Li Qingshi and Li Gouzi were confined to the Side Hall. While they had nothing to do, the County Office was a scene of frantic activity. Following Li Qingshi’s instructions, the servants were busy sealing rooms, preparing medicine, and setting up cooking pots, all working in a chaotic bustle.
By the time everything was ready, it was already a quarter past noon.
The Famous Physicians of Qingshui City had been settled in another Side Hall. With the treatment beginning, the hot potato had been thrown out, and their goals had become one and the same: they were all hoping the treatment would fail so they could preserve their own reputations.
If only one person had never heard of this treatment method, it could be attributed to ignorance. But they had already discussed it among themselves, and no one present had heard of such a method. They were all major figures in Qingshui City’s medical field. If there truly were such a sophisticated treatment method, it was impossible that none of them had ever heard of it.
Thus, they could only reach one conclusion: that young man had heard of this Folk Remedy somewhere, and, eager to claim credit, had recklessly put it into practice.
The famous physicians were completely reassured. One by one, they sat upright in the hall, maintaining solemn expressions while inwardly grinning and waiting for the spectacle.
The County Magistrate had kept them at the residence for an obvious reason: once the treatment failed, he would have them turn the tide. But… they did not possess such ability. When the time came, they could only say, “Our apologies. The young lady’s illness originally still had a sliver of hope, but after that young man interfered, there was nothing we could do to save her.”
The famous physicians had made up their minds to remain uninvolved, but the magistrate and his wife were anxious from the bottom of their hearts. According to that young man, the treatment would take eight hours to show results. Zhang Gaoshan paced back and forth in the room, suffering immensely.
At that moment, the steward came to report, “Master, Merchant Wang has come to the front to file a report. He says his daughter has gone missing.”
Zhang Gaoshan was already irritated. Upon hearing this, he frowned. “Merchant Wang? Which Merchant Wang?”
The steward replied, “Merchant Wang Xingdao.”
The Magistrate's Wife said, “Go handle your official business first. I’ll keep watch here.”
Zhang Gaoshan complained, “Why has another daughter gone missing? Can’t anyone give me a moment’s peace?” He said to his wife, “Notify me immediately if there’s any news here.” Then he hurried to the yamen at the front.
Around a quarter past seven in the evening, Zhang Gaoshan returned after handling the official business and asked, “Still no movement?”
The Magistrate's Wife twisted the handkerchief in her hands and said, “Not yet. Only three hours have passed. Don’t be anxious.”
Zhang Gaoshan asked the steward, “What are those two young men doing?”
The steward sent someone to check. A short while later, the servant returned to report, “They’re sleeping.”
Zhang Gaoshan relaxed slightly. “They’re able to remain so calm, so I suppose they must be confident…”
Just as he was thinking this, the sickroom door suddenly opened. Amid billowing steam, a maid rushed out and shouted excitedly, “She’s awake! The young lady is awake! The young lady is awake!”
Zhang Gaoshan froze, then was overcome with wild joy. He rushed out the door. “She’s really awake? I’ll go take a look!”
His wife grabbed him and said, “Our daughter isn’t wearing any clothes. What would it look like for you to go over now? I’ll go take a look first!” She rushed ahead of him.
The famous physicians heard the cries and looked at one another in bewilderment. Really, she was awake? N-No, that couldn’t be, right?
…
In the Side Hall, Li Qingshi and Li Gouzi had nothing to do, so they could only sleep.
They were sleeping soundly when the hall door suddenly opened. They rose groggily and saw the County Magistrate enter with a face full of smiles. He said warmly, “Nephew, are you tired? Oh, my, why are you sleeping here? It’s all my fault. I’ve been overwhelmed with official business, and on top of that, I was worried about my daughter, so I failed to make proper arrangements. Please forgive me, please forgive me!”
Li Qingshi rubbed his face and woke up. He glanced at the sky outside and sensed that something was off. It was not yet nightfall, so the Fumigation Therapy should not have taken effect. Why was the man being so enthusiastic?
Then Zhang Gaoshan continued, “My daughter’s survival this time was entirely thanks to your superb medical skill, Nephew. I’ve already had a banquet arranged. Wash up first, and I’ll have someone come invite you shortly.” He patted Li Qingshi’s hand, then hurriedly left.
From the sound of it, his daughter was already awake? How could it have happened so quickly?
Li Qingshi was bewildered for a while before finally figuring it out. The eight-hour estimate was probably based on the cold winter season. It was early summer now, and the weather was relatively hot, so the treatment had taken effect faster.
Li Gouzi was no longer sleepy. He asked in surprise, “You really cured her?”
“Could this be fake?” Li Qingshi thrust out his chest.
Li Gouzi let out a long sigh of relief, clasped his hands, and wildly worshiped the heavens. “Thank heaven and earth, and may the gods and Buddhas protect us. I never thought you’d actually manage to bluff your way into success.”
Li Qingshi’s face darkened. He felt like giving him a hard slap.
…
In the main hall, the tables were laden with delicacies. The servants respectfully ushered Li Qingshi and Li Gouzi inside. Seeing the array of dishes, Li Qingshi sighed softly, “This is so lavish. It’s practically like the New Year.”
Li Gouzi stared blankly at the table and swallowed. “Stop exaggerating, Brother Stone. I know how many dishes your family makes for the New Year.”
The famous physicians, all past middle age, were also present at this thank-you banquet. They did not dare slight the County Magistrate, but the stiff smiles hanging on their faces looked extremely awkward.
Earlier, Zhang Gaoshan had been too worried to treat them courteously. Now that his daughter was out of danger and he was in high spirits, he brought out the skills he had honed over many years as an official. In just a few words, he had the physicians beaming with joy and all grievances were put aside.
Although these physicians had performed rather poorly this time, how could they have earned such great reputations without possessing some genuine ability? Everyone was bound to suffer the occasional disaster or illness, and befriending one more physician meant an additional safeguard should sickness strike in the future. Zhang Gaoshan naturally understood this principle.
After the opening wine had gone down, Zhang Gaoshan asked Li Qingshi, “Nephew Li, your accent tells me you’re a local. May I ask which medical clinic you normally practice medicine at? With medical skill as superb as yours, how have I never heard of you?”
The famous physicians had been eager to ask the same question, and they all pricked up their ears.
Li Qingshi said, “I’m a Physician from Baitou Village east of the city. I’ve never practiced medicine at a clinic in the city.”
Everyone froze. They had not expected that this plainly dressed young man really came from the countryside. Judging by his words and manner, however, he certainly did not seem like an unsophisticated peasant who had never seen the world.
Li Qingshi was able to remain calm in front of these important figures entirely because of the influence of his Master, Old Liu.
In Old Liu’s eyes, not to mention a county magistrate, even a Governor was beneath notice. Whenever he mentioned such people, there was not the slightest trace of respect or awe in his words. Having been influenced by him since childhood, Li Qingshi subconsciously did not take these so-called important figures of the secular world seriously either.
“What a waste of talent! What a waste of talent!” Zhang Gaoshan shook his head. “With medical skill like yours, how can you remain hidden away in the countryside? How about this? I’ll provide the money and open a medical clinic for you in the city!”
The famous physicians’ expressions changed one after another. Their ears pricked up even more as they waited to hear what the young man would say.
Li Qingshi swept his gaze around and observed everyone’s reactions. He secretly grew wary. Old Liu had told him that the bird that sticks its head out would be the first to get shot, and that the exposed rafter would rot first. If he agreed, he would surely become the target of everyone’s hostility. Even if the medical clinic opened, there would inevitably be traps at every turn. Though he would have the County Magistrate’s protection, open spears were easy to dodge while hidden arrows were difficult to guard against. It probably would not be long before he was forced to slink back to Baitou Village.
Smiling without showing his thoughts, he said, “Lord, you’re joking. The reason I was able to cure the young lady this time was that your blessings run deep, and I happened to know this Folk Remedy. Otherwise, with my mediocre medical skill, I definitely couldn’t have done it. Open a medical clinic in Qingshui City? I wouldn’t dare, even if someone beat me to death!”
The famous physicians breathed a sigh of relief.
Li Gouzi glanced at him, puzzled. Hadn’t Brother Stone originally planned to open a medical clinic in the city? Why had he changed his mind?