Chapter 6: Seeking a Doctor

On this day, the sound of horse hooves clattered against the bluestone road of Luming County as a luxurious carriage pulled to a stop before the Zhang residence.

Inside the carriage, the elderly Imperial Physician Xue narrowed his eyes, sweeping a look of disdain over the gold-inlaid and silver-trimmed decorations. The nouveau riche of the countryside were truly vulgar and insufferable.

Master Zhang, leading a group of servants, had long been waiting respectfully outside the carriage.

When there was no movement from within for a long time, Master Zhang grew anxious. Could it be that Physician Xue was dissatisfied with the arrangements?

Physician Xue was the only hope for Shou'an’s survival. To secure his services, Master Zhang had exhausted his efforts, pulled every string he could find, and promised a heavy sum of gold before the physician finally agreed to come.

To ensure the journey went smoothly, he had sent a team of over twenty people to escort him, staying at the finest inns and eating the most expensive meals along the way.

After enduring such hardships, if Physician Xue were to suddenly back out now, what would become of Shou'an?

Master Zhang felt a deep sense of dread in his heart.

After about half an incense stick’s time had passed, Master Zhang could no longer restrain himself and wanted to step forward to lift the curtain.

Physician Xue’s attendant immediately stepped in to stop him, lowering his voice to bark, "The old physician is taking a nap; you are not to disturb him."

Master Zhang felt a flash of irritation, but he dared not say another word.

After another incense stick’s time, a slight movement came from inside the carriage.

The attendant hurried forward, directing the Zhang family servants to open the curtain and set out the footstool. After a flurry of activity, they carefully helped Physician Xue out of the carriage.

Master Zhang was somewhat dumbfounded; he had no idea that getting out of a carriage required so much ceremony.

Physician Xue was not tall, with slightly graying hair and a gaunt face. His triangular eyes swept over the crowd with a burning intensity, seemingly satisfied with the display, and he gave a slight nod to Master Zhang.

Master Zhang hurriedly arranged for a sedan chair to carry the physician to the flower hall. After washing hands, serving tea, and exchanging formal greetings—a process that took half the day—they finally reached the main topic.

Master Zhang led Physician Xue into Zhang Shou'an’s bedroom. The physician stroked his beard and took the pulse. After a long while, he said, "The young master’s pulse is rapid and weak. Toxic heat has congealed, his vital energy is being depleted day by day, and he suffers from coughing, dry mouth, insomnia, and loss of appetite, with a clouded spirit. This is a case of toxins attacking the lungs and stomach; it is beyond saving. Medicine can no longer help."

Physician Xue’s words were much the same as those of the doctors who had come before.

Master Zhang’s last shred of hope was extinguished, his face turning ashen. However, he still suppressed his grief, paid the full consultation fee, and respectfully saw Physician Xue out of the residence.

Physician Xue did not share in Master Zhang’s sorrow; having received a handsome fee, he was in an excellent mood. He decided to visit the Renji Hall in town, as he had never been there before, having previously dismissed the shop as being in a remote location.

When Master Zhang returned from seeing the guest off, he saw Madam Zhang in the hall, sobbing silently and looking utterly devastated.

He suppressed the pain in his own heart and comforted her, "Madam, do not cry. Heaven will not leave us without a way. I will offer half of the Zhang family’s fortune as a reward to save him; I do not believe no capable person will come forward."

With that, Master Zhang immediately ordered his men to write up a notice and post it in every street and alley of the county.

The old nanny beside Madam Zhang, seeing the grief of her masters, hesitated and said, "Master, Madam, this old servant has heard that there is a 'Divine Physician Hu' in Deer Village who brought an old woman back to life after she had already stopped breathing."

Madam Zhang was overjoyed upon hearing this: "Then why haven't you gone to invite him yet?"

The nanny stammered, "But... this old servant also heard that yesterday, Divine Physician Hu’s wife had a difficult labor, and he was at his wit's end, leaving his wife and child to wait for death."

"However, it is said that a remarkable young girl appeared in Deer Village, and I don't know what method she used, but she saved both the wife and the child."

Madam Zhang scolded, "You old woman, you speak without any order! My heart is being tossed up and down; you’ve nearly scared me to death. But you have done a service today, so go to the accounting office later to collect a reward!"

She then urged Master Zhang, "Master, hurry and send someone to invite both the Divine Physician Hu and the little divine physician. Our Shou'an will be saved now."

Master Zhang held no hope in his heart, but he still sent men to Deer Village to invite them.

...

Meanwhile, in a private room at Renji Hall, Physician Xue was sitting comfortably in a grand armchair, sipping fragrant tea and looking over the account books, when he suddenly heard the sound of gongs and drums.

Before long, the young shop assistant who had gone to gather news returned to report: "Old Physician, Master Zhang has posted a notice offering half of the Zhang family’s fortune to any divine physician who can cure the young master." He then recounted how Master Zhang had sent men to Deer Village to invite people.

Physician Xue’s face turned green. This nouveau riche was truly audacious! He had just invited him, and now he was offering half his fortune to others. The fee he had received was generous, but compared to half the Zhang family’s wealth, it was merely a drop in the bucket.

Abominable! This was trampling his, Xue Henian’s, face into the dirt. Since his retirement, even the Prefect of Jiazhou had to treat him with three parts respect. He never imagined a nouveau riche in such a backwater would dare to humiliate him like this.

Furthermore, in such a remote place, what qualifications did some rustic country bumpkin have to call himself a "Divine Physician"? He, Xue Henian, had practiced medicine for decades and served as the Head of the Imperial Medical Academy for over ten years; when had he ever been called a "Divine Physician"? It was preposterous!

Seeing the physician’s displeased expression, the assistant hurriedly added salt and vinegar to the story of Hu Er’s "divine" deeds.

Physician Xue’s expression cleared slightly after hearing this. So, it was just a petty person seeking fame through deception. Hmph, he would like to see how the Zhang family would be swindled out of their fortune.

And so, Physician Xue, who was supposed to return that day, decided to stay in Luming County.

...

Deer Village.

Several servants from the Zhang family, driving a grand carriage, entered the village and began asking for the home of Divine Physician Hu.

The villagers rarely saw such a beautiful carriage and followed in a long procession to Hu Er’s house.

At that moment, Hu Er was covered in soot, busy boiling a pot of fish soup; Qingli had said that Zhi'er needed more nourishment to produce milk.

The wooden gate was suddenly pushed open, and several neatly dressed servants respectfully asked if Divine Physician Hu was at home.

Hu Er was startled and hurried to greet them: "Who are you?"

The servants smiled and replied, "We have come to invite Divine Physician Hu. Please, young man, pass on the message."

Hu Er looked embarrassed: "I am he."

The servants sized up the young man before them—his hair was a mess, his face was smudged with black and white, and his clothes were tucked haphazardly into his waistband. He didn't look like a "Divine Physician" at all.

Seeing the skeptical looks on the servants' faces, Hu Er said with slight impatience, "What do you want with me?"

The servants collected themselves, suppressed their doubts, and replied respectfully, "We are servants of the Zhang residence. Master Zhang wishes to invite Divine Physician Hu and the little divine physician, Song, to examine our young master." They had already learned that the little divine physician’s surname was Song.

Hu Er frowned. The Zhang family’s only son had been ill for over a decade. Every doctor in the vicinity was famous, and all who had seen him said the illness was beyond medical help. With his own medical skills, he figured it would be useless to go.

The servants were experts at reading expressions. Seeing that Hu Er intended to refuse, they quickly added, "Our master has posted a notice: if you can save our young master, the Zhang family is willing to offer half of their fortune."

Hu Er’s eyes widened. This—this was a fortune of heaven-sent proportions! He was truly tempted. Qingli would surely have a way. Yes, ever since the childbirth incident, Xie Qingli was omnipotent in Hu Er’s heart. However, he could not make the decision himself and hurriedly sent a child who was watching the commotion to fetch Xie Qingli.

Before long, Xie Qingli walked over, unhurried and calm.

Although the servants had heard it was a little girl, they were still taken aback when they saw her. The two "divine physicians," one big and one small, didn't look very reliable. They figured their master was going to waste his time again.

Hu Er invited Xie Qingli into the house and briefly explained the situation.

When Xie Qingli heard about the Zhang family’s half-fortune, she too was tempted. Indeed, wealth moves the heart. In a while, if she were to go to Shengjing City to find her mother, she would certainly need a significant amount of travel money.

Xie Qingli asked in detail about the young master’s condition, and Hu Er told her everything he knew. After pondering for a moment, Xie Qingli felt a degree of certainty.

She deliberated: "It is worth a try, but some preparations are needed. It is late today; we shall go tomorrow. Please, Brother Hu, send those servants away."

Hu Er’s face flushed with excitement. Sister Qingli was indeed capable of anything.

And so, the Zhang family’s servants drove their empty carriage back to report the news...

(End of chapter)