Chapter 11: and

Within a few breaths, the pill took effect. He-shi’s eyes gradually turned frantic, as if she were being controlled by something, trembling incessantly and shouting incoherently.

"You damned lowly peasants, you deserve to be trampled under my feet; you aren't even fit to lick the soles of my shoes."

"I am about to become a high and mighty Princess Consort, hahaha! I am above all others, and everyone must obey me."

"My dowry, so much gold and silver jewelry—they are all my treasures! None of you are allowed to snatch them."

"I am a Princess Consort! You are all jealous of me, you killed me! Even as a ghost, I won't let you off!"

He-shi acted as if she were truly possessed by a ghost, pacing around the courtyard and pointing at the villagers watching from outside, repeating these words over and over.

When she turned toward the handsome Daoist, she suddenly stopped, stared at him intently for a moment, and then lunged at him with a swoosh, clawing and pulling at him with both hands and feet.

The handsome Daoist was caught off guard and knocked down. The few flashy, superficial moves he had learned were of no use against the crazed He-shi.

Before long, the handsome Daoist’s hair was pulled loose, his face was scratched up, and his Daoist robe was in tatters, looking like a delicate flower that had just weathered a storm.

After unleashing such astonishing strength, He-shi’s body became extremely exhausted and limp. She sat on top of the handsome Daoist, panting like an ox.

The scene was eerie and quiet; everyone stared at the two in the courtyard with faces full of astonishment.

Xie Qingli pursed her lips. *Hmm, it seems this hallucinogenic pill still needs improvement. Otherwise, if it’s accidentally used on someone with high martial arts skills, they might suddenly go mad and unleash powerful force, which could easily end up hurting our own people. It seems this medicine should be used with caution.*

The little Daoist boy was very depressed. He truly regretted following this Fifth Senior Brother, who only knew how to pose and preen all day and was useless when encountering a tough situation. What now? What other magical artifacts were available?

The handsome Daoist felt life was meaningless. Having been grabbed and touched by this disgusting village woman possessed by a fierce ghost, he felt his hope for life had vanished and the world had lost its color. He was no longer worthy of coveting the beautiful and gentle eldest young lady of the Liu residence.

After a while, He-shi’s mind gradually cleared. She felt something soft beneath her buttocks, and looking down, she saw a handsome face with a hint of shattered beauty. This made her heart flutter even more!

"Daoist, what are we doing? How did we end up here..." He-shi wanted to lower her voice and speak in a coquettish, delicate manner, but her throat felt as if it had been cut by a knife. The sound that came out was hoarse and unpleasant, like that of a centenarian woman.

He-shi had no memory of her madness just now. She didn't know what was wrong with her throat and was startled. Could it be that Song Wenxiu’s ghost was playing tricks?

She hurriedly stood up. No, she didn't want such a hideous voice; she didn't want to be possessed by Song Wenxiu’s ghost. That’s right, the Daoist must have powerful artifacts to suppress it.

The little Daoist boy picked up the stack of talismans He-shi had thrown on the ground while she was raving and examined them carefully. He had once been lucky enough to accompany the temple master during two rituals. Every time the master pointed his finger, the talismans would ignite. Perhaps they only worked if they were burned?

The little Daoist boy took out a fire starter, lit the stack of talismans, and threw them at He-shi. He-shi’s outer garment caught fire immediately, but she hadn't noticed yet and was walking excitedly toward the handsome Daoist.

The handsome Daoist had just managed to stand up and tidy his appearance when He-shi suddenly lunged over, grabbed his hand, and said urgently, "Daoist, please, save me! I..."

Before He-shi could finish, she suddenly noticed her burning clothes. In a panic, she didn't know what to do, stomping her feet and screaming for the Daoist to save her.

The handsome Daoist didn't want any more contact with her, let alone save her, so he turned and ran. But He-shi clung to him as her last straw, and in the struggle, the handsome Daoist’s back robe caught fire as well.

The handsome Daoist finally broke free from He-shi and swung his horsetail whisk behind him, trying to put out the fire. To his dismay, the whisk caught fire too, and as he swung it around, his own handsome hair was also caught in the blaze.

The two people, both on fire, scurried around the courtyard in a panic, neither knowing how to extinguish the flames.

Seeing that the small courtyard was about to burn down—and needing this place to stay for the time being—Xie Qingli hurried to the kitchen, brought out several basins of water, and doused the two of them, instantly putting out the fire.

The handsome Daoist now looked exactly like a plucked, drowned chicken. He glared at the young girl before him with growing hatred; all of today’s events were caused by this wretched girl. Even worse, the task for Imperial Physician Xue had not been completed, and the consequences were imaginable...

The handsome Daoist shouted, "Evil creature, prepare to die!" As he spoke, he pointed his horsetail whisk at Xie Qingli. But the whisk had been burned down to a bare stick, making the gesture look exceptionally ridiculous.

The watching villagers burst into loud laughter that lasted for a long time.

The handsome Daoist could no longer keep up the act. With a livid face, he fled outside. His signature reputation was ruined; it was a disgrace for a lifetime. He would definitely avenge today’s humiliation in the future!

He-shi hurriedly chased after the Daoist, determined to have him exorcise Song Wenxiu’s ghost—she was so scared!

The little Daoist boy shook his head helplessly, gave Xie Qingli an awkward smile, quickly cleaned up the remaining mess, and chased after the handsome Daoist.

With the instigators gone and no more spectacle to watch, the villagers gradually dispersed.

The villagers discussed it among themselves. In everyone’s eyes, the Lingxiao Temple had been like a celestial palace, and the Daoists within were powerful figures like heavenly deities. Seeing them today, well, they were nothing but "embroidered pillows"—not even as reliable as the rascals in the village.

...

Luming County, Zhang Residence.

Zhang Shouan had not woken up since he fell asleep yesterday, and Master Zhang and his wife were very worried.

After the commotion caused by Imperial Physician Xue, Master Zhang had guessed that the person who cured Zhang Shouan was Xie Qingli. However, since Xie Qingli had let Hu Er come forward, she must have had her own considerations, so he still invited both Xie Qingli and Hu Er.

At the first light of dawn, Master Zhang had sent servants to fetch them, but it was now nearly noon and they hadn't returned. Worried that something had happened, he sent others to meet them.

About the time it takes for an incense stick to burn, Xie Qingli and Hu Er finally arrived in a hurry.

Seeing Master Zhang’s anxious expression, Xie Qingli quickly bowed and apologized: "Master Zhang, something urgent came up at home that needed handling, causing a delay. I hope you will forgive me."

Master Zhang had no time to dwell on it and hurriedly led the two to Zhang Shouan’s bedroom, where Madam Zhang was sitting by the bed, weeping silently.

Xie Qingli stepped forward to check his pulse and smiled: "Master Zhang and Madam Zhang, there is no need to worry. Young Master Zhang is sleep-deprived and is currently just catching up on his rest. He should wake up in about an hour."

Madam Zhang was puzzled: "Shouan has been in a coma for over half a month, why would he be sleep-deprived?"

Xie Qingli explained: "Although Young Master Zhang was in a coma before, his consciousness was clear, and he could feel the pain in his body, so his sleep was not restful. Now that the pain has dissipated, he will naturally sleep longer."

About an hour later, Zhang Shouan indeed woke up. He had slept soundly, his complexion was rosy, his spirits were excellent, and he ate more than usual, much to Madam Zhang’s delight.

When they learned that from now on Zhang Shouan only needed to take medicine on time and receive acupuncture once a month, and would be fully recovered within a year, Madam Zhang wept tears of joy...