The atmosphere at home was a bit somber due to Wei Niang's departure, and even the usually boisterous and playful Shen Zhiyu became well-behaved.
Li Yue Shu didn't make as many delicious dishes as she used to during her days off, opting for simple home-style cooking instead.
This low mood persisted for a few days before everyone's spirits slowly recovered, and their attention shifted to another matter: Zhang Lao San's execution date was fast approaching.
Li Yue Shu planned to perform the surgery on the day of the execution and made all necessary preparations in advance.
Although the surgery would take place in her space, post-operative recovery still required external care.
Li Yue Shu enlisted the help of Shen Tan and six others to thoroughly disinfect and sterilize Mo Mu's room, striving to meet modern standards.
Upon hearing about the surgery, Mo Lian and Shen Yi Min, brothers, specifically requested leave from their academy to return.
Having lived together for so long, they already considered Mo Lian and his mother as family, and naturally, they had to return for such an important event.
Li Yue Shu untied the rope of the ox cart and looked back at the milling crowd. "I'll go to the county office to oversee things. After the execution, I'll bring back the lungs. You must not enter Aunt Mo's room."
Mo Lian nodded firmly, then asked with concern, "Madam, would you like me to go with you?"
Li Yue Shu shook her head. "I can manage alone, and it will be faster."
Seeing this, Mo Lian naturally did not insist further.
Li Yue Shu skillfully boarded the ox cart. Before leaving, she suddenly looked back at Shen Wei.
The latter wore a smile, his gaze towards her filled with the usual dependence.
Li Yue Shu said nothing and drove the ox cart away, a hint of a doubt subtly rising in her heart.
...
By the time Li Yue Shu arrived at the county office, Doctor Chen and the county magistrate were already waiting.
"Yue Shu, Zhang Lao San has already been escorted to the execution grounds. The execution is about to commence," Doctor Chen said, hurrying forward. "I thought you were running late and was about to send someone to look for you!"
Li Yue Shu handed the rope in her hand to a nearby yamen runner. "Apologies, I was checking on Aunt Mo's condition before leaving, which caused a slight delay."
The county magistrate also approached. "Can the surgery still be performed?"
Li Yue Shu nodded. "Let's head to the execution grounds first."
The three of them arrived at the execution grounds together, where a crowd of onlookers had already gathered.
Zhang Lao San, bound and kneeling on the platform, had a look of composure on his face, as if he weren't about to face death.
He even managed a calm smile and nod at Li Yue Shu when he saw her.
Li Yue Shu returned the nod, feeling a sense of heaviness in her heart.
A life for a life was the natural order, especially considering Zhang Lao San's intent to kill when he acted.
However, having interacted with him for a while, Li Yue Shu knew he wasn't a bad person, merely a victim of his own emotions that ruined his life.
"Time's up, execute!"
As the token fell, Zhang Lao San was placed on the chopping block and calmly closed his eyes.
"CRACK!"
With the executioner's swift stroke, a bloody head rolled. Everyone instinctively squeezed their eyes shut in fear.
When they opened them again, a figure had already rushed forward, inserting several silver needles into the headless corpse.
Following this, Li Yue Shu asked a nearby yamen runner to help move the body.
As she was about to follow, she suddenly remembered something and turned back to pick up Zhang Lao San's head.
Everyone present was stunned by this scene, shocked by the woman's audacity and perplexed by her actions.
The county magistrate quickly stepped forward to appease the crowd, but he did not mention the lung transplant surgery.
It wouldn't be beneficial for Madam Shen if the matter became widely known before its success.
Unaware of the county magistrate's concern, Li Yue Shu proceeded directly to the pre-arranged room to begin the dissection.
Doctor Chen watched from the side; this was his own request.
He observed as Li Yue Shu produced a set of strangely shaped surgical tools and carefully opened Zhang Lao San's chest cavity, meticulously extracting his lungs.
Despite his many years of medical practice, Doctor Chen had never witnessed such a bloody scene and almost vomited.
Although he managed to hold it back, his face was deathly pale.
Li Yue Shu worked quickly. After retrieving the lungs, she placed them directly into a pre-prepared basket, which, under the guise of being a basket, was actually a container within her space.
She washed the blood from her hands and then proceeded to stitch up Zhang Lao San's chest cavity and head.
After completing everything, she bowed deeply to Zhang Lao San's corpse.
His choice deserved this reverence.
Li Yue Shu then turned to Doctor Chen and offered him a pill she had concocted to refresh and invigorate him. "Are you alright?"
Doctor Chen took the pill, which finally suppressed the urge to vomit.
"I'm fine," Doctor Chen said, taking two deep breaths. "Next, will you be transplanting the lungs into Mo Mu?"
Li Yue Shu nodded and, with him, walked out of the room to find the county magistrate already waiting by the door.
She cupped her hands towards the county magistrate. "Magistrate, please have someone guard Zhang Lao San's body. I will arrange for his remains after the surgery."
The county magistrate readily agreed, but a hint of hesitation flickered in his expression. "Um... Madam Shen, may I observe the surgical procedure?"
Li Yue Shu looked troubled. "Your Honor, please forgive me, but the surgical conditions are extremely stringent. No one other than myself can enter the room. Otherwise, if the patient is infected, the surgery failing is a minor issue; a severe case could directly lead to the patient's death."
"This..." The county magistrate hadn't expected such severity, but then asked, "Then, may I wait for news outside?"
If the surgery succeeded, it would be an event that would shake the world, and he couldn't bear to simply wait at the county office.
This time, Li Yue Shu agreed.
Although she didn't know why, she could see that the county magistrate was very concerned about her surgery, and his concern seemed to carry no malice.
Seeing this, the county magistrate beamed with joy. "Madam Shen, please ride in my carriage. We can get there faster."
...
The carriage was indeed fast, and with the county magistrate constantly urging the driver, the return journey was significantly shortened.
As soon as Li Yue Shu alighted from the carriage, Mo Lian rushed towards her anxiously. "Madam..."
Seeing his worried expression, Li Yue Shu smiled and gently stroked his head, her touch like an invisible force soothing his anxiety. "Don't worry, leave the rest to me."
Mo Lian's heart calmed down as if by a miracle. Although still concerned, he was visibly much better than before.
Li Yue Shu, carrying the basket, approached the door. Turning, she saw over a dozen people trailing behind her, all seeming to want to follow her inside, even Shen Tan and the other six looked on expectantly.
Li Yue Shu felt a touch of helplessness and looked at Uncle Liu and Aunt Liu. "Uncle Liu, Aunt Liu, please entertain the county magistrate and Doctor Chen for me. The surgery will take some time, so there's no need for everyone to wait clustered at the door."
Despite her request, it seemed her words hadn't fully registered with them.
Li Yue Shu sighed but said no more, turning and entering the room.
She locked the door from the inside, set down the basket, administered anesthetic to Mo Mu, and then directly brought her into her space.
At the same moment, Shen Wei, standing outside, his expression subtly changed. He looked at the closed door, his eyes deep and unfathomable.
It's happening again...