"Simply put, I don't know."
Elder Wang gazed thoughtfully at the scenery outside the window, shaking his head gently.
To be honest, this was the first time he had said such a thing in his many years of practicing medicine. The words sounded almost comical, yet he truly didn't know.
"Mm, it's fine. I'll know at a glance."
Er Zhu, however, didn't seem too worried. He nodded slightly, leaned back in his chair, and closed his eyes to rest.
Up front, Elder Wang's driver cast a contemptuous glance at Er Zhu, his lips twitching involuntarily. This young man claimed to know the illness at a glance when even Elder Wang didn't; how arrogant he was!
Although the driver had reservations about Er Zhu, he said nothing as Elder Wang remained silent.
Without further ado, the two soon arrived at the Wang family's medical hall. As they stepped out of the car, Er Zhu saw a woman in Hanfu, exuding an ethereal aura, standing at the entrance.
"Elder Wang, where have you been? If my young lady dies from the pain, can you bear the responsibility?"
Upon seeing Elder Wang, the woman frowned slightly and questioned him with a hint of impatience.
"Young Miss Xiao Die, please don't panic. Your young lady's illness is too peculiar, so I've come to seek help from a divine doctor. This gentleman here is the renowned divine doctor of this area, Er Zhu."
Despite feeling a bit annoyed by the young woman's query, Elder Wang explained humbly.
"What kind of divine doctor has such a common name? I think he's just a country bumpkin! I'm telling you, Elder Wang, our Chen family is a prominent family in the city. If you can't cure the young lady, you'd better prepare to die!"
The woman blinked, sizing up Er Zhu with disdain while issuing a vexed threat.
"Rest assured, Young Miss Xiao Die. With Er Zhu here, Miss Chen's illness will surely be cured!"
Elder Wang seemed even more deferential. He bowed deeply to Xiao Die, his body stooping, and was about to pull Er Zhu inside.
"You can go in, but this country bumpkin can't. He looks like a fraud. Don't stain my young lady's eyes!"
But as Elder Wang took a few steps, Xiao Die blocked his path. Her eyes were filled with contempt and disdain.
Her young lady was a distinguished socialite. If this fraud took advantage of the situation to harbor ill intentions, who would be responsible?
"Young Miss Xiao Die, if your young lady's condition worsens, can you bear the consequences?"
Xiao Die's repeated insolence had begun to anger Elder Wang. He lowered his face and asked sternly.
"I..."
"Xiao Die, let Elder Chen and the others come in!"
Xiao Die was speechless from the retort. Just as she was about to argue, a woman's clear, cool voice echoed from within the medical hall.
This voice... could it be Chen Xiaozhu?
Hearing the voice, Er Zhu's mind conjured the name of a person. Although he had only met Chen Xiaozhu once, her voice was very familiar.
"What are you waiting for? My young lady wants you to go in. Are you deaf?"
While Er Zhu was lost in thought, Xiao Die glanced at him impatiently and urged him forward.
She had to return to her young lady's side immediately. Who knew what that fraud might do if he got there first!
The thought of Er Zhu's shabby appearance quickened Xiao Die's pace considerably, and in a flash, she was already inside.
"I'm sorry, Er Zhu. Xiao Die is Miss Chen's personal attendant. Please bear with her."
Watching Xiao Die's departing figure, Elder Wang approached apologetically and whispered a reminder.
"Mm, she's just a servant. There's nothing to fuss about."
Er Zhu remained calm, the voice resembling Chen Xiaozhu's echoing in his ears as he pondered.
He hadn't seen any servants at Xiaozhu's cheongsam shop last time. Perhaps the voice was just similar.
Er Zhu then thought about it again, shaking his head gently and dismissing his earlier thought. There were so many families with the same surname in affluent circles; it might not be her. Moreover, he hadn't noticed any signs of illness in Chen Xiaozhu last time.
Seeing that Er Zhu wasn't angry, Elder Wang's worried heart finally settled. He guided Er Zhu into the medical hall.
"Young Lady, it's this person! Elder Wang said he's some divine doctor, but I think he's a fraud!"
As soon as Er Zhu entered, Xiao Die angrily pointed at him and complained. She looked as if she could kick him out if Miss Chen wasn't present.
"Miss Chen?"
"Mr. Wang?"
Just as Xiao Die was about to continue her complaint, the young lady and Er Zhu spoke in unison. Seeing that his young lady actually knew the fraud, Xiao Die's face turned somewhat pale.
His young lady had always been strictly disciplined. Last time, she had fired an apprentice just for offending a customer. Then...
The more Xiao Die thought about it, the more frightened she became. She stood silently to the side, lowering her head and not daring to make a sound.
"You know each other?"
Elder Wang, standing nearby, looked at Er Zhu and then at Chen Xiaozhu with astonishment.
He knew Er Zhu had wide connections, but he hadn't expected his network to reach the Chen family. The Chen family, that was a truly significant tree!
And not just any tree, but a hundred-year-old one!
"Mm, he ordered some cheongsams from me. He also gave me a large order not long ago. We are friends."
Chen Xiaozhu nodded slightly, frowning as she replied weakly.
"Friends?"
Elder Wang looked at Er Zhu incredulously, repeating Chen Xiaozhu's words thoughtfully. A flicker of admiration flashed in his shocked eyes.
He had to hold onto this powerful ally, Er Zhu. His development in the city would depend on him!
"Let's not talk about this for now, Miss Chen. Your condition is serious. I'll treat you first."
A flash of insight appeared in Er Zhu's eyes. He saw that Chen Xiaozhu's internal organs had suffered damage to varying degrees. As he spoke, he took out his acupuncture needle kit.
"Oh, then let's go to the treatment room."
Hearing Er Zhu's words, Elder Wang was reminded of Chen Xiaozhu's condition. He said this while leading the group towards the backyard.
Before long, they arrived at the treatment room. Er Zhu had Chen Xiaozhu lie down on the bed and was about to begin acupuncture, but he hesitated when he saw the darkening shadow on her chest that was growing larger.
He had initially planned to perform acupuncture through her clothes, but now it seemed impossible. However, Elder Wang was watching intently, and this situation was not suitable for observation.
"Mr. Wang, what illness do I have?"
Seeing Er Zhu pause, Chen Xiaozhu thought her condition was too severe and Er Zhu was at a loss. Her heart instantly tensed.
"All your internal organs are damaged. It's not an illness; it's poisoning!"
Another flash of insight appeared in Er Zhu's eyes. He looked at the shadow that was spreading visibly and replied calmly.
"Poisoning? Who would dare poison Miss Chen's family?"
Before Chen Xiaozhu could respond, Elder Wang, standing beside them, asked in surprise.
Neither Er Zhu nor Chen Xiaozhu spoke. Both stared intently at Elder Wang, and the atmosphere in the room suddenly became awkward.