Chapter 852: The Peasant Girl’s Splendid Manor
Chapter 852: The Bamboo Pit Viper Strikes (1)
Before Shen Ji could swing his hoe, he watched in horror as a vivid green snake, coiled on a bamboo branch, flicked its crimson tongue and, in the midst of his panicked shout, bit down on the exposed arm of an unsuspecting woman.
The snake, having delivered its bite, fell to the ground with a soft thud. Before Shen Ji could react and strike it with his hoe, the snake slithered swiftly into the thick carpet of bamboo leaves, vanishing in an instant.
Liu Tinglan felt a sharp pain in her arm and instinctively dropped her hoe. Looking down, she saw two drops of inky black blood oozing from her fair arm, a chilling contrast to her pale skin.
At that moment, Liu Tinglan didn’t realize she had been bitten by a snake. Only after wiping away the blood to reveal two tiny puncture wounds did she finally understand the source of the excruciating pain. Her face turned deathly pale as she swayed unsteadily, and Shen Ji rushed to support her with a look of utter terror.
“Miss Liu, how are you? Are... are you okay?” Shen Ji’s hands, trembling uncontrollably, held her up as his pale lips struggled to form coherent words.
Liu Tinglan’s arm quickly began to swell, the skin around the wound turning a ghastly black. Despite the panic in her heart, she was surprisingly calm. Looking at the distressed Shen Ji, she managed to speak in an almost unnervingly steady voice, “You saw it, right? It was venomous... I might—”
“Don’t say that!” Before she could finish the word "die," Shen Ji’s voice cut through her thoughts, loud and fierce, his previously gentle eyes now blazing with determination. “Don’t say that! You won’t die—I won’t let you die!”
Without hesitation, Shen Ji lowered his head. Under Liu Tinglan’s disbelieving gaze, he pressed his lips to her bleeding wound and began to suck the venom out.
“No—don’t! Brother Shen, stop! Please stop!” Liu Tinglan, who hadn’t shed a tear despite being bitten by the venomous snake, broke down the moment Shen Ji began to draw out the poison. Her heart ached as if it were being torn apart, and tears flowed uncontrollably.
The commotion quickly drew the others. Arriving in haste, they were greeted by the sight of Shen Ji spitting out dark, venom-laden blood and the glaring puncture wounds on Liu Tinglan’s arm. Without needing to ask, they immediately understood what had happened. The sudden turn of events left everyone stunned.
“Lan’er—” Madam Liu couldn’t bear the shock. Her vision blurred, and she collapsed into her husband’s arms, tears streaming down her face.
Compared to his wife, Master Liu was much calmer. Supporting his wife with one arm, he reached out with the other to pull Shen Ji away. While he was deeply concerned for his daughter’s safety, he couldn’t condone anyone risking their own life to save her. Not knowing what kind of venomous snake had bitten his daughter, he feared both lives might be lost.
Shen Ji firmly held Liu Tinglan’s arm, attempting to slow the spread of the venom. Noticing Master Liu’s intent, he raised his head, spitting out another mouthful of tainted blood. His ashen lips curled into a faint, self-deprecating smile. “Uncle, please... let Yun Jin handle this.”
Without waiting for Master Liu’s response, Shen Ji lowered his head again, pressing his blood-streaked lips to Liu Tinglan’s wound.
Master Liu froze, a realization dawning upon him. Turning quickly, he spotted Mo Yan rushing over, a water flask in hand.
“Yan girl, do you have any antidote for snake venom with you?” Master Liu asked urgently, his voice tight with worry. Everyone present knew Mo Yan had studied medicine under Master Du and carried various medicinal pills for emergencies.
“No!” Mo Yan shook her head, her expression grim. She quickly opened the flask and said to Shen Ji, “Brother Shen, I’ve mixed an antidote solution in the water. Rinse your mouth quickly, and I’ll take over treating Sister Lan.”
(End of Chapter)
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