Chapter 40 Giving the Fengxue Bracelet

Chapter 40: The Fengxue Bracelet

"I'm Xiao Baiyu, from Apricot Forest Villa. The Prince of Lingnan sent me to detoxify you, Little Master Qin."

Qin Jiao felt a little anxious and guilty. Apricot Forest Villa was famous in the Tianyuan Dynasty, especially its master, Xiao Qisheng, whose medical skills were unparalleled—legend had it that he could "raise the dead and restore flesh to bones."

Of course, the consultation fee for summoning someone from Apricot Forest Villa was also crazy expensive.

Thinking of the now-ruined Qin residence, Qin Jiao's heart gave a sharp ache.

"Thank you, Divine Doctor Xiao, for saving my life. Once I return to the capital, I'll definitely pay the full fee." Qin Jiao paused, then glanced at Xie Nai. "And also, thank you, Your Highness."

As for Military Doctor Hou, he'd thank him later when they met.

"The prince has already paid the fee, Little Master Qin. You don't need to worry about it."

Xiao Baiyu had no idea that Qin Jiao was worrying about being broke. He smiled gently, his gaze thoughtfully landing on the scowling He Zhao.

Today, He Zhao was dressed even more flamboyantly than usual, but with Xiao Baiyu beside him in pure white, softening everything, He Zhao's colors suddenly seemed less dazzling.

"What he wants, you can't afford, so don't worry about it." Xie Nai said to Qin Jiao.

Qin Jiao's eyes widened in shock. Was it that insane a fee?

"Little Master Qin owes me no consultation fee. Actually, you should thank His Highness more. Without this Fengxue Bracelet, you'd have been in a lot of pain."

Xiao Baiyu intended to say something good on Xie Nai's behalf.

"Is this bracelet really that precious? Then I'll return it to His Highness!"

A crazy fee plus a precious bracelet—too heavy a burden for a lifetime!

Xiao Baiyu's words suddenly made Qin Jiao feel an invisible pressure. He tried to take off the bracelet from his wrist, but Xie Nai firmly stopped him.

"Don't move."

Xie Nai's slender, strong hand pressed on Qin Jiao's forearm, preventing him from moving. His dark, piercing eyes gleamed somberly. "Keep it on."

"Why?" Xie Nai was firm, leaving Qin Jiao confused.

"It's not important. Just keep it on." Xie Nai said.

Qin Jiao naturally didn't believe Xie Nai. He Zhao, standing nearby, clarified for him: "This is the Fengxue Bracelet. It stops bleeding, replenishes qi, soothes pain, and warms the body. Once you wear it, you won't have to fear injury or blood loss anymore."

"That amazing?" Qin Jiao was dumbfounded.

Xiao Baiyu added, "Of course, a bracelet alone has its limits. I will also prescribe some herbal tonics. Follow the prescription, and in at most two years, you will fully recover."

"That long?"

The poison from Puzhi grass and Datura flower powder was that strong? It would take two years to heal?

Seeing Qin Jiao's confused expression, Xie Nai suddenly remembered that Qin Jiao still didn't know he had been poisoned with "Blood Withering." He let go of Qin Jiao. "Let Cong Shuang explain it to you."

Qin Jiao immediately looked at Cong Shuang, whose face had turned sour ever since He Zhao mentioned that Qin Jiao would no longer fear injury or blood loss.

Sensing something was off, Qin Jiao watched as Xiao Baiyu and He Zhao politely excused themselves. Xie Nai also left after grabbing an unfinished document off the table.

Now only Qin Jiao and Cong Shuang were left in the large tent. Without needing to ask, Cong Shuang's fingers flew as she began to "speak."

Time passed by minute by minute, and Cong Shuang gradually recounted what had happened in the past few days: the progress of the murder investigation in Nanzhou, the suspicion that Lin Wen hired someone to kill him, Qin Jiao's own poisoning with Blood Withering, Xie Nai's gift of the Fengxue Bracelet to save his life—each incident was unbelievable.

Qin Jiao felt as if countless fine needles were stabbing his nerves. A poison that had been hidden in his body for at least ten years—who could have done it? Was it really Yu Shuhan, like Cong Shuang guessed?

And why would Lin Wen hire someone to kill him? Luo Yue had not returned yet. Was the token the assassin mentioned real or fake? He and Lin Wen were engaged, not mortal enemies.

Nevertheless, after this incident, Cong Shuang held a grudge against Lin Wen. Whenever she mentioned him, she was indignant. But when she spoke of Xie Nai, her face lit up with joy, her eyes full of obvious respect and excitement.

Xie Nai, the Fengxue Bracelet.

Qin Jiao raised his hand slightly, taking a closer look at the bracelet that had saved his life.

As he looked, he noticed something unusual.

At first glance, the bracelet seemed ordinary—a common design. But upon closer inspection, the plain surface revealed intricate, strange patterns hidden inside, occasionally emitting a faint glimmer.

Moreover, Qin Jiao discovered that although the bracelet was a dark cyan color, there were threads of vivid red flowing within, as if blood had seeped out and mixed with the cyan, mysterious and ominous.

Qin Jiao asked Cong Shuang about the bracelet's origin. Cong Shuang replied that He Zhao had only told her it was extremely precious, made of rare Hexen jade, that sealed blood, locked qi, warmed the body, and nourished the constitution. As for its origin, even he didn't know—it might be a long-hidden imperial treasure.

An imperial treasure.

Qin Jiao frowned unconsciously at the bracelet on his wrist. Xie Nai had given him something so precious. Counting this, it was the second time he had saved Qin Jiao from danger. As a young master who knows to repay favors, Qin Jiao was troubled.

How was he supposed to repay the debt of having his life saved?

—

Over the next two days, Cong Shuang made all kinds of nourishing congee for Qin Jiao. Xiao Baiyu came occasionally to check his pulse, and He Zhao followed along, but each time looking sullen, like a "clueless" pretty peacock who was angry and annoyed.

Once, when Xiao Baiyu accidentally bumped into him while reaching for something, He Zhao turned and left in a huff, like a peacock with its feathers ruffled.

However, Xiao Baiyu's medical skills were truly remarkable. With the support of the Fengxue Bracelet, as long as Qin Jiao didn't run or jump, his daily activities were completely fine. Even the three wounds on his wrist had scabbed over. In Qin Jiao's memory, he had never healed so quickly after an injury, and he was momentarily unaccustomed to it.

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