No one dared to commit a cri against the wind.
Thinking of Cold Food Powder, that numbing sensation in his abdon crept up again, as though a hungry worm in his throat had opened its mouth wide, waiting for the deliciousness to fall from the sky.
"Cold Food Powder is made from stalactite, sulfur, white quartz, athyst, red stone. The dicine is harsh and dry, and after taking it one may temporarily feel bright and clear-headed, but over ti it can be lethal,"
Lu Tong inserted the needles unhurriedly for him.
"When I was practicing dicine in Su Nan before, I saw a wealthy family where three generations of fathers and sons were all secretly taking the powder. Before the Imperial Court discovered them, the patriarch died on the spot from drinking cold liquor after taking the powder. However, strangely, his two sons survived and acted as though nothing had changed,"
"Once addicted to Cold Food Powder, it’s extrely difficult to quit, but these two brothers seed unaffected. I was curious and later learned the reason."
Qi Yutai lifted his eyelid: "What reason?"
"Cold Food Powder is toxic. With the warning of their deceased father, the brothers dared not continue taking it, but they accidentally found an alternative prescription." At this point, Lu Tong paused, then continued, "With realgar, Lingzhi, Poria, Solomon’s Seal, Dragon Herb..." She listed many ingredients, "Crushed into mud, processed, dried, and ground into powder, it could achieve about fifty to sixty percent of the effect of Cold Food Powder."
Qi Yutai was stunned: "Really?"
"Only fifty to sixty percent, but that was enough to temporarily relieve the brothers’ addiction to the dicine. Furthermore, the ingredients were simple and not difficult to purchase. They instructed their servants to buy the materials and make it themselves. Precisely because of this, despite their father’s death and their lack of funds, both brothers managed to hold on for years. This shows the endless variations in dical Classics and Pharmacology."
"Impossible," Qi Yutai eyed her skeptically, "If what you’re saying is true, how co I’ve never heard of it in all these years?"
"Even the dical Officer Institute’s library cannot record all dical cases. Moreover, over the years, I’ve only seen this pair of brothers use this prescription. Although it’s not as toxic as Cold Food Powder, it can easily beco addictive if used long-term. A small packet taken once will make one feel joyful and clear-headed. Taking two packets causes unbearable restlessness and a surge of qi and blood. Taking three packets... the mind becos confused, just like taking a large amount of Cold Food Powder at once, at which point it turns into poison,"
Qi Yutai listened intently.
"The way of dicine is ever-changing. I am only just beginning to scratch the surface, and there’s still much to learn in the future,"
She retracted the last silver needle and stepped back two paces.
"Young Master Qi, the acupuncture is finished."
Qi Yutai then returned to his senses.
He uncharacteristically refrained from his usual habit of mocking or insulting her, and instead sat silently beside the couch.
Lu Tong looked toward the door.
Qi Yutai’s guard and maidservant stood below the window, occasionally glancing their way.
She picked up her dical kit and bowed her head as she left.
At the doorway, she paused and turned to address the guard Qi Qing had specially assigned to stand in the courtyard by the gate.
"Young Master Qi’s mind has not yet fully recovered, and to avoid any accidents in the coming days, it would be best he not leave the house. Please take extra care in watching over him."
The guard nodded in agreent, and only then did Lu Tong depart.
...
After noon, at the Martial Arts Field.
On the archery range, steeds galloped kicking up dust, and arrows flew like lightning, hitting the grass targets set in the sandy plain afar.
It wouldn’t be long before the royal ceremonial festivities, and before the rituals, the ceremonial guards and miscellaneous military displays were to be held—a remarkable inclusion was the Palace Front Office’s retinue.
Consequently, the Palace Front Office’s guards had been training very diligently at the Martial Arts Field lately.
Zhizi and four little pitch-black dogs played ball around the empty field, while on the other end, on a raised platform, Pei Yunng stood watching. With a "whoosh, whoosh, whoosh" sound, arrows continuously were released, causing the grass targets at the edge of the field to fall one after another, promptly followed by bursts of applause.
Xiao Zhufeng, among all the Imperial Guards, was unquestionably outstanding; wherever his horse passed, the grass targets were vanquished. The judges hurriedly noted down scores, while the younger Imperial Guards rushed to replace the targets, preparing for the next round of galloping competition.
Not until the last round was complete did everyone dismount and walk to the tent to grab water skins for a drink.
Surrounded by his fellow guards, Xiao Zhufeng engaged in banter: "The Vice Envoy’s equestrian archery skills have improved again, it seems there’s no chance for any of us to stand out at the Chang Le Pond festivities."
A guard beside him retorted: "Why do you want to stand out? Aim for promotion? I’ve never heard of anyone getting a promotion through festival performances."
"Superficial! Do you think I am that kind of person? I practice my equestrian archery diligently, of course, to perform in front of my beloved during the ceremony, so she can witness my valiant presence."
"Your beloved, Doctor Lu?"
Upon hearing this, the young man distributing water skins under the tent paused for a mont.
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