"Tell me about your son's condition," Ah Jiu said, rubbing her shoulders.
The streets, still shrouded in pre-dawn gloom, revealed the stark temperature difference of an autumn morning.
"To be frank, my son is a cook. He often goes to Menghua City to work as a chef. About half a year ago, on his second trip to Menghua City, he returned with a high fever that wouldn't subside. Afterwards, he lost his appetite and couldn't bear light, saying it was too dazzling."
"Menghua City?" Ah Jiu's pupils constricted. She wondered if it was related to that incident. "Shopkeeper Bai, please continue."
"Yes, Menghua City. He used to be a cook in a tavern, but he stopped working because he fell ill. Ever since he returned home, he has been wasting away day by day. Now, he can't eat or drink anything. I heard that the febrile diseases in Nanzhou County are very similar to my son's symptoms, and I'm afraid he'll be taken to the charity house to await death. So, I've been hiding it from the neighbors and haven't dared to report it.
Now, now that there's a way to cure him, I believe this matter would be trivial for Lady Jiu. If he's cured, this matter will pass."
"Your son, it was half a year ago?" Ah Jiu's mind was still fixed on that timeline. "Was it at the Gao family's wedding banquet in Menghua City?"
"Ah? You... how did you know?" Shopkeeper Bai was so startled that he forgot to move, staring at Ah Jiu in disbelief.
Ah Jiu didn't stop walking. Shopkeeper Bai hurried to keep up.
"I've heard about that incident, but I don't know how your son contracted it," Ah Jiu asked softly. She recalled that when Madam Qian spoke of her husband's situation, she hadn't clearly explained how he had eaten that meat.
"Ah..." Shopkeeper Bai was suddenly alarmed. "To be honest, this old servant doesn't know. Ever since my son fell ill, he barely speaks, and I can't get any results by asking."
"Oh." Ah Jiu didn't ask further.
Soon, they arrived at the back door of the rice shop.
There were many residences here, with shops in the front and living quarters in the back, much like Hua Lan Medical Hall. The front hall was for business, the back courtyard for residents, and a courtyard of similar design.
Shopkeeper Bai quickly opened the door of the room on the east side. "Son, the divine doctor is here. Your father will light the lamp for you now."
With that, he lit an oil lamp.
The room was instantly illuminated. The person on the bed turned over, his back to the light.
Ah Jiu crossed the threshold, and the stench of rotting flesh filled her nostrils. The person on the bed was skeletal, covered only by a sheet.
Fortunately, the Bai family were merchants, and the sheets they used were brand new silk.
"You go out first," Ah Jiu dismissed Shopkeeper Bai.
"Yes, yes, yes. I'll wait outside. If you need anything, just ask."
The moment the door was closed, Ah Jiu took out a small earth dragon from her embrace. It had indeed recovered well, with a full venom sac on its head.
Ah Jiu directly took out a handkerchief. The small earth dragon, with its tiny red bean-like eyes, looked at Ah Jiu. Without any prompting, it hissed at the handkerchief, and a few drops of venom landed on it.
Ah Jiu didn't even check the pulse. She directly took her water skin, poured a bowl of water, and soaked the handkerchief in it.
As she put away the handkerchief, she called out, "Brother, I know you're still conscious. This bowl of medicine can cure your illness."
As expected, Shopkeeper Bai's son, with an extremely strong will to survive, flipped over. He didn't bother to see who was treating him. He grabbed the bowl with one hand, and with great effort, propped himself up to drink it down.
"I need to give you a couple of acupuncture needles too," Ah Jiu said, taking out her needle bag to begin.
Bai's son suddenly clutched his own throat. His emaciated face contorted like a demon trying to escape hell.
"Ugh... Ah!" The cramping pain in his stomach felt like his intestines were being torn apart.
"Son, Lady Jiu... what's happening?" Shopkeeper Bai outside was overcome with anxiety.
"It's nothing. Healing always involves some suffering," Ah Jiu said indifferently, inserting needles around his ears.
"You... I've done as you said. Don't take revenge on my Bai family."
Ah Jiu, her needles still in his ears, couldn't help but frown. She couldn't be bothered with Shopkeeper Bai at the moment. "What is there about your Bai family that's worth my revenge?"
"Roar!" With a roar, he spat out a large amount of blood.
Fortunately, Ah Jiu was experienced and retreated a few steps, or she would have been covered in it.
Shopkeeper Bai outside couldn't stand it and burst in, his attention immediately drawn to the blood on the floor.
Under the reflection of the oil lamp, the fine, shimmering, wriggling worms inside made his scalp tingle, and his legs trembled uncontrollably.