Granny Zhou also recalled the young master, who before the age of nine had been bright-eyed, spirited, and the most beloved child in the household.
When Ji Yan’an turned nine, one tragic news after another arrived. Amidst the white mourning robes that filled the Ji residence, as the only male heir of the family, the full weight of the Ji clan’s future began to press down upon his small shoulders.
From that day onward, there was no trace of childhood left on his young face.
At just nine years old, his cousin the Crown Prince was killed, and from then on, Ji Yan’an faced constant attempts on his life: assassins lying in wait, and poison slipped into his food and drink.
If not for the skilled and loyal private guards left behind by Old Master Ji, the family’s only heir might well have perished long ago.
Even so, he did fall victim to poison. Once hailed by Old Master Ji as a prodigy in martial arts, Ji Yan’an’s strong and healthy body was reduced to that of a frail invalid, and he had also been given a poison that left him unable to father children.
Thinking of all this, Granny Zhou’s heart ached with pity.
Well, she told herself, perhaps this little girl Jiang Yun Sui really can bring a little cheer to the Young Lord.
“Please don’t be angry,” Jiang Yun Sui said, her large eyes fixed on him cautiously, her voice soft and sweet as she tried to soothe him. “There’s still plenty of tea I’ll pour you another cup.”
Ji Yan’an gave a cold snort. “I told you to pour tea for me, yet you went and drank it yourself first.”
Jiang Yun Sui flashed him a flattering, apologetic smile.
Whatever else could be said, that pretty little face of hers was undeniably endearing.
Ji Yan’an reached out and pinched her cheek. Now that she was being properly cared for, she had finally gained a little flesh; it felt pleasantly soft to the touch.
“Go and pour another cup,” he warned. “And if you drink it again, next time you’ll just stand there and watch me eat.”
This threat worked perfectly on Jiang Yun Sui.
Ignoring the slight soreness in her pinched cheek, she nodded quickly, then hurried off to fetch a fresh cup of tea using a clean cup, of course.
No sooner had he taken a sip than a servant announced that Doctor Shen Qingzhu had arrived.
“Show Doctor Shen in,” Ji Yan’an said.
At the arrival of a stranger, Jiang Yun Sui instinctively shrank back, trying to make herself as inconspicuous as possible.
Shen Qingzhu did not notice her at all as the group moved toward the inner chamber.
Seeing everyone else go in, Jiang Yun Sui followed quietly, stepping lightly on her toes.
“Young Lord, please remove your outer garments,” Shen Qingzhu instructed. “I need to perform acupuncture.”
Hearing this, Ji Yan’an simply pulled off his upper robes without hesitation.
Jiang Yun Sui watched as the gentle-looking young man in blue robes picked up thin silver needles and pressed them one by one into Ji Yan’an’s skin.
She gasped softly, her eyes growing wide as saucers, as if the needles were piercing her own flesh.
The small sound drew everyone’s gaze straight to her.
Shen Qingzhu’s pupils widened slightly in surprise he had not realized there was a little girl present.
Ji Yan’an remained calm. “Be quiet, or get out.”
She was already used to his sharp tone.
Jiang Yun Sui clamped both hands over her mouth and shuffled backward, hiding behind Steward Li. Her bright, round eyes seemed to plead silently: I’ll be good, I promise.
Ji Yan’an paid her no further attention.
Shen Qingzhu, though taken aback, remained composed; his hands stayed steady as he worked.
In less time than it took to finish a cup of tea, more than a dozen silver needles had been inserted into Ji Yan’an’s body.
With every needle placed, Jiang Yun Sui did not make a sound, but her small face would twitch and scrunch up in sympathy her expression was vivid and full of feeling.
Beads of sweat began to form on Ji Yan’an’s skin. There was no sharp pain at first, but a slow, spreading numbness and tingling, until soon his entire body was glistening with perspiration.
By the end, he looked like nothing less than a human hedgehog, covered in needles.
“Young Lord, please bear with me,” Shen Qingzhu said gently. “The next stage may be painful.”
Ji Yan’an closed his eyes. “Go ahead.”
Just a little pain what was there to fear? Ugh…
All at once, he gripped the sheets beneath him, his face turning deathly pale. His handsome but far too gaunt features twisted in agony.
Afraid he might bite his own tongue, Steward Li quickly folded a soft cloth. “Young Lord, bite down on this.”
Jiang Yun Sui grabbed Granny Zhou’s sleeve, her eyes fixed anxiously on Ji Yan’an.
It looks so painful, she thought.
Granny Zhou gazed at Ji Yan’an now, her heart brimming with pity.
“Ugh…”
One had to admit he truly had immense endurance.
Shen Qingzhu sighed in admiration. As expected of someone from the Ji clan.
The poison had settled deep within his meridians; forcing it out now felt as though his very channels of energy were being torn apart.
Ji Yan’an’s entire body shook violently, yet he did not thrash or struggle excessively.
When the final step was done, he coughed up a mouthful of blood.
It was dark, almost black, and reeked of a foul, metallic stench.
“Young Lord!”
Steward Li and Granny Zhou hurried forward, their faces etched with worry.
“This is the toxin that has been clogging his meridians,” Shen Qingzhu explained. “I have only managed to draw out a portion of it for now. This will ease his symptoms, but it treats the effect, not the root cause. Unless an antidote is found, the poison will continue to build up inside his body.”
Steward Li felt an overwhelming urge to rush out and gather every single medicinal herb Shen Qingzhu had named.
By this point, Ji Yan’an had slipped into unconsciousness.
Shen Qingzhu removed all the needles from his body, then handed Steward Li a written prescription. “Gather these ingredients exactly as listed. Simmer them for three-quarters of an hour, then mix the decoction into warm water. As soon as the Young Lord wakes, have him take a medicinal bath.”
Steward Li immediately pressed for more details how much warm water should be added, and whether there were any foods he should avoid. Shen Qingzhu answered every question clearly.
Meanwhile, Granny Zhou busied herself cleaning up the blood Ji Yan’an had coughed up.
Jiang Yun Sui crept closer to Ji Yan’an and squatted beside the bed, watching him quietly.
Though this man could be sharp and stern with her at times, he had saved her life, given her food to eat, and a roof over her head. He was a good person.
Grandpa Banyan had told her that spirits and fae must repay their debts of gratitude. If they did not, it would bind them to negative karma and hinder their spiritual cultivation.
But this little mushroom spirit possessed no great powers.
She wrapped her tiny hand around one of Ji Yan’an’s fingers.
“Doesn’t hurt anymore… doesn’t hurt…”
With nothing else to offer, this clumsy, weak little mushroom could only gently send small particles of moonlight spores into his body, bit by bit.
These spores were invisible to human eyes.
Her only true ability was to absorb the essence of moonlight, store it within herself, and then release it in the form of spores.
Once, she had been stronger strong enough to heal small animals living in the mountains.
But now, she had grown so very weak.
Oh! Wait I have another talent!
She felt a flicker of pride. Wherever she stayed, mushrooms grew abundantly, and they tasted especially delicious too. Everyone who had tried them said so!
Lost in her own thoughts, a silly, pleased smile spread across her face, and she swayed her small head back and forth.
Shen Qingzhu glanced at her several times.
This little girl… she seems rather simple-minded and slow-witted.
He was still new to the household, and though her behavior sparked his curiosity, he asked no further questions. He packed his supplies and took his leave.
“Yun Sui,” Granny Zhou called, “go and ask Qiuyue to bring some warm water.”
Jiang Yun Sui jumped to her feet, chirped a soft “Yes, ma’am,” and trotted quickly outside.
Steward Li helped Ji Yan’an dress, then also left to give orders for preparing the medicine and heating water.
Jiang Yun Sui watched as everyone moved efficiently about their tasks. Soon, the sheets, blankets, and pillows on Ji Yan’an’s bed were all changed for fresh ones. Incense was lit, and the windows were opened to let in fresh air. Before long, the heavy scent of blood had completely faded from the room.
With nothing else to do, she simply folded her short legs beneath her and sat cross-legged beside the bed, waiting for Ji Yan’an to wake up.
Feeling a little bored, she began tracing the patterns embroidered on her own clothes.
About an hour later, Ji Yan’an stirred and opened his eyes, his mind clearing quickly.
He heard the soft, steady sound of gentle breathing nearby. Turning his head, he saw the familiar little figure curled up tightly against the edge of the bed, fast asleep.
Ji Yan’an stared at her in silence.
How can this little thing sleep so soundly anywhere?
He sat up and glanced out the window sunset had already painted the sky in hues of dusk.
This time, Jiang Yun Sui woke up the moment Ji Yan’an moved.