Sure enough, before long, Murong Fu frowned and said, "Young Master Song's meridians have indeed suffered... severe damage... Did the Medicine King truly say that Star Shifting could treat Young Master Song? Perhaps I am simply lacking in talent, but after practicing Star Shifting for twenty years, I never knew it could reconnect meridians."
Song Qingshu was greatly disappointed at once, and Madam Hu also looked pained. She could not help saying, "Since Young Master Murong has no solution, I must accompany Brother Song elsewhere to try our luck. I fear we cannot remain here."
"Sister-in-law, there is no need. Now that this last hope has been cut off, I can finally give up completely. It will be more convenient for you to remain here and investigate Murong Jingyue." Song Qingshu's voice was full of sorrow and reluctance. Since the trip to Yanziwu could not heal his injuries, he could only leave.
Although he could stay here with Madam Hu and live out a peaceful life, Zhou Zhiruo was still a Sword of Damocles hanging over his head. Before she came looking for him, he had to build up more strength.
Now that there was no hope of learning martial arts, it seemed the only path left was to enter officialdom. Song Qingshu's thoughts raced. Among all the powers in the world today, whom should he seek refuge with...
Seeing Madam Hu poised to leave with Song Qingshu, Murong Fu grew anxious. He suddenly thought of a way and hurriedly said, "You need not worry. I seem to have recalled a method that might treat Young Master Song's meridians."
Song Qingshu gave him a flat look. To be honest, after going from hope to disappointment, then hope again, and finally despair over treating his meridians... he felt that life's wild ups and downs were truly too thrilling. By now, he was numb to every possible treatment.
"I hope Young Master Murong will enlighten us." Madam Hu, standing nearby, was clearly far more eager than he was.
"I have a cousin who is well versed in all the martial arts under heaven." A trace of tenderness flashed through Murong Fu's eyes, though it was swiftly replaced by resolve. "A few years ago, when she and I were discussing the Internal Energy of various sects, she seemed to mention one art with the power to revive the dead and regrow flesh upon bones. It should be able to treat Young Master Song's injuries..."
"Wang Yuyan?" Song Qingshu immediately became interested. How had he forgotten about that beautiful young Grandmaster of Martial Arts who knew not the slightest martial art? If she had truly said so, there might really be hope. He asked excitedly, "Young Master Murong, what kind of Internal Energy is it?"
Murong Fu's expression immediately became rather awkward. "I forgot..."
Back then, Murong Fu had not believed in that martial art at all and had dismissed it with scorn. Why would he have bothered remembering its name? If Song Qingshu's symptoms had not reminded him, and if he had not been desperately trying to keep Madam Hu here, he would never have suddenly recalled this anecdote.
Seeing the strange looks on their faces, Murong Fu quickly added, "But my cousin will certainly remember."
"Is Young Master Murong's cousin at the residence?" Madam Hu seemed even more nervous than Song Qingshu at this moment.
"My cousin is at Mantuo Mountain Villa, some distance from here. It is already late, so why not stay at my residence for the night? Tomorrow, we can go see my cousin together." Murong Fu kept thinking about how he could persuade Madam Hu to stay here.
"Thank you for your trouble, Young Master." Madam Hu could not press him too hard, so she could only curtsy in thanks.
"A Bi, go and have the food and wine prepared. Where is A Zhu?" Murong Fu turned and gave his orders.
"Sister A Zhu heard that Young Master had guests and went to the kitchen long ago to prepare the food and wine." A Bi smiled gently, curtsied, and withdrew. "This servant will go help Sister A Zhu."
"Young Master Murong is truly fortunate to have such a pair of beautiful maidservants." Song Qingshu sighed sincerely.
Murong Fu smiled faintly without responding. Madam Hu shot him a look, thinking, Uncle really has no restraint with his words. Who praises another man's chamber attendants like that?
Only when he saw their odd expressions did Song Qingshu realize that he had said something inappropriate. As a modern man, he was used to women making jokes even cruder than men, and complimenting someone's beauty was a common way to build rapport. He had not expected that tactic to be unsuitable in ancient times.
"Young Master, honored guests have arrived today. What joyous news, what joyous news!" A burst of hearty laughter came from outside as four men dressed like household retainers entered together.
"So these are the Four Manor Lords under Gusu Murong. Forgive my disrespect!" Song Qingshu rose and bowed to them, while inwardly wondering whether their martial arts were as pathetic as in the television dramas or nearly first-rate among the martial world as in the books.
When they saw that he had not called them Murong Family retainers, the four immediately took a liking to him and pulled him into a barrage of questions.
"Young Master, the food and wine are ready. Please take your seats." While Song Qingshu was dealing with those few rough men, a sweet fragrance suddenly wafted over. For an instant, he thought a modern woman had also traveled through time. The familiar scent of rose perfume nearly brought tears to his eyes.
Turning around, he saw a petite and delicate young girl in red, pretty and charming. Song Qingshu asked excitedly, "Do you know Jin Yong?"
The girl in red was clearly startled by him. She furtively glanced at Murong Fu and answered timidly, "Young Master, have you mistaken me for someone else?"
Seeing her baffled expression, Song Qingshu knew he had overthought it. He smiled and said, "Is that rose perfume you have sprinkled on yourself?"
The girl in red's eyes lit up, as though she had met a kindred spirit. "Yes, yes! Young Master, do you also know about floral essences? This is Rose Dew that I made myself..."
"A Zhu, stop fooling around." Murong Fu gave a light cough from the side.
A Zhu stuck out her tongue adorably, then hurriedly joined A Bi in arranging the dining table.
Song Qingshu felt somewhat dazed. Just how far had the plot of Demi-Gods and Semi-Devils progressed? From the looks of it, it seemed not to have begun yet. Then why had Qiao Feng already become the Great King of the Southern Courtyard of the Liao Country? Still, considering that he himself had traveled here from the modern world, such deviations were not so hard to understand.
After dinner, A Zhu and A Bi led the two of them separately to their guest rooms. A Zhu seemed hesitant to speak along the way, and Song Qingshu asked with amusement, "Miss A Zhu, what is it you wish to say?"
A Zhu's dark eyes rolled as she giggled. "Young Master is a man, so why are you so knowledgeable about such little things women use?"
"You mean Rose Dew?" Song Qingshu laughed. Back then, he had been familiar with the scents of every kind of Chanel and Dior perfume. Handling a little girl was hardly difficult.
"Mhm, mhm, mhm~" A Zhu nodded repeatedly.
"Miss A Zhu, although I find your Rose Dew elegant and refined, the scent does not seem to last very long." Song Qingshu's heart stirred as he thought of one of A Zhu's heaven-defying talents, and he immediately formed a plan.
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