Chapter 13: Sowing Doubt in the Mother-in-law

“She’s awake!”

“Mother’s awake!”

Jiang Qingyue, who had been sitting nearby, was the first to notice signs of Lady Jiang regaining consciousness.

It seemed that the elixir truly worked!

Ying Shuo let out a breath of relief as well. Though he had absolute confidence in his medical skills and the medicine, he couldn’t help feeling a touch of nervousness using it for the first time.

Now that Lady Jiang had awakened, the tension eased considerably.

“My lady!”

“Mother!”

Jiang Lanfen and Lord Jiang quickly rushed to her side, paying no heed to anything else.

Lady Jiang was still quite weak, her words barely audible. “Water…”

“Someone, fetch water!” Lord Jiang steadied his wife, his excitement rendering his words incoherent. Luckily, a clever maid quickly poured some warm water from the table.

Taking the cup, Lord Jiang carefully brought it to Lady Jiang’s pale lips.

Ying Shuo watched the scene closely: some members of the family were calculating, others pure, and some just honest and straightforward.

But in the end, they were family.

There was always something different about the feeling of home.

After a busy day, as the moon climbed high and the evening breeze swept through the corridors, Ying Shuo shivered in his threadbare clothes, unable to keep out the chill.

After drinking some water, Lady Jiang’s complexion improved markedly. Physician Zhou stepped forward to take her pulse and broke into a joyful smile.

“Lady Jiang is out of danger! In fact, her pulse is stronger than it has been in a long time!”

“Truly?” Jiang Lanfen burst into tears of joy, wiping her face, now streaked with dirt like a little wildcat.

“It’s true! Miss Jiang!” Physician Zhou turned excitedly toward Ying Shuo, bowing deeply.

“Master Ying, your skill is miraculous! May I ask who your teacher is? If you’d be willing, could you impart a few techniques? I too wish to help heal the world.”

Ying Shuo replied flatly, “No.”

Physician Zhou’s mouth twitched, but he knew better than to protest. After all, if Ying Shuo hadn’t been there today, his own reputation might have been ruined.

Meanwhile, Ying Shuo noticed that the mysterious coins in his mind had increased by two—now totaling fourteen.

“Is that how this works?” he mused with amusement, feeling as though he’d stumbled upon a new game.

The Jiang family, hearing the physician’s praises, all rose to bow to Ying Shuo.

“Thank you, Master Ying.”

Ying Shuo simply helped Jiang Lanfen to her feet, ignoring the other two.

Lord Jiang bowed earnestly while Jiang Qingyue, obviously reluctant, looked deeply uncomfortable.

“No need for thanks. Lanfen, your mother’s illness will not return.”

Jiang Lanfen was taken aback. “Truly?”

“Truly.” Ying Shuo confirmed. Then he cautioned, “However, Lady Jiang’s body is still frail. In these next few days, she should eat nourishing but light foods—nothing too rich, lest complications arise.”

Just as he finished speaking, Lady Jiang’s frightened voice rang out.

“Wuyu, I—I can’t see!”

She clutched Lord Jiang’s arm, seeking reassurance.

“What?” Lord Jiang couldn’t believe it and waved his hand before her eyes.

Hadn’t she just been cured? How could she suddenly be blind?

Seeing his wife unresponsive, Lord Jiang’s expression turned grim as he looked at Ying Shuo, his gaze implying, Still too young, after all! Even a disciple of a peerless physician leaves behind side effects!

Jiang Qingyue, sensing an opportunity, immediately lashed out at Ying Shuo.

“You! Do you even know what you’re doing? Did you just use random medicine and blind my mother? I’m telling you, if my mother’s sight isn’t restored, I’ll hold you fully responsible!”

“Xinqi!”

“Yes!” Xinqi, who had been waiting outside, rushed in at the eldest miss’s command.

Jiang Qingyue pointed at Ying Shuo and ordered, “Arrest him! If anything happens to my mother, make sure he pays dearly!”

“Understood!” Xinqi grinned. He’d long wanted to teach Ying Shuo a lesson. Why should this shabby fellow attract Miss Lanfen’s favor? Arriving home together with her—anyone would think she was bringing in a live-in son-in-law!

“Wait. What’s the hurry? Let me have a look first.” Ying Shuo remained calm, and with one glance at Lady Jiang, understood her problem.

This old lady! Why not just say you have some gunk in your eyes, instead of claiming blindness? Had him worried for nothing!

After the liver’s heat is expelled, it’s normal for the eyes to secrete impurities. Ying Shuo realized this was the perfect chance to test the mysterious shop.

Would the store’s offerings truly match his immediate needs?

Feigning sudden understanding, he turned away, pretending to rummage in his robes while he actually accessed the mysterious shop.

“Clear Vision Powder: Restores sight to the blind. Twenty mysterious coins.”

“Restorative Elixir: Cures nearsightedness. Fifteen mysterious coins.”

“Eye-clearing Cream: Removes impurities, brightens vision, enhances eyesight. Ten mysterious coins.”

Ying Shuo was delighted. The mysterious shop really did produce exactly what he needed! There were other items available too, though harder to find.

Tapping on the Eye-clearing Cream, a small jade vial appeared in his hand.

Turning to Jiang Lanfen, he said, “Miss Lanfen, may I borrow a clean handkerchief?”

She nodded and produced an unused handkerchief from her sleeve, still faintly scented. Ying Shuo hesitated to use it, but poured some of the cream onto it nonetheless.

He gently wiped Lady Jiang’s eyes.

“That’s it?” Physician Zhou scratched his neck in confusion.

“That’s it,” Ying Shuo replied firmly.

Jiang Qingyue scoffed, “Do you take us for fools? My mother is blind, not suffering from dirty eyes!”

Ah, she was right. But Ying Shuo had no intention of explaining the truth, as it would only bring trouble and no benefit. On the contrary, this incident would solidify his reputation as a healer—and put Jiang Qingyue in her place.

While Ying Shuo kept silent, Xinqi grabbed him by the arm.

But just then, Lady Jiang exclaimed in surprise.

“Oh! I can see again!”

She blinked a few times, and upon confirming her vision had returned, immediately gripped Lord Jiang’s hand.

“Wuyu, I can see! I’m all right now!”

Jiang Wuyu waved his hand in front of her eyes; seeing her respond, he finally relaxed.

“It seems my wife truly is out of danger now!”

“We have wronged Master Ying!”

Ying Shuo smiled, turned, and raised an eyebrow at Xinqi.

“Well, mighty Xinqi, aren’t you going to let go?”

“You—!” Though deeply reluctant, Xinqi had no choice but to release him.

“How could this be? Physician Zhou, please check again—who knows if something else might go wrong!” Jiang Qingyue protested angrily, stamping her foot, clearly unwilling to let Ying Shuo off so easily.

As Physician Zhou hesitated, Lady Jiang smoothed things over.

“What is it, Yue’er? Are you hoping your mother won’t recover?”

“Of course not!” Jiang Qingyue pouted, hugging her mother. Now she was acting coy.

Just then, a maid hurried in.

“Master, madam, Madam Ji has heard of madam’s illness and has come all the way from town. She is waiting just outside.”