Chapter 271 — A Pair of Twin Sisters
The Herdsman of the Wasteland · Page 3 of 5
" she cried hastily. Shen Mu wrote out a pill formula and had the imperial physicians fetch the medicines, then stretched and said with a smile, "I will not fight him. These past days, diagnosing and treating the Emperor and the Imperial Preceptor of Jingping has worn me out.
I am going back to rest.
" The Little Poison King said in a sinister tone, "I am tired too. I am going back to catch up on sleep.
As for the rest, let those quacks at the door handle it. " Ling Yuxiu looked at the Little Poison King, then said, "Cowherd, I will walk you back to the Imperial Academy. " Shen Mu hesitated, then shook his head.
"No need. You have not rested these past two days either.
" Ling Yuxiu said flatly, "I insist.
" Seeing her set on escorting him, Shen Mu could only nod.
The two waited a moment; the imperial physicians brought the medicines, and the Little Poison King sniffed hard at the fragrance of medicine in the air, but they had used too many ingredients these past days, a thousand and one kinds of spirit medicines, and the hall was filled with the mingled scents of every sort of herb, impossible to tell apart.
Shen Mu carried the medicines and walked out. Ling Yuxiu hurried after him, and the Little Poison King also walked out of the hall and followed behind the two of them. When they passed the Jade Belt River within the palace grounds, he suddenly plunged into the water with a splash and did not come up again. Ling Yuxiu looked down and gave a startled cry.
"He has fled through the water. Cowherd, could it be that he is afraid of you? " Shen Mu shook his head.
"He is not afraid of me.
He is afraid of the Empress Dowager.
" Just as he spoke, the Jade Belt River suddenly rose into the air, a great mass of water hanging across the sky, floating in midair like a giant silver-white serpent. Two palace maids came bearing lanterns; they shone the lanterns toward the river, and the flames within shot out countless rays of sword light that hissed into the Jade Belt River. "Reporting to the Empress Dowager, the man is not in the river," the two maids said, putting away their lanterns and saluting the tall building to one side. Shen Mu and Ling Yuxiu hurriedly turned to look at the terrace, where the Empress Dowager stood with several palace maids.
The Empress Dowager held one hand up as if supporting something empty, then lowered it gently. The waters of the Jade Belt River came crashing down at once, filling the channel again.
Shen Mu saluted the terrace, and the Empress Dowager smiled. "Little miracle doctor, is the Emperor's illness cured?
" "It still needs convalescence," Shen Mu said.
"In a few years he will be able to return to his full vigor.
" The Empress Dowager nodded.
"Yuxiu, take these two maids and see the little miracle doctor on his way for me.
" Ling Yuxiu smiled.
"I was just about to go back to the Imperial Academy with him.
" The Empress Dowager went into the building, and the two lantern-bearing maids followed behind Shen Mu and Ling Yuxiu. When they had left the palace, Shen Mu suddenly stopped and said to the two maids, "You can go back.
There is no need for you on the road ahead. " The two maids were twins, identical in appearance, both sharp and quick-witted.
They shook their heads in unison.
"The Empress Dowager instructed us to escort the miracle doctor back to the Imperial Academy.
" Shen Mu frowned slightly and said to Ling Yuxiu, "Little sister, go back with them. " Ling Yuxiu shook her head. "With me at your side, the Little Poison King will not dare make a move against you.
" Shen Mu sighed. "For us pill masters, there is no one we dare not poison to death. I only had to protect myself before; now I have to protect you as well, and I fear it will be a strain. " The two maids tittered.