The Wu family's appearance was not a natural occurrence; rather, they first made things difficult, then took him as a disciple, and even casually used patients as evidence. Finally, they used a strategy of retreating to advance, a feigned retreat to lure him in.
They used the Thirty-Six Stratagems from Sun Tzu's Art of War to their fullest extent.
But Zheng Ruqian was right about one thing: their enemy was the Fang family, and the Fang family didn't need to go to such lengths to scheme against Wen Zhiyun.
Rather than feeling malicious, Xu Mo felt more that someone was helping them out.
“That seems to make sense.” Wen Zhiyun murmured softly, “When I was studying under Xiao Wu, I visited several mansions, including one with a retired imperial physician. We didn’t even get to see the gatekeeper and were thoroughly turned away.”
If it weren't for someone helping them, how could a family of doctors, spanning generations, possibly have taken notice of such an ordinary young doctor?
"Who could it be? Could it be the Jiang family?" Zheng Ruqian pondered.
Jiang Sheng shook her head. She had considered asking her father for help, but hadn't had a chance to ask yet.
Other families, such as the Dou family, the Qi family, and the Zhao family, are all on good terms with Xu Mo and would not presume to help him.
Only blood relatives, bound by blood, will quietly arrange everything.
But they had no other relatives in the vast city of Fengjing.
Wen Zhiyun looked completely bewildered, while Jiang Sheng and Zheng Ruqian racked their brains.
Only Xu Mo and Fang Heng exchanged a glance, a slight ripple stirring in their hearts.
"Little Four, do you remember who the retired imperial physician was that you visited with Little Five last year?" Xu Mo boldly tried to make a connection.
Wen Zhiyun racked his brains, “Back then, Xiao Wu said that this imperial physician was quite skilled and came from a prominent family. The name hanging on the wall of the house we went to seemed to be… Wu.”
The Wu family mansion.
This sudden discovery left everyone speechless.
"Is this Physician Wu connected to Changyan?" Zheng Ruqian blurted out. "But isn't he in Anshui County?"
“No one can be sure that Xiao Wu has returned to Anshui County,” Fang Heng said in a deep voice. “On the contrary, my elder brother and I suspect that he is in Fengjing City.”
Considering how well this younger brother knows Fengjing, how he treats money like dirt, and his perpetually unhurried demeanor, he is indeed not unlike the noble young masters of Fengjing.
In addition, given Xu Mo's conjecture that he was from a prominent family, it seemed logical for him to arrange for Physician Wu to take Wen Xiaosi as his apprentice.
"If Fifth Brother is really in Fengjing City, why didn't he tell us? Why did he hide it from us?" Jiang Sheng slammed her fist on the table in anger. "Why? I just want to know why!"
Wen Zhiyun pursed her lips delicately, her eyes already red before she even opened her mouth.
So many people are worried about him and saddened by him. Just thinking that he's hiding in some corner not far away only adds to the anger.
“All of this is just my speculation.” Xu Mo took a deep breath, trying to calm his younger siblings’ resentment. “It hasn’t been confirmed, and perhaps the truth is not so.”
"We'll know tomorrow whether it's true or not," Zheng Ruqian exclaimed. "Tomorrow, let Xiao Si see if this Wu residence is the same place where we were turned away."
Of course...yes.
Standing under the Wu family's plaque, Wen Zhiyun recalled how she had held hands with her younger brother the last time she came, but now she was all alone, and her eyes couldn't help but redden again.
He touched the brass ring with one hand, hesitating whether to strike it.
Suddenly the gate opened, and the doorman eagerly poked his head out. Upon seeing him, he asked, "Are you the young doctor from the Wen family's medical clinic?"
Wen Zhiyun nodded hesitantly.
"Oh, you're right on time! Since you're here, please come in. The old master is already waiting." The doorman beamed with joy, his enthusiasm overflowing.
Before Wen Zhiyun could react, she was led to Doctor Wu.
Elderly doctors are always so clean and tidy, wearing the simplest cotton clothes, rummaging through a variety of medicinal herbs, and occasionally picking up a pen to take notes.
What is his relationship with Changyan? Can they find their fifth brother through the Wu family?
My heart is filled with doubts, and I am filled with confusion that I cannot express.
But remembering her brothers' advice, Wen Zhiyun forced herself to swallow everything and shifted her attention back to medicine and herbs.
Xu Mo had said that since Chang Yan hadn't taken the initiative, it meant that it wasn't appropriate for him to appear.
Fang Heng instructed that as long as the Wu family was teaching seriously, they should take the opportunity to study hard.
Zheng Ruqian promised that he would find his fifth brother eventually.
Even Jiang Sheng held his hand and said earnestly, "Fourth Brother, don't worry, as long as Fifth Brother is in Fengjing City, we will eventually meet him."
As long as we are still family, we will always be able to reunite.
Wen Zhiyun's attention was drawn to the profound medical knowledge. As he looked at the different grades of medicinal herbs and their various combinations, he gradually became immersed in it and could not extricate himself.
Only in very rare intervals would he reveal a complex scrutiny.
Physician Wu observed this without showing any emotion.
It was midday.
As agreed by the two, Wen Zhiyun would study medicine in the morning, practice medicine at the clinic in the afternoon, and return to the courtyard for lunch.
Physician Wu did not stop him. After watching him leave, he called a carriage to rush into the imperial city.
In the dilapidated and messy courtyard, he bowed deeply to the young man. "Your Highness, I have explained the reasons completely as you instructed, and successfully accepted the disciple. But for some reason, after just one night, the young doctor has become suspicious again."
Acting is something Wen Zhiyun has never been good at.
Being suspected is no exception; after all they've been through, how could they not be wary of others?
I just don't know... if anyone guessed it was him.
"Your Highness, should I pretend not to know, or should I explain again to dispel the young doctor's suspicions?" Physician Wu asked in a low voice.
The boy snapped out of his reverie, calculated the time with his fingers, and said, "No need."
A lie that can be fabricated is inherently riddled with flaws.
And everyone in the courtyard was so clever.
Instead of painstakingly covering it up, it's better to teach openly and honestly.
"As long as Physician Wu is dedicated to teaching, the young doctor will sense no malice and dispel any doubts." The boy said calmly.
Physician Wu understood immediately. "Your Highness, rest assured, I will do my utmost to impart all my knowledge and will not hold back."
After exchanging a few more pleasantries, the old man took his leave.
The boy was left standing alone in the dilapidated courtyard. After a long while, he pushed open the main house door, knelt on the dusty prayer mat, clasped his hands together, closed his eyes, and murmured something.
Someone walked in quietly, their footsteps crushing the dry branches with a soft sound.
The boy seemed not to hear, and kowtowed to the memorial tablet, which was also covered in dust, as if to express his guilt for not returning for five years, or as if to tell the person on the tablet that he had returned.
"It's been five years, Mother. How are you?"
“You were no match for Consort Ju when you were alive, and you are no match for the eldest prince now.”
"I heard that the Emperor has granted him permission to enter the Golden Palace to observe the imperial examination. You must be very pleased in the afterlife."
"But this motherless child can only mourn you in the place where you lived."
"In memory of those five years when no one cared about you."
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com
