Gu Shiliu said, "I understand, it will be in the next two days."
Gu Jinghui’s face was as cold as frost, nodding slightly.
Gu Shiliu continued, "Shall we say Doctor Liu was trampled to death by a startled horse then?"
Gu Jinghui replied, "Be careful not to let anyone discover your movements, you can ask Doctor Li. As for Doctor Liu... see if he can say anything more. His life must end in my hands; if he hadn’t played both sides between King Jin and the Crown Prince, I would have handed him over to the Emperor for disposal."
Gu Shiliu retreated.
Gu Jinghui took out a box from a hidden compartment of the desk, staring fixedly at the needles inside, his expression cold and somber, whispering softly, "Those who harm the Gu Family, how can they expect a good end, right?"
When Gu Shiliu entered the courtyard, Doctor Li and Xiao Dong were drying herbs; Brother Qi was still lying inside the house, and his blind mother sat outside with a cane, occasionally chiming in.
"Sixteen Brother is here," as soon as he saw Gu Shiliu, Xiao Dong came up with a beaming smile, asking, "Did the Marquis give any instructions?"
Doctor Li glanced at Gu Shiliu’s expression, still squatting without standing up.
Gu Shiliu replied with a smile, "I came to ask your master something; shouldn’t you be heading to the Old Madam’s courtyard now?"
Xiao Dong also laughed, "I’m going right away, I’m quite busy these days."
Gu Shiliu liked to humor him, so he said, "You are quite industrious, being not just a little teacher to the Sixth Master in the mansion, but also to the Old Madam."
Xiao Dong thought of something and laughed heartily.
Doctor Li placed down the herbs, washed his hands with some clear water, shook them dry, then walked over, glancing at Xiao Dong’s attire, saying, "Go ahead, I think Old Madam enjoys having children around, you’ll liven things up by going."
Brother Qi’s blind mother suddenly interjected, "Xiao Dong, you mustn’t talk to Young Master Cheng, he has a violent temper, stay far away from him."
Gu Shiliu laughed awkwardly a few times.
Xiao Dong earnestly replied, "Thank you, granny, I will remember."
The blind nanny smiled, nodding, "Go ahead, don’t keep the Old Madam waiting."
Gu Shiliu pulled Doctor Li aside and whispered, "Go over there and check the pulse."
Saying this, he nodded towards Doctor Liu’s room with his chin.
Doctor Li had guessed as much and said, "Just check the pulse?"
Gu Shiliu looked somewhat troubled and said, "Of course not, but if you are unwilling, the Marquis will not force you."
Doctor Li said, "Now that I’m in this mansion, I am in the same boat as you, so be sharp in what you do. Judging from his way of speaking, he also comes from an aristocratic medical family. When his family sees the bones, they will understand what happened."
Gu Shiliu sighed, "The Marquis promised him an intact corpse; otherwise, we would have burned him long ago without so much trouble."
Doctor Li remained silent, gave a signal, and led Gu Shiliu towards the room where Doctor Liu stayed.
The servant guarding outside opened the door, and a foul stench assaulted their noses.
Doctor Li checked the pulse and, not avoiding the sick person lying on the bed, said, "The spleen and kidneys are damaged, the intestines inside the belly are rotten, if..."
Doctor Liu groaned, "...Did the Marquis still keep his promise..."
Gu Shiliu said, "The Marquis said if you can find a way to explain it clearly, since Doctor Li has exceptional medical skills, able to cure smallpox, but cannot save you, he will do as you suggest."
Doctor Li was taken aback.
Doctor Liu swallowed with difficulty, his breathing grew heavier, and a fierce light emerged in his murky eyes.
Gu Shiliu didn’t mind and continued, "Think carefully, you only have two days left; the Marquis will inform the Emperor about this. If you leave too many clues, it might endanger your family."
Although these words sounded cruel, they were not untrue.
Gu Shiliu led Doctor Li out, and Doctor Liu struggled to speak, his voice hoarse and slurred, "Is the Marquis serious?"
Gu Shiliu did not turn back, proclaiming, "Naturally, it is true. The Marquis always keeps his word; which noble in the Capital City doesn’t want a promise from my family’s Marquis? If not for your courting death, the Marquis would have befriended you, putting you everywhere first. Now like this... it’s better to die early and prevent family harm."
Doctor Liu smiled silently and bitterly.
What is the point of saying these things now?
The play is over, his part is done, set the day he stepped on the stage in makeup.
Doctor Li also felt a sense of lament.
When Xiao Dong returned, Doctor Li said, "You must remember clearly, never do something against your conscience for a small amount of money, and do not get too close with these Princes. A slight misstep could cost your head. A person’s death would be bearable, but dragging down family is the worst, like the one lying in that room."