Chapter 89: Filial Awakening

Chapter 89: Filial Awakening

Jiang Shu blinked and turned to look at Mother Jiang and Jiang Ning. Seeing the astonishment on their faces, she knew that she hadn’t been mistaken.

“How come Father frowned as soon as Elder Sister fed him the medicine?” Jiang Ning asked in surprise.

Mother Jiang nodded knowingly. “Your father is afraid of bitter tastes and dislikes taking medicine the most. He must have found it bitter.”

Upon hearing this, Jiang Shu hurriedly fed another spoonful of medicine.

Sure enough, Father Jiang’s brows furrowed again, and his eyelids flickered.

Jiang Ning watched excitedly, wishing he could grab the bowl of medicine and pour it into his father’s mouth in one go.

That would surely wake him up from the bitterness.

As spoonfuls of the herbal medicine were fed, Father Jiang’s eyebrows and eyes moved more dramatically, and even his fingers quivered slightly.

“Father is going to wake up. Quick, go call Chief Physician Chen,” Mother Jiang instructed Jiang Ning excitedly.

As Jiang Ning turned to leave, Jiang Shu hurriedly advised, “Compose yourself and don’t let anyone see your smile. We shouldn’t let people know just yet.”

Since Father Jiang’s condition was still uncertain, it was best to keep it discreet.

Jiang Ning coughed and restrained his expression, putting on a sorrowful look again before quietly leaving to fetch Chief Physician Chen.

Upon learning that Father Jiang was stirring due to the bitterness of the medicine, Chief Physician Chen immediately had Jiang Ning pry open Father Jiang’s mouth and stuffed a piece of coptis into it.

As the bitter taste of the coptis dissolved in his mouth, Father Jiang’s brows and eyes trembled violently, and his fingers shook desperately, as if trying to break free from his restraints.

The four pairs of eyes watched Father Jiang expectantly, silently cheering him on.

Finally, Father Jiang opened his eyes, shivered, opened his mouth, and spat out the coptis with all his strength.

“Truly miraculous. It’s the first time I’ve seen someone in a coma awakened by bitterness,” Chief Physician Chen marveled.

Just waking up, Father Jiang’s mind was still muddled. He stared blankly at the canopy above, his brows furrowed in bitterness.

Mother Jiang picked up the expelled coptis, then brought some tea and used a cotton cloth to cleanse Father Jiang’s mouth.

After rinsing several times, she fed him a cup of tea. Gradually, Father Jiang’s furrowed brows relaxed.

“Sir, please examine my father and see if there’s anything wrong with him,” Jiang Shu said, pulling Mother Jiang aside to make room for Chief Physician Chen.

Chief Physician Chen first checked Father Jiang’s pulse, then placed his hand in front of Father Jiang’s eyes and moved it left and right.

Father Jiang’s eyes followed Chief Physician Chen’s hand. When Chen took a piece of coptis to feed him, Father Jiang widened his eyes and shook his head vigorously.

“Father’s head can move now,” Jiang Ning exclaimed in surprise.

Chief Physician Chen withdrew the coptis, his face beaming with joy. “Your father is no longer in serious condition. After resting for a while, he’ll be able to speak. From now on, he only needs to take medicine and rest.”

“Thank you, Sir,” Jiang Shu, Jiang Ning, and Mother Jiang bowed gratefully, their appreciation beyond words.

Chief Physician Chen let out a long sigh of relief. “My task is complete now that your father has woken up. Please arrange a carriage to send me back to the palace tomorrow.”

“Of course, Sir. Rest well tonight. I’ll arrange for someone to send you back to the palace first thing in the morning,” Jiang Shu agreed hurriedly.

She then requested, “Please help keep Father’s awakening a secret.”

“Hmm, go call that physician,” Chief Physician Chen said calmly, pleased that he would be leaving the next day.

Jiang Ning once again restrained his smile and, with a serious expression, went to fetch Physician Fang.

Chief Physician Chen meticulously explained to Physician Fang how to continue the treatment, what to pay attention to, and how to help Father Jiang recover as soon as possible.

Finally, Chief Physician Chen asked, “Do you know how to perform acupuncture?”

Physician Fang nodded modestly. “I know a little.”

“Have you remembered the acupuncture techniques I’ve demonstrated over the past few days?”

“I’ve roughly remembered them.”

“Good, show me how you would perform the acupuncture,” Chief Physician Chen said, having Jiang Ning help Father Jiang sit up.

Although Father Jiang had regained consciousness, he was still unable to speak or move much. He stared wide-eyed as Physician Fang, holding an acupuncture needle, approached his head.

He tried to resist, but as soon as he moved his head, Jiang Ning pressed him down.

“Father, this is acupuncture. It will help you recover your senses and mobility quickly.”

Father Jiang’s eyes widened, and he snorted through his nose. *Needles in the head? That’s going to hurt! Let go, you brat!*

Knowing her husband best, Mother Jiang gently advised, “My lord, you’ve been unconscious for almost ten days. If not for this acupuncture, you might not have woken up.”

Hearing this, Father Jiang stopped resisting and closed his eyes, pretending to be dead.

Physician Fang, who had only ever needled people’s bodies before, hesitated when it came to needling someone’s head for the first time.

Seeing this, Chief Physician Chen reminded her softly from the side, “Acupuncture requires precision. You must be steady, accurate, and decisive. Don’t be afraid or hesitate.”

Taking a deep breath, Physician Fang steadied her nerves, aimed for the acupoint, and, following the method Chief Physician Chen had demonstrated, inserted the needle.

Chief Physician Chen watched closely, guiding her on the order of the acupoints and the depth of insertion.

After a few needles, Physician Fang relaxed and became more confident and precise in her movements.

"Very good, she has the makings of an excellent physician." Chief Physician Chen nodded in approval.

Jiang Father opened his eyes and, to his surprise, did not feel the unbearable pain he had anticipated.

After the needles were applied to his head, Chief Physician Chen instructed Physician Fang to apply needles to Jiang Father's broken leg to stimulate bone recovery.

Physician Fang performed the procedure with precision, without making any mistakes.

"She is an excellent physician with superb medical skills. You can trust her to treat your father with confidence." Chief Physician Chen had high praise for Physician Fang.

"Your praise is too much, sir." Physician Fang bowed humbly in a gesture of gratitude.

Over these past few days following Chief Physician Chen, she had learned a great deal, so much so that it could be considered learning through stealth.

Chief Physician Chen was very pleased with Physician Fang's humble attitude and said with satisfaction, "You and I are quite destined. I shall give you this set of silver needles."

Physician Fang was overwhelmed with gratitude and quickly thanked him again.

Chief Physician Chen smiled, packed up his medical box, and went back to his room to rest.

While waiting for the needles to be removed, Jiang Shu and the others discussed with Physician Fang how to secretly care for Jiang Father without drawing attention.

Although the servants left to attend to Jiang Father were trustworthy, there were nearly a hundred servants and guards in the Jiang household, so it was difficult to ensure there were no spies.

"Everything else is manageable, but the most difficult issue is food," Physician Fang said with a frown.

Jiang Shu pondered and said, "From now on, Mother and Little Ning will eat in the room, using the excuse that Mother has caught a cold and is coughing, to ask the kitchen to send more porridge and soup."

Jiang Father had just woken up and was extremely weak, so for the first few days, he could only have porridge and soup.

Listening to their conversation, Jiang Father wanted to ask what had happened, why they were being so cautious.

He struggled to open his mouth and uttered a sound, "Hungry..."

Everyone froze at the sound of his voice.

Jiang Father himself was stunned; that wasn't what he had meant to say.

"Did you hear that, Elder Sister? Father can speak." Jiang Ning said curiously.

Jiang Mother said with concern, "Your father is hungry. Quickly go to the kitchen and get a bowl of porridge or soup."

"Alright, I'll go, and I'll say I didn't eat enough earlier tonight."

Jiang Ning was at an age where he was growing quickly, and it was normal for him to get hungry at night, so asking for a midnight snack wouldn't arouse suspicion.

Watching Jiang Ning leave, and thinking about the porridge and soup they had mentioned, Jiang Father swallowed.

He was indeed hungry.

Although he had been fed some soup every day while unconscious, it was only enough to sustain him, not to fill his stomach. Now that he had regained consciousness, Jiang Father felt ravenous, his hunger making him dizzy.

Jiang Ning returned quickly, and as soon as the food box was opened, the aroma of porridge wafted out.

Jiang Father's appetite was stirred, and he smacked his lips and called out, "Hungry... eat."