Gu Shi languidly reclined on the bed when she heard Chuer calling from outside, "Miss is here."
Qin Liu Xi walked in.
"It's Xier who's here." Gu Shi, pale-faced, smiled at her.
Qin Liu Xi frowned as she looked at her complexion. "You haven't fully recovered after childbirth; you should be resting in bed."
Gu Shi said, "It's tiring to lie down for too long. I just sat up not long ago. Why have you come?"
"Lie back down; I'll administer acupuncture for you." Qin Liu Xi approached to help her lie down, first taking her pulse, then opening a box of golden needles and lifting the covers.
Qin Liu Xi gently rubbed her abdomen and said, "Giving birth this time has greatly depleted your vitality. To recover properly, mere dietary supplements won't suffice. You also need acupuncture to regulate meridians, guide yang energy into the body to replenish vitality. Otherwise, even after your postpartum recovery, you may suffer from cold in the palace and waist pain, especially on rainy days."
Gu Shi looked at her in astonishment. "You, at such a young age, understand so much. Who did you learn your medical skills from? We had no idea you were proficient in this."
"It's normal that you didn't know, after all, I've been away from home since childhood." Qin Liu Xi took the golden needles and glanced at her. "If you're not comfortable, I can refrain from treatment."
Gu Shi hurriedly said, "It's not that I don't trust you. The three of us, mother and sons, rely on you to survive. Aunt San would never doubt your abilities. She's just curious and admires you. You're really amazing."
Qin Liu Xi hmmed but didn't argue.
She pinched the needle, gently inserting it into the Gu Shi's abdomen at the lower abdomen acupuncture point, performing shallow to deep, nine times each, followed by several other acupuncture points. She repeated this process several times.
As Qin Liu Xi manipulated the needles, sweat gradually appeared on her forehead. She glanced at Gu Shi and said, "Acupuncture not only helps you clear lochia quickly but also strengthens your foundation and nourishes yang energy. You may feel some heat in your abdomen, but don't panic; it's a normal sensation from the needle stimulation."
Gu Shi did indeed feel the gradual warmth in her abdomen, but she didn't feel uncomfortable; rather, she felt extremely comfortable. She said, "Is it really like this? It's so miraculous, like having a warm compress on my belly."
Qin Liu Xi didn't explain; this was the technique of burning mountain fire acupuncture, naturally comfortable.
Feeling the warmth, Gu Shi felt relieved. When Qin Liu Xi removed the needles and closed the needle holes, covering her with the quilt, she said, "Just focus on recuperating."
"Aunt San doesn't know how to express our gratitude to you." Gu Shi looked at Qin Liu Xi with gratitude in her eyes.
"I've received your kindness and property, so I should provide medical treatment." Qin Liu Xi replied.
Gu Shi was somewhat puzzled. Where did Qin Liu Xi get her property?
Qin Liu Xi didn't explain further, instructing the wet nurses to bring the children over. She took out two jade buttons hanging on red strings and tied them to the swaddling clothes, saying, "Since the two younger brothers were born prematurely and are weak, these two peace buttons, which I obtained from the Taoist temple, should be kept close to them at all times. It will protect them from evil."
Gu Shi was deeply moved. She got up from the bed and solemnly bowed to Qin Liu Xi. "I'll thank you on behalf of them for your protection and love, elder sister."
Upon hearing the term "elder sister," Qin Liu Xi remained unmoved. But the two little ones opened their eyes at this moment, their unfocused eyes looking in her direction. She curled her fingertips and soon left.
Gu Shi instructed the wet nurses to place the children on the bed. She picked up the jade buttons, her eyes warm, and lovingly touched the faces of her two sons, murmuring, "Mother thought your lives were unfortunate, but Mother was wrong."
Having such a sister is a great fortune.