Chapter 9

Chapter 9

Xuancheng City, the Mansion of the Zhenguo General.

"Third Young Master Su Qian, someone just arrived at the city gates and brought this for you. Please take a look." A young attendant dressed as a page hurried into the room, bowing as he spoke.

"What is it?" Su Qian asked impatiently, his brow furrowed with worry.

Su Qian, the youngest son of the second son Su Chong, the Zhenguo General, had just turned fifteen years old.

His eldest brother Su Yu had been poisoned and had been unconscious for over half a month. Although the Divine Doctor Xuan had treated him and contained the poison, Su Yu remained in a deep coma. The Divine Doctor Xuan had said that someone would soon bring the antidote, but days went by with Su Yu's condition only worsening and no word of the antidote's arrival.

Now his third uncle had run into some trouble at the military camp, and his second brother Su Yu had hurriedly returned and taken the Divine Doctor Xuan away with him, leaving the situation uncertain. Su Qian had been extremely anxious these past few days, to the point where his lips had blistered. Upon hearing the page's announcement, he snatched the object from the attendant's hands, his eyes lighting up with joy as he examined it closely.

This was the token he had given to the Divine Doctor Xuan! Someone bearing this token had come to Xuancheng City, which meant the antidote had arrived.

"Quick, bring that person here," he said, glancing at his unconscious eldest brother lying on the bed and the attending physician. "No, never mind, I'll go myself. Prepare a horse for me at once."

At the city gates.

Xuan Little Four and Xuan Little Five had been waiting for over two quarters of an hour, their patience wearing thin.

"Little Five, this messenger is taking too long. Can't we just fly over?" Xuan Little Four asked impatiently.

"No. Let's wait a bit longer. Don't cause any trouble for our third senior brother," Xuan Little Five replied.

"Ai, how troublesome. So many rules, nothing like the freedom we had back in the mountains."

Indeed, this unfree way of life might continue for a long time to come.

"Where is the person? Over there?"

They saw a young man in white robes galloping towards them on horseback from a distance. The soldiers at the city gates didn't seem to notice him, making no move to stop him.

Xuan Little Five understood at once. This must be someone from the Mansion of the Zhenguo General.

"Third Young Master, over here," one of the soldiers who had been rude to them earlier called out cheerfully, guiding the young man in white towards them.

Su Qian dismounted swiftly, tossing the reins to the attendant behind him. He clasped his hands in greeting. "I am Su Qian. The Divine Doctor Xuan instructed me to receive you. May I ask..."

"This medicine is exquisite. Quick, administer it to the Young Master," Older Li urged, about to hand it to an attendant.

Xuan Little Four swiftly took the vial, carelessly pouring out a pill and firmly administering it to Su Yu, before tossing the vial back to Older Li.

Older Li's face drained of color in shock, terrified that the vial might be dropped and the medicine wasted. Only after confirming it was safely in his hands did he pat his chest in relief.

Xuan Little Four: This old man is too timid.

"One pill per day for half a month, and the poison will be fully purged," Xuan Little Five said as she packed away the medicine chest.

Su Qian's face lit up with joy. "Then when will my elder brother awaken?"

"At the earliest, three days. At the latest, seven days. He will certainly wake up."

"Wonderful, wonderful! Thank you both!" Tears welled up in Su Qian's eyes.

In the month since Su Yu had been poisoned, their household had been in chaos. And now, with his third uncle's life hanging in the balance from the incident at the military camp...

Xuan Little Four patted his shoulder consolingly, able to empathize as a peer of similar age.

"Where is our third senior brother? Why hasn't he arrived yet?" Xuan Little Four asked impatiently.

"Oh, he's at the military camp. There was an emergency a couple of days ago, so the Divine Doctor Xuan went there. We don't know when he'll be back yet," Su Qian replied, composing himself. "Don't worry, you can both stay here at the mansion. Consider it your home."

"Oh, in that case, could you arrange for some food? We've been traveling for days, eating and sleeping outdoors," Xuan Little Four said, patting his flat stomach.

"My apologies for the poor hospitality. I was in such a hurry earlier that I brought you both straight here. I'll have the servants prepare something right away." Su Qian gestured, and an attendant immediately went to make arrangements.

"Just prepare something simple. We'll eat and then head to the military camp," Xuan Little Five said thoughtfully.

"To the military camp?" Su Qian and Xuan Little Four asked in surprise.

"Yes." With that, Xuan Little Five turned and left.

Su Qian looked at Xuan Little Four questioningly. Xuan Little Four shrugged sheepishly. "Don't look at me. Usually... usually my junior brother calls the shots. Whatever she says, goes."

Xuan Little Four scratched his head awkwardly.