Ji Mo Bai touched the white veil over his eyes and, lost in thought, his expression briefly turned sorrowful.
He sighed softly, "Madam Shen truly loves her child, and the Third Miss Shen is also very talented. Perhaps I can try to guide Madam Shen onto the right path through her daughter."
Having spent so much time together, he could sense that Madam Shen was not a bad person, merely momentarily deluded.
Man Xing understood his meaning, his expression complex.
For reasons unknown, ever since he could remember, his young master had harbored a deep aversion to those who used poison.
Over the years, as they traveled and practiced medicine, whenever they encountered someone who employed poison, the usually compassionate young master would become utterly merciless.
Yet, this time, he had shown leniency towards Madam Shen.
Man Xing couldn't comprehend why. He wanted to ask, but Ji Mo Bai was already engrossed in preparing medicinal herbs, forcing him to swallow his words.
...
To be continued.
The primary reason Li Yue Shu arrived at Heng De Pharmacy so early was that Old Doctor Chen had mentioned encountering a patient he couldn't treat.
As soon as Li Yue Shu alighted from the carriage, Old Doctor Chen hurried over, "That patient didn't come in person. According to his wife's description, he has a problem with his kidneys..."
While relaying what he knew, Old Doctor Chen led Li Yue Shu to the inner chamber of the pharmacy.
From Old Doctor Chen's account, Li Yue Shu had a general understanding of the patient's condition.
However, she hadn't expected that the person she would see upon entering the inner chamber was Liu Lan Lan.
Seeing Li Yue Shu, Liu Lan Lan wasn't overly surprised, but her expression was somewhat tense.
In that instant, Li Yue Shu recalled the question Liu Lan Lan had asked her yesterday and a guess immediately formed in her mind.
She asked Old Doctor Chen to leave, closed the door herself, and then turned to face Liu Lan Lan.
"Let's sit and talk," Li Yue Shu said first. "Sister Lan, are you here to see your brother-in-law?"
Liu Lan Lan nodded, a little shy. "I... I asked Old Doctor Chen, and he said you are truly capable of replacing damaged internal organs and making broken bones grow back. You can definitely save my husband!"
As she spoke, her emotions became agitated, laced with obvious nervousness.
As astute as Li Yue Shu was, she instantly guessed what Liu Lan Lan was worried about.
Li Yue Shu smiled faintly, her tone gentle. "I have always considered Uncle Liu and Aunt Liu as family, Sister Lan. You can tell me about your husband's condition first. If it's treatable, I will do my utmost."
These words served as a reassurance, clearly indicating to Liu Lan Lan that she wouldn't hold yesterday's incident against her.
Liu Lan Lan breathed a sigh of relief, nodded, and recounted her husband's situation.
The condition was similar to Old Doctor Chen's description. Li Yue Shu had a preliminary diagnosis. "Based on Sister Lan's description, it can be preliminarily diagnosed as a kidney problem, but the specific condition can only be known after examination."
Liu Lan Lan instinctively grasped Li Yue Shu's hand. "How will it be examined? Does he need to come in person? I'll go fetch him right now!"
Saying this, she rushed out.
Li Yue Shu didn't react in time. By the time she came to her senses and wanted to call out, she only saw a retreating figure.
Li Yue Shu: "..."
She could have gone with her.
Li Yue Shu thought for a moment. She had many things to attend to recently and couldn't get away easily, so she didn't pursue.
According to Liu Lan Lan's description, the patient's condition wasn't particularly severe. She could wait in Tong Mu County.
However, Li Yue Shu didn't expect that when she returned home, Aunt Liu, seeing her return alone, would curiously ask, "Yue Shu, Lan Lan went to town too. Didn't you meet?"
Li Yue Shu was surprised.
Could it be that Sister Lan hadn't returned but had gone directly to fetch her husband?
Li Yue Shu replied helplessly, "Sister Lan went to fetch her husband. She should be back in a few days."
Old Man Liu, standing nearby, looked overjoyed. "Our son-in-law is coming? That's wonderful! Lan Lan, that child, why didn't she say something beforehand!"
"Oh, right, Yue Shu, did Lan Lan tell you when they'll be back? So I can prepare in advance."
Li Yue Shu was a bit surprised, and a dawning realization struck her. "Did Sister Lan not mention anything about your son-in-law to you?"
Aunt Liu asked, inexplicably, "Is there something wrong with our son-in-law?"
Hearing this, Li Yue Shu instantly understood why Liu Lan Lan, despite being filial, had been out of touch for years.
Afraid of worrying her parents, she had concealed her husband's illness and, to avoid revealing any clues, had been hesitant to return.
But this time, it seemed she couldn't hide it any longer.
Li Yue Shu sighed. "Uncle Liu, Aunt Liu, Sister Lan is a filial daughter. She hasn't returned in years, nor has she sent anything home. Haven't you ever wondered why?"
A bad premonition suddenly arose in Aunt Liu's heart. "We always thought it was their family business that was having problems, and Lan Lan was afraid to tell us, so we didn't ask. Did... did something else happen?"
Li Yue Shu pursed her lips, unsure how to answer at that moment.
Liu Lan Lan had kept silent for so long precisely because she feared worrying them. But now that she was bringing someone back to Tong Mu County for treatment, it was likely that the secret would be revealed.
After some thought, Li Yue Shu decided to give Old Man Liu and his wife a heads-up. "Uncle Liu, Aunt Liu, even if their business is having problems, they could still return for the New Year. Perhaps Sister Lan is worried about something else she doesn't want you to know."
Aunt Liu wasn't foolish and naturally understood that Li Yue Shu meant more than she said.
Her expression turned tense. "Yue Shu, do you know something?"
Li Yue Shu hesitated for a moment, then slowly began, "Sister Lan mentioned that her husband seems to be ill. But I'm not clear about the specifics. We'll only know when Sister Lan brings her husband back."
"However, it's likely not a serious issue. Don't worry. I even saved Aunt Mo, so I have at least an eighty percent chance of success with your son-in-law's condition."
This last sentence somewhat eased the worries of Old Man Liu and his wife, but their inner anxiety did not diminish.
Seeing their reaction, Li Yue Shu regretted whether she should have said anything.
But since the matter would eventually come to light, it was better to let them prepare psychologically.
To alleviate their concerns, while waiting for Liu Lan Lan to bring her husband back, Li Yue Shu would also explain her treatment plan to Old Man Liu and his wife based on her understanding of the situation.
Seeing her confidence, the originally worried and anxious Old Man Liu and his wife relaxed considerably.
As everyone waited for Liu Lan Lan's return, an elder, having traveled a long distance, arrived outside Tong Mu County.
The elder was dressed impeccably, with a gourd the size of two fists hanging from his waist.
Despite his advanced age, he exuded an air of celestial grace and approachedability.
The elder looked up at the signpost for Tong Mu County, a glint flashing in his eyes. "This is where Heng De Pharmacy is located?"
Thinking of the imminent encounter with the Madam Shen who could replace lungs and reshape bones, the elder felt a surge of excitement.
He wasted no further time, tidied his clothes, and hurried into Tong Mu County.