Huo Ci was utterly astonished.
There were eight more cultivators as unhinged as Yun Chunfeng?
His unusually strong reaction successfully caught Jiang Xingyan’s attention.
“Why are you so surprised that he has senior brothers?”
Huo Ci shot a glance at Yun Chunfeng, who was smiling faintly with a hidden sharpness, and thought to himself: How brave of you to act but not own up to it? If you’re afraid of A-Yan finding out, you shouldn’t have done it in the first place. He gave a mental scoff and answered Jiang Xingyan with a hollow laugh, “I thought his master only taught him.”
Jiang Xingyan gave him a strange look. “Even having children can result in twins. Why should teaching disciples be limited to just one?”
Huo Ci forced a dry chuckle and said no more.
Xia Feng seized the moment to break the awkward atmosphere. “Young Lady, we’ve visited all the shops. We’ve made arrangements with seventy-five shopkeepers to meet in the backyard of Jixiang General Store at the end of the You hour [7 PM].”
Jiang Xingyan nodded appreciatively. “You’ve worked hard. Later, I’ll take you out. You can pick out any clothes and jewelry you want.”
“Wow! Our Young Lady is the absolute best in the world!”
The group cheered, their eyes glistening with unshed tears. They all turned away to wipe their eyes. It had been so difficult. Only they knew how much hardship and suffering their Young Lady had endured along the way. Now, it seemed her bitter days were finally over.
Huo Ci, who had personally endured that suffering as Jiang Xingyan, silently lowered his head and focused on eating. Right now, the lower his profile, the better.
Just as Yun Chunfeng was about to stir up trouble, a servant arrived to report: “General, the guards from the main courtyard say the Old Madam has fallen ill. Perhaps it’s due to the fright last night and staying up all night. She’s running a high fever now.”
Jiang Xingyan let out a soft, disdainful snort.
This old hag was bold enough to commit murder and robbery without hesitation. So why was her courage smaller than the eye of a needle?
“Send Wang Qi to the Imperial Hospital to fetch Physician Sun. Have the guards over there relay a message to the Old Madam that the doctor will arrive shortly. Also, tell her that I have already found a powerful master to exorcise the ghost, and ask her to endure for a few more days.”
The servant respectfully acknowledged the orders and left.
Jiang Xingyan was very pleased. Her own people were so much easier to command.
They had just finished the meal when Wang Qi returned with Physician Sun. This time, he had been fetched in a luxurious carriage, which greatly pleased Physician Sun. He stroked his beard, looking quite smug and self-satisfied. At least that grandson Huo Ci knows some manners.
Accompanying Physician Sun was his granddaughter, Sun Yaxiang.
As soon as she saw ‘Jiang Xingyan’, she enthusiastically grabbed ‘her’ hands, asking with concern, “Are you feeling better? How could you dare to run off like that? Grandfather and I searched for you until evening!”
Hearing his granddaughter’s words, Physician Sun suddenly remembered the day before yesterday, when ‘Huo Ci’ had rushed off somewhere for some unknown reason, abruptly leaving his own wife behind at the Imperial Hospital. And that wife of his was stubborn too. Right after the acupuncture and medicine, the moment they took their eyes off her, she was gone. She gave him and his granddaughter quite a scare. They searched all over the capital! It was already dark when they finally heard she had gone to the military camp to find her husband.
Physician Sun could only throw his hands up. Where was the logic in that? He mentally added another black mark against ‘Huo Ci’. He could have at least sent someone to inform them! Causing them needless worry and making him miss dinner, earning him an earful from his old wife when he got home. Hmph! This grandson is no good!
While Physician Sun was inwardly criticizing ‘Huo Ci’, Sun Yaxiang had already taken ‘Jiang Xingyan’s’ pulse.
“Good, the cold has recovered quite well. But your constitution is still a bit weak, showing signs of dual deficiency of qi and blood. When you have time, come back to the Imperial Hospital. I’ll give you a few more acupuncture sessions. I’m sure we can regulate your body back to health.”
Before ‘Jiang Xingyan’ could say anything, ‘Huo Ci’ stepped forward, his eyes full of eager hope. “Why not today? Since the opportunity is here, perhaps Physician Sun could give my wife an acupuncture session now?”
Sun Yaxiang felt annoyed the moment she saw ‘Huo Ci’. Ever since the day before yesterday, her previous admiration for the young general had shattered completely. Now, she dodged away from him with clear distaste. “What’s it to you? It’s up to Sister Jiang whether she’s willing. And let me warn you, if you dare lay a hand on Sister Jiang again, I’ll have Grandfather submit a severe memorial impeaching you. When I take the pulse of the ladies in the rear palace, I’ll also beg them to tell His Majesty to punish you severely! Hmph!”
Jiang Xingyan absolutely adored Sun Yaxiang’s personality. Once she switched back, she was determined to become close friends with her.
She immediately used Huo Ci’s body to express the most profound repentance. “Physician Sun, please don’t be angry. All the fault, every bit of it, is mine, Huo Ci’s, alone. I, Huo Ci, am less than human for bullying my own wife. I truly deserve a beating—no, I deserve to die!”
Sun Yaxiang stared wide-eyed at the bizarrely behaving ‘Huo Ci’, then grabbed ‘Jiang Xingyan’ and ran. “Quick, let’s go. Your husband seems to have something wrong with his head.”
Huo Ci was left with tears streaming down his face internally: No, you guys…
Jiang Xingyan invited Physician Sun into the room and poured him a cup of tea.
“Physician Sun, please have some. This is the finest Huangshan Maofeng.” She also had Qiu Yan bring two large jars of it for Physician Sun.
Physician Sun, a seasoned veteran of the official circles, understood immediately that a favor was being asked. He didn’t touch the tea and cautiously inquired, “General Huo, what is this about?”
Jiang Xingyan didn’t beat around the bush and went straight to the point. “Physician Sun, you have the virtue of having given both me and my wife a second chance at life. First, you saved my daughter, and second, you cured my wife’s cold, both at critical moments when their lives hung in the balance. My wife and I are endlessly grateful.” Jiang Xingyan clasped her hands and bowed deeply to Physician Sun from the bottom of her heart.
Physician Sun stroked his silvery beard, verbally modest. “I dare not claim such credit. A physician’s heart is benevolent. It was merely a small effort, part of my duty. General, you need not hold it in your heart.” But inwardly, he thought: Hmph, so you still have a bit of conscience, you brat.
“I have long considered Physician Sun a true and steadfast friend. When benefits arise, you, esteemed elder, are the first person I think of!”
Physician Sun was confused. What benefits? What benefit could I, Sun Miao, possibly get from you, Huo Ci? I’d thank heaven and earth if you didn’t swindle me!
Jiang Xingyan didn’t keep him in suspense. She gestured in the direction of the main courtyard.
“My mother is feeling unwell. She isn’t confident in cheap, common medicines. As long as Physician Sun can help me solve this significant problem, I, Huo Ci, will ensure you are well compensated for your trouble.”
Physician Sun suddenly saw the light.
Good heavens, good thing I didn’t try to play mind games with Huo Ci. How can this person even scheme against his own birth mother?
Having practiced medicine for many years, he had seen it all. It was simply about writing the medicine names in elegant, profound terms and inflating the prices. A medicine originally costing ten wen would be written as ten qian; one costing ten qian would be written as ten taels. The goal was to use falsified accounts to embezzle money from the middle. He understood perfectly.
He normally disdained such practices, but the other party was Huo Ci. It would be a waste not to swindle him.
He lowered his voice and quoted a figure: “One hundred taels per dose?”
Jiang Xingyan slammed the table.
Physician Sun jumped in fright.
Had he been too rash? Don’t tell me he’s going to back out? Although the saying goes, ‘Better to scare them off than ask for too little,’ this man was ruthless enough to hit his own wife. If he provoked his anger and shame, wouldn’t dealing with his old bones be even easier?
Just as Physician Sun was trembling, preparing to lower his demand, Jiang Xingyan spoke with a tone of exasperation, as if he were a hopeless student. “Where did you get that number? One thousand taels per dose! Prescribe ten doses consecutively. Mark up all kinds of tonics by a hundred times their price. Deliver at least ten items daily.”
As she spoke, Jiang Xingyan took a ten-thousand-tael banknote from her sleeve and pressed it into Physician Sun’s hand.
“This small token of appreciation, I ask Elder Sun not to refuse. All I, Huo, need is a detailed itemized bill.”
Physician Sun, who had unexpectedly been handed a huge banknote, felt like crying: Now that’s a ruthless way to make money!