Chapter Seven: A Skilled Hand Restores Life

The old lady closed her eyes and pondered for a moment, feeling that Wen Zheng had a point. With Wen Chenxi seriously ill, her mood was already troubled, so she said: "This is your own daughter; you decide for yourself. When will the imperial physician arrive?"

Wen Chenxi smiled charmingly as she rode the wind through the willows, and then said: "My husband mentioned that taking more walks is actually beneficial for one's health."

Wen Zheng must be going to the town government office to preside over a session later, so he is dressed in a golden embroidered flying fish robe and wearing a seven-peak crown, appearing quite imposing. After entering, however, his tiger-like eyes lost some of their sharpness and gained a hint of melancholy. With a somewhat poor complexion, he bowed to the matriarch, inquired about her well-being, and said: "How did you sleep yesterday, dear mother?"

Wen Chenxi listened to her grandmother praise her husband, feeling a sense of pride and particularly good spirits. With a smile, she said to Liu Chengfeng: "This jade pendant is my grandmother's treasure; it must be kept well."

The elderly lady was also someone who understood the ways of fate, yet seeing her beautiful granddaughter in such a state filled her with both reluctance and distress. After having tea and snacks in the morning, she was just about to call a maid to inquire about the illness when Wen Zheng arrived.

Wen Zheng cautiously said: "What my mother taught me is that the son knows he is in the wrong, but the son has already visited a court physician with the surname Liu yesterday. This physician has retired from the palace and possesses exceptional medical skills. He will come to the residence to take a look in a day or two."

Liu Chengfeng dares to say that in this world, even the most skilled doctors may not necessarily be able to detect the root of this problem, which reflects the limitations of the times

Liu Chengfeng shook his head and said with a smile, "This is not the case. In fact, wind-cold is merely a minor ailment. After a diagnosis by an ordinary physician, most would prescribe some medicines to dispel wind and relieve heat, typically including herbs like ephedra and tremella. However, the issue lies with the tremella. Originally, tremella is mild in nature and is considered a good remedy for dispelling wind, but patients with sore throats accompanied by a slight cough should not consume it. Chenxi has been coughing a bit and has been taking tremella for two months, so this illness has not only failed to improve but has instead worsened."

Liu Chengfeng smiled faintly and said: "In fact, the morning light has merely stained an ordinary cold, and the diagnoses made by the doctors before were not wrong at all. They simply prescribed the wrong medicine."

When Wen Chenxi mentioned Liu Chengfeng, the old lady's gaze also fell upon Liu Chengfeng. Seeing him sitting quietly on the brocade stool without saying a word, her impression of him improved somewhat. She asked, "How did you treat the illness that even Doctor Hu was at a loss to handle?"

After Wen Chenxi took the medicine, her cough became increasingly severe. Last night, in the dead of night, it disturbed the entire household, waking the old matriarch, who tossed and turned all night, unable to sleep. In the early morning, after a brief nap, she awoke to find her appearance had aged considerably.

Wen Zhengdao: "That is certainly better than allowing that Liu person to act recklessly. My son has heard that Chenxi took his medicine; initially, it was just a slight cough, but now the coughing has become increasingly severe. Did not his mother hear the commotion last night? In my opinion, that Liu person is nothing but an uneducated individual, and my child Menglang has been foolish enough to believe the words of that sorcerer. Now, bringing such a person in has instead jeopardized Chenxi's future."

The old lady suddenly rose, striking the floor tiles forcefully with her cane, and said: "Chenxi... why have you come?"

As for Wen Zheng, after a brief moment of surprise, he cast a deep glance at Liu Chengfeng, still maintaining a stern expression, unwilling to let his guard down.

The elderly lady lightly supported herself with a cane and said, "Is it related to books?"

Liu Chengfeng also paid his respects to the old lady and nodded towards Wen Zheng.

Wen Zheng's dark circles under his eyes suggested that he had not been sleeping well these past few days. The old lady's harsh words were indeed unfair to him; however, Wen Zheng did not defend himself. He understood the old lady's temperament; she was simply venting her frustrations.

Wen Zheng sneered and said: "So what my son means is, once that imperial physician arrives, we might as well send this Liu person away and let Chenxi focus on recuperating, and we can discuss other matters later"

Wen Zheng was most adept at observing the old lady's expressions. With his eyes slightly closed, he noticed that her words had softened a bit, and he continued: "This person, his son has already inquired about him from the Beizhen Prefecture. He is merely a bookworm who stumbled upon good fortune and became a xiucai, only to have his title revoked later. Previously, no one had mentioned that he understood any medical skills; he is just a glib talker."

The old lady had always looked unfavorably upon Wen Zheng. Sitting on the couch, she took a sip of tea and coldly remarked, "Are you still concerned about this family? With Chenxi being so ill, you still disappear for days at a time. There are so many matters outside that require your attention? Can the town government function without you?"

At this moment, Wen Zheng appeared somewhat awkward, but after all, his daughter had just recovered from a serious illness, which lifted his spirits a bit, preventing him from displaying too sour a demeanor

Xiang'er said: "It is not the second young lady, but rather someone who came along with the eldest young lady."

Wen Zheng, however, did not believe that the illness could improve so quickly. He angrily said, "This Liu is truly unreasonable. With Chenxi being in such a state, he still encourages Chenxi to ingratiate himself and seek favor."

Wen Zheng felt a surge of anger at the term 'new son-in-law,' but he did not want to express it in front of the matriarch. He asked, 'If he is here to properly treat Chenxi, then why has he brought Chenruo along?'

Liu Chengfeng thought to himself that this could not be blamed on those renowned physicians. In this era, the issue of white fungus was not recognized in the context of wind-cold illnesses. Even esteemed physicians like Li Shizhen, when compiling the "Compendium of Materia Medica," merely categorized white fungus under the treatments for wind-cold diseases without discerning the differences in coughs. It was not until after the late Qing Dynasty that traditional Chinese medicine began to pay attention to the fact that patients with wind-cold coughs should not indiscriminately use white fungus in their prescriptions. In 1909, a medical book titled "Correct Interpretation of Materia Medica" made revisions to the "Compendium of Materia Medica."

As they were speaking, the curtain outside was lifted. First, a gust of cool wind rushed in, followed by Liu Chengfeng supporting Wen Chenxi as they entered step by step. Liu Chengfeng appeared somewhat haggard, yet his spirits were quite good. As for Wen Chenxi, she still seemed fragile on the surface, but her complexion had improved significantly compared to two days ago.

The old lady was first taken aback, and then, filled with overwhelming joy, exclaimed: "What? Has Chenxi recovered from his illness?"

Upon seeing the two individuals enter, the two people in the room were both astonished and delighted. Looking at Wen Chenxi, it was evident that the patient had recovered by eighty percent; how could this resemble someone who had been on the brink of death not long ago?

The old lady smiled broadly and repeatedly said, "Good, very good"

On one side, Wen Zheng's complexion was both pale and green. In his view, even if Liu Chengfeng possessed exceptional medical skills, he was merely a doctor, someone who had read a few books and had a slight understanding of medicine—was that truly remarkable? As for being a refined gentleman, it was simply laughable. In the town government office, he had interacted with all kinds of people; he had seen it all. He felt that a bookish person like Liu Chengfeng was certainly not someone he could entrust his daughter to. However, at that moment, the old matriarch was in high spirits, and his daughter's condition had improved, so he certainly could not dampen everyone's mood. He merely cast a deep glance at Liu Chengfeng and slowly picked up the teacup, gently blowing on the tea foam.

Liu Chengfeng's medical skills left the old matriarch greatly impressed. A disease that even the most renowned doctors in the capital could not cure was successfully treated by this inexpensive son-in-law she had taken in. Especially since he had saved Wen Chenxi's life, her attitude towards Liu Chengfeng improved significantly. She asked him many questions, to which Liu Chengfeng responded fluently, neither appearing overly reserved nor arrogant. His gentle demeanor brought joy to the old matriarch, who repeatedly said, "You have just encountered a stroke of bad luck. Since you have received an education and understand medicine, you will eventually rise and shine." After saying this, she called for Xiang'er and selected a jade pendant to give to Liu Chengfeng, stating, "I have nothing much to give my grandson-in-law. This jade pendant was part of my dowry when I married, so wear it and see how it suits you."

The old lady gave a cold smile and said, "There are at least eight or ten doctors I have invited; as for imperial physicians and renowned doctors, I have long since lost hope in them."

Wen Zheng, having come from the town government office, immediately closed his eyes and revealed a hint of sternness upon hearing that the wrong medicine had been administered, saying: "Could it be that there is an intention to harm the Wen family?"

The old lady beckoned Wen Chenxi to sit closer, grasped Wen Chenxi's hand, and said joyfully: "Your illness can be cured, this is indeed the blessing of the Bodhisattva. However, you are physically weak; it is only right for your grandmother to visit you."

Wen Zheng relaxed his mind and was about to respond when the maid Xiang'er hurriedly entered the old lady's room, bowed, and said in disbelief: "Old Madam, Master, the new son-in-law and young lady have come to pay their respects."

Upon hearing these words, both the old lady and Wen Zheng were taken aback

Liu Chengfeng put on the accessories as instructed, and the old lady chuckled, saying, "You look even more like a graceful gentleman now"

Wen Zheng has looked down on Liu Chengfeng from the very beginning. Previously, he was misled by the words of a sorcerer and, at that time, could not find a suitable candidate among the scholars. Now, although the attempt to bring joy has been made, the illness has instead worsened. This debt, Wen Zheng has already subtly noted against Liu Chengfeng.

The matriarch urgently instructed Xiang'er to bring over two brocade stools, allowing Liu Chengfeng and Wen Chenxi to sit down. After Wen Chenxi slightly inclined her body to take a seat, she softly said: "This time, I owe much to my husband for his medical care and attention; I already feel that my health has improved significantly. Thinking of my grandmother and father who are concerned, I came here with my husband for a stroll, hoping to ease everyone's worries."

Wen Zheng was at a loss for words, not daring to speak

Liu Chengfeng's medicine has been administered to Wen Chenxi for two days. During these two days, the entire Wen residence has been on edge. It is said that the steward has already received the master's orders and has gone to purchase a coffin in advance. After all, renowned doctors have asserted that the young lady does not have long to live. Although the matriarch has spoken and allowed Liu Chengfeng to give it a try, everyone knows that this is merely a matter of fulfilling one's duty.

The old lady said, "Regardless of everything, he is after all your son-in-law..." Even so, there was a hint of uncertainty on her face, and she felt that Liu Chengfeng was not very reliable.

After listening to Liu Chengfeng's explanation, the old lady and Wen Zheng finally understood. It turned out that it was the quack doctors from the past who had prescribed the wrong medicine. The old lady's face turned stern, filled with a sense of severity, and she said: "Quack doctors ruin lives; if it weren't for this, our Chenxi would have been harmed by them." After saying this, she turned to Wen Zheng and complained: "It's all your fault, inviting all those famous doctors and imperial physicians to our home. Fortunately, it was Chengfeng who spotted the issue; otherwise, would Chenxi's life still be safe?"

Miss... ? ... Is Chenxi already able to get out of bed? How is this possible? Doctor Hu is one of the most renowned physicians in the city, and even he is at a loss. Chenxi is already on the brink of death; how could she possibly come to inquire about well-being?

Wen Chenxi revealed a gentle smile, bowed slightly, and said: "Chenxi sends her regards to grandmother, how is father doing?"