Days passed slowly with training and eating, and the temperature continued to drop, stabilizing at minus 20 degrees Celsius, where it remained without further decrease.
Gu Qingcheng, however, heightened her vigilance, sensing that the fatal blow of extreme cold might descend at any moment. She remained diligent, unwilling to relax, as any carelessness could cost her family their lives.
Every night before sleeping, Gu Qingcheng checked the stored coal for the underfloor heating, ensuring it would last through the night.
Once the solar panels were fully charged, electric heaters were placed in each bedroom, ready to be plugged in for immediate warmth when needed.
Furthermore, a large bronze basin filled with barbecue charcoal was installed beneath each bed. Should the extreme cold arrive, they could ignite the charcoal for warmth.
With these three measures, they could successfully withstand the sudden onset of extreme cold.
To ensure her family remained alert and didn't become complacent due to their comfortable living conditions, Gu Qingcheng even "organized" a family viewing of the disaster epic "The Day After Tomorrow."
In the movie, when the cold front hit, unprepared humans instantly froze into ice sculptures, losing their lives. Only a very few managed to survive by burning books for warmth...
Mi Guo watched the visual display for the first time, utterly bewildered.
Fortunately, although he couldn't understand the actors' "barbarian language," grasping the visuals wasn't difficult. Through the movie, he fully comprehended the threat of catastrophic extreme weather.
After watching the film, Gu Qingcheng retested Mi Guo's loyalty, which remained excellent, unchanged.
Gu Qingcheng felt reassured. Even when encountering new objects he didn't understand, Mi Guo maintained his trust in them, meaning she no longer had to worry about the family's modern supplies being exposed to him.
Half a month later, the Gu family's mountain dwelling received unexpected guests: Prince Xia and his consort personally visited their old residence.
Gu Zhaobei's family, having received advance notice from Steward Zheng, hurried out to greet them.
They had only been out for a moment when Prince Xia and his consort's official sedan chairs reached the top of the slope.
Although Prince Xia had recovered from his serious illness, external injuries heal quickly once they begin to mend. Seeing the Prince looking well, it was hard to imagine that he had been on the brink of death just half a month prior.
The Princess, her crisis averted, no longer looked haggard and had regained her former graceful composure.
"Divine Doctor Gu certainly knows how to pick a place for quiet cultivation. The environment here is beautiful, and the air is fresh. I almost want to be your neighbor."
Prince Xia could also crack jokes, it turned out.
Gu Zhaobei replied respectfully:
"Everything in Jinsha City belongs to Your Highness. Whenever Your Highness wishes to be my neighbor, it's merely a matter of moments."
Prince Xia burst into laughter.
This was the first time the Princess had met the family of Divine Doctor Gu. She surveyed Gu Qingcheng with curiosity, but did not inquire about the abduction case. It was likely that, as the case was still under investigation, the Princess felt it inappropriate to interfere or offer an opinion.
Prince Xia and his consort had come to personally thank Gu Zhaobei. The Princess also presented Gu Qingcheng with a large red envelope, wishing her good fortune and safety.
In addition, Prince Xia and his wife brought a batch of precious gifts on this visit, including food, drink, and daily necessities, all of the same high caliber as their previous offerings.
Fortunately, due to the noble status of Prince Xia and his consort, every action they took was in accordance with proper etiquette, unlike ordinary outsiders who would be excessively curious about everything in their host's home. The locked side rooms, shrouded in mystery, and the desire to inspect the backyard...
Otherwise, the Gu family would truly have been caught off guard by their visit.
The fitness equipment in the side rooms and the solar panels in the backyard had not been put away in time. If Prince Xia and his entourage had seen them, their secret would have been completely revealed.
After bidding farewell to Prince Xia and his consort without incident, the Gu family finally breathed a sigh of relief.
The actions of the powerful and influential often touched upon sensitive nerves in their surroundings.
Prince Xia's grave illness was known throughout the city, and most people had been expecting to attend his funeral.
Unexpectedly, Prince Xia had been resurrected. Those with ulterior motives would undoubtedly conduct thorough investigations.
Thus, the reputation of Divine Doctor Gu spread.
Who was this Divine Doctor Gu?
Where did he come from?
What did he look like?
Many who gossiped had never seen him. They only knew he was a middle-aged scholar in his early thirties, and his appearance was naturally that of an extraordinary hermit. Everyone indulged in their own speculations.
In this era without social media or chance street photography, Gu Zhaobei's appearance was exaggerated into something legendary. By the time the rumors circulated, not even his parents, let alone himself, would recognize him.
Some said he was bald, with a large face, a square mouth, a round belly, and a short, stout build, carrying a medicine pouch filled with miraculous drugs that could cure any ailment upon consumption...
This was essentially the image of a reincarnated Maitreya Buddha.
It was truly a mix of amusement and exasperation.
However, regardless of the embellished tales, Prince Xia and his consort personally visiting Gu Zhaobei provided the best validation for this legendary myth.
Gu Zhaobei had not anticipated that after Prince Xia and his wife visited the mountain, people seeking medical treatment would start to arrive in succession.
Within a few days, several groups of people came seeking medical advice and treatment. However, the Gu family kept their doors shut and ignored them.
Those seeking medical attention were forced to leave.
It wasn't that the Gu family didn't want to help the populace, but they preferred to live their own quiet lives and did not wish to be burdened by fame.
The families of the sick were often drawn to the reputations of doctors, flocking to wherever divine medicine or a miracle worker was said to be. In reality, many illnesses could be treated by local physicians.
One day, Wangcai began barking furiously at the gate. Judging by its little eyes, Gu Qingcheng sensed that a familiar visitor might be approaching.
If it were a stranger, Wangcai would bark ferociously. But if it were someone it knew, it would give a less aggressive bark, as if to announce their arrival.
Gu Qingcheng opened the door.
Upon seeing that Divine Doctor Gu's door had opened, a young man outside the gate immediately dropped to his knees, crying out to Divine Doctor Gu for help.
Gu Qingcheng was startled and quickly urged him to stand up, not to kneel.
Hearing Gu Qingcheng's voice, the young man paused. He looked up and saw a petite, pretty, and delicate young girl with fair skin, exquisite features, and eyes that held an indescribable aura of intelligence, making one feel as if they were in a spring breeze.
"You are Divine Doctor Gu?"
Seeing Gu Qingcheng, the man froze. She wasn't the corpulent Maitreya Buddha, and her gender was incorrect. Was Divine Doctor Gu this young?
"I am not. My father is the Divine Doctor Gu you speak of."
Gu Qingcheng quickly explained.
The young man was dressed in opulent clothing, indicating he was no ordinary person.
Gu Zhaobei, hearing the commotion, also came out to see what was happening.
At this moment, a person appeared behind the young man, who turned out to be Steward Zheng. He quickly stepped forward to greet Gu Zhaobei.
Upon seeing Steward Zheng from Prince Xia's residence, Gu Zhaobei knew he couldn't be dismissive and invited them inside for tea.
The servants accompanying the young man waited outside in the courtyard.
Seeing outsiders arrive, Wangcai wagged its tail and trotted around nearby, restless.