A Good Doctor in Wude Village 2 (22)
Honestly, since coming here, this was the first time Su Qingtang had ever been called an idiot by a spirit.
She deliberately craned her neck to look behind the little spirit but didn’t see any plant imbued with spiritual energy, so she asked, What kind of spirit are you?
The little spirit crossed its arms, hovering in the air. Why should I tell you? Wait a minute—can you actually see me?
Yes, dummy. Su Qingtang didn’t care—she was the type to never let go of a grudge, always ready to settle scores.
Aside from Yin Gu Huai, everyone else present was experiencing this for the first time—especially Yin Gu Ling. She had long known that the Prime Minister’s family once incurred divine punishment, which shortened their lifespan, though they had been given enough time to continue their bloodline.
But being able to talk to so-called “spirits” was indeed rare.
Remembering the rule that one must not expose thoughts aloud, Yin Gu Ling quietly tugged at the nanny beside her, shaking her head to indicate not to speak. The nanny, who was also aware of the situation, nodded obediently.
Hmph, I only called you an idiot, what’s the big deal? the little spirit rubbed its nose.
Su Qingtang decided not to argue—there were more pressing matters. You mentioned something earlier about Doctor Hua. What happened before? Can you tell me?
The little spirit replied, Why should I tell you just because you asked? I have my pride, you know!
Oh, and don’t say I didn’t warn you—these people aren’t good. Be careful not to get dragged into their mess.
With that, the spirit vanished.
Before Su Qingtang could say anything more, she heard the man in front wailing, “My little girl, my little girl, answer your father!”
Then he turned toward the village entrance and cried out, “Doctor Hua! Doctor Hua! Please, is anyone there? Save my child!”
Yin Gu Huai walked over. Su Qingtang grabbed his sleeve and was pulled along. “Let me see?”
The man looked up at the well-dressed man and the noble-looking woman behind him. His lips curved into a strange smile as he pushed his daughter forward. “Quick, please take a look at my little girl.”
Su Qingtang found that smile unnerving. Yin Gu Huai, already kneeling to examine the child, took a blue pill from his sleeve and fed it to her. Before long, the child opened her eyes and called out, “Daddy?”
The man’s smile froze, then broke into laughter. He dropped to his knees before Yin Gu Huai and the others. “Benefactor! Thank you, benefactor!”
As the man and the old woman shouted their gratitude, others began crowding around.
“Divine doctor, please save my child too!”
“And mine!”
“Mine as well!”
“…”
Seeing the growing crowd and hearing everyone claiming their children were sick, Su Qingtang’s suspicions deepened. She stepped up beside Yin Gu Huai. “Everyone, please calm down and listen to me! Brother Huai isn’t some divine doctor—he just happened to have that pill. It was a coincidence!”
When the man tried to protest, Su Qingtang cut him off. “Healing the sick is a doctor’s duty, yes—but it’s a responsibility, not an obligation. You should all go to proper clinics, pay for treatment, and get what you need in return. That’s fair exchange.”
“There’s a medical hall not far from here. Instead of begging at a closed gate, you’d do better to seek help elsewhere.”
The moment she finished speaking, several people’s expressions darkened.
“Oh, I see! You’re capable but refuse to help! You just want to trick us into going to those expensive city clinics!”
“Right! These heartless people—grab the man! If we have him, our health will be guaranteed!”
“Grab the woman too! They must be close—take them both!”
“Yes!”
Su Qingtang saw their emotions spiral out of control. “Your High—”
Before she could finish, Yin Gu Huai grabbed her hand and pulled her back. They turned to flee, but the villagers surged in from all directions, nearly surrounding them.
“What do we do? Can you fight them?”
Su Qingtang instantly regretted her words earlier. These people clearly just wanted free treatment.
“I can’t. Run!” Yin Gu Huai released her hand to cover the rear.
Su Qingtang hesitated for a moment, then tightened her grip again. “Yin Gu Huai, I… I’m not someone who abandons others.”
Her words sounded brave, but her hands were ice cold.
“It was your choice to stay. I already gave you the chance to leave,” he said.
His tone implied more than just the current situation, but Su Qingtang was too focused on their surroundings to think about it. “Yeah, I chose this.”
The man saw them trying to escape and shouted, “Catch them! They’re running into the village!”
“Don’t let them in! Once they enter, we’ll lose them!”
The villagers moved fast, surrounding the pair. Outside the encirclement, Yin Gu Ling grew anxious and regretted bringing only one nanny. She couldn’t use magic against humans, and using martial arts against civilians was also forbidden.
“Little Huai! Tangtang! Run—get into the village!” Yin Gu Ling shouted.
But more people appeared, armed with tools, converging on both sides.
Seeing this, Yin Gu Huai pulled Su Qingtang toward the village gate—but guards were already there, hurling bricks at them.
Just when Su Qingtang thought she’d be hit, a shadow appeared in front of her, shielding her completely.
“Yin… Yin Gu Huai, are you okay?” she gasped, seeing blood trickle down his forehead. She was about to explode in anger, but he tugged her hand. “Go!”
The villagers at the gate were stunned that they’d actually hit someone, freezing for an instant. That brief pause broke the encirclement, and Yin Gu Huai seized the moment to pull Su Qingtang into the village.
Watching their silhouettes vanish into the mist, Yin Gu Ling steadied her breathing. “Let’s head back first—and bring me the Inkstone Pool!”
Once inside the village, Yin Gu Huai looked around at the swirling fog. He waved his hand through it; visibility was poor. Though he was sure they’d only walked a few steps, it felt like they’d entered a vast expanse.
“Hey,” Su Qingtang poked his serious-looking face, “there’s a clinic up ahead. Should we check it out?”
Or can you demons heal yourselves?
Hearing her thoughts, Yin Gu Huai realized the mist didn’t seem to affect her. “Let’s take a look.”
Su Qingtang nodded and started forward, with Yin Gu Huai following closely behind.
From her perspective, the village looked desolate—empty and silent. They followed a narrow path to a courtyard. From a distance, she could barely make out the words Medical Hall. Up close, she saw that the characters had been carved out crudely, as if someone had tried to erase them.
“Hua Family… Medical Hall?” Su Qingtang read the half-visible characters on the plaque aloud, turning to Yin Gu Huai and gesturing. “Shall we?”
Yin Gu Huai scanned the milky white surroundings—it was like standing on the surface of a fog-covered lake. Apart from Su Qingtang, radiant in her green water-patterned dress, there was nothing but white. “Can we even get in?”
Good question. Su Qingtang stretched her neck to peer inside. The people within didn’t move. Making up her mind, she said, “We’re already here. As my Su family always says—‘since we’re here, might as well take a look.’”
“Are you coming, Brother Huai?” she teased playfully.
Yin Gu Huai didn’t answer, but stepped forward silently to show his agreement. Seeing his stiff but upright posture, Su Qingtang climbed one step ahead and patted his shoulder. “Tangtang likes Brother Huai best.”
Her voice was light and teasing, but her eyes were filled with genuine warmth. For a moment, meeting her gaze could make one sink right in.
Almost forgot—I should build up some favorability. Until I find another way, I’d better make Yin Gu Huai like me first.
“Let’s go,” Yin Gu Huai replied coolly, even taking a step back.
Su Qingtang blinked, surprised by his reaction. Just as she turned to call out, she heard footsteps behind her. “That doctor—ah! Yin Gu Huai! There’s a ghost!”
A figure appeared—dressed in black, hair disheveled and streaked with gray. Though it wasn’t yet dark, he carried a lit candle, his steps unnervingly steady, exuding an eerie aura that sent chills down her spine.
Su Qingtang jumped and hid behind Yin Gu Huai.
Yin Gu Huai clasped his fists in greeting. “Forgive our intrusion, healer. We are brother and sister. We encountered trouble and stumbled in here by mistake. Please pardon our offense.”
Realizing she’d overreacted, Su Qingtang quickly added, “Sorry, doctor—I’m just timid. My apologies.”
Mainly, it’s the atmosphere—you look like you crawled out to claim lives. I couldn’t help it.
Doctor Hua brushed his hair aside with one hand, revealing a single visible eye. His voice was hoarse. “Come in.”
Then, without another word, he turned and walked inside.
Su Qingtang noticed the uneven sound of his footsteps—one heavy, one light. She leaned close to Yin Gu Huai and whispered, “He…”
“Everyone has their own burdens. Even healers can’t heal themselves,” Yin Gu Huai said quietly.
Doctor Hua placed the candle on the counter, rummaged underneath for a while, and finally produced a small medicine jar. “Young lady, apply this ointment to your lover’s wound tonight. By morning, it’ll be healed.”
Su Qingtang glanced at Yin Gu Huai, who didn’t deny it. She grabbed his sleeve, stepped forward quickly, snatched the jar, and replied decisively, “Alright!”
Inside the room, Su Qingtang applied the ointment to Yin Gu Huai’s wound, blowing gently as she worked. “So… what now? This village feels really strange.”
Yin Gu Huai studied the scene carefully. When they’d first entered, Su Qingtang had been the only thing visible in the fog. But once they entered the Hua Medical Hall, everything became clear—his senses heightened sharply.
Was it intentional… or something else?
“Hey, Yin Gu Huai—Your Highness?” Su Qingtang had been talking for a while, but he didn’t respond. She waved her hand in front of his face, and when that didn’t work, she bent down, resting her hands on her knees, mischief glinting in her eyes. “Lover?”
The scent of begonia flowers reached his senses, pulling Yin Gu Huai back to awareness. He looked down—and met her gaze, clear as spring water—just as she whispered those two soft, affectionate words:
“Lover.”
……