Chapter 1389: Young Master Meng's Fiancée?

Meng Yunzheng handed the medicine to Aunt He and introduced, "This is my fiancée, Ah Yu. You can call her Miss Lu. She rode all the way here and got injured. Please help her apply the medicine."

Fiancée??

Aunt He received the medicine box in a daze and looked at Shu Yu in shock.

Shu Yu smiled at her and nodded, "Thank you."

Aunt He suddenly came back to her senses. With Meng Yunzheng gone, she nervously and stutteringly said, "Miss, please don't be polite. I don't know where you're injured. I-I'll take a look for you."

Shu Yu felt a bit embarrassed and pointed to the sides of her thighs. Aunt He understood and realized why Meng Yun Zheng asked her to apply the medicine.

She carefully wiped and applied the ointment, sneakily glancing at Shu Yu while doing so.

So, Meng Yunzheng did have a fiancée after all. Now all the young ladies in the city would be heartbroken.

Meng Yunzheng was not only handsome but also talented in both literary and martial arts. He ranked first in the county exam, although the results of the prefectural exam hadn't been announced yet, even if he wasn't the top candidate this time, his rank shouldn't be far off.

In any case, he was already a well-known scholar.

With such a talented and good-looking young man, many prominent families were eager to marry into his family.

When the results of the county exam were just released, Aunt He had already witnessed it. Many people came to visit, bringing gifts and secretly inquiring about Meng Yunzheng's marital status.

Meng Yunzheng told everyone that he was already engaged and had a fiancée.

This kind of statement was acceptable to those with thin skin. Since he already had someone in his heart, it was only natural not to pester him. Some even took the opportunity to befriend him.

However, there were some people who didn't care at all. So what if he had a fiancée? The engagement was arranged before he achieved success. It was unlikely that the girl's family was exceptional. When the time came, he could simply cancel the engagement.

Not to mention just being engaged; even if they got married, he could always have an affair or keep a concubine. Wouldn't it be even better for Meng Yunzheng to enjoy the benefits of having multiple partners?

In fact, there were quite a few cases like this.

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Aunt He knew of one such case from last year. A scholar who had already married fell in love with a rich man's daughter. In pursuit of wealth and prosperity, he divorced his wife, citing her inability to bear a child for three years. Now, he was married into the wealthy family and received financial support from the in-laws. His social connections and resources had soared.

Meng Yunzheng was much better looking than that scholar, and he was the top candidate twice in a row. His future prospects were even more unpredictable. It was no wonder so many people came to see him.

Even at Aunt He's place, many people came to inquire.

Aunt He always followed whatever Meng Yunzheng said. Since he said he had a fiancée, she naturally told others the same thing.

But some people firmly believed that Meng Yunzheng was deliberately avoiding marriage. They had heard it from so many people that even Aunt He herself began to doubt whether Meng Yunzheng really had a fiancée.

She didn't expect to meet this mysterious fiancée today?

Aunt He didn't dare to inquire too much about Shu Yu. Although this girl was beautiful, her family background seemed quite good.

Not many families could afford to buy such good horses, and she rode them all the way here, ignoring her injuries. Could it be that she heard someone was interested in Meng Yunzheng, so she hurried over to keep an eye on him?

 Chapter 1388: Meng Yunzheng Applies Medicine

Shu Yu was taken aback, then turned her head and looked at him with delight, "Ah Yun!"

Meng Yunzheng breathed a sigh of relief and looked at her tired and haggard face with some pity and helplessness, "It's a good thing I arrived in time; otherwise, you would have hurt yourself. Even if you're in a hurry, you should have taken a carriage."

"I was afraid I wouldn't make it in time," Shu Yu's hands and feet trembled a little, "Is my master still here?"

"Yes," Meng Yunzheng carried her and walked into the courtyard, looking back to say to Xia Yan, "Support Ah Ying a little."

It was evident that both of them couldn't walk anymore.

Shu Yu let out a sigh of relief. As long as her master was still here, she could relax. She nestled in Meng Yun Zheng's arms and was carried into the courtyard.

The courtyard gate opened, and Shu Yu found that there was actually someone inside.

An older woman was doing laundry in the courtyard. When she saw them, she quickly stood up, "Master Meng."

Meng Yunzheng nodded and continued to carry Shu Yu into the house. The woman curiously observed their backs.

Entering the room, Meng Yunzheng poured her a glass of water and fed it to her. Then he went outside to fetch a basin of hot water and wiped her face.

Shu Yu didn't need to move at all; after all, her palms were blistered and her arms were trembling.

Looking at her swollen and broken palms, Meng Yun Zheng's brows furrowed tightly, regretting sending that letter.

"Do you have to be in such a hurry?" he sounded a bit angry, but it wasn't clear if he was angry with himself or with her.

Shu Yu bit her lip. She couldn't tell him that she had many doubts in her heart and wanted answers.

For example, she wanted to know if her master knew that she had crossed over and knew about the original Shu Yu. Why didn't he directly tell her about her identity? These questions had been haunting her for a long time, and they were always a lingering concern.

So when she learned about her master's whereabouts this time, she couldn't wait and came over, but she couldn't explain it clearly to Meng Yunzheng.

"Sorry, I won't do it again next time."

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Meng Yunzheng looked up and saw her tired appearance but didn't say anything more.

He went to fetch the ointment and carefully applied it to her hands. Shu Yu flinched, and Meng Yunzheng looked at her.

She chuckled dryly, "It hurts."

Meng Yunzheng blew on her hands and changed the subject to divert her attention, "After I finish applying the ointment on your hands, I'll ask Aunt He to help you with your legs as well. What do you want to eat tonight? I'll cook for you later."

With her hands in such a condition, her thighs must be even worse. But they hadn't gotten married yet, so he didn't feel comfortable taking care of that.

Aunt He?

Shu Yu turned her head, "Is that the woman in the courtyard?"

"Yes." Meng Yun Zheng nodded, his actions gentle, "Aunt He lives in the house in the alley ahead. After I rented this courtyard, I hired her to do some work here during the day."

Although Meng Yun Zheng had Xia Yan as his attendant, Xia Yan's cooking skills were really not good.

Moreover, Xia Yan was busy running errands for him, inquiring about news, and hardly stayed at home.

So Meng Yunzheng hired Aunt He to help with the cooking and cleaning during the day, and she would go back home to rest at night.

Aunt He was an honest and hardworking person who didn't talk too much and didn't cross boundaries. They had gotten along well in the past few months.

Shu Yu nodded and then asked about her master's whereabouts.

"She's in Zhong's Village, thirty miles outside the city," Meng Yunzheng said as he finished applying the ointment to her, then got up and went outside to call Aunt He.

Aunt He came quickly. Shu Yu wanted to ask more about her master, but when she saw Aunt He coming in, she temporarily kept quiet.

Forget it, applying the ointment was more important.

 Chapter 1387: Weak and Soft

Passing by the workshop, Shu Yu gave a few instructions.

At this time, the workshop was the busiest. She had no choice but to leave. However, the workshop had been operating for nearly a year, and both the managers and the workers were familiar with the process. Everything was running smoothly, and she didn't need to worry too much.

The only thing that required caution was when the dried fruit shop needed to replenish goods and the palace needed supplies. She told Da Niu and the managers to work harder during this period, and she would reward them with a bonus once it was over.

Da Niu assured her that he had matured a lot, and there was no problem with these matters.

After finishing her instructions, Shu Yu took Ying Xi and rode her horse towards Changjin Prefecture.

Changjin Prefecture was closer to the capital and had a better geographical location, so it was more prosperous and affluent than Dong'an Mansion.

Recently, the emperial exam had just ended, and the results were not yet out, so there were even more people in the city.

Shu Yu and Ying Xi rushed for nine days before finally arriving at the entrance of Changjin Mansion.

Seeing the long line of people entering the city, Shu Yu rested half-lying on the back of her horse.

She was extremely tired. During these nine days, except for sleeping at night, they had been on the road almost all day.

Now her hands and feet were weak and soft, and she didn't feel like moving.

"Miss, we're entering the city."

Shu Yu forced herself to perk up and followed the crowd into Changjin Mansion.

At this time, it was already late, but she still found her way to the address given by Meng Yunzheng.

Fortunately, her fiancé was thoughtful enough to send the letter along with a detailed hand-drawn map of the surrounding area and the location of various shops and alleys.

Meng Yunzheng was quite talented in drawing, and everything was clearly marked.

As a result, Shu Yu easily found her way and stopped in front of a quiet little courtyard after turning a few corners.

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This courtyard was rented by Meng Yunzheng. He returned to his original household registration to take the county exam, and his original household registration was in Chenggu County under Changjin Prefecture.

Meng's family was in Chenggu County.

But Meng Yunzheng was not familiar with the Meng family, so he lived with them for a while and then came to the Changjin city after taking the county exam.

Since the county exam and the prefectural exam were both taken in the Changjin city, he told his cousin in advance that he would come here to review in advance, rented the house in advance, and avoided the panic of being rushed at the last minute.

Since then, he moved out of the Meng family and never returned. After the county exam was completed and the results came out, he sent a letter to his cousin, informing him that he had passed and would continue to prepare for the prefectural exam.

His cousin didn't stop him, after all, the exam was important. He had seen many examinees nervously preparing for the exam, and he didn't want to add trouble and pressure to Meng Yunzheng. Naturally, he let him do as he pleased and come over as he pleased.

Shu Yu looked at the tightly closed courtyard door and didn't know if Meng Yunzheng was at home.

She took a deep breath and dismounted from the horse.

But her legs didn't seem to listen to her, and they started to tremble as soon as she exerted force.

As a result, when she was halfway down, her whole body suddenly stiffened, and a gust of wind blew past her. Her waist was tightened, and she smelled a familiar scent. Someone securely held her in their arms.

 Chapter 1386: Unexpected Incident with the Master

Shu Yu thought her days would continue smoothly until her master returned after half a month. By then, Young Master Tan would have mostly detoxified, and Doctor Zhao and An Ning could go home. Even Meng Yunzheng, who had finished his Prefectural exam, would be waiting to reunite with them.

She imagined it beautifully, but two days before the half-month mark, she received a letter from Meng Yunzheng, which puzzled her. He had already finished the prefectural exam, and when the results came out, he should have come back directly without the need to write a letter.

Especially this letter, which was delivered urgently at great cost.

With suspicion, Shu Yu opened the letter and was stunned.

In the letter, Meng Yunzheng said that he met the Dongqing Temple master at Changjin Prefecture, and the master was heading to the capital in the next stop.

Knowing that Shu Yu definitely wanted to meet the master, he decided to temporarily detain the master and asked Shu Yu to come to Changjin Prefecture.

Shu Yu was completely dumbfounded. The next stop was to the capital? Why was she going in the completely opposite direction? Shouldn't she be on her way back at this time?

Her head was throbbing with pain, and she immediately ran to the Dongqing Temple Temple.

After a long silence, Qiu Dao Gu finally spoke and explained to Shu Yu.

Shu Yu felt betrayed. "What about the rule that monks don't tell lies? You liars!"

She believed them so much!

Qiu Dao Gu fell silent again for a while, then looked up, her eyes clearly showing that she didn't lie.

As Shu Yu recalled her words, it seemed to be true. She felt that sister Qiu had become cunning.

She was so angry that she couldn't even speak.

She drank two large glasses of water to calm down. "Bring me the letter from my master again."

Qiu Dao Gu handed it to her, and Shu Yu saw four words written on it - "In the absence of accidents."

So, her master didn't lie, right?

With a "thump," she stood up, turned around, and left.

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Qiu Dao Gu hurriedly caught up a few steps and asked, "Miss, are you going to Changjin Prefecture to find the master?"

"Yes."

"Then wait a moment, Miss."

Shu Yu turned her head in confusion and saw Qiu Dao Gu rush out and quickly return with a package and a letter, which she handed over. "Could you please deliver these things to the master?"

Shu Yu, "..."

She wanted to kill someone. She had just experienced the blow of being 'fooled' by them, okay?

She took a deep breath, looked at Qiu Dao Gu, who had a sincere expression on her face, and almost begged, "Hehe." Shu Yu took the package and letter, turned around, and quickly left.

If she stayed any longer, she feared she might have a heart attack.

When she returned home, she hardly hesitated and immediately decided to go to Changjin Prefecture.

Her master's whereabouts were uncertain, and waiting for her was just too difficult. Even if she consciously searched for her, she could still miss her for two years.

Finally knowing her whereabouts, Shu Yu was determined to meet her.

Of course, the elderly lady and others agreed and supported her. The Dongqing Temple's master was their benefactor, and they had missed each other so far, always avoiding meeting.

This time, Shu Yu didn't take a carriage; riding a horse would be faster.

 Chapter 1385: Lu Si Xing Buys a Cart

After sending out the letter, Shu Yu let out a sigh of relief and continued with her busy schedule.

The instant noodle business hadn't fully expanded yet, and the escorts who went out on business trips hadn't returned, so there was still some inventory left.

Coincidentally, it was the time for sunflower harvesting, so the workshop became busy again with roasting sunflower seeds and extracting sunflower oil.

During this period, Shu Yu spent most of her time busy in the workshop and would return to the county town once every three or four days.

Unexpectedly, when she returned this time, she found out that her fourth aunt had bought a mule cart.

Since they made some money from the previous stall, Lu Sixing began to consider saving up some more. She wanted to buy a small courtyard in the county town to accommodate her family.

However, their family still didn't have enough money to buy a house.

Around that time, Yuan Shanchuan got promoted and was transferred to work in the north of the city.

The distance from their home was a bit far.

Lu Sixing considered whether they should move, after all, the house they were currently renting was in this area.

However, Yuan Shanchuan rejected the idea. They were already familiar with the surroundings, and their child had playmates nearby. Lu Sixing was used to the environment, and her third brother and sister-in-law were nearby. If they suddenly moved to an unfamiliar place, it would be an adjustment for them.

Yuan Shanchuan thought it wasn't necessary. Moreover, the place he was transferred to was too remote and unsuitable for Lu Sixing and the two children.

He would work a bit harder and wake up earlier, and return home later every day. They decided not to move.

But considering his wife and children, and his wife's concern for him, they decided to buy a mule cart for him to use for daily travel.

Originally, they thought of buying a donkey, which was cheaper and more convenient. However, they reconsidered and decided on a mule cart instead, as it could accommodate the whole family. Later, when Yuan Shanchuan had a day off, he could take his family out for a trip.

So the decision was made.

Liang Shi was envious when she saw it, and Lu Sanzhu was itching to have one too.

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Now, whether it was their eldest brother or second brother, or their fourth sister, all had carts. Only their family didn't have one, and they had to rely on their two legs for transportation. They hadn't felt it before, but now they suddenly felt exhausted...

However, their family had no money. They had finally saved up a little, but they gave it all to Shu Yu to pay off the debt.

If they had known, they should have bought a smaller house. Maybe by now, they would have paid off the debt and had enough money to buy a cart.

The couple lamented.

Li Shi didn't care much. A mule cart was nothing special; every family had one. Her family's mule cart was given by her son as a filial gift, and her sister-in-law had to work hard to buy one herself. Thinking about it, she felt quite proud.

But she felt a bit sour about Yuan Shanchuan's promotion. She felt that it was all because of Shu Yu's influence.

Shu Yu had heard about Yuan Shanchuan's promotion, but she didn't pay much attention to it. The promotion was decided by the current county magistrate.

The new county magistrate had just arrived in Jiangyuan County and didn't have as much power and manpower as Xiang Weinan had. He needed capable people, so when there was an opportunity, he promoted those who were competent.

Yuan Shanchuan was diligent and persevering. Before Xiang Weinan left, he had made significant contributions when searching for evidence against the Shu family.

The new county magistrate appreciated that, so whenever there was a chance, he promoted him.

Shu Yu didn't think the new county magistrate was doing it to save face for her.

She became busier, and during this time, she went to Dongqing Temple and the capital once.

Xiao Shi recovery was going well, and she was gradually regaining her vitality.

She also visited the Tan family. Young Master Tan was now able to eat and get out of bed, no longer spending his days lying down.

For this, Master Tan and his wife were very grateful to Doctor Zhao.

 Chapter 1384: Returning after Half a Month

The letter was received today?" Shu Yu asked casually.

Sister Qiu lowered her head, feeling a bit guilty. In fact, she had received the letter two days ago. She had intended to inform Shu Yu about it, but with the ongoing entrance exams at the temple, there were too many visitors seeking blessings and good luck. She became busy and forgot about the letter.

Yesterday, when Shu Yu came, she was preoccupied with arranging accommodations for Xiao Shi and completely forgot about the letter. It was only after Shu Yu had left that she remembered it.

Fortunately, Shu Yu had come back today, and she quickly handed the letter from the head of Dongqing Temple to her.

Sister Qiu silently reminded herself that as a nun, she shouldn't tell lies or deceive others, so she decided to avoid the topic and urged Shu Yu, "You should open the letter and read it."

Shu Yu didn't mind and was relieved to finally receive news from her master. She quickly walked to the side and opened the letter.

The letter from the head of Dongqing Temple was short, but even in its brevity, it brought good news.

Besides giving some instructions to Sister Qiu, the letter mentioned that the master would return to the temple in half a month.

"Is my master finally coming back?" Shu Yu asked excitedly.

She was delighted as she had been eagerly waiting for her master's return.

Shu Yu was too excited to notice Sister Qiu's hesitant expression.

Yes, unless there are any unforeseen circumstances, the head of the temple should be returning soon.

But if there were any unforeseen circumstances, things might not go as expected.

After all, Sister Qiu had received such letters five times before, and each time, the master had failed to return as promised.

However, looking at Shu Yu's joyful expression, Sister Qiu couldn't bring herself to disappoint her. She could only say, "The letter from the head of the temple said so."

Shu Yu read the letter again and returned it to Sister Qiu.

"Thank you, Sister Qiu. I'll be heading back now. Please take care of Sister Xiao for me. I've been quite busy lately, so I'll come to visit her in a few days."

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"Don't worry, she is a guest of Dongqing Temple now, and we will take good care of her."

Shu Yu returned to Xiao Shi's room. By now, Doctor Zhao had prepared the medicine and the prescription for the medicated food. They decided to leave the mountain together.

Although Xiao Shi was reluctant to see Shu Yu leave, she couldn't keep someone with her all the time.

As they left, Xiao Shi stood in the courtyard, watching them depart with a hint of reluctance.

Once they reached the foot of the mountain, Doctor Zhao and Ah Ning were to return to the Tan family in the capital, so they bid farewell to Shu Yu.

"The sunflowers on the farm have just been harvested, and there are many other things to take care of. I have to go back to the county town. Take care of yourselves, Ah Ning, learn from your grandmaster, and I'll come to see you again in a few days."

"I understand, Second Sister. Tell our parents that I'm doing well. Master said I'm progressing quickly. Although I couldn't diagnose anything when examining Young Master Tan, I'll keep working hard."

"I believe in you."

Shu Yu waved her hand and watched them enter the city gate before turning back.

When the carriage passed by the estate, she glanced at it. With Da Niu there, she felt much more at ease and didn't go to the workshop this time. Instead, she headed straight back to the county town.

Once she arrived home, the first thing she did was write a letter to Qi Lie.

She informed him about Xiao Shi's safe arrival and settling down. She also detailed all the matters that Doctor Zhao had taken care of. After some hesitation, she decided to include the issue of Young Master Tan being poisoned, just like Xiao Shi.

 Chapter 1383: Letter from the Dongqing Temple Master

Doctor Zhao nodded, and Shu Yu felt a bit regretful.

Then, Doctor Zhao proceeded to administer acupuncture to Young Master Tan, and after making him eat something, he expressed his intention to go out and find medicinal herbs.

Master Tan naturally agreed and even planned to have the household servants accompany him to lend a hand.

However, Doctor Zhao declined their offer as he was not used to having people follow him around.

Master Tan didn't insist, as the esteemed physician, Doctor Zhao, had his own way of doing things, and it wouldn't be wise to interfere and risk making him unhappy.

Shu Yu also took her leave and, along with Doctor Zhao and Ah Ning, departed from the Tan family, bringing the gratitude gift prepared by Madam Tan.

Once they left the city, they headed straight for the Dongqing Temple.

While riding in the carriage, Shu Yu brought up the matter of Xiao Shi, "I suspect that Xiao Shi and Young Master Tan were poisoned with the same substance."

Doctor Zhao stroked his chin, "Oh, there's such a thing."

Upon arriving at the Dongqing Temple, they were allowed to enter the backyard due to Doctor Zhao's profession as a physician.

Xiao Shi seemed to be doing well here; after spending the night, her spirits visibly improved.

She was pleased to see Shu Yu, "It's quiet here. I went to bed early last night and didn't wake up until Chen hour today. I haven't slept so soundly and peacefully in a long time; it's probably because a heavy burden has been lifted from my heart."

Shu Yu was relieved to see her in good spirits and asked Doctor Zhao to examine her.

After examining her, he nodded, saying, "Indeed, it's the same type of poison."

He looked at Shu Yu, "Moreover, this poison should have originated from the southwest region, but it's not present in this area."

The southwest? That's where she had once been exiled.

However, the southwest is vast, and it might not necessarily be from the Linzhang Prefecture.

Shu Yu temporarily put this matter aside and then asked Doctor Zhao, "How is my sister-in-law's condition?"

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"It's not bad," Doctor Zhao replied, "The person who poisoned her must have administered a higher dose compared to Young Master Tan. Therefore, while Young Master Tan held on for two years, your sister-in-law might have only half a year left before succumbing to the illness. However, due to that, her exposure to the poison was shorter, and the toxicity hasn't deeply rooted in her body like Young Master Tan. Your poison was resolved by the physician from the Imperial palace, wasn't it?"

Xiao Shi nodded repeatedly, "Yes, that's right."

She preferred fewer people knowing about her survival, so the emperor directly had the chief physician handle her case.

The chief physician also said the same thing at the time - her exposure to the poison was short, making the detoxification somewhat easier. Nevertheless, she had experienced the pain, and the feeling of wanting to die was enough for her to experience once in her life.

Doctor Zhao murmured, "Your condition isn't problematic. Although there's still some residual poison, if you take your medicine on time, I'll administer two rounds of acupuncture in a while, and it should be completely cleared. However, you should pay attention to your diet and keep your mood pleasant. I'll write down a few medicinal recipes for you to take every two days to help regulate your body."

Xiao Shi was very grateful, "Thank you, Doctor Zhao."

Doctor Zhao then went to attend to her needs, and Ah Ning helped her.

After chatting with Xiao Shi for a while, Shu Yu got up and went to find Sister Qiu.

Unexpectedly, Sister Qiu came to find her at the same time, "Follow me."

Shu Yu followed Sister Qiu with a puzzled expression into her room, where she saw Sister Qiu taking out a letter.

Shu Yu's eyes lit up when she saw the envelope, "Is this a letter from Master?"

What a coincidence! She had just come to inquire about Master's news, and now she received a letter.

 Chapter 1382: The Culprits Are Two

Master Tan instantly regretted the delay, realizing that enough time had passed for the person who poisoned his son to destroy any evidence.

However, leaving traces behind is inevitable when someone commits a crime. Master Tan took a deep breath and said to Doctor Zhao, "I understand. I'll trouble you with this. I'll make sure to have the medicines you prescribed prepared and sent over as soon as possible."

Then, he turned to Shu Yu and said, "Lu Xiangjun, it's getting late. Stay at our mansion tonight and rest."

Indeed, it was quite late now, and with the upcoming imperial examination in two days, the city would be crowded, making it difficult to find accommodations at an inn.

Shu Yu nodded, "Thank you for your hospitality."

Master Tan instructed his wife to arrange food and lodging for their guests while he attended to other matters.

Doctor Zhao first administered a needle to Young Master Tan and then gave him a pill before having food prepared for him.

Madam Tan nervously watched as her son actually ate a bowl of noodles without any signs of aversion or rejection. She widened her eyes and was both crying and laughing. It had been so long since they had witnessed such a scene.

No doctor they had consulted before had been able to achieve this.

Madam Tan felt extremely grateful to Doctor Zhao and sent all kinds of delicious food and useful items to their room.

Shu Yu and Doctor Zhao stayed in the neighboring room. When she saw him return, she went over to have a meal together and inquire about some matters.

"Old Master Zhao, will you be staying at the Tan residence for the next half month?"

Doctor Zhao finished his meal, took a sip of water calmly, and then looked up, asking, "Why? Is there something you need here? You came to the Tan residence today especially to find us, right? Is something wrong?"

Shu Yu shook her head, "It's not a big deal. I have a friend who is unwell, and I need you to take a look at them."

To avoid being overheard, Shu Yu didn't mention Xiao Shi's identity or that she was poisoned.

Doctor Zhao was relieved, "That's not a problem. For the next half month, I'll primarily be helping Young Master Tan regulate his body. I'll only need to check on him briefly each day, so I won't be constantly present. Tomorrow, I'll tell Master Tan that I need to search for some medicinal ingredients myself, which will take a day, but it shouldn't be a big issue."

"Alright, we'll leave early tomorrow then."

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After settling the matter, Shu Yu returned to her room.

However, she couldn't sleep well that night. She wanted to know the connection between the person who poisoned Young Master Tan and the Xiao family. Doctor Zhao had suggested that the poison was very rare.

Shu Yu was concerned about the link between the person who poisoned Young Master Tan and the Xiao family.

As for the Tan family, they were determined to uncover the culprit behind the poisoning. Master Tan was decisive, and that night, the whole Tan mansion was noisy and bustling.

The room where Shu Yu stayed was far away from the commotion, so it remained relatively quiet.

Early the next morning, she signaled to Doctor Zhao, who asked Master Tan if the culprit had been caught.

Thinking that Doctor Zhao was inquiring about the poison, Master Tan didn't conceal anything. With a tired expression, he said, "The person committed suicide. I suppose they realized they couldn't escape the consequences."

"Was there only one culprit?"

"Two. One was a servant who had been taking care of my son's daily life, and the other was a kitchen staff member," Master Tan's face turned grim. "But I'm afraid there are more. We'll continue the investigation."

 Chapter 1381: Thought It Was Lovesickness

Shu Yu's excessive attention to Young Master Tan puzzled Madam Tan. She asked in a low voice, "Lu Xiangjun, is there something wrong?"

Shu Yu snapped out of his thoughts and shook his head, saying, "No, I just wanted to ask if there were any changes in Young Master Tan after he got poisoned."

Changes?

Before Madam Tan could answer, Doctor Zhao, who was washing his hands nearby, spoke up, "He should have a loss of appetite and feel nauseous when he sees food. However, even if he eats, he will vomit. That's how he manages to stay alive."

Madam Tan nodded repeatedly, "Yes, yes, that's exactly it."

This time, she believed that the person in front of her was a competent doctor. Other doctors they had consulted before would ask for specific symptoms and then deduce the illness based on what they said. However, Doctor Zhao immediately knew after taking the pulse.

Recalling Young Master Tan's condition from before, Madam Tan said, "Two years ago, he took the imperial examination but failed. After returning home, he started eating less. Initially, we thought it was because he was in a bad mood after failing the exam, which affected his appetite. However, the situation became more severe over time, and when we consulted doctors, they couldn't find anything wrong and attributed it to lovesickness."

Her son had traveled with his father and had some experiences, but it was only one failed examination. How could he have developed such severe lovesickness?

Madam Tan didn't believe that her son's endurance was so weak. She thought he was just feeling upset for a while and suggested that he go out and have some fun, find something to do. However, the situation persisted, and she had to accept that Young Master Tan indeed suffered from lovesickness.

But now, the doctor was telling her that it was poisoning, not an illness. She couldn't decide if she should be happy or sad.

Doctor Zhao nodded while listening, "It's not surprising that other doctors couldn't figure it out. This poison is quite rare. Even ordinary doctors, let alone court physicians, may have never encountered it. I have seen such cases during my many years of medical practice, which is why I can be sure of it."

This somewhat reassured Master and Madam Tan.

"Doctor Zhao, can you detoxify my son now? Do we really need to use those poisonous medicines as you mentioned before? Won't it be too... dangerous?" Master Tan asked, shivering at the thought of the long list of poisonous substances mentioned earlier.

Doctor Zhao waved his hand, "While there are many substances, each one will be used in small quantities, not enough to be lethal. But we can't start detoxifying him right away. Your son's body is already weakened significantly. The pain from using poisons to counter the poison requires enough physical strength to sustain. I need to help him regulate his body first, and we can begin in about half a month. During this period, prepare the medicinal materials listed on the prescription."

"Okay, Doctor Zhao, please instruct us, and we'll follow your advice."

....

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....

Doctor Zhao nodded and added, "By the way, I'm only responsible for detoxifying. Other matters, such as finding the person who poisoned him, you'll have to handle on your own. Especially during the detoxification process, I don't want any disruptions."

Master Tan's expression turned serious, and he said solemnly, "Doctor Zhao, please rest assured. Such an incident won't happen again. I will try my best to find the person responsible for the poisoning as soon as possible."

After a pause, he asked, "Doctor Zhao, I wonder if you can help us find out where the poison was administered?"

"I'm afraid not. The first time I examined Young Master Tan, I already told him it was poisoning. At that time, he wasn't restrained, and he definitely got rid of the evidence," Doctor Zhao explained.

Shu Yu couldn't help but rub her forehead as she observed Ah Ning's familiar and skillful demeanor. It seemed that both of them acted this way outside.

Master Tan quickly said, "If it's convenient for doctor Zhao, please, I implore you to take another look at my son. I entrust him to you."

Ah Ning spoke again, "My master's method is quite extraordinary; he uses poison to counteract poison. Are you daring enough?"

Mr. Tan's face indeed showed a hint of hesitation, but he gritted his teeth in the end, "Doctor Zhao, please come inside."

Ah Ning nodded, "Alright, since you agreed, we won't hold anything against you anymore. That young master Tan looks quite pitiful. Let's cure him as soon as possible and then head home. I miss my little nephew."

She referred to Shu You's child in her belly. Ah Ning liked to stay close to Shu You and talk to her belly.

Doctor Zhao was originally planning to tease a bit, but when he heard her mention this, he readily agreed. After all, that child was his grand-disciple, and he was quite fond of him.

He nodded and said to Master Tan, "Lead the way."

Master Tan let out a sigh of relief, "Please, doctor Zhao, come this way."

Madam Tan stood in the hall, watching the figures in the distance. She opened her mouth, hesitated for a moment, but eventually clenched her teeth and decided to take this gamble.

She turned to Shu Yu and said, "Village Lord, please come in and have some tea."

The group headed back to the rear courtyard. Young Master Tan needed to recuperate, so his courtyard was located not far from the front yard, but it was relatively secluded.

Despite the hot weather, the moment they entered Young Master Tan's courtyard, it felt quite cool.

Shu Yu followed doctor Zhao inside and took a glance at Young Master Tan. He really looked seriously ill, so emaciated that one couldn't determine his exact age.

doctor Zhao sat back on the bed and took Young Master Tan's pulse.

Master Tan anxiously waited beside them, but the answer doctor Zhao gave was the same as before, "Indeed, he was poisoned, and if not treated now, it will be beyond help in three months."

Master Tan's hand trembled, and Madam Tan hurriedly said, "But I noticed that his condition has improved a bit in the past few days. The doctors at the mansion also said his condition has improved. How can it be that he only has three months left?"

doctor Zhao glanced at her, "You know about the 'returning to light before death,' right?"

Madam Tan turned pale and couldn't help but cover her mouth, crying.

Master Tan calmed down a bit. He took a deep breath and said, "Please, doctor Zhao, save my son's life."

"Saving his life is not a problem, but the process will be painful. Also, I need to make it clear beforehand. Young Master is affected by chronic poison, which was administered two years ago and is still active."

Master Tan wasn't a fool; when he heard this, his pupils constricted suddenly, and he immediately understood.

Chronic poison, being administered daily, indicated that the person responsible was someone who served him.

His expression turned cold, and he immediately called a trusted servant, "Get people to guard everyone inside and outside this courtyard. From now on, whether it's the front gate or the back gate, everything must be strictly monitored. No one is allowed to enter or leave."

"Yes." The servant understood the severity of the situation and immediately went to handle it.

As she stood behind, Shu Yu frowned slightly. Chronic poison again?

She couldn't help but glance at Young Master Tan. His emaciated appearance indeed resembled Xiao Shi.

Could there be any connection between them?

 Chapter 1379: Saintly old Doctor Zhao

Doctor Zhao mentioned that he wanted to detoxify Young Master Tan and saw this as a rare opportunity to use Ah Ning as a teaching case.

Shu Yu understood the situation and sat back down, saying, "No hurry, Master Tan. Let's continue our discussion."

Both Master and Madam Tan frowned at the same time, thinking that Shu Yu wanted to hold them accountable for secretly detaining them.

Madam Tan's face turned cold. She hadn't even come to settle accounts with them yet, and now this Village Lord had the audacity to blame them?

However, in the next moment, Shu Yu said, "Let me introduce my grandfather. Although he doesn't have much reputation in Dong'an Prefecture, he has accumulated considerable experience from his many years of traveling. People in the martial world call him 'Saintly Doctor Zhao.'"

Master and Madam Tan's impatient expressions froze at once, and they stood up with a thud.

"What did you just say? Who is he?" Master Tan asked urgently, staring at doctor Zhao.

Shu Yu nodded, "Allow me to introduce him. My grandfather's surname is Zhao, and he is skilled in rejuvenating medical arts. However, he values his freedom and has been wandering for many years, so not many people know about him."

"No, we know." Master Tan said eagerly and then looked at doctor Zhao with wide eyes.

Young Master Tan was seriously ill, and they had searched all over Dong'an Prefecture for doctors, even taking him to the capital for medical treatment. They even asked their cousin, who was an official in the capital, to inquire about court physicians. Although they couldn't get the Chief Physician of the Imperial Hospital, they found someone with considerable medical skills. However, none of them could cure Young Master Tan's illness.

However, because the Tan family had been inquiring everywhere for highly skilled doctors, the name 'Saintly Doctor Zhao' was well-known.

But since doctor Zhao was always on the move and his background was unclear, they couldn't find him.

Now, the Village Lord was saying that this person was here and that he was the one they had recently treated as a swindler and locked up?

Master Tan was somewhat incredulous, "Village Lord, are you telling the truth?"

Shu Yu nodded, "Of course, I have no reason to deceive you. Although I haven't seen Young Master Tan and don't know the specifics of his condition, my grandfather said he was poisoned, and that is probably accurate. Of course, you don't have to believe me. I just wanted to clarify that my grandfather is not a swindler. If you have concerns, I can take him away now."

Doctor Zhao snorted and called Ah Ning. He turned to leave.

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....

Shu Yu nodded politely to the Tan couple, "Goodbye."

Just as they were about to leave, Master Tan suddenly came to his senses, "Wait, wait."

He hurried a few steps and blocked their path. Then he looked at doctor Zhao, still somewhat dazed.

After all, he never expected that the person he had been desperately searching for, who had left no traces, would suddenly appear before him like this.

However, the Village Lord shouldn't lie to him. Moreover, this old man had indeed been able to come and go freely with a child in their house, which was not something an ordinary old man could do.

Master Tan's mind was racing with various thoughts.

Finally, he took a deep breath and became more respectful in his attitude, "Earlier, I was blind and failed to recognize Mount Tai. Coupled with my worries about my son's illness, I misunderstood Saintly Doctor Zhao. I have offended you. I hope you can forgive me. In that case, I will make it up to you."

Doctor Zhao put on an inscrutable look, and Ah Ning, who was by his side, looked at him and asked, "Do you want my master to treat Young Master Tan?"

 Chapter 1378: I'm Here to Find You

After Madam Tan finished speaking, Yu sneered and said, "I was wondering where that old man got the audacity from, prattling on about nonsense and daring to visit people without any medical skills. Doesn't he fear causing harm? Now, thinking about it, he must be relying on the support of the Village Lord."

Master Tan cleared his throat and glared at Madam Tan.

Madam Tan felt annoyed; after all, Young Master Tan had been sick for so long, which worried her greatly.

Even if the other party was the Village Lord, so what? She wasn't afraid.

"Village Lord, please don't blame me for being meddlesome. Your grandfather has now clashed with us. We are just ordinary merchants with no power to harm him. However, if he continues like this, in the future, he might fall into the hands of those with power and influence. Not only will he not be able to protect himself, but he might also drag you into trouble."

Master Tan frowned. "Enough, why speak of such things?"

Madam Tan pursed her lips, hesitating to continue.

Who knew that Shu Yu would say, "Thank you, Madam Tan, for the reminder."

Having understood the situation and knowing that neither of them was hurt or in trouble, Shu Yu felt relieved.

Madam Tan was taken aback; she didn't expect Shu Yu to say this.

Shu Yu continued, "Regardless, we need to find them first. When we meet, we can discuss how to resolve this face to face."

"Village Lord is right."

Master Tan immediately turned to instruct the servants to search around and find them as soon as possible.

Before they left, Shu Yu added, "When you find them, please inform me as well."

She thought that if they didn't inform her, doctor Zhao might hide and never show up.

He had been traveling as a doctor for many years, using various means and techniques. If he wanted to hide from people, it would be effortless for him.

Didn't you hear what Mrs. Tan said earlier? He was locked in a room and someone was guarding it, yet he still managed to escape with Ah Ning unnoticed.

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....

Even if doctor Zhao couldn't fight, it would be impossible for an ordinary person to keep him under control.

That was why the Lu family felt at ease letting him take Ah Ning around.

Shu Yu returned to the front hall with Master Tan, waiting while having tea. Her method worked; it didn't take long before doctor Zhao and Ah Ning appeared before her.

"Second Sister!" Ah Ning rushed in and hugged Shu Yu tightly around her waist, looking up at her with pleading eyes. "Second Sister, why are you here?"

"I'm here to find you."

She glanced at both of them, seeing that they were unharmed and in good spirits, which put her mind at ease.

However, the expressions of Master and Madam Tan turned even more unpleasant when they saw doctor Zhao.

Master Tan took a deep breath and said, "Village Lord, for your sake, we won't pursue this matter today. You can take this old man with you."

Indeed, Shu Yu wanted to take doctor Zhao away, but the Lu family and the Tan family had some business dealings and didn't entirely treat the doctors coming into the mansion as hostile, as the medical staff at the clinic suggested.

If Young Master Tan really passed away in three months, and if the Tan family found out doctor Zhao identity later, knowing how much they valued Young Master Tan, they might hold a grudge.

It's better to make friends than enemies.

Therefore, Shu Yu stayed and walked up to doctor Zhao, asking him a few questions in a low voice.

 Chapter 1377: Escaped

Master Tan was displeased, but since the other party was the powerful village Lord, he knew they wouldn't give up easily after coming all the way here.

He had to suppress his anger and reluctantly said, "Fine, Lu Xiangjun, follow me."

Shu Yu secretly breathed a sigh of relief and followed Master Tan to the backyard.

Just as they reached the gate, they saw Madam Tan leading a large group of maids and servants marching towards them aggressively.

Master Tan was startled and hurriedly asked, "What's going on?"

Madam Tan was furious. "That old man and the little girl have escaped. I had them locked in a room and guarded, but somehow they vanished. I can't believe it..."

She was too angry to notice Master Tan signaling her with his eyes.

By the time she realized it, she had already spilled everything.

Shu Yu stepped out from behind Mr. Tan and squinted, asking, "The old man and the little girl you mentioned, could they be my grandfather and younger sister?"

Madam Tan was taken aback and scrutinized Shu Yu.

Master Tan whispered, "This is village lord, the one who visited our house earlier with that old man and girl. They are her family."

Madam Tan widened her eyes in surprise.

Shu Yu put on a sly smile and said, "I wonder what my grandfather said or did that led you to lock them up? One is already elderly, and the other is still young. The Tan family wouldn't go that far, would you?"

Master Tan and Madam Tan exchanged glances. The latter had calmed down by now and began explaining the cause and effect.

However, her tone still carried resentment.

"Lu Xiangjun, I admit that we did lock them up, but rest assured, we didn't harm them. You don't need to side with that old man and the girl. They were out of line. My son has been bedridden for two years, and we desperately sought the best doctors. So, when that old man claimed he had experience with various complex ailments, we invited him to see my son."

Madam Tan's eyes welled up with tears as she talked about her son's illness, showing genuine sadness.

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"If he had come and said he couldn't treat him, we would have let him go. But instead, he said he could cure him with an extremely dangerous method, talking about using poison as a remedy and listing toxic herbs. It wasn't treatment; it was murder."

The Tan family had been employing imperial physicians, and although they couldn't fully cure Master Tan's son, they managed his daily care.

When they heard the old man's suggestion of using poison, they found it unreliable. After all, Master Tan's son wasn't poisoned, so why use such methods?

Not only did they think the old man was making a fuss, but they also believed in the imperial physicians.

The Tan family was infuriated. It was a matter of life and death, and this old man was playing games with them.

To make matters worse, the old man even claimed that Master Tan's son was deeply poisoned and might not survive three more months if not treated immediately.

This statement hit a nerve, and Master Tan ordered them to be detained while considering how to handle the situation. It was precisely then that Shu Yu arrived at their doorstep.

 Chapter 1376: Tan Family

Shu Yu remembered that the Tan Family's cloth shop was indeed quite large.

Her mother and elder sister had mentioned before that among the fabrics they currently ordered, there was a batch from the Tan Family. Additionally, whenever they visited the capital to see the latest fashion, they would mostly go to the Tan Family's ready-to-wear shop.

The Tan Family's influence in Dong'an Prefecture was indeed significant, especially with a relative holding an official position in the capital. They were undoubtedly wealthy and influential.

However, even if doctor Zhao went to the Tan Family to treat their young master, he would either succeed or fail. At most, he would be asked to leave, but how could it be considered causing a big trouble?

Shu Yu asked the clerk, "What would happen if the doctor fails to treat the young master of the Pang Family?"

"I don't know. I only know that most of the doctors who had previously treated the young master of the Tan Family did not have a good life afterward. People like this old man who boasts so much and offends the Tan Family might have an even worse fate."

The clerk shrugged and, having enjoyed himself enough, went back to his work as someone called for him in the medical clinic.

Shu Yu rubbed her forehead and left that medical clinic.

"Miss, are we going to the Tan Family?" Ying Xi asked.

"Yes."

The carriage resumed its journey. The Tan Family was not hard to find; a simple inquiry revealed that it was located in the eastern part of the city.

By the time Shu Yu arrived at the Tan Family's doorstep, it was already late.

She knocked on the door, stated her name, and the gatekeeper, upon hearing she was Lu Xiangjun, was taken aback for a moment before quickly reporting to the master.

However, the Tan Family's master was utterly bewildered as he didn't recognize Lu Xiangjun at all.

He asked the other female members of the Tan Family present, and none of them knew her either.

Lu Xiangjun's sudden visit was indeed strange.

However, the Tan Family's master knew of Shu Yu; she was a person with connections in the capital.

....

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....

Therefore, he didn't dare to be negligent and immediately had his servants bring her in.

After entering, Shu Yu followed the servants all the way to the main hall of the front yard, where only the Tan Family's master was present.

However, the Tan Family's master was quite different from what she had imagined. He was thin and seemed somewhat haggard. Something seemed to have happened just now since there was a very light footprint and some scratches on his clothes.

Shu Yu's eyelids twitched, suspecting that the Tan Family's master's current appearance might be related to doctor Zhao.

Could a conflict have arisen between them already?

Thinking of this, Shu Yu decided not to beat around the bush and straightforwardly said, "I apologize for the sudden visit, I hope I haven't disturbed you, Master Tan."

"Village Lord is too polite, please have a seat. I..." Master Tan tried to be courteous, but Shu Yu interrupted him.

"Master Tan," Shu Yu didn't wait for him to finish his polite words and went straight to the point, "I'm sorry, I heard that my grandfather and my younger sister were taken back to your family to treat the young master. I wonder where they are now?"

Master Tan was stunned, "Your grandfather and younger sister?"

Shu Yu nodded, "Yes, my grandfather's surname is Zhao, and my younger sister is called Ah Ning."

Master Tan's face changed in an instant, showing a hint of anger and dissatisfaction.

Originally, he was being quite polite to Shu Yu, but now his face darkened.

Shu Yu thought: Could it be that she really came too late? Wasn't doctor Zhao here to treat the young master of the Tan Family? How could it provoke Master Tan to be so annoyed? Did he directly say that young master Tan illness was incurable and that he was going to die?

"Master Tan, did they say anything improper? It seems like you are not very happy, and my grandfather has a straightforward temperament. Perhaps there was some misunderstanding. I wonder if I could see them first?"

 Chapter 1375: Finding the Young Girl

Xiao Shi pondered, "Is it not good for me to go and invite Doctor Zhao to diagnose me in person? It's halfway up the mountain, and it's not convenient for him to come here."

Shu Yu thought that Xiao Shi's temperament had indeed changed a lot.

"It's alright. The main reason is that I don't know where doctor Zhao is right now. I'll go to the capital to inquire. If I were to bring you along to search for him everywhere, it might not be ideal. Rest assured, doctor Zhao has always treated climbing mountains and gathering herbs as a way to exercise, and this mountain in Dongqing Temple is not too high, so it's not difficult for him. Once I find him, I'll bring him over to diagnose you. If I can't find him, I'll return to Jiangyuan County and bring Zhao Xi over."

Hearing her words, Xiao Shi could only nod. "Alright, thank you for your trouble."

Shu Yu didn't linger and soon headed down the mountain with Ying Xi, returning to the capital.

Old doctor Zhao had come to the Dong'an city a few days ago with Ah Ning to gain experience, but she didn't know exactly where they went.

Where should she start looking?

Sitting on the carriage shaft, Ying Xi asked Shu Yu, "Miss, where are we going next?"

After thinking for a moment, Shu Yu replied, "Let's go to nearby pharmacies and medical clinics."

She thought that since doctor Zhao had brought Ah Ning out to see and treat patients, although he had some herbs with him, they might not be comprehensive enough. Perhaps he needed to go to medical clinics to get some medicinal herbs.

With an old man and a little girl together, if someone paid attention, they should be able to gather some information.

As expected, when Shu Yu asked at the second medical clinic, one of the clerks said, "I've seen them before. Who are you to those two? They seem to have caused quite a big trouble and might be in trouble."

"What kind of trouble did they cause?" Shu Yu's heart skipped a beat.

The clerk seemed to take pleasure in their misfortune. "That old man is too arrogant. Earlier, he accidentally saved a patient in front of our medical clinic, and after the patient complimented him a few times, he really thought highly of his medical skills. He even said that there are few in this Dong'an city who can compare to him as a physician. Hehe, I've never seen someone so shameless. Just look at his appearance; if his medical skills were that good, how could he only be a wandering doctor, not even having a stable medical clinic and dressing in such shabby clothes? He looks like he hasn't earned any money."

Shu Yu frowned. It was doctor Zhao's freedom to be a wandering doctor. If he wanted a stable place to practice medicine, he could easily get a position at the Imperial Medical Academy in the capital.

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....

As for his clothes, doctor Zhao often went up the mountains to gather herbs, so he preferred to wear simple and comfortable coarse linen clothes. They were cheap and comfortable, and he wouldn't feel so bad if they were cut or torn by branches or stones.

With this appearance, Ah Ning naturally followed suit.

Shu Yu could easily imagine that the two of them standing at the door looked like a pair of beggars, one old and one young.

The clerk continued, "That old man even claims to specialize in treating difficult and complicated illnesses and has seen many strange diseases from traveling all over the place. He encouraged everyone to come to him if they needed help. Oh my, those words were too much. The servants of the Tan family heard it and took the old man and the young girl away immediately."

"The Tan family? Who are they and what do they do?"

"The Tan family is a wealthy family in our city, running a cloth shop. They have a Third Young Master who holds an official position in the capital. We ordinary people dare not offend them and certainly can't afford to provoke them. That Third Young Master of the Tan family has been suffering from a serious illness for almost two years. They've searched for many doctors, but no one has been able to cure him. The old man boasted about being very skilled, so the Tan family took him away to treat their young master."