Chapter 252: Nightmare

Chapter 252: Nightmare

She then instructed her family to prepare tea and refreshments.

"Please —" Qin Xiaoyao returned the bow graciously and entered with composure.

Old Master Li and Doctor Li followed closely behind.

Once in the parlor, the three took their seats.

Qin Xiaoyao then explained the purpose of her visit.

Subsequently, she removed little Chun Hua from her back and handed her over to Doctor Li.

"Madam Qin, rest assured; I will do my utmost to treat her," Doctor Li assured her promptly.

He then began examining little Chun Hua.

After inquiring about her condition from Qin Xiaoyao, Doctor Li quickly made his diagnosis.

"The situation is indeed grave."

"Fortunately, we have all the necessary medicines here."

"I will arrange for the medicine to be prepared immediately. Madam Qin, you need only stay for one day and night. Once the child’s fever subsides after taking the medicine, you can leave," Doctor Li said.

The child was indeed very ill, and it would take half a day for the medicine to be prepared, administered, and to take effect.

Additionally, he wanted to keep Madam Qin due to the corpses in the courtyard.

With five bandits killed in their home, they did not know when other bandits might discover the anomaly and come looking.

With Madam Qin present, the Li family had some protection.

If she left, and the bandits came again, the Li family would likely face disaster.

If one day and night were insufficient, there was nothing they could do.

At least while Madam Qin was there, they might find a way to dispose of the bodies.

Qin Xiaoyao furrowed her brow slightly.

Seeing the anxious looks on Doctor Li and Old Master Li's faces, she guessed their concerns.

After a moment's hesitation, she finally agreed.

"Very well. We shall impose upon you."

Since she had killed the men, it was unreasonable to burden the Li family with the aftermath.

Just one day and night, so be it; she would stay.

"No imposition at all! I will have someone prepare a guest room for Madam Qin right away," Doctor Li hurriedly rose and said.

He then left the room.

A hint of helplessness flashed across Qin Xiaoyao's eyes. Turning around, her gaze met Old Master Li's.

Old Master Li smiled. "He is just cautious, please don't take offense, Madam Qin," he said.

"Doctor Li's concern is not unfounded. I will take care of the bodies before I leave," Qin Xiaoyao responded.

Old Master Li was taken aback.

"Thank you, Madam Qin." He stood up and bowed to her once more.

Qin Xiaoyao gestured to stop him.

"Old Master Li, please don’t be too formal. Since this is my doing, I must clean up afterward."

Having said that, Qin Xiaoyao also rose and strode out of the house into the courtyard.

When Old Master Li followed her outside, he saw Qin Xiaoyao lifting one of the corpses onto the roof and leaping away.

Before he could say anything, she had already carried the corpse far away.

Old Master Li was impressed.

He marveled at the woman's extraordinary martial skills.

Within less than an hour, Qin Xiaoyao had disposed of all the corpses in the Li family's courtyard.

The Li family members breathed a collective sigh of relief.

They did not care where Qin Xiaoyao had taken the bodies; as long as they were no longer in their courtyard, the danger to the Li family was reduced.

As Madam Qin had said, the Imperial Army was about to break through the city walls.

Perhaps before the bandits discovered their comrades' bodies, the Imperial Army would already be inside the city.

After disposing of the bodies, Qin Xiaoyao had the Li family fetch tools to clean up the courtyard and remove all traces of blood.

Only then did she consider it done.

After this, the Li family was even more grateful to Qin Xiaoyao.

While they still looked at her with some fear, there was now more respect and admiration in their eyes.

Especially Li Doctor's younger son, who had been secretly observing Qin Xiaoyao from the side, looking as if he wanted to approach but didn't dare.

Qin Xiaoyao found it somewhat amusing but pretended not to notice, busying herself with her own affairs.

After finishing her tasks, she went to check on Little Chun Hua and then returned to her room to rest.

Having worked all morning, it was no surprise that she felt quite tired.

In the afternoon, the Li family remained anxious, worried that the mountain bandits might return.

Unexpectedly, no new bandits showed up, much to everyone's relief.

The disappearance of those five bandits seemed to have gone unnoticed.

It wasn't until the sky darkened that the Li family finally breathed a sigh of relief.

This first day had passed smoothly.

They only hoped that the imperial army outside the city would attack tonight and wipe out all the bandits in the city.

Only then could they stop living in fear, and Lingquan Town could return to peace.

With these thoughts in mind, the Li family went to bed early.

After checking on Little Chun Hua, Qin Xiaoyao also got into bed fully clothed.

Thinking about the situation outside and worrying about her family, she tossed and turned for a long time before finally falling asleep in the late hours of the night.

However, she was soon awakened by a nightmare.

In the dream, more than ten bandits broke into the Song residence, looting everything and killing anyone in sight.

Her mother-in-law, sister-in-law, brother-in-law, and little sister were all killed one after another.

Finally, even her husband did not survive.

The last scene in the dream was Song Que calling her name from outside.

Qin Xiaoyao woke up in a cold sweat, her heart aching, and her hands clenched tightly, veins bulging.

Looking out the window, she noticed that the sky was already slightly brightening.

Not wanting to lie in bed any longer, Qin Xiaoyao got up.

She then tidied herself up and waited for dawn.

As soon as she heard movement in the Li family courtyard, Qin Xiaoyao stepped outside.

Then, she went to check on Little Chun Hua.

After a night, Little Chun Hua's high fever had finally subsided.

With the help of Li Doctor's daughter-in-law feeding her milk, she was still sound asleep.

Seeing the child's adorable sleeping face, Qin Xiaoyao's heart softened.

Nonetheless, she still picked up the child.

"I won't have breakfast. The child's parents are waiting at home. I'll take the child back first." Qin Xiaoyao said.

The expressions of the Li couple changed immediately.

Li Doctor's daughter-in-law hurriedly tried to dissuade her.

"A whole night has passed; there's no need to rush now."

"Besides, it's still early in the morning and very damp. Taking the child out might cause another cold."

Li Doctor's eldest son nodded in agreement beside her.

Every moment delayed meant greater peace of mind with Qin Lady around.

Qin Xiaoyao frowned slightly but continued after a brief pause.

"I'll wrap the child warmly; it will be fine."

Seeing that the couple still wanted to stop her, Qin Xiaoyao added, "Don't worry. The courtyard has been cleaned up."

"Now those bandits are preoccupied with their own affairs; they shouldn't come to investigate."

"If they do, just say that they took the valuables and left. They won't suspect you."