Chapter 11: Perhaps I Owe Him from a Previous Life

"What?"

"She was just fine a moment ago, wasn't she?"

Father Jiang's heart leapt into his throat the moment he heard the news, and he could say nothing more. Without hesitation, he raced after the maid who had brought the message, his steps urgent and frantic as he made for the inner quarters.

A crowd of people surged behind him like a rising tide.

Halfway there, Father Jiang suddenly remembered something and barked out an order, "Quick! Send two men to fetch Doctor Zhou at once!"

"Yes, Master!"

The two last servants in the group bowed deeply and hurriedly turned back, dashing out the door.

At this moment, no one paid any heed to Ying Shuo; even Xin Qi was too busy to bother with him. Only Jiang Lanfeng cast a pleading glance his way, her large, watery eyes almost boring straight through him.

"Did the previous owner of this body owe her in a past life or something?" Ying Shuo mused. "Why does this body become so obedient every time something happens to this little girl?"

Following Jiang Lanfeng and the crowd into the inner courtyard, Ying Shuo passed through a lush garden, heavy with the scent of lotus blossoms, the pond shimmering with reflected light—a scene brimming with life.

So, this is the legendary family with a backyard garden?

Within the inner quarters, in a room steeped in antique elegance, Madam Jiang, née Fu, lay on the bed dressed in plain garments, her forehead beaded with sweat as she muttered incoherently.

Even from a distance, Ying Shuo could discern her condition.

"Truly a case of fiery agitation overwhelming the heart," he remarked to himself. "But judging from her state, the medicine prescribed earlier merely treated the symptoms, not the root."

As they neared the main bedchamber, all the men of the household sensibly waited outside, awaiting further instructions. Only the Master was permitted to enter, along with the maids and the women of the family.

Jiang Lanfeng, upon seeing her mother in such distress, hurried inside at once.

The room was in chaos. Some pressed cool, damp cloths to Madam Jiang's forehead in hopes of easing her fever, while others, fumbling in their panic, spilled the medicine and drew a scolding from the Master.

Before long, the two servants returned with Doctor Zhou.

Doctor Zhou, a man in his mid-forties, his hair still showing little sign of grey, strode in with his medicine bag under the guidance of the maids.

With nothing required of him for the moment, Ying Shuo turned his attention inward, checking the mysterious shop in his mind.

"Sixteen mysterious coins, and only now have I unlocked the shop. The cheapest item there must cost at least sixteen," he thought.

Sure enough, upon opening the shop, he found that all items were priced at ten mysterious coins or higher.

"Jade Beauty Cream: restores one's youthful appearance, keeps the skin supple and radiant, exudes irresistible charm. Ten mysterious coins."

"Eternal Youth Balm: maintains youthful beauty for a short time; can be used long-term. Fifteen mysterious coins."

"Beauty Enhancing Cream: slightly improves appearance but requires heavy use for significant results. Can be upgraded in quality. Twenty-five mysterious coins."

Ying Shuo couldn't help but twitch at the corner of his mouth.

Is this a skincare boutique?

Why are all the products aimed at enhancing beauty and complexion?

He continued scrolling, and at last, other items began to appear.

"Ice-Skin Mooncake: not only fills the stomach but also cools the body. Ten mysterious coins."

"Universal Pill: clears liver heat, soothes the liver and regulates the qi, calms the rising yang, stops bleeding—once taken, symptoms will not recur. Thirteen mysterious coins."

"Cocklebur Pill: permanently cures chronic nasal congestion."

The earlier items all seemed medicinal, which Ying Shuo guessed might be related to the medical classic he had acquired.

"Could it be that this mysterious shop displays items based on my current needs?"

He clicked on the Universal Pill, chose to spend thirteen mysterious coins to purchase one, and opted not to store it.

A small, jet-black pill appeared in a tiny box in his hand.

"So this is the Universal Pill? Madam Jiang is suffering from fiery agitation attacking her heart. Normally, one would treat the heart fire directly. But in reality, the origin of this fire lies in the liver. The only way to truly cure this condition is to first clear the pent-up fire in the liver, then calm the heart and spirit."

As he pondered the cause of Madam Jiang's illness, rolling the Universal Pill between his fingers, a trembling voice came from inside the bedchamber.

"Doctor Zhou, please, think of something! If we seek another doctor now, it will be too late!"

"Within a ten-mile radius, you're the most reliable physician in Qingfeng County!"

"It's too late to go into town now!"

Father Jiang pleaded, wringing his hands in desperation, while Doctor Zhou, flustered and sweating, could only sigh and bow his head in shame.

"Master Jiang," he said, "I am truly powerless in this case. Earlier, I managed to suppress the heart fire, and it seemed not to be a serious ailment. How could it have suddenly flared up again and endangered her life? Perhaps my skills are insufficient. I am deeply sorry!"

Ying Shuo, who could hear Doctor Zhou’s words from afar, let out a cold, derisive laugh.

Suppressing the heart fire is all well and good, but the root cause remains unaddressed!

If a gas leak poisons someone until they lose consciousness, you can't just carry the person away—you need to open the window and shut off the gas. Otherwise, the next person entering will fall victim as well.

If the liver fire isn’t extinguished, will it not roast Madam Jiang’s very organs?

"What's so funny?" someone nearby snapped, having overheard Ying Shuo’s derisive chuckle.

All eyes turned toward him.

"It's you? How did you get in here?" Xin Qi finally noticed Ying Shuo standing inconspicuously at the back and strode over, his brows drawn in disapproval.

Ying Shuo raised an eyebrow, clearly unimpressed. "So what if I'm here? Your young mistress brought me in."

"What, are you the dog in charge now, thinking you can order me about?"

"You!" Xin Qi’s face flushed with anger, his fists clenched and ready to strike.

"Wait!"

"Master Ying, please come inside and save my mother!"

It was Jiang Lanfeng who called out, her voice hoarse with worry. In her panic, she had forgotten Ying Shuo outside, but upon hearing the commotion, she recalled he was the disciple of a famed healer.

Doctor Zhou, having already admitted defeat, knew that if anyone could save Madam Jiang now, it would be Ying Shuo.

At Jiang Lanfeng’s desperate plea, Xin Qi’s fist froze in mid-air, his glare fixed on Ying Shuo.

"You’d better be the real thing, or else—"

"Otherwise, I’ll break your hands and feet and throw you out!"

Ying Shuo merely shot him a dismissive glance, unconcerned by the threat. Saving a life took precedence. With the pillbox in hand, he entered the room.

"This is a pill I have specially prepared for Madam Jiang. If she takes it, her illness will be cured, and her life will no longer be in danger," he declared, handing the box to Jiang Lanfeng.

She hesitantly opened it, biting her lip anxiously before dissolving the black pill in water to feed to her mother.

"Wait!" Doctor Zhou suddenly intervened, taking the cup from her hand. He sniffed at the medicine in the water and fixed Ying Shuo with a searching gaze.

"May I ask who you are? Can you guarantee that this medicine will truly cure Madam Jiang's illness?"