Chapter Sixteen: The Venom of the Golden Ringed Snake

On the opposite side sat a man named Huai’an, his long raven-black hair tied up with a jade crown, a dragon-patterned jade ring hanging naturally at his waist. He wore an embroidered crane and cloud robe beneath a dark black wide-sleeved coat. His bone structure was sharp and profound, his peach blossom eyes shimmering with a lingering frost. At this moment, without even the leisure to look up, he remarked, “Noisy!”

Outside the Herbal Hall, Lin Zhaozhao held a silver needle, still somewhat nervous until she realized that this body possessed surprisingly good constitution, and her hand was steady as she inserted the needle. Hastily, she pushed the silver needle into an acupoint to prevent the snake venom from spreading to the heart meridian.

After sealing off the venom, she lit some white liquor and sterilized a surgical knife by placing it over the flame. Then, at the man’s arm, centered on the wound, she made a cross-shaped incision deep beneath the skin. She lifted her hand and repeatedly squeezed from the area near the heart toward the wound, forcing the venom out through the cross-shaped cut.

The blackened blood mixed with flesh was squeezed out in a heart-wrenching and terrifying manner, causing the surrounding guards to be on edge, each wishing they could bear the suffering in place of their young lord.

“How long must we keep pressing?”

“Until fresh blood flows.”

Lin Zhaozhao was exhausted from the pressing. Once finished, she took clean water from the young apothecary to rinse the young lord’s wound several times. Turning to the man behind her, she asked, “Do you know what kind of snake bit him?”

“I saw the snake had ringed patterns, yellow and black alternating. It must be a banded krait!”

The banded krait is a neurotoxic snake species, containing both neurotoxin and cardiotoxin. If not treated promptly, it leads to respiratory paralysis and circulatory failure, resulting in death.

Lin Zhaozhao contemplated the herbal formula taught by the old man, then said, “Stay right where you are. I’ll fetch some medicine from the apothecary and be back soon.”

Fortunately, the young lord’s poisoning was not too severe, and Lin Zhaozhao could still save him with the skills she learned from the old man. However, the few subordinates outside the door did not fully trust her; they looked toward their master and said, “Perhaps we should take the young lord to the Rejuvenation Hall?”

“This girl looks too young... I fear…”

“Yes, sir. If the young lord dies because of him, how will we explain it to our superiors?”

“Indeed, sir. We should hurry; maybe the young lord still has a chance!”

The man could hardly resist their suggestion, but looking at the still unconscious young lord, he feared the rough journey might accelerate the venom’s spread to the heart.

Moreover, “Though this girl is young, she seems composed under pressure and dresses with dignity. She wouldn’t help without full confidence!”

The subordinates wanted to argue further but saw his firm attitude and sighed in resignation. Fortunately, Lin Zhaozhao returned swiftly, and the young apothecary applied the crushed herbs to the wound. She also instructed the man to mash some yarrow and mix it with water to feed to the young lord.

Perhaps sensing his injury, even in his unconscious state, the young lord cooperated, sipping the medicine little by little. After this treatment, the bluish-purple discoloration on his lips and arm gradually faded, turning redder.

“Is it working? My heavens, she truly is a divine healer!”

Lin Zhaozhao waved her hand modestly. “You flatter me.”

She added, “Judging from his complexion, the toxins inside should be mostly purged. Follow the herbal formula I took; brew it and have him take it for seven or eight days. He should be out of danger then.”

“What does ‘out of danger’ mean exactly?” one subconsciously asked. “Does it mean he won’t be paralyzed or left confused and foolish?”

“Yes. Didn’t you say I’m a divine healer? The banded krait venom isn’t as terrifying as you thought. With the right medicine, it can be completely cured!”

No sooner had she spoken than the previously unconscious young lord suddenly murmured weakly, “My arm hurts…”

“He’s speaking?”

Everyone present was startled, incredulously staring at him.

The leading man was the first to react. “Young lord, are you awake? Do you feel unwell anywhere? How do you feel now?”

Still somewhat dazed but much less deep in unconsciousness, the young lord mumbled, “Arm… hurts…”

His words instantly revived the onlookers’ expressions. One after another, they exclaimed,

“He knows pain and can speak! That means he’s cured!”

“This little girl looks like a weak sprout—clumsy, adorable, inexperienced—but who would have thought she has such formidable medical skills?”

“Indeed, one should not judge by appearances.”

“I’ve been ill for years and never seen any doctor revive someone so deeply poisoned by snake venom!”

“Could she be the daughter of an imperial physician?”

Even the young apothecary looked at Lin Zhaozhao with great admiration. Last year, his master treated a snakebite patient who was also unconscious upon arrival. Despite several injections, the patient did not survive.

Fortunately, the Herbal Hall also ran a mortuary business on the side.

Unexpectedly, this young girl was more skilled than his master!

At this moment, with her veil concealing her face except for a pair of beautiful eyes, her aloof and solitary demeanor seemed as though the praise was not meant for her.

The lead man poured a little water into the young lord’s mouth and hastily took out a few silver notes.

“A small token, no great respect!”

“Know this isn’t enough? Add another thousand taels!”

“Ah?”

Lin Zhaozhao was taken aback, having inadvertently voiced her true feelings. She quickly grabbed the silver and explained,

“What I mean is, a healer’s heart is benevolent. I do good not for silver! What you’re doing is inappropriate!”

The man’s mouth twitched, thinking if she hadn’t taken the money so decisively, he wouldn’t have guessed she was so fond of wealth!

Heh heh!

Wasn’t she plagued by poverty in her past life, now eager to earn silver to buy gold in this one?

Yet ideals are lofty, reality harsh.

Suddenly, a sharp whistling sound pierced the air.

She instinctively turned her head.

An arrow shot swiftly toward her face.

At that moment, the arrow was only 0.01 centimeters from her forehead, and Lin Zhaozhao’s mind raced—

It’s over, it’s over!

In her previous life, she helped an old lady cross the street, and now, just as she finally does a good deed, it turns out good people don’t live long, and misfortune lingers for a thousand years!

“Heaven is determined to destroy me, Lin Zhaozhao!”