I Crossed Over with My Enemy, Only to Find Him Running the Empire - Chapter 34

Chapter 34: The Divine Medicine

Li Qiaoqiao felt her scalp tingle under Mother-in-law Zhang Jinhua’s meaningful gaze, so she could only manage a dry laugh and bury her head in her porridge.

Wu Ya’s mouth twitched slightly. With a blank expression, he sat down, picked up a coarse cornbread bun, and took a large, aggressive bite.

Before they could finish their meal, a voice called out from beyond the courtyard gate: “Old Man Wu, Old Woman Wu, are you home? This old man has come for a follow-up consultation for your son!”

It was Physician Gong, leading his little apprentice.

The Wu family members immediately put down their chopsticks and hurried out to greet them.

Today, Physician Gong had changed into a slightly newer Taoist robe. With a flick of his horsetail whisk, he looked quite like a transcendent immortal. The apprentice still carried that precious medicine box, his eyes darting around; as soon as he entered, he checked Wu Ya’s expression.

“Physician Gong, you’re here! Please, come inside and sit!” Wu Duofu hurriedly ushered them in.

Zhang Jinhua was even more hospitable, quickly wiping down the best long bench in the room: “Physician, please sit. Have you eaten? If not, we still have porridge!”

“No need for formalities, this old man has already breakfasted.” Physician Gong stroked his beard, his gaze falling on Wu Ya. “Young man, how do you feel today? Is there any discomfort?”

The eyes of the entire family instantly focused on Wu Ya.

Wu Ya put down his bun, stood up, and gave Physician Gong a proper, formal bow. This was something Li Qiaoqiao had taught him last night, saying it would make him look exceptionally sincere and sensible.

He looked up, his eyes clear: “Thank you for your concern, Physician. I feel much better. My head isn’t dizzy, I have strength in my body, and I seem to remember things more clearly.” He paused and pointed to the corner. “That’s the slingshot I hid long ago; I remembered it last night.”

His demeanor was natural—a world away from his previous foolish state. Zhang Jinhua and Wu Duofu exchanged a look, their faces filled with ecstasy.

Physician Gong carefully observed Wu Ya’s complexion and eyes, had him stick out his tongue to check the coating, and finally took his pulse with a theatrical flourish. After a moment of silence, he nodded and smiled: “Mmm! The pulse is steady and strong, and there is light in the eyes. Congratulations! This young man’s… chronic ailment is truly cured! My ‘Leg-Stretching Eyes-Bulging Pill’ truly has miraculous effects!”

“Oh my! Thank you so much, Physician! Thank you!” Zhang Jinhua slapped her thigh in excitement, nearly kneeling before him.

Wu Duofu also rubbed his hands together, grinning ear to ear: “The Physician is truly Hua Tuo reborn, curing the illness as soon as the medicine is taken!”

Seeing the atmosphere was right, the apprentice felt the timing was perfect. He immediately fished that small wooden box out of the medicine box again, a shrewd merchant’s smile on his face: “Uncle Wu, Auntie Wu, the young master is better, but as the saying goes, illness comes like a mountain falling, but leaves like silk being pulled. The foundation of the body still needs to be properly nourished and consolidated! Our Physician has one more treasured Leg-Stretching Eyes-Bulging Pill; its nature is gentler and it is best for nourishing the vital essence. What do you think…?”

The smile on Zhang Jinhua’s face froze. The previous medicine had nearly emptied her private savings. To buy another one…

Wu Duofu also looked troubled, rubbing his hands as he looked at Physician Gong: “This… Physician, isn’t Tie Niu already better?”

Physician Gong’s hand stroking his beard paused. Just as he was about to open his mouth to lecture them on the importance of “consolidating the cure,” a voice interrupted him.

“Father, Mother.” Wu Ya spoke first. Facing Wu Duofu and Zhang Jinhua, his tone was sincere. “My illness is indeed cured. I feel full of strength and don’t need to take such expensive medicine anymore. Our family’s money is hard-earned; we should keep it to buy things for the house or get some new clothes to make clothes for you both.”

These words were so practical and touching that Zhang Jinhua felt both warm and misty-eyed.

The apprentice got anxious: “Young Master, you can’t put it that way. The body—”

“Young Physician.” Li Qiaoqiao stepped forward with a smile, giving the apprentice a polite bow before turning to Physician Gong. “Our Wu family will never forget your kindness. If not for your miraculous skills, we don’t know how long my husband’s illness would have dragged on. You are the great benefactor of our family.”

This flattery made Physician Gong feel very satisfied, and he nodded slightly while stroking his beard.

Li Qiaoqiao shifted her tone and continued: “However, the Physician is benevolent and practices medicine to save the world; surely what you wish to see most is the patient fully recovered. Now that my husband is well, if we spend a fortune on more medicine, it would seem as if we don’t trust your skills—as if he can only be at peace if he’s piled with expensive herbs. Besides,”

She looked at Zhang Jinhua and Wu Duofu, her voice gentle, “it hasn’t been easy for Father and Mother to manage the household. My brothers-in-law work hard in the fields every day, living frugally. Since my husband is better, he can work the land and contribute to the family. We can’t spend the entire family’s hard-earned savings on him alone. This medicine should be saved for someone more in need. We will nourish his body by working hard and earning more grain. Living a prosperous life is the true way to repay the Physician’s life-saving grace and honor the hard work of Father, Mother, and the brothers. Physician, don’t you agree?”

This speech was beautifully delivered. It highly praised Physician Gong, showed consideration for the family’s hardships, and promised that Wu Ya would be a hard worker. Every word hit the mark.

Zhang Jinhua and Wu Duofu nodded repeatedly, feeling incredibly comforted. They thought this daughter-in-law truly understood the big picture and knew how to speak!

Having been put on such a high pedestal, Physician Gong found it impossible to force the sale. He could only manage a few dry laughs and follow her lead: “Ahem… the young lady speaks sense. Since the young man is better, he should indeed be frugal and manage the house. This old man is most gratified!”

The apprentice opened his mouth to speak, but seeing his master had already conceded, he could only sullenly put the box back into the medicine chest, cursing the village woman’s silver tongue in his heart.

Wu Ya stood to the side, watching Li Qiaoqiao dissolve the crisis with a few sentences, coaxing his parents and the old fraud into compliance. A flash of surprise flickered in his eyes. This woman, who was usually fierce and stubborn when bickering with him, was actually quite clever in front of outsiders.

…

The village of Wanfu was small. If a bowl was smashed during a kitchen quarrel, the whole village would know by noon. Thus, the miracle of the Wu family’s Fourth Son waking up after years of foolishness spread like wildfire.

The news that Physician Gong’s thirty-tael “Leg-Stretching Eyes-Bulging Pill” had cured a fool flew through every corner of the village. Thirty tales! That was several years’ worth of expenses for a farming family, but if it truly cured an incurable disease… many people began to weigh the cost in their hearts.

Before the sun had even crested the mountain, a crowd had gathered outside the Wu family’s courtyard.

“Tie Niu’s mother, come out and tell us! Is Tie Niu really all better?” The loud-mouthed Mother Li shouted, craning her neck to see inside.

Zhang Jinhua, carrying a basin of slop to feed the pigs, looked both proud and pained. Having her son cured was a blessing, but those thirty tales were her lifeblood. She put down the basin and wiped her hands on her apron: “Oh, Grandmother Li, you’re right! Our Tie Niu… the heavens have truly opened their eyes!”

Just then, Wu Ya and Li Qiaoqiao walked out of the house. Wu Ya was wearing old but clean clothes, his hair was neat, and his eyes were clear. Where was the fool who used to grin and drool?

“Wow! He really is better!” “Look at that spirit! It’s like he’s a different person!” “Physician Gong is truly a living immortal!”

The crowd buzzed. Li Qiaoqiao and Wu Ya exchanged a glance. They had expected this. The old man was a traveling fraud; if the villagers believed the pill was a miracle, many families would bankrupt themselves to buy it.

Li Qiaoqiao stepped forward, her voice clear: “Uncles and Aunts, thank you for your concern. We are grateful to the heavens and Physician Gong. However…” She paused, looking hesitant. “The pill is a divine medicine, but Physician Gong said the effect varies from person to person. Tie Niu’s recovery this time was mostly a stroke of luck.”

“Luck? What luck?” someone asked urgently.

Li Qiaoqiao looked at Wu Ya, who cooperated by putting on a thoughtful, recollecting expression.

Li Qiaoqiao sighed: “Do you all remember a few days ago when Tie Niu fell into the shallow ditch and was knocked unconscious by the cold water?”

“I remember! His face was white when we pulled him out!” someone shouted.

“Physician Gong said that the sudden shock of the ice-cold water might have accidentally opened something…” Li Qiaoqiao pointed to her head. “It was as if a blocked nerve in the brain was flushed open. The pill, the Physician said, was to stabilize him and nourish his foundation. Without that accident, medicine alone would likely not have been enough!”

Zhang Jinhua caught on immediately: “That’s right! I was scared to death! A basin of cold water poured over his head—thinking back, I’m still terrified! I guess it was a blessing in disguise?”

This “cold water” story cooled the crowd’s enthusiasm significantly.

“Hmph! So it was just great luck!” “I thought, how could we afford thirty taels?” “Poured cold water? I wouldn’t dare try that; I might lose my life before the foolishness is cured!”

Most people sighed and began to disperse. Zhang Jinhua breathed a sigh of relief and gave her son and daughter-in-law a grateful look.

However, one person didn’t leave.

The Second House’s Wife, Mrs. Yuan, twisted the corner of her clothes, her lips pale. She had been married for five years and had given birth to two girls. Her mother-in-law scolded her, the village gossiped, and her husband was silent. She wanted a son so badly she was going crazy.

“Tie Niu…” She rushed forward, grabbing Wu Ya’s arm, her eyes bloodshot. “Tell your sister-in-law the truth. Is that pill really useless? Can it nourish the body? Did the Physician say it helps with having sons?”

Wu Ya was startled. Li Qiaoqiao stepped in to separate them: “Sister-in-law, don’t be anxious. The medicine is for calming the mind and waking the brain. He didn’t mention anything about sons.”

“I don’t believe it!” Mrs. Yuan screamed, tears streaming down. “If he can cure foolishness, he’s a god! He must be able to help me! I must buy it! Tiesheng, Wu Tiesheng! Where are you?!”

She turned and screamed her husband’s name. Wu Tiesheng, who was sharpening a hoe in the corner, stood up awkwardly, his dark face full of embarrassment: “What are you shouting for? We have no money…”

“I don’t care!” Mrs. Yuan pounded his chest, sobbing hysterically. “I want a son! If I don’t have a son, what’s the point of living? Your mother calls me a barren hen every day! Do you want to be a ‘dead-end household’ forever? Where is the money from your mountain goods? Take it out! Go find Physician Gong and buy the medicine!”

Wu Tiesheng’s face turned pale and then red. He stammered: “That money… Father said it’s for Canghai’s schooling in the First House. It can’t be touched…”

“Can’t be touched! You only listen to your parents! They only care about Canghai! Are my girls not human? Don’t you want a son to carry your funeral banner?” Mrs. Yuan collapsed on the ground, wailing. “I’ve worked day and night since I married you. What for? I just want a son… Wu Tiesheng, you useless man…”

Looking at his wife’s despair and thinking of the humiliation he faced for not having a son, Wu Tiesheng’s eyes reddened. He too wanted a son to carry on the family name!

He stomped his foot, making a monumental decision.

“Stop crying! I… I’ll get the money! At worst, my mother will beat me to death! I’ll take the gamble. If it really brings a son, it’s worth it!”

He thought of the mountain goods he was supposed to sell in town tomorrow, plus the few taels he had secretly saved. It wasn’t thirty tales, but he would go to town to find Physician Gong’s whereabouts first!

Mrs. Yuan stopped crying instantly, a frantic hope igniting in her eyes.