Chapter 10 of 10
Chapter 10
15 min read3,635 words
On the second morning, the sound of footsteps could be heard outside the western wing of the Yu residence.
In the vermilion corridor leading to the separate courtyard, three people were slowly walking this way.
The first two walked side by side; one was an elderly Taoist priest wearing a lotus crown and a gray-white Taoist robe, while the other was a spirited woman in light yellow palace attire.
Behind them, a young maid in servant's dress followed, carrying a three-tiered lacquered wooden food box.
The old Taoist walked with his hands behind his back, his white eyebrows slightly furrowed, his expression somewhat displeased. His gaze was fixed ahead, but his mind was clearly elsewhere.
The woman in palace attire was young, about seventeen or eighteen years old. Although her figure had not fully matured, she looked very well-proportioned. Her hair was high up in a bun, her features delicate and clear, her brows and eyes exuding a spirited air. Her eyes were bright like stars, making her seem extraordinary.
Moreover, the woman had applied a light touch of makeup, adding a delicate blush to her already flawless, fair cheeks, making her look particularly charming and touching.
"Real Person Baishi, I am truly sorry for disturbing your alchemy." The woman said as she walked, her eyes slightly lowered.
"Taking a look is no problem, but I am puzzled, why does the Seventh Miss want me to diagnose a foolish mortal?" The old Taoist, hearing this, pulled his thoughts back, his face still expressionless.
"Real Person, you don't know, this person yesterday..." The woman in palace attire smiled faintly and briefly recounted how Liu Shi had stopped a horse to save someone on the street the day before.
As the old Taoist listened, he gently rubbed his fingers. When he heard that Liu Shi had stopped a frenzied Qingfeng horse with just one hand, his white eyebrows slightly raised.
"Since he has done a favor for the Seventh Miss, he is worth a look." The old Taoist, after listening, released his lightly rubbing index and thumb, and said calmly.
Hearing this, the woman in palace attire smiled and bowed slightly.
The maid, somewhat nervous, carried the food box and followed the two obediently, not making a sound.
Inside the western wing, Liu Leyi, already dressed and washed, was chatting with Liu Shi, who was sitting on the edge of the bed. Suddenly, they heard a "tap tap tap" knocking at the door.
"Leyi, my lady has brought a master to visit you." The maid, without waiting for her lady's signal, immediately stepped forward and knocked on the door, calling softly.
Leyi stood up, not rushing to open the door, and asked somewhat puzzled, "Your lady is?"
"Leyi, it's me."
Hearing the familiar voice from outside, Leyi blinked, looking puzzled.
After a slight hesitation, she walked forward and opened the door with a "creak."
As soon as the two doors opened inward, she smelled a faint medicinal scent and saw the three people standing outside.
Her gaze first swept over the old Taoist, confirming that the medicinal scent came from him, then looked at the maid, recognizing her as the personal maid, Xiaowu, of the Seventh Young Master Yu.
When Leyi's gaze finally fell on the woman in light yellow palace attire with a faint smile, she was first stunned, then her mouth opened wide in surprise.
"You are... Seventh Young Master!" Leyi covered her mouth and exclaimed.
"It's me. You can call me Seventh Miss or Seventh Sister." The woman in palace attire, seeing the girl's surprised expression, smiled and said.
"No wonder yesterday, I felt that Seventh Young Master was a bit..." Leyi smiled in response.
"A bit what?" Yu Qizhao raised her eyebrows slightly.
"A bit... not like a man." After thinking for a while, Leyi found a tactful way to say it.
"Traveling as a man can avoid many unnecessary troubles. When you grow up a bit more, you'll understand." The woman in palace attire, looking at Leyi's pretty face, smiled and said.
Hearing this, Leyi nodded, somewhat understanding, and invited the three into the room.
"Leyi, this is the master I told you about, Real Person Baishi. Real Person, this is Liu Leyi, and the one sitting over there is her brother, Liu Shi." The Seventh Miss slightly turned her body, making way for the old Taoist, and introduced them.
"Meeting you, Master." Leyi, who had already guessed, still felt a jolt in her heart and hurriedly bowed, not daring to meet the old Taoist's gaze.
Liu Shi, sitting on the edge of the bed, stared blankly at the newcomers, not moving at all.
Real Person Baishi glanced at Leyi indifferently, then shifted his gaze to Liu Shi. He first walked up close, then circled around to the other side, and finally examined him from head to toe, finally focusing on Liu Shi's forehead.
After a moment, the old Taoist closed his eyes, raised his hand, and suddenly pointed his two fingers at Liu Shi's forehead.
"Ah..."
Leyi was startled and couldn't help but exclaim.
The old Taoist's extended fingers froze, and he turned around, giving her an annoyed look.
"Leyi, the Real Person is examining your brother, no need to be alarmed." The Seventh Miss quickly pulled Leyi and explained.
"Sorry, Master, I didn't mean to..." Leyi, realizing her mistake, hurriedly apologized.
The old Taoist's expression eased, and he raised his hand again, closing his eyes and pointing at Liu Shi's forehead.
As his fingers pointed forward, a green light shone from Liu Shi's forehead, and circular ripples spread out, like ripples in a lake when a stone is thrown in.
After a moment, the old Taoist softly exclaimed, "Hmm," withdrew his fingers, and slowly opened his eyes.
"How is it? Can Brother Shi be cured?" Leyi asked anxiously.
Real Person Baishi glanced at her sideways, not speaking.
Yu Qizhao stepped forward, took Leyi's hand, and gently patted her back, signaling her not to be impatient.
Leyi stopped asking but kept her eyes on Liu Shi.
Seemingly sensing Leyi's gaze, Liu Shi turned his eyes to her, swallowed the cake in his mouth, and smiled.
After a moment of contemplation, the old Taoist flipped his palm, and a somewhat old bronze mirror appeared in his hand.
"Go."
He softly commanded, and the mirror glowed green, floating up and stopping above Liu Shi's head.
Real Person Baishi began to chant softly, and his fingers moved in the air, as if writing some secret runes.
After a moment, he suddenly stopped his fingers and pointed at the mirror.
The floating mirror began to shake violently, and the originally uneven surface glowed with a green light, becoming smooth.
Leyi watched the mirror nervously, feeling that something was changing in the green light, as if some blurry images were about to appear.
However, after a while, the green light in the mirror remained blurry, and nothing could be seen clearly.
At this moment, Liu Shi seemed to dislike the mirror above his head, and he waved his hand as if to drive away a fly. Although he didn't hit the mirror, the green light on the mirror flickered and became even more chaotic.
"Impossible, this is..."
Seeing this, Real Person Baishi's face suddenly changed, and he immediately waved his sleeve, causing the mirror to fly back into his hand and disappear.
Leyi, seeing this, showed a concerned look on her face.
"Real Person, have you found any problems? Is there a way to cure him?" The Seventh Miss asked.
"Five out of ten, it's not impossible, but..." Real Person Baishi's face was uncertain, and he seemed hesitant.
"Please, Master, cure my brother." Leyi, overjoyed, quickly begged.
"If Real Person has a method, please cure Liu Shi. Any expenses will be covered by me." The Seventh Miss also spoke up.
Hearing this, Leyi's eyes showed more gratitude toward Yu Qizhao.
"Since the Seventh Miss has spoken, the old Taoist will do his best. However, his soul is in a closed state for some reason, and reopening it will be very difficult. Only by setting up a spirit-summoning array is there a chance of curing him, and the old Taoist must be alone with him in a quiet room to do so." Real Person Baishi, after looking at the tall young man for a long time, finally decided and slowly replied.
"Can Leyi stay by his side when the Master treats him?" Leyi hesitated for a moment and then asked softly.
"What would you do by his side? You would just get in the way. What, don't you trust the old Taoist?" Real Person Baishi's tone suddenly rose.
Leyi's heart skipped a beat, and she quickly waved her hands. "No, no, Leyi just wants to be with her brother, just watching from the side, I promise not to interfere with the Master."
"As you wish. The spirit-summoning array is not ordinary, and some preparations need to be made. The old Taoist will return first." Real Person Baishi said indifferently, then looked at Yu Qizhao seriously.
"Thank you, Real Person." The Seventh Miss bowed.
Leyi also quickly bowed to Real Person Baishi, but before she could straighten up, the old Taoist had already left the room.
After Real Person Baishi left, the woman in palace attire did not stay long. She only comforted Leyi not to worry too much about Liu Shi's condition and to stay here peacefully, then left with Xiaowu.
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