The moment the words left his mouth, the Prefect’s body swayed, and the middle-aged woman being attended to by several maids let out a shriek and rushed forward.
“Doctor, you are all miracle workers, true healers! Please, you must find a way to save my son. He is my only child!” she cried, collapsing to the floor, nearly suffocating from grief.
The doctors scrambled, frantically directing the maids to soothe the distraught woman and ordering attendants to fetch restorative decoctions. It was utter chaos.
“Is there truly no hope? How can there be no hope? He was fine just a moment ago, only complaining of a stomachache—how can he be beyond saving?” the Prefect gasped, steadying himself against the table as he demanded.
“My Lord,” a doctor emerged from the inner room where the cries continued unabated. It was Liu Pucheng, walking with a slight limp, indicating he might have sustained an injury. “Though your noble son appears outwardly unharmed, the crushing blow from the horseshoe has severely damaged his internal organs…”
Having served as an official for many years, the Prefect was well-versed in internal injuries.
He vividly recalled an incident where one of his constables, gravely wounded in the viscera during a pursuit of a fugitive, had died after only one night.
And now, his own son suffered the same fate…
“Doctor Liu, Doctor Liu, please, you must think of something,” he stepped forward, grasping the physician’s arm in desperate supplication.
The authority that usually radiated from the high-ranking official had vanished entirely; in an instant, he appeared aged, his frame trembling uncontrollably.
“You, you all must find a solution…”
He surveyed the room, bowing deeply and formally to the assembled physicians.
The doctors respectfully stepped aside.
“My Lord, you mustn’t,” they murmured in unison.
“My Lord, I have already administered the Shufeng Liqi Tang (Wind-Dispelling and Qi-Regulating Decoction) to the young master; it might delay matters by a day or two, but…” Liu Pucheng sighed heavily. “It is best to prepare for the young master’s funeral arrangements…”
The Prefect’s expression finally crumbled into utter defeat. He staggered back several steps, his eyes fixed and unseeing.
“Alas, delaying it is no better than not delaying it. Injuries to the viscera are agony beyond words…”
“…Unless Hua Tuo himself were resurrected, perhaps there might be a chance…”
The other doctors echoed his somber assessment.
Standing at the very back of the assembly was a small, elderly man who had listened silently to everything. These were the finest physicians in Yongqing Prefecture. A man of his standing would not even have been permitted to stand in this room, let alone offer an opinion among such masters, had the Prefect not, in his desperation, summoned every possible healer. But at this moment, the old man suddenly raised his hand.
“Hua Tuo! Hua Tuo!” He seemed utterly galvanized, shouting loudly, his voice momentarily overpowering the screams of pain from the inner chamber. “I know… I know!”
As he spoke, not only the others but he himself shook uncontrollably with excitement.
“What did you say?” The Prefect lunged forward as if a drowning man had caught a straw, shoving past the other doctors to stand directly before the old man. “Hua Tuo?”
“Doctor Guo, stop talking nonsense,” one of the physicians cast a dismissive glance at the old man and muttered quietly.
“This Old Guo runs a small pharmacy in the south of the city,” another whispered to his peers, introducing the speaker. “He mostly treats the servants in noble households… He has some reputation for handling common ailments like wind-heat colds or injuries from beatings…”
The speaker chuckled at this point.
“A healer’s worth is not defined by status. What is so amusing?” one of the doctors stated sternly.
The speaker quickly stifled his smile and bowed to the other physician with the deference owed to a senior disciple.
“Yes, this disciple dares not.” The speaking doctor immediately conceded.
Meanwhile, the Prefect had seized Doctor Guo, bombarding him with rapid inquiries.
“…I once treated a patient whose viscera were injured by a kick, and he lived,” Doctor Guo stammered.
“Then go treat him quickly!” The Prefect grabbed him and shoved him toward the inner room, shouting hoarsely.
“It wasn’t me, it wasn't me!” Doctor Guo cried out, waving his hands frantically, though the Prefect’s push sent him stumbling back several steps.
“Then who was it?” The Prefect was nearly breathless.
The other doctors were equally intrigued. Was there truly such a master physician in Yongqing Prefecture?
“I know who it was!” Doctor Guo exclaimed.
The entire room drew a sharp breath.
“That young woman cured him, but they wouldn't tell me who performed the cure! This old man couldn't pry it out of them,” Doctor Guo managed to get out in one rush.
Many doctors shook their heads.
“How could such a thing happen…”
They refused to believe it.
“Was he truly cured?” one doctor inquired. “Are you certain you didn’t misdiagnose?”
Misdiagnosis was an accusation no physician could tolerate, and Doctor Guo was no exception.
“How could I misdiagnose! I have treated similar cases before; every one ended in death within two or three days. Only this one—I had assumed she was gone too—but I ran into her just days ago, alive and well! And she even deliberately tried to frighten me…” His face flushed crimson, his beard trembling as he shouted.
“Which household?” Liu Pucheng, who had remained silent until now, suddenly asked, stepping forward and looking at the Prefect.
“The Residence of Marquis Dingxi,” Doctor Guo replied.
A wave of murmurs swept through the room, though the consensus remained that Doctor Guo’s claim was unreliable.
The Prefect was at a complete loss.
“My Lord, My Lord, perhaps the Residence of Marquis Dingxi can indeed summon a miracle worker…” the Prefect’s wife cried, weeping. “I will go immediately to beg them! My cousin is an old acquaintance of the Marchioness of Dingxi; I can plead with her…”
“The Residence of Marquis Dingxi would summon a divine physician for a mere servant?” The Prefect offered a bitter smile. “Madam, do you truly believe that is possible?”
The physicians present nodded in silent agreement.
“I am not lying, she was truly cured!” Doctor Guo insisted, seeing the disbelief in everyone’s eyes, his voice rising.
“My Lord,” Liu Pucheng suddenly spoke, stepping forward and addressing the Prefect. “If it is the Residence of Marquis Dingxi, then perhaps the young master does have a chance of survival.”
Chang Yuncheng’s return to the Marquis’s residence caused immediate upheaval.
The moment Chang Yunqi dismounted and regained his freedom, he bolted straight toward where the Marquis was, scattering maids, young servants, and footmen who hastily scattered in his path.
Chang Yuncheng did not stop him but maintained his composed demeanor, unhurriedly returning to his own courtyard first. After washing and changing his clothes, he proceeded toward Madame Xie’s quarters.
Just as he reached the entrance of Madame Xie’s Rong'an Court, he ran directly into the Marquis of Dingxi, who was approaching in a terrible rage.
The Marquis wore a casual grey silk robe, his sash untied, clearly having rushed over. Seeing Chang Yuncheng, he raised his hand and delivered a resounding slap.
Chang Yuncheng did not evade; he accepted the blow squarely.
“Bind him at once,” the Marquis roared, his fury intensifying.
The young servants following behind him, carrying clubs and ropes, lowered their heads and advanced upon hearing the command.
“Who dares!” Madame Xie’s voice rang out from within the doorway. She did not wait for assistance but strode out quickly, grabbing Chang Yuncheng and pulling him behind her back.
The maids and serving women then rushed forward in a flurry, kneeling and crying out for the Marquis to restrain his anger.
“Rebellious son!” the Marquis thundered, pointing at Madame Xie. “Move aside! This is all your spoiling!”
“My Lord, whose slander have you listened to this time that makes you take your anger out on Cheng-ge’er! Without even asking, you strike and curse! Even if he has done wrong, did you question him? Did you ask him yourself?” Madame Xie trembled with fury, refusing to yield, tears shining in her eyes. “Yes, I spoil him! If I don’t, who else in this entire residence cares for him even a little!”
“What nonsense are you speaking! He has done something that drove his legitimate wife to her death, and you still protect him!” the Marquis shouted, staring at Madame Xie. “Or perhaps you knew about this all along?”
Madame Xie was left utterly bewildered by the accusation.
“My Lord, what are you saying! What about driving his wife to death!” she questioned.
“Ask your good son!” the Marquis commanded.
All the maids and servants retreated outside the courtyard. Inside Rong’an Court were only the Marquis, Madame Xie, and Chang Yuncheng. Chang Yunqi, and Concubine Zhou, who had rushed over upon hearing the commotion, were also present.
“Does it hurt?” Seated on the kang, Madame Xie gently touched the red mark on Chang Yuncheng’s face, asking in a choked voice.
Chang Yuncheng smiled faintly.
“My skin is tough; I only worry that Father’s hand is sore from striking me.”
Madame Xie’s tears fell freely.
“Where did this tough skin come from…” she sobbed.
“Enough! Having committed such an act, if a formal accusation is lodged, no amount of toughness can withstand it!” the Marquis stated gravely.
“My Lord, why must you assume Cheng-ge’er is the culprit?” Madame Xie managed to compose herself, raising her eyebrows. Her gaze swept over Concubine Zhou and Chang Yunqi standing in the room, and she gave a cold laugh. “Perhaps it’s the thief crying ‘Stop thief!’”
“What thief crying ‘Stop thief!’ How could Qi-ge’er be the thief?” the Marquis scolded. “What does this have to do with him!”
Madame Xie gave a cold laugh.
“It has nothing to do with him, so why does his younger brother, the younger uncle, run off to visit his elder sister-in-law, who lives alone, every other day?” she said coolly. “At home, listening to music and chatter was one thing, but even when they go out, he still longs for her so much.”
The moment Madame Xie uttered these words, Chang Yunqi lifted his robes and knelt.
“Mother, please judge fairly. I only cherish the bond between siblings. If I have shown any disrespect, may I be struck down by heavenly lightning.” He raised his hand toward the sky as he spoke.
“Why are you making such an oath!” the Marquis disliked hearing this and gestured for him to rise. “Get up, why kneel like that.”
Before Chang Yunqi could rise, Concubine Zhou knelt tearfully as well.
“Madam, when the Old Madam loved lively gatherings, all the children were with her. There should have been a clear separation between genders, but the Old Madam cherished Yue Niang and wished to foster closer affection between the brothers and sisters, so she did not strictly enforce avoidance during those two years. Qi-ge’er truly regarded her as a sister, which is why his conduct has become improper now. I beg the Madam to forgive him.” She choked out her words.
“What crime is there! What is there to forgive! Should a family not be close? Must everyone force others to death like this reckless boy to be considered reasonable?” The Marquis slammed his hand on the table and roared. He started to call for someone to help Concubine Zhou up, but seeing that the surrounding maids had withdrawn, he stood and went to help her himself.
Concubine Zhou dared not let him help, quickly rising herself and taking a humble step back. Her expression of sorrow and helplessness only fueled the Marquis’s anger further.
“Speak, what exactly do you want?” The Marquis directed his full wrath toward Chang Yuncheng.
“Investigate. You must find the murderer,” Chang Yuncheng stated, his expression calm.
“Very well, let’s see what you can find out!” the Marquis snorted, glancing at Madame Xie and sneering, “That is what one calls a thief crying ‘Stop thief!’”
“My Lord,” Madame Xie stood up, her face ashen, trembling as she pointed at Chang Yuncheng. “This is your son! This is your legitimate eldest son! From beginning to end, you haven't asked him a single question, yet you condemn him based on a few words you heard from others! My Lord, your heart is far too biased!”