you examine my husband now?"
Surprisingly, the old man said, "Help your husband out, I'll take his pulse."
Wen Nongnong was overjoyed. "Thank you, sir. I'll bring him over right away." With that, she dashed into the house.
Before long, she led Gu Linchao to the main house.
Sure enough, the old man was already waiting. Shen Qingning stood to the side, looking very happy. When the two of them came in, she even brought them chairs.
After Gu Linchao sat down, the old man first took his pulse and then looked at his eyes.
After examining Gu Linchao through observation, listening, questioning, and palpation, the old man concluded that Gu Linchao had been poisoned by Fumanluo.
This is the same result as the diagnosis made by Xuanqing, Physician Lin, and Shen Qingning.
"Sir, how should this poison be treated?" Wen Nongnong couldn't help but ask.
The old man glanced at her and said slowly, "Of all the people in the world, only I know how to cure this poison. It's not that difficult, but it's not that simple either."
Wen Nongnong said solemnly, "Please, sir, treat my husband."
The old man glanced at her, then looked at Gu Linchao, who was sitting silently to the side, and said, "I can cure him, but what do you want in exchange?"
Wen Nongnong was taken aback for a moment, then quickly said, "Whatever the old gentleman wants, as long as it's within our power, we will agree to it."
The old man stroked his beard and smiled, "Of course you can do it."
"What does the old man want?" Wen Nongnong asked seriously. As long as this man agreed to detoxify Gu Linchao and treat his eyes, she would simply give him all her savings.
"Young Master Gu has not yet expressed his opinion." The old man did not answer her question, but looked at Gu Linchao instead.
Upon hearing this, Gu Linchao said calmly, "We are willing to meet the conditions proposed by the old gentleman, provided that we do not violate the law, morality, or conscience."
The old man nodded. "I won't let you do anything illegal, like murder or arson. Don't worry."
"Then please state your terms, sir," Wen Nongnong said.
The old man suddenly glanced at Shen Qingning.
Shen Qingning was stunned for a moment.
The old man withdrew his gaze and said solemnly, "I am already very old and may leave this world at any time. In this world, I only have one thing to worry about, and that is my disciple, Shen Qingning."
Upon hearing this, Wen Nongnong suddenly had a bad feeling.
Sure enough, the next moment, the old man said, "If I can concoct an antidote for you, you must also promise me that after your eyesight is restored, you will take my disciple down the mountain and take care of her from now on, so that she will not suffer any grievances."
Of course, official status is irrelevant; what matters is that this young master Gu treats her like a wife, without favoritism.
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