The news about HuaMuTan causing chaos at the gambling house had become another reason for ShuangAi to visit Li Mansion. She was genuinely concerned about both TanTan and Prince Li. Besides, she had already planned to visit HuaMuTan again after their last meeting with Princess XiXi.
Before leaving home, ShuangAi decided to gather some medicinal herbs for HuaMuTan.
She headed to the herbal room, where she found ChungMei, her father's second disciple after ShuangAi herself. ChungMei was busy comparing descriptions in a medical book with several herbal leaves in her hand.
Whenever ChungMei became absorbed in something, she rarely noticed what was happening around her.
ShuangAi smiled at the sight. Knowing how easily ChungMei could lose herself in her studies, she didn't want to disturb her. Instead, she quietly went to the medicine drawers to look for the herbs she needed.
Unfortunately, she couldn't find a few of them, so she eventually had to ask ChungMei for help.
"ChungMei?"
Just as ShuangAi had expected, there was no response.
She walked closer and gently touched ChungMei's shoulder.
"ChungMei!"
"WAH!"
ChungMei startled so badly that she nearly dropped the books and herbal leaves in her hands. Her sudden reaction startled ShuangAi as well.
Finally noticing who was standing beside her, ChungMei looked apologetic.
"I... I'm sorry, ShuangAi Jie. I didn't hear you calling me."
ShuangAi chuckled.
"You were too deep in your thoughts again, just as usual."
ChungMei sighed.
"Yeah... I was just wondering whether these leaves can be combined or not."
ShuangAi smiled. She knew how much ChungMei loved researching and learning about medicine.
"Studying is good, but too much studying can also harm your health. Take a break for a while."
ChungMei put down her books and stood up.
"I know, ShuangAi Jie. Thank you for your advice. By the way, do you need something?"
"That's right. I need some medicinal herbs, but I couldn't find them in the drawers."
ShuangAi listed the herbs she was looking for. ChungMei listened carefully before answering with an apologetic expression.
"I'm sorry, ShuangAi Jie. We ran out of those herbs this morning. I used the last of them..."
"Just as I thought..." ShuangAi sighed.
Seeing her disappointment, ChungMei immediately felt guilty.
"Do you need them right away? Perhaps I can go to the back hill and gather some fresh leaves for you."
But ShuangAi didn't want to interrupt her studies any further.
"No, it's all right. I'll go and gather them myself. Besides, I need to go out anyway."
"Where are you going?" ChungMei asked curiously. She was also wondering why ShuangAi needed those particular herbs. "Are you planning to treat someone with a brain problem? All the herbs you mentioned are related to the brain and nervous system."
ShuangAi was slightly surprised that ChungMei could figure it out just from the list.
ChungMei really was talented. It was no wonder Physician Huang had accepted her as his disciple.
"You're so clever, ChungMei. I want to give these herbs to MuTan Jie. I'm hoping my prescription can help her recover her lost memories."
Now it was ChungMei's turn to look surprised.
"Are you sure about that, ShuangAi Jie? I know you told me that she changed after losing her memories... But wouldn't it be better to let her remain as she is now? You said she's changed so much... She's much better than the wicked person she used to be!"
ChungMei's words made sense. However, ShuangAi couldn't help feeling that it was unfair for HuaMuTan to remain unable to remember her feelings for Prince Li.
"I just hope she can remember how she feels about Li Ge... Then perhaps the two of them can finally be happy together."
With that, ShuangAi picked up her things.
"Well, I won't disturb you any longer. I'll be going now."
ChungMei watched her leave and could only sigh.
ShuangAi Jie is far too naive... What a poor Prince Li.
ChungMei was among the many people who had witnessed how openly Prince Li expressed his feelings for ShuangAi. She had advised ShuangAi countless times to accept his affection, only to have her suggestions ignored every single time.
Still, there was little more she could do. For ChungMei, her research was far more important than worrying about other people's romantic troubles.
She returned to her books and continued examining the herbal leaves in her hands.
Not far from the place where they prepared their medicines was a hill where people often gathered medicinal plants. ShuangAi was familiar with the area, so finding the herbs she needed wasn't difficult.
After collecting enough, she made her way to a nearby river to wash her hands.
She had just splashed some water onto her hands when something large floating near the riverbank caught her attention.
ShuangAi froze.
It was a body!
As a physician, she immediately rushed over to check whether the person was still alive.
At first, she could only see the person's back. She quickly turned the body over and discovered that it was a man. He was unconscious, and a dark red stain had spread around his abdomen.
He had clearly been stabbed with a short dagger.
ShuangAi hurriedly checked his pulse and breathing.
Fortunately, he was still alive, although both were extremely weak.
He's swallowed far too much water...
She looked around, hoping to find someone nearby who could help her. Unfortunately, there was no one in sight.
But she couldn't possibly leave him there.
If only I had asked ChungMei to come with me...
ShuangAi sighed. Then she suddenly remembered an old cabin not far from the river. She and Prince Li used to visit that place when they were children.
I hope it's still there...
Although ShuangAi had often helped her father carry patients around their medicine shop, moving an unconscious grown man by herself was still a difficult task.
But there was no time to hesitate.
She immediately began administering first aid, trying to help the man expel the water he had swallowed. She applied firm pressure to his upper abdomen, and soon his body reacted.
The man coughed violently and vomited some water. His eyes opened slightly, but he was still far from fully conscious. A moment later, his eyelids drooped shut again.
ShuangAi patted his cheek firmly.
"Mister! You have to stay conscious so I can help you! Come on!"
Noticing that he could still hear her and was making faint movements, ShuangAi continued encouraging him.
"Stay with me! Don't fall asleep!"
With considerable effort, she managed to help him stand. Supporting most of his weight, she guided him forward, one slow step at a time, toward the cabin.
Nearly half an hour later, ShuangAi finally managed to bring him inside.
She carefully laid him on the old wooden bed.
The man seemed to have used up the last of his strength just getting there. The moment his body touched the bed, he lost consciousness completely.
ShuangAi knew that her first priority was to treat the wound on his abdomen.
She glanced at the bundle of herbs she had brought for HuaMuTan. To treat the man's injury, she would have to use some of them.
After a moment of hesitation, she sighed.
"Well... helping someone in danger is more important right now. I can always gather more herbs for MuTan Jie another time."
Having made up her mind, ShuangAi set to work. She carefully opened the man's upper garment to examine the wound on his stomach.