Chapter 33: Illusory Dreams

Gu Qingsong and Gu Lizong worked together to settle Gu Qingbai onto the bed.

"Second sister-in-law, you take care of him first; I am going to fetch Dr. Wu," Gu Qingsong said, hurrying out.

Su Hehua wiped her face messily with her sleeve, then leaned over to Gu Qingbai, carefully removing his blood-stained outer robe. Mrs. Zhou brought over a basin of hot water.

"Mother, let me do it. You go and have some dinner."

Mrs. Zhou had no appetite left. Seeing the pale face of her son on the bed, she wished she could bear his suffering in his place.

Gu Qingsong drove the carriage in haste to the nearby Chaliu Village, where he knocked on the gate of the Wu residence.

The Wu family was the natal home of Wu Cuihua—Wang Bao'er's mother—who was neighbors with Zhen Mi'er's own family. Ever since Wu Cuihua had separated from Wang Gang, she had been living at the Wu residence with her daughter. Little Bao'er had been restless tonight, crying several times, and Wu Cuihua was currently coaxing her back to sleep.

Hearing the knocking, she first thought she had misheard, but after listening closely, she realized someone was indeed at the gate, and seemingly in a great hurry. She quickly put on her robe, took an oil lamp, and went out.

Seeing it was Gu Qingsong, she was surprised. "Brother Gu, why are you here so late? Is something urgent?"

"I am truly sorry to disturb you at such an hour. Is the old gentleman asleep? My second brother was injured at Liangwei Mountain tonight, and I was hoping he could come and take a look."

Wu Xingzhi, who was changing clothes inside, heard the commotion and called out, "Why were you at Liangwei Mountain at night? Is the injury severe? Wait a moment, I am getting my medicine chest."

In his youth, Wu Xingzhi had been a resident physician at a clinic in town, and his medical skills were quite reputable. As he aged, the travel between the town and the villages became too taxing, so he retired to his home to treat minor ailments for villagers in the vicinity. Being the only doctor in the area, everyone was always grateful for his services.

Chaliu Village was not far from Maoping Village, and since Gu Qingsong had the carriage, they arrived in fifteen minutes.

The Gu family respectfully led Wu Xingzhi into Gu Qingbai’s room. After taking his pulse and carefully examining the wounds, the doctor’s expression turned grave.

"Brother Wu, is my son’s injury too severe to treat?" Gu Lizong asked, his face taut with anxiety, fearing the worst. The others held their breath, waiting for the answer.

Wu Xingzhi shook his head. "The wounds look severe, but they have not reached his vital organs. The danger lies in the excessive blood loss, and because the wolf's claws were sharp and carried a great deal of filth, the wounds on his shoulders and back have already begun to fester. We must use strong liquor to cleanse them thoroughly tonight before applying the medicine, or else it will surely lead to a fever, which would be life-threatening."

"We have no strong liquor at home. I will go ask the village chief," Gu Qingsong said, hurrying out once more.

That night, everyone except Gu Tingzhi stayed awake.

Wu Xingzhi stayed at the Gu house overnight, personally treating Gu Qingbai's wounds with the liquor. He taught Su Hehua how to change the dressings and gave detailed instructions on how to decoct the internal medicine. The Gu family was deeply grateful.

Gu Litang did not return home either; since Mrs. Feng had locked their gate, he spent the night with the fourth branch of the family.

By now, the hour of the ox had passed, and the cocks were crowing. Yawning, Wu Xingzhi took a few more packets of medicine from his chest and advised, "Change the topical medicine three times a day, and decoct these for him to drink. In three to five days, he should be able to get out of bed. Remember, he must not make any strenuous movements, keep the wounds dry, and stick to a light diet—less oil, less salt, and no soy products."

The family members memorized every word.

Seeing Wu Xingzhi packing his chest to leave, Gu Lizong held him back. "Brother Wu, you have been working hard all night; you must have breakfast before you go."

Unable to refuse their hospitality, Wu Xingzhi agreed to stay.

Mrs. Zhou hurried to the kitchen with Lin Huiniang and Zhen Mi'er to prepare the morning meal. With a guest in the house, breakfast could not be as casual as usual. The three women were quick and efficient, and with Gu Qinghe helping, they soon had steamed buns, griddled cakes, and several stir-fried dishes ready. Zhen Mi'er carried the trays to the main hall.

Wu Xingzhi was surprised by the quality of the meal. In the village, breakfast was usually just porridge, steamed buns, or sweet potatoes, but the table in the Gu household was laden with food: sweet potato porridge, cabbage and pork buns, golden corn cakes, a dish of stir-fried green peppers and shredded pork, sausage with potatoes, a whole fish, stir-fried lettuce leaves, and fried peanuts.

"Second sister-in-law, is there any of the strong liquor left from last night?"

"Yes, it is still in my room."

"Go get it, then. Your eldest uncle and I will have a drink with Elder Wu."

"Very well."

Su Hehua hurried to retrieve the liquor and brought it to the hall.

...

After the meal, Gu Lizong instructed Gu Qingsong to see Elder Wu home safely.

Since Wu Xingzhi had been drinking, Gu Qingsong drove the carriage slowly to ensure his safety. Upon arriving, he carefully helped the old man down and, before he could enter his home, pressed a small ingot of silver into his hand.

Wu Xingzhi, slightly tipsy, stared at the object for several moments before realizing what it was. His face darkened. "Eldest Gu, what are you doing? Take this back at once!"

Gu Qingsong refused to take it. "Elder Wu, you worked hard all night; this is only the proper consultation fee."

"I don't want it, take it back!"

Seeing him insist on returning it, Gu Qingsong panicked, jumped onto the carriage, and sped away, leaving the Wu family standing there in bewilderment.

Exhausted after a sleepless night, the Gu family members were reaching their limits. Mrs. Zhou rubbed her temples and told everyone to return to their rooms to rest.

It was just past the hour of the tiger, and Gu Tingzhi had not yet risen. After Zhen Mi'er had lulled him to sleep the night before, she had slipped out. Returning now, she was afraid to wake him, so she sat quietly in a chair by the bed, closing her eyes to rest.

At that moment, Yibai was stretching its neck, biting the edge of the hanging quilt, and struggling to climb up with its short, chubby limbs. It failed repeatedly, and the commotion disturbed the person sleeping on the bed.

Gu Tingzhi felt a sudden tightness in his chest, as if a heavy boulder were pressing down on him, rendering him unable to move. His breathing grew rapid. He struggled to open his eyes, but he could not wake up.

In his dream, he felt he was trapped in a pitch-black stone cavern, surrounded by impenetrable mist.

He could faintly hear the sound of water dripping onto stone, a sound that seemed eerie in the silent depths. Manman was not there, and neither were his parents, his older brothers, or his little sister. He ran about, calling for them, but no one answered. Suddenly, a light flickered at the end of the darkness, and without thinking, he sprinted toward it.

"Thump..." With a sudden kick, Gu Tingzhi jolted and sat bolt upright in bed.