"I am vicious? Miss Xu, perhaps your understanding of that word is not thorough enough. I merely echoed what you said, how is that vicious?" Luo Wanqing scoffed.
Xu Miaoniang snorted and turned her head away.
Now that the Old Madam knew of Xu Miaoniang's actions, Luo Wanqing was impatient to say more to her and urged, "Hurry and remove the蛊虫 (gu worm) from the Old Madam! Although the Old Madam said she wouldn't pursue it, it doesn't mean you're in the clear. After dealing with the Old Madam, there's still Gu Qing."
Xu Miaoniang wanted to say something defiant, but looking at Luo Wanqing's unfriendly gaze and recalling her recent experience… at this moment, the most rational course of action was to obey them completely.
It was very convenient for the one who placed the蛊虫 (gu worm) to remove it. Xu Miaoniang didn't even need to get close; the Old Madam coughed up a ball of blood.
Upon closer inspection, the blood contained countless wriggling, tiny worms, densely packed, making it incredibly disgusting.
Even Luo Wanqing, who had witnessed many scenes of bloodshed, couldn't help but feel her hair stand on end at the sight.
The Old Madam's spirit and energy instantly waned, her face frighteningly pale. Gu Sinian quickly stepped forward to support her, while Luo Wanqing, suppressing her nausea, poured a bottle of solution onto the蛊虫 (gu worms). Only when the tiny worms dissolved into liquid did she breathe a sigh of relief.
The Old Madam struggled to speak, "Go and remove the蛊虫 (gu worm) from Gu Qing, then leave. Do not appear before me again. I hope you will conduct yourself properly, using your medical skills to save people, not your蛊术 (gu techniques) to harm them. Anian, since she saved Grandmother, do not make things difficult for her. Consider it my plea to you."
"As long as she doesn't harbor ill intentions towards those around me from now on and doesn't use her蛊术 (gu techniques) to harm others, I will let her go," Gu Sinian said without hesitation.
"You heard what Anian said, didn't you?" The Old Madam looked deeply at Xu Miaoniang, "I hope you remember."
With that, the Old Madam walked unsteadily towards the inner chambers, her once robust body appearing somewhat stooped.
"Let's go," Luo Wanqing nudged Xu Miaoniang, who was staring blankly at the Old Madam's retreating figure. "Feeling upset? If you knew this would happen, why did you do it in the first place? If you had honestly stayed by the Old Madam's side, would she have treated you poorly? You stumbled and ended up like this; it's only because the Old Madam remembers your past acquaintance that she isn't holding you accountable! Stop thinking about pointless things!"
Xu Miaoniang opened her mouth, but nothing came out. She appeared dejected.
After leaving Yanyuan Courtyard, Gu Sinian called for someone, and soon, Gu Qing was brought over.
Gu Qing was now so thin that his skin clung to his bones, looking utterly gaunt.
Without waiting for Gu Sinian or Luo Wanqing to urge her, Xu Miaoniang silently removed the蛊虫 (gu worms) from Gu Qing, just as she had done for Gu Sinian.
Luo Wanqing stepped forward to examine him, and after confirming the蛊虫 (gu worms) were removed, she nodded at Gu Sinian and then administered several acupuncture needles to Gu Qing.
Gu Qing's eyelids fluttered, and he soon opened his eyes. His gaze was somewhat strange, as if he didn't recognize Gu Sinian.
"Gu Qing? How do you feel?" Gu Sinian asked.
Gu Qing blinked several times, and his gaze gradually returned to normal. "Young Master? You're awake? What happened to me? It's like I've been asleep for a long time. Why is my arm so weak?"
It seemed Gu Qing's memory was stuck at the time Gu Sinian was injured, and he had no recollection of his subsequent manic behavior.
"You have a good constitution; a period of rest and recuperation will help you recover," Luo Wanqing said after a thorough examination.
Gu Qing was bewildered. He stared at his hands, which were as thin as claws, unable to comprehend what had happened. Although he wasn't overweight before, he was quite robust. How had he become like this?