87 - Little Peasant Wife

Title: "Exclusively Pampered Little Wife in the Countryside" by Yi Chun [Completed] Chapter Summary: Continuing their journey through the countryside, the characters find themselves immersed in a vibrant landscape filled with lush greenery and the cheerful chirping of birds. The protagonist, Wu Zhiyong, strides confidently along the path, his eyes scanning the horizon with a look of determination. His steadfast nature is complemented by his companion, Jing Aoxue, whose calm demeanor brings a sense of serenity to their surroundings. As they venture deeper into the rural landscape, they encounter Gu Baiwei, whose vibrant personality adds a lively dynamic to the group. Meanwhile, Qin Yishu brings a touch of grace and wisdom that keeps the team grounded. Through their interactions and the challenges they face, the characters develop a deeper understanding of their bond and common goals. Themes of resilience, loyalty, and the beauty of everyday life are woven seamlessly into the narrative, creating a rich tapestry that captures the essence of their journey together. She spoke harshly, though her voice carried a hint of tears. Wu Zhiyong shook his head helplessly, exchanged a glance with Jing Aoxue, and knocked on the door, announcing, "General, this is Wu Zhiyong, I've brought Jing Aoxue to see you." Gu Baiwei came to open the door, glaring at Jing Aoxue with displeasure. Jing Aoxue rubbed her nose, noticing the redness in Gu Baiwei's eyes, she chose not to argue. As she entered, she immediately noticed the woman lying on the luxurious intricately carved wooden bed. The woman was a young demi-human, appearing slightly older than Jing Aoxue's current body, approximately twenty-seven or twenty-eight years old. Her features were simple yet elegant and carried an ethereal, aloof quality. Her eyes were long and deep-set, exuding a faint cold light. She didn't appear like the legendary war goddess people spoke of, but that was likely because she was exceptionally beautiful. Though she couldn't quite match the beauty of Jing Aoxue's body, in the mortal realm, she would surely be considered one of the most beautiful. The most striking was the aura around her, a gentle remoteness that did not give off a sense of unapproachability, making people feel she was not beyond reach. Especially now, with her slightly upturned lips and a gentle smile on her face, one would unconsciously let their guard down upon first meeting her and open up their heart. Jing Aoxue couldn't help but feel a jolt in her heart; her instincts told her this person was extraordinary. She had encountered many notable figures before and knew that this person was truly exceptional. Despite her calm eyes that showed no concern over her injuries, her hands tightly grasped the sheets, clearly not resigned to her fate. If such a person were to recover fully from her injuries, who knows what she might achieve… Jing Aoxue lowered her gaze, dismissing the thought; after all, none of this concerned her. She was only helping out as a favor to Wu Zhiyong. Qin Yishu squinted her eyes with a smile, "Come closer, no need to be formal. I am no longer General Qin, just a mere civilian. You don't have to fear me." Jing Aoxue decided to act as a simple villager, cautiously glancing at her before lowering her head again, reciting, "General Qin drove out the enemy and defended the land; you are a hero revered by all. I greatly admire you and dare not show any disrespect." Seeing her determination, Qin Yishu sighed, "Very well, it's Wu Zhiyong who persuaded me to come, hearing you might have a way to treat my condition. If you can cure it, great; if not, I won't hold it against you." Jing Aoxue smiled slightly but didn't take her words to heart. She stepped forward, "In that case, allow me to take a risk. General Qin, please extend your hand for me to examine your pulse." Qin Yishu hesitated but remained motionless. Noticing this, Jing Aoxue realized that the other person couldn't move due to damaged meridians. She apologized for the offense and gently turned Qin Yishu's hand to check her pulse. Qin Yishu's wrist was extremely slender, appearing frail as if without bones. No one would have imagined from her appearance and hands that she was once an invincible war goddess on the battlefield. Although Gu Baiwei verbally expressed indifference, her anxious heart revealed otherwise. She pretended to lean in casually, her eyes firmly fixed on Jing Aoxue. Jing Aoxue maintained a neutral expression, as she wasn't genuinely skilled in checking pulses. She was merely mimicking the action, instead channeling her wood element abilities into Qin Yishu's body to carefully observe. She had previously heard from Shen Lüman and a few hints from the old doctor Gu Qing about the cause of General Qin's injuries, so she had some guesses. However, on closer inspection, she realized things were not as they seemed. The surface of her body showed damage to her meridians, but in reality… Within the major arteries of her limbs, there were long, thin worms. Initially, she thought they were blocked blood vessels, but as soon as the wood abilities were infused into the meridians, the worms began to move, twisting their slender bodies and approaching. Jing Aoxue was horrified, suspecting at first that she was mistaken. She quickly glanced at Qin Yishu, who seemed completely unaware of the worms within her body. Suppressing her shock, Jing Aoxue frowned and lowered her eyelids. Gu Baiwei's impatience was evident, especially concerning Qin Yishu's situation. Her face instantly turned pale as she urgently inquired, "Well? Is her condition treatable?" Jing Aoxue looked at her, noticing her red eyes and tearful look. It was clear her feelings for Qin Yishu were genuine. Unfortunately, Qin Yishu remained inscrutable, leaving her true sentiments toward Gu Baiwei a mystery. Jing Aoxue pressed her lips together, "I... I sense something, but I'm not certain yet. Let me take another look." She squinted her eyes and carefully infused her wood powers again into Qin Yishu's right arm meridian. "Please help me roll up her right sleeve," Jing Aoxue requested Gu Baiwei. Though puzzled, Gu Baiwei complied immediately. With Jing Aoxue's wood power infusion, the thin worms became visible beneath the translucent skin, an alarming sight to the naked eye. Gu Baiwei screamed but didn't release her grip on Qin Yishu’s clothing, staying close. Trembling, she asked, "What—what is this?" Qin Yishu remained composed, not reacting to the worms moving within her meridians. She watched Jing Aoxue with amused interest, genuinely praising her, "You do have some impressive skills." Her demeanor suggested that she had already detected the presence within her meridians. Remarkably, she remained as gentle and composed as ever, a sign of her uncommon character. Jing Aoxue released her grip, and the alarming sight on Qin Yishu's arm vanished, as though all four had just imagined it. Gu Baiwei, unconcerned about anything else, anxiously turned Qin Yishu’s arm over, "What were those things we saw?" She hesitated before speaking with a grim expression, "Qin Yishu, you've known all along, haven't you?" Qin Yishu smiled softly, "Of course I knew. As a Seven-Star Warrior, if I couldn't detect something within my body, my life would have been lived in vain." A Seven-Star Warrior? Jing Aoxue perked up at the term, curiosity piqued. Seeing her interest, Qin Yishu explained, "Warriors are those with martial prowess on Hongze Continent. Each country has a Warrior Alliance where martial artists test their level annually. The levels range from one to nine stars. I come from a military family. Though I disliked studying, I loved martial arts. My talent was decent, so I followed my grandfather's advice to focus on my martial training, achieving modest success after more than twenty years." Such modesty! Given the nine-star warrior system, for Qin Yishu to achieve seven stars at such a young age is truly impressive. People like her are indeed destined to be exceptional. Jing Aoxue generally felt uncomfortable dealing with shrewd people, fearing she'd be duped without realizing it. However, Qin Yishu's aura, or perhaps her good manners, made Jing Aoxue feel an unexpected liking towards her after just a short meeting. She smiled, "I see, that's fascinating. It's my first time hearing about warriors. General Qin, you're truly remarkable!" Qin Yishu remained indifferent, "It's nothing. On Hongze Continent, there are two Nine-Star Warriors, seven Eight-Star Warriors, and countless Seven-Star Warriors like me. My level isn't as impressive." Gu Baiwei interjected unhappily, "Nonsense! My father said there are only a dozen or so Seven-Star Warriors, and you're the youngest among them." Qin Yishu looked at her helplessly and sighed. Gu Baiwei puffed her cheeks, feeling a blush creep onto them as she recalled their earlier spat, out of anger. She had resolved not to care anymore, yet here she was, defending her again. It was truly infuriating. Jing Aoxue: "…" Feeling involuntarily a recipient of their affection display, she wished she could seek comfort from Shen Lüman back home. Clearing her throat, she asked, "General Qin, is there any way to get rid of these worms?" Qin Yishu frowned and smiled bitterly, "I could only identify the anomaly in my body and keep it contained within my meridians using my internal power. But beyond that… I am powerless." "Do you know what these worms are called or what they do?" Qin Yishu paused before admitting, "To tell you the truth, I consulted the best doctors across Hongze, most were at a loss. Only one doctor specializing in Miao medicine from the southwest said I've been afflicted by the Heart-Locking Gu, an ancient and supposed extinct curse." "Heart-Locking Gu?" Jing Aoxue and Gu Baiwei exclaimed simultaneously. They exchanged glances, Gu Baiwei turning away awkwardly, while Wu Zhiyong pondered over the unfamiliar term. Being the eldest daughter of Baicaotang, Gu Baiwei was better at commerce than medicine, making this knowledge equally distant to her. Jing Aoxue thoughtfully rubbed her chin, the name sounding oddly familiar. This familiarity was certainly not her own but derived from the original owner's memories. The original owner was a cultivator in the realm of cultivation and might have encountered the term somewhere. However, the original memories had long become hazy; no matter how much Jing Aoxue thought about it, she couldn't recall where she had heard it. Eventually, she gave up with a sigh. As she faced the expectant gazes of the other three, she suddenly felt a pang of guilt. Shaking her head, she said, "I've heard the name before, but I can't remember it for now. Let me think more on it when I get back." Gu Baiwei let out a disappointed sigh but understood the difficulty of the situation, so she didn't blame Jing Aoxue. Instead, she planned to take the carriage back to town that evening to consult her father or Grandfather Gu Qing. Jing Aoxue noticed the calm demeanor of Qin Yishu, but she could see a hint of melancholy in her expression. To comfort her, she said, "I just made some pills that, while they won't deal with the worms in your meridians, can help restore your strength." "You have been injured for a few years now. Even with your internal energy protecting your heart meridian, your body has not moved in a long time, and the muscles have atrophied considerably. Taking this pill might improve your physical condition." Since Jing Aoxue phrased it so positively, Qin Yishu naturally smiled and thanked her. Jing Aoxue took out a porcelain bottle and poured out three pills, saying, "These are for tonight and tomorrow morning. Take one each, and if you feel the need, you can take another at midnight. I'll come by around noon tomorrow to check the effects." Qin Yishu, lacking strength in her hands and almost incapacitated, watched as Gu Baiwei eagerly stepped forward. "Give them to me," Gu Baiwei said. "I'll ensure someone watches over her and makes sure she takes them." Jing Aoxue smiled and agreed, "That's for the best. If there's nothing else, I'll be heading back now." Gu Baiwei nodded and turned to Qin Yishu, "You should stay here for now. I trust Wu Zhiyong's character completely. As for your servants..."