Chapter 248: Joining Forces with Doctor Cheng to Save Wei Mingting i
“Also, prepare a large amount of hot water for me. I will write down the herbs need, and when you have collected them all, take them directly to the city pharmacy. After they prepare the medicine, bring it to me immediately,” ordered Doctor Cheng.
Wei Ruo nodded, then relayed the instructions to the servants of the manor, “Zhang Mama, you start boiling the hot water; Jing Hu, you fetch the herbs; Cuiping, you assist my mother to rest.”
The crowd was initially astonished. The Madam was already paralyzed with panic, yet surprisingly, at this time, the young mistress managed to calmly take charge of the situation.
They quickly responded in turn and efficiently followed Wei Ruo’s orders.
“Yes, Young Mistress,” they echoed.
Lady Yun was reluctant to leave, but her body was feeble and weak. Taking advantage of this, Cuiping forcefully led her to the adjoining room for rest. Wei Ruo then turned to look at Wei Qingwan, “You should go back to your courtyard too.”
“How can I rest when Father is like this?” Wei Qingwan replied.
“What use are you here? The room is chaotic with people coming and going, and no one is available to look after you. And wipe your tears, Father is still alive. Save your tears for now.”
Wei Qingwan pursed her lips, looking at Wei Ruo with a pale face.
Wei Ruo, seeing her like this, didn’t feel like engaging further, and ordered Qmgwan’s maid, Cuihe, to take her away.
“Take your mistress back to Wangmei Garden, don’t cause a ruckus here. If Father’s treatment is delayed because of you, you’ll have to answer to me”‘ Wei Ruo sternly reprimanded. Her harsh tone and cold gaze scared Cuihe.
Though she was the maid of the second young mistress and Wei Ruo could not exactly order her around, Wei Ruo’s gaze made her unconsciously believe that the eldest young mistress could indeed do so.
Cuihe hesitated but nodded reluctantly, then helped Wei Qingwan out of the room.
Following that, Wei Ruo spoke to several deputy generals including Xu Zhengyong, “Generals, we appreciate your hard work after the recent battle. Please return to your residences to rest and assure your family of your safety.” The generals nodded in agreement. They understood that their presence here would not be of much help, hence they decided to avoid causing any disruption for the Wei family.
After they left, only Wei Ruo, Doctor Cheng, Xiumei, and the servants tasked with tending to the patient remained.
The servants had already prepared the hot water, surgical tools, and some urgently needed medicine.
“Doctor Cheng,” Wei Ruo called out once again.
“Yes, young lady?” asked Doctor Cheng.
Having worked side by side for such a long time in the small courtyard, Doctor Cheng had a certain familiarity with Wei Ruo, especially her eyes.
As an experienced doctor who excelled at reading bones and comprehending the unspoken, he had a keen ability to see through Wei Ruo’s disguise.
Wei Ruo nodded her head in confirmation.
Immediately, Doctor Cheng overflowed with joy. However, glancing around at the servants, he said, “All of you, leave this room. The young mistress and her maid will stay and assist me.”
Doctor Cheng’s decision left people bewildered. Why would he ask for the assistance of the mistress of the house instead of using the servants?
But considering the special circumstances, the servants did not dare to question his decision and obediently left the room.
Once all the extraneous people had left, Doctor Cheng quickly approached his patient, lifting the cover from Wei Mingting’s body.
While simultaneously unwrapping the bandages from Wei Mingting’s wound, he conversed with Wei Ruo, “You were present during your father’s examination. What do you think are the odds of his recovery?”
“Fifty percent,” Wei Ruo candidly admitted. She did not want to see Wei Mingting pass away like this. Even for the sake of the people of Taizhou prefecture, she hoped not to lose such a courageous leader.
“Based on my appraisal, I would say it’s at most twenty percent. If you believe there is a fifty percent chance, then we must exhaust all our effort to try.” Doctor Cheng confessed honestly.
During their conversation, they removed the bandage from Wei Mingting’s body, revealing the festering old wound on his chest.
The wound was more gruesome than a new one. The core area had noticeable black and brown pus, and the surrounding flesh was necrotic.
“This part of the flesh must be cut off,” Wei Ruo said.
“Can you handle the scalpel?” Doctor Cheng asked Wei Ruo.
He did not doubt Wei Ruo’s skills, having witnessed her steady hand during the outbreak at the small courtyard.
However, things were different now, with the patient being her father. It was possible that she might lose focus.
“I can,” Wei Ruo replied with conviction.
“Alright, then I’ll assist you,” said Doctor Cheng, handing the scalpel to Wei Ruo without hesitation.
Wei Ruo took the scalpel and sterilized it by heating it over an oil lamp, and then dipped it into the freshly prepared medicinal solution.
She then made an incision into Wei Mingting’s chest, and as the scalpel moved little by little, the necrotic flesh was gradually separated from the healthy tissue.
Doctor Cheng watched intently. One wrong move and Wei Mingting might become paralyzed for the rest of his life.
Wei Ruo’s hand was steady, not affected in the least bit by the fact that the patient was her father.
With each twist of her wrist, the necrotic flesh was carved away bit by bit and placed in a bowl prepared on the side.
As Wei Ruo was in the process of cutting off the necrotic tissue, they heard Wei Yilin’s voice from outside:
“Let me in, I want to see Father!”
“Why are you stopping me? I want to see my Father! None of you can stop me.
If anyone tries to, don’t blame me for being rude!”
Hearing the commotion from outside, Wei Ruo frowned. However, given that she could not stop her ongoing task, she called out to Xiumei.
“Meimei, go stop Wei Yilin.”
“Yes, Young Mistress.”
Xiumei approached the entrance upon receiving the instruction.
As soon as the door opened, Wei Yilin tried to rush in, but Xiumei blocked him with her arm.
“What right do you have to stop me?”
“Young Master, Doctor Cheng is currently treating Master in there. No one can disrupt them,” Xiumei explained.
“Why then is elder sister inside?” Wei Yilin questioned.
“Young Mistress is assisting Doctor Cheng.”
“I won’t cause trouble either, I will just quietly watch from the side!” Wei Yilin argued.
Young Master, you’re currently not composed enough. It’s best if you wait outside.”
“No, I have to see my Father! Everyone is saying that Father is badly hurt! I don’t believe it. My Father will be fine!” Wei Yilin’s eyes were red with rage.
With that, he tried to force his way inside, but Xiumei stepped in again.
This time, Wei Yilin was prepared. He attempted to apply some of the skills he had learned to dodge Xiumei’s interference.
However, Xiumei was no ordinary maid from the house. Her martial prowess was above Wei Yilin’s. She anticipated his reactions. Not only did she prevent his attack, but she beautifully lithely spun to his back, grabbed his collar, and dragged him from the doorway to the courtyard.
Wei Yilin was stunned, his eyes filled with disbelief..