Reborn as the Blissful Wife in the countryside Chapter 1279: Night Terrors

Adjacent to the study courtyard were two guest courtyards, each housing fully equipped guest rooms, ensuring Brother Cheng would have a comfortable recovery.

"Old Sheng, you follow and keep an eye on Brother Cheng. Don't say too much until he wakes up."

Master Ouyang, concerned for Brother Cheng, who was not yet ten years old and thus prone to early mortality, instructed Doctor Sheng to watch over him. He then handed Doctor Sheng a box from the bookshelf: "The young ones have external injuries; use alcohol to cleanse the wounds before applying the medicine."

This box contained alcohol and antiseptic medicine, gifts from Little Xiao Yu, which, when used together, proved far more effective than the wound medicine from the Capital.

"Understood," Doctor Sheng replied, accepting the box.

Gu Jin’an embraced Brother Cheng and expressed his gratitude to Master Ouyang: "Thank you, Master."

Without delay, he hurried with Brother Cheng to the adjacent guest room, taking great care not to aggravate the wounds on the boy's back.

Master Ouyang did not accompany them but sent two nannies to assist in the guest room.

Upon entering, Doctor Sheng instructed, "Young Master Gu, please lay the young man flat on the bed, remove his clothes, and allow me to wash and medicate his wounds."

Gu Jin’an complied promptly. However, Brother Cheng's injuries were severe, with torn undergarments embedded in the flesh. Gu Jin’an and Doctor Sheng carefully moistened the fabric with warm water before gently peeling it away.

Doctor Sheng meticulously cleaned Brother Cheng's back wounds with warm water and a clean cotton cloth, followed by an application of alcohol and antiseptic medicine.

Doctor Sheng announced, "It is done. Dress the young man and have him sleep in this position."

"Young Master Gu, these are clean clothes sent by the Second Old Master," a nanny offered, presenting new garments. "We don't have children's clothes here, so these are a bit large, but please have the young man make do for now."

Gu Jin’an nodded, accepting the clothes. Noticing they were soft Chouduan undergarments, he felt more at ease dressing Brother Cheng.

Wearing Chouduan undergarments would undoubtedly benefit Brother Cheng's wounds.

Gu Jin’an carefully dressed Brother Cheng, avoiding his wounded back, and then placed a hand on the boy's forehead, a frown creasing his brow: "Doctor Sheng, Brother Cheng still has a fever. Please check his pulse to ensure the fever doesn't cause confusion."

"Certainly." Doctor Sheng examined Brother Cheng's pulse and reassured him, "Young Master Gu, there is no need for concern. The young man has improved significantly. After a dose of medicine, his fever should completely subside unless unforeseen complications arise."

He had already administered acupuncture, which had considerably reduced the fever. A few more doses of medicine should suffice.

Observing Gu Jin’an's genuine worry for Brother Cheng, Doctor Sheng added, "Young Master Gu, please be assured. The young man possesses a robust constitution; although he startles easily, he can endure this."

It seemed this young man from the Gu Family had a congenital weakness, faced hardships early in life, but fortunately developed a strong constitution later, enabling him to withstand illness.

Despite the doctor's words, Gu Jin’an remained uneasy, inquiring further, "In the village, many children suffer brain damage after a high fever... My Brother Cheng will be alright, won't he?"

Doctor Sheng responded, "Young Master Gu, rest easy. The young man's high fever was managed shortly after it began, so it will not harm his brain."

Only then did Gu Jin’an exhale in relief, knowing he could never forgive himself if Brother Cheng suffered permanent harm from the fever.

Yet, just as he relaxed, he heard sobbing. Rushing to Brother Cheng's side, he found the little one lying on the bed, eyes tightly shut, tears streaming down his face, his mouth quivering with sobs; he looked profoundly distressed.

Gu Jin’an's eyes welled up. He quickly embraced Brother Cheng, gently stroking his head: "Don't cry, don't cry, big brother is here... It's big brother's fault; you shouldn't blame Brother Cheng; Cheng is a good child."

In his dazed state, Brother Cheng did not seem to hear Gu Jin’an's words, continuing to cry with his eyes closed, tears flowing, appearing truly wronged.

Witnessing this, Gu Jin’an grew alarmed and turned to Doctor Sheng for assistance: "Doctor Sheng, please save Brother Cheng!"

Gu Jin’an recalled seeing Brother Cheng in this state before, back home, after enduring severe beatings and scoldings from the Old Gu Family during the day, only to cry incessantly through the night without waking.

Doctor Sheng stated, "He is experiencing a spiritual disturbance. I will perform acupuncture to induce a deep sleep."

With that, he produces silver needles and skillfully places them on Brother Cheng, who then drifts into a deep slumber.

Though Brother Cheng slept soundly, Gu Jin’an’s eyes welled up, holding back the tears that threatened to fall... Ever since he could understand, he had vowed to shield his sisters and younger brother from any hardship; yet today, Brother Cheng had endured so much because of him.

Ah Song returns, carrying the medicinal herbs, and begins preparing the brew under the eaves.

Brewing the herbal concoction is a time-consuming process, and it takes over an hour before Brother Cheng can take the medicine.

Gu Jin’an cannot bear to delay, carefully blowing on the decoction to cool it to a drinkable temperature before diligently feeding it to Brother Cheng.

Doctor Sheng comments: "... Young Master Gu, there is no need to be in such a hurry; you can proceed at a leisurely pace."

Gu Jin’an, rather than force-feed, explains: "Feeding with a spoon results in significant loss; forcing it down ensures more is ingested and the medicinal effects will be quicker."

Doctor Sheng chooses not to argue further. After another fifteen minutes or so, Gu Jin’an prompts, "Doctor Sheng, could you please check Brother Cheng’s pulse?"

Doctor Sheng responds with a hint of weariness, "Young Master Gu, you needn’t be so anxious. The medicine requires at least an hour to begin taking effect."

Checking the pulse so prematurely would yield little information.

Nevertheless, recognizing Gu Jin’an’s profound concern for his brother, he approaches Brother Cheng, placing a hand on his forehead. "The fever has diminished further, rest assured, Young Master Gu," he reassures.

Gu Jin’an nods, his anxiety palpable as he waits, requesting Doctor Sheng to check the pulse again precisely one hour later.

Doctor Sheng, though resigned, understands the deep bond between the Gu brothers, forged through shared hardships. Their significant age difference meant the older brother took on a parental role, a fact he acknowledges, so he complies at once, checking Brother Cheng’s pulse.

He examines it carefully, realizing there is no alternative; he cannot afford to be careless, or Gu Jin’an would insist on repeated checks. "Indeed, the medicine is proving effective, aligning perfectly with the symptoms. The young man is recuperating well. Allow him to rest undisturbed, and he should awaken by tonight at the latest."

"He will awaken tonight?" Gu Jin’an glances at the brightening morning sky, his brow furrowed deeply.

Doctor Sheng clarifies, "If all goes smoothly, he could wake this morning, Young Master Gu. There is no need for worry."

Ah Song interjects, "Doctor Sheng speaks the truth; Brother An, you need not fret. Haste will not serve us. The Second Old Master has already instructed me to visit Da Feng Village after the Chen Hour to inform your parents that you two brothers will be assisting him for a few days. You need not concern yourself with your family's awareness."

Initially, Brother Cheng’s illness was not meant to be concealed from Gu Dashan and his wife. However, its cause is linked to Third Miss. With the marriage still pending, the Second Old Master prefers to keep the details from a wider audience, hence the need for discretion.