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The healer on the boat did an initial remedy for the shivering cold body, keeping Ling Wei warm with blankets and herbal remedies. The healer knew his expertise well; having traveled by boat frequently, he often encountered cases of passengers falling overboard. He had learned how to beat the cold and lessen fever through experience.
The sun was setting when the crew returned to the boat with their harvest and cut wood. After loading the equipment, Wu Chen was the first to check on the patient.
The crew still referred to Ling Wei using the same pronouns used for both genders in Chinese.
The healer had assumed that the others knew the patient was female, as they had been the ones to discover her. He did not mention her gender explicitly and continued using the same pronouns.
As Wu Chen leaned over the patient, he noticed the signs of recovery. "Is he doing any better?" Wu Chen asked the healer, using the pronouns they always used.
The healer nodded. "Although still unconscious, the fever has broken and the temperature is back to normal. She's just dehydrated and somehow malnourished, likely due to the unfortunate events she experienced."
Wu Chen pondered for a moment. "Could he be a slave abandoned in the forest? Such situations are common."
The healer glanced at the short haircut and the tattered yet high-quality clothes, then looked at Master Wu's unsuspecting expression. After a few exchanged gazes, he came to a realization: 'These woodcutters don't know the patient's real gender.'
He considered the possibility that this young lady might have a serious reason for hiding her identity by cutting her hair short and wearing men's clothing. He rubbed his chin in thought, reluctant to get involved in a complicated situation, so for now, he decided to keep quiet. Judging by her appearance, she could be a young noble lady escaping from some unfortunate circumstances.
The boatman healer fell silent for a few moments, and Wu Chen grew nervous. 'Does he recognize this boy?' he wondered, unconsciously swallowing his saliva as patiently awaited a response.
The healer shared his observations. "Given the condition of the clothes and the tools, it's possible that this person is of noble birth or someone of importance who ran away or was escaping something. Even though the attire is tattered and muddy, it seems to be of high quality."
Wu Chen's eyebrows lifted in surprise as he absorbed the information. "So, you're saying he's not just any young boy?"
"Yes," the healer replied cautiously, "the patient appears to be a young man, around Zhao Tao's age, but there is more to this story that we don't yet understand."
Wu Chen and Zhao Tao exchanged a glance as Zhao Tao joined them from the deck upon hearing his name mentioned, both men now deeply intrigued. "Do you think he's in danger?" Wu Chen asked, his voice low with concern.
The healer hesitated, choosing his words carefully. "It's hard to say. But whoever he is, he's been through something significant."
Zhao Tao, usually the more reserved of the two, spoke up. "Should we be worried about his safety?"
The healer glanced around cautiously before responding. "For now, our priority should be ensuring he recovers. Then you can consider your next steps."
He then emphasized the need to take the patient back to the hunters' cabin where Physician Chu Feichen was present and more medicinal supplies were available. "Once we cross the river, ensure the patient remains warm and hydrated. The physician with you will need to provide more intensive care."
Wu Chen and the others followed the healer's instructions, preparing to transport the patient back to the hunters' cabin. They decided to use the sturdy wagon to carry the unconscious patient together with the harvested materials.
"We'll let the first wagon go back first," Wu Chen suggested. "Master Zhao, you, Xiao Han, Xiao Lin, Escort Zhu Changli, and Escort Hua can take the lead. You don't need to wait for the second wagon since it will need to go slowly due to the patient," he continued, "The second group will include Xiao Feng, Zhao Tao, Escort Chun, the boatman healer and I. We'll accompany the young patient and guarantee his safe transport."
Zhao Baiyi nodded in agreement. "Once we arrive at the cabin, we'll notify Physician Chu about the situation and have him prepare for the incoming unconscious patient."
Working together, the woodcutters and escorts carefully lifted Ling Wei onto the wagon, securing her with blankets for support and ensuring the materials and wood were loaded safely around him.
As they carefully moved her, they remained unaware of her true identity. The healer's reluctance to reveal the truth stemmed from a desire to avoid entanglement in potentially dangerous affairs.
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When they reached the river dock, the woodcutters worked quickly but carefully to unload the two wagons filled with the harvested materials. On the second wagon lay the unconscious young man, whom they moved with great care to ensure his safety.
"Let's move out," Master Zhao said, leading his group ahead with the first wagon. "We'll make sure Physician Chu is ready when you arrive."
With that, the first wagon set off toward the hunters' cabin, while Wu Chen and the others followed more slowly, pulling the wagon with the patient and the materials. They moved cautiously, making sure they didn't jostle the patient or the materials excessively, despite the muddy ground from the recent storm. Their priority was the unconscious young man's well-being during the journey.
When they arrived at the hunters' cabin with the unknown patient, it was already night time. Chief Jing immediately handed a few thick covers to Wu Chen, who had carried the patient from the wagon into the healer's room. Wu Chen carefully draped the blankets over the unconscious patient, securing he was kept warm.
Chief Helper Jing Xiu noticed the dirt on the young man's face and hands, admonishing Wu Chen and Zhao Tao, "You brought him in covered in mud!" She swiftly fetched a clean cloth, dampening it with warm water before gently wiping the grime from the unconscious boy's fair face.
In the flickering firelight, Wu Chen's expression softened as he looked down at the mysterious stranger. He couldn't shake the feeling that there was more to this person's story. "We'll need to be cautious and keep a close watch," Wu Chen remarked to Zhao Tao. "We don't know who he is or what he's fleeing from, but it's our responsibility to assist."
Zhao Tao nodded solemnly. "We'll protect him until he can explain his situation. It's the least we can do."
As Wu Chen and Zhao Tao stepped outside the healer's room, they noticed the boatman healer conversing with Physician Chu and Cook Gu just outside the door. Not wanting to disturb them, they quietly moved aside and headed straight to their tasks.
The boatman healer took charge, endorsing her to Physician Chu Feichen. The young physician, already feeling out of his depth, panicked inwardly. He was skilled with injuries, wounds, and poisons, but illnesses and general ailments were not his forte. With only three years of experience under his grandfather's tutelage, he lacked confidence in handling such cases.
The boatman healer recognized Physician Chu's grandfather, Old Man Chu, as his own teacher during his apprenticeship. He frowned at Chu Feichen and reprimanded him quietly but firmly, "You've got nerve, lad, focusing only on external injuries. What do you know of inner health?"
Chu Feichen mumbled back defensively, "Studying poisons involves understanding internal effects too..."
The healer sighed in defeat, realizing he had no choice but to leave the patient in Chu Feichen's care since they were already at the cabin. Reluctantly, he continued to endorse the patient to the young physician, informing him, "The patient is stable now. Her fever has subsided, and her temperature is normal. She'll need nourishment and hydration for the next few hours or days until she wakes up."
The boatman senior healer personally prescribed the necessary medications and nourishing meals to both Physician Chu and Cook Gu, asking Chu Feichen if he could at least prepare them. Trying to regain some authority, Physician Chu responded, "I do know basic treatments for colds and fevers. I'm not completely inexperienced."
Relieved to have passed on the responsibility, the senior healer nodded, hoping the young physician would manage. He left more specific instructions with Cook Gu before quietly departing, leaving Chu Feichen to contemplate his next steps in caring for this suddenly appearing unknown patient.
As the senior healer left, Chu Feichen closed the door behind him, drawing in a deep breath. His grandfather's often quoted words echoed in his mind: "A journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step." With the gravity of responsibility now upon him, Chu Feichen gathered his thoughts and focused on the task at hand. He began to meticulously prepare the prescribed treatments, each action a deliberate move towards ensuring the well-being of the unconscious stranger.
Master Jiang handed a torch lamp, freshly lit from the fireplace, to Xiao Bai with instructions to give it to the boatman healer.
"Take this to the healer," Master Jiang instructed Xiao Bai, his voice firm yet reassuring. "Make sure he has light for his journey back."
Xiao Bai nodded and hurried over to where the boatman healer was preparing to depart at the entrance of the cabin. "Here you go," she said, handing him the torch lamp. "Thank you for all your help."
The healer accepted the lamp with a nod of gratitude. "You're welcome," he replied warmly. "Take care of that young man now."
As the healer trekked back towards the river dock, he looked back at the cabin one last time. The weight of unspoken thoughts burdened his mind, thoughts of the unknown patient and the challenges ahead for the group. He gripped the torch lamp tightly, its flickering light guiding his way through the darkness.
Inside the healer's room, Physician Chu Feichen, a novice physician with just three years of experience, carefully checked the unconscious figure's pulse. His real expertise lay in treating injuries, wounds and physical traumas, skills honed under his grandfather's tutelage at the Zen Clinic and Pharmacy. He was well-suited to accompany the Dragon's Edge Woodcutters, who were prone to accidents and injuries.
As he examined the patient, he noted the weak pulse and pallor. "We'll need to monitor closely for any injuries," he murmured, recalling his recent conversation with the boatman healer. He was worried about overlooking crucial details related to the patient's health.
Chu Feichen limited experience with illnesses and other medical conditions meant he might miss subtle signs, such as those indicating the patient's true gender.
But as Physician Chu began to lift the covers and consider removing the stranger's unfamiliar outer clothing, Wu Meifen knocked on the door. She had been briefed by Master Zhao, Xiao Feng, and the others about the unexpected patient they had brought back while escorting her on the return journey from the ancestral home, where they had also encountered the healer along the way.