While Lin Jinxiao's senses were numb, Chu Nanzhi seized the opportunity and took the sharp knife that the doctor had already heated over the candle flame and swiftly cut open the wound on his leg.
Lin Jinxiao only moved slightly. He was not gnashing his teeth in pain.
Chu Nanzhi worked quickly to clean the pus and blood on his leg, then washed the wound with wine. Then, she took the ointment prescribed by the doctor and applied it to his wound again.
However, the effects of the ointment in this era were not as magical as that described in martial arts novels. It was made of powdered bugleweed, which was smeared on the wound. But it was quite effective in helping to stop the bleeding and repair muscles.
Her suturing skills were limited, so she instructed Li Ce to mix some pepper juice and apply it evenly on the gauze before bandaging the wound on Lin Jinxiao's leg.
This would also lessen his pain.
She finished performing this operation under the most primitive conditions, then waited for Lin Jinxiao's anesthesia to wear off. When he regained his senses, he felt that his leg was not as swollen as and painful before.
However, his internal injuries were very serious, so he still looked rather frail.
Even so, Chu Nanzhi's method of treating Lin Jinxiao's injury had already stunned the doctor. He kept exclaiming,
"A few days ago, I used a branding iron to cauterize Mr Lin's wound. Although Mr Lin is so stoic, he could barely tolerate the pain. But when Madam Chu treated his injuries, he looked so at ease. It seems that this pepper wine is really very effective."
After saying that, his eyes lit up.
Today's trip was not in vain. He had gained new insights.
When Chu Nanzhi looked at the doctor's expression, her also eyes lit up. She smiled and said, "No matter how good pepper wine is, it's anesthetic effects are limited. I wonder if the doctor has heard of Ma Fei soup?"
"Ma Fei soup?"
The doctor frowned as he stroked his beard and said, "I have heard that the imperial physicians in Jingling City have developed medicines that can temporarily numb a person's senses, but they are all secret techniques that are not taught to outsiders. Lady Chu, do you know anything of these mysteries?"
However, Chu Nanzhi pretended to be aloof and kept her mouth shut.
The doctor took the hint and looked around the room. He immediately said, "Madam Chu, please let us go somewhere private and talk."
He respectfully invited her into the main hall. The old doctor smiled kindly.
"I'm afraid your husband still needs a lot of medicine to recuperate from his injuries. Without your main support at home, you will have to deal with the housework alone and take care of so many children. I admire your determination. Let me make things clear today. Madam Chu, you are free to take any herbs in my pharmacy in the future. I won't charge you a single cent. Madam Chu, please don't stand on ceremony with me."
As he spoke, he took out a bag of silver and continued,
"I came in a hurry today and only brought fifty taels of silver. If Madam Chu is willing to teach me, I'm willing to send you another hundred taels of silver when I get back."
"Sure, sure."
Although this doctor's medical skills were mediocre, he was extremely good at getting ahead.
Chu Nanzhi was willing to make a fair exchange with him.
Moreover, in this era, many people died from unbearable pain because of the lack of anesthetics. She had never considered going into the pharmaceutical business, so why waste the good prescriptions that she had?
If the palace's prescription for anesthesia became available, the prescriptions she knew would become worthless.
So she asked the doctor for a pen and paper. She imitated the host's handwriting and wrote a prescription for him from memory.
The doctor took a closer look. Although the handwriting was untidy, he could just about decipher it. He muttered to himself,
"One catty of Devil's snare, four yuan each of monkshood, wild angelica, female ginseng, and Szechuan lovage and one yuan of Jack-in-the-pulpit."
There were a total of six herbs. She was obviously an expert.
The doctor did not doubt her. He thanked her gratefully, "Madam Chu is so kind-hearted. I'm extremely grateful. I'll get someone to send the remaining hundred taels of silver over in a few days."
"Doctor, you don't have to be so polite. We're just making a fair exchange."
"Yes, a fair exchange."
The doctor nodded and smiled.
Chu Nanzhi was not worried that he would not give her money. At most, he would not be able to get anything from her in the future. It was no great loss to her.
Moreover, she remembered even better prescriptions, but she would have to take the time to carefully complete them.
Li Ce came out at this moment and looked at Chu Nanzhi, who was sweating profusely from exhaustion. His heart suddenly went out to her as he said, "Sister-in-law, I'll send the doctor back. Do you need any medicine? I'll bring it back too."
Chu Nanzhi still had to take care of the children, so she had no choice but to trouble Li Ce to help her.
Although the medicine prescribed by the doctor was effective, it effects were too slow.
After some thought, she instructed Li Ce, "Then I'll have to trouble you to bring back some Chinese rhubarb, goldthread, and skullcap."
These three could be used together to reduce fever, remove toxins, dissolve clots and cool the body.
She wanted to use these medicines to treat Lin Jinxiao's internal injuries.
After saying that, she took out five taels of silver from the money she had recovered and handed them to Li Ce.
Although this old doctor was generous, she would not take advantage of him.
To her surprise the old doctor immediately expressed his unhappiness. He said sternly, "We've already made an agreement. Madam Chu, why are you taking out your silver?"
Even if he could not determine the authenticity of the anesthetic soup, he had seen this woman's ability. Perhaps she might be able to teach him many things in the future.
No matter what, he must do her a favor today.
Chu Nanzhi had no choice but to thank the old doctor for his good intentions and send the two of them out of the courtyard.
Then she returned to her room and put away all the silver. When she went to the inner room, she saw many pairs of eyes staring at her strangely.
Today, she had used her wits to fight against Lin Jinhong, then treated Lin Jinxiao's injuries. This had completely overturned Lin Jinxiao's worldview.
If ghosts really existed in this world, then he was certain that he must have seen a ghost.
The room was unusually quiet. Little Ruijia suddenly bent down and crawled under the bed. A moment later, she took a black bundle out from under the bed.
She held the bundle tightly and slowly walked over to Chu Nanzhi, raising her head to pass it to her silently.
Although she did not address her as mother, Chu Nanzhi felt an inexplicable sense of gratitude when she saw the child's eager expression.
This time, the other three children only looked at her, but did not stop Lin Ruijia.
She took the bundle and gently stroked Little Ruijia's head, but the child was so frightened that she quickly ran back.
"Your injuries are not major. Have a good rest. Try not to get up and move around, and don't think too much."
After saying that, she glanced meaningfully at Lin Jinxiao, who was lying on the bed. Feeling worried, she added,
"For stealing money, your brother will receive three years of hard labor at the most. With his idle personality, it might not be a bad thing to train his body."
Anxiety were not conducive to recovery. She wanted to help him reduce his worries as much as possible.
Lin Jinxiao did not retort. This time, he agreed with Chu Nanzhi's actions.
In this matter, she did not understand what he was thinking, so he did not blame her.
Chu Nanzhi put the bundle back in her hut and went to the kitchen to boil some hot water. She also picked some peppers to make juice and mixed them with the ointment. After giving the children a bath, she applied the ointment on their wounds again. Only then did she go to take care of the mushrooms and wild rabbit she had gotten from the mountains.
Although today had been eventful, fortunately, she had suffered no loss. Not only had she recovered the silver, she had also earned an extra sum. She was indescribably happy.
She must reward himself and also let the children have a good meal of game.
In addition to stewing a pot of mushroom and rabbit meat, she specially added two stir-fried dishes: Stir-fried cucumber slices with pork belly and eggs with tomatoes.
As soon as she finished cooking, Li Ce returned with the medicine.
When Chu Nanzhi saw that he had placed the medicine on the table and was about to leave, she hurriedly urged him to stay. "Stay and eat with us."
Li Ce looked at the sumptuous dishes on the dining table and gulped. He quickly declined, "No, the food at home should be ready. I'll go back and eat."
Little Ruijia looked at the travel-worn Li Ce and quickly said, "Uncle Li, we're eating rabbit meat today. Stay and eat with us."
Chu Nanzhi went over and pressed him down on the stool. She said sternly, "I've troubled you to work so hard all morning. You can eat here today. There are still some mushrooms and rabbit meat in the pot. After you're done eating, you can bring them back for Sister-in-law and the children."
When he heard her say that, Li Ce swallowed his saliva again and obediently sat down with the children.
The four children were overjoyed to be able to eat such good food for a few days in a row. They all felt that their harrowing experience with the tax case was worth it.
However, looking at the fragrant rabbit meat and delicious stir-fried vegetables, the children hesitated and did not dare to move their chopsticks.
Chu Nanzhi could discern the children's thoughts at a glance. She hurriedly said to Li Ce with a smile, "Please eat with the four children first. I'll feed my husband."