Chapter 005: That muddy-legged fellow is a fraud

The young scholar in blue, also known as the young master of the Kong family, followed closely into the room: "Father! Just now, Steward Kong was trying to extract information from this young man with the surname Kang. The one named Kang said he has been with this young man in the house since childhood, and this young man has never learned any medical skills! Moreover, this young man recently fell from a cliff and injured his head!"

Zhang Li pondered over his choice of words and said slowly, "The condition of excessive bleeding is most susceptible to external evils in women’s lower bodies! If there is no ventilation, and external evils invade the body, it will truly be beyond remedy by then"

Seeing the prominent five-finger mark on Kang Xin'an's face, Zhang Li felt an unnamed anger surging within him: I haven't even settled the previous score, and you people are bringing about your own demise!

Zhang Li sighed, stood up, and performed a long bow to Lady Kong: "I fear that my lack of skill in learning may delay Lady Kong's condition, so I kindly request that you seek a more accomplished practitioner instead"

Zhang Li caught a glimpse of Yu He standing at the door with a tea tray, clearly stunned by the situation inside the house upon just returning. He then said to Lu He: "Please, Lu He, show my companion to a seat and serve him some tea to calm his nerves"

Master Kong had previously been thrown into a tumult of emotions by Zhang Li, and now he was left utterly bewildered by this steward Kong, unable to respond.

However, upon reflection, Zhang Li realized that Anzi was originally a country boy with little experience. It was not surprising that under the careful questioning of Steward Kong, he revealed his true colors.

Upon hearing that an external evil had entered his body, Lord Kong was also taken aback and hurriedly said: "Green Lotus, quickly, open the doors and windows!"

The servant understands.

Zhang Li turned back to look at Lord Kong: "Lord Kong, I have yet to have a sip of tea, may I ask..."

Zhang Li coldly snorted and said to Kang Xing'an: "Anzi, you will accompany me into the Kong residence to diagnose the lady's illness. Why were you tied up? Also, what is the meaning of the five-finger claw marks on your face?"

The green lotus nodded slightly and went out

Madam Kong saw the person in the hall with their hands bound behind their back, and was momentarily at a loss for words: "This... this..."

Zhang Li pretended to take the golden needle from Lady Kong, causing her to become somewhat flustered: "Little Divine Doctor, wait a moment—"

Zhang Li pondered for a moment and said to Lord Kong: "Madam Kong is ultimately still afraid of the cold. Lord Kong, please find three thicker mosquito nets to hang in front of Madam Kong's bed. This way, the room can be ventilated while also preventing the cold air from entering the net. You can prepare these after I finish the acupuncture; there is no rush."

Madam Kong originally thought her illness could be cured, but upon hearing Zhang Li's words, she immediately became flustered, her heart racing to her throat: "Ah... what could be the difficulty? Young divine doctor, you must save my life!"

Zhang Lixin knew that this "Kong Donggua" was certainly a nickname used by Lady Kong to refer to Lord Kong, and it was quite fitting for the short and stout Lord Kong.

Zhang Li took a sharp breath, thinking to himself: Anzi, this is really too weak, isn't it

Seeing everyone in the room bowing their heads and kneeling, Zhang Li felt a wave of satisfaction in his heart

Kong Guanjia suddenly felt his legs go weak and fell to the ground

Zhang Li leaned against the back of the chair, intending to rest his hands on the armrests. However, when he lowered his hands, he found nothing but emptiness.

The servant who had previously struck Zhang Li with a punch pushed Kang Xing'an into the room. Kang Xing'an had his hands bound behind his back, his face filled with shame, and prominently displayed on his face was a bright red handprint.

The tension needle operation must be completed, and the needle must remain in the acupoint for a certain period of time to achieve the full effect

Madam Kong was taken aback and hurriedly said: "Little... little deity and the medical books, what... what does this mean?"

Madam Confucius nodded repeatedly: "Yes, yes..."

In fact, what Zhang Li originally intended to say was bacterial infection. In the Ming Dynasty, mentioning bacterial infection would certainly be regarded as madness, so one could only substitute it with external evil. If one does not pay attention to hygiene and the air is polluted, it is very easy to trigger a bacterial infection. If it leads to sepsis, then even a great immortal would be unable to save Confucius's wife.

Zhang Li suddenly stood up and shouted angrily: "What a good deed turned into a donkey's liver and lungs! Madam Kong, since the Kong residence does not welcome us brothers, we shall take our leave now"

Madam Kong's old face turned red, and she gratefully said: "Thank you, young divine doctor."

Old Master Kong was taken aback and quickly apologized, saying: "Ah! My mind, how could I have been so rude! Green Lotus, hurry, quickly brew some tea for the young doctor! If it is to be before the rain—put it in the jar that is at the very back of the cabinet!"

Madam Kong's pleading gaze turned towards him, and Zhang Li let out a long sigh, saying: "After all, a healer's heart is one of compassion. How could I possibly stand by and watch someone die?"

My lord! My lord! That mud-legged fellow is a fraud!

Kong Guanjia kowtowed like pounding garlic, the floor echoed with loud thuds, and in a short while, his forehead was already covered in blood.

Madam Kong looked at Zhang Li eagerly and said, "Little Divine Doctor, please do not be angry, and kindly wait a moment!"

Zhang Li felt quite pleased: Oh, even the placement of this jar needs to be deliberately explained. It seems that even Lord Kong himself doesn't drink this often before the rain!

Both Steward Kong and Young Master Kong were puzzled, casting tentative glances towards Madam Kong.

Zhang Li displayed a face full of grief and indignation as he looked at Kang Xing'an, who was bound and lying on the ground, remaining silent.

Master Kong was taken aback and suddenly shouted at Green Lotus: "Quick! Brew another cup of pre-rain tea! Be sure to add more tea leaves, add more tea leaves!"

Seeing An Cheng's astonished expression, Zhang Li said: "An Zi, please sit for a moment and have some pre-rain tea—cough, you country boy really don't understand tea, what a waste of a precious resource"

Madam Kong turned to the side, glaring at Steward Kong, the veins on her forehead bulging, and shouted angrily: "Kong Er! You dog servant, do you dare to lay a hand on the companion of the divine physician, the little benefactor?!"

Madam Kong's gaze cautiously turned over, and she softly asked, "Little Divine Doctor, how should we deal with these dog-like servants? Considering this is their first offense, perhaps..."

Young Master Kong took a swift step behind Kang Xing'an, untied the rope, and accompanied it with a careful smile, leaving Kang Xing'an somewhat perplexed

Zhang Li noticed that everyone was staring intently at Lady Kong, and with a knowing smile, he said, "Lady Kong, the needle treatment for the Qihai acupoint has concluded, and there is no need to leave the needle in. I will remove it for you now"

Madam Kong's words also implicitly criticized Old Master Kong. Zhang Li noticed that both Old Master Kong and Steward Kong had expressions of sheer terror on their faces, and Steward Kong began to kowtow fervently.

Kong Laoye was taken aback, his face showing some astonishment: Since it is a cold condition, how can the window be opened? Wouldn't that expose one to the cold?

Everyone was chattering excitedly, eager to step forward and give Zhang Li a good beating, but Steward Kong noticed something was amiss: why was the master silent? And how could that country bumpkin remain so calm?

Looking down, there are no armrests on this chair

Madam Kong took a deep breath, unsure of how to proceed, fearing that she might offend Zhang Li's intentions. If Zhang Li were to leave in anger, she would be left with nothing but a fate of despair.

Hey, this young master Kong is truly talented, adept at assessing the situation, avoiding kneeling while still managing to appear obedient, quite impressive!

Zhang Li is waiting for the tea that Yu He is brewing, but unexpectedly, a commotion can be heard from outside the house

Zhang He took the golden needle from Lady Kong's ankle and said to her: "Lady Kong, the acupuncture at the San Yin Jiao point has been completed, and I will first remove the needle. However, the golden needle at the Bai Hui point on the top of your head must remain for one hour; we cannot be too hasty."

As Zhang Li continued to thread the needle, he suddenly caught a whiff of the strange odor that had filled the room when he first entered, as his mood relaxed

Zhang Lizheng said: "It should be so. How your esteemed household deals with the servants is, of course, determined by Madam Kong and Master Kong! I dare not say more."

Green Lotus hurriedly stepped forward and opened all the doors and windows in the room

Lü He came to her senses and hurried into the room, bringing a chair for Kang Xing'an and also serving him that cup of pre-rain tea

Kang Xing'an sat down as instructed and began to drink tea

Zhang Li continued earnestly, "Madam, please do not get angry. Your vital energy has already been depleted, and you must not allow yourself to become agitated. However, there is a difficult situation at hand. Although I have alleviated your symptoms with acupuncture, if this issue cannot be resolved, you will merely be prolonging your suffering, waiting for death."

Kang Xing'an glared at Butler Kong, his eyes seemingly ready to burst into flames: "It's him, Li Ge'er!"

Master! I managed to extract the truth from that surnamed Kang with just a few words; the young man in the lady's room has never studied medicine at all

Madam Kong secretly glanced at Zhang Li and saw his face full of anger, so she continued to scold him: "You dog servant! Have you truly gone blind? Whose power are you relying on? I shouldn't have listened to Kong Donggua's words, allowing you, this distant relative of no consequence, to be the steward! Hmph! You achieve nothing and only cause trouble!"

The tension on his face eased slightly as he coldly regarded Butler Kong

Zhang Li turned around, walked over to the chair, sat down, crossed his legs, and looked at Lord Kong with a hint of mockery: "Lord Kong, will you not reward me with a cup of tea?"

Green Lotus quickly responded and hurriedly walked out of the room with a speed akin to flying, as if she were in a picture book

Madam Kong glared at Butler Kong and angrily said, "Kong Er, what is going on here?"

Kong Guanjia was just about to get up to untie An Zisong, but there was an even quicker way!

Butler Kong appeared somewhat apprehensive, murmuring, "Little one, little one..." He did not dare to continue, and wiped the sweat that was pouring down his forehead like rain.

Zhang Li's inner monologue: The consultation fee hasn't been received, the blood swallow hasn't been sold, and now just leaving like this?! Am I foolish?!

Zhang Li was taken aback, only to see Steward Kong rushing into the room ahead of him, pointing at Zhang Li and exclaiming: "Master! Do not be deceived by this little beast!"

Old Master Kong completely disregarded the people in the room, and with a thud, he knelt down on the ground, stammering: "Madam, I, I ... ... "

The tension was slightly awkward, recalling that I had seen Ming Dynasty furniture in a museum before, and indeed I had encountered chairs of this kind that had only a backrest and no armrests

Madam Kong glared at Mr. Kong with disgust and said, "He?—he should first kneel in punishment for three hours himself!"

Madam Kong exclaimed, "Wait! Young Divine Doctor! My illness is critical and could be fatal at any moment... It is urgent! Someone! Someone, please!"

The remaining servants all knelt down, their heads striking the ground with a loud thud

Old Master Kong nodded repeatedly, and Zhang Li turned to Green Lotus and said: "Green Lotus, you must change Madam Kong's clothes and trousers diligently every day. The clothes and trousers that are taken off must be boiled in hot water for half an hour. Do you understand?"

Zhang Li raised his head to glance at the doors and windows, saying: "Master Kong, although Madam Kong's condition is a cold syndrome, proper ventilation in the room is of utmost importance. All the doors and windows in this side room must be opened."

Old Master Kong did not even glance at the people in the room; instead, he was staring intently at Lady Kong on the bed, beads of sweat the size of soybeans dripping down, as if he were a child who had done something wrong, waiting for an adult to pass judgment.

Father! Do not be deceived by that little trickster!