Chapter 73 Doctor Cen stitches it back up
At that time, his father was taking him out to discuss business. When they passed by a lantern-making workshop in Hualien, his father was being pulled aside by the workshop manager for a discussion. He took the opportunity to sneak in, hoping to hide for as long as possible.
"Where are you going?" Cui Shiyuan's eyes were sharp as he watched his good-for-nothing son sneaking away. He stopped him without caring about his reputation.
Cui Mingcan felt a chill run down his spine, clutched his stomach, and managed to stammer, "Nature calls!"
After saying that, he left without caring how angry his father was.
Seeing how useless he was, Cui Shiyuan was so angry that he was fuming. If it weren't for the fact that there were other people present and he was being given some face, he would have definitely cursed him for being lazy and having too much to do!
Cui Mingcan hadn't thought much of it until he mentioned it, and he became quite anxious. He asked someone for directions to the outhouse and went straight there.
Who knew that he would overhear Hualien's reprimand of his subordinates through the outhouse?
This was the first time he had ever heard her speak so angrily and coldly.
Cui Mingcan squatted on the outhouse, his pants still on, eavesdropping.
Do you all remember what I said?
It's the sound of Hualien.
After a long silence, a man's rough voice murmured.
Cui Mingcan didn't hear clearly. The next moment, there was a loud bang of a table being slammed, followed by a stern voice from Hualien.
"Speak louder!"
"The world is bustling, all for profit; the world is bustling, all for gain. But if you enter my Huajia Lantern Shop for profit or fame, you must not jeopardize your livelihood or harm people's lives..."
The voice trailed off, and Cui Mingcan, who was listening intently, only caught the first half of the sentence.
Hualien Affairs: "Oh, very good, you remember everything, right? But have you done your job?"
The voice, low and deep, held back its anger.
"Damaging someone's reputation and taking their life, is this your so-called solution?"
"Boss," someone couldn't help but retort, "we're doing this for the good of the workshop. If those thieves hadn't poached our artisans, stolen our business, and repeatedly suppressed us, why would we resort to such a desperate measure?!"
"Is this your reason for kidnapping and extorting a child?" Hualien was clearly furious, her voice suddenly becoming shrill and high-pitched. "We don't need people who are so easily alienated! What's there to fear about those fabricated charges? We could even turn this into a good publicity opportunity and avert disaster. But you, instead, resort to such despicable and vicious tactics!"
Someone understood the implication in her words and asked with delight, "Has the head of the household made a decision? Can this crisis be resolved?"
The cold news from Hualien came through.
"It's just a few tricks, why are you all so flustered?"
"When people stand between heaven and earth, they should be able to look up to heaven without shame and look down to earth without shame. Have we forgotten the vows and original intentions we made back then?"
Her words inevitably carried a hint of disappointment.
"Very well, you people with impure intentions, may you resign voluntarily. The workshop cannot keep such a big shot as you."
"We, the leaders, were wrong!"
"Master..."
With a loud slam of the door, loud pleas for mercy erupted from inside. Everyone in the room rushed over to beg for forgiveness. Cui Mingcan's legs went numb from squatting, and he finally stopped watching the farce.
When he got back, his father was there, glaring at him with a huff, finding fault with everything he did.
Cui Mingcan touched his nose and recounted what he had unintentionally overheard.
Cui Shiyuan narrowed his eyes and sighed, "Master Hua is truly a benevolent and righteous man."
Cui Mingcan was surprised; it was the first time he had ever heard his father praise a merchant.
Seeing that he didn't understand, the latter rolled his eyes and explained, "The Hualien affair was originally gathered by benevolence and righteousness to bring together a group of like-minded and capable people to work for her. If she herself does not follow the rules she has set, wouldn't that make the people below her feel disheartened?"
Cui Shiyuan wanted to say something more, and was about to launch into a long speech when he caught a glimpse of his own son yawning, tears welling up in his eyes. He was immediately furious, pinching his ear, and worrying about what to do with his vast family business.
“My father often praised the head of the household, saying that she was able to turn a small workshop into a world-renowned one, possessing both strategic acumen and a compassionate heart.” Cui Mingcan had great faith in her father’s ability to judge people. “How could this heroine be one of those despicable people who would skin people alive and take lives for profit?”
Having lived in Jiangzhou for many years, He Si naturally knew of this person. Those capable and righteous people who were loyal to her were all people who had fallen on hard times and were rescued by her, received her favor, trusted her, and were at her beck and call, but...
"Young Master Cui is young and does not know how fickle people's hearts can be. The man who once spoke of making contributions to the country and serving the people can also abuse his power for personal gain, harm the loyal and good, and prey on the people after holding power for many years."
He Si, however, was quite moved: "Old friends change so easily, yet people say it's the old friends' hearts that are fickle..."
Bai Yuheng and the others exchanged glances, both realizing the hidden meaning in He Si's words.
Li Tiankuo: "Oh? Then, which category does Lord He belong to, before or after?"
"..." He Si was suddenly questioned by him, and laughed awkwardly, "It's just that I've seen too much of the ups and downs in officialdom, and I just felt that way... Your Highness, please don't take my words to heart."
"oh."
"..."
After he said that, Li Tiankuo casually uttered an "oh," leaving He Si scratching his head, wondering what he meant. He had no choice but to calm down and lead the way.
The group stopped discussing the fickleness of human nature, deciding they would understand once they met this legendary woman.
The prison was quite large, and the group had walked for the time it takes to drink a cup of tea before they had arrived. The light inside the prison grew dimmer as they went deeper, with flickering candlelight and a growing stench of various smells.
Cen Ying handed a medicine bottle to each of them in turn.
"These are cooling pills. After taking them, the impurities in your body will be expelled, and the air you inhale will feel fresh and refreshing."
Cui Mingcan was surprised after eating it, and it was indeed true. He couldn't stop scolding her, saying, "Why didn't you bring out this good stuff sooner? I almost fainted!"
Cen Ying grinned and stood on tiptoe to twist his ear: "You've gotten quite bold, haven't you?! You dare talk to me like that?! Believe me or not, I'll give you a few needle pricks so you'll never be able to say such annoying things again!"
Cui Mingcan was just teasing her, and fearing she would really get angry, he immediately slid down and knelt down, saying, "Divine Physician Cen, your skill is amazing! We are so grateful for your help, which has refreshed our lungs and freed us from this foul air! You are like a reincarnation of Hua Tuo, our parents in this life!"
"..." Upon hearing this, Cen Ying's lips curled up, quite pleased. She didn't even notice the man's sarcastic tone. Her face flushed, she coughed twice, and waved her hand, saying, "No need, no need. What's a mere pill! I, Doctor Cen, know a lot more!"
Seeing that she hadn't fallen for the trap, Cui Mingcan was disheartened. Just as he was about to sigh and say something, something pricked his lower back. He turned his head and felt another sharp pain in his jaw. He met Cen Ying's smiling eyes... and the thin needle that gleamed silver in the candlelight.
"..."
"Ugh! Ugh!?" Cui Mingcan's eyes widened, and the words he uttered were all incoherent.
Cen Ying chuckled and twirled the silver needle in her hand, giving him a mischievous smile.
Cui Mingcan shuddered, tears welling up in her eyes, and ran to Bai Yuheng's side. She pushed past someone, grabbed her sleeve, and tried to complain.
"Ugh! Ugh!"
"Yu'er, look at her! Quickly, let her untie herself!"
Pei Yuan, who had been forcefully pushed aside, coldly grabbed the person by the back of their collar and tossed them aside like a chick, his sharp eyes carrying a warning.
"Ugh!?"
—What are you doing!?
"Ughhhhhh!?"
Why are you pushing me aside?!
Cui Mingcan stared wide-eyed.
However, the moment they met his eyes, he immediately lost his temper and slunk away to Li Tiankuo's side, cowering in fear.
These heartless people!
Why are you all being so fierce?!
The thought of Pei Yuan's gaze and the way he stared at his hands sent a chill down his spine.
It looked as if they were about to cut off his hand.
He didn't do anything!
All he did was tug at his good disciple's sleeve!
I didn't even touch the meat!!
Cui Mingcan didn't know where his possessiveness came from. It was as if he was trying to steal Bai Yuheng's disciple from him. He couldn't possibly be Bai Yuheng's master! She was more like his master!
baffling!
Feeling frustrated and resentful, Cui Mingcan became dejected.
Bai Yuheng seemed to sense something and turned her head to look. Pei Yuan, who was a step behind her, was looking ahead without paying attention. After noticing her gaze, he looked over with a questioning and puzzled look in his eyes: What's wrong?
"..." Bai Yuheng shook her head and turned her gaze back. Before she could wonder if she was overthinking it, that dark and scorching gaze was burning her back. However, she did not notice anything after several attempts. Although she was puzzled, she did not take it to heart.
Pei Yuan, who was lagging behind, did not hesitate to focus all his attention on her, his silence and presence palpable.
After much fighting and commotion, they finally arrived at Xu Huaji's cell. The man, who had once been quite robust, was now emaciated, with hardly any injuries on his body, and lay in the haystack like a dead man.
He Si felt somewhat embarrassed upon seeing this.
The fight has escalated to this point, yet they still haven't managed to get anyone to speak up; it's truly incompetent.
He Si coughed lightly, intending to explain, but seeing that no one paid attention to him, he gave up and stood aside.
Cen Ying went up to check and saw that the man's eyes were still moving. He took out a pill and put it into the man's mouth. The pill melted in his mouth and the man, who was originally on the verge of death, began to move.
Cui Mingcan helped her pry open the person's jaw, and Cen Ying gasped, saying coldly, "This tongue is ruined."
He Si's heart skipped a beat. If he couldn't get it, wouldn't he be unable to speak?
Is it possible to cure it?
Cen Ying said, "It's difficult."
He Sifang said that it was difficult but not incurable, so it could be cured. But when she heard her next sentence, she choked on her words.
"It would be better to find a way to make him write down his incriminating evidence." Cen Ying glanced over and thought to herself. This person looked weak and frail, but she didn't expect him to be so ruthless in his torture. There wasn't a single good piece of flesh on his body. He was forced to bite off his tongue and commit suicide.
Yes, Cen Ying didn't think Xu Huaji was the kind of loyal person who would rather die than betray his mastermind. He seemed more like someone who couldn't withstand torture and harmed himself.
He Si felt embarrassed by her gaze and turned to look at the Prince Xian, trying to discern his expression.
The atmosphere suddenly became tense. Bai Yuheng coughed lightly and asked, "Xiaoying, do you have any ideas?"
Cen Ying chuckled: "My reputation as the Divine Doctor Cen is not just for show; I naturally have a way."
He glanced at Cui Mingcan mischievously, then pulled out a tool from his sleeve and said to Cui Mingcan, "Open his chin wider, and I'll sew it back up."
"Sew it back up!?"
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