FRGNM -Chapter 192 The Arrogant Man

It seemed hopeless. Shrugging, Ling Ruoxi sat down. “When did you plant these lotuses and light the incense?”

“This? It was done when the lady married in, by her personal maid,” Liu Bo whispered.

He was about to say more when Helian Yu appeared, leading Ye Xiang out.

The moment Ling Ruoxi laid eyes on the frail woman, she was stunned. Back when she read Dream of the Red Chamber, she’d wondered where such delicate women existed in the world. Now, seeing Ye Xiang, she was completely convinced.

Like Lin Daiyu in the novel, Ye Xiang’s movements were soft as willow in the wind, her illness lending her a tragic beauty.

Ye Xiang gave off a first impression of fragility. Her jade-like delicacy made Ling Ruoxi ache to protect her.

The woman was skeletal, lacking color in her cheeks, just as other physicians had predicted—at first glance, she should have been preparing for her final moments.

“Cough… cough…” Ye Xiang suddenly started hacking violently. Her face was even paler, and as she covered her mouth with a handkerchief, Ling Ruoxi noticed the blood staining it.

“Ye Xiang, hold on! These two new physicians will find a way to treat you,” Helian Yu urged, patting her back anxiously.

Ling Ruoxi, catching the faint fragrance wafting from the woman, stepped closer, her face nearly touching Ye Xiang’s, only pulling back just before Liu Bo could scold her. She twirled her right hand through the air and laughed softly, “Such a lovely scent. I wonder… what did the lady use to bathe?”

Ye Xiang was startled, then whispered, “It’s called ‘Yin Xiang.’ Everyone in the Li family carries it—it’s passed down through generations.”

“Oh? Yin Xiang… excellent herb. Calms the mind, aids sleep, and…” Ling Ruoxi smiled faintly. “Worn on the body, it maintains beauty, disperses blood clots, and smells divine.”

“Thank you,” Ye Xiang responded lightly, unsure why Ling Ruoxi knew so much but returned the courtesy out of respect. She knew her condition, so she treated this as her last small joy. To spend these moments with these people was enough.

“However!” Ling Ruoxi stepped back to the table, wafting the incense smoke with her hand. “Has anyone told you that Yin Xiang combined with sandalwood is essentially arsenic?”

“What?!” Even Liu Bo nearly jumped, staring in disbelief. How could this be poison?

Ling Ruoxi smiled faintly, stirring the smoke. “Yin Xiang produces fragrance, but every herb has a counter. Its nemesis is sandalwood—never wear them together.”

“Actually, wearing them together isn’t a huge issue—at worst, the smell’s unpleasant. But what you should never have done is plant lotuses here,” she said, plucking a lotus leaf. “If Yin Xiang and sandalwood are poison, the lotus is the fuse. Beautiful and subtle in scent, it accelerates the toxic effect of Yin Xiang. Those wearing Yin Xiang are in grave danger.”

Ling Ruoxi plucked the small handkerchief from Ye Xiang’s hands, smiling softly. “The poison has invaded the lungs. Soon it will reach your heart. That blood you cough up now… in time, you won’t even be able to cough it out.”

“Ye Xiang… this miraculous young lady, can you save her?” Helian Yu cried, stepping forward, bowing. “I’ll pay whatever you ask! Even if it bankrupts me, I don’t care!”

“You don’t need to bankrupt yourself; I’m not interested in your money. Just find me a man skilled in medicine if you can,” Ling Ruoxi said, raising her brow. She looked at Luo Mingyu, then spread her hands with a smile. “Hand me my silver needles. I’ll treat Lady Helian myself.”

“Master! Master! There’s an old man outside claiming he can treat her, he’s here now!” A servant hurried in, nearly tripping.

Behind him was a traveling physician in brocade robes, holding a banner claiming expertise in rare diseases.

Helian Yu froze, unsure what to do.

The physician stepped forward, setting down his tools. “This must be Lady Helian. Pale complexion, red-coated tongue, weak breath, blood in the mouth. Poison has attacked her heart, causing excessive vomiting and extreme weakness.”

“Sir, how should we treat her?” Helian Yu asked urgently.

The man adjusted his sleeves, sat upright, and stroked his beard. “We need to replenish blood first. She’s poisoned, but immediate medication may overwhelm her. We must stabilize her qi and blood before administering medicine.”

“Wait!” Ling Ruoxi stopped him, eyebrow raised. “Do you know that all medicine carries some poison? Do you know how little time she has left? Slowly nurturing her—what’s the difference from slow poisoning?”

“Who’s this girl? I, Jiang Song, have practiced medicine for twenty years, and never met a brat like you. Old steward, you decide—who should treat her?” Jiang Song’s face darkened as he shouted.

Liu Bo frowned, feeling awkward. The young girl was correct, but experience counted too. Replenishing her body first was the conventional wisdom.

“Fine, let this gentleman try,” Liu Bo said reluctantly.

Ling Ruoxi sat, eyebrow arched. “I came because the townspeople said Lady Helian is kind and helps others. If you don’t trust me, I have no choice.”

“Miss, it’s not that… just let him try. If it fails, you can intervene,” Helian Yu said, anxious.

Luo Mingyu was annoyed, grabbing Ling Ruoxi’s wrist. “If others won’t respect you, why are you still here? As a disciple of a miraculous physician, do you need to beg for permission?”

“Miraculous physician? Pfft… this brat hasn’t even weaned yet.” Jiang Song scoffed, scribbling a prescription. Servants rushed to fetch herbs.

Ye Xiang coughed violently, apologetic eyes looking at them. “I’m sorry… I know I’m dying, and I’m troubling you. Please, don’t fight over me…”

“Forget it. As a new human, how can I bother with beasts?” Ling Ruoxi raised her brow.

Jiang Song frowned. “What did you say? You called me a beast!”

“I didn’t. You admitted it yourself,” Ling Ruoxi said lightly, ignoring him.

Looking at Luo Mingyu, she whispered, “See? No one believes I’m a disciple. Don’t use the title ‘miraculous physician’ then.”

Luo Mingyu rolled his eyes but sat down.

Soon, a maid brought the medicinal soup to the table.

“First dose. Lady, drink this. You, prepare the next batch!” Jiang Song sniffed the decoction and handed it to Ye Xiang.

Ye Xiang, weak and frail, swallowed it with furrowed brows. But before finishing, she suddenly spat it out. Blood poured from her mouth, staining her clothing bright red—a shocking sight.

“Ye Xiang! Ye Xiang!” Helian Yu panicked, holding her in his arms.

Jiang Song’s face went pale, feeding the medicine into his own mouth. “Yes, this medicine… how could it cause vomiting blood?”

“Seize him! Arrest this quack!” Liu Bo shouted, turning to Ling Ruoxi. “Please, save our lady!”

“Silver needles,” Ling Ruoxi said, stepping to Ye Xiang. “Remove all sandalwood and lotus ponds immediately. Take her to her room.”

“Alright!” Helian Yu nodded, carrying Ye Xiang. Jiang Song followed reluctantly—he had to see how this young girl would save her.

Ye Xiang, unconscious and pale, had her pulse checked. Ling Ruoxi smiled faintly, spreading a pack of silver needles, plucking one, and inserting it into her Baihui point.

“Cough…” Ye Xiang exhaled heavily but did not open her eyes.

It was enough. Helian Yu’s heart raced. He had just checked her pulse—how could she already…

Ling Ruoxi swiftly placed multiple silver needles in precise acupoints. She explained, “Using supplements with poison creates a triple effect, putting the body in a pseudo-death state. Only an idiot uses medicine at the wrong time.”

Several needles were inserted. Ling Ruoxi removed them gently, instructing: “She needs three more sessions until the poisoned blood is purged. Then she can take the medicine prescribed earlier—three times a day. No more sandalwood. Remove all lotus and incense from her room.”

“Uh…” Even Helian Yu was stunned.