Please, Don’t Die - Chapter 19

“Do you even know who my master is? How dare you cut in line ahead of him!”

The servant in gray-brown short robes shouted angrily.

Another attendant-dressed man turned around and shoved him hard, sending him stumbling backward.

“I don’t care who you are. My lord must see Physician Ying today.”

“Oh ho, quite the bold talker you are.”

The two groups of household servants brawled in front of the clinic. Passersby pointed and whispered, but none dared intervene, all keeping their distance and unanimously choosing to detour around the scene.

A youth of about sixteen or seventeen casually stopped a street vendor, an elderly woman. “Auntie, what’s happening over there? Why hasn’t any official come to intervene after all this time?”

The woman looked him up and down, young, dressed in simple yet elegant attire, with a refined scholarly air tinged with a sickly pallor. Thinking of her own frail nephew around the same age, her gaze softened with maternal affection as she motioned the youth closer to her stall.

“This Apricot Grove Hall recently got a new physician named Ying Qujie. In just five or six days, Physician Ying has cured a host of strange illnesses. Nowadays, people come before dawn just to queue for treatment. With so many visitors, the whole street’s livelier than ever, even my food business has picked up.”

Over at the clinic, the two groups were still fighting fiercely.

The youth frowned. “But why fight when they could just queue properly?”

“Ah, young master, you wouldn’t know, skilled people always have their own rules. Physician Ying’s rule is to see only three patients a day. But are there only three sick people in this world? With illnesses ranging from mild to critical, disputes are bound to happen.”

The woman sighed as she watched the chaotic scuffle. “Truth be told, human hearts grow cold too quickly. For his first three days, Physician Ying charged no fees and set no barriers, he treated everyone equally, whether rich or poor, noble or common. But then some shameless rogue accused him of chasing fame, even claiming those he saved were people who shouldn’t have died anyway, never mind that Physician Ying had treated that very scoundrel!”

She spat in disgust.

“How vile,” the youth murmured thoughtfully.

“Exactly! Word is that rogue took silver from a rival clinic down the street, a hefty sum too.”

“What injustice for those who need treatment now.” The youth pointed at the brawling servants. “That man just took a kick to the knee, without money for treatment, that’ll become another ailment.”

“Young master has a kind heart, but you’re still green to the ways of the world. Best not meddle.” The woman chuckled, blocking his path. “One group serves the younger brother of the Capital Governor, the other the father-in-law of a Court of Judicial Review official. Even their servants bully others on their masters’ coattails. Which of them can us common folk afford to provoke? Right now, it’s just dogs biting dogs!”

The youth paused and nodded, seeming to take her words to heart.

Noticing his tall yet frail frame, the woman couldn’t help adding more advice: “If you’re seeking Physician Ying’s help, young master, best approach him when he arrives at the clinic. From what I’ve seen, his treatments also depend somewhat on fate and first impressions.”

“Understood. Thank you, auntie.”

The youth drew some silver from his sleeve, placed it on the vendor’s stall, picked up a small trinket, and continued his unhurried stroll toward the clinic.

“Your High- I mean, Young Master, why did you run off here? I’ve been searching everywhere for you,” a round-faced young page said, draping a heavy cloak over the youth’s shoulders. “The autumn wind is chilly, you mustn’t catch a cold.”

“It’s nothing,” the youth replied with a gentle smile, waving his hand dismissively.

“Young Master, Miss Chu is still waiting for you at the Hundred Flavors Pavilion. If you’re late, she might throw a tantrum again.”

The youth chuckled. “You… since when did you start lecturing me like my elder brother?”

“His Highness the Crown Prince instructed me to be extra careful, and if all else fails, to use Miss Chu as leverage,” the page scratched his head, then suddenly gasped and covered his mouth. He glanced around nervously, relieved to find everyone distracted by a brawl nearby, with no one paying him any attention.

“Fine,” the youth hesitated for a moment before abandoning his path toward Apricot Grove Residence and turning toward the Hundred Flavors Pavilion. As he turned, he murmured softly, “Chang Yuan, send Ying Jiu to handle the commotion up ahead.”

“Why trouble my Xiao Jiu with such a task? Go find Miss Chu, I’ll take care of things here myself.” The voice was smooth and amused, each word enunciated with an oddly graceful charm.

The youth looked up in surprise. “Grand Astrologer.”

“Master, aren’t you going to freeload a meal anymore?” Chang Yuan scratched his head. “But you just said-”

The youth shot a glare at the newcomer.

The man addressed as Grand Astrologer hissed playfully and lightly tapped the page’s head with his feathered fan. “Look at your master’s expression, he looks ready to devour someone. I wouldn’t dare intrude on his romantic rendezvous.”

The youth smirked without warmth. “Then I’ll trouble the Grand Astrologer to handle this matter.”

Chang Yuan rubbed his head and glanced at the plainly dressed youth, thinking to himself, His Highness looks as composed as ever, where’s this ‘devouring’ expression coming from?

…

Outside the clinic, the sounds of wooden clubs clashing and curses filled the air.

Inside, Ying Qujie calmly rolled up his sleeves, his expression focused and serene as he carefully lifted a precious silver-green tea cake and placed it into a clean tea grinder, crushing it slowly and methodically.

He Qingsheng thought that if not for the noise outside, the soft rustling of the tea leaves being ground would have been quite soothing.

These past few days, following Ying Qujie on his consultations had been dull, but her energy had recovered remarkably fast and efficiently.

Ying Qujie’s reputation as a miracle doctor had spread quickly. Before he limited the number of patients, his clinic had practically been a magnet for bizarre cases.

All she had to do was accompany those afflicted by malevolent spirits back to their homes and devour the troublemaking entities. If she consumed enough, she could even borrow Ying Qujie’s luck to suppress the lingering resentment.

The process of regaining her strength was straightforward, one or two vengeful spirits a day, far more convenient than hunting them down herself.

After that ruffian’s outburst the other day, He Qingsheng had caught a glimpse of Ying Qujie’s reaction and pieced together some of his inner turmoil.

She had expected him to pause his consultations, but instead, he simply changed the rules.

Now, he only saw three patients a day, first come, first served, with some preference given to those who caught his eye.

As a result, she hadn’t encountered any major evil spirits lately, but she had witnessed plenty of entertaining human dramas.

“Your new rule might slow down my progress a bit, but at least there’s never a dull moment,” He Qingsheng remarked, resting her chin on her hands as she watched Ying Qujie’s unhurried tea-making.

Occasionally, she conjured a faint breeze to disrupt the floral pattern he was forming in the tea foam.

Ying Qujie didn’t mind her antics, letting her mess around and turn the petals into so-called “heart shapes.” His dark, bright eyes were gentle and serene, carrying a soft tenderness even when he wasn’t smiling.

The room was quiet.

He Qingsheng felt a little uneasy.

She drifted to the window. “Huh, the commotion outside ended so early today?”

At some point, the brawl outside had stopped, and the snack vendors had packed up their stalls, leaving only a few passersby hurrying along.

“Esteemed guest, this way, please.” It was the voice of the Xing Linju shopkeeper.

With a creak, the wooden door was pushed open.

The newcomer wore a long black robe, fitted at the waist, making him appear tall and slender. Silver armguards adorned his sleeves, and a blue sash draped from his shoulders to his waist, swaying the silver chains fastened to his belt. The small leaves on the chains clinked softly with his movements, producing a crisp, pleasant sound.

He looked like a chivalrous wanderer from exotic lands.

And he didn’t belong to either of the two groups that had been fighting earlier.

The man stepped inside, his gaze lingering on He Qingsheng for a second before naturally shifting to Ying Qujie. He smiled politely and with perfect courtesy, “Physician Ying, I’ve long admired your reputation!”

He Qingsheng also keenly noticed that glance, her expression darkening.

Just as a surge of baleful energy was about to creep up the man’s back, Ying Qujie gave a light cough, followed by a disapproving look in her direction.

He Qingsheng pouted and withdrew the energy.

The man seemed completely unaware. He clasped his hands toward Ying Qujie. “I am Yan Xingyi, disturbing you for just a moment, Physician.”

“Please have a seat, Young Master Yan.” Ying Qujie unfolded a white cloth, gesturing for him to rest his hand on the cushion.

Yet, after sitting down, Yan Xingyi made no move to comply. Instead, he toyed with a feathered fan, showing no intention of extending his hand.

Who still fans themselves in late autumn? And that feathered fan doesn’t even match his chivalrous attire. He Qingsheng stared at Yan Xingyi’s back and immediately started critiquing.

Right, and that curly lock of yellow hair at his temples, utterly mismatched.

“Ah, this tea froth is so pure white and delicate. Physician Ying, you’re quite skilled at whisking tea,” Yan Xingyi remarked, looking at the teacup as if he’d found a kindred spirit. “Forgive my ignorance, Physician, but what is this milk froth pattern supposed to represent?”

Ying Qujie moved the teacup aside and replied politely, “A friend called it a ‘heart shape,’ likely inspired by spring peach blossoms.”

“Oh, I see.” Yan Xingyi studied him, nodding repeatedly with an exaggerated air of sudden understanding.

Overacting. He Qingsheng thought.

“What ailment brings you here, Young Master Yan?”

“Where does Physician Ying reside?”

The two spoke simultaneously, one eager to diagnose and conclude, the other probing for information.

Since Ying Qujie began practicing medicine, many idlers had come under the pretense of illness just to catch a glimpse of his appearance. He had no desire to waste time on such people.

But with only three patients allowed per day, anyone who managed to see him must be no ordinary person.

Reason told him to be patient, but emotionally, after days of witnessing the fickleness and ugliness of human nature, he was growing weary.

“If you have no ailment, Young Master Yan, please take your leave.”

“Now, now, Physician Ying, I’m truly not here for treatment.” Yan Xingyi lowered the fan that had been covering half his face, revealing a mysterious smile. “I’m here to treat you.”

“You jest, Young Master Yan. I’m well aware of my own condition.”

“Are you?” Yan Xingyi glanced at where He Qingsheng stood, making no effort to avoid her presence.

Ying Qujie’s eyes flickered with a trace of surprise, though his expression remained unreadable.

Yan Xingyi said meaningfully, “I notice, Physician Ying, that your forehead is darkened, and your vital essence appears depleted. Perhaps you’ve encountered something you shouldn’t have. If needed, you may seek my assistance with this.”

Before Ying Qujie could respond, Yan Xingyi dropped a quick “Seek me if you require help” and swiftly retreated from the room.

The moment he spoke to Ying Qujie, the oppressive, viscous weight of his gaze felt almost tangible enough to kill. Yan Xingyi decided it was time to leave, and fast.

Ying Qujie walked over to He Qingsheng. “He could see you?”

“Mhm.” He Qingsheng seemed distracted, lost in thought.

Ying Qujie’s brow twitched violently. If Yan Xingyi could also see the female ghost, would she consider switching targets to follow him instead?

But since the man had dared to offer his help, he must know a thing or two about subduing spirits and exorcising demons.

No, he couldn’t let this vengeful ghost act impulsively.

Ying Qujie: “You-”

He Qingsheng: “You-”

“I-”

“I-”

“You go first,” Ying Qujie insisted.

“Are you suffering from kidney deficiency?” He Qingsheng asked, eyes brimming with earnest curiosity.