Chapter 186: Hello Chang’an
"IF YOU LIKE THE TRANSLATIONS, CONSIDER SUPPORTING US ON PATREON ads free with exclusive updates."
Chapter 186: Another Bad News (Seeking Monthly Votes)
“These days, I had someone in Shu find a skilled physician for eye ailments. Today, the physician will examine Sister Mianmian.” Chang Suining explained casually, as if discussing ordinary matters.
“A physician from Shu?” Qiao Yumian asked in surprise. “Ning Ning, when did this happen? Why haven’t you mentioned it before?”
She had long given up hope for her eye condition, and Ning Ning had never spoken of this matter to her. She hadn’t expected that Ning Ning had secretly found a physician for her. Moreover, this physician had been sought all the way from distant Shu, indicating it must have taken considerable time and effort.
“When the physician hadn’t been found, what was there to mention?” Chang Suining laughed. “And it’s just a consultation. We don’t even know if the physician is truly skilled, so how could I boast about it to you too early?”
“I understand, Ning Ning…” Qiao Yumian said, clinging to Chang Suining’s arm, her voice choked with emotion. “You’re afraid I’ll get my hopes up, only to be disappointed. But don’t worry, I won’t.”
She added, “But Ning Ning, you’ve been so good to me, thinking of me like this… As an older sister, I really feel useless, not knowing how to repay your kindness.”
Cui Lang, who had been eavesdropping from behind, couldn’t help but feel a strange mix of nervousness and excitement.
If Qiao Yumian knew that he had also been looking for a physician for her, would she treat him in the same way?
“What nonsense are you talking about, sister?” Chang Suining said. “This is just a small thing. There’s no need to think too much about it.”
Cui Lang hesitated, thinking it wasn’t really such a trivial matter—maybe it was worth paying a bit more attention to. He hoped his teacher might leave him some opportunities.
Unexpectedly, his opportunity came sooner than expected.
“By the way,” Chang Suining said, turning to Cui Lang. “The person I sent said they encountered others looking for a physician skilled in eye ailments while in Shu. And these people were also from the capital—turns out it was someone from the family of the Sixth Master of Cui.”
Cui Lang froze for a moment.
His people had bumped into his teacher’s people?
At the look in his teacher’s eyes, Cui Lang awkwardly nodded. “Ah, yes, yes... there was such a thing.”
“Why is the Sixth Master of Cui also looking for an eye physician?” Qiao Yubai asked. “Is there someone in your family with eye problems?”
When he noticed that Qiao Yumian was also looking at him, Cui Lang jumped, panicking as he blurted, “It’s my father!”
“Qiao Yubai: ?”
Qiao Yubai was taken aback. “Your father...?”
The master of the Cui family—was he blind?
“...” Cui Lang mentally slapped himself twice, quickly trying to explain. “My father is getting older, and his eyesight isn’t very good. He has trouble seeing things clearly…”
This wasn’t entirely untrue, as his father did have some serious eye issues when he looked at his older son.
But why had he answered like that just now? Was he possessed?
He wasn’t usually the type to shy away from things, and he hadn’t done anything shameful. Why had he been too scared to admit it when facing that gaze?
Cui Lang sighed inwardly for his own lack of courage.
At that moment, a soft, pleasant voice broke the awkward silence: “Has the Sixth Master of Cui found a good physician for your father yet?”
Cui Lang gave a dry laugh. “Not yet…”
Qiao Yumian turned to Chang Suining, looking at her with a questioning expression.
Chang Suining understood and nodded, then turned to Cui Lang. “After the physician from Shu examines Sister Mianmian, I’ll speak with him and have him go with the Sixth Master of Cui to check on your father.”
Cui Lang felt his scalp tingle, forcing a smile. “...Sure! Thank you, teacher!”
Cui Lang: “...”
What was he going to do now?
Chang Suining’s earlier remark, “We don’t know if the physician has real skills,” was mostly for Qiao Yumian’s benefit, as she didn’t want her to get her hopes up too high.
But a physician who had been specifically brought from Shu, at her request, certainly couldn’t be without skill.
This physician, surnamed Sun, she had met once during a military campaign through Shu. On that occasion, she had seen him successfully treat a child who had been injured in the eyes by gunpowder.
She had always been keen to recruit talented people and, seeing how skilled he was at such a young age, she tried to persuade him to join the Xuanzhe Army as a military physician. However, he had politely declined.
He didn’t speak much, but after a few days of persistence, she managed to learn that he wasn’t a conventional physician, but rather someone who only specialized in eye diseases. He was extremely introverted, not good at dealing with people, and preferred to live alone.
She had suggested he might be able to help at the Xuanzhe Army, but he had refused. She had left him with her contact information in case he needed help. Despite not seeking help himself, it was she who ended up in a dire situation, nearly dying twice, with fate turning the tables.
Though she hadn’t seen him again since that time, Chang Suining had a strong impression of physician Sun, who was excessively introverted and terrified of interacting with others.
When she first heard about Qiao Yumian’s eye condition, she immediately thought of this physician. However, years had passed, and she wasn’t sure if he was still around. With a bit of hope, she decided to try searching for him.
This search had lasted more than half a year, but fortunately, the outcome was fortunate. The physician had stayed in Shu and hadn’t moved away. After extensive inquiries, Chang Ren’s people had found him not long ago, and he had just arrived in the capital yesterday, staying at the Chang residence.
Chang Suining met with him yesterday. After half an hour of conversation in which he spoke barely ten words, she confirmed that this was indeed the same physician Sun she had met years ago.
Thus, although she mentioned to Qiao Yumian that this was just a trial, she held some hope in her heart.
Physician Sun, who was just over forty but appeared younger, examined Qiao Yumian and, without giving a definitive statement, wrote two prescriptions—one for a decoction and one for a medicinal bath. He suggested they try these treatments for a period and see how things went.
He neither claimed to have cured the condition nor suggested it was beyond help.
Qiao Yumian, who already had her own thoughts on the matter, didn’t press further, simply bowing in gratitude. “Thank you, Physician.”
Afterward, Chang Suining and Physician Sun went to speak in the corridor.
“…Having waited so long, I’m not fully confident, but it’s worth trying,” Physician Sun murmured.
Chang Suining nodded.
“Then I’ll trouble Physician Sun to stay in the capital a bit longer!” Cui Lang grinned widely and walked over, his enthusiasm radiating. He saluted Physician Sun and said, “Young master Cui Lang. I know all the best places for food and entertainment in the capital, so please, Physician Sun, don’t worry about a thing. Leave everything to me!”
Physician Sun, who wasn’t good at socializing, flinched at the fiery enthusiasm of this young man. His pupils briefly widened in fear, and his palms began to sweat.
Cui Lang, not noticing the warning look from his teacher, continued with his bright grin. “What sort of leisure activities do you enjoy? Do you have any favorite cuisines? Or—”
Physician Sun finally couldn’t take it anymore and waved his hand. “No need, I only like peace and quiet…”
Cui Lang’s eyes widened in realization, and he quickly closed his mouth.
This request might be a bit challenging for him, but he would try his best.
Chang Suining instructed Xi'er to take Physician Sun to the back hall to sit and drink tea in solitude.
Physician Sun left with a look of relief.
After he had gone, Cui Lang couldn’t help but ask, “Teacher, this physician seems really scared of talking to people… How did you convince him to come to the capital?”
Chang Suining smiled. “I had people visit him every day.”
Cui Lang was stunned. “…Clever.”
Chang Suining had only mentioned half the story—besides visiting, she had also offered him a large sum of money.
Physician Sun had lived a simple life, tending to a small plot of land. Because he was afraid of interacting with others, he would sneak out to work the land when no one was around. When he encountered trouble, he was too shy to ask for help, and over time, his meager land became even more barren, and his finances became tight.
He wanted to make a living but couldn’t bear to expose himself, and because everyone knew his reclusive nature, few sought him out for treatment.
Chang Suining had promised him that if he could cure Qiao Yumian’s eyes, she would pay him an extraordinary sum, enough that he would never have to worry about money again.
Faced with this tempting offer, Physician Sun reluctantly agreed.
Soon after, Qiao Yumian, accompanied by her brother, came out.
Cui Lang hurried to greet her.
Seeing this scene, Chang Suining seemed to be deep in thought.
“Has the Sixth Master of Cui not left yet?” Qiao Yumian asked. “If he’s going to treat your father, it’s best to do it sooner rather than later.”
Cui Lang’s smile faltered for a moment, his expression tinged with bittersweetness.
He was moved that Qiao Yumian was so concerned about his family’s affairs, but the bitterness came from the fact that his father’s eyes were perfectly healthy.
However, he had no choice but to continue with the plan.
Before long, Cui Lang, accompanied by Physician Sun, was on the carriage heading to the Cui family.
In such a confined space, the two sat across from each other, and Physician Sun kept his gaze averted, his body tense.
Cui Lang also felt uncomfortable, wanting to speak but unsure what to say.
On the side, Yihu wiped his forehead, equally tense.
In this awkward atmosphere, the carriage soon arrived at the Cui family residence.
Physician Sun wordlessly followed Cui Lang into Cui Xian’s courtyard.
When Cui Lang learned that his father was in the study, he decided to be cautious and said, “Physician Sun, please wait here. Let me go inside and inform him first…”
He entered to test the waters.
Physician Sun nodded and waited by the stone steps outside the study.
Before long, the sound of a cup shattering came from the study, startling Physician Sun.
“…You brat, get out of here!”
Cui Lang was promptly scolded and driven out.
The study was spacious, divided into an inner and outer room. Outside, Cui Lang quietly asked Lu Shi, who had come with him, “Mother, what’s going on with Father now?”
Why would he break things just because he doesn’t want to have his eyes looked at?
“You always pick the wrong time…” Lu Shi glanced towards the inner room and lowered her voice. “I heard your eldest brother is leaving for the northern frontier tomorrow. He won’t be back for several years… Father’s been in a bad mood.”
Cui Lang frowned, “Father’s been upset since Eldest Brother has been in the capital. Now that he’s leaving, why does Father still have to cause trouble?”
Lu Shi sighed. “You don’t understand. The fault lies with your eldest brother.”
She continued, “The mistake your eldest brother made was not returning to the family from Xuanzhe Manor to kneel in front of Father and beg for his permission to go to the northern frontier. He should have kneeled for three days and nights in front of all the relatives. On the third day, when Father came out of the study and said ‘no,’ your eldest brother should have accepted it and never mentioned the northern frontier again. Then the matter would have been resolved.”
Cui Lang couldn’t help but nod in agreement. “...That makes sense.”
Then he said, “But Father must still be angry.”
Lu Shi added, “He’ll stay angry for at least forty-nine days.”
She then looked at her son. “And you… what kind of madness are you following now? Why are you bringing in a physician for eye treatment?”
If she didn’t know her son didn’t have the courage, she might think he was subtly mocking his father for being blind to the truth—though it was a fact.
Cui Lang scratched his head in confusion. “Didn’t Father say his eyes weren’t feeling well last time?”
“When did he ever say that?”
“Maybe I remember it wrong… I just wanted to show some filial piety,” Cui Lang sighed. “Since Father doesn’t need it, I’ll go explain things to the physician.”
Not waiting for any more questions, Cui Lang quickly slipped away.
Lu Shi watched her son’s back suspiciously as he hurried off.
Cui Lang approached Physician Sun and smiled. “Physician Sun, let’s go. We won’t be seeing him after all.”
Physician Sun blinked. “Ah?”
Cui Lang sheepishly smiled. “Turns out Father’s eyes are perfectly fine. I must’ve mixed things up!”
Physician Sun blinked again.
How could a young man forget something so simple as whether his father’s eyes were good or not?
Cui Lang apologized. “I’m really sorry… I made you come all this way for nothing.”
Physician Sun quickly waved his hand.
The examination for Qiao Yumian had already drained most of his words for the year, but since he had accepted the hefty fee, he had no choice but to run this errand.
At least he didn’t have to make the trip back for nothing.
But the bad news was that this enthusiastic young man insisted on personally escorting him back to the Chang residence.
However, on the way back, another piece of bad news soon arrived.
This news had already reached Xingning lane.
“Miss… there’s been trouble!”
The female servant who had just sent the Qiao siblings away rushed in, panicked. “The young master was intercepted by the officials from the Ministry of Justice while on his way to Xuanzhe Manor and was taken away!”
Chang Suining, who had been reviewing some grain accounts from Shen Sanmao’s people, abruptly closed the ledger and looked up sharply. “Do you know why?”
If it had just been a routine questioning, the servant wouldn’t have been so frantic.
“They say the young master is involved in the case of the assassination of Eldest Daughter of the Chang family… They’ve been ordered to arrest him and bring him to the Ministry of Justice for questioning!”
Chang Suining’s face changed instantly.
She had suspected that the Ministry of Justice had been quietly targeting suspicious individuals, but she never imagined her brother would be one of them!
Without hesitation, she stood up and quickly made her way out.
Xi'er hurried to follow, anxiously asking, “Where are you going, Miss?”
“To the Ministry of Justice.”
This matter was highly suspicious, like a sudden blow to the head. Neither her brother nor she knew anything about it. The most pressing concern was to find out what had happened, so they could respond accordingly.
Moreover, with everything so sudden and unknown, she feared her brother might be in danger. In the worst case, evasion would be too risky, so she needed to go directly to the Ministry of Justice.
(End of chapter)
►►CLICK HERE FOR ADVANCE CHAPTERS◄◄
Comments
Post a Comment