The Xiao family sent medicinal herbs every few days, keeping Li Man'er and Liu Ya extremely busy, yet there was still a large pile of herbs to process. They also asked Xiao Qiniang for two strong-handed maids to help with the less technical tasks, which finally eased their burden.
Even so, the mistress and maid had both grown thinner. Li Man'er spent her days making medicine with Liu Ya and her nights refining pills in her space, her energy increasingly depleted. Fortunately, she had the spiritual mist spring water to sustain her. However, Liu Ya had also lost weight, and it would be odd if Li Man'er didn't follow suit. After all, they were in the Xiao family's home, and every action required caution and vigilance. Thus, she reduced her visits to the spiritual spring water.
This way, she and Liu Ya were no different.
"Miss, after so many days of hard work, we can finally rest. It's just that these herbs don't last. Such a large pile of medicinal herbs only yielded this small amount of powder." Among the herbs sent by the Xiao family, one-third were finished medicines, and the remaining two-thirds were raw herbs.
Li Man'er divided these herbs into two portions. One portion was stored in her space for later use, and the other was used to create various things she desired, whether for healing the sick, saving lives, or self-defense. Each had its own unique benefits.
Li Man'er coughed lightly, "It's normal for medicinal herbs to be consumed. We discard the dregs and keep the essence. It's good that so much is left." She couldn't possibly tell the truth, that she had embezzled those herbs.
Liu Ya, who knew nothing about medicine, found Li Man'er's explanation reasonable.
"That's true. Otherwise, when brewing medicine, why do we keep the liquid and discard the dregs? The dregs take up so much volume; a whole bag leaves only a small bowl." By the end, Liu Ya nodded repeatedly, agreeing that the young lady was absolutely right.
Fine!
Li Man'er didn't know what else to say. Liu Ya was good in every way, except that her mind sometimes didn't work properly; she was rather single-minded.
However, having such a person by her side also had its advantages. If anything happened, it could be easily glossed over with a bit of deception.
Yes, upon closer inspection, the benefits outweighed the drawbacks!
Liu Ya: Thank you very much...
A few more days passed, and Li Shu finally made a full recovery.
His speech became clear, he could walk without support, his legs were strong, his hands were quite nimble, and the initial symptoms of limb numbness had disappeared. His complexion improved, and he even gained a little weight, visibly returning to his state before being poisoned.
As soon as Li Shu recovered, Xiao Rudí came to visit again.
This time, he did not come empty-handed but brought a food hamper and fine wine.
"This..." Li Shu was a little confused about his intentions. "I am still taking medicine and cannot drink alcohol. Because I had a stroke before, I also cannot eat anything too greasy. I fear I will have to decline the General's kind offer."
Xiao Rudí was prepared. "I know that Marquis has dietary restrictions. I already asked your daughter about this wine and these dishes beforehand, and she approved before I brought them."
So that was it.
Xiao Rudí wouldn't lie to him about such matters.
"In that case, I thank the General." Li Shu sat down and looked at the fine wine and delicacies before him, a wry smile appearing on his face. "My daughter watches me very closely. If not for the General, I don't know how much longer I would have been eating radishes and cabbage."
"A light diet is for your own good, Miss Li is looking out for Marquis." Xiao Rudí warmed the wine pot and poured Li Shu a drink. "When my leg was injured years ago, I went through the same thing."
Li Shu understood. After all, Xiao Rudí was only human. Seeing that his stroke had been cured, he had become tempted and wanted Man'er to treat his leg.
Unfortunately, the father and daughter had already discussed it, and Xiao Rudí was destined to be a cripple for the rest of his life.
"The General's leg was injured for the sake of the people of this country." Li Shu raised his wine cup, his expression earnest. "The Xiao family is loyal to a fault, and the General is exceptionally righteous. I toast you."
Xiao Rudí's face also showed a hint of emotion. "Thank you, Marquis. As a warrior, I should die on the battlefield, protecting my home and country."
The two clinked cups and drank the wine in their cups in one gulp.
The wine was low in alcohol content and not strong in flavor, with a mild taste. It was no wonder Man'er had agreed to let him drink some.
They each ate a few bites of food and chatted idly.
As they talked, the conversation drifted back to Li Man'er's medical skills.
Li Shu knew that Xiao Rudí was deliberately steering the conversation in this direction. He, having his own agenda, played along and pretended ignorance.
"At that time, my life was hanging by a thread, and even Duan Xu was helpless. If not for Man'er, I would have been dead and gone." Thinking of this, Li Shu felt a pang of sadness. In retrospect, his daughter had saved him three times already.
The first was poisoning in the capital, and the culprit had yet to be found. However, he harbored a very bold guess, but dared not speak it aloud.
The second was this poisoning incident in Mobei.
The third was the stroke.
Although the stroke was not as severe as the poisoning, and it wouldn't have cost him his life immediately, Li Shu felt that if a man could not achieve anything in life, or even take care of himself, what was the point of living? It would be better to die sooner and save food.
Xiao Rudí had also heard rumors of Imperial Physician Duan becoming a disciple, and immediately asked, "Is it true that Imperial Physician Duan has become your daughter's disciple?"
"Hah, it was just a momentary outburst of anger. Imperial Physician Duan is of a certain age; how could he become my daughter's disciple? It would be a ridiculous matter that would shock the world, something that cannot be done." Li Shu deliberately downplayed the matter, but the more he did so, the more Xiao Rudí's thoughts were piqued.
"What happened then?"
"The General should know what happened later. This Marquis was summoned to Mobei and was poisoned again. Fortunately, my Man'er, unafraid of hardship and danger, rushed here and saved my life once more." The stroke was, after all, not something to be proud of, so Li Shu skipped it, unwilling to mention it.
If Xiao Rudí dared to bring it up, he would turn hostile on the spot.
Fortunately, the eldest master of the Xiao family was a man of etiquette and understanding. Xiao Rudí had witnessed Li Man'er curing Li Shu's stroke with his own eyes, and there was no doubt about it. Therefore, Li Man'er truly possessed skills, even surpassing Feng Jue and Duan Xu.
"Marquis is blessed to have raised such a daughter." Xiao Rudí poured Li Shu more wine. Li Shu held his wine cup, but his mind was somewhat scattered.
Yes, this daughter was a good one, but it was a pity he had never thought of treating her well. Every time he saw her, he couldn't help but think of Consort Ning. Over time, avoidance had turned into neglect and indifference.
It was precisely because of this that the original owner had been murdered.
"Marquis? Marquis?"
Li Shu came back to his senses, gave an awkward smile, and explained, "Please forgive me, General. Perhaps it is due to my recent recovery; my spirit is a bit weak."
He raised his wine cup and said, "I will drink a cup to atone for my offense."
Xiao Rudí also drained his cup and then placed it on the table.
"Marquis, I do not visit without reason. Today, I have a request to make."