A Good Doctor in Wude Village 3 (23)
When night fell, Yin Gu Huai, showing his usual courtesy, gave the only bed to Su Qingtang and chose to sleep sitting on a chair instead, trying to find a comfortable position.
Su Qingtang rolled around on the bed a few times and then glanced up at Yin Gu Huai, who appeared to be sound asleep. Her mind wandered back to everything that had happened that day. Around her ears, she could still hear a faint chorus of chirping voices—it must be the spirits of this village. The sounds were near yet distant, as if she could hear them speaking but couldn’t make out what they were saying.
Finally, she got up quietly, pursed her lips, and tiptoed over to Yin Gu Huai’s side. Leaning close to his ear, she whispered, “Yin Gu Huai… Brother Huai… Your Highness…”
After calling him several times and only getting him to turn his head the other way and keep sleeping, Su Qingtang was startled into silence.
Luckily, she hadn’t really meant to wake him. How was she supposed to explain being kept awake by a bunch of chattering little spirits? Just the thought sounded absurd.
She murmured softly to the sleeping man, “I’m going out to take a look, alright? Don’t worry—if anything happens, I’ll shout for you.”
Then she quickly ran to the door, opened it gently, and slipped out.
The medical hall was dimly lit by a few flickering candles. Every now and then, a breeze blew through, making the flames dance, die, and reignite.
Following the faint voices of the little spirits, she found herself near the woodshed downstairs.
Poor thing.
What’s there to pity? Haven’t you humans heard the saying, “Those who are pitiful must have something hateful about them”? Serves them right.
True, if it weren’t for them, Doctor Hua wouldn’t have…
Su Qingtang crept closer and joined the spirits, staring curiously at the dark woodshed. Wouldn’t have what?
Wouldn’t have locked away his compassion, that’s what. You—ahhh!
One of the spirits turned around, saw Su Qingtang’s wide eyes staring right at them, and screamed, startling all the others.
What are you yelling for? Su Qingtang pointed at one of them—a little coinwort spirit that had been picking its nose. We met at the village gate, remember?
Now that she could see the details of their tiny outfits, she could tell the spirit’s species.
The coinwort spirit blinked, tilting its head. You can see everyone else too? Did you open your Celestial Eye or something?
And that one—what kind of spirit is it? the coinwort spirit asked casually, pointing to another nearby.
Su Qingtang twitched her lips, a little amused but willing to play along. Money tree?
That one?
Evergreen tree.
That one?
Ginseng—though not very old.
…
As Su Qingtang and the coinwort spirit chatted fluently, the surrounding spirits’ expressions shifted from shock to curiosity, and before long, they were all fluttering around her, chirping and whispering in fascination.
After letting them stare at her like she was some rare exhibit at a zoo, Su Qingtang finally asked, So, are you going to tell me what you were talking about?
The spirits exchanged uncertain glances until the coinwort spirit finally spoke up.
Even if you can see us, you probably won’t believe what we tell you. So, you and your lover should leave—whether it’s this village or the ones outside, just go.
It spoke as if it truly had her best interest at heart.
Su Qingtang frowned. Do you even know who my “lover” is? He’s His Highness, the Crown Prince of the Great Yi Dynasty, and the head of the Patrol Division. If there’s any injustice, you can tell him. If you truly want to help us—and Doctor Hua—you should be telling us the truth.
But not everything needs to be known, said the ginseng spirit.
Su Qingtang countered, If you don’t tell us, how will we know what can’t be done? At least give us a chance to try. We’re genuinely here to help. The fact that I can see you—that must mean something, right?
Borrowing the words of the little spirits she’d met at Mount Wunian, if those spirits could see Yin Gu Huai’s aura, then surely these ones could too.
The spirits looked at one another again. Finally, the evergreen spirit floated forward. What if human lives are in between? The lives of the villagers—and Doctor Hua’s family? Do you think something like that can be reconciled?
What?
Su Qingtang’s heart skipped. She hadn’t expected that to be the reason.
That’s all the more reason to find out, isn’t it? Human life is precious. If the conflict between Doctor Hua and the villagers lies in those deaths, shouldn’t we understand the truth? You spirits can’t interfere with mortal affairs—but those villagers still see him with hatred. Things already look bad. What about the future?
The coinwort spirit sighed and gestured for the others to gather for discussion. Su Qingtang took a few steps back. When she turned around, she nearly jumped—Doctor Hua was standing there, holding a candle.
“Ah—!” She lost her balance and stumbled backward, only to feel a warm hand catch her by the waist. Looking up, she saw Yin Gu Huai’s sharp jawline illuminated by candlelight.
When did he get here? No—when did he wake up?
Yin Gu Huai had opened his eyes the moment she left. Though he couldn’t hear the spirits, instinct told him to hide his presence and follow her quietly. After she started speaking aloud, he, too, began to hear faint whispers—and soon sensed Doctor Hua’s approach. He guessed Doctor Hua must have overheard her conversation with the spirits as well.
“Your High—Brother Huai?” Su Qingtang grabbed his sleeve, her mind racing. But for now, she decided to deal with Doctor Hua first—the man’s eerie aura was unnerving.
Yin Gu Huai steadied her and said calmly, “Didn’t you say you were just getting up for a bit? How did you end up here—lose your way?”
Grateful for the excuse he’d handed her, Su Qingtang nodded quickly. “Exactly! I got lost by accident.”
Yin Gu Huai didn’t get angry. He just took her hand and approached Doctor Hua. “Pardon—”
“Follow me,” Doctor Hua interrupted without waiting for him to finish and started walking in another direction, the candlelight growing fainter as he went.
“Should we follow?” Yin Gu Huai asked softly.
Su Qingtang turned to see the little spirits still whispering amongst themselves. “Alright. Let’s go back soon—I’m tired.”
You guys wait for me in my room, she told the spirits silently.
Thanks to Yin Gu Huai’s protection, she quickly ran back to their room. As expected, the moment she stepped inside, she was surrounded by the hovering spirits.
You’re here! Quick, tell me everything!
The coinwort spirit glanced uneasily at Yin Gu Huai, who followed close behind. The purple aura around him was intimidating, and the spirit suspected that this man might even be able to hear them too.
“Brother Huai,” Su Qingtang called sweetly, “let’s sleep together—I’m scared.”
They had already pretended to be husband and wife in front of Doctor Hua, so it was safer to keep up appearances for now. Yin Gu Huai didn’t reply, which to her meant silent agreement.
When she patted the other side of the bed invitingly, he realized her real intent—she didn’t want the spirits to misunderstand.
He blew out the candle, kept his outer robe on, and got into bed under the dim moonlight, pulling the curtain closed.
Su Qingtang lay quietly for a while, then opened her eyes. Staring at his seemingly sleeping face, she whispered mentally, Can we talk now?
The coinwort spirit began to speak:
Our village wasn’t always called “Wude Village.” It used to be “Wude” meaning Martial Virtue Village. Most of the villagers were warriors. Later, Doctor Hua’s family moved here. Because of his great medical skills, the villagers begged him to stay. His wife loved the simple, honest folk here, so they settled down.
Then why did things turn out like this? Su Qingtang asked—the same question she’d had back in Yin Gu Ling’s palace.
The money tree spirit answered, Humans are the most untrustworthy of all races. Doctor Hua devoted himself to saving them, but they conspired with outsiders to harm him. In the end, his wife and young daughter were killed. Now, the villagers are suffering retribution—serves them right.
Su Qingtang caught something odd in the phrasing. Outsiders? The villagers who attacked us with bricks earlier—were they originally from here?
The coinwort spirit nodded, shrugging. Yes, this was their home.
Then can you tell us exactly what happened? she pressed, impatient. Why couldn’t these spirits ever just speak plainly?
The plant spirits exchanged glances. Our version might be biased. You should see for yourselves. Go look around the nearby houses.
See for themselves?
So, you’ll tell us which house is which, and we’ll investigate on our own?
The coinwort spirit crossed its arms and tilted its head smugly. Exactly. Didn’t you say your lover works for the Patrol Division? Let’s see what conclusions you two come to. Even if we told you everything, you wouldn’t believe us anyway. Better that you see it with your own eyes.
Su Qingtang understood their meaning and nodded. Alright. Then could one of you deliver a message for me—to Sister Ling, to tell her we’re safe? And to my parents too—they’ll be worried.
The ginseng spirit replied cheerfully, Sure! Little Coin here is best at that kind of thing.
Then, Miss Su, see you tomorrow. Get some rest, said the money tree spirit.
After exchanging goodnights, the spirits vanished into the night.
Su Qingtang propped herself up on one arm, watching Yin Gu Huai’s still figure. Then she shook his shoulder lightly to wake him. “Brother Huai, let’s check out the village tomorrow. I think the villagers who attacked us earlier used to live here.”
Yin Gu Huai hadn’t been asleep—he was still thinking about the coinwort spirit’s words. Each region’s spirits had their own nature. The locust tree spirit had been shaped by gratitude; the Wunian Mountain spirits were driven by divine duty. But these spirits… they had independent will. They could judge right from wrong, even develop their own sense of morality.
Seeing him unmoved, Su Qingtang assumed he was worried. “Don’t worry—it’ll be fine. I’ve got a secret weapon. These mists don’t affect me at all.”
Yin Gu Huai pulled the blanket over her shoulders. “Then rest. We’ll investigate tomorrow.”
He closed his eyes, ending the conversation.
Su Qingtang settled down and soon drifted to sleep.
Once her breathing steadied, Yin Gu Huai opened his eyes again, staring at his hand in the moonlight.
He remembered—at first, he could only see what was near Su Qingtang. But after entering this medical hall, he could perceive everything within it.
And now… he could see the moonlight filtering through the window.
Was it the effect of the hall itself—or had the one who created this barrier loosened it just a little?