236: The truth about chronic diseases

The palace architecture of Damon Country had a hint of the ancient imperial courts of the Dragon Country.

The servant led Gu Xiaoyue toward the King's bedchamber, and she kept her eyes fixed straight ahead along the way.

Having learned some etiquette from Damon, she naturally knew to be extra careful while in the palace.

The facilities here were not overly luxurious; this was partly due to the level of development in Damon Country, and it also suggested that the old King's character was likely not tyrannical.

Gu Xiaoyue had also heard Bai Rongxuan talk about how, due to the economic situation in Damon Country, much of the talent had been lost.

They left their homes to earn money in developed countries like the Dragon Country, Lijian Country, and Yanyang Country.

This resulted in Damon Country's overall economy lagging behind developed nations. Furthermore, the King was old, and there were times when he truly could not see things clearly, causing him to miss many good opportunities.

While lost in thought, Gu Xiaoyue arrived at the entrance of the old King's bedchamber.

The servant went to announce her, and Steward Shi immediately came to the door to receive her.

Perhaps because Steward Shi had heard Prince Yi address Gu Xiaoyue as "Mr.," he had assumed she was an older Beastmaster specializing in healing.

He hadn't expected her to be just a girl of merely twenty years old.

Steward Shi pushed up his glasses, his eyes revealing a barely perceptible trace of disappointment and contempt.

He nodded at the servants, signaling them to leave, before speaking to Gu Xiaoyue.

"Mr. Gu, right? Follow me."

Gu Xiaoyue obediently followed him to the King's bedside.

The old King was already over seventy. Due to the torment of his illness, he lacked energy; his eye sockets were deeply sunken, and he had huge dark circles under his eyes.

It was likely that not only was his daily life inconvenient, but his body was in pain even while sleeping, making it impossible for him to rest peacefully.

Sick people are advised against overexertion. It was fortunate that his sons and grandsons could share more of the burden of Damon Country's affairs; otherwise, he might not have lasted until now.

"Hmm?" The old King, Bai Yu Kang, asked skeptically, "This is Mr. Gu?"

Clearly, he had only heard of Mr. Gu's great reputation and had not anticipated Gu Xiaoyue's true identity.

Steward Shi quickly replied, "Prince Yi sent her personally, so I'm afraid there is no mistake—"

Although he said this, a layer of fine sweat broke out on his forehead.

Bai Yu Kang let out a muffled grunt. Gu Xiaoyue immediately knelt on one knee to pay her respects.

Now that she had entered the palace, she couldn't say she wasn't capable. She had to bite the bullet and try, hoping that Water Therapy would have some effect.

As for medical arts, Gu Xiaoyue knew absolutely nothing. Previously, she had only used Xiao Lan's Water Therapy to treat external wounds or to detoxify and treat burns for her pet beasts.

If the old King had a serious illness, she wasn't entirely confident, but she could at least temporarily alleviate the pain.

"Your subject, Gu Li, heard that Your Majesty was suffering from illness and came specifically to relieve your urgent distress!"

"Hmm, come then—" Bai Yu Kang didn't seem to hold much hope, sighing almost inaudibly.

Gu Xiaoyue glanced at Steward Shi and the few maids serving the King, gritted her teeth, and thought, "Go for it!"

She extended her right hand, and a tennis ball-sized, deep blue water orb gradually condensed in her palm.

With a thought, the water orb instantly transformed into countless fine threads of water, which began to dance around Bai Yu Kang.

After about half an hour, the water threads flew back to Gu Xiaoyue's palm and re-condensed into a water orb.

Unlike the previous deep blue, it had turned dark red, and even somewhat black.

This was—a symptom of poisoning!

So the King had been bedridden because someone had poisoned him!

Bai Yu Kang let out another muffled grunt. Unlike the previous one, which was suppressing pain, this grunt actually carried a hint of relief.

However, Steward Shi didn't seem to notice and asked anxiously.

"Your Majesty, is it hurting more? Someone, come! Seize this quack doctor for me!"

As soon as Steward Shi finished speaking, several burly guards suddenly rushed in.

They held their weapons and surrounded Gu Xiaoyue.

Gu Xiaoyue swept her gaze around, tilted her right hand slightly, and the water orb hit the ground with a splat.

"The King hasn't spoken yet, yet a Steward is already issuing orders on his behalf?"

A cold glint flashed in Gu Xiaoyue's eyes; her sharp aura intimidated everyone, preventing them from acting rashly.

Seeing that the guards didn't move and allowed Gu Xiaoyue to speak back to him, Steward Shi immediately stamped his foot and ordered angrily.

"Why are you all just standing there? His Majesty is unwell; do my words no longer carry weight?!"

Just as the guards' broadswords were about to be placed against Gu Xiaoyue's neck, Bai Yu Kang, on the bed, finally intervened in a deep voice.

"Stop!"

As soon as he spoke, Bai Yu Kang slowly sat up on his own.

Steward Shi was surprised by his actions. For the past two months, whenever His Majesty wanted to sit up or lie down, he had relied on the assistance of him and the maids.

"Little Shi, you've been with me for so many years, yet you are still so impatient!"

There was no harsh reprimand in Bai Yu Kang's tone for Steward Shi's overstepping; instead, it carried a touch of indulgence.

He waved his hand, and the guards immediately understood and retreated from the bedchamber.

"Mr. Gu Li, you have been startled. Little Shi misunderstood the situation; please do not take offense."

Seeing Gu Xiaoyue still half-kneeling on the floor, Bai Yu Kang said, "Get up quickly. Little Shi, make the arrangements."

"Yes, yes, this servant will arrange it immediately!"

Steward Shi was hunched over, his back bent almost to the ground.

He had indeed overstepped, and fortunately, Bai Yu Kang did not blame him.

He backed away, and Gu Xiaoyue also stood up and followed Steward Shi.

Just as she stood up, her knees felt sore and weak, and she stumbled, almost losing her balance.

With a flick of her fingertip, a ping-pong ball-sized water orb turned into water threads and wrapped around her knees.

"Mr. Gu, you will stay at the Zunyi Pavilion for the next few days. Rest early today and wait for the summons tomorrow!"

The Zunyi Pavilion was the place Bai Yu Kang had specifically arranged for the healers treating him, not far from his bedchamber.

After giving instructions, Steward Shi went back to serve Bai Yu Kang without even arranging a maid for Gu Xiaoyue.

Gu Xiaoyue certainly knew he still didn't trust her, and she was happy to be comfortable without a maid.

It wasn't as if she didn't have hands or feet, was unable to care for herself, or was used to having people serve her.

How would that be any different from arranging a spy to watch her?

Bai Yu Kang himself felt much lighter, had some appetite and energy, and even ate a few extra bites at dinner.

Yet Steward Shi remained convinced that this was all a coincidence and definitely not Gu Xiaoyue's merit!

But verbally, he kept muttering, "Thanks to Mr. Gu, His Majesty's body has indeed improved quite a bit! You will soon be fully recovered and as vigorous as before!"

Steward Shi actually choked up toward the end; His Majesty had been bedridden for over half a year, and he had been the one serving him the whole time.

He had watched helplessly as His Majesty went from being full of spirit to becoming increasingly emaciated, and even to his current state of looking like a withered husk.

Bai Yu Kang also seemed to develop a glimmer of hope. Could he really be fully recovered?

He slowly exhaled a breath of stale air and said, "I still feel tired after sitting for so long."

He lay back down on his own, and before long, he fell into a deep sleep.