Pang Boyi wore his square cap and extended his hand for Xu Yi to take his pulse.
His pulse still showed a wiry quality. Though his headaches had improved and no longer occurred continuously, his head ailment had begun to faintly flare up again after getting angry earlier over the “poisonous prescription” matter.
Xu Yi observed this silently, opened his medicine box, and withdrew a cloth bundle from the third layer. The bundle was rolled up, and he slowly unwrapped it to reveal the stone needles inside.
“These are bian stones?” Pang Boyi was somewhat surprised to see what Xu Yi had produced. Such items were rare.
Xu Yi answered simply, “Yes, stone needles.”
Pang Boyi asked him, “Are there craftsmen in Yanting County who make stone needles?”
Though bian stones weren’t expensive items, the skill required to grind them into needles was quite demanding.
He had previously passed through a village with Uncle Pang where there was a stonemason skilled in crafting stone needles. At the time, he had stayed several days to observe before leaving with a sigh. Creating these stone needles was truly difficult.
What was even more rare was that nowadays, there were few who could use stone needles to treat illness.
Pang Boyi grew even more curious about Xu Yi.
Xu Yi told him, “I purchased these stone needles from an old uncle. His family has made stone needles for generations.”
“You seem to know quite a bit. Where did you learn these skills? Could you share a thing or two?” Pang Boyi asked with a faint smile.
He appeared to recline casually against the soft pillow on the couch, but his gaze fell upon Xu Yi. It wasn’t exactly scrutiny, yet it was more unsettling than scrutiny itself, making one’s pores prickle.
Xu Yi felt the pressure. This person was not easy to brush off.
His usual explanations might convince others, but not necessarily this man.
Xu Yi lowered his eyes and struggled for a moment before saying with difficulty, “The process is convoluted and cannot be explained in a short time. Please forgive me for being unable to make it clear to you, Official Pang.”
Pang Boyi felt somewhat regretful, but since this matter involved another’s private affairs, and he had only met Xu Yi twice, asking such questions was already an imposition. He didn’t press further.
Having dropped the subject, Xu Yi’s expression returned to normal as he indicated he would perform heated needle therapy on Pang Boyi.
Pang Boyi readily agreed. It would no longer be appropriate to remain in the pavilion for this.
The two changed locations and went to the main room of the Pang residence. A servant lit the oil lamp and then withdrew from the room.
Xu Yi had Pang Boyi remove his cloak and outer robe and lie flat on the bed.
He first took two needles and heated them over the oil lamp. When the needle tips transmitted a slightly hot sensation, Xu Yi removed the stone needles from above the lamp wick.
Stone needles didn’t need to be inserted. Pang Boyi lay there watching from the side and said, “Your knowledge of stone needles is truly rare.”
“I’ve only learned some superficial knowledge, far from proficient,” Xu Yi replied.
He stepped forward to the bedside and had Pang Boyi lie properly.
“You mustn’t move during the heated needle treatment. If Official Pang finds it boring, you may close your eyes and rest briefly.”
Pang Boyi thought to himself that he detected implications in Xu Yi’s words.
But looking at his expression, perhaps he was overthinking it?
Pang Boyi had no time to think further. The stone needles were right before his eyes. He closed his eyes, and in the next moment, he felt both temples being touched with heat.
His brow furrowed slightly, and he heard a clear, bright voice saying, “It won’t hurt. It will be better very soon.”
Hearing this, Pang Boyi’s furrowed brow relaxed, though he felt oddly as if he’d been treated like a child afraid of medical treatment…
Xu Yi skillfully placed the stone needles half a cun above Pang Boyi’s temple acupoints. For treating headaches, the Fengchi and temple points formed a basic treatment set. However, as mentioned before, stone needles didn’t need to be inserted into acupoints, requiring no oblique needling, direct needling, or pricking to release blood. They relied on heating the acupoints or performing heated needle therapy at positions around, above, and below the acupoints.
Xu Yi repeatedly heated and applied the needles, repeatedly treating the acupoints. Before long, Pang Boyi let out a comfortable sound. Hearing this, Xu Yi withdrew his hand.
He stood up, heated the stone needles once more, returned them to the bundle, wrapped them up, and placed them in his medicine box.
Pang Boyi slowly opened his eyes, feeling his vision was much clearer. He marveled, “This stone needle technique truly lives up to its reputation.”
Xu Yi smiled faintly and said, “If Official Pang doesn’t mind, I can come over for heated needle treatments for the next three days.”
“Doctor Xu speaks well,” Pang Boyi nodded.
He propped himself up to put on his outer robe and asked Xu Yi how long he needed to drink the medicinal soup before fully recovering.
Xu Yi didn’t hide the truth from him. “If your pent-up emotions remain unresolved, even if you recover completely this time, it will recur in the future.”
After hearing Xu Yi’s veiled reminder, Pang Boyi couldn’t help but rub his forehead.
He didn’t respond, so Xu Yi didn’t continue meddling.
…
In the rear courtyard of the yamen, Pan Wenji was reviewing various documents and case files submitted by his subordinates in his office study.
A servant came in to report that an old gentleman surnamed Pang was seeking an audience outside.
Pan Wenji immediately had him shown in. He put away his work documents, and Uncle Pang entered the study.
“County Sheriff Pan.” In this official setting, Uncle Pang bowed and called out to Pan Wenji.
Pan Wenji helped him up and asked, “Why has Uncle Pang come at this hour? Is there a problem with Boyi’s head ailment?”
Uncle Pang replied, “The young master’s head ailment has improved considerably. It’s just that today he heard of something that he felt couldn’t be delayed, so he sent me to deliver a letter to County Sheriff Pan.”
“What matter?” Pan Wenji frowned. If Pang Boyi felt something couldn’t be delayed, it was no small matter.
Uncle Pang produced the letter he had brought.
Pan Wenji looked at the letter and immediately opened it without a word. The first thing he saw was a prescription.
At first glance, Pan Wenji noticed nothing amiss with the prescription. After finishing it and reading the accompanying letter… his expression grew grave. Reconsidering the prescription, he realized where the problem lay.
Pan Wenji asked, “Who gave this letter to Boyi?”
Uncle Pang replied, “Doctor Xu delivered this letter. Doctor Xu noticed there was a problem with this prescription and, unable to bear the thought of common people being harmed, entrusted the young master to deliver the letter to County Sheriff Pan.”
After saying this, he relayed to Pan Wenji the message Pang Boyi had asked him to convey.
Pan Wenji’s brow and eyes tightened. How could he not understand the seriousness of this matter?
However, rashly dispatching bailiffs everywhere to arrest people wouldn’t be proper. He still needed to report to the county magistrate.
“Uncle Pang, go back and tell Boyi that I will handle this matter properly. Tell him not to worry, lest his head ailment worsen.” Pan Wenji was still concerned about Pang Boyi’s condition.
Uncle Pang nodded and said, “County Sheriff Pan speaks correctly. The young master is still waiting for my reply. This old servant will return now.”
Pan Wenji said, “Safe travels, Uncle Pang.”
This person must be apprehended. Having already let one criminal escape, if they allowed this vicious villain to remain at large, many more common people would fall victim to fraud in the future.
Being defrauded was a minor matter, but if lives were lost, that would be serious indeed.
Pan Wenji straightened his official robes and adjusted his official cap. Taking the letter with him, he called for a servant to invite a reputable physician.
Xu Yi’s letter alone wasn’t enough. They also needed a well-known physician to confirm whether this prescription was truly poisonous.
Before long, Doctor Chen was invited to the rear courtyard of the yamen (county court/government).
He had assumed that some official in the yamen had fallen ill, but to his surprise, as soon as they met, Pan Wenji handed him the prescription written by Xu Yi.
“Doctor Chen, what do you see wrong with this prescription?”
Doctor Chen took it in an unhurried manner. “County Sheriff Pan, please wait a moment while this old physician examines it.”
Several breaths later… “This, this prescription cannot be used.”
Doctor Chen said, “The amount of aconite used in this prescription is incorrect. If this prescription were used, it would likely cause aconite poisoning.”
He asked Pan Wenji in confusion where this prescription had come from.
Pan Wenji didn’t state it explicitly, only saying it was obtained from a “half-immortal,” that a commoner had purchased medicine to soak in wine, someone had noticed something amiss, and reported it to the yamen.
Doctor Chen said angrily, “How could this person sell such a prescription to others? This could cost lives.”
“With Doctor Chen’s words, this prescription definitely cannot be used. List out where the problems are in this prescription. I’ll report to the county magistrate and let him make the final decision on this matter.” Pan Wenji spoke, and had a servant present the prepared paper, ink, brush, and inkstone.
By this point, Doctor Chen understood. This County Sheriff Pan probably already knew the prescription was problematic and simply needed a physician to verify it.
Moreover, being advanced in years and having always been renowned among civilian physicians in Yanting County, having even treated the county magistrate personally, the magistrate knew who he was.
Doctor Chen didn’t decline. He sat down and listed out point by point where the problems in this prescription lay.
Pan Wenji looked at what he wrote and discovered it differed little from the pharmaceutical analysis Xu Yi had written.
He once again looked at Xu Yi with new admiration.
One must know that Doctor Chen was over fifty, while Xu Yi was not yet twenty.
While Pan Wenji took the letter to consult with the county magistrate, at the Pang residence, Xu Yi packed up his medicine box, intending to take his leave.
Pang Boyi wanted to keep him for the midday meal, but he politely declined.
Xu Yi shook his head. “I’ve already imposed for quite some time. This isn’t conducive to your quiet recuperation, Official Pang.” In other words, if he stayed for a meal, it wouldn’t be appropriate.
Pang Boyi looked at Uncle Pang beside him.
Uncle Pang said, “Since the young master came to Yanting County, he’s rarely conversed with anyone. Now that he’s finally met someone like Doctor Xu with whom he can chat, his heart is reluctant to part.”
Xu Yi raised an eyebrow. “One should still move about regularly. Though the weather is cold, one should still walk around some. Otherwise, staying indoors all day, one can easily become sick from boredom.”
Pang Boyi thought to himself that this person was impervious to persuasion.
Unable to help it, and unable to force Xu Yi to stay, he could only tell Uncle Pang to fetch money for Xu Yi to settle the fee for the heated needle treatment.
Xu Yi had just received two taels of silver from them and felt awkward about taking more money.
But Uncle Pang insisted on giving it, and Xu Yi couldn’t refuse.
“I’ll come for a second consultation tomorrow. We can settle the consultation fee and heated needle treatment fee together then.” Xu Yi smiled.
Pang Boyi felt a blockage in his chest. He couldn’t bear to look at this person. He waved his hand, indicating he was tired and needed to rest.
Xu Yi nodded agreeably along with his wishes, slung his medicine box over his shoulder, and left with steady strides and carefree manner.
Pang Boyi watched him leave, grinding his teeth.
…
At the He household, Madam He held her embroidery frame but had no heart for needlework. She frequently raised her head to look toward the courtyard entrance, not seeing Qiu’er return home for a long time.
It was already noon, yet she hadn’t even cooked. She just sat there waiting.
She waited and waited. Whenever she saw someone pass by the gate, she would jump up and run out to look. Seeing it wasn’t Qiu’er, she would return dejected.
Sitting in a daze for a long while, suddenly someone called out to her.
She quickly raised her head and saw the person calling her was an unfamiliar face, appearing to be around twenty years old, wearing a dark-colored silk satin robe that was somewhat worn, probably handed down after the master’s family had worn it out.
Madam He’s heart began pounding. Her intuition told her something had happened. She shakily stood up.
Her lips moved as she asked, “You are?”
The person said, “I’m the steward of the lower quarters in the Bao family’s fourth branch. Is this the He Qiulin household?”
Madam He took a deep breath. “Yes, this is Qiu’er’s home. I’m his mother. Has something happened to Qiu’er? He was supposed to return home today, but he still hasn’t come back by now. Has something really happened?”
The person said with a chuckle, “Madam, don’t panic. He’s fine. It’s just that he’s been detained at the estate due to some duties and can’t return. He asked me to inform you that he’ll come back in a few days. This is his saved monthly wages that he asked me to bring to you, telling you to rest easy at home and wait.”
Though his words said this, his manner and bearing carried arrogance.
From his breast, he slowly and methodically produced a purse sewn from fine silk satin.
Madam He stared at the purse somewhat dazed. Seeing it contained three qian of silver made her even more stunned.
When she came to her senses, the person had already left.
Madam He clutched the purse tightly, bit her lip, returned inside, thought it over, took the household money, and was about to head out.
She came out to the courtyard and saw Xu Yi returning with his medicine box on his back.
“Madam He,” Xu Yi called out to her. “Qiu’er still hasn’t returned?”
Madam He looked at Xu Yi, her voice trembling uncontrollably. “Just now, someone claiming to be from the Bao family’s fourth branch came and said Qiu’er was detained by some matter…”
But she always felt something was wrong. Qiu’er was usually so frugal, why would he use such fine material to make a purse?
This purse looked more like something a wealthy household would use. It even had a fragrance smell that was quite pleasant.
If it were ordinary incense, it wouldn’t have such a scent. The fragrance clinging to this purse was clearly top-grade.
Madam He told Xu Yi her suspicions, saying she needed to go to the Bao family. She had to see Qiu’er today no matter what.
Xu Yi looked at the purse and said to Madam He, “I’ll go with Madam He. The Bao family is a wealthy household. If you go there without someone accompanying you, the gatekeepers probably won’t let you enter.”
Madam He wanted to agree but was afraid this matter would trouble Xu Yi. “No, if this turns out badly, and you help me, wouldn’t that implicate you?”
But Xu Yi told her not to hesitate. Right now, the priority was to see that He Qiulin was safe.
With him saying this, Madam He didn’t dare hesitate further.
Gratefully, crying and laughing at the same time, she said, “To receive such care from you, Yi’er, I as an auntie don’t even know what words of thanks to say. When I see Qiu’er, I’ll have him kowtow to you. Only then can I properly thank you for your kindness, Yi’er.”
“Madam He speaks too seriously. We’re all neighbors, and you’ve treated me extremely well. This is merely a small effort on my part, not worth mentioning.”
Xu Yi quickly told her not to cry. He first returned home to put down his medicine box, instructed Ah Xu and Ah Jin briefly, then came out and left with Madam He.
On the road, he carefully inquired about what the person had said and what kind of family the Bao family was.
The Bao family in Yanting County wasn’t considered a particularly grand household. It was just that six years ago, they had saved the son of the previous county magistrate, earning the former magistrate’s favor. Their eldest son was given a respectable position at the county yamen.
That position specifically managed grain field measurements. During those years on duty, the Bao family had extracted quite a bit of profit. Not only did they buy a large mansion, they also accumulated over a hundred acres of fields, had more than ten tenant households farming their land, and opened grain shops, general stores, and more in the county seat.
Even though they no longer held office at the county yamen, because of their connection to the former county magistrate, they had secured a place among the wealthy in the county seat.
After hearing all this, Xu Yi couldn’t help but furrow his brow. “Madam He, do you know if they have any other connections?”
Madam He shook her head. This information had been told to her by Qiu’er. Beyond this, it seemed that the fourth branch wife’s maternal family was somewhat unusual.
“I recall that the fourth branch wife married a concubine-born daughter from a branch of the Tao family.” Madam He pondered while telling Xu Yi, “At the time, Qiu’er even received two reward coins and a celebratory cake.”
Xu Yi thought to himself about the Tao family.
Tao Qinghao was the legitimate son of the main branch of the Tao family. Xu Yi rarely heard him mention his family’s inner household affairs.
However, he had gathered from Xin Shengyuan’s occasional complaints that the various branches of the Tao family schemed against each other in quite chaotic fashion.
Logically speaking, this matter was the Bao family’s affair and had nothing to do with the Tao family. But Qiu’er served in the fourth branch of the Bao household, and the fourth branch wife was a concubine-born daughter of the Tao family. If something had truly happened, it would still be proper to inform Tao Qinghao.
After weighing his options, Xu Yi decided to first accompany Madam He to the Bao family to investigate the situation.
…
The fourth branch’s second steward, having completed the task assigned by his master, returned to the fourth branch to report back to the fourth branch wife.
“This servant asks after Madam’s well-being. The compensation silver has already been delivered to Little He’s mother.” He crouched down and said in a low voice.
Madam Tao put down the precious pearl she’d been playing with and asked in a gentle voice, “Did his mother ask anything?”
The second steward kept his head lowered. “No, she asked nothing at all. She must have been too focused on the money to care about anything else.”
That was two qian of silver. He Qiulin wouldn’t necessarily earn that much in three months.
Poor families were used to poverty. Upon seeing so much money, plenty of people couldn’t move from the spot. How would they think that the flaw lay in the purse?
Only then was Madam Tao satisfied. She waved her hand and said, “If you’ve handled this matter properly, there will be a reward later. For now, go check on that person again. Give him some medicine to take. Don’t actually let him die.”
“Madam is right,” the second steward said flatteringly. “Our fourth branch’s servants should belong to the fourth branch. How can the second branch think they can take someone just because they want to? Besides, this Little He is a hired worker. The contract is with our fourth branch. Whether to beat or scold him can only be decided by our fourth branch.”
A look of disdain appeared in Madam Tao’s eyes, though her tone remained consistently gentle. “All right, go now. Remember to watch him closely.”
“This servant understands, understands.” The second steward didn’t dare linger. He kept his head lowered as he withdrew from the room.
The old woman beside Madam Tao spoke up. “Madam, this Little He is not an honest one. Since the second branch wants him, why not just let them take him? Why insist on keeping him?”
“Mama, you don’t understand. No matter how troublesome this Little He is, he’s still someone my fourth branch hired. If I compromise, the second branch will only ride roughshod over me even more in the future.”
She was already a concubine-born daughter to begin with. After marrying into the Bao family, she received no kind looks from the other branches.
Usually already inferior to others, if she couldn’t even protect her own servants this time, how could she establish her authority in the Bao family’s fourth branch in the future?
The blame lay with Little He’s bad luck in offending people from the second branch and receiving a severe beating.
If he were a household-born servant it would be one thing. Beat him if you must; as long as he doesn’t die, it’s fine. But he was hired. The authorities had clear regulations that hired servants couldn’t be beaten or scolded at will. If this person ran out and reported to the authorities, even if the Bao family emerged unscathed, she, the fourth branch wife, would likely become a laughingstock spreading among the wealthy in the county seat.
While they spoke in the room, the second steward carried a box of servants’ food to the servants’ quarters to see He Qiulin.
He Qiulin lay in bed, unable to move.
Beside him was a young servant specifically assigned to watch him. This person used to joke and chat with him, but upon receiving this assignment, immediately changed his face and managed him more strictly than anyone else.
When the second steward entered, the young servant fawned over him with a grinning face, then said, “How could we let you make the trip yourself? You could have just sent someone to call me, and I would have come immediately to report back.”
“Enough. How is Little He doing?” the second steward asked.
The young servant replied, “He won’t die. Earlier he was able to drink water, but he can’t eat rice porridge.”
The second steward grunted in acknowledgment and said, “This is food. Go feed him. Don’t let anything really happen to him, or Madam will hold you accountable.”
Though the young servant was unwilling in his heart, his face showed eager compliance as he took the food box. Walking to He Qiulin’s bedside and smelling the strong scent of blood, he frowned in displeasure and called out, “Stop playing dead. I know you’re awake.”
“Little He, I’m doing this for your own good. Given your condition, if you continue being stubborn and disobedient, it won’t just be a beating with the rod that settles it.” The second steward walked in. Seeing him lying half-dead on the bed, remembering the fourth branch wife’s instructions, he feigned consolation.
“If you recuperate well, Madam will see how sensible you are and you might even gain her favor from this misfortune. If your luck is good, you might even get work serving the young master in his quarters. You won’t have to work yourself to death like before, earning barely any money each month.”
No matter how much they said, He Qiulin remained silent.
It wasn’t until the second steward grew impatient that He Qiulin weakly spoke. “I want to go home.”
“Go home?”
The second steward laughed mockingly. “Do you think you can still go home in this condition?”
If word got out that the Bao family casually beat and scolded hired servants, not only would the second and fourth branches gain nothing good, even these servants would suffer along with them.
He was determined not to let He Qiulin leave the Bao family.
Before leaving, he told the young servant to watch He Qiulin closely. If he wouldn’t eat or take medicine, force it into him!
–
Hurrying along, Xu Yi and Madam He arrived outside the Bao family’s main gate at the beginning of the wei hour.
They caught their breath and stepped forward to knock on the door.
“Who is it?”
The gatekeeper opened the side door, looked them over, and asked ungraciously, “Who are you looking for?”
Madam He immediately said, “I’m Qiu’er’s mother. I’ve come looking for my son. My son works in the fourth branch of the Bao household. Young sir, could you have him come out for a moment?”
The gatekeeper frowned. “I don’t know any Qiu’er.”
With that, he turned to close the door.
Xu Yi quickly blocked the door he was about to shut, pulled several coins from his sleeve pocket and pressed them into his hand, saying in a calm tone, “Young sir, please be accommodating. Help us send word to the servants’ quarters of the fourth branch. We won’t take up much time.”
Having received money, the gatekeeper’s attitude softened somewhat. Reluctantly he said, “Fine, I’ll go ask.”
When he left, he closed the door. This trip took a quarter hour.
“Why hasn’t he returned yet?” Madam He waited anxiously.
She stepped forward and knocked on the door again.
This time, no one came out from inside, as if they hadn’t heard the knocking at all.
“Is anyone there? Young sir, are you there?” Madam He called into the compound. Seeing still no one emerged, she anxiously called out He Qiulin’s name.
“Qiu’er!”
“Qiu’er!”
“…”
Xu Yi stepped forward, tugged at her sleeve, and shook his head at her. “It seems Qiu’er has truly had an incident at the Bao family. Shouting here is useless, Madam He. Let’s try a different approach.”
“What approach?” Madam He asked with reddened eyes.
Xu Yi drew breath from his core and called out toward the Bao family gate, “Today we’ve only come to see He Qiulin. The Bao family closes their doors and won’t come out. Could it be you’ve done something shameful? If you still don’t come out, we’ll take the contract and report to the authorities, having the officials come to request the Bao family for questioning about why they won’t let Qiu’er come see us.” Before his words had finished, the side door was yanked open with a bang.
The young servant who had just received money called out nervously, “You! Don’t cause trouble outside the Bao estate. Do you know who our Bao family’s eldest master is?”
Xu Yi said he didn’t, looking at him and saying, “I only know that the contract for hiring servants held by the Bao family doesn’t state that Qiu’er cannot see his family. If you can’t make this decision, then have someone who can come out and speak. We must see He Qiulin in person today.”
noooo qiu’er ;_;
Sorry for the long wait. Website kept breaking and we ended up doing a fresh setup with a new host. Back to normal now!