Staring at the few pieces of silver left in his bag, Zheng Xiu was suddenly overcome with nostalgia for his former life of wealth. He laughed at himself. 'To think I'd see the day I was worried about money.'
"Lady Gongsun has unfortunately caught a chill. It's a good thing you came in time, or the consequences would have been dire."
After taking Xiaotao's pulse, the old Physician delivered his customary scare tactic, prescribed several packets of herbs for decoction, and explained in detail how to prepare the medicine.
Zheng Xiu pushed open the paper window and borrowed a stove and a clay pot from the inn. Before long, the unpleasant smell of herbal medicine filled the room.
After giving Xiaotao her medicine, she muttered a few words and fell back to sleep.
By now, Zheng Xiu was utterly exhausted. He slumped over the side of the bed, his eyelids heavy, and drifted off to sleep.
As he drifted in and out of sleep, Zheng Xiu felt someone touching his nose.
