Chapter 4: Summoning the Imperial Physician

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Wang Hong left with a satisfied smile, surrounded by County Magistrate Liu and a crowd of attendants. The entire Su family’s thoughts were focused on the ailing Elder Su, whose life hung by a thread—no one paid attention to Wang Hong’s smug and spiteful demeanor. Hidden beneath the trough in the stable were ten thousand taels of gold, packed into several boxes and carried through the streets by a dozen or so constables.

The townsfolk, who had been timidly hiding indoors, suddenly summoned the courage to come out after hearing about the ten thousand taels of gold. Ten thousand taels—not silver, but gold—an amount most people would never see in their lifetime, and everyone wanted a glimpse.

Soon, the streets grew crowded with onlookers.

“Isn’t Elder Su always known for his integrity in office? How come there’s so much gold at his home?”

“Integrity? That’s just for show. Which official isn’t corrupt?”

“Hey, watch your words! Elder Su is different from the others...”

“What’s so different? Proximity to vermilion stains one red; close to ink, one turns black. After years in officialdom, surrounded by temptations, who can keep their original resolve for decades?”

“You all have no conscience! Last year, during the famine, wasn’t it Elder Su who donated all his rice, flour, and wealth to help the people? How many would have starved without him!”

“How did he get that wealth? Wasn’t it all extracted from the people? Where did the relief funds from the court go? Straight into the pockets of officials like him...”

“That’s true. Ten thousand taels of gold—our family wouldn’t spend that in ten generations, tsk tsk...”

Zhu Bo, leaning on his broom, glared at the chatterers and said indignantly, “One must have a conscience. Elder Su is noble and virtuous; everyone has seen it all these years. How many have received his care and help? Now that he’s fallen on hard times, if you can’t help, at least don’t kick him when he’s down!”

“You’re just a street sweeper—you know nothing! Move aside...”

Inside the Grand Secretary’s mansion, Qin Yueniang paced anxiously at the door, clutching a handkerchief tightly in both hands.

Su Yunlang had returned — alone.

Qin Yueniang hurried to meet him. “Lang’er, why are you back by yourself? Didn’t I tell you to fetch Doctor Ma? Where is he?”

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Su Yunlang pressed his lips and shook his head. “Doctor Ma was taken away by Captain Wu. He said one of the family’s concubines was ill. I followed, but Captain Wu’s gate was tightly shut, and no one answered.”

“Then quickly go find another doctor! Your grandfather’s condition is very serious. Hurry!”

Qin Yueniang was on the verge of tears. Su Yunlang took a few steps but turned back to ask, “Another doctor? Where would we find another doctor?”

The tightly clenched heart of Qin Yueniang shattered at this question. The household had no servants left; everything had to be done by themselves. Yet her well-educated son didn’t even know where to find a doctor.

She sighed helplessly. “Lang’er, please take care of your grandfather. Call your sister out and have her go to the clinic to fetch a doctor.”

After Su Yunlang went inside, Su Yunqing wiped her tears and rushed out, passing by Qin Yueniang with just a whispered, “Mother, I’ll be back soon,” before running off like the wind.

No sooner had Su Yunqing left than the hereditary Captain Wu Renpin appeared at the gate, accompanied by Doctor Ma.

Wu Renpin glanced at Qin Yueniang, who was anxiously peering outside from within the courtyard. He adjusted his collar, fixed his headdress, wiped his face twice, then strode in confidently, waving his folding fan.

Qin Yueniang instinctively stepped back two paces, eyes wary. “You? What are you doing here?”

Wu Renpin’s face brimmed with a gentle smile. “Yueniang, I heard your old master was ill and looking for the imperial doctor. Look, I’ve brought Doctor Ma here for you.”

He turned to Doctor Ma. “Doctor Ma, hurry and examine Elder Su. Don’t delay.”

Doctor Ma blew on his beard, cast a sidelong glance at Wu Renpin, and carried his medicine box inside.

Qin Yueniang turned to follow him.

“Hey, Yueniang...”

She stopped and turned, seeing Wu Renpin gripping her sleeve. She glared at him fiercely. “Captain Wu, please let go.”

Wu Renpin stepped forward, greedily studying her face. Qin Yueniang retreated cautiously, striving to maintain a calm expression, and tried to pull back her sleeve from his tight grasp.

The harder she pulled, the tighter he held.

She paused, then said, “Captain Wu, I’m sorry. I was flustered just now and forgot to thank you. Thank you for promptly bringing Doctor Ma. I have no way to repay you except to bow to you.”

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She bent her knees to bow. Wu Renpin was not a man to be trifled with—especially now that the Su family had fallen from grace. It was better to appease him and send him away.

“Yueniang, please don’t be so formal.” Wu Renpin saw her about to kneel and released her sleeve, reaching out to hold her arms to stop her. “Yueniang, I’m glad to be of help to you. If you ever need anything, just say the word. As long as I can do it, I’d go through fire and water without hesitation...”

Qin Yueniang stepped back, evading his hands calmly. “Captain Wu, you flatter me. The Su family are now commoners. All I desire is the health of my family.”

She turned to leave, but Wu Renpin blocked her path in a single stride. “Yueniang, I’ve waited for you for over twenty years. Your husband has been dead for more than three years. Now that the Su family has fallen to this state, I cannot bear to see you suffer! Why not marry me? I swear that if you agree, I will send all my concubines away immediately and love only you. I mean what I say.”

Qin Yueniang kept her distance, parrying him as she backed away. “Captain Wu, have you been drinking? Why say such drunken nonsense in broad daylight?”

Wu Renpin grew impatient with her feigned ignorance. “Yueniang, you know me well. Not a day has passed when I haven’t thought of you. Why won’t you even glance at me?”

Elder Su was ill, with two sons attending him. There was no one else in the house. Qin Yueniang did not want to continue this entanglement. “The Su family are now disgraced and liable to punishment. Captain Wu, if you don’t want to be implicated, please leave at once.”

Wu Renpin spread his hands, smiling. “What am I afraid of? Who dares to implicate me? Back then, when my ancestors fought alongside the Great Ancestor to found the empire...”

“Back then, my ancestors fought alongside the Great Ancestor to found the empire” was Wu Renpin’s favorite phrase, repeated in every conversation.

In truth, Wu Renpin’s ancestor was a servant who cleaned the stables for the Great Ancestor. One day, the Great Ancestor acquired a wild horse, and during its taming, he fell off. Wu Renpin’s ancestor accidentally saved the Great Ancestor’s life, though he himself was trampled and died gruesomely.

His son served in the army but was mediocre. Out of gratitude, the Great Ancestor granted him the hereditary rank of captain, a favor passed down through generations.

Thus, Wu Renpin’s ancestor’s heroic tale was passed down and became Wu Renpin’s constant refrain.

Qin Yueniang listened to his endless chatter, growing anxious but helpless. She feared her sons might act rashly if they learned of this and provoke Wu Renpin’s vengeance. She spoke quietly so as not to be overheard inside.

But Wu Renpin mistook her caution for reluctant acceptance. When Qin Yueniang was backed against the wall with no escape, Wu Renpin suddenly reached out to grab her hand.

At that moment, a figure swiftly approached, and with a sharp crack, Wu Renpin’s outstretched hand went numb.