Lan Shuang went to the clinic on East Street to buy some prenatal medicine, and just then overheard people inside talking.
“What a pity the White Divine Doctor isn’t here. Otherwise, we could go to the Zhou family to check the notice. I heard the young lady at Minister Zhou’s house has been suffering from a mysterious allergy that hasn’t healed.”
“There’s a reward of 200 taels for anyone who can treat her face!”
“200 taels? Minister Zhou really is willing to spend a fortune.”
“…Minister Zhou?”
Lan Shuang’s eyes brightened. This must be Zhou Ruyan’s family!
The medicine’s effect should have worn off soon, and now there’s this perfect opportunity to grab some silver!
She found a clothing shop, changed into a male-style white robe, and lightly disguised herself.
The young lady who had looked delicate and pretty moments ago now became a small, neat young man. She put on a veil cap and briskly headed toward the Zhou residence.
After the notice was posted at the Zhou residence, many curious townsfolk and doctors gathered around.
“I heard several famous doctors from the capital have already looked at her. The young lady’s face isn’t easy to treat.”
“Let’s give it a try. If we succeed, that’s 200 taels!”
“Look! Look! Someone’s going in!”
Lan Shuang glanced at a distinguished-looking elderly doctor standing nearby.
Behind him were a few other doctors hoping to test their skills.
Lan Shuang quickly followed behind them and was ushered into the Zhou residence.
The Zhou steward noticed her secretive demeanor and deliberately stepped forward.
“Please remove your veil.”
“No.”
Lan Shuang’s voice was hoarse, like a boy going through a voice change.
The steward’s heart skipped a beat.
“Young master, don’t fool around. Our young lady is seeking medical treatment.”
“I am a doctor. Since a notice was posted for treatment, I wish to try—what’s the harm?”
Lan Shuang thought to herself: Only I can cure this condition, after all, I have the antidote.
“This…”
The steward hesitated. At that moment, a young servant hurried over.
“Steward, the master urges you to hurry. The young lady’s face has started flaring up again.”
“Quickly, follow me.”
The steward couldn’t manage everything at once. He quickly told the others to follow and led them around the side entrance into the front courtyard.
Since almost all the doctors present were men, they were not allowed into the inner courtyard.
The steward had a servant prepare tea and asked everyone to take a seat.
“The young lady is in the next room. You may go one by one to examine her face. Who wants to go first?”
“I’ll go!”
A young male doctor eagerly raised his hand, casting a wary glance at the composed elderly doctor sitting nearby.
This elder had an extraordinary aura and the faint scent of medicine. He was the young doctor’s greatest competitor.
Lan Shuang calmly sat in a corner, not in a rush. She took a piece of snack and slowly started eating.
After all, the treatment would ultimately require her antidote.
For someone like Zhou Ruyan, Lan Shuang hoped she would suffer a bit longer.
Soon, the steward led the young doctor into the next room.
In the main hall, the other clinic doctors whispered among themselves, all familiar faces.
“Old Wang, your skills are great. Don’t compete with me later. If I cure Miss Zhou, we’ll split the silver.”
“Li, you go first. You won’t cure Miss Zhou anyway.”
“Ha, you underestimate me, don’t you?”
“….”
They alternated between anger and laughter. Only Lan Shuang and the white-haired elder sat quietly in a corner.
Finally, Doctor Li stepped forward and asked, “Senior, may I know your name?”
“Deng.”
The elder in white stroked his beard, uttered a single word, and silently held his tea.
“Is this your medicine boy?”
Doctor Li’s gaze fell on Lan Shuang, frowning slightly. This medicine boy was far too disrespectful, still wearing a veil cap—could it be hiding some defect?
“No, I’m not.”
Doctor Deng’s mouth twitched as he glanced at Lan Shuang. Her hand paused mid-bite of her snack.
“I am just an unremarkable junior.”
“This young master sure carries himself with a lot of pride, even hiding his name!”
Doctor Wang sneered. “He’s probably just a medical apprentice from some clinic. Better step out quickly—don’t make a fool of yourself in a noble’s house and risk your life.”
“No need for your concern.”
Lan Shuang’s tone was indifferent. At that moment, the previously confident young master slouched out from the next room, looking utterly dejected, as if he had suffered a major blow.
“Next!”
The Zhou steward barked, handing the young master a tael or two of silver.
“You’d better go back and study more!”
The slight humiliation caused the young doctor to snort coldly and leave without taking the silver.
“Truly self-righteous,”
the steward sneered, and ushered the next doctor inside.
Initially, everyone thought it was just a minor allergy and easy to treat.
However, one doctor after another failed.
This only increased everyone’s curiosity, and the rest stayed in the hall to see the outcome.
Finally, it was Doctor Li’s turn. Approaching middle age, he walked in arrogantly.
“Everyone, wait for my good news.”
The onlookers: …
But he wasn’t the first overconfident one to enter.
After only a few moments, Doctor Li returned with his head down, giving Doctor Wang a wry smile.
“Old Wang, I can’t do it. You probably can’t either.”
“Not so fast,”
Doctor Wang, still brimming with confidence, quickly followed the young lady inside.
“How old are you, boy?”
A voice came from the side. Lan Shuang turned and saw it was Doctor Deng.
His murky eyes studied her carefully. Lan Shuang met his gaze calmly.
“Eighteen.”
“Exactly the right age to be learning.”
Doctor Deng stroked his beard, thinking to himself that this boy had courage—but how skilled was he, really?
“You’re far too arrogant, boy!”
Doctor Li, still frustrated from his failure, couldn’t help but interject.
“With Doctor Li being so capable, how come he couldn’t cure Miss Zhou’s face?”
Lan Shuang, sharp-tongued and vindictive, shot back, leaving Doctor Li’s expression sour.
“You still dare mock me? Don’t cry when you go in there!”
Doctor Li rolled his eyes disdainfully. Deng Doctor frowned slightly at his behavior.
“As a doctor, your duty is to heal and save lives, not speak so harshly.”
“Old man showing off!”
Doctor Li lost his composure entirely. Doctor Deng glanced at him coldly but didn’t bother replying.
Lan Shuang didn’t pay him any mind either.
At that moment, Doctor Wang, looking like a defeated rooster, slowly walked inside.
“Hey, Old Wang, can’t handle it either? Looks like it’s not my skills that are lacking!”
This seemed to soothe Doctor Li’s pride, and his words softened.
“Strange… really strange, extremely strange.”
As they spoke, Minister Zhou approached. His gaze fell on Doctor Deng, and he was taken aback.
“Deng…”
“Bring me in to take a look.”
Doctor Deng cut off Minister Zhou and rose to follow him.
Lan Shuang could clearly see Minister Zhou’s posture shift—respectful, even somewhat ingratiating.
It was evident that Doctor Deng’s status was extraordinary. Even Zhou Ruyan’s father treated him with deference.