Chapter 157: Courage and Tenacity to Rival Any Man

Chapter 157: A Resilience and Courage That Rival Any Man's

"It seems these poisoned individuals are most sensitive to the scent of human blood. Once we reach Nanshuo, we can mix the paralysis powder into human blood to trick them into drinking it, making them temporarily unable to move and easier for me to treat with acupuncture."

Jiang Shuning paused briefly, then added with a solemn reminder, "Divine Physician Sun, please prepare some medicinal powder that can accelerate wound healing. It will be used for those who draw blood, to minimize their injuries as much as possible."

"Excellent! Once they ingest the blood laced with paralysis powder, they won't struggle violently, and my acupuncture will go much more smoothly. However..."

Divine Physician Sun's tone shifted, and his brow, once relaxed, furrowed again, "Even if we solve the problem of the patients' resistance, curing them will still be a hugely draining task, both mentally and physically. There are numerous poisoned soldiers and civilians in Nanshuo. Relying on just my own strength, I fear it will be difficult to manage."

Ling Wu, standing nearby, felt her heart clench as she listened.

Though she knew nothing of medicine, she knew that trying to treat so many people with just Divine Physician Sun would probably work him to death before they were all saved.

They needed more physicians to accompany them.

"Divine Physician Sun, rest assured, I will handle this matter. The physician in my household has close ties with several apothecary doctors in the capital. If necessary, I can ask him to persuade them to journey south with us, which should alleviate the immediate crisis," Jiang Shuning said firmly. "However, I have a request."

"Please, speak freely, Miss Jiang."

"Divine Physician Sun, could you teach me the art of acupuncture? I learn quickly, and I can help share your burden when the time comes!"

At these words, both Divine Physician Sun and Ling Wu were taken aback.

"Miss Jiang, you mean..."

Jiang Shuning met Divine Physician Sun's shocked look, her tone resolute, each word deliberate: "I want to go with you to Nanshuo to help treat the poisoned soldiers and civilians!"

"Absolutely not!" Ling Wu interjected hastily. "Miss! Nanshuo is an extremely dangerous place, overrun with poisoned, frenzied people. How can you go there? It's way too dangerous! Besides... your father and mother will never agree!"

"I have my own ways of convincing my parents, so you needn't worry." Jiang Shuning smiled gently, her tone soft yet unwavering. "Besides, I've got you by my side, right? You'll protect me, won't you?"

"But..." Ling Wu hesitated, the image of Xiao Lingchuan's cold face flashed through her mind.

If the Fourth Prince found out she had brought Miss Jiang to such a treacherous place, he'd probably skin her alive! Divine Physician Sun also advised, "Miss Jiang, acupuncture may seem simple, but it's incredibly deep, with a vast amount of knowledge that can't be mastered in a single day.

Moreover, Nanshuo is fraught with danger. As a noble young lady, how can you venture there so lightly? If you insist on going, the Fourth Prince will have to divert his attention to keep you safe, only making it harder for him to handle the dangers!"

"Divine Physician Sun, Ling Wu, I get that you're looking out for me." Jiang Shuning's tone remained calm, but her eyes grew even more resolute. "But now, the Nanyue Cat poison is wreaking havoc in Nanshuo, harming our Daye soldiers and civilians. As a citizen of Daye, how can I just stand by and watch them suffer without doing anything?

Besides, I'm not entirely defenseless. I know a little archery, enough to defend myself. Divine Physician Sun, Ling Wu, please don't try to talk me out of it anymore. My mind's made up. Divine Physician Sun, please begin teaching me the acupuncture techniques!"

Seeing the bright, determined look in Jiang Shuning's eyes, Divine Physician Sun knew further persuasion was futile.

This Miss Jiang seemed delicate, but deep within, she had a resilience and courage that rivaled any man's.

"Very well, since Miss Jiang has made up her mind, I'll teach you everything I know about acupuncture. However, the learning process will be tough, and I hope you can stick with it to the end."

"Divine Physician Sun, rest assured, I will study diligently." Jiang Shuning said seriously.

In the following days, Jiang Shuning, along with four physicians willing to journey south, threw themselves fully into learning acupuncture under Divine Physician Sun's meticulous guidance.

As she had claimed, she was sharp and learned extremely fast.

The human acupoints, the depth and force of the needles, the various techniques, and the key points for detoxification—she often remembered them after just one or two listens and could make connections.

Her needle placement was steady and accurate, her fingertip strength was perfectly controlled. Her skill was no less than that of female physicians who had studied in medical clinics for years.

Watching from the side, Divine Physician Sun marveled to himself.

In his decades of practice, he had seen many gifted students, but one as perceptive and sharp as Jiang Shuning, who caught on at just a hint, was truly rare.

No wonder the Fourth Prince, with his high standards and deep, calculating mind, was so taken with this young lady from the Jiang family.

A woman with such beauty, smarts, and guts—even an old man like him found himself genuinely admiring and enjoying her company, let alone those young men with their hearts just starting to stir.

Jiang Shuning threw herself into learning acupuncture with exceptional diligence. She knew that her elder brother's vengeance remained unavenged, and she couldn't let Xiao Lingchuan die in Nanshuo.

Furthermore, if Nanshuo fell to Nanyue through such sneaky means, Nanyang Commandery, separated by just a river, would be immediately exposed to enemy forces.

If Nanyang was lost, the prosperous Jiangnan region would have its doors wide open.

By then, it would only be a matter of time before Nanyue took half of Daye's land.

With the two most valiant princes of Daye trapped in Nanshuo, how could she put personal safety above the nation's cause?

When she laid out these carefully considered reasons to her father, Chancellor Jiang, his face showed a complex mix of worry and pride.

"Ning'er, if you were a son, with your intelligence and courage, you would surely achieve great feats for our Daye!"

Jiang Shuning smiled gently, her tone firm: "Father, though I am not a son, going to Nanshuo to treat the poisoned civilians and soldiers is still contributing to Daye, isn't it?"

"Well said! Ning'er is no less than any man!" Chancellor Jiang nodded approvingly.

"Then Father agrees?" Jiang Shuning's heart leaped with joy. "This journey is perilous, so please don't tell Mother or anyone else at home for now, to spare them worry."

"Indeed, this must be kept secret. Your mother has been frail lately; if she knew, she would fret herself ill. Rest assured, Ning'er. If anyone asks about your whereabouts, I'll say you've gone to visit your maternal relatives in Xuzhou and won't return for some time."

"Thank you, Father!" Jiang Shuning bowed deeply to Chancellor Jiang.

She made a special trip to the General's Mansion to inform Xia Yan about the situation in Nanshuo.

"This matter could be reported directly to His Majesty, requesting court reinforcements, but I fear someone might obstruct it. Hence, I can only privately seek trustworthy people to accompany us to Nanshuo, so as not to miss the best opportunity to rescue the two princes. After much thought, you are undoubtedly one of the best candidates."

Jiang Shuning confessed.

They had to be wary of Xiao Xiuzhan, lest he learn of the critical situation in Nanshuo and seize the chance to fan the flames.

As expected, upon hearing this, Xia Yan immediately declared her willingness to go.

"I am willing! Nanshuo borders Nanyue. If Nanshuo falls, the enemy's invasion of Daye is not far off. Even if it weren't to rescue the Second Prince, I would risk this for the people of Daye!" Xia Yan's tone was resolute.

Jiang Shuning smiled with relief.

She was gradually understanding Xia Yan's feelings for the Second Prince.

The Second Prince cared for the people and was a valiant warrior—traits that Xia Yan admired. As a woman of Daye, she had no chance to fight on the battlefield. The Second Prince seemed like another self, fulfilling the aspirations she yearned for but could not achieve.

That was why, in her past life, after his death, Xia Yan's heart turned to ashes, and she shaved her head to become a nun.

Since that was the case, in this life, she would help Xia Yan personally realize her ambition to achieve merit and save the nation!

Let her live for herself this time!