Chapter 077: Troublemakers at the Clinic

“Mr. Fang is truly a man of great talent,” Wu Qingluan sighed to Wu Ji as they returned to the Princess’s residence with their entourage.
“The Marshal regards this divine physician so highly? His medical skills are indeed remarkable—he can bring the dead back to life—but does that alone make him extraordinary?” Wu Ji asked. The Princess had never praised anyone in such terms; even the three highest ministers—Left Chancellor, Right Chancellor, and Imperial Censor—had earned her respect but never such admiration.
“Though Mr. Fang is a physician, his heart embraces the suffering of the world. He possesses a mind vast as mountains and valleys. In terms of ability, he is not inferior to the three top ministers, and he exceeds the likes of the six department secretaries. Alas, the five kingdoms vie for supremacy, and our Wu Dynasty is surrounded on all sides. Though strong, there are limits; only with the aid of true talent might we find a sliver of hope for the future,” Wu Qingluan lamented.
Wu Ji, whom she had personally nurtured into a commanding general, lacked the breadth of knowledge and vision to see the grand scheme of the realm, let alone strategies for governance. This was why Wu Qingluan remarked that his understanding was limited.
“Then why not try to recruit Mr. Fang? With your wisdom and personal charm, I believe he would be moved and serve you—and thus serve the Wu Dynasty,” Wu Ji suggested, surprised at the Princess’s high opinion of Fang Xian but offering his advice nonetheless.
“First, arrange for someone to protect Mr. Fang; do not let anyone disturb his healing. Quietly deploy a squad of elite Flying Phoenix soldiers from outside the city to secure the area, and strengthen surveillance of the martial artists in Wu Capital. Let no one sabotage our efforts,” Wu Qingluan ordered, without discussing the matter further, instructing Wu Ji to increase precautions.
“Your Highness, the Crown Prince has sent someone to request your presence in the Eastern Palace for urgent matters,” Wu Lanxin reported not long after.
Wu Qingluan summoned the servant from the Eastern Palace, recognizing the familiar maid, she inquired, “How is the Crown Prince’s health today?”
“Replying to Your Highness, the Crown Prince’s cough worsens by the day. Though he takes medicine daily, it has little effect. He used to have the strength to handle minor affairs, but recently he has no energy for anything other than coughing and sleep,” the maid answered.
Wu Qingluan fell silent. She did not know whether Fang Xian could cure the Crown Prince. He had healed other patients with consumption, but the Crown Prince’s illness was so severe, a cure would be exceedingly difficult.
If Fang Xian were merely an ordinary physician, Wu Qingluan would have him try regardless. But now, knowing his true talent, she feared that bringing him to the palace might result in failure, with consequences she was unwilling to face.
With these tangled thoughts, Wu Qingluan led Lanxin to the Eastern Palace. Crown Prince Wu Yunxiao lay slanted on the bed, coughing incessantly. Several maids attended him, wiping his mouth and helping him rinse, their faces shadowed with sorrow.

“The Princess Consort greets Your Highness,” the Crown Princess came forward with her two young children to welcome Wu Qingluan. The children, one six and one three, were well-mannered and greeted her affectionately as their aunt.
“Princess Consort, please rise. Lanxin, give the pastries I brought to the children,” Wu Qingluan helped the Crown Princess up, who was the daughter of the Right Chancellor—a dignified and virtuous woman who had managed all affairs of the Eastern Palace for years.
“Aunt, you’re here, please take a seat.” Upon hearing her, Crown Prince Wu Yunxiao struggled to sit up. The maids helped him, placing a cushion behind him, and he spoke to Wu Qingluan through a curtain.
Two years ago, when the Crown Prince fell ill, the imperial physicians determined it was contagious, so isolation measures were put in place. Even the Crown Princess and children could only speak to him from a distance, while the maids who closely tended him were from reward families and volunteered, their families receiving several times more compensation from the Eastern Palace.
“Your Highness, I pay my respects,” Wu Qingluan and Lanxin bowed from outside. Despite her seniority, protocol between ruler and subject could not be neglected.
“Princess, rise. Please, be seated and speak,” Wu Yunxiao had no princely airs before his aunt, with whom he’d grown up. Wu Qingluan was two years his senior, and as children, he had always been her little sidekick, following her everywhere.
Wu Qingluan had exceptional martial talent from a young age, taking Wu Yunxiao along for adventures—and trouble—which he often ended up shouldering, leading to many reprimands from the Emperor.
“Xiao’er, how is your health? You must rest well. Aunt has found a skilled physician and is testing him. If there is even the slightest hope, I will drag him to the palace to treat you,” Wu Qingluan said, gazing through the curtain at Wu Yunxiao’s thin face, her heart aching.
“Thank you, Aunt. With your busy affairs in the Flying Phoenix Army, you still worry about my illness. But I fear my sickness is beyond hope. If this physician is not confident, do not force him into the palace, lest Father’s wrath claim another innocent life.
Today, I called you here to entrust my two children to you. Please, for my sake, protect Fei’er and Xia’er, even if they live as ordinary people,” Wu Yunxiao pleaded in a low voice.
“Don’t think too much, Xiao’er. I will do everything possible to cure you. Your children still need your care; you must not give up hope. No matter what, they are royal descendants. As long as I live, no one will dare neglect them,” Wu Qingluan’s voice choked with emotion.
She even considered bringing Fang Xian to the palace immediately. If not for her uncertainty and fear of harming him, she would have acted without hesitation.
Though Wu Qingluan and Wu Yunxiao were aunt and nephew in name, in truth they were like siblings, having grown up together. This bond was beyond the understanding of others, and it was the reason for her unwavering support of Wu Yunxiao.
“Aunt, your kindness is appreciated. At this point, I’ve come to terms with it. My mistake in life was being born into the imperial family, which brought this calamity. Yet I have no regrets; all I’ve enjoyed as a member of the royal house has been more than enough for one lifetime,” Wu Yunxiao said, his spirit clearly waning.

“Your Highness, please listen to Aunt. Though this illness is hard to cure, it is not entirely hopeless. If not for my sake, then for the sake of the children—do not give up. As long as we live, there is hope,” the Crown Princess knelt beside him, weeping as she spoke.

…

Let us leave Wu Qingluan’s sorrowful departure from the Eastern Palace aside. Fang Xian had now treated three patients suffering from consumption. The mildest case, the first to arrive, was almost fully recovered, and the other two had greatly improved.
Two days later, a group of people suddenly burst into the medical clinic, but were blocked by the patients and their families waiting in line outside, as these newcomers were carrying a patient.
“You worthless so-called divine physician Fang, get out here!” a young man shouted from the crowd, immediately attracting attention.
“What are you doing? Why are you making a scene outside Dr. Fang’s clinic? Don’t disturb him while he treats patients,” someone scolded.
“Yes, if you want treatment, queue up at the back. Otherwise, leave now and don’t make us wait longer,” some patients and family members shouted at them.
“Everyone, this so-called divine physician Fang is a fraud! He took five thousand taels of silver from us, but now he’s nearly killed my elder brother,” the young man yelled, and the crowd fell silent.
“I saw them a few days ago—they came for treatment,” someone in the crowd called out.
“Explain yourself. Dr. Fang has cured so many patients; you’re not allowed to slander him here,” another person defended.
“Two days ago, I brought my elder brother here and paid five thousand taels for consultation. But this heartless quack gave him unknown medicine, and his condition worsened after returning home. Now he’s at death’s door. We demand an explanation, and don’t let yourselves be fooled by this charlatan,” the young man shouted.
Those nearby could now see the patient they had brought—a man in his thirties, his complexion sallow, eyes sunken, lips purple, breathing as faint as a dying ember.