Gu Youyou nodded gently, struggling to suppress a smile.
Upon closing the door, Gu Youyou finally let out a laugh.
Seeing Tian Jizi deep in sleep, she quickly covered her mouth and lowered her voice, "Your master’s condition is one of elderly dementia, incurable, with only the possibility to delay the worsening of his symptoms."
Jin Zijin sighed and looked at Gu Youyou earnestly, "Do you really think I asked you to come here to treat the old man’s illness?"
"Huh?" Gu Youyou paused, taken aback.
Jin Zijin glanced at Tian Jizi on the bed, "At my master’s age, it’s better for him not to have to worry. He’s happier this way, even if it means his disciples suffer a little. That’s fine."
"Oh, worry?" Gu Youyou was somewhat perplexed.
It was the first time she had encountered a patient’s family who thought it was better for the patient to be foolish, believing in the luck of the foolish.
"He has toiled his whole life for the Dao Family, for Tianzong, for this world, for us..." Jin Zijin grew more passionate as he spoke, realizing his emotions were getting the better of him, he stopped, took the seat previously occupied by Yixi, and began to fan Tian Jizi gently.
His expression grew heavy, and he suddenly let out a bitter laugh, "Protecting us all and safeguarding Qi Mountain as impregnable was not easy. The current State Preceptor is more ruthless than his predecessors; he would even disregard the agreements made by our ancestors and target the heirs of Tianzong. The previous senior brother died under dubious circumstances!"
Gu Youyou was taken aback by surprise, her gaze shifting to Jin Zijin in astonishment.
Jin Zijin said, "Don’t worry, I won’t be so easily..."
"Cough, cough..." Jin Zijin was speaking when suddenly, the sleeping Tian Jizi’s cough startled him awake.
Gu Youyou hurried over to check on him, intending to take his pulse, but he simply turned over and continued sleeping.
Jin Zijin sighed, "Let him sleep for a bit, let’s go outside first."
Gu Youyou nodded and followed Jin Zijin to Qianyuan Hall.
After dismissing everyone around Qianyuan Hall, Jin Zijin said to Gu Youyou, "Prepare more of the Elixir Pills we use in the coming days, as you may need to leave Beijing for a while."
"Leave Beijing?" Gu Youyou asked in surprise, "Why?"
Jin Zijin said, "Don’t ask why, just do it."
Seeing his serious and stern demeanor, Gu Youyou did not press further.
Jin Zijin replied, "You’ll accompany my master to Qi Mountain. Say... his body needs a long period of quiet recuperation, and in a few days, the master will insist on returning to Qi Mountain. As his doctor, you have no choice but to accompany him."
Seeing his grave manner, Gu Youyou began to feel a vague sense of worry.
She said, "Has something happened, or is something big about to happen?"
"Perhaps!" Jin Zijin sighed, "Or maybe nothing will happen at all. Qi Mountain is the safest place in the world. I wouldn’t feel at ease anywhere else."
Gu Youyou wanted to ask more but couldn’t bring herself to do it, saying only, "Then you be extra careful." She paused, then added, "I don’t have the medicinal ingredients I need here. I’ll write out a prescription, and you can have someone get it from Jisheng Hall."
"Also, without me returning, my uncle and the rest will definitely be worried to death, you..."
"Don’t worry, I will explain it to them."
"And another thing!" Gu Youyou remembered that the eunuch who had previously warned her in the palace was likely Jin Zijin’s man.
Since he had already positioned his people in the palace, they would certainly be able to lend a hand.