Volume Two: Inherited Honor and Splendid Legacy, Bloodstained Garments Chapter 152: Contagion

Mr. Song’s attitude today was completely different from a few days ago. Yang Ning didn’t need to ask further; he knew that Tang Nuo’s medicine powder had indeed taken effect last time.

“Mr. Song, there’s no need to be like this,” Tang Nuo said calmly as usual. “Is the child alright now?”

“More than alright—the recovery is perfect, as if he was never scalded by boiling oil,” Mr. Song said, giving a thumbs-up in admiration. “Miss Tang, this time I am truly enlightened.”

“Mr. Song, now you understand what it means to be a master, don’t you?” Yang Ning laughed heartily. “I found you such an assistant. What do you think?”

“Not at all, not at all,” Mr. Song quickly replied. “Lord Hou, Miss Tang’s miraculous healing skills are beyond my comparison.” He sighed and said, “I am advanced in years, and sometimes perhaps too self-assured. I beg your permission to resign from my duties here... this place...”

“Mr. Song, please don’t misunderstand,” Yang Ning said at once. “Do you think I sent Miss Tang here to replace you? To be honest, I don’t even know when she’ll leave. She’s just here temporarily to familiarize herself with things. Maybe one day she’ll open her own clinic.”

“Oh?” Mr. Song was momentarily stunned, then said, “Miss Tang’s medical skill is exceptional. Lord Hou, forgive me for speaking frankly, but our humble little temple really doesn’t do justice to her talents.”

Tang Nuo shook her head. “The capital has a vast population. I just hope to observe more and learn as much as possible.”

Mr. Song said, “Miss Tang, since you are already highly skilled, you surely know that medicine is divided into sects and schools.” He paused, then asked, “Have you ever participated in the Apricot Forest Assembly?”

“Apricot Forest Assembly?” Tang Nuo looked puzzled.

Seeing her expression, Mr. Song realized she was unfamiliar with it, so he explained with a smile, “The Apricot Forest Assembly is a medical conference held every three years in the capital. It is organized by the Imperial Medical Institute, personally presided over by the Director of the Institute. Renowned doctors from all over the country gather there to exchange knowledge... Ultimately, it’s a competition of medical skill. The top three doctors are publicly selected and invited to join the Imperial Medical Institute as official practitioners.” He sighed with admiration, “Being admitted to the Imperial Medical Institute is a glorious honor for any family.”

Tang Nuo replied lightly, “Learning medicine is only to save lives. What does family honor have to do with it?”

Mr. Song was taken aback by her straightforwardness, feeling awkward, so he smiled and said, “Miss Tang is truly indifferent to fame and fortune. What I mean is if you want to learn more medicine, the Apricot Forest Assembly is a very good opportunity.”

“Can anyone participate in the Apricot Forest Assembly?” Yang Ning asked.

Mr. Song said, “Anyone in the medical profession, regardless of gender or age, can attend. Next year, in early February when spring arrives, the Assembly will be held. It’s not far off.”

Yang Ning smiled. “Miss Tang, this is a great chance.”

Tang Nuo neither confirmed nor denied but asked, “Have you thought of a name?”

Yang Ning immediately understood and laughed, “After much thought, how about ‘Revival Powder’?”

“Revival Powder?” Tang Nuo considered briefly. “That’s better than before.” She took out a folded piece of paper and handed it over. “This is the formula. How to use it, you figure out yourself.”

Yang Ning hadn’t expected her to be so straightforward. He took it, glanced at it but couldn’t understand it, so he put it away and then asked Mr. Song, “Mr. Song, do you think Revival Powder will be popular?”

Mr. Song replied immediately, “Lord Hou, I don’t mean to flatter, but if it’s really put on the shelves, I’m afraid demand will far exceed supply.”

Yang Ning laughed heartily. “Excellent. We must study Revival Powder carefully.”

At that moment, they heard a faint commotion outside. Unable to resist curiosity, Yang Ning stepped out and followed the sound. Not far east, a small crowd had gathered, apparently in dispute.

Yang Ning walked over and saw another pharmacy called “Hall of Benefiting the World.” In front, a few people were pushing and shoving.

About ten onlookers stood around, pointing and whispering. Three or four clerks were roughly handling a ragged beggar who was shouting something.

Yang Ning squeezed forward and noticed another beggar lying on the ground at the entrance, filthy and motionless. A clerk pointed a finger at the struggling beggar and scolded, “If you cause trouble here again, don’t blame us for being harsh. Get lost.”

The beggar pleaded, “He’s dying. This is a pharmacy. There are doctors here. Please have mercy and save him. I promise I’ll bring the consultation fee.”

“Enough nonsense!” the clerk snarled. “We’ve seen plenty of idlers like you. Whether he lives or dies is none of our business.” He turned, grabbed a stick, and threatened, “Will you leave or not? If not, I’ll really make you leave.”

The beggar continued, “Believe me, I’ll find the money. If you don’t save him, he really will die.”

“Find the money?” The clerk sneered. “Go steal it?” He raised the stick to strike.

The beggar shielded his head with both hands just as Yang Ning’s voice rang sharply, “Stop!”

His tone was firm and commanding, drawing everyone’s attention. The clerks looked over as well. The man wielding the stick saw Yang Ning dressed finely and dared not offend him. Instead, he asked, “Young master, what is your intention?”

Yang Ning stepped forward, frowning. “Speak properly. Why resort to hitting? You have many of you, yet you bully one man?”

The clerk said, “Young master, you don’t know. We just opened this morning and this filthy man blocked the door, insisting we treat him. We refused, but he tried to barge in. People like him deserve no courtesy.”

“If he’s a patient, why refuse to treat him?” Yang Ning noticed the beggar lying on the ground was a thin man in his forties, covered in dirt and unmoving. His face was blotched with red spots the size of coins, swollen, blistered, and gruesome.

The clerk sneered, “They have no money. How can they pay?”

“You call this the Hall of Benefiting the World—where is your compassion?” Yang Ning frowned. “Do you intend to let him die?”

“That’s right,” the clerk said coldly. “We want to help the world too, but this is a pharmacy, not a charity. If we treated everyone for free, we wouldn’t stay open.”

“He said he’ll find the money,” Yang Ning said, displeased by their indifference. “Make an exception and give him time. Save a life first.”

“This street has several pharmacies,” the clerk said. “But none are known for free treatment. If others do it, let them. We at the Hall of Benefiting the World can’t afford it.” He pointed at the beggar. “Look at this disease—it’s serious, maybe contagious. You should be careful yourselves.”

The crowd instinctively stepped back at this warning.

At that moment, a cough came from inside. A middle-aged man in a long robe appeared. Seeing Yang Ning, he smiled broadly and hurried forward, clasping his hands in greeting. “Is this not Lord Jin Yi Hou? Please come in, please come in!”

Yang Ning recognized him as Doctor Huang, whom he had met a few days ago; his senior brother was now a coroner in the capital.

“Oh, Doctor Huang is here consulting,” Yang Ning smiled. “Doctor Huang, look—there’s a patient lying at your door. No one is carrying him in for treatment. Instead, you turn him away for lack of money. Is this the medical ethics of your Hall of Benefiting the World?”

Doctor Huang’s face darkened as he commanded, “Carry the patient inside at once. Saving lives comes before money.”

The clerks were taken aback. The beggar on the ground expressed gratitude and, seeing no help forthcoming, went to lift the middle-aged beggar himself.

Yang Ning noticed the man groaned weakly when lifted, pain evident in his expression. Huang, however, didn’t rush to treat him. Smiling, he said to Yang Ning, “I heard, Lord Hou, you inherited the title of Jin Yi Hou. Congratulations are in order. It’s a rare honor to have you here. Please, come inside for tea.”

Yang Ning, known for his easygoing nature and unconcerned with status, accepted the invitation. The clerks, now aware of his rank, dared not be negligent and quickly prepared tea.

The Hall of Benefiting the World was much smaller than Yong’an Hall and lacked a dedicated treatment room. The beggar was laid on a wooden plank bed in a corner. Huang approached slowly, while Yang Ning followed. Although doctors usually dislike others watching, Yang Ning was not a medical professional, so Huang had no objection.

Huang had the man’s sleeve rolled up to take his pulse but recoiled at the sight. The man’s arm was covered with coin-sized red blotches and blisters, some ruptured, oozing thick blood—disgusting.

Frowning, Huang covered the patient’s pulse point with a black silk cloth before probing. His expression quickly turned grave, and he withdrew his hand. “The pulse is chaotic. The internal organs are severely damaged.” He asked the beggar standing nearby, “When did the red spots appear?”

“About ten days ago,” the beggar replied. “At first they were small, but five or six days ago, they reddened and grew. By the day before yesterday, blisters appeared. We thought they’d clear up, but since yesterday morning he hasn’t gotten up. His body is burning hot, and last night he couldn’t even speak.”

Huang pondered, then said to the beggar, “Roll up your sleeve.”

The beggar moved to roll up the patient’s sleeve, but Huang frowned and said, “Your own sleeve.”

Surprised, the beggar rolled up his own sleeve. Huang inspected and frowned again. “You’re infected too. Do you realize this?”

Yang Ning looked closely and saw smaller, scattered red spots on the beggar’s arm, much less severe than the patient’s.