Meng Changdong's gold plaque made Ke Cheng fully understand the Emperor's will.
His spirits lifted, and just as he was about to explain things in detail to Meng Changdong, he heard his servant's voice, "My lord, the Prefect of the prefecture is here to see you, saying it's urgent."
"It must be about the mountain bandits," Ke Cheng took on the task without Meng Changdong needing to say it. "I'll send him away first."
"In that case, I will trouble the Governor," Meng Changdong cupped his hands, his lowered eyelashes concealing the surprise in his eyes.
Could Ke Cheng truly be a good official?
The Prefect of Taiyuan was filled with anxiety but knew this was not a place for a lengthy conversation. He hurriedly dragged Ke Cheng away.
It was unclear how Ke Cheng had managed it, but the night passed peacefully, and no one came to trouble Meng Changdong at the foot of the mountain again.
In the twelfth lunar month in the capital, the water was frozen, and the nights were bitingly cold.
Shengsong wrapped herself in thick fox fur. The dim light of the revolving lantern was barely visible in the night, just enough to illuminate the path ahead. She had come several times but had not seen the Ghost Doctor. She did not know if he was deliberately avoiding her or had already left the capital. Shengsong had planned to return after the New Year, but Si Tu Jue had visited today.
He had instructed her to discreetly seek out a doctor skilled in蛊术 (gu术).
She had cautiously probed him, and Si Tu Jue's ailment was likely related to蛊虫 (gu worms).
Looking at his anxious yet suppressed demeanor, Shengsong suddenly changed her mind. Killing him so easily would be too kind. Heaven had eyes; letting him contract such an embarrassing illness was the best revenge.
As for a doctor skilled in蛊术 (gu术), she actually knew one.
A faint light ahead interrupted her thoughts. Shengsong's spirits lifted. Was the Ghost Doctor home?
She quickened her pace and gently knocked on the door.
The door opened quickly. The first thing she saw was the same hideous ghost mask. Shengsong was not scared; instead, her face lit up with joy. She removed her veil and said softly, "Long time no see, young lady Shengsong, here to seek medicine."
The Ghost Doctor looked at her a few times and said lazily, "It's you. Come in."
The room was as simple as she remembered, but there was a small table, and the teapot on the stove was gurgling with white steam.
The water was boiling.
The Ghost Doctor gestured for her to sit, then slowly picked up the kettle to make tea. "The蛊虫 (gu worms) in your body are still there. Are you here to have the poison removed today?"
"No, I have a different request."
"Oh? What do you seek?"
Could it be that she was here to request an aphrodisiac for Si Tu Jue? He looked at the beautiful woman before him and felt it was a pity.
Such a lovely, pure cabbage was about to be gnawed by a pig like Si Tu Jue.
Shengsong took a sip of tea. "I wish for the Ghost Doctor to refuse a patient."
"Who?"
"Prince Ning, Si Tu Jue."
Ghost Doctor: ...
The most venomous heart is that of a woman. Making a man impotent is indeed more satisfying than killing him.
He twirled the teacup in his hand. "Young lady, you are likely overthinking. The Imperial Hospital is full of experts. Why would Prince Ning seek out a mere itinerant physician?"
"Prince Ning's illness should be related to蛊毒 (gu poison)."
"To my knowledge, there is Physician Ji in the Imperial Hospital who has also researched蛊虫 (gu worms) extensively."
Shengsong smiled. "The Ghost Doctor need not worry about this. Si Tu Jue would absolutely not dare seek treatment from Physician Ji."
Who didn't know that Physician Ji was close friends with Prince Rui? Seeking out Physician Ji would be no different than directly telling Prince Rui about his impotence. If this ailment were exposed, his chances of reaching the throne would be over.
The Ghost Doctor raised an eyebrow.
Shengsong took out a stack of silver notes from her sleeve. "Is this enough?"
Twenty thousand-tael silver notes, by her estimation.
The Ghost Doctor secretly swallowed, realizing that shady dealings indeed paid faster than legitimate medicine. "You trust me so much, young lady. Aren't you afraid I'll report you to Prince Ning?"
Shengsong smiled openly. "I forgot to tell the Ghost Doctor that the Prince Ning's illness is called impotence. If you knew about such an ailment, would he not discard you after he got what he wanted? Moreover, that Prince Ning is very stingy and certainly not as generous as I am."
She pushed the silver notes forward. "The price is negotiable."
Her bright smile dazzled the Ghost Doctor. By the time he recovered, he had touched her soft, boneless hand. "What if I wanted something else?"
Shengsong was slightly stunned.
Bah, no man is a good thing.
Her smile became even more enchanting. "This young lady doesn't mind spending a night with you, but the蛊毒 (gu poison) within me is still of great use. Wouldn't the Ghost Doctor prefer to get in line?"
Ghost Doctor: ...
"Forget it, I prefer money. Add another ten thousand taels, and I guarantee Prince Ning will forever be a eunuch."
"Oh, you can drug him?"
"That is not something you need to concern yourself with."
Shengsong decisively took out another stack of silver notes from her other sleeve and handed over half.
Ghost Doctor: ...
So, his initial price was too low.