Chapter 10: A Modest Knowledge of Medicine

In a secluded alley about two long streets away from the Northern Gu County Magistrate’s Office, thick snow blanketed the ground, and silence reigned, broken only occasionally by distant barks of dogs.

Yi Heng stood side by side with Captain Zhao of the county police, raising his hand to knock on the door of a household.

Soon, a woman opened the door. Seeing Captain Zhao and the unfamiliar young man beside him, a flicker of confusion crossed her eyes. “Captain, it’s you!” she said.

Captain Zhao, holding two carefully wrapped gifts in oilcloth, smiled broadly and raised them. “I heard Clerk Li caught a cold. As a colleague, I’ve been quite concerned and came to pay a visit. Has his condition improved recently?”

“Thank you, Captain Zhao, for your concern. Please come in and have a seat! He’s taken the herbal medicine prescribed by the doctor and has improved quite a bit, but his body is still weak, and the cough hasn’t stopped.” The woman warmly invited Captain Zhao inside, but her gaze kept drifting to Yi Heng. She asked again, “Captain Zhao, who is this young gentleman?”

The young man possessed refined features—a fair complexion as smooth as polished jade, eyebrows and eyes soft like distant spring mountains, a straight nose, and thin lips pressed gently together. Clad in a pale blue long robe, he exuded the subtle elegance of a scholar.

Captain Zhao quickly stepped aside with a smile and introduced, “This is the magistrate’s nephew, Yi Heng.”

Yi Heng’s lips curved into a gentle smile. “I just returned to Northern Gu City yesterday. Having some leisure time, I tagged along with Captain Zhang to explore around.”

They followed the captain inside.

Behind the door lay a spacious courtyard enclosed by high walls, as if shutting out the clamor of the world. In one corner of the courtyard, a pile of firewood lay under a thick, pristine covering of snow.

The woman led Yi Heng and Captain Zhao into the adjoining room.

Inside, a hearth blazed warmly, filling the space with comforting heat. A kettle on the stove gurgled as water boiled, the lid occasionally rattling from the steam’s pressure. By the hearth, a medicinal pot stood silently, wisps of steam drifting up, carrying a faint herbal fragrance.

“The room is simple; please don’t be shy. I’ll get you some hot tea to warm up.” The woman said, retrieving two clean porcelain bowls from a bamboo cover on the table, adding some tea leaves, and pouring in the steaming water. Immediately, the aroma of tea filled the air.

From within the inner room came a weak male voice, “Dear, who’s come?”

A sharp cough shattered the brief quiet.

The woman carefully placed the tea bowls on the table and called out, “It’s Captain Zhao and the magistrate’s nephew, stopping by to check on you.”

“Captain Zhao, with all the busy work at the county office lately, you still came to see me—I’m truly grateful!” A pale man in a cotton jacket slowly emerged. His eyes settled on the captain, filled with gratitude.

“You’re unwell and should be resting in bed. Why get up?” Captain Zhao stepped forward quickly, attempting to support him.

“No matter, I’ve been frail since childhood. A bit of cold got the better of me. After taking several doses of the doctor’s medicine, I’m much better now.” Clerk Li waved off their concern and slowly sat down on a high chair near the hearth, stretching out his hands to warm them by the fire. His trembling fingers appeared even paler in the flickering light.

“That’s good to hear. You have a weak constitution; take care to recuperate properly.” Captain Zhao said with concern.

Li nodded slightly, then looked toward Yi Heng. “Young Master Yi Heng, I heard you left Northern Gu City three years ago. Are you planning to stay for a while this time?”

Yi Heng nodded calmly. “I will stay for some time. Once I finish handling some matters, I will leave.”

Before he could finish, Li was overcome by a violent coughing fit. He curled up, struggling to stop, and when he finally looked up, tears and mucus streamed down his face.

“Don’t sit there—go lie back down,” the woman said anxiously, moving to help him. Li shook his head helplessly, his face full of apology. “Cough, cough… I’m sorry to trouble you both. This cough just won’t stop… cough, cough.”

Seeing this, Yi Heng quickly rose. “I studied some medicine under my master and know a bit about acupuncture. May I try to diagnose and treat Clerk Li?”

“That would be wonderful—thank you so much, Young Master!” The woman’s eyes brightened with hope. “Though the medicine has helped, the cough persists. If you can cure him, it would be a great relief.”

Yi Heng entered the inner room and focused intently, feeling Clerk Li’s pulse and carefully examining his tongue coating. After a moment, he spoke confidently:

“His tongue coating is white, and the pulse is floating and tight—classic symptoms of a wind-cold condition. I will prescribe a decoction of cinnamon twig. Please fetch three doses of the herbs; he should recover within three days.”

He produced a delicate wooden box from his robe, gently opened it, and took out four silver needles.

After carefully warming the needles over the hearth, he skillfully inserted them into two acupuncture points near Clerk Li’s lips. Closing his eyes slightly, he channeled a fine thread of vital energy along the needles into Li’s body.

In moments, a remarkable change occurred.

Sweat began to bead on Clerk Li’s forehead, spreading all over his body. His coughing ceased abruptly, and the pallor of his cheeks blossomed into a healthy flush.

“Young Master, I’m not coughing anymore, and I feel stronger,” he exclaimed joyfully.

The woman watched in astonishment and praised, “Young Master Yi Heng, you truly are a miracle healer! With just a few silver needles, my husband’s cough stopped, and his complexion improved instantly.”

Even Captain Zhao, who had been tense, showed a trace of surprise and nodded quietly in admiration. “Such skill is indeed impressive.”

Yi Heng smiled faintly, withdrew the needles, sterilized them again over the fire, and carefully returned them to the wooden box.

“Please bring me paper and pen. I will write down the prescription for the cinnamon twig decoction so you can get the herbs,” he said.

The woman hurried out to fetch writing materials.

While waiting, Yi Heng strolled leisurely, hands clasped behind his back, eyes scanning the room’s contents. Inwardly, he pondered that if Clerk Li was involved in the theft of the official seal, there would be clues left here.

Captain Zhao furrowed his brow, his sharp gaze sweeping every corner, searching for any hint.

In the inner room, Clerk Li lay in bed and asked, “Captain, have you caught the thief who stole the magistrate’s seal?”

The captain placed down a jar and replied, “Not yet.”

“Any progress at all?”

“None so far. I just came by to see how you’re doing.”

“Perhaps you suspect me of stealing the seal?” Clerk Li said quietly.

“Not at all. You are an honest man; I wouldn’t suspect you. I’m simply here to check on you—don’t overthink it.” Captain Zhao’s face showed a hint of awkwardness before he spoke seriously. “If I find out who took the seal, I will tell you.”

Soon after, the woman returned with paper, pen, and ink, smiling. “Young Master, here are the writing materials.”

Yi Heng took them and sat steadily at the table, skillfully writing out the prescription.

The woman accepted the paper with grateful eyes. “Young Master Yi Heng, you cured my husband’s illness. We’re deeply indebted and don’t know how to repay you.”

Yi Heng waved his hand calmly. “It was a small favor. No need to mention it. I have urgent matters to attend to, so I must take my leave.”

“Thank you so much. I will see you both out,” the woman said.

---

Outside, the narrow alley was swept by a biting wind that cut like knives across their faces.

“Young Master Yi Heng, your medical skills are truly miraculous! If I ever get a headache or fever, I’ll have to rely on you,” Captain Zhao said admiringly.

Yi Heng glanced at the burly captain with broad shoulders and a sturdy frame, a smile tugging at his lips. “With a body like yours, you won’t be getting sick anytime soon.”

“Heh, I’ll take that as a compliment,” Captain Zhao scratched his head, his face honest and cheerful. Then he lowered his voice and asked, “Young Master, did you find any clues at Clerk Li’s home?”

Yi Heng shook his head, his expression serious. “Though we found nothing concrete, it confirmed that he truly has a cold and is bedridden. At least for now, we can temporarily rule him out as the suspect. That’s some good news.”

“Where shall we go next?” asked Captain Zhao.

“Do you know where Chief Clerk Wu’s house is?” Yi Heng’s gaze grew distant.

“He lives beside the parasol trees in Hejia Lane,” the captain answered without hesitation.

“Good. I will go to Hejia Lane. You go to the Liu family locksmith shop to inquire about something. Afterward, meet me at Hejia Lane,” Yi Heng said, leaning close to whisper in Captain Zhao’s ear.

The captain listened carefully, nodding thoughtfully. “Don’t worry, Young Master. Leave this matter to me; I will handle it well!”

With that, he turned and strode toward another alley, soon disappearing around the corner.

Yi Heng withdrew his gaze, his expression composed, and set off steadily toward Hejia Lane, the hem of his robe swaying gently with each step.