Volume One, Chapter 12: This Is Only the Beginning

Outside the door, a richly dressed woman stormed into the hall, followed by several servants and the steward of the Zhang residence. Her face was icy, radiating an intimidating aura that made the apprentice pharmacists inside pause their work, many showing signs of nervousness.

“I heard she is Lady Zhang, the wife of Master Zhang!” someone whispered in astonishment. “Their family holds great power and influence; this time Qingfeng Hall is in deep trouble!”

“Lady Zhang is coming on strong. Qingfeng Hall is doomed! Did the medicine prescribed by Doctor Lin really cause problems?”

“Who knows! Nowadays there are many incompetent doctors. No matter how famous a pharmacy is, mistakes are bound to happen.”

Yet Doctor Ye remained calm. He lifted his head, stepped forward slowly, and spoke in a steady, resolute tone: “Lady Zhang, though I, Ye, am unworthy, Qingfeng Hall has never made a mistake since its establishment. If there are doubts, I will explain everything clearly. But if you make baseless accusations, I must ask you to choose your words carefully!”

Lady Zhang was momentarily taken aback by his retort but soon snorted coldly. “Doctor Ye, after my son took the medicine prescribed by Doctor Lin from Qingfeng Hall, his condition worsened. Isn’t that a mistake?”

Doctor Ye met her steady gaze. “Madam, Qingfeng Hall is meticulous in dispensing medicine. Every herb is carefully selected. If there is a problem, we will never shirk responsibility. But please understand, healing is not an overnight matter. If it truly is a medicinal fault, I will not evade my duty.”

Whispers spread through the hall. Some onlookers murmured, “Doctor Ye’s temper is as unyielding as ever! Lady Zhang dares to confront him?”

“Not necessarily. Qingfeng Hall’s medicine might actually be at fault. The Zhang family is influential; Lady Zhang wouldn’t make such a fuss without evidence.”

“But Doctor Lin is so young. Can she really cure illnesses? I fear Qingfeng Hall won’t hold up this time.”

“You don’t understand! Doctor Lin is highly skilled. My daughter was cured by her. If she says there’s no problem, then there isn’t!”

Seeing that Lady Zhang was the same visitor from a few days ago, Lin Chuyao rose to leave. Wearing simple clothes and a veil, carrying her medicine box, she walked calmly.

“Lady Zhang, I am willing to accompany you,” she said, her voice cold yet imbued with unshakable confidence.

Lady Zhang glanced at her, fury evident in her tone. “You prescribed the medicine for my son, so naturally you should go. I should have known—someone too afraid to show their face must be an incompetent doctor!”

Unfazed, Lin Chuyao replied coolly, “Skill in medicine is unrelated to appearance. If you distrust me, madam, you may invite other doctors to come along.”

Lady Zhang was momentarily speechless, then gritted her teeth. “Fine, I want to see what you’re capable of! But remember, if you can’t cure him, I will make you kneel at the gates of the Zhang residence and apologize to my son!”

Inside the Zhang residence, the atmosphere was heavy. Zhang Yun lay on a soft couch, his face pale as wax, breathing weakly, his entire body as frail as a candle flickering in the wind. Lady Zhang stood beside him, anxious and irritable.

“What exactly is going on with the medicine from Qingfeng Hall?” Lady Zhang glared angrily. “After taking your medicine, my son’s condition not only failed to improve but worsened with severe wheezing and coughing! If you don’t explain yourself, don’t expect to leave the Zhang residence alive!”

Lin Chuyao showed no fear. She stepped forward slowly and took Zhang Yun’s pulse. After a moment, she looked up calmly. “Young master’s qi and blood are disordered, his spleen and stomach are damaged. The medicine’s effects were not absorbed, which indeed caused the worsening of his condition.”

“See! The medicine was faulty!” Lady Zhang slammed the table, furious. “You are an incompetent doctor, leading my son astray!”

Lin Chuyao remained composed, her voice steady but sharp. “Madam, please hold your anger. The fault does not lie with the prescription.”

Lady Zhang was stunned for a moment, then sneered. “If not the prescription, then what? The young master took the medicine diligently and was cared for meticulously. Are you trying to shirk responsibility?”

Lin Chuyao glanced around the room and suddenly asked, “Is fragrant incense burned daily in the young master’s room?”

Xiaocui quickly nodded. “Yes, madam ordered it specifically. She said the incense drives away evil spirits and calms the mind, which would benefit the young master.”

Lin Chuyao sneered, her voice tinged with coldness. “Although valuable, the incense is overpowering in scent. For someone with a weak constitution, it harms rather than helps, hindering the absorption of medicine. The worsening of the young master’s condition is caused by this incense disturbing him day and night.”

Lady Zhang snorted defiantly. “Nonsense! That incense is a treasured household item. How could it possibly be harmful?”

Unperturbed, Lin Chuyao took a vial of powdered medicine from her box and poured it into water. Soon, the surface bubbled with a pungent foam.

The hardness on Lady Zhang’s face faltered, her eyes fixed on the bubbling water, her tone growing hesitant. “Is this… really toxic?”

Lin Chuyao stared coldly at her. “Madam, if you insist on burning that incense for the young master, the next time you see me, it may be to prepare his coffin.”

Lady Zhang’s lips trembled but she said nothing further. Instead, she ordered quietly for the incense to be extinguished, her face clouded with hesitation and regret.

After a moment’s thought, Lin Chuyao added, “However, there must be other factors. I still need to inspect how the medicine is being prepared in the kitchen each day.”

Lady Zhang frowned deeply but showed growing trust, immediately ordering someone to lead Lin Chuyao to the kitchen.

In the kitchen, Lin Chuyao carefully examined the herbs. Suddenly, she frowned and pointed at a jar. “Who added ginseng root to the medicine without authorization?”

The cook immediately knelt down. “Madam instructed me to add more tonic since the young master is very weak, so I added some ginseng root…”

Lady Zhang froze in place, her face instantly turning pale.

Lin Chuyao’s voice turned cold. “The original prescription is already highly tonic. Adding ginseng root is like pouring oil on fire, nullifying the medicine’s effect and even backfiring. If the young master’s condition worsened, it is not due to the prescription but improper use of the medicine.”

Lady Zhang’s lips trembled as she slumped into a chair, murmuring to herself, “I only wanted him to get better quickly… I never imagined it was me who harmed him…”

Lin Chuyao looked at her, softening her tone slightly. “Madam, your love for your son is understandable, but medicine must be used with caution.”

Lady Zhang lifted her head, eyes brimming with tears, her voice choked. “Doctor Lin, please save my son… It’s my fault. I will never dare to misuse medicine again.”

Lin Chuyao said no more. She took out a pill she had formulated and handed it to Zhang Yun. “Take this to alleviate the symptoms. Stop burning the incense immediately, and follow the new prescription I provide. You will see improvement within ten days.”

Moments later, after taking the pill, Zhang Yun’s rapid breathing gradually steadied, and his complexion gained a hint of color.

Witnessing this, Lady Zhang’s expression shifted from doubt to shock, then melted into profound guilt.

Lady Zhang personally escorted Lin Chuyao back to Qingfeng Hall, her attitude humble. “Doctor Lin, I was rash before and offended you. Please forgive me. This gift is a small token of gratitude from the Zhang family. I hope you will accept it.”

Lin Chuyao’s expression remained unchanged. “Saving lives is the duty of a physician. But madam, please remember to use medicine with care. Do not let your love for your son cause harm.”

The crowd watching immediately erupted in chatter. “Is that really Lady Zhang? Did I see that right? She was so polite!”

“She was so harsh before, but now she’s sending gifts and bowing her head. Truly, only real skill can command respect!”

“This doctor is extraordinary!”

Some among the crowd tried to save face after their earlier ridicule: “I said she has an imposing presence. To calm Lady Zhang like that, she can’t be an incompetent doctor!”

Doctor Ye watched Lady Zhang depart, then turned to the crowd. “Every prescription from Qingfeng Hall embodies our dedication. I hope everyone will trust and understand us more.”

A chorus of agreement rose from the crowd. “Doctor Ye is right. We all misunderstood earlier.”

Standing at the gate of Qingfeng Hall, Lin Chuyao watched Lady Zhang leave, her expression still calm. But when her gaze swept over the bustling crowd, a complex emotion flickered in her eyes.

“This is only the beginning…” she murmured to herself. “The higher Qingfeng Hall’s reputation climbs, the more patients I will see, and the more I can accomplish!”