“You are…” The shopkeeper looked at their attire, clearly that of martial artists, and though puzzled by their sudden interest in the affairs of Sister Niu’s family, he still responded with confusion.
“Shopkeeper, our young master is gravely ill. We’ve consulted many physicians and tried countless remedies, but nothing has worked. We initially came to seek your help, but by chance, we overheard your conversation with Sister Niu earlier. Might you be able to tell us where to find that miraculous female physician…”
The burly man noticed the shopkeeper’s wary and perplexed expression after the young man’s question. He shot the youth a reproachful glance and then spoke soothingly to the shopkeeper, explaining their predicament.
“You…” Though their plea seemed sincere, the shopkeeper hesitated. After all, everyone has their own interests—wasn’t this essentially driving business away?
“Shopkeeper, if you can direct us to this miraculous physician, this money is yours. Moreover, we’ll purchase all our medicinal herbs from your shop in the future. What do you say…” Seeing his hesitation, the burly man’s expression flickered. He pulled out a banknote from his sleeve and handed it over, pleading earnestly.
“Very well, you seem like honest folk. I’ll tell you—though I don’t know the miraculous physician’s whereabouts myself. Only Sister Niu might know.”
The shopkeeper’s eyes lingered on the hundred-tael banknote before him, but he pushed the money away and spoke amiably.
“Is this miraculous physician truly as skilled as you say?”
Hearing this, the burly man frowned slightly but couldn’t suppress his curiosity.
“Absolutely miraculous! Her eldest child was coughing nonstop a few days ago, gasping for breath. When they brought him here, his face had turned blue, and he was barely breathing. But then the miraculous physician appeared. After her acupuncture, the child’s breathing stabilized almost immediately. After just a few days of her medicine, he was much better. I even saw him playing outside recently—still a bit weak, but his complexion had improved greatly.”
The shopkeeper studied the expressions of the burly man and the youth, then added mysteriously, “Though I’m just repeating hearsay…” He pushed the money back again.
“Please, keep it. I can’t accept this.”
“Thank you, shopkeeper. Even if you don’t know the physician’s whereabouts, you’ve helped us greatly. In that case, could you prepare some medicine for poison wounds? Here’s the payment—keep the change.”
Though the shopkeeper remained uncertain, the burly man was grateful. He tossed a silver ingot onto the counter, took the medicine, and left before the shopkeeper could protest.
“Sir, sir! This is far too much—ah…” The shopkeeper, realizing the ingot was worth twenty taels, called out, but the two had already departed.
“Boss, we still don’t know who this miraculous physician is. Will these medicines alone be enough for our master’s injury?”
The young man followed the burly man out of the shop, clutching the medicine. Recalling the conversation, he voiced his concerns—no one knew the physician’s identity, and their master’s condition was dire.
“Trust me, someone else in this town must know more.”
The burly man remained composed as they headed to a nearby inn.
After ordering food, the burly man tipped the waiter and inquired about the incident.
“Sir, you’ve asked the right person. I don’t know the miraculous physician, but that day, she was accompanied by a stunning woman in exotic red attire. Oh, and there was also a man with her—rumored to be none other than Prince Ning of the imperial court.”
The waiter, eager to please after receiving the tip, shared what he’d heard.
“Prince Ning? The one confined to a wheelchair?”
The burly man’s expression shifted, but he masked his surprise and pressed cautiously.
“Yes, though I only heard it from others. Handsome and noble, a perfect match for the physician—but alas, he cannot walk. Even getting into a carriage requires his attendants to lift him, chair and all. Why do you ask, sir…?”
The waiter wiped the table as he spoke, curiosity creeping into his voice.
“Just idle curiosity. That’ll be all for now.” The burly man dismissed him with a smile.
“Of course! Your food will arrive shortly. Please wait a moment.”
The waiter, sensing the conversation was over, bowed and retreated.
“Boss, another dead end. Maybe we should return. The longer we delay, the worse our master’s condition will get.”
The young man watched as the burly man spent money on food and information, yet gained little. He urged him anxiously.
“I think I’ve figured out who the miraculous physician might be. After we eat, take the medicine back and tell Physician Bai: under no circumstances should he amputate our master’s leg. Wait for my return.”
The burly man’s brow furrowed as he spoke, his expression odd but resolute.
“Very well. I hope you find her soon.”
Though puzzled, the young man nodded, his eyes hopeful. Just then, their food arrived, and the two ate in silence.
Meanwhile, Wanqing and Honglian returned to the Marquis’s estate.
Upon hearing that Wanqing had been injured, Wanchun and the other maids panicked, rushing to her bedside.
“I’m fine—just a bit weak. I’ll recover after some rest. By the way, has Uncle Zhong returned?”
Wanqing reassured them with a faint smile, then asked about the old man.
“Uncle Zhong returned not long ago. He said you were in danger and likely went to inform the master to send help.”
Wanqing explained.
“He went to find Father? Honglian, go to the front courtyard and see if Uncle Zhong is still here. If he is, tell him I’m safe.”
Relieved that the old man had made it back, Wanqing quickly instructed Honglian.
“Right away. You two, stop pestering her—let her rest. She’s exhausted.”
Honglian, noticing Wanqing’s fatigue, shooed the maids out and closed the door behind them.
With a sigh, Wanqing forced herself up and limped to the adjacent medicine room. After brewing and consuming a restorative tonic, she returned to bed.
Though she’d heard Bai Yu mention the Princess of Ji Manor’s illness, she was too drained to act. The medicine took effect, and she soon fell into a deep sleep.
She awoke abruptly to the sound of someone crashing through her window.
“You—Brother Shizi? What are you doing here?”
Years of training kept her alert even in sleep. Startled, she sat up and saw the man standing by her bed in the candlelight. Though exasperated, she forced herself to ask calmly.
Tai Sui Yellow Amulet Paper FuLu Taoist Love Talisman Traditional Chinese Spiritual Charm Attracting Love Protecting Marriage