Chapter 224

Chapter 224: We Are His Good Fortune

Qin Bai was not the sort who knew nothing outside of medicine; though he had some renown in Huaijiang, he understood that the capital, with its hidden dragons and crouching tigers, was the last place to stick one’s neck out rashly. So many doctors had been summoned without any explanation, which meant there was something beneath the surface.

Tang Mo did not know Qin Bai well, but he could guess some of his concerns, so he said quietly: “The patient is the Zhao family’s eldest daughter, and the Zhao family has only this one girl. Lord Zhao has never kept a concubine and is known for a good temper, and the Wei family is clean.”

He added with a respectful tilt of his head: “If you would go and take a look, we could all be at ease.”

Qin Bai considered for a moment, then said: “In that case, I will take you to invite a divine physician, a true divine physician.”

Tang Mo asked with restrained urgency: “Who?”

Qin Bai answered with some pride: “Hua Zhang, Divine Physician Hua.”

Speaking of this man, Qin Bai could not help sounding pleased as he confided: “He has returned. I know where he is.” Divine Physician Hua had long been famous for saving the Empress Dowager, and Qin Bai concluded decisively: “It would be better for him to go than for me.”

Tang Mo stepped forward, clasped his hands, and said: “Many thanks, Physician Qin.”

Physician Qin waved his hand and, pressing a palm to his stomach, said he felt a bit unsettled and was going to the Herbal Cuisine House for a bowl of soup: “Come find me at the Herbal Cuisine House later.”

At that very moment, Tang Gang was still turning over how to speak when he met His Majesty the Emperor. [What should I say when I see His Majesty? An imperial censor has already impeached Zhu You and Tang Rong at morning court. If I do not quickly clear Tang Rong’s name, he truly cannot remain in the Ministry of Rites.] [No amount of gifts will help. If the Ministry of Rites sends him back to the residence, that will be a real laughingstock.]

Seeing Tang Mo come in, Tang Gang frowned and was about to demand why he had come back instead of being on duty at such a time, but Tang Mo went forward, clasped his hands, and delivered the news he had learned, saying in a low voice: “I do not know what has happened, Father, but the Old Duke’s fainting is very strange. How could a house like the Duke’s Manor allow wild rumors to spread outside while speaking ambiguously within? First they say you stormed to their door in fury, then they say his attack of anger has nothing to do with others. Is that not prompting people to suspect you?”

He continued without pause: “When I learned of this, I did not dare delay and came back at once to tell you. If the Duke’s Manor truly harbors ill intent, Father should prepare early.”

Tang Gang’s face darkened to iron. He was just about to speak when Steward Zhang hurried in and reported the same matter, blurting in anger: “Marquis, is the Duke’s Manor trying to turn the charge back on us?” Then the steward ground out between his teeth: “It is simply bullying to the utmost.”

Compared to the Old Duke’s fainting, which might or might not be genuine, Tang Gang at this point felt a true surge of anger to the heart. His face turned pale; a wave of dizziness nearly toppled him. Tang Mo quickly steadied him into a chair and urged softly: “Father, you must not let your anger rise. Your health matters most.”

Tang Mo went on after a breath: “On the way back I also considered the matter, though I am duller than Elder Brother and not as quick. Let me speak, and you can take it as reference.”

Tang Gang drew a long breath. In his eyes, it was already good that Tang Mo had brought the news back promptly; he expected little else.

Tang Mo said evenly: “I believe the first matter is to confirm why Zhu You has fallen ill and what the illness is. If his condition has nothing to do with Elder Brother, then the Duke’s Manor will not dare to use Zhu You as a pretext any longer.”

Steward Zhang took the cue and asked: “Second Young Master means to invite Physician Qin to take a look, but…” He hesitated and then admitted frankly: “Physician Qin’s reputation has not yet spread in the capital, I fear…”

Tang Mo shook his head and explained briskly: “Father may not know, but the Divine Physician Hua who entered the palace last year to treat the Empress Dowager has returned to the capital. As it happens, Physician Qin and Divine Physician Hua are acquainted. When Divine Physician Hua traveled through Huaijiang, he even stayed several days at my father?in?law’s residence. If Physician Qin goes to invite him, he should be able to persuade him.”

“Divine Physician Hua?” Tang Gang knew of the man. Last year, when the Empress Dowager suffered a sudden acute illness and the imperial physicians in the palace were helpless, Prince Jing Qin had recommended the divine physician Hua Zhang, and only then was the Empress Dowager saved. Afterward, when His Majesty the Emperor wanted to reward Hua Zhang, Hua asked for only a hundred taels of silver, left the palace, and then departed the capital to travel.

Steward Zhang brightened at once and said with rising hope: “If we can invite Divine Physician Hua, we will certainly learn why Third Young Master Zhu fell ill, but if…” His expression tightened again as a new worry struck him. [What if it truly was the Heir Apparent’s bodyguards who injured him? Wouldn’t that be lifting a stone only to drop it on our own feet?]

Tang Gang had thought of that as well, so he ordered tersely: “Bring in the two who took action last night.”

Steward Zhang went personally to fetch them. Tang Mo, for his part, insisted quietly that whatever the case, they must still invite Divine Physician Hua to examine the patient: “If we do not care and simply let them chatter as they please, would that not be worse?” He added matter?of?factly: “Those two bodyguards have been in our residence for many years. They know the rules and the proper measure. Zhu You’s status speaks for itself. They could not possibly have struck to kill.”

Tang Gang agreed with this. The two bodyguards came quickly and, before Tang Gang could question them, they gave a detailed account of the previous night and declared solemnly: “Zhu You spoke in a way truly unbearable to hear. Setting aside the Heir Apparent, there is no man in the world who would not be angered by such words. But we brothers know the proper measure and we feared causing trouble for the Heir Apparent, so we held back our strength and avoided all vital parts. It is absolutely impossible that any internal injury occurred. One could say there were not even external wounds, at most a few bruises.”

With that, Tang Gang had a measure of reassurance. Tang Mo then proposed firmly: “Father, you might as well enter the palace now and explain everything to His Majesty the Emperor, while I go invite Divine Physician Hua to diagnose Zhu You. We must get ahead of the Duke’s Manor. If the Old Duke’s condition turns serious, it will be even harder for you to clear yourself.”

Tang Gang nodded. “You are right.” He immediately instructed Steward Zhang: “Prepare the carriage. I will go to the palace now.”

As Steward Zhang hurried to make arrangements, Tang Gang looked at Tang Mo with a flicker of relief and said: “Divine Physician Hua’s matter I leave to you. Escort him yourself to the Duke’s Manor and keep watch throughout.”

“Yes, I will see to it at once, but…” Tang Mo smiled and reminded him with a hint of mischief: “When you see His Majesty the Emperor, Father, remember to plead your grievance, just like last time.”

Having learned from the earlier incident, Tang Gang, who had indeed tasted some benefit from that approach, realized he had once been too set on showcasing his learning and ability before His Majesty, fearful of the slightest error. Thinking on it now, he had not known how to adapt. He flicked his sleeve and said simply: “Go.”

Tang Mo turned back to the Qiu Shi Courtyard. Xin An was teasing the dog and, seeing him return, came up to greet him and asked with a smile: “How did it go?”

Tang Mo took her by the hand and led her indoors, then said: “I am going to find Physician Qin right now, and then go directly to invite Divine Physician Hua. The rest I will hand over to Luo Qi Wen.”

He added in a matter?of?fact tone: “He will certainly handle the tasks well, but once something is done, it ought to be known. I think Tang Rong cannot stay in the Ministry of Rites, though I do not know where the old man will send him next.”

He clicked his tongue softly and added: “I heard the old man sent quite a lot of fine gifts to the Ministry of Rites’ Vice Minister Wang. For his darling, he truly can spend freely.” Then he let out a long sigh. “From childhood till now, how much has the old man ever spent on me? For one who is not favored, even a single extra copper is considered a waste.”

Xin An let out a snort of laughter and teased him: “He might not have spent in the open, but did you spend any less behind the scenes?”

Tang Mo answered without shame: “That was what I was due. The old man does not take me seriously; I cannot also fail to take myself seriously. If I do not carve out some benefits, how am I to soothe my own heart?”

He waved it off and concluded: “So do not dwell on it.”

Xin An bent at the waist and winked at him as she said in a playful whisper: “Wherever he is sent, with you and me as his lucky stars behind him, are you afraid he will not turn his luck?”

Tang Mo laughed, the corners of his eyes easing as he agreed: “Yes. We are his good fortune.”