I Crossed Over with My Enemy, Only to Find Him Running the Empire - Chapter 32

Chapter 32: Cured!

At that moment, the sound of Zhang Jinhua’s returning footsteps came from outside the window.

Li Qiaoqiao’s eyes darted around, and she suddenly raised her voice in a sharp, startled cry: “Oh my god! Tie Niu! You’re awake?!”

The shout was so high and piercing that it startled Wu Ya.

Before he could react, Li Qiaoqiao had already rushed to the door, flung it open, and shouted to the yard: “Mother! Come quickly! Tie Niu is awake! The Divine Physician’s medicine is too miraculous!”

Zhang Jinhua was in the middle of a conversation in the yard with the nosy Mrs. Wei. Hearing the shout, she came running in.

There she saw Wu Ya sitting on the edge of the kang bed. Although his face was a bit pale, his eyes were clear—worlds apart from his usual foolish self.

“Tie Niu? My dear son?” Zhang Jinhua called out with a trembling voice, stepping closer in disbelief.

Wu Ya instantly entered his role. He slowly raised his head, gazing at Zhang Jinhua as his eyes gradually welled up with tears. Under Li Qiaoqiao’s encouraging gaze, he stood up slowly and stumbled toward Zhang Jinhua.

“Mother…” he called out in a hoarse voice, reaching out to support the swaying Zhang Jinhua.

That single word “Mother” sent a shock through Zhang Jinhua’s entire body, and her tears cascaded down. For so many years, this son of hers had either been silent or made incoherent noises; when had he ever called her “Mother” so clearly?

“My son!” Zhang Jinhua threw her arms around Wu Ya and wailed loudly. “You’re finally better! How long has Mother waited for this day!”

Wu Ya’s body was slightly stiff, but he gently patted Zhang Jinhua’s back and whispered, “Mother, I’m better. Please don’t cry.”

Watching from the side, Li Qiaoqiao felt a twinge of emotion. Although Zhang Jinhua was shrill and stingy, her feelings for her foolish son were genuine.

Mrs. Wei and members of the other houses were all huddled at the door watching the spectacle, completely dumbfounded. Mrs. Wei muttered, “Is it really that effective? Cured by just one pill?”

Zhang Jinhua, having cried her fill, wiped her eyes and addressed the crowd: “Did you all see? A Divine Physician is a Divine Physician! From now on, if anyone dares to say it’s expensive, I’ll tear their mouth off!”

She pulled Wu Ya around, looking him over. Seeing that his eyes were truly clear and his speech was logical, she was overjoyed beyond measure. “When the Physician returns tomorrow, we must thank him properly!”

Li Qiaoqiao added quickly, “Mother is right. But the Physician said this illness requires three months of medication to be completely uprooted.”

Zhang Jinhua nodded repeatedly. “He must take it! He must! Even if it bankrupts the family, he must take it!”

Hearing this, the corner of Wu Ya’s mouth twitched—he was likely remembering that cow dung taste again.

As the setting sun cast long shadows of the embracing mother and son against the wall, the evening cooking smoke rose from the rooftops. Li Qiaoqiao stepped aside, her heart filled with mixed emotions. Lying was wrong, but for the sake of survival, it was the only way.

However, since Physician Gong was coming back tomorrow, they needed a long-term strategy.

As Wu Ya comforted the emotional Zhang Jinhua, he shot a glance at Li Qiaoqiao that clearly said: I’ll settle the score with you tonight.

Li Qiaoqiao glared back without backing down, silently mouthing: Does the cow dung taste good?

Wu Ya’s face instantly turned green again.

…

When Mrs. Wei realized Zhang Jinhua was actually going to hand over thirty taels of silver to the physician, her heart ached with resentment. Taking advantage of Zhang Jinhua’s distraction, she slipped out of the courtyard and ran to the fields to find her father-in-law, Wu Duofu.

“Father! Come back and look!” Mrs. Wei shouted at the top of her lungs. “Mother is about to be swindled out of thirty taels!”

Wu Duofu was weeding. When he heard “thirty tales,” he dropped his hoe immediately. “What happened? Who’s swindling money?”

Mrs. Wei breathlessly explained the situation regarding Physician Gong and Tie Niu, emphasizing that the pills cost three taels each. Wu Duofu panicked; thirty taels was enough to feed the entire family for years!

The two rushed home. Upon entering the yard, they saw neighbors crowding around, peeking into the Fourth House’s room.

“Make way! Make way!” Wu Duofu pushed through the crowd. He froze the moment he stepped through the door.

There stood Wu Ya, perfectly normal, supporting Zhang Jinhua and talking. That gaze, that tone—there wasn’t a trace of foolishness left.

Wu Duofu rubbed his eyes, doubting his own vision. Was this really the son who had been a fool for nearly twenty years?

Seeing her husband, Zhang Jinhua happily pulled Wu Ya over. “Duofu, look! Tie Niu is cured! The Divine Physician’s medicine is truly miraculous!”

Wu Ya looked at Wu Duofu and called out properly, “Father.”

That word “Father” shook Wu Duofu to the core. Looking at Wu Ya’s handsome face, he suddenly remembered the years of distance and disdain he had shown this “foolish” son. Because Tie Niu was too handsome and didn’t look like a member of the Wu family, Wu Duofu had often wondered if there had been a mix-up at birth. After the boy became a fool, he avoided him as much as possible, fearing the burden.

But now… looking at this well-mannered son, Wu Duofu suddenly felt those thirty taels were worth every penny! If he had known one pill could cure him, he would have invited a physician long ago!

“Good! Good!” Wu Duofu patted Wu Ya’s shoulder excitedly. “It’s good that you’re well! Truly good!”

Zhang Jinhua wiped her tears. “It’s all thanks to Qiaoqiao’s meticulous care these past days that Tie Niu recovered so quickly.”

Li Qiaoqiao, who was just watching the show, was surprised to be praised by her mother-in-law. She acted humble. “It’s all thanks to Mother’s guidance; I just did my duty.” Internally, she thought: I better get an egg custard for breakfast tomorrow. Maybe even a chicken leg?

…

News spread fast, and the yard became packed with villagers wanting to see the miracle.

“Oh my god, he really is cured! Look at those eyes—so clear!” “Where did you find this physician? My husband has had headaches for years…” “I heard the pill is called ‘Leg-Stretching Eyes-Bulging Pill.’ You swallow it, bulge your eyes, stretch your legs, and you’re cured!”

The rumors grew more exaggerated by the minute. Some said it was an immortal elixir; others said the physician was a reincarnation of a legendary doctor.

Facing the crowd, Wu Ya behaved with grace and dignity. He identified every member of the Wu family correctly, from his eldest brother down to his nephews. When it was Third Brother Wu Tiegen’s turn, Wu Ya shook his hand sincerely: “Thank you, Third Brother, for inviting the Divine Physician. I will never forget this kindness.”

Being thanked publicly like this, Wu Tiegen felt a bit bashful and could only chuckle in response. Now, the whole village knew the Third House had brought the physician.

Finally, Wu Ya cupped his hands to the crowd and spoke loudly: “Thank you, neighbors, for your concern. I will never forget Physician Gong’s miraculous healing. When the Physician returns tomorrow, please come bear witness; I shall certainly offer a heavy reward!”

This speech effectively placed Physician Gong on a pedestal. The villagers were amazed that Wu Tie Niu was not only cured but had become so well-spoken. Zhang Jinhua beamed with pride, and even the stingy Wu Duofu felt his stature grow.

…

The next morning, Physician Gong and his apprentice arrived as promised, looking even more like immortals in their new clothes.

Wu Ya was already waiting. He took the initiative to step forward, extending his arm: “Please take my pulse again, Physician. After taking the medicine yesterday, I feel my mind is much clearer, but I wonder if it’s just an illusion.”

Physician Gong was secretly surprised—this boy recovered a bit too fast. But under the watchful eyes of the crowd, he couldn’t show weakness. He smiled and placed his fingers on Wu Ya’s wrist.

Upon feeling the pulse, the physician grew even more suspicious. The pulse was steady and strong—nothing like the chaotic mess from yesterday. But he kept a straight face, closed his eyes in contemplation, and then gasped: “Incredible! The pulse is steady and the vital energy is flowing. Seven-tenths of the illness has vanished!”

The villagers erupted in amazement.

Wu Ya offered his gratitude: “It is all due to your miraculous skill.”

The apprentice chimed in: “My Master’s pill is an ancestral secret. It can cure much harder cases than this!”

Physician Gong then brought out another black pill. Wu Ya took it without changing expression and swallowed it with water in front of everyone. Only Li Qiaoqiao, standing behind him, saw that Adam’s apple didn’t move—he had definitely tucked it under his tongue again.

Physician Gong decided to stay overnight to “observe” the condition, which delighted Zhang Jinhua. She even made the First House vacate a room for them and prepared a feast with white buns, eggs, and stewed chicken.

During dinner, Wu Ya acted as a perfect, recovering gentleman. Only Li Qiaoqiao noticed he never actually swallowed his drinks.

…

After dinner, Wu Ya signaled Li Qiaoqiao to follow him to the woodpile behind the house. Seeing no one around, he “ptui-ed” out the pill and spat several times.

“This is disgusting,” he whispered. “The longer it stays in my mouth, the worse it stinks!”

Li Qiaoqiao suppressed a laugh. “Serves you right. Who told you to act so enthusiastically?”

Wu Ya glared at her. “If I didn’t act the part, how could I fool them?” He frowned. “These two staying here isn’t good. We need to find a way to get rid of them quickly.”

“We’ll see tomorrow,” Li Qiaoqiao smiled. “For tonight, keep up the act.”

…

Meanwhile, at the town academy, Wu Canghai was staring blankly at his book.

Yesterday, his younger brother had come to deliver supplies and told him the “big news.” “Brother, you wouldn’t believe it—Fourth Uncle is really cured! He took one pill and could recognize everyone! The Divine Physician is coming back tomorrow!”

Wu Canghai was stunned. He knew about his uncle’s condition; he had never seen the man lucid in his entire life. How could one pill fix it? Moreover, he was the one who had “casually” suggested the physician to his grandmother.

“What medicine did he give?” he asked. “They say it’s called ‘Leg-Stretching Eyes-Bulging Pill.’ Costs three taels a pill! Grandma paid thirty taels for a three-month supply.”

The more Wu Canghai heard, the more suspicious he became. He had been studying in town for years; he had never heard of a three-tael “Leg-Stretching” pill.