Li Zha’er’s words infuriated the old physician.
“I have practiced medicine for decades, adhering to the doctor’s creed and the art of healing without shame before heaven and earth. Since you, young lady, do not trust me, do not summon me to your residence again. Farewell.” With that, he picked up his medicine chest and prepared to leave.
Li Zha’er was enraged and shouted, “If I don’t summon you, I don’t! You can’t even diagnose an illness properly, yet you claim decades of practice? You are a quack!”
The old physician’s goatee bristled. He cast a cold laugh at Li Zha’er, turned, and walked out, muttering, “Ignorant.”
Li Shu was also greatly displeased. He quickly ordered the physician to be escorted out of the manor with utmost courtesy and sent a generous red envelope with him as a form of hush money.
“How have you become like this?” Li Shu could not believe that his usually soft and charming daughter had turned so unreasonable. “Why did you lose your temper with the doctor?”
“I don’t care, Father! I beg you, please invite an imperial physician! No, ordinary imperial physicians might not dare to act. You should invite the Imperial Physician Grand Commander!”
Li Shu nodded and called out, “Someone come here!”
A clever young servant rushed in. “Go to the steward and get my name card. Immediately invite Imperial Physician Grand Commander Duan to come, just say the Madam has a sudden severe illness.”
The servant quickly agreed, took a few steps back, turned, and ran out.
Seeing his attitude, Li Zha’er’s doubts slightly lessened. It seemed her father still cared about her mother, and his willingness to summon an imperial physician indicated he was not colluding with Li Man’er. This was, at least, a good thing.
In recent days, she had clearly felt the change in Cui Shi and Li Shu’s attitude towards Li Man’er. This made her gnash her teeth with hatred, yet she was powerless.
Who could blame them when Li Man’er’s medical skills were so superb? Who could blame them when she had already aligned herself with Princess Wuyou?
“Father, do you believe Mother suddenly fell ill with a terrible disease? I feel there is some unspeakable secret behind this.” Li Zha’er regretted her actions immensely now. If only she had accompanied them, perhaps this would not have happened.
Li Shu sat composedly. “Let’s wait until Imperial Physician Duan arrives before saying anything else.”
Although Li Zha’er was anxious, she lacked the ability to resolve the situation and could only endure.
After about fifteen minutes, the gatekeeper reported that Imperial Physician Duan had arrived with his apprentice.
Li Shu personally went out to greet them and led them into the inner chamber of the main hall of Zhaohui Courtyard.
“Imperial Physician Duan.” Li Zha’er curtsied slightly, her demeanor vastly different from before.
After all, he was an imperial physician; she dared not offend him.
Imperial Physician Duan nodded slightly and proceeded to examine Madam Guo’s pulse.
He observed her complexion, checked her tongue, flipped her eyelids, and finally took her pulse.
Imperial Physician Duan shook his head. “Marquis, I beg your pardon, but I am unable to identify the Madam’s ailment. From her pulse, the Madam appears to be perfectly normal. There are no signs of poisoning, nor any serious illness. As for why the Madam is in a deep sleep, I truly cannot find the cause.”
“How is this possible? You are the Imperial Physician Grand Commander!”
In the past, the title of Imperial Physician Grand Commander was equivalent to being the best in the world to Duan Xu. However, after being defeated by Li Man’er last time, he understood a fundamental truth. Truly capable individuals disregarded power and yearned for freedom. They were unwilling to serve in the court or treat royalty, but this did not mean their medical skills were inferior.
For example, Qiu Yi Xian, and also Miss Li. How old was she?
“Ah, yes, the eldest daughter of the manor has exceptional medical skills. She was able to detoxify the Marquis last time. Perhaps she could also treat the Madam this time? Why not invite the eldest daughter to try?”
Li Zha’er’s face showed embarrassment. Li Shu, however, acted as if he hadn’t heard the suggestion and continued to ask, “May I know if Imperial Physician Duan can visit a few more times? In case the condition worsens?”
Physicians are always interested in illnesses they haven’t encountered before. Duan Xu was a medical enthusiast and was very intrigued by Madam Guo’s situation. Hearing Li Shu’s words, he readily agreed.
“Very well. If I am not on duty, I will certainly come to the manor for a follow-up visit.”
“Excellent!” Li Shu cupped his hands. “Please have a safe journey.”
Steward Zhao personally escorted Duan Xu and his apprentice to the gate of the Marquis’s manor.
Li Zha’er sat by Madam Guo’s side, shedding tears and occasionally calling out softly, hoping Madam Guo would wake up.
But Madam Guo showed no reaction, still sleeping soundly.
Li Shu, with clear insight, knew that Madam Guo’s waking depended on Li Man’er’s will. However, the girl’s medical skills were indeed formidable; with her intervention, even Duan Xu was helpless.
“Zha’er, with your mother’s current condition, the household is bound to be in some disarray. The management of domestic affairs concerns the entire Marquis’s manor. I need to go and speak with your grandmother to help with the distribution of duties. You stay by your mother’s side. If anything happens, send someone to fetch me.”
Li Shu felt a sense of guilt towards Li Zha’er, so he spoke to her with a touch of gentleness. Hearing this, Li Zha’er felt that her loving father had returned.
“Yes! Father, rest assured. With me guarding her, Mother will be fine.”
Li Shu nodded and left as if fleeing.
In Songhe Hall, Cui Shi sternly questioned Li Shu, “What did you say? Say it again!”
Li Shu gave a bitter smile. “Mother, no matter how many times I repeat it, the answer is the same. Guo Shi, in order to seize the shops left by Man’er’s mother, wanted her nephew to disgrace Man’er’s purity at Yaowang Temple.”
“Foolish!” Before Li Shu could finish, Cui Shi angrily declared, “I think she’s gone mad for money! She would do something like this. If something were to happen to Man’er, her daughter could marry well? And she still wants to marry her off to the Guo family.”
Li Man’er’s medical skills were superb, and she had the support of Princess Wuyou. In Cui Shi’s heart, she now held even greater value.
“Mother, Man’er has already taken action…”
Before Li Shu could finish, Cui Shi interrupted him, “You must remember, this matter has nothing to do with Man’er.” Cui Shi’s gaze was profound. “Madam Guo simply fell ill with a terrible disease. Nothing more.”
“Mother!” Although he had expected this outcome, Madam Guo had after all borne him children and raised three of them.
“If she lives, how could Man’er let this go unpunished?”
Li Shu was somewhat angry. “As children, we should obey our parents.”
“Filial piety stems from paternal love. With what Guo Shi has done, do you think Man’er can forgive her? If you push her too hard, and this matter becomes public, not only will you be affected, but Qingyun will also suffer. At that time, what will become of the Li family’s reputation? How will you face it? If Qingyun’s birth has a stain, can his position as heir still be protected?”
Li Shu’s heart trembled. Thinking of the heir apparent and the Li family’s reputation, he finally swallowed his words.
“Let us proceed according to Man’er’s wishes! After Guo Shi’s death, you can remarry. It may not be a bad thing.”
Guo Shi’s background had always been unsatisfactory to Cui Shi.
“Yes,” Li Shu replied. “Then your son will take his leave. Mother, do not worry too much. It is just that Madam Guo is ill, so please bear more of the household responsibilities, Mother.”