011. Master Xiao’s Doubts

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Seeing the unconvinced look on Lin Shan’s face, Zheng Yue said, “Benefactor, Master Xiao is immensely wealthy. He has announced that anyone who can save his daughter may take anything from the Xiao family. She is his only daughter. To save her, I believe he would willingly give away the entire Xiao household.”

How could Lin Shan not understand Zheng Yue’s intentions? Zheng Yue was merely a hunter with limited experience, but Master Xiao was practically a local kingpin. If Lin Shan could establish a connection with him, many things would become easier in the future.

Zheng Yue’s intentions were ultimately for his own good.

After thinking for a moment, Lin Shan nodded. “Brother Zheng, could you show me the way?”

Seeing that Lin Shan had agreed, Zheng Yue hurriedly replied, “Of course!”

Although he could not save Master Xiao’s daughter himself, if Lin Shan succeeded, Zheng Yue would receive a substantial reward as the one who had introduced him.

The two set off at once.

The Xiao residence was in Lotus River Town. The journey from Zheng Family Village took half a day. Lin Shan was fairly well-off now, so he waved his hand and rented the village’s donkey cart. After traveling for more than an hour, they arrived in Lotus River Town.

The town was far more prosperous than Zheng Family Village.

Along its main street were every kind of establishment imaginable: clothing shops, restaurants, medicine shops, and more.

The two soon arrived outside the Xiao residence.

Master Xiao’s given name was Xiao Qiang. The title of Gentleman of the Outer Court was one he had bought, which offered a glimpse of the Xiao family’s immense wealth.

His daughter’s name was Xiao Xiao.

The Xiao estate occupied a vast area. Its outer walls stretched at least fifty meters from end to end. Two sturdy retainers stood outside the vermilion gates. When they saw Lin Shan and Zheng Yue approaching in a donkey cart, they shouted, “Who are you?”

Zheng Yue quickly jumped down from the cart and called out, “Brother Yin, it’s me!”

“Zheng Yue!”

One of the retainers knew Zheng Yue. His name was Yin Ziwei, a relative of Zheng Yue’s wife. It was from Yin Ziwei that Zheng Yue had learned that Xiao Qiang was offering a large sum of money to recruit physicians. Zheng Yue had then recommended Lin Shan.

He had explained all of this to Lin Shan on the way.

When Lin Shan came before Yin Ziwei, the latter could not help frowning.

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Lin Shan’s appearance still differed somewhat from that of the people of this ancient era. Although he had changed into period clothing, his short hair was conspicuous, and his features made him look far too young—nothing like an experienced physician.

Yin Ziwei was a blunt man, so he spoke frankly. “Old Yue, this gentleman is awfully young. Is he really capable? A lot of swindlers have been coming here lately, and the master is already fed up with them. Just now, another fraud came to the gate. We beat him up and threw him out. If your friend isn’t competent and ends up angering the master, I won’t be able to protect you.”

“This…”

Zheng Yue hesitated and looked toward Lin Shan.

Lin Shan guessed that Miss Xiao’s condition had been caused by inflammation from an infected wound, but he had not yet seen the patient and could not make a rash judgment.

Thus, he calmly said, “Whether I can treat her or not, we’ll only know after I examine the patient.”

Seeing Lin Shan’s confident expression, Yin Ziwei nodded. “Fine. In that case, I’ll take you to see the master. But let me make this clear now: if the master decides to punish you later, there’s nothing I can do.”

Lin Shan smiled and nodded.

They entered the Xiao estate, passed through three successive gates, and arrived at an elegant secluded courtyard. Strange flowers and exotic plants grew throughout it, filling the air with a wondrous fragrance.

Yin Ziwei led them to the entrance of a small courtyard. A maid stood guard there. Pointing at Lin Shan behind him, Yin Ziwei said, “Spring Peach, this physician says he can treat the young lady.”

Spring Peach looked Lin Shan over skeptically. She too felt that he was far too young, but she still said, “Very well. I’ll go inform the master…”

With that, she entered the house.

Before long, three men emerged from the courtyard.

The man in the center wore a yellowish-brown gentleman’s robe. He had a square face, a three-inch beard, and a tall, imposing figure. He commanded authority without needing to display anger. Naturally, this was Xiao Qiang, Master Xiao.

At his sides stood two white-haired elders. One had a pair of upturned, slanting eyes and looked like a man who would be difficult to deal with.

The other had white hair but a youthful complexion, with an air of transcendence about him. His brows were tightly knitted, as though he were deep in thought.

Xiao Qiang frowned and asked, “Which one of you is the physician?”

Lin Shan replied calmly, “Master Xiao, that would be me.”

“You?!”

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Xiao Qiang’s brows immediately drew together. Like everyone else, he instinctively found it difficult to trust someone so young.

The physician with the slanting eyes let out a cold laugh. “Ridiculous. Every stray cat and mangy dog has come here to fleece us. Master Xiao, I doubt this boy has even read many medical texts. Could he have come merely to make sport of you?”

After being plagued by swindlers for days, Xiao Qiang had gradually lost his patience. His tone turned hostile. “Young man, if you truly possess ability, this old man will naturally treat you with courtesy. But if you have come merely to make a fool of me, leave now and I will let the matter pass. If you cannot make heads or tails of her condition, however, do not blame me for showing no mercy.”

Lin Shan felt deeply displeased by his tone, but then he suddenly thought of Yuanyuan. If his own daughter had suffered such an injury, he feared he might have behaved even more irrationally than Xiao Qiang.

Lin Shan said nothing. Zheng Yue, however, grew frightened and tugged at Lin Shan’s sleeve. “Benefactor… perhaps we should forget it?”

Lin Shan gave Zheng Yue a reassuring look, then said loudly, “Master Xiao, has your daughter’s wound already developed rotting flesh, along with suppuration?”

The impatience on Xiao Qiang’s face vanished instantly. A sharp glint appeared in his eyes as he nodded. “That is correct.”

“Then she should currently be unconscious and suffering from a persistent fever, correct?”

“Yes, yes, yes!”

Xiao Qiang’s attitude changed completely. He stepped forward, seized Lin Shan’s hand, and said solemnly, “This old man was blind earlier. Please do not take offense. I beg you, save my daughter.”

Xiao Qiang loved his daughter dearly, and the fact that he could immediately humble himself after realizing his mistake caused the trace of displeasure in Lin Shan’s heart to disappear.

After a moment’s thought, Lin Shan said, “Master Xiao, I cannot guarantee success, but I would first like to examine your daughter’s wound.”

“Of course. Please, come in.”

Xiao Qiang took Lin Shan by the hand and led him into the small courtyard.

The remaining servants stayed outside. Ever since Xiao Qiang had appeared, Yin Ziwei had been so frightened that he had scarcely dared to breathe. Now that he could finally speak, he sidled up to Zheng Yue and said, “Old Yue, it seems your benefactor really does have some skill.”

Zheng Yue had been extremely anxious at first, but after seeing the change in Xiao Qiang’s attitude, he felt much more at ease. To his surprise, a surge of pride rose within him.

“Heh heh, once my benefactor takes action, the matter will be settled in no time. Just wait and see!”