Mortal Dawn and Dusk, My Eternal Life - Chapter 47

The news of Old Master Du’s “critical illness and plea for medical help” spread like wildfire throughout Tianjin. In an instant, carriages and horses thronged the Du Mansion’s entrance, and various “renowned doctors” flocked there, all eager to demonstrate their skills before this “great philanthropist.” If by chance they could cure Old Master Du’s “old illness,” it would surely bring both fame and fortune, a swift ascent to prominence.

Su Mingyue, fresh out of the police station, naturally heard this news. A knowing curve appeared on her lips. This Old Master Du was quite committed to his act. However, she was happy to cooperate. Having lived for so long, she was already a master among masters, so how could she not see through his petty schemes? She had already intended to personally investigate the Du Mansion, to examine the secret chamber where Gu Mingxuan was imprisoned, and to discern the nature of that faint demonic qi. Since Old Master Du conveniently offered a “ladder,” she would climb it and see what he was truly up to.

The Du Mansion was indeed extraordinarily grand. Sculpted beams and painted columns, flying eaves and intricate Dougong brackets, pavilions and terraces, all arranged artistically, exuding the luxury and refinement of a wealthy household. Su Mingyue, guided by a Du Mansion servant, passed through several courtyards and arrived at a flower hall specially used for receiving guests.

At this moment, the flower hall was already crowded with people. Most were elderly traditional Chinese medicine practitioners, dressed in long robes and mandarin jackets, with goatees, looking like Daoist immortals. They gathered in small groups of three or five, conversing in low voices, occasionally letting out a deliberately profound cough or two. The air was filled with a strong smell of medicinal herbs and… a faint, imperceptible sour, decaying scent. Clearly, these were all the “renowned doctors” attracted by Old Master Du’s “generous plea for medical help” announcement.

When Su Mingyue, a young woman appearing no older than twenty, dressed in a plain blue cloth gown, walked into the flower hall guided by the servant, everyone’s gaze involuntarily fell upon her. The old traditional Chinese medicine practitioners, who had been whispering, also ceased their conversations, their eyes filled with surprise, scrutiny, and… a hint of undisguised contempt.

“This… who is this?” An old traditional Chinese medicine practitioner, who looked the most senior and had the longest beard, stroked his goatee, squinting as he looked at Su Mingyue, his tone tinged with uncertainty.

“Reporting to the esteemed doctors,” the guiding servant quickly bowed and said, “This is the ‘Divine Doctor Su’ whom I was specifically ordered by my master to invite.”

“Divine Doctor Su?” The old traditional Chinese medicine practitioner’s brow furrowed deeper upon hearing this, and the contempt in his eyes grew heavier. “So young… yet dares to call herself ‘Divine Doctor’? Young people nowadays, they truly have no idea of their own limits!” As he spoke, the other old traditional Chinese medicine practitioners around him also chimed in.

“Exactly, exactly. The way of medicine relies on accumulated experience; how can a mere greenhorn easily comprehend it?”

“I think, this girl probably heard that Old Master Du was offering generous rewards and came to try her luck, just for fame and reputation!”

“Alas, at such a young age, instead of diligently learning needlework and embroidery at home, she runs out to show her face. What kind of decorum is that? The world truly degenerates, and hearts are no longer ancient!”

Various sarcastic and condescending remarks, spoken without any restraint, reached Su Mingyue’s ears. They clearly took Su Mingyue for a flashy, deceitful quack.

Su Mingyue, however, showed no trace of anger at these acrid and harsh comments. She merely smiled faintly, her gaze calmly sweeping over these old men who deemed themselves “renowned doctors.” She had lived for so long; she had experienced such prejudice and questioning due to age and gender too many times and was long accustomed to it. Arguing with these narrow-minded, self-satisfied old fools was a waste of breath. She always preferred to let facts speak for themselves.

Just then, the old traditional Chinese medicine practitioner who had previously spoken rudely to Su Mingyue spoke again, his tone carrying a hint of admonition: “Young lady, let this old man advise you: practicing medicine and saving lives is a matter of life and death, allowing no room for falsehood or luck. You are young; you should go back and study medical texts for a few more years, accumulate more experience, and then come out to practice medicine. Do not, for the sake of a little empty fame, delay a patient’s illness; that would incur divine wrath!” He spoke righteously, as if he were a grand master of medicine.

Su Mingyue heard this, and the corners of her lips curved into a playful arc. She said nothing, merely took unhurried steps towards the old traditional Chinese medicine practitioner, and then… scrutinized him from head to toe. Her gaze was clear and sharp, as if it could pierce through his clothes and see all the hidden ailments within his body.

The old traditional Chinese medicine practitioner felt a little unsettled under Su Mingyue’s gaze. He instinctively puffed out his chest, trying to maintain his “senior expert” posture, but a hint of guilt involuntarily flashed in his eyes.

“You… you little girl, staring at this old man so impolitely, what’s the meaning of this?” The old traditional Chinese medicine practitioner demanded, putting on a brave front but inwardly quivering.

Su Mingyue then withdrew her gaze, smiled faintly, and said: “This uncle, I see your forehead is dark, your eyes are bruised, your steps are unsteady, and your breath is shallow. I presume… you have some unspeakable internal ailment?”

The moment she said this, the entire flower hall instantly fell silent! Everyone’s gaze simultaneously fell on the old traditional Chinese medicine practitioner! That old traditional Chinese medicine practitioner’s face suddenly changed drastically! He jumped up as if his tail had been stepped on, pointing at Su Mingyue, his voice even changing pitch: “You… what nonsense are you spouting! This old man… this old man is very healthy! What internal ailment?!” Although he vehemently denied it with his words, his flustered eyes and slightly trembling fingertips had already betrayed his inner horror! He indeed… indeed had some unspeakable hidden ailments, and they had troubled him for many years! However, no one knew about this matter except himself and his old wife! How could this young girl… how could she possibly see it at a glance?! Could it be… she truly possessed some demonic magic?!

The other old traditional Chinese medicine practitioners around them also exchanged glances, their faces showing startled uncertainty. Although they still found Su Mingyue too young to be a divine doctor with extraordinary skills, her words just now, and the old traditional Chinese medicine practitioner’s reaction, made them unable to help but feel a hint of doubt.

“Old Brother Li, is… is what this Miss Su said… true or false?” A companion familiar with the old traditional Chinese medicine practitioner couldn’t help but ask in a low voice, “You usually look quite well; you don’t seem to have any major problems.”

The old traditional Chinese medicine practitioner, referred to as “Old Brother Li,” his face now flushed and pale, and fine beads of sweat seeping from his forehead. He forced himself to appear calm, snorted, and stiffened his neck, saying: “Utter nonsense! Simply utter nonsense! I’ve practiced medicine for decades; don’t I know my own body?! I think this girl is just trying to mislead people and seek attention here!” After he finished speaking, without waiting for others to ask further questions, he violently flicked his sleeve and angrily walked out of the flower hall, muttering: “I won’t look! I won’t look! To consult with such a greenhorn is simply an insult to my dignity! Farewell!” His flustered retreat, seen by everyone, only further confirmed the truthfulness of Su Mingyue’s previous words.

The flower hall once again fell into a strange silence. Those old traditional Chinese medicine practitioners who had initially looked down on Su Mingyue now looked at her with somewhat… complex gazes. Although they were still unwilling to believe that such a young woman could possess earth-shattering medical skills, the scene that just unfolded made them unable to help but re-examine this seemingly unfathomable “Divine Doctor Su.” Perhaps… she truly had something extraordinary about her?

Su Mingyue ignored the old traditional Chinese medicine practitioners, each with their own thoughts. She merely glanced indifferently at “Old Brother Li’s” fleeing back, an imperceptible curve on her lips.

Killing a chicken to scare the monkeys. The effect seemed… not bad. From now on, at least within this flower hall, no one should dare to easily underestimate her anymore. As for her, she could also use this opportunity to carefully observe this Du Mansion, which held hidden mysteries, and see… what tricks this “critically ill” Old Master Du was playing.