The sunset in summer was later than usual.
The ‘Walking Dead’ clinic was located at Long Street. It was one of the oldest streets in Shendu City. The current majesty was a forward-thinking person. Under her rule, Shendu was once redeveloped to a bustling and clean city. Although these old streets were not far from the palace, people were slowly moving out from there.
Shen Lian bought over his clinic from someone who moved to the other side of the street. The environment and security there were way better.
The clinic’s doors were half-covered, a hint of sunset rested on the door sill. It was very quiet.
The sound from the carriage wheels broke the tranquility. Zhao Xiang, the driver got down from the carriage. The curtains opened to reveal a chubby and fair looking hand. One could tell the upbringing of a person from their hands. Generally, only rich people who barely do any physical labor would have fine hands like that. But the lady boss at the tavern next to the Anping Canal was an exception.
Before Zhao Xiang could call for someone, the doors were already opened. A young girl with pinkish jade-liked complexion stood in front of the door. Once she saw Zhao Xiang and the plump middle-aged man, she saluted respectfully and said, “My brother is waiting for uncle to enter.”
Zhao Xiang smiled to the middle-aged man, “After so many trips I’ve come here, this is the first time he would welcome his guests and get Xiao Yinyin to greet at the door.
The middle-aged man’s face was very pale. He looked similar to Zhao Xiang, but his appearance seemed more gentle and warm.
He had dark eye circles and bulging eye bags as if he had not slept well. He looked dull.
But he was courteous and responded, “How did your brother know that we’re here?” From his voice, one could tell that he lacks Qi and it took him a lot of effort just to speak.
“My brother is an immortal, of course, he would know that you’re coming,” Ruoxi answered proudly. Although this uncle did not look as annoying as Zhao Xiang, he sure was stupid.
The middle-aged man leaned over and said, “Your brother is an immortal, and what about you Xiao Yinyin?”
Ruoxi bit her lips and replied, “I am a small fairy.”
The middle-aged man unbuckled a string of beads from his wrist and said, “It was really polite of you to give me the salutation earlier. I did not bring any gifts, so please accept this string of beads.”
Zhao Xiang was surprised when he was about to say something, the middle-aged man stopped him with a glance. This string of beads was gifted to his father by his grandmother. It has never left his father since then. Although it was not very a meaningful belonging, it was a gift and it was not something one would just give it to anyone else.
Ruoxi clasped her palm, shook her head and responded, “I don’t want it.”
And then changed her mind. “My brother told me to accept it, please give it to me.” She stretched her arms out as if she was signaling him to put it on for her.
The middle-aged man smiled and did not question why Ruoxi would so obediently obey Shen Lian, and tied the string of beads on her wrist.
There were nine beads in dark green to this wristlet. The beads were not tightly attached to each other as the string that binds it up was highly elastic. Ruoxi’s wrist may be small but it fitted her nicely.
Shen Lian was at the courtyard with a pot of tea and teacup. The middle-aged man walked to the courtyard and he had sweat quite a bit. Zhao Xiang had to help him to get seated.
He tried to brace up and observe Shen Lian. Neither of them took the initiative to start a conversation.
Finally, it was Zhao Xiang who broke the silence, “Could you tell what was wrong with my father?”
Shen Lian calmly replied, “Your Highness, have you been having blurred vision, frequently feeling of dizzy, and struggling to fall asleep despite being very sleepy?”
“Yes, that’s true. I didn’t think too much about it at first but after several days, it has taken a toll on me. I’ve tried several methods but it only got worse.” None of the royal doctors in the palace knew what was wrong. After inspection, they concluded that it was insomnia. Famous doctors out of the palace too came to the same conclusion.
After taking medication that aids sleep, there were no improvements to his conditions. He still struggled with sleep at night and felt lethargic during the day.
He still had to participate in state affairs despite being in such horrible state. The Lady Emperor noticed his lack of form but had never asked him about it.
“It’s easy to get rid of these symptoms and I can do it immediately for you. It’s just that you’ll need another prescription to treat the root of your illness. It’s a case of make or break,” Shen Lian replied softly.
The middle-aged man replied, “Would you first kindly treat the blurred vision and dizziness?”
Shen Lian smiled, “I’ve prepared the medication in advance.”
He took out a talisman and it self-combusted; the burnt residue landed in a teacup. Shen Lian held the teacup and the cup spun vigorously on his palm. Despite the vigorous spinning, not even a single drop of water splashed out from the cup.
He leisurely stopped the teacup and the water in the cup too seized movement all of a sudden. It looked like it was against the law of physics. A simple hand skill like that has amazed the middle-aged man.
The residue floated on the surface of the tea distinctively.
Shen Lian handed the teacup to the middle-aged man and casually said, “Please drink this cup of talisman water”.
Zhao Xiang replied, “Shen Lian, would you please stop joking.” He brought his father here to get treated and not drink some talisman water that looked unreliable.
“So it is reliable if you let the royal doctors inspect my prescription and have it tested on someone, then see if it’s safe to be consumed?” Shen Lian replied with a smile.
Zhao Xiang was embarrassed as that was his thought exactly.
The middle-aged man responded, “This is witchcraft, also an alternative treatment. Xiang Er, please do not wrongly blame others.”
People had been practicing treatment using talisman and spells since ancient times. But this was the very first time the middle-aged man witnessed something like such.
He took the teacup and drank it bottoms up.
Zhao Xiang was surprised by his father’s decisiveness. It showed that he was not afraid that Shen Lian does him harm.
After finishing the cup of tea and taking a couple of breath, the middle-aged man felt a sudden gag reaction and threw up in front of Zhao Xiang. He did not only vomited a cup of bitter water but also a lively black worm. Zhao Xiang saw it crystal clear.
The worm jumped, turned into black smoke and a vaporized. Shen Lian flicked his finger, a buzzing sound could be heard and the black smoke annihilated.
Zhao Xiang was stunned. He looked at his father and then looked at Shen Lian, “Brother Shen, what was that?”
“That was a bewitched worm. This worm was responsible for all the pain Your Highness experienced the past few days. All is fine now,” Shen Lian replied.
The middle-aged man’s gagging reaction stopped. He smiled bitterly, “Who knew it was a bewitched worm. No wonder the royal doctors failed to identify it. But who was so daring to do such an act?”
He has regained some color to his face but he was frowning between brows.
It was a taboo to practice witchcraft in the palace. Furthermore, his mother would have noticed the symptoms but why didn’t she take any action?
**************
The middle-aged man and Zhao Xiang went back to their carriage. Outside the carriage was the horseman. There were many more men around, secretly watching over them during their trip out of the palace.
Zhao Xiang asked, “Father, what did Shen Lian write in your prescription?”