Chapter 222

Chapter 222

The Chen family's capital residence had previously been rented out. Some of the servants the family had hired stayed in the capital, while those who had signed service contracts followed them to Shanzhou.

However, as early as three months ago, when an imperial decree ordered Chen Qingyan to return to the capital, Qing Huai helped end the rental agreement. As a result, the entire courtyard was now vacant, which worked out perfectly for Wang Ying—otherwise, being discovered would have been troublesome.

Once the carriage came to a stop, Chen Ju clutched his chest and took a moment to recover before jumping down. Trembling, he said, “Sir, we’ve arrived.”

“Keep your voice down so we don’t wake the neighbors. First, tidy up the west room and heat the brick bed (kang).”

“Yes!” The two of them went to work separately, while Wang Ying and Yuanbao stayed by Old Liang’s side.

Liang Boqing looked outside and, in the early dawn light, saw the familiar courtyard. He felt both shocked and joyful, too overcome to speak. He never imagined he would actually make it to the capital!

Once the room was ready, Chen Ju and Chen Zhandong carefully moved the old man from the carriage, carried him into the house, and settled him in.

Wang Ying personally cooked a bowl of congee, served with refreshing pickled vegetables. The old man drank a full bowl and then fell asleep.

Since no one had rested much the previous night, Wang Ying told everyone to get some sleep first. They could go to the Imperial Medical Bureau after resting; otherwise, they wouldn’t be able to get help during morning hours.

*

After waking in the afternoon, Wang Ying cleaned up and first checked on his master. Seeing that his spirits were quite good, he took the letter written by his fourth uncle and went to the Imperial Medical Bureau to get medical help.

Chen Ju drove the carriage and accompanied him, while Chen Zhandong stayed behind to look after Old Liang. It would be better once Chen Qingyan and the others returned, as they were currently short-staffed.

Wang Ying massaged his temples, feeling somewhat weary. The top priority was to cure his master’s illness.

Arriving at the Imperial Medical Bureau, Wang Ying handed the letter to the reception clerk. Shortly after, a physician surnamed Lin emerged, with his medical kit.

This man was around the same age as Fourth Uncle. Dressed in a plain long gown, he asked gently, “Are you a relative of Lord Chen?”

“I am Chen Jing’s nephew by marriage. I’ve come specifically to ask for your help in treating a family member…”

Physician Lin raised his hand to interrupt, “Your fourth uncle has already explained everything in the letter. Let’s go.”

Wang Ying quickly bowed respectfully and invited him to board the carriage first.

On the way, Physician Lin inquired about Liang Boqing’s symptoms. Wang Ying briefly recounted what he knew: “The old man is over sixty. He was in good health before, but since catching a cold last autumn, he has been coughing frequently and gradually losing weight. After the New Year, his condition suddenly worsened, and he became bedridden, unable to walk.”

Physician Lin stroking his beard and said, “It sounds like a lung disease. Are there any other symptoms?”

Wang Ying shook his head, “I’m not sure about the rest.” After all, he had only arrived in Changting County the day before, and most of what he knew came from Brother Liang. He wasn’t very familiar with the details.

“Never mind, I’ll examine him in person and check his pulse.” As they spoke, the carriage arrived at the Chen residence.

After alighting, Wang Ying led him straight to the room where Old Liang was staying. When they entered, Old Liang was already awake and had just finished half a bowl of congee.

Physician Lin first felt his pulse—it was faint and floating, indicating a deficiency syndrome (a pattern of weakness or lack of vital substances in the body). He then examined his eyes and tongue, noting excessive lung heat. Overall, the condition wasn’t too severe, but it had been prolonged, and his advanced age had weakened his body. If left untreated, he would have had only two or three months left to live.

Physician Lin asked, “What medicine was he taking before? Do you still have it?”

“Yes, we do.” They had brought some of the medicine prescribed by the local doctor in the county town the previous night.

Physician Lin opened the packet, sniffed it, frowned, and tossed it aside. “What a quack! The patient is already weak with yang deficiency (a pattern of coldness and weakness), yet the medicine contains cold ingredients like trichosanthin and scutellaria. No wonder he’s getting worse!”

Wang Ying’s heart sank. “Is the medicine poisonous?”

“Not poisonous, but it’s not suitable. For an ordinary person, such medicine might help after a few days of clearing heat, but an elderly man can’t withstand such treatment. He needs nourishing herbs like phellodendron, gentian, and sophora—gentle heat-clearing with a focus on replenishment.”

Hearing this, Wang Ying knew there was hope. “Please, Physician Lin, help us save him!”

“I’ll first do acupuncture to release the accumulated cold toxins in his body, then write a prescription for you to fill.”

Since acupuncture required removing clothing, Wang Ying left the room and asked Chen Ju to assist instead.

About half an hour later, Physician Lin emerged with his medical kit. Wang Ying handed him a basin of water he’d prepared to wash his hands.

Physician Lin said, “I’ve already written the prescription. Take it to fill later. By the way, go to Lingzhi Pharmacy on Xuanwu Street—it’s run by my apprentice. Mention my name, and they won’t charge you extra.”

“Thank you, Physician Lin!” Wang Ying quickly took out the prepared silver to offer him.

Lin Xiang waved his hand. “Your uncle and I are old friends—no need for payment. Chen Jing has been prefect of Yanzhou for three years now. Shouldn’t he be returning to the capital for his debriefing this year?”

“Yes, he’ll be back in a little over half a month.”

“Then I’ll meet with him then. Take this medicine for two weeks and see how it goes. Come find me at the Imperial Medical Bureau after that.”

“Thank you, Physician Lin.” Wang Ying thanked him again and asked Chen Zhandong to bring the carriage to take him back to the Imperial Medical Bureau.

After seeing him off, Wang Ying hurried into the west room. “Master, how are you feeling?”

“Much better. It really was necessary to come to the capital…”

Previously, he had felt heavy and tired, struggling even to breathe. But after the physician’s acupuncture, which drew out a lot of dark blood, he felt significantly lighter and could breathe more easily. Truly a miraculous doctor!

Perhaps he really would live to see Yuanbao pass the imperial examinations…

*

The physicians at the Imperial Medical Bureau were indeed carefully selected—truly skilled!

From the day of the treatment, Old Liang’s condition got better every day. After half a month of herbal treatment, he was even able to get out of bed and walk a few steps—an amazing recovery.

After finishing the medicine, Wang Ying went to the Imperial Medical Bureau again to invite Physician Lin. This time, after checking the pulse, Physician Lin said the old man had almost fully recovered, though his body still needed gradual recuperation. He prescribed some nourishing herbs.

Liang Boqing was already advanced in age, and this illness had drained his energy. It would take a year or so for him to fully recover.

Hearing this, Wang Ying was completely relieved. As long as his master could be cured, that was all that mattered!

As the weather grew warmer, the old man got restless being cooped up inside and began taking walks in the courtyard. In his spare time, he even taught Yuanbao to read. Who would have thought this was the same man who had been at death’s door half a month ago?

The only downside was he spoiled his grandson. When he had taught Chen Qingyan and the others, he always kept a ruler handy, ready to rap their knuckles at the slightest mistake. But with Yuanbao, he was as gentle as if handling a baby, always smiling and never losing his temper.

On the eighth day of the third month, Chen Jing and his group finally returned to the capital—a full seventeen days later than them.

Although Chen Qingyan had already learned from the experimental field that his teacher’s condition was stable and improving, he still worried.

When they arrived home and saw the man sitting in the courtyard, they were stunned. “Master?!”

“Ah, you’re back.” The old man’s hair and beard had turned completely white during his illness. Dressed in wide-sleeved robes, he smiled at them like an immortal.

Liang An, who had returned with them, couldn’t hold back and knelt with a thud. “Waaaah, Master, you’ve recovered!”

Chen Jing was also deeply moved. He hurried forward and grasped his old friend’s hand. “Seeing you well puts my mind at ease. That Lin Xiang really knows his stuff!”

Wang Ying smiled and urged everyone, “Come inside first. You’ve had a long journey—rest for a while. I’ll have the kitchen prepare a meal. You can rest properly after eating.”

Lunch consisted of meat soup with flatbread, along with several signature dishes ordered from Tianxiang Lou. Even little Yingying was considered—they specially prepared milk custard and steamed meat buns for her.

Long journeys were particularly hard on children. Fortunately, she hadn’t caught a cold, but despite the careful attention of the servants along the way, the little girl had still lost weight.

During the meal, Wang Ying held Yingying and fed her. Unlike little boys, she ate quietly and neatly, not even staining her clothes.

"Let the maid feed her; you've been busy all morning. Come and eat first," said Fourth Aunt.

"I ate earlier this morning, and I'm not very hungry right now. Since I'm free anyway, I just want to spend some time with our little girl."

Yingying tilted her head and looked at Wang Ying, saying, "Want Uncle... to feed me..."

Bai Shi smiled and tapped her daughter's little nose, saying, "Aren't you the bold one?"

Wang Ying couldn't help but laugh. The child had changed quite a bit during this trip. Before, she was very shy and wouldn't let anyone but her mother and wet nurse hold her. Now, she doesn't mind being held by relatives.

The men gathered together and inevitably drank a bit. Old Liang was still taking traditional medicine and couldn't drink, which made his mouth water enviously.

Chen Qingyan poured him a cup of tea and said, "You should write home when you get a chance. When we left, Liang Shuo was worried sick, afraid he might never see you again."

"That boy of mine..." Old Liang sighed at the mention of his son. He used to regret that his son hadn't inherited his talent—despite over ten years of training, he couldn't even pass the imperial exams.

After this serious illness, Old Liang had gained perspective. His son was kind-hearted and filial, which already surpassed many others. There are no perfect things in the world, and he felt content to have such an upright child.

Old Liang hadn't fully recovered yet and was tired after the meal. Since Qing Huai and the others had just returned and needed to head back to their own homes to settle in, Wang Ying didn't press them to stay.

The servants cleaned up the rooms. Chen Qingyan took the chance to bathe in the bathroom. Exhausted from the journey, he fell asleep in the tub.

When Wang Ying came in, the water had gone almost cold. He quickly woke Chen Qingyan up, dried him off, and changed his clothes so he wouldn't catch a chill.

Back in the bedroom, Chen Qingyan held Wang Ying and said, "Fortunately, you have the experimental field to save our teacher."

"It's a pity that this transportation ability can only be used once more at most." But he hoped the last time wouldn't be needed, because using it would surely mean something major had happened.

"Tomorrow I have to report to the Ministry of Personnel, and I'll probably need to enter the palace to see His Majesty."

Wang Ying said worriedly, "Do you have your story straight? Make sure there are no mistakes when the time comes."

"Before leaving Liangzhou, I discussed the explanation with the Marquis. The grain was transported with his help, and we even prepared fake account books. Even if the court sends someone to investigate, they won't find anything."

"That's good. Teacher has been reminding me that the matter of the experimental field must not be leaked. Although we know its use is limited, if it falls into the wrong ears, it might be exaggerated into some kind of divine blessed land."

Chen Qingyan said, "I know. Luckily, you wrote that agricultural book. It has helped increase production in Shan Prefecture over the past few years, so we can use that as an excuse to explain the origin of the grain."

"Just handle it as you see fit."

Chen Qingyan drifted off to sleep. Wang Ying tucked him in properly and then went to the experimental field.

With the accumulation over this period, the experience in the experimental field was almost full again. It would probably reach level nine in a few more months. He wondered what new rewards would come after level nine.