Chapter 80 The Prodigal Brother (20) A Merchant's Son's Counterattack Against a King of a Different Surname...

In the Prince Ding's residence, the young master's every move was under everyone's watchful eyes, and it was impossible to hide it from him. Seeing that Guan Mao, Gu Tingxuan's capable servant, was methodically directing the servants to prepare the carriage, a servant with ulterior motives secretly passed the news to Consort Yan's ears.

"Oh? Have you found out what the young master went out to do?" Consort Yan leaned against the low couch, casually picking up a small piece of spiced cake and putting it in her mouth.

"Well... the people below couldn't find out," the elderly woman in purple said respectfully.

"Alright, Guan Mao's mouth is as tight as a rock. Here, go and give the people outside a silver ingot," Consort Yan instructed.

"Yes, Your Highness."

Seeing the purple-clad nanny lift the curtain and leave, Consort Yan smiled and looked at Xi Yue beside her.

This Xi Yue was someone she had just promoted from the third rank last month; she was a well-behaved and sensible maid. Right now, she was respectfully massaging her master's legs, her strength just right.

Seeing this, Consort Yan smiled slightly, "Xi Yue, where did Xun'er rush off to so early this morning?"

Upon hearing her mistress's question, Xi Yue immediately stopped what she was doing and respectfully replied, "Your Majesty, I inquired with the maids in the Second Young Master's courtyard. They said that the Second Young Master went to the newly opened Xinglinchun Medical Clinic on Xingtang Street. The maids don't know what the Second Young Master went there for. They only said that the Second Young Master hurriedly left the manor early this morning with a few attendants, as if he had something important to attend to."

Consort Yan raised an eyebrow upon hearing this, a hint of interest flashing in her eyes. "Oh? Xinglin Spring? Is that the clinic where that renowned physician in the capital practices?"

"That's right, Your Majesty," Xi Yue replied.

"Xinglin Spring..." Consort Yan murmured, thinking to herself, it seems that Xun'er has taken her father's words to heart. A few days ago, when the family was having dinner, Prince Ding casually mentioned that the emperor in the palace was currently suffering from headaches and had reprimanded several censors who were in charge of supervising the officials in the court. For a time, everyone in the palace was on edge, afraid that they might inadvertently offend His Majesty the Emperor.

While Consort Yan was feeling pleased, Gu Tingxun emerged from Xinglin Spring with a displeased expression. His attendants all hung their heads, not daring to utter a single word.

Gu Tingxun glanced back at the Xinglinchun plaque with a gloomy expression. He had originally planned to invite this divine physician to the Prince Ding's residence first, and after verifying his identity, he would have him enter the palace to treat His Majesty the Emperor's headache. If this could be accomplished, it would be a great achievement for him, as he could not only please his father but also gain great prestige in front of his grandfather, which would be a win-win situation.

What he didn't expect was that the so-called miracle doctor at Xinglin Spring was an inflexible simpleton who wouldn't agree no matter how much he pleaded. He insisted that patients had to come to his door in person to see him, otherwise there was no point in talking. His attitude was extremely firm.

Gu Tingxun had never been so humble since birth. Seeing that he couldn't reason with the doctor, he simply turned cold and said, "This young master will visit again next time," before turning away.

He was seething with anger as he led his entourage toward the Prince Ding's residence. As they passed through a small alley, a sharp-eyed attendant spotted Guan Mao emerging from a shop, carrying something in his hand.

"Second Young Master, look! Isn't that Guan Mao, who serves the Eldest Young Master? What's he doing here?" The attendant stepped forward in surprise.

Upon seeing this, Gu Tingxun was startled. If Guan Mao was here, could his elder brother Gu Tingxuan also be nearby? Thinking this, he waved his hand, signaling his followers to quietly follow and take a look.

Sure enough, Gu Tingxun spotted Gu Tingxuan's carriage at a glance, which was steadily parked outside the Xinglinchun Medical Clinic.

Gu Tingxun sneered inwardly. It turned out that his good older brother had also found out the news and had come to invite this divine doctor to come out of seclusion. They waited outside for more than a quarter of an hour before Gu Tingxuan and Guan Mao walked out of Xinglinchun with expressionless faces.

It seems that Gu Tingxuan has also returned empty-handed... Thinking of this, the resentment in his heart subsided a little.

After Gu Tingxuan and Guan Mao left Xinglinchun, he did not return to his residence immediately, but sat in the carriage and closed his eyes in deep thought.

Guan Mao, who was standing to the side, saw that his master looked solemn after leaving Xinglin Spring. He did not dare to disturb him rashly, but sat quietly on the carriage shaft and slowly drove the carriage.

After Gu Tingxun saw that his good older brother had also left empty-handed, he felt somewhat relieved, but he was still unwilling to give up.

On his way back to the manor, Gu Tingxun pondered that since the divine physician was so stubborn, perhaps he could try to approach it from other angles. Of course, he should also carefully ask his mother for her opinion.

After returning to the manor, Gu Tingxun went directly to Consort Yan's residence.

When Consort Yan saw her son enter with a displeased expression, she guessed what had happened. After casually dismissing the servants in the room, she asked with a smile, "Xun'er, did you run into a wall at Xinglin Spring?"

Gu Tingxun nodded resentfully and recounted the whole story to Consort Yan. Finally, he said with some grievance, "Mother, that divine physician is really ungrateful. I tried to persuade him with kind words, saying I would give him immense wealth, but he was unmoved and refused to listen to me no matter what. However, my people saw that my elder brother also went to invite that divine physician, but it seems he didn't succeed either."

Consort Yan frowned slightly upon hearing this, and after a moment of thought, said, "The eldest son is not favored by your father, so he will certainly not let go of such an opportunity. Xun'er, your mother has already inquired about it for you. His Majesty's headaches have not improved. If you can persuade that divine physician to treat His Majesty, you will surely make a great contribution. Think of another way to send more gifts and try to persuade that divine physician before the eldest son does."

"Don't worry, Mother, I understand."

While Consort Yan and Gu Tingxun were secretly plotting, Gu Tingxuan was fully aware of it. As soon as he returned to the Prince Ding's residence, he immediately instructed Guan Mao to summon Shunbi, who was working, to the study.

"By the way, I heard that your great-uncle's headaches have flared up these past few days?" Gu Tingxuan asked with concern.

Upon hearing this, Shunbi's face showed a hint of worry, and he truthfully replied, "Yes, Master, that is indeed the case. My great-uncle's headache has been a chronic ailment for many years. I have consulted countless doctors, but the illness always comes and goes, and it has never been cured."

Gu Tingxuan nodded slightly and said with a light smile, "I have recently heard of a renowned physician in the capital whose medical skills are quite superb. Perhaps he can cure your great-uncle's headaches. Today, you should go and bring your great-uncle over so that I can arrange for him to meet that physician."

Upon hearing this, Shunbi's eyes flashed with joy. He immediately prostrated himself and thanked his master, saying, "On behalf of my great-uncle, I thank you for your great kindness. My family will repay your kindness and care in the future."

Gu Tingxuan waved his hand, signaling Shunbi to get up, and then instructed, "I'll give you half a day off today. You need to take care of this matter as soon as possible, don't delay."

"Yes, Master!" Shunbi accepted the order and respectfully withdrew.

After Shunbi closed the door and left, Guan Mao couldn't help but ask, "Master, why are you suddenly concerned about Uncle Shunbi's illness?"

Gu Tingxuan smiled faintly upon hearing this, "Firstly, I wanted to help Shunbi, after all, he has served me diligently for many years. Secondly, I also wanted to use this matter to let those with ulterior motives know that my recommendation of the divine physician to the Emperor was not a deliberate scheme, but rather a genuine concern for the Emperor's headaches. If this can help the Emperor gain more trust in me, things may go more smoothly in the future..."

Gu Tingxuan didn't say what came next, but Guan Mao instantly understood his master's unspoken meaning.

"Your master is wise and far-sighted; I admire you."

That afternoon, Gu Tingxuan properly settled Shunbi's great-uncle in Yuefu Inn near Xinglinchun. Then, with a wave of his hand, he gave Shunbi a few days off, allowing him to accompany his great-uncle to Xinglinchun to seek treatment from a renowned doctor. Upon learning this, Shunbi was naturally moved beyond words and kowtowed to Gu Tingxuan several times before stopping.

It's no wonder that Shunbi is so grateful. He lost his parents at a young age and was raised by his great-uncle with great difficulty. The hardships he endured are hard to explain to outsiders.

After resting with his great-uncle at the inn, Shunbi carefully helped him into the sedan chair that Gu Tingxuan had specially arranged for him, and they arrived at Xinglinchun Medical Clinic.

Although there were many patients in the clinic at this time, most of them had common ailments. Since Xinglinchun became busy, Song Ce had invited two well-known senior doctors to sit in the clinic. Unless it was a difficult or complicated case, these two senior doctors would take care of the common illnesses.

Upon seeing Shunbi helping an elderly man approach, Song Ce quickly greeted him with a smile. Shunbi, seeing this, immediately stepped forward and bowed to him. No one knew the young doctor's abilities better than Shunbi; after all, even the imperial physicians in the palace hadn't been able to cure his master's stutter, yet this man had easily cured him.

Seeing this, the great-uncle also wanted to bow, but Song Ce quickly stopped him, saying with a smile, "Old man, there's no need for that. If I were to accept such a bow from you, I'm afraid I'd shorten my lifespan. Just come into the inner hall and take a seat. I will do my best to treat you." With that, Song Ce took out a pulse pillow and asked the great-uncle to place his wrist on it.

Song Ce focused intently on taking the pulse of the old man before him. After about fifteen minutes, he slowly withdrew his hand and said seriously, "Old man, this headache must have been a long-standing condition, which led to the invasion of wind and cold into your body. In addition, as you get older, your qi and blood become deficient, which is why this headache is so difficult to cure."

Upon hearing this, Shunbi's heart tightened, and he hurriedly asked, "Young Master Song, is there any cure for my great-uncle's illness?"

Song Ce nodded slightly and comforted him, "Don't worry, this illness is not a big problem. It just requires a period of recuperation after it is cured." After saying that, Song Ce picked up his pen and wrote a prescription. After the ink dried, he handed the prescription to Shunbi.

"Shunbi, give this prescription to the boy outside and have him brew the medicine. Once it's ready, have him bring it over," Song Ce instructed.

"Yes, Young Master Song!"

After Shunbi left, Song Ce said gently to the old man, "Please sit down. I'll massage your acupoints to relieve some of your pain."

"Then I'll have to trouble the young man," said Uncle Shunbi with a smile.

"What are you saying?" After saying that, Song Ce rolled up his sleeves and gently massaged the old man's Fengchi and Dangyang acupoints with a very skillful technique. He massaged for a full half hour, and the old man's tightly furrowed brows gradually relaxed.

After the massage, Uncle Shunbi's face lit up with a smile. He quickly cupped his hands in thanks and said, "Young man, you are truly a living god! I haven't felt this comfortable in a long time! I feel much more energetic!"

Song Ce held the old man's hand and smiled, "You flatter me. After the medicine is brewed, take it and your headaches will naturally disappear in less than ten days."

As the two were talking, Shunbi came in carrying the brewed medicine. He carefully handed the bowl to his great-uncle and said with great concern, "Great-uncle, please drink it slowly."

Upon hearing this, the great-uncle chuckled, took the medicine bowl, and without hesitation, tilted his head back and drank the entire bowl of medicine.

...

The next morning, Uncle Shunbi woke up slowly, feeling refreshed and much lighter. He couldn't remember how many nights he hadn't had such a good night's sleep.

"Uncle, how are you feeling? Is your headache any better?" Shunbi heard her uncle get up and quickly went over to ask with concern.

"I feel wonderful! Xiao Shun! You must thank that little miracle doctor for me! His medicine is truly miraculous! I haven't felt this relaxed in a long time! I only took one dose yesterday and it had such a miraculous effect. I'm sure if I continue to take the medicine as the little miracle doctor instructed, I will definitely see a great improvement in the future!" My great-uncle laughed heartily.

"That's good! That's good!" Shunbi said excitedly, his eyes full of surprise. "Uncle, please sit for a while, I'll go get you breakfast!"

"Okay, go ahead!"

Over the next few days, Shunbi carefully attended to her great-uncle as he took his medicine. On the fifth day, Shunbi took her great-uncle to Xinglintang for a follow-up appointment.

Based on his great-uncle's current condition, Song Ce adjusted the prescription and carefully massaged him for most of the hour. Gradually, his great-uncle's condition improved; the frequency of his headaches decreased, and his spirits improved.

During the treatment of his maternal uncle, Gu Tingxun repeatedly sent gifts to the renowned physician, Xinglin Chun, but Mo Yan politely declined them all. Feeling humiliated, Gu Tingxun returned to the Prince's residence and vented his anger on his attendants. Consort Yan, having received the news, came to Gu Tingxun's courtyard and gently tried to persuade him for most of the day, saying that even the eldest young master had failed to persuade the physician, perhaps because the man was stubborn and inflexible. Consort Yan's persistent persuasion finally managed to calm Gu Tingxun down.

At this moment, in the palace.

Emperor Hongjing, in a state of agitation, picked up the memorial on the table and began to read it. After only a quick glance, he closed the memorial and tossed it to the ground. This action startled the palace servants around him, who knelt down in a large group, pleading for his lord to calm down.

Calm down? How could he calm down? The imperial physicians in the Imperial Hospital were all incompetent; a mere headache had stumped them, leaving the Emperor, the Son of Heaven, to suffer such unwarranted torment. Emperor Hongjing pressed hard on his throbbing acupoint, finding it impossible to fall asleep, even if he wanted to.

"Where is the calming soup?" Emperor Hongjing asked, looking at Yang Yan, the chief eunuch serving beside him.

"Your Majesty, the calming soup is being kept warm in the imperial kitchen. Would you like a bowl?" Yang Yan asked cautiously, bowing slightly.

Emperor Hongjing waved his hand impatiently, "Bring it here quickly."

"Yes, Your Majesty."

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Author's note: The wind is so noisy today~ It almost blew people away (scratching head in confusion)