Chapter 158 Suicide was better than amputation
“No way!” The voice of Qian Shuixian was not as loud as before, but she still said uncompromisingly, “Mr. Bao, now my sister has not died, and that love letter is not her suicide paper, so you can’t read it. Chengxu Academy is an elegant place full of scholarliness. I don’t believe that you dare to open and read the love letter of a young girl in public! He Danggui, why do you bully my sister and me like this? Are there any grudges between us? If you have a grudge just because of one string, you are too narrow-minded!”
Mr. Bao and Ms. Zheng looked at each other, and then asked Zong Qiao, “Zong Qiao, does the letter mention the reason why Qian Mudan drowned herself? Where do you put that letter?”
Zong Qiao could not answer at first, and then said with a painful look, “In fact, I have not opened the letter, and I intend to return it as soon as I have a chance. Please see. The double seals of the sealing-wax and wax oil on it are intact.” He handed a light-yellow envelope to the teachers and earnestly explained, “My parents have repeatedly asked me to concentrate on studying in the academy and not to be entangled with female classmates, expecting me to achieve great results in autumn examination. Therefore, I did not dare to open Miss Qian’s letter, worrying that I would let her down and delay my study.” Obviously, his words were totally inconsistent with his behavior of giving a love letter to He Danggui just now, so Wu Yuying and others snorted coldly. However, due to the complex situation of the incident of falling into the river, they temporarily lost the interest of satirizing He Danggui.
Mr. Bao took the yellow envelope and looked at it several times. He put it under the sunset for two times, as if he wanted to take off his eyes and put them in the envelope to read the letter carefully. He thought it would be nice if Taoist Sage still worked in Chengxu, because he had the magic ability of guessing things through plank and guessing words through paper, and he succeeded every time. If he could read the letter without opening the envelope, teachers in Chengxu would not be regarded as forcibly opening the love letter of a female student.
By this time, all the teachers and students here had believed half of what He Danggui said, because Qian Mudan really did not drown. She wore a diving suit and once filled in a form which indicated that she mastered the ability to swim. Why did Qian Mudan who was good at swimming and made full preparations act such a play with her sister, Qian Shuixian? Did they want to swindle academy for the compensation? But they were famous upstarts. Were they short of money? There was no need for Miss Qian to blackmail in this way!
He Danggui said that the letter could reveal the mystery. People really wanted to read such a love letter ‘concerning life and death’. But what Qian Shuixian said was right. Qian Mudan’s love letter was her privacy, so it was inappropriate to display it in public.
Ms. Zheng looked at He Danggui and asked, “It’s not convenient for us to open this letter. Since you said that you heard the conversation of Qian’s sisters and mastered their secrets, so please explain it.”
He Danggui said with a smile, “Their conversation I heard is really amazing, which makes me suspect that there may be something wrong with my ears, or there is really wrong with my ears. Therefore, please forgive me. I dare not parrot the words. It seems that the accusation of Miss Qian Shuixian is in my ear. She will regard me as a villain revenging and wanting to destroy her and her sister’s reputation, which makes me afraid and ashamed, so I dare not speak more.” After that, she stood next to Liao Qing’er with her head down. Liao Qing’er smiled at the crowd and said, “She is timid. She was scared by Qian Shuixian just now. Sorry, we will leave. You can go on.”
Ms. Zheng looked at Mr. Bao in embarrassment. The witness was gagged, and the evidence could not be opened because of privacy. Did it stop here? And Mr. Bao looked at Meng Xuan subconsciously. It heard that Meng Xuan had solved several major cases in the north in the past two years by using many strange tricks. He was very valued by his father Earl Baoding. He must have more ways to deal with such a simple drowning case than these people in the academy.
Sure enough, Meng Xuan was very clever. He asked Doctor Li who was squatting down on the ground to make a diagnosis, “Sir, how is the situation of this Miss? Is she in danger?”
People finally remembered that Qian Mudan, “the suspect”, could die at any time. She should be rescued first before being investigated. Therefore, they all looked at Doctor Li. Doctor Li nodded and shook his head sometimes, which made all people nervous. Then he picked up his beard and answered in a deep voice which spread the whole place, “She is poisoned. The ingredients of this poison are very complex. I can only find out monkshood and Shixinzi in it, so to be honest, this Miss’s life is not long.” When people felt sorry for her, Doctor Li suddenly said, “However, she had been in the ice water for a long time, so the poison coagulated in her right arm and didn’t spread. After she was salvaged, she was still in a state of suspended animation and didn’t move. Just now, acupressure by the young lady in blue played a role of temporarily blocking the poison, so…”
He stopped again at the key point. About eight people were impatient and asked in unison, “So what?”
Doctor Li raised his head and looked at the sword on the waist of Guard Zhan. He said, “If you want to protect her life, you need to use that sword to cut her right arm from the root. If you want to keep her arm, you can’t save her!”
“Ah!” Hearing that, several timid female students shouted in a low voice, and retreated one after another to hide behind the male students, as if there was going to be a barbarity in the next moment.
Doctor Li added, “In addition, it is only effective to cut off the arm and remove the poison in this period of time, because she has been out of the state of suspended animation, and her limbs are also restoring blood flow. If the poison begins to spread soon, it won’t help to cut off arm. It’s better to let her commit suicide directly.”
All people were shocked and frightened by his words. They didn’t feel sorry for Qian Mudan on the ground, but they had a new understanding of Doctor Li. What they didn’t expect was that the old man who had run a clinic outside Chengxu for more than ten years and often set up a shed outside the clinic to sell medicine candies could be so cruel and so calm when he mentioned cutting off arms! God, they dare not take his medicine candies any more. When passing his clinic, they would take a detour.
Doctor Li hadn’t realized that he had lost a large number of customers because of his words and behaviors. He looked at Mr. Bao and asked bluntly, “Who can make the choice? Arm or life? I’m not as strong as before and don’t have the strength to cut off her arm now. Who can do this?”
The students who once took his medicine candies were frightened in silence. Not as strong as before? Had no strength to cut off her arm? Was he a butcher before?
Mr. Bao and Ms. Zheng were anxious like two ants on a hot pot at the moment. Only did they can make a decision here. But they didn’t know how to speak, and whether could they be responsible for it. Oh, Qian Mudan was such a troublemaker. She jumped into the river, took poison and wrote a suicide note to a boy. What did she want to do? It was better to commit suicide directly.
“Stop!” Qian Shuixian, who had been hiding at the edge of the crowd suddenly rushed up and shouted, “No one can cut my sister’s arm. If she has no arm, she will not want to live! Now, I’ve made a decision for her that no one is allowed to cut my sister’s arm. If you want to cut her, cut me first!” She was miserable and angry, as if she was fighting with a group of murderers.
“Hum,” Wu Yuying said coldly, “Qian Shuixian, don’t talk in a way that we all seem to want to cut both of you. There are two teachers and many guards. Naturally, they will make a proper decision. Besides, if you stop them, then your parents will come to the academy to ask about your sister’s life, saying that words of a 15-year-old girl don’t work. They will ask the academy to compensate their daughter for one life and one arm. Will you let the two teachers break their arms?”
Although Wu Yuying’s words were alarmist, Mr. Bao and Ms. Zheng were already confused at that time. They couldn’t think on their own. Anyone’s words could affect their thoughts. If they didn’t order to cut off her arm to save her, they would be asked to break their own arms to apologize later? No, they were just conscientious and common teachers. They were not warriors in Jianghu or bandits on hills, and never killed anyone or set fire. Why were they put in such a dilemma? They gathered together to discuss, and then Mr. Bao looked up to the crowd and said, “On behalf of the two of us, I announce our final choice... Cut off her arm!”
After the crowd’s noise subsided, Mr. Bao looked at Guard Zhan, who was about 40 years old and full of sense of justice, and pleaded, “Guard Zhan, you’re the best at it. Ms. Zheng and I are both faint at the sight of blood, or even at the mention of it. In order to save Qian Mudan’s life, we hope that you can wave your sword to cut off the poisoned arm for our academy!”
Guard Zhan was a real hero and for the amputation, he was not as timid as a group of sissy people in the academy. What’s more, it was to save people, not kill people now. His dashing eyebrows stood up, and his face was full of sternness. He slowly drew out the sword, raised it, and approached Qian Mudan on the ground step by step. Doctor Li quickly gave his way to Guard Zhan. Guard Zhan was getting closer and closer, and his blade was getting brighter and brighter. People who knew martial arts understood that it was because the blade was full of Zhenqi. At this time, he was very close to Qian Mudan who was insensible.
People held their breath, covered their mouths and eyes, and looked through the cracks of their fingers. At the same time, they secretly felt sorry for Qian Mudan. At the age of 17, she should be like a delicate flower, but she would have one arm later just because of a momentary impulse. Even if she lived, it was impossible for her to marry into a rich family. She had to be raised by her parents for a lifetime. At most, she could hire a companion from a poor family. Finally, Guard Zhan came to Qian Mudan and looked down on her. It was urgent to save her, so it was time to start!
“Please wait!” Just now, Qian Shuixian who sacrificed herself to protect her sister appeared again. Looking at Doctor Li, she asked slowly, “Is it possible to save her life by cutting off her arm?” Seeing Doctor Li shaking head, she asked again, “How likely is she to survive?”
Doctor Li said honestly, “Only less than 40%. Miss, please think that after the arm is cut off, there will be blood splashing everywhere... Losing so much blood and with some residual poisons which would not be discharged cleanly in ten years, alas, she would suffer hemiplegia even if she is alive. What a vicious poison! There must be no dick for the son of whom made this poison!”
After hearing this, the girls murmured in a low voice, showing their disgust and hiding behind the boys. How could Geezer Li who was still doing business at the gate of the academy speak so rudely? How could teachers invite such a person to the academy!
Just when people worried about that Qian Shuixian would continue to prevent amputation, she backed away and said, “Since there is a chance to live, please try it.” Therefore, Guard Zhan nodded seriously, and injected Zhenqi into the blade to cut off the poisoned right arm quickly, trying to make Miss Qian feel less pain...
“Wait!” Meng Xuan suddenly stopped Guard Zhan, and then said to Mr. Bao, “I know a little bit about medical skills. I didn’t diagnose Miss Qian very carefully, but I think there will be other methods that don’t need to cut her arm. I want to diagnose her again. If we are sure that there is no other way, we continue to cut her arm, OK?”
Mr. Bao nodded, “That’s very good. Please try your best.”
Meng Xuan looked at He Danggui again and asked, “Miss He, I need your help. I will be very busy alone.”
He Danggui stepped forward, “Well, if you insist, I’ll have a try.”
Then, in full view of the public, the two people squatted down beside Qian Mudan for a while and communicated secretly. People only saw their lips moving, but could not hear their voices. Qian Shuixian said reluctantly, “He Danggui, don’t delay so much time. You will miss the opportunity to cure my sister.”
At that moment, a lot of people had great doubts about Qian Shuixian. She just tried her best to prevent cutting, claiming that if they wanted to cut Qian Mudan’s arm, they should kill her first. But she didn’t stop anymore and even cooperatively asked Guard Zhan to act when he really started to cut off the arm, even though Geezer Li said that the chance of survival was small, and her sister could suffer hemiplegia after curing. Now she was even stranger. Childe Xuan said that there might be a better way to save her sister, and he also asked Miss He to help him together, but Qian Shuixian didn’t appreciate them. She thought that they delayed Guard Zhan to cut her sister’s arm. What did she want to do?
He Danggui looked up at Qian Shuixian who was rude and said peacefully, “Childe Xuan said that he might have a method to save your sister, but he should discuss with Doctor Li. Miss Qian, please be patient. Childe Xuan has sealed her acupoints. During the treatment period, the poison in her body will never spread.” Then He Danggui looked at Doctor Li and said with a smile, “Sir, please come here.”
After hearing this, Doctor Li slowly moved to the side of Qian Mudan. Since Meng Xuan and He Danggui squatted on both sides of Qian Mudan, he went around and squatted in front of Qian Mudan’s head, but accidentally stepped on her black hair on the ground. He turned to apologize to Qian Shuixian and said, “I’m sorry. I didn’t mean it.” When Qian Shuixian was shaking her head to say “it doesn’t matter”, she saw the geezer parting the scented hair on the sides with his muddy shoes to make space and slowly squatting down.
Then, all people opened their eyes curiously to see Meng Xuan’s method of saving the girl who could only live through cutting her arms. In an instant, there were only the sound of gurgling stream and the soughing in the whole valley, but no speaking.
In the silence, Meng Xuan, He Danggui and Doctor Li made eye contact with each other for a moment. Then, Meng Xuan turned to Mr. Bao and said, “After my and Doctor Li’s consultation, we found that Miss Qian still have a chance to live. However, no one can be present during our treatment to avoid interference and influence on the effect of treatment. It’s inconvenient to move Miss Qian’s body. Mr. Bao, please take all people to the classroom to wait!”
All of them were speechless. After his and Doctor Li’s consultation? Wasn’t that bullshit? Did they consult?
Three years ago, Mr. Bao taught Meng Xuan the discourse on politics for a few months. Mr. Bao thought that he was an outstanding genius, and was very unassuming. Therefore, at this moment, Mr. Bao, who had no idea, just obeyed him. He immediately drove all people away with Ms. Zheng and emptied the scene with a shout. No one left.
Liao Qing’er was also a member of the crowd being driven away. She was full of puzzlement. What did Xiaoyi want to do? Just now, she saw Xiaoyi blinking at Meng Xuan for several times just before Guard Zhan raised the sword. Then Meng Xuan immediately stopped Guard Zhan’s action. Xiaoyi’s medical skill was excellent. It was understandable that she wanted to save Qian Mudan because of her mercy. Her bark was worse than her bite. She was merciless on the surface to Zhu and Madam Luo of Luo’s Family, but still treat them for their illness. However, why did Xiaoyi take Doctor Li to save Qian Mudan? That geezer’s crude appearance showed that he was an unschooled charlatan. If he was present, what if he learned Xiaoyi’s Jin Zhen Da Xue? It was strange.
When all people left, He Danggui quickly took off the needle guard from her wrist, and gave an acupuncture treatment for Qian Mudan. She asked Doctor Li, “When did you start to be a doctor? It was so vicious to cut the arm of a beauty. What a quack!”
Doctor Li quickly sat on the grass and said angrily, “I am proficient in astronomy, geography and astrology. Of course, I am qualified to be a doctor. What’s wrong with my diagnosis? Girl, dare you say that this woman’s poison is not virulent? Even if Chengxu Academy invited Luo Maitong to treat her, she would have to cut off one of her fingers, so my diagnosis is definitely right!”
He Danggui said dismissively, “Your ‘astrology’ sounds lofty. In fact, both ‘physiognomy’ and ‘medical skill’ are very common. The level of your physiognomy is much lower than that of Qi Jing, the Royal Prophet. Therefore, you are unwilling to be the right Royal Prophet when the emperor hired you. After all, compared with Qi Jing, you look inferior. It’s called that the inferiority is revealed by comparison. As for your medical skills, Qianjun, don’t blame me for belittling you. Your skill is just on par with Madam Luo. Tell me how long have you been running a medical center outside the academy? How many people have you killed?”
Doctor Li pulled a blade of grass from the ground and held it by his mouth. He hummed, “I just arrived in Yangzhou City last month and wanted to go to the Wulin Assembly at the Lantern Festival where the world’s heroes gathered. But the price of Taibai Restaurant I used to live in has increased. It’s really inhumane to cost 20 liang silver to live here a month. Later, I suddenly remembered that three years ago, I had buried 100 liang silver in the back mountain of the academy, so I sneaked in at night to dig for the silver, but I can’t remember the exact location of the buried silver. I haven’t found it for a long time. Therefore, I had to sneak into the classroom while you were in the riding and shooting class and borrowed more than 10 liang silver from your pocket. When I came out, I heard that Lao Li, who operated Bao Yao Tang at the gate of the academy, would go back to the countryside and live out his rest life, so I rented half of his shop with 3 liang silver and pretended to be him. Every day, I shouted to the children in the school, ‘Sell medicine candies. Sell medicine candies.’ Once, I also sold 4 liang medicine candies to the fat girl beside you. At that time, you stood by and waited. I asked if you would buy them, but you smiled and shook your head at me. Master, have I made a lot of progress in my disguise skill? Now you can’t even recognize me.”
“Who would pay more attention to an old man selling fake medicines?” He Danggui snorted, “You dare to steal my silver, Bai Yangbai. Since ancient times, disciples had been using silver to show their respect to masters. I never heard of any disciples using masters’ silver.”
Meng Xuan also took off his veil, pulled out a blade of grass and held it by his mouth. He looked at the old man with white hair and said smilingly: “I didn’t expect that Taoist Sage was also interested in the Wulin Assembly at the Lantern Festival. In fact, I came to Yangzhou City for this grand occasion too.”
The source of this c𝐨ntent is fre𝒆w(e)bn(o)vel