Chapter Sixty-Seven: Nearly Strangled to Death

Yun Hao never could have imagined, not even in his wildest dreams, that the gentle, kind-faced Lady Zhangsun, so much like a celestial maiden, would ever harbor murderous intent. Seeing her demeanor, he had simply thought her bashful. On reflection, it was understandable; a girl of sixteen or seventeen, though already married, was really just a middle school student by modern standards. To be told she had roundworms in her belly was embarrassing enough to make anyone shy.

“Second Madam, please do not conceal anything. As the saying goes, one should not shy away from a physician. If you wish for good health and a long life, you must speak honestly with your doctor. Though I may not be pleased with Aunt Fang’s attitude, her words I have taken to heart. Whatever you say today will never be revealed by Yun Hao— not a single word!”

Yun Hao said this out of a modern respect for privacy, never expecting that these very words would save his life. The killing intent that had begun to stir within Zhangsun softened significantly when she heard the phrase “long life.” Living to see a three-digit age was everyone’s secret wish, and young as she was, Lady Zhangsun certainly did not wish to die prematurely. Even if she could not reach a hundred, to live into her seventies or eighties was still a hope. Lately, illness had tormented her greatly. What frightened her most was how her body had grown thinner since falling ill, her strength waning day by day. Zhangsun feared her years would be cut short.

“Is... is this really important?” Her maid dared not speak, so Lady Zhangsun, after a long hesitation, replied in a soft, hesitant voice.

“Of course it is. This is crucial evidence for diagnosing your illness. If you have indeed passed worms, I can prescribe the proper medicine. One or two doses at most and you will be cured. I will also give you a list of daily habits to follow, and if you do as I say, I am sure the illness will never return.”

Roundworms are usually caused by poor hygiene. In the Sui dynasty, many so-called nobles still carried Hu blood, and their nomadic habits lingered. Yun Hao had once heard the head chef of the Li family mention that sometimes the Lis even ate raw meat. Not to mention the various raw dishes never checked by any health inspector—if she didn’t already have a belly full of tapeworms, she’d be lucky. As long as she followed modern hygiene strictly, roundworm infections were easily cured.

“Oh! Then... yes!” Zhangsun nodded, her voice so low it was like the drone of a mosquito.

So it really was roundworms. Yun Hao was delighted. It seemed he had managed to bluff his way through this time, but he would have to find a way to gracefully fade out of his “divine doctor” reputation—otherwise, one day his luck would run out.

He quickly picked up his brush and wrote out a prescription, handing it to the maid as he prepared to take his leave.

“Second Madam, here is the prescription. Just follow it precisely. Usually one dose is enough. Be sure to use exactly the amount written—do not exceed it, or there could be trouble.” Yun Hao handed the prescription to the maid, not forgetting to emphasize his warning.

“Chun’er, see Doctor Yun out. And bring him the string of agate beads that the Duke rewarded!” Lady Zhangsun was generous indeed. The agates, each the size of a walnut, shone brilliantly even in the dim room, making Yun Hao’s mouth water uncontrollably. Good heavens, in the modern world, only the filthy rich would dare ask the price for such a thing.

He took the box with both hands—so heavy he nearly dropped it. On closer inspection—my god! Rosewood! Yun Hao felt that the value of the two items was almost reversed.

“Thank you for your generosity, Second Madam!” Yun Hao walked out delighted, thinking he had struck it rich. If he brought these beads to his mother, the unsophisticated farmwife would probably faint from joy.

Chun’er, the maid, led Yun Hao out, taking the prescription along to have the medicine prepared. Zhangsun herself knew little about such things, but fortunately, the Duke’s household had its own pharmacy, with most common medicines in stock.

Just as they stepped through the second gate, Yun Hao saw the deathly pale face of Zhangsun Wuji.

“How is Second Madam’s health?” Yun Hao did not understand—Zhangsun was clearly Zhangsun Wuji’s sister, yet he too addressed her as Second Madam. Did this mean the Zhangsun family’s standing was lower than the Li family’s?

“Replying to Young Master Zhangsun, Doctor Yun has examined her. He said it’s nothing serious; one dose of medicine should suffice.” Chun’er bowed immediately to Zhangsun Wuji, while Yun Hao pretended not to notice him. After all, this man had tried to kill him more than once—Yun Hao was not about to forget that grudge.

“Let me see the prescription!” Zhangsun Wuji stretched out his hand, and Chun’er obediently handed it over. As a maid who had come with her mistress as dowry, the authority of her previous lord still lingered.

One look at the prescription and Zhangsun Wuji’s face darkened with rage. Seeing Yun Hao holding the rosewood box, his eyes nearly popped from their sockets. He lunged, grabbing Yun Hao by the collar, and, realizing he hadn’t brought his sword, clamped his hands around Yun Hao’s throat like a wolf.

Yun Hao’s tongue lolled out from being choked; he kicked desperately, his shoes flying off. But how could an eight-year-old boy possibly overpower Zhangsun Wuji? As Yun Hao’s eyes bulged and his face turned purple, he was on the brink of death.

“Stop!” A commanding voice rang out behind Zhangsun Wuji, and two hands firmly grabbed his arms, yanking them apart by force. Zhangsun Wuji was compelled to let go.

Yun Hao was left gasping on the ground, convinced he had just barely escaped death.

Zhangsun Wuji turned, furious, but dared not act further. The one who had pulled him back was Li Jiancheng. As the eldest son of Li Yuan, Li Jiancheng’s status in the Duke of Tang’s household was second only to his father. Zhangsun Wuji, merely a relative by marriage, did not dare challenge him.

“Zhangsun Wuji, why are you committing violence in the residence? Yun Hao here once saved the Duke’s life—how dare you behave so rudely!” Li Jiancheng, upon seeing who it was, felt awkward; after all, Wuji was his brother’s brother-in-law, and some face must be given. Now that his brother was bedridden with injuries, he could not allow further trouble to add to his worries.

“My lord, my sister was unwell and summoned this boy for treatment. Perhaps bearing a grudge against me, he wrote arsenic into the prescription! Tell me, is arsenic meant for people? If this isn’t an attempt on my sister’s life, then what is it?” Zhangsun Wuji thrust the prescription before Li Jiancheng, his face now even more livid than Yun Hao’s—clearly beside himself with anger.

“Arsenic...!” Li Jiancheng knew little of medicine, but he did know arsenic was a poison. He glanced at the prescription in confusion—sure enough, it was Yun Hao’s awkward handwriting, with arsenic listed at the top.

Damn! So this is how they’re trying to kill me. I wanted to give you a modern dewormer, but is there such a thing in this era?

“Yun Hao, what do you have to say for yourself?”