"Doctor, please don't worry. We are not bad people. You're helping me today, and I will owe you a favor. If you ever need help in the future, just send someone here. No matter how great the task, I will undertake it for you."
The old doctor couldn't help but wonder about Old Lady Ji's identity, but since he was already here, he decided to go along with it.
He then said, "I can perform acupuncture on her, but you all must promise me that this matter will not be spread. You must keep your mouths shut."
"Of course," the Ji family members chimed in unison.
"Well then, all of you should leave. I'll call you after I've performed the acupuncture."
"Okay! Thank you, Doctor."
Old Lady Ji led everyone out of the room.
Once in the courtyard, Old Lady Ji asked Zhu Xiuxiu, "Did you send someone to deliver the message?"
Zhu Xiuxiu hurriedly responded, "I did. I specifically mentioned that Suisui's life is hanging by a thread. I don't know if they will receive the message in time."
"It's hard to say," Old Lady Ji said, her heart in her throat. "A few days ago, the eldest sent word that he was on his way back and should arrive in a day or two! I pray he can make it back in time!" The moon was about to rise.
「At this time, on the Official Road at the foot of White Cloud Mountain, a carriage sped along.」
The carriage curtain was lifted by a jade-bone fan, revealing a middle-aged man in a white robe seated inside. His face was unnaturally pale. "Fourth Brother, can you go a bit faster?"
"Any faster, and I'm afraid you won't be able to take it!" came the reply from the man driving the carriage. Dressed in black with two curved sabers at his waist, his expression was tense yet exceptionally calm.
"I'm fine," the pale man insisted. "Third Sister-in-law sent word for us to return before nightfall. It must be that Mother has run out of Rejuvenation Pills. Saving Suisui is urgent!"
"Alright then, hold on tight. If you can't bear it, just call out."
"Don't worry, I can take it!"
「Back in the Ji family's small courtyard, Old Lady Ji could no longer bear the wait.」
More than an hour had passed, and the moon now hung high in the sky.
The old doctor looked at the gold needles on Suisui's body and sighed. "Old Madam, this young lady only has a quarter of an hour left. If the person you insist on waiting for doesn't return soon, it will be too late."
Old Lady Ji reached out and gently touched Suisui's small face. "Suisui, you must be strong. Wait a little longer, wait for your uncles. They're almost here."
The mood in the room was heavy. Suisui was the sole bloodline of their sister-in-law, who had become a nun! They never imagined her own grandmother would deal her a fatal blow. If only they had known earlier…
"Old Madam, I must remove the needles now," the old doctor said, looking at Suisui's chest. It was no longer rising and falling. He shook his head helplessly.
"Doctor, can we wait just a little longer? Please, let her hold on for just a moment longer," Old Lady Ji pleaded, her voice trembling.
"The time is up. It's useless…"
Just as the doctor was about to speak, a voice called out, "Mother… I'm back."
The old doctor's hand, poised to remove the needles, trembled and froze.
"It's my husband, Mother! My husband is back!" Wang Dongxue, the eldest son's wife, exclaimed excitedly. "I'll go greet him."
Ji Youyuan, the eldest son of the Ji family, was disabled and used a wheelchair year-round, making it difficult for him to get around. His fourth brother, Ji Youbo, always accompanied him to assist with his mobility.
Wang Dongxue hurried out. Ji Youbo took charge of the wheelchair, quickly pushing Ji Youyuan to Suisui's bedside.
"Mother! How is Suisui?" Ji Youyuan asked urgently.
Old Lady Ji didn't answer his question, instead asking directly, "Do you still have a Rejuvenation Pill?"
Ji Youyuan immediately handed over a box. "Here."
Old Lady Ji took the medicine and quickly administered it to Suisui. The second daughter-in-law swiftly helped Suisui drink some water.
The old doctor's eyes widened in astonishment.
Rejuvenation Pill? Was it the Rejuvenation Pill he knew of? It was said that only three such pills were treasured in the Imperial Palace—the kind that could bring the dead back to life. That Rejuvenation Pill? Good heavens! What was the background of this seemingly destitute farming family?
After the medicine was administered, everyone nervously watched Li Suisui on the bed, hardly daring to breathe. All eyes in the family were fixed on the old doctor's hand as he took Suisui's pulse.