Chapter 94 The Physician

After they left, a servant immediately went to the rear quarters to report.

Madam Wu of the Prefect's residence sat in the main hall, her brows knit in a cold glare. "You say that bastard's schoolmate from the side courtyard came calling?"

The servant replied, "It was Da Lang of Third Master Zhu's household and Juren Song of the Song family on Huaxi Lane. They submitted a visiting card yesterday, and the eldest son received it."

By the order of Madam Wu's legitimate sons, Wu Zhaoyuan could also be called Second Master, but the Wu family's servants referred to him only as "the young master," without any title. Since Madam Wu held full control over the inner quarters, it was clear that she did not acknowledge Wu Zhaoyuan as a member of the Wu family.

Prefect Wu was on close terms with Second Master Zhu, and Zhu Zening had often visited the Wu residence as a child, so Madam Wu recognized him.

Rolling a persimmon-red agate bracelet on her wrist, Madam Wu asked, "And which household is the Song family on Huaxi Lane?"

Her personal maid bent over and whispered, "Madam, that disciple of Madam Xiang, the one whose husband lives on Huaxi Lane—I heard his surname is Song as well. Could it be his household?"

Madam Wu remembered vaguely. "Meng Fulang?"

The maid replied, "Yes."

The movement of the bracelet paused. Madam Wu's voice was measured. "Send someone to keep a close watch. Such a trivial matter would be disgraceful if it got out. Make sure the trail is clean."

"I understand, Madam."

The maid bowed and withdrew from the hall, but at the corner she collided with a young page boy in coarse clothes.

"Ah!"

"Oh, Sister Cuiying, I'm so sorry." The page boy appeared to be only a third-rank servant, plain in appearance and easily overlooked in a crowd, but the mark on his forehead was remarkably placed—right in the center, a round, plump, cinnabar-red dot.

Having accidentally bumped into the head lady-in-waiting of the Madam’s quarters, he was terrified and apologizing profusely.

Cuiying frowned and barked at him, "How can you be so careless! If you keep this up, I'll have you scrubbing chamber pots in the scullery!"

He flicked his sleeves and walked away. Another third-rank servant came over to console the scolded boy. "Xiao Liu, you've been working in Madam's courtyard for a while now. Why were you so clumsy today, and of all people, you had to bump into Sister Cuiying—she's the most vindictive of the first-rank maids."

Xiao Liu was about to cry. "What am I supposed to do? I didn't mean it!"

The other servant said, "She doesn't care whether you meant it or not. You'd better buy her some fruit to apologize."

Xiao Liu wiped his eyes and sniffled. "But I sent all my money to my parents."

The servant who had comforted him said kindly, "I've got a bit here. Use it for now, and you can pay me back with next month's wages."

"Thank you, Xiao E."

---

Meng Wan was not at home—he had probably gone to Qingxiao Pavilion. Song Tingzhou and Zhu Zening greeted Chang Jinhua briefly before Song Tingzhou led Zhu Zening into the study to discuss matters.

Pacing a few steps in the small study, Song Tingzhou stopped and said to Zhu Zening, "We need to get a doctor, but we can't let anyone find out."

Zhu Zening swallowed hard. "You think there's something fishy going on at the Wu house?"

Song Tingzhou's mind was also in turmoil. "Talking about anything else now is useless. Curing Zhaoyuan is what matters most."

Zhu Zening had been restless ever since leaving the Wu residence. "I'll go back and write a letter right away."

Song Tingzhou stopped him, speaking faster. "Writing a letter would take too long. You should send some trusted people directly to fetch the doctor."

Zhu Zening caught on. "Right, right. Send people to get him. I understand."

He hurried out, nearly tripping as he turned around. Song Tingzhou grabbed him by the arm to steady him. "Take it easy. Zhaoyuan's depending on us now."

In nineteen years as the pampered young master of the Zhu family, no one had ever depended on him before, and now that trust meant his best friend's life.

He steadied his voice so it wouldn't shake. "I'll bring the doctor back safe and sound."

Brother Song was right. Whether Zhaoyuan lived or died was up to them. Sending regular servants might not cut it. He had to go home fast and ask his fourth uncle for a few men to go fetch the doctor from Guling County.

When Meng Wan got home, he just saw the Zhu family's carriage pulling away from his front door, so he knew Song Tingzhou was back.

He hung his outer robe on the screen and asked Song Tingzhou, who had come out of the study to greet him, "How is Juren Wu?"

Song Tingzhou looked grim. At home, he could finally speak his mind. "Not good. I don't understand medicine, but his personal page, Qiu Ying, said it started as just a minor illness then suddenly got worse overnight. I think there's something off about it."

There was a lot he couldn't tell Zhu Zening directly—not that he didn't trust him, but the Zhu family had too many servants and too many ears, so it was best to keep things as quiet as possible.

Meng Wan hadn't expected there might actually be something to it. "If someone really is trying to harm him, isn't it even more dangerous for him in the Wu residence?"

"We have no way to get Zhaoyuan out, though."

If Wu Zhaoyuan were still living independently outside the family home, that would be one thing. But now that he was back in the Wu household, how could they justify taking him out for medical treatment without going through Prefect Wu? That would be a blatant slap in the face to Prefect Wu.

Meng Wan thought a moment and saw no feasible way—unless Xue Sheng sneaked into the Wu residence and carried Wu Zhaoyuan out.

But that plan had its own drawbacks. Even if they succeeded, Prefect Wu had his own informants in Changping. Everyone knew Wu Zhaoyuan was close to Song Tingzhou. If they got caught, they couldn't escape, and even if they cured Wu Zhaoyuan, they'd probably be punished.

Moreover, it was still uncertain whether Wu Zhaoyuan had a severe cold or had been poisoned.

"So what are you going to do?" Meng Wan asked.

Song Tingzhou rubbed his forehead. "Third Master Zhu knows a folk doctor in Guling County, the closest county to the prefectural city. Zening has already gone back to send men to fetch him, but it'll take at least three days to make a round trip."

Meng Wan looked thoughtful. "Do you know which doctor from the city the Wu family called on the other day?"

"No. What are you thinking?"

He finished asking and saw Meng Wan reach for his outer robe on the screen. Song Tingzhou quickly stepped over and helped him take it down.

Meng Wan put the robe back on. "Let's go ask around."

Meng Wan sent out not just the two of them, but also Xue Sheng and Bi Yun at home. They started from the south of the city, asking at every medicine hall one by one.

Meng Wan instructed them not to ask directly, but to bribe the apprentices with silver instead.

They finally found the right place just before sunset.

"That day, my master did go to the Prefect's residence. But who are you, and why are you asking about this?" the medicine hall apprentice eyed Meng Wan and Song Tingzhou suspiciously.

Meng Wan said earnestly, "Brother, to be honest, a few days ago, my husband and I had a quarrel in the street, and in the commotion, I lost my family heirloom jade pendant. If it were anything else, it wouldn't matter, but that jade was given to me personally by my mother-in-law when I married into the family. If I can't find it, how can I face her?"

The apprentice was baffled. "What does that have to do with my master?"

Meng Wan had been waiting for that question. "There was no one else on that street. I only remember a doctor passing by with a medicine case on his back. That's why I came to your hall."

"You mean you suspect my master stole your pendant?"

The apprentice stared at Meng Wan with hostility, but Song Tingzhou stepped in and nudged him aside.

"You..." The apprentice looked up angrily at Song Tingzhou, but his height was lacking, and his presence was greatly diminished, carrying no intimidation whatsoever.

Meng Wan quickly stepped in to mediate, "Young man, please don't be angry. I didn't mean that at all. I just wanted to ask if your master happened to see my family's jade pendant that day while passing by, or spotted any suspicious person."

He took two small pieces of silver from his sleeve and pressed them into the apprentice's hand, saying sincerely, "Please take pity on me and tell me your master's address. We'll go ask him ourselves."

The apprentice glanced around furtively, like a thief, and only when he saw no one was watching did he tuck the silver into his chest. "Alright, my master lives in a remote spot. You'd never find it on your own. Since you look so pitiful, I'll take you there."

Meng Wan thanked the apprentice, but his eyes sparkled with a smile as he looked at Song Tingzhou, who silently squeezed his hand tighter.

The physician lived north of the city. In his haste, Meng Wan had Xue Sheng drive them there by carriage.

When they arrived and knocked, a family member said the physician wasn't home. Meng Wan didn't believe it. "I truly have urgent business with Dr. Zhang. Please, Auntie, do me this favor."

Dr. Zhang's wife was also flustered. "Young man, would I lie to you? He went out at noon and hasn't returned yet."

Seeing this, the apprentice slipped away. Meng Wan led his people to block the doorway, refusing to leave, pestering Mrs. Zhang and keeping her occupied, while secretly directing Xue Sheng to sneak through the back yard into the Zhang residence.

Mrs. Zhang was worn down by him and finally relented, letting Meng Wan and the others inside to check. By then, Xue Sheng had quietly returned and subtly waved his hand in negation at Meng Wan.

That meant the Zhang house was indeed empty.

Meng Wan pressed his lips together and asked again, "Auntie, are you saying Dr. Zhang went out on another house call at noon? When will he be back?"

Mrs. Zhang was both exasperated and amused by Meng Wan. "I've been telling you this all along, and you only now understand? I said he went out for a house call and hasn't returned. As for the time, it's hard to say. Sometimes he stays overnight."

Meng Wan forced a bitter smile. "Then we'll come back tomorrow to visit."

He and Song Tingzhou exchanged a look as they got into the carriage, both feeling a sense of defeat.

Just as Xue Sheng drove the carriage out of the alley, they saw a young man, face streaked with tears, carrying a soaking wet person on his back as he passed them, crying in grief. Water dripped from the man's trousers and robe as he walked.

"Master, husband, come out and see."

Xue Sheng's tone was uncertain.

Song Tingzhou, hearing the strange tone, told Meng Wan to stay in the carriage and got out himself.

Standing by the carriage, Xue Sheng pointed at the staggering figure ahead. "The person on his back looks like a corpse."

Song Tingzhou's heart jolted, pounding rapidly. He clearly saw that besides the person on his back, the man was also carrying a drenched medical case.

"Go back to the carriage. No matter what happens, don't leave the husband's side. I'll go check," Song Tingzhou instructed Xue Sheng, then quickly followed the man ahead.

He watched as the man knocked on Dr. Zhang's door. Mrs. Zhang, who had just spoken with them, opened it and was horrified. "Da Lang, what happened to your father?"

Zhang Da Lang wailed, "Mother! Father... Father is gone!"

...

Song Tingzhou returned to the carriage with an ashen face. Xue Sheng drove away again, leaving behind the grieving family of Dr. Zhang.

Meng Wan had naturally heard the cries and had a bad premonition. "Dr. Zhang is dead?"

Song Tingzhou nodded silently.

Meng Wan gasped. "Then there's no need to confirm it. Someone must have killed him—no doubt about it."

—

After parting with Song Tingzhou, Zhu Zening didn't dare waste a moment. He first went to ask Fourth Master Zhu to lend him a dozen men and ten fast horses. Carrying several dozen taels of silver, he set off immediately.

He traveled without rest, pushing day and night. Even the escorts could barely keep up, let alone a pampered young master like him.

Zhu Zening's thighs were rubbed raw and bleeding, but he finally reached Guli County in one day.

He forced himself to dismount, but as soon as his feet hit the ground, he collapsed onto all fours, mouth full of dust. The escorts quickly helped him up.

Zhu Zening's mouth was dry, his lips peeling. He rasped, "Don't worry about me. Go to the salt shop and see if my father is there. The rest of you, find out where Physician Fan lives. Once you locate him, report back to me at the Zhu residence."

"Yes!"

The escorts were more efficient than his own fussing servants. Whenever Zhu Zening tried to do anything, those servants would only cry and plead, as if he were committing some terrible crime.

Third Master Zhu owned property in Guli County. He liked buying houses in small counties and towns, claiming it was to leave a refuge for future generations.

The one remaining escort helped Zhu Zening hobble slowly toward the Zhu residence. Every step aggravated the wound on his thigh, making him wince. Normally, he would have cried out, but now he gritted his teeth and endured.

The streets were crowded in broad daylight, and Zhu Zening's awkward gait—legs splayed wide like a crab—was decidedly unseemly. Many people pointed and stared.

Zhu Zening's pale face grew even paler. "Why don't you rent a cart to push me..."

"My son! How did you end up like this?!"

A middle-aged man rode up hastily with some escorts. Seeing Zhu Zening covered in dust and in a sorry state, he called out in distress.

Hearing the familiar voice, Zhu Zening felt a surge of grievance. His eyes reddened as he called out to the approaching man, "Father!"

Third Master Zhu was tall, dark-skinned, and strong. He didn't bother with a cart. He personally carried his son into the house and laid him on the couch.

"Quick, fetch a physician!" Third Master Zhu ordered urgently.

At the mention of a physician, Zhu Zening grew excited. "Yes, yes! Father, didn't you once say there's a physician in Guli County whose ancestors served as imperial doctors in the capital? Please bring him here."

Third Master Zhu thought his son was too agitated, but he didn't dwell on it. He quickly sent a servant to summon Physician Fan. Then he asked Zhu Zening, "Son, how did you get so hurt? And why are you in such a rush to see me? Is something wrong at home? Or were you bullied at the prefectural school?"

Seeing his father, Zhu Zening felt an immediate sense of relief. Remembering the perilous journey and his friend's uncertain fate, he choked up. "Father, you have to save Zhao Yuan! He's dying!"

Hearing that the trouble wasn't about Zhu Zening, Third Master Zhu relaxed a little. He dismissed the servants and soothed him, "It's Zhao Yuan? Don't worry. Tell me slowly."

Zhu Zening recounted his visit to the Wu residence with Song Tingzhou and then whispered his suspicions.

Third Master Zhu pondered for a moment. "So you came to Guli County to find Physician Fan?"

Zhu Zening nodded. "Yes, I need to take him back to Changping immediately, or Zhao Yuan's life hangs in the balance."

Unexpectedly, Third Master Zhu said, "Da Lang, you can't take Physician Fan to Changping."