With a “thud,” Liu Wanjun’s head slipped from his arm, his forehead hitting the desk. The servant’s heart skipped a beat.
“Master?”
Liu Wanjun, his head against the desk, remained silent, as still as if he were already dead.
The servant, startled by the sudden thought, quickly steadied Liu Wanjun’s shoulder, righting him and leaning him back into the chair. Then, with trembling fingers, he placed them beneath Liu Wanjun’s nose.
“Huuu~”
The moment he felt the breath, the servant let out a sigh of relief.
He was still breathing!
However… something was indeed very wrong with him!
...
Liu Wanjun was ill!
Severely ill.
Liu Wanjun’s eldest son went to the imperial palace to seek the Emperor’s mercy, bringing back imperial physicians from the Imperial Academy to treat Liu Wanjun. Yet, even with their help, the physicians were somewhat helpless against Liu Wanjun’s illness.
“You’d best prepare yourselves!”
The imperial physician sighed, feeling some pity for the Liu family. If Liu Wanjun were to pass away, the Liu family would likely begin its decline!
Grief was palpable throughout the Liu mansion, from top to bottom.
“Father, if someone from Medicine King Valley were to treat Grandfather, could he be cured?” Liu Cheng asked.
Liu Zijing, his face etched with exhaustion, snarled curses, “Medicine King Valley… are there not enough people from Medicine King Valley in the Imperial Academy? And what was the result? Nothing but a bunch of incompetent fools!”
“Unless…”
“Unless what?” Liu Cheng pressed.
“Unless it’s a direct disciple of Medicine King Valley, perhaps, perhaps they could save your grandfather!”
Upon hearing this, Liu Cheng’s eyes lit up, “Father, if I can find that Feng Luan, will Grandfather be saved?”
“Feng Luan? You mean the Feng Luan who treated the flood in Yuzhou along with County Princess Jiacheng before?” Liu Zijing shot up from his seat, taking three steps and then two, rushing to Liu Cheng. He grabbed Liu Cheng’s shoulders, asking excitedly, “Cheng’er, could it be that you can find him?”
The pain in his shoulders made Liu Cheng gasp, and only then did Liu Zijing realize he might have hurt Liu Cheng. He quickly released his grip, but his gaze towards Liu Cheng remained eager and fervent.
Liu Cheng nodded, “He is in the capital now, at the Tongji Pharmacy on Yunlan Street!”
“Cheng’er, how do you know that?” Liu Cheng’s mother, Madam Zhang, asked curiously.
Liu Cheng opened his mouth, knowing he would likely be scolded if he said it, but at this moment, Liu Zijing cared little about how Liu Cheng knew. He somewhat impatiently reprimanded, “What use is it to question this now?”
With that, he patted Liu Cheng’s shoulder with immense satisfaction, praising, “Cheng’er, well done.”
Liu Cheng pursed his lips; it was the first time his father had ever praised him.
“Someone, prepare the carriage!”
Liu Wanjun’s condition could not be delayed any further. Having learned of Feng Luan’s whereabouts in the capital, Liu Zijing immediately instructed a servant to prepare a carriage.
...
Yunlan Street, Tongji Pharmacy!
“Who? Feng Luan?”
“Who are you? Are you a family member of Prince Wang Qiancheng?”
“No? Oh, then this establishment does not have anyone named Feng Luan!”
The shopkeeper showed no deference towards Liu Zijing. After inquiring about his identity, he did not alter his attitude even upon learning that Liu Zijing was the direct heir of the prestigious Liu family. Instead, he put away his smile.
He was practically telling him to leave!
“You!”
When had Liu Zijing ever been treated with such disdain? His eyes widened in anger, but remembering Liu Wanjun’s current condition, he had no choice but to suppress his rage.
He understood the shopkeeper’s words; it wasn’t that Feng Luan didn’t exist, but that his status was insufficient to warrant Feng Luan’s appearance.
But the Wang family of Wang Qiancheng?
The Wang family’s pedigree was far inferior to the Liu family’s. What did Feng Luan mean by being willing to see Wang family members yet rejecting the Liu family?
Liu Cheng, who had followed in the carriage, overheard everything. He quickly walked to Liu Zijing’s side and whispered in his ear, “Father, Feng Luan owes Wang Qiancheng a favor, so if we want to invite Feng Luan to treat Grandfather, we might need to go to the Wang family first.”
“There’s such a thing?”
Liu Zijing was astonished, and it also resolved his doubts.
...
Wang Langji, holding the Liu family’s calling card, couldn’t fathom why someone from the prestigious Liu family wanted to visit him. Their Wang family wasn’t considered prominent in the capital. When had these aristocratic families ever paid attention to their Wang family?
However, since the Liu family had sent a calling card, Wang Langji, despite his confusion, dared not refuse the meeting.
It’s just the timing…
Wang Langji clicked his tongue. They sent a calling card and then came to visit almost immediately. The formalities were observed, but the courtesy was lacking.
Liu Zijing had no choice; the situation was truly urgent.
“Brother Wang~”
Liu Cheng, carrying gifts, followed Liu Zijing into the Wang mansion. Compared to the Liu mansion, the Wang mansion was far inferior in terms of size or the splendor of its decorations. But they were the ones who needed a favor.
Wang Langji stepped forward, welcoming Liu Zijing and Liu Cheng into the house.
Servants brought tea and snacks, placing them before Wang Langji and his party. After placing the gifts on the table, Liu Cheng stood obediently behind Liu Zijing.
“Your presence, Brother Liu, truly illuminates my humble abode!” Wang Langji said courteously.
“I implore Brother Wang to save my father’s life!” Liu Zijing had no time for pleasantries with Wang Langji. He suddenly stood up, lamenting, and clasped his hands in a deep bow towards Wang Langji, bending his body almost at a ninety-degree angle.
Wang Langji was startled by Liu Zijing’s sudden action. He quickly rose from his chair, hurried to Liu Zijing, and supported Liu Zijing’s arm, “What are you doing, Brother Liu? This is truly demeaning to me!”
“Brother Wang, you must have heard of my father’s grave illness. Currently, only your son can save my father’s life. As long as your son is willing to lend his aid, the Liu family will agree to any conditions.”
Wang Langji was bewildered by Liu Zijing’s words. His idle and good-for-nothing son could save Lord Liu Wanjun? Wasn’t this like the sun rising in the west, utterly absurd!
“Brother Liu, please do not jest. How could my son possess such capabilities?” Wang Langji was one hundred percent disbelieving. Was it possible his son was like the characters in novels and storybooks, someone who was keeping his talents hidden?
He shook his head, dispelling such unrealistic fantasies, and tried to forcefully help Liu Zijing up. At that moment, Liu Cheng suddenly stepped forward and knelt before Wang Langji, saying, “Uncle Wang, my father is not joking. Grandfather is gravely ill, and the imperial physicians are all at a loss. The only solution now is to invite Feng Luan out of seclusion. However, my Liu family lacks the stature for that, so we can only beg Brother Qiancheng for help.”
“But…”
Wang Langji’s head began to spin. The Liu family lacked the stature, but his son possessed it?