"I heard the eldest son of the Shen family was possessed by an evil spirit last night, not only breaking out in a cold sweat but also defecating and urinating on his bed!"
She spoke with a serious expression, and the gossiping women around her looked astonished.
Aunt Zhao said mysteriously, "You may not believe it, but when I came to the pharmaceutical factory this morning, I ran into the elder sister of the Shen family on the road. She said Shen Wang is now lying in bed, unable to be woken, as if his soul has been lured away."
"I came late today, but I followed her to the Shen family's home to see. The eldest son of the Shen family truly looked like he was possessed..."
Aunt Zhao described the scene she had witnessed. While there might have been some embellishment, it was enough for everyone to understand Shen Wang's miserable state.
Thus, in less than a morning, the news of Shen Wang being possessed by an evil spirit spread throughout the entire village.
At this moment, at the Shen family's home, Shen's mother had brought a renowned doctor from town to treat Shen Wang.
The doctor was also encountering such a scene for the first time. He was stunned for a while before he could tolerate the smell and approach.
However, after examining for a long time, his brows furrowed deeper and deeper.
Finally, the doctor helplessly closed his medical kit. "I am unlearned and unskilled. I truly cannot discern the patient's condition. To save him, perhaps we can only seek the help of Madam Shen from Hengde Pharmacy."
"What? Impossible! I would absolutely not go to her!" Shen's mother was furious. "You quack doctor, have you been bribed by that wicked woman Li Yueshu to deliberately not save him!"
The doctor was unaware of the Shen family's affairs. Upon hearing her words, his expression instantly turned grim.
"Since you think I am a quack, then find someone else!"
With that, the doctor flicked his sleeve and left.
"No, I..." Shen's mother wanted to explain, but after opening her mouth for a long time, she didn't know what to say and could only watch the doctor leave.
Shen Chengcai stood at the doorway, his brows knitted as if into a rope.
Seeing him, Shen's mother seemed to suddenly find an anchor. "Chengcai, what do we do now? Why don't... why don't you go find..."
"We cannot go to her!" Shen Chengcai interrupted. "Grandmother, Father has always been in good health. He just brought Liu Lanlan back not long ago, and today he's like this. Haven't you considered who did this?"
Shen's mother was stunned. "You mean... that wicked woman Li Yueshu caused Father to become like this?"
"Besides her, who else could it be!" Shen Chengcai quickly grabbed Shen's mother's hand. "Grandmother, even if Li Yueshu agrees to save Father, do you think she won't demand a hefty consultation fee from us?"
Shen's mother shivered and instinctively took two steps back. "That's right, we can't go to that woman, she'll definitely ask for a lot of money!"
She turned her trembling head to look at the motionless Shen Wang on the bed, tears streaming down her face. "But... but what about your father!"
Shen Chengcai glanced at the person on the bed, a cruel glint in his eyes. "Father's fate is sealed. We can't help him."
Upon hearing this, Shen's mother suddenly turned her head, looking at him in shock.
Shen Chengcai raised his head, his voice laced with coldness. "Or is Grandmother willing to hand over all our savings to beg Li Yueshu to save Father?"
"I..."
Shen's mother was silenced.
She looked at Shen Chengcai, then at Shen Wang, and finally lowered her head, saying nothing.
Seeing this, Shen Chengcai said no more, only looking at the person on the bed with a determined gaze.
Father, rest assured, I will avenge you!
...
Leaving the pharmaceutical factory, Shen Tingyi felt an indescribable lightness in her heart. Even when she returned home, the smile didn't leave her face.
"What happened to make you so happy? You're smiling like an idiot," Man Xing suddenly appeared from somewhere, his expression somewhat disgusted.
Shen Tingyi's good mood vanished instantly, and she rolled her eyes at him. "If you don't speak, no one will think you're mute!"
Man Xing looked at her and suddenly had a flash of inspiration. "You're so happy, is it because of your uncle?"
Having lived here for so long, he had naturally heard about Madam Shen and the Shen family from the other women.
He had also overheard the news about Shen Wang when he went out earlier. The only thing that could make Shen Tingyi so happy was this matter.
Shen Tingyi glared at him. "It's none of your business!"
With that, she was about to turn and leave, but Man Xing suddenly spoke, "Is this matter related to you?"
Shen Tingyi's footsteps faltered. She turned and glared fiercely at him. "Don't talk nonsense! Without evidence, you're just slandering me!"
Man Xing had initially guessed, but now he was somewhat certain.
He never believed in gods or spirits. Having traveled extensively for so many years, he could clearly see from Shen Tingyi's reaction that she was merely putting up a front after being exposed.
Man Xing instinctively took a step forward. "How did you do it? Causing him to be disoriented and lose control of his bodily functions, appearing possessed. Did you poison him?"
By the last sentence, Man Xing's brows furrowed deeply, his small face full of seriousness.
Shen Tingyi nervously clenched her fists, but her demeanor remained fierce. "Stop slandering me! I'm too lazy to talk to you, hmph!"
She angrily turned her head and quickly walked away.
Man Xing watched her retreating figure. Besides anger, there was a hint of worry in his eyes.
After thinking for a moment, he quickly ran to find Ji Mo Bai and told him about the matter. "...Young Master, we must help Shen Tingyi! She's so young and already using poison to harm people. What will happen to her in the future?"
Ji Mo Bai stopped what he was doing. "Man Xing, go find out the specific situation of that Shen Wang."
Whether it was poisoning or not could only be determined after examination.
"Yes."
Man Xing understood the reason for his young master's serious expression and immediately went to investigate. He even sneaked into the Shen family's home to take Shen Wang's pulse.
When he brought back the news, Ji Mo Bai made a decision. "...It is indeed poisoning."
Man Xing's heart sank. "Young Master... Shen Tingyi is still young, she's naive. We can..."
"It wasn't her," Ji Mo Bai, who had been silent for a long time, suddenly said, sighing heavily. "The person who poisoned him should be Madam Shen."
Having lived in this house for so long and often discussing medical skills with Madam Shen, he clearly knew that only Madam Shen in this household was capable of such a thing.
Man Xing was stunned and instinctively shook his head. "How could that be... Madam Shen is kind and benevolent, with the heart of a Bodhisattva. How could she poison someone?"
Ji Mo Bai did not reply, clearly not knowing the answer to this question.
He had not had little contact with Li Yueshu and could clearly sense her kindness and benevolence, as well as her patience and compassion towards patients.
Such a person should not be associated with poison.
At this moment, Ji Mo Bai suddenly remembered something Li Yueshu had mentioned to him before.
He slightly turned his head. "Man Xing, do you think I should take a disciple?"
Man Xing looked shocked. "Young Master wants to take a disciple?!"
The Young Master had once said that his skills were for atonement and would never be passed down.
Even he himself could not become his disciple. Why would he suddenly have the idea of taking a disciple now?