Chapter 69: A Precious Reward

Chun’er’s words nearly drove Zhangsun Wuji mad. Without a second thought, he lunged at Yun Hao, baring his sharp white teeth like a rabid wolf—if he managed to bite, he’d surely tear off a chunk of flesh. Fortunately, Li Jiancheng was quick and managed to hold Zhangsun Wuji back. Yun Hao, like a startled rabbit, darted to Li Er’s side. Damn it, what’s going on? Could it be that arsenic is purer in this era than in later times? By rights, he’d already reduced the dosage—children could have taken it without harm—Zhangsun was nearly twenty, so he should have been safe… Yun Hao realized disaster was looming; if Zhangsun died, he’d have no hope of survival himself. Zhangsun Wuji was already crazed, and Li Er beside him was glaring with more white than black in his eyes.

“Eldest Young Master, let me strangle him! He dared to harm my sister—I’ll kill him!” Hearing the uproar from the inner chambers, Zhangsun Wuji howled like a maddened mastiff. Clearly, this brotherhood was genuine.

“Yun Hao, what’s going on?” Li Er’s eyes were tinged with red, and his gaze toward Yun Hao was harsh. His eyes roved around Yun Hao’s neck, no doubt seeking a place to strike.

“After taking the arsenic, abdominal pain is a normal reaction. If nothing goes wrong, the lady should relieve herself within half an hour.” Yun Hao was at a loss, so he could only repeat what the old physicians had said back in his own time. He prayed the ancients hadn’t misled him, otherwise his life would end here. If Zhangsun Wuji found a knife, it would truly be over.

“Wuji, wait another hour.” Li Er’s face was ashen as he restrained the frantic Zhangsun Wuji. Several guards stood nearby, wary of Wuji’s violent outburst. It was clear that the usually clever and resourceful Wuji had lost all composure.

One hour—Yun Hao had never felt time drag on so torturously. It was not an hour, but an eternity. Amid the anxious silence, the commotion in the rear courtyard seemed to subside. Damn Chun’er hadn’t come to report; dead or alive, at least give a definitive answer.

He waited as if for the stars and moon. Finally, Chun’er appeared at the doorway, her little face flushed from running, beads of sweat glistening on her forehead.

“How is it?” Zhangsun Wuji asked urgently.

“The Second Lady… is asleep!” To outsiders, matters of the privy were embarrassing, so Chun’er instinctively omitted them, merely saying that Zhangsun had gone to bed and everyone needn’t worry.

Yun Hao clearly sensed the atmosphere in the room relax instantly; the collective sighs of relief were startlingly loud.

“Asleep?” Zhangsun Wuji hadn’t grasped the meaning and pressed for clarification.

“Second Lady said she was tired and had gone to sleep, and praised Physician Yun’s skill, asking you not to trouble him.” Chun’er’s words made Zhangsun Wuji blush; it seemed only his sister truly understood him.

Li Er visibly relaxed, and said apologetically to Yun Hao, “Physician Yun, you’ve worked hard. Someone, bring the jade ruyi bestowed by the Emperor for Physician Yun to take home.” Nobility is nobility—even if they err, they don’t apologize directly to commoners. Li Er gave Yun Hao an imperial reward, which was an indirect way of offering amends.

The imperial jade ruyi was indeed precious. Li Er himself had only received one when he entered the palace at age ten. To reward Yun Hao with it now was a gesture of sincere apology.

Yun Hao pursed his lips. The jade ruyi was fine, but it couldn’t be eaten or spent, nor could it be sold for cash. Goodness! Even if you wanted to sell an imperial reward, no one would dare buy it.

Li Jiancheng was taken aback, not expecting Li Er to reward Yun Hao with such a rare treasure. The jade ruyi was extremely hard to come by. Li Er had received his when he was ten, after pleasing the Emperor during New Year’s greetings. As the eldest son, Li Jiancheng had only been granted one each at his first birthday and eighteenth birthday. Clearly, his younger brother saw something extraordinary in Yun Hao and sought to win him over. After years of tempering, Li Er was no simple man.

“Physician Yun, Wuji was just worried about his sister—don’t hold it against him. Concern clouds judgment!” Having rewarded Yun Hao, Li Er now spoke kindly of his brother-in-law. In this life, everyone gets sick; if you can’t ask someone else, you must turn to the physician. With Yun Hao’s cure of Zhangsun’s illness, Li Er’s confidence in his medical skill grew.

Zhangsun Wuji rolled his eyes, ignoring Li Er’s signals. Though the Zhangsun clan wasn’t as exalted as the Duke of Tang, his father was a general of the Right Guard under the previous dynasty, noble enough. To apologize to Yun Hao was more than his pride could bear.

“Haha! Physician Yun, so young yet so skilled—remarkable indeed. I daresay, in the future, all in the Duke of Tang’s household may be spared from illness. You have cured my sister-in-law, which counts as a great deed; I reward you this jade pendant.” Li Jiancheng never lagged in winning people’s hearts. To draw closer to Yun Hao, he unhesitatingly removed his own jade pendant.

This was the personal jade of the Duke’s eldest son—its value rivaled any limited-edition luxury. The piece was smooth and warm to the touch, reminiscent of a beauty’s bosom. The patina was thick and natural, the color pure white without blemish. Clearly, it had been handled for years, developing its exquisite appearance. Though not as precious as Li Er’s jade ruyi, it was not far behind.

Yun Hao received the jade pendant with both hands, nearly drooling. A fine thing indeed! Li Jiancheng was straightforward—this item could fetch hundreds of strings of coins, enough to bury Yun Hao and erect a monument.

“Thank you, Eldest Young Master. Such a valuable gift—I hardly dare accept.” He spoke politely, but slipped the pendant into his sleeve all the same. The child’s greed amused Li Jiancheng and Li Er, who laughed heartily, and the room became lively, the earlier tension vanished.

Soon, Li Er’s men brought in the jade ruyi. At his signal, a servant presented it to Yun Hao with both hands. The jade was of fine quality, elegant in shape, with exquisite carving. Clearly a palace treasure, one glance revealed its masterful craftsmanship.

Yun Hao looked at it, clicking his tongue in admiration. It was a fine piece, but as useless as before—unable to be turned into money. He did not accept the precious ruyi, instead turning to Li Er and saying, “Second Master! The jade ruyi is too valuable—can’t you cash it out?”

“What?”