“Since that is the case, we shall take our leave for now and visit Doctor Qi again tomorrow.” He said it directly without waiting for Ye Qingcheng’s reply.
The young shop assistant wanted to detain them, but upon meeting Xiao Wangye’s gaze, he broke out in a cold sweat. “How can he have such powerful charisma even though he’s a cripple? It seems this group is not simple,” the shop assistant thought, too afraid to speak due to Xiao Wangye’s pressure. He could only give up on his intention to keep them.
“Alright, customers are welcome to visit anytime.” Unable to offend such a person, he could only humble himself.
–
After they had walked some distance from the shop, Ye Qingcheng asked, “Where is the other Doctor Qi’s residence? Do you know, Lin Xiao?”
“Your Highness, I do. However, it is quite far from here. We will likely return to the manor late in the evening,” Lin Xiao asked the Princess Consort for her decision, as she was the highest authority now.
Xiao Wangye gave him an appreciative look. He would get a raise at the end of the year.
“But since we are already here, let’s go take a look.” The latter half of her sentence was directed at Xiao Wangye.
“As you wish,” he replied dotingly.
Ye Qingcheng smiled happily, “Then, Lin Xiao, please lead the way.”
Unlike the previous Doctor Qi’s location, Doctor Qi Kang’s residence could be described as remote. If not for passing by many houses, one might have thought they had gone to the wrong place.
“There are only two doctors within a ten-mile radius. With this one living so remotely, will anyone find him?” Bi Xi asked doubtfully, looking at the desolate environment.
It seemed things were not as simple as they appeared.
Finally, they found the shop next to a low hill. It was even smaller than the previous one, and the wooden planks clearly showed signs of multiple repairs, with a mix of new and old. A wooden board was placed at the entrance, bearing the words: “At Home.” This meant the doctor was home and available for house calls. As the group approached, they could smell the scent of traditional Chinese medicine.
“Ah, this scent is so bitter.” Under Ye Qingcheng’s influence, Bi Xi’s acceptance of Chinese medicine had noticeably improved, but the scent emanating from Doctor Qi Kang’s shop was so overpowering that even Ye Qingcheng, a doctor herself, found it “bitter beyond endurance.”
They all covered their noses, waiting to slowly adapt.
The shop was very cleanly arranged. The counter was just a small triangular table with four stools beside it. There was only one medicinal cabinet, and the cabinet itself was very old. Its frequent use was evident, the surface worn to a discoloration. “Old and worn” was the only impression the place conveyed.
“Doctor? Is the doctor at home?” As there was no one in the shop, Lin Xiao had to call out loudly.
After about ten seconds, a boy of about ten years old ran out from behind the screen. “Esteemed guests, are you here for a consultation or to pick up medicine?” He wore rough cloth clothes and had two "chili pigtails" tied up on his head. As he ran, they swung back and forth, looking rather amusing.
The child gave the impression of being a polite boy. Although his attire was simple, his complexion was ruddy.
Ye Qingcheng personally asked him, “Is Doctor Qi at home? We have something to discuss.” It wasn’t for seeing a doctor or picking up medicine.
“Ah? Grandpa is still collecting *jiegeng* in the back, so I’ll go call him.” Before they could answer, he ran off with his pigtails bouncing, loudly calling out, “Grandpa, someone’s here to chat with you!”
Calling “discuss” “chat” didn’t seem entirely wrong.
“You child, how many times have I told you, the word ‘chat’ is not used like that.” As the voice faded, an old man appeared before everyone. He looked to be in his fifties, wearing gray and white cloth clothes. He was thin, and his gait was somewhat heavy, likely due to the rheumatism common in the elderly. However, his eyes were still bright, fitting the image of an old doctor.
“Everyone, may I know the reason for your visit?” he asked first, with humble and polite demeanor.
It was Ye Qingcheng who replied, “Esteemed elder, my student’s surname is Ye, and I am a disciple of Doctor Wen from Jiangnan. I have specifically come here to invite you to emerge from seclusion and lend your medical expertise to my clinic.” After speaking, she bowed respectfully to Doctor Qi.
Upon hearing “Jiangnan Wen family,” Doctor Qi Kang’s expression revealed surprise. Anyone involved in medicine knew of the “Jiangnan Wen family,” a family of physicians spanning generations and a “family of divine doctors.” It was rumored that for any difficult and complicated cases in the world, as long as a member of the Wen family took action, even Yama would have to step aside.
However, when he heard they wanted him to emerge from seclusion, and for a clinic? Recalling the incident from over a decade ago, Doctor Qi Kang shook his head in disappointment. “I must respectfully decline this request. I am old and cannot help you young people.” The refusal was written all over his face.
“Why?” Bi Xi asked, puzzled. The old gentleman before them looked like a highly skilled doctor and gave a kind impression.
“It is truly because I am old, and my legs and feet are not convenient.” His excuse did not change, making it even more suspicious.
Lin Xiao noticed the clue and boldly stated the truth, “Esteemed Elder Qi, you are resisting because of that incident ten years ago, aren’t you?”
Elder Qi looked at him in alarm, then lowered his head in understanding. Indeed, this matter was not a secret here; one could inquire about it easily.
“Since you already know, I will say no more. Please return, everyone.”
Lin Xiao had not clearly explained the reason to them on the way, so they were all in a daze. Lin Xiao had to explain, “Ten years ago, Elder Qi was a renowned doctor, saving countless children. There was only one case, a young boy with a high fever that lasted for seven days. The boy’s mother found the elder. The boy, who had been saved, suddenly suffered a heart attack that night and passed away during his final dose of medicine.”
After this, Elder Qi’s reputation plummeted, while the other Doctor Qi’s fame soared.
The old doctor, nearing sixty, had his past brought up to his face, and a look of embarrassment appeared on his wrinkled face.
“However, is that truly how it happened?” Ye Qingcheng’s cool voice fell upon Elder Qi’s ears like a snowflake landing on a palm, cold yet clarifying.
“Of course not. If it were that simple, it wouldn’t be a fabricated story,” Sansan answered the question proudly.
While listening to Lin Xiao recount the incident, Ye Qingcheng had quietly asked Sansan in her mind and received the answer: Elder Qi had been framed.
The greatest beneficiary of this was undoubtedly the other “Doctor Qi.”
At the time, Elder Qi had suspected he was being framed and had examined the medicinal dregs but found no irregularities. Seeing the grieving mother who had lost her child, he couldn't bring himself to say anything more disheartening.
“Esteemed Elder Qi, your prescription back then had no issues. It was just that someone had intentionally added an extra *liang* of one particular herb…” Let alone an extra *liang*, even an extra few leaves could be dangerous.
“It triggered the child’s heart condition, and the bleeding from his nose was due to this, not poisoning.”