Jealous
"Who sold the medicinal herbs to this guest yesterday?" Duan Wenjin asked loudly into the hall.
No one answered. The servant leaned close to him and whispered a few words in his ear. He then frowned slightly and said, "Tell him to come out."
After a while, a tall, thin woman walked out of the hall with her head down and timidly greeted him.
Duan Wenjin asked, "Were you the one who prepared the medicine yesterday?"
The woman nodded in agreement.
"When you weighed the medicinal herbs for him, did you check them carefully to see if they were rotten or moldy?"
"..."
"Speak," Duan Wenjin urged patiently in a soft voice.
The woman knew she had acted inappropriately and mumbled softly, "There were many people in the hall yesterday, and I was in a hurry, so I didn't look carefully..."
That would make it impossible to verify whether the medicinal herbs were in good or bad condition when they left the cabinet.
Duan Wenjin looked at the old man slumped on the ground, and when he spoke again, his tone softened: "Renjitang's medicinal herbs are all purchased exclusively from pharmacies outside the city, and each batch is meticulously recorded. The name, weight, and appearance are all documented; we would never substitute inferior goods. However, given the summer heat, it's possible the pharmacy's storage was inadequate. Since yesterday's events are difficult to verify, it is Renjitang's responsibility, and I will not shirk it." He then changed the subject, "Rotten medicinal herbs can cause abdominal pain, nausea, dizziness, weakness, and even fainting, but they wouldn't cause uncontrollable convulsions. Presumably, your mother's condition is not solely due to consuming moldy herbs. The most urgent task is to find out the cause and treat the symptoms accordingly. Human life is paramount. If you insist on seeking an explanation, please wait until I have treated the patient."
After saying that, Duan Wenjin turned and walked into the hall, saying in an unquestionable tone, "Bring the person in."
Although he didn't say it explicitly, everyone present understood his meaning: the medicinal herbs might have been sold to you by me, or they might not. But your illness isn't the fault of the herbs. I know you're here to extort money and cause trouble, but if you're willing to take responsibility, don't be ungrateful and stand idly by the door, delaying my business of treating patients and saving lives.
This time, the middle-aged man didn't stop him. After standing there for a moment, he finally followed him inside.
"As expected of Renjitang, their methods and reactions are truly impressive," Feng Zhengxian clapped his hands in praise.
In just a few words, Duan Wenjin demonstrated his unwavering commitment to healing and saving lives, showcased Renjitang's strong sense of responsibility and magnanimity, and also exposed the other party's attempt to extort money. Who would care whether the medicinal herbs were actually sold by Renjitang? Even if they were, so what? Renjitang would take responsibility, just like in this case.
Seeing that the troublemakers and those involved had all left, the onlookers gradually dispersed as well.
Just when Feng Zhengxian thought they had finished watching the excitement and were about to go back upstairs to continue eating and drinking, he saw Qiu Qing also enter Renjitang.
After regaining his senses, Xie Chengnan followed him inside.
"No—isn't this supposed to be a covert investigation? If they're already in here, what kind of covert investigation is this? Aren't you afraid of being exposed now?" Feng Zhengxian followed closely behind Xie Chengnan and whispered.
"Shut up," Xie Chengnan said.
When they came in, Lin Yi was already standing next to Duan Wenjin.
Time was of the essence, and there wasn't even time to move the emergency bed, so they put two tables together and had the elderly man lie on his back on them.
Duan Wenjin had already inserted silver needles into the old man's head and the back of his hand, and was about to turn him over to insert needles into the Dazhui point, but Qiu Qing stopped him, "No! You can't insert them here."
"Miss Qiu, I am receiving treatment, please move aside." Duan Wenjin glanced at her quickly, then lowered his gaze to insert the needles.
“This isn’t convulsions, it’s infantile convulsions—puncture the philtrum. Really, believe me,” Lin Yi said.
“Miss Qiu, every needle used in medical practice is a matter of life and death. Please do not interfere with the doctor’s judgment.”
Duan Wenjin had always been very well-mannered and good-tempered, but now that a life was at stake, he didn't care about anything else. He shoved the person away and said, "Get her out of here!" Then he continued to insert needles into the Dazhui acupoint.
Ignoring the servant behind her who was trying to pull her away, Lin Yi rushed forward and reached out to protect her, and the needle pierced the back of her hand.
The slender silver needle pierced the flesh at an angle. Duan Wenjin was startled and hurriedly withdrew his hand. The needle tip pierced the flesh, and a bloody mark suddenly appeared on the back of his fair hand.
Xie Chengnan quickly pulled the surrounding people aside and shielded Qiu Qing behind him. He glanced down at the back of his hand; it was where the silver needles had been used for acupuncture, so the injury wasn't serious, but he still coldly rebuked her, "What are you doing!"
Lin Yi completely disregarded him at that moment, broke free from his protection, and stood in front of the two makeshift tables, completely blocking the old man's view.
“I didn’t cause any trouble. Limb twitching and opisthotonus are symptoms of convulsions. He has a low-grade febrile seizure. If you don’t believe me, check his forehead temperature.” Qiu Qing was also more than half a head shorter than Duan Wenjin. When they were close, Lin Yi had to raise his chin to see his whole face.
Duan Wenjin finally managed to spare a moment to look into those eyes and was surprised to find them filled with unwavering determination.
He touched it with the back of his hand, and it was indeed as she had said, slightly warm to the touch.
Duan Wenjin took a deep breath and said, "You insert the needle."
"good."
Lin Yi took the silver needles and inserted them into the philtrum. Then he massaged acupoints such as Baihui, Fengchi, and Hegu. The old man's convulsions were indeed relieved a lot, and he opened his eyes after a while.
Without even taking his pulse, Lin Yi blurted out, "Forsythia, Schizonepeta, Burdock Seed, Platycodon... decoct and take one dose daily."
Duan Wenjin: "Get the medicine as she instructed."
The series of arguments between the doctors left the middle-aged man stunned. He had already forgotten about his demand for an explanation, and blankly accepted the medicine from Renjitang before leaving with his father, who had already regained consciousness.
Renjitang returned to its peaceful state.
Xie Chengnan turned to leave with Lin Yi, but Duan Wenjin called out to him, "Wait."
“…I’m sorry, Miss Qiu, I didn’t mean to hurt you just now.”
Lin Yi covered the back of her hand, which was no longer bleeding, with a handkerchief: "Of course I know you didn't do it on purpose. I was the one who lunged at you."
“If Miss Qiu doesn’t mind, I can bandage you up for you.”
Before Lin Yi could speak, Xie Chengnan bluntly said, "Sorry, we don't like it."
Lin Yi looked at Xie Chengnan with a puzzled expression, as if he were seeing him for the first time. He really didn't understand what was wrong with him; how could he let go of such a good opportunity to get to know him?
"Of course I don't mind, thank you for your trouble." Lin Yi extended his hand with a friendly smile.
The smile wasn't deep, but Xie Chengnan found it dazzling. He turned and walked away with a flick of his shoe.
Lin asked him, "Where are you going?"
Xie Chengnan pretended not to hear. Feng Zhengxian, who had seen everything clearly, unfolded his folding fan to cover his already barely suppressed smile, "Little Nanzi wants to eat soup dumplings, I'll go buy some for him."
After saying that, Feng Zhengxian went out to look for the person. He thought Xie Chengnan, being jealous, would run back to Yue Tea House, or even go home first. Unexpectedly, the person was just standing at the entrance of Renji Hall.
He was leaning against the doorpost, and if Feng Zhengxian hadn't turned his head once, he really wouldn't have been noticed.
"What's wrong, are you jealous?"
Xie Chengnan didn't answer, but instead looked at him with a furrowed brow, "Why did you come out too?"
"If I don't come out, will I be in the way?"
"..." Xie Chengnan fell silent again.
Feng Zhengxian nudged his shoulder: "If you're really worried, then go inside and keep an eye on things."
"What do I have to worry about?" After saying that, he seemed completely at ease and headed towards the Yue Tea House across the street.
Feng Zhengxian smirked at his retreating figure, then quietly approached the window and began eavesdropping on the conversation inside.
Lin Yi's injury wasn't serious to begin with. Even if he left it alone, it would scab over and heal in three to five days.
Duan Wenjin bandaged it carefully, first rinsing it thoroughly with clean water, then applying an ointment made of some unknown medicinal herb. The cool sensation on her hands even suppressed the slight pain from the earlier cleaning.
Lin Yi asked curiously, "What is this?"
"It's my specially made scar removal cream. Someone like Miss Qiu shouldn't have scars on her hands."
"You can make this too?"
Duan Wenjin chuckled very lightly, or perhaps it was just Lin Yi's imagination. "I had a friend who was very vain. Once she accidentally fell and injured herself, leaving a scar on her leg. She was so upset that she cried."
Lin Yi keenly sensed something and asked, "Is it your sweetheart?"
Why would you assume it's your sweetheart?
Because when you mentioned the word "friend," your eyes were filled with an inexplicable sadness and longing. But Lin Yi didn't say that. Instead, he said matter-of-factly, "Most of those who love beauty are girls, and girls don't easily let others see their legs. Yet you clearly know that there's a scar on your leg. What else could it be but someone you love?"
Duan Wenjin did not refute her guess, but pursed her lips.
The atmosphere suddenly turned cold. Lin Yi tried to make conversation by saying, "Won't applying this directly to the wound cause infection? Shouldn't we apply some... rice wine or something to disinfect it first?"
"No need, it contains cattail pollen and angelica root, which will prevent the wound from becoming infected."
"Oh." Duan Wenjin's bandaging movements were very skilled; the gauze was wrapped to the last turn, and she was beginning to tie a knot. Lin Yi quickly said, "My friend said that you handled this matter exceptionally well today."
Duan Wenjin gave a wry smile. "Is that so? But some people don't think so."
"who?"
Duan Wenjin avoided answering this question, saying, "I think Miss Qiu is courageous and skilled in medicine, a true heroine. I am not as good as you."
The phrase "heroine among women" left Lin Yi speechless. However, the words "I am not as good as you" are not something that anyone can easily say, let alone say so calmly.
Lin Yi was somewhat dazed. What kind of mindset and magnanimity would lead someone to say such a thing, while he himself was doubting him with great malice?
She paused for a moment, then suddenly realized that what she was about to do was somewhat cruel.
Do you know Master Liu?
The hand, already tied in a knot and about to leave, paused. Duan Wenjin said, "I know you."
Lin Yi swallowed hard. "Do you know that he killed the Third Madam's maid, Chun Chan?"
"I know." His breathing was a little unsteady when he said those two words.
Lin Yi originally intended to ask him if he knew why Master Liu had killed a maid, hoping to use this to expose the Third Madam's affair. But that unusual voice gave her a hint. It was just a very vague intuition, like a spiderweb flashing in the light.
Lin Yi failed to catch it, but instead changed the subject. "Don't you think he's too cruel?"
"Maybe so, he was too impulsive."
Impulsive. A person who uses this word may be worried about the other person, concerned, dissatisfied, or helpless... This word carries a clear emotional tone.
He said that Master Liu's killing of Chun Chan was an impulsive act.
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