Chapter 390

It wasn't a matter of course that the Wu family appeared, but first they made things difficult, then took on a disciple, and could easily bring out a patient as evidence. Finally they made a strategic retreat, pretending to give in while actually gaining the upper hand. The Thirty-Six Stratagems allowed them to use it to great effect.

But Zheng Ruqian was right about one thing he said - their enemy was the Fang family, so the Fang family had no need to go to great lengths to plot against Wen Zhiyun.

Compared to harboring malicious intent, Xu Mo felt it was more like someone was helping them out.

"That makes some sense," Wen Zhiyun murmured softly, "Before I became Master Wu's disciple with Little Five, we visited several manors, including a retired old imperial physician. But we didn't even get to see the gatekeeper and were refused outright."

If someone wasn't helping them, how could a generations-old medical family possibly look upon an unremarkable young doctor.

"Who could it be? Could it be the Jiang family?" Zheng Ruqian followed this train of thought. Jiang Sheng shook her head. She had wanted to ask her father, but hadn't had the chance yet.

Other families like the Dou, Qi, and Zhao were all friendly with Xu Mo, so they wouldn't overstep their bounds and help without permission.

Only blood relatives would silently make all the arrangements.

But in the sprawling Fengjing City, they had no other relatives!

Wen Zhiyun was completely bewildered. Jiang Sheng and Zheng Ruqian racked their brains.

Only Xu Mo and Fang Heng exchanged a glance, with ripples arising in their hearts.

"Little Four, do you still remember who the retired imperial physician was that you and Little Five visited together last year?" Xu Mo boldly guessed.

Wen Zhiyun racked his brains. "At the time Little Five said this imperial physician was quite formidable, a member of a prestigious family. The plaque hanging over the manor we went to seemed to be... Wu."

Wu Manor, the Wu family.

This sudden realization left everyone dumbfounded.

"Does this Imperial Physician Wu have ties with Chang Yan?" Zheng Ruqian blurted out, "Wasn't he in Anshui Prefecture?"

"No one can say for sure that Little Five returned to Anshui Prefecture," Fang Heng said in a low voice. "On the contrary, Eldest Brother and I suspected he was still in Fengjing City."

Thinking about how familiar this brother was with Fengjing, how he was indifferent to money, how he was always unhurried - he really was quite similar to the young masters of Fengjing. In addition to Xu Mo's guess that he was from a prestigious family, it did seem reasonable that Imperial Physician Wu would take on Little Four as a disciple.

"If Fifth Brother really is in Fengjing City, why didn't he tell us? Why did he conceal himself and hide?" Jiang Sheng was so angry she slapped the table. "Why? I just want to know why!"

Wen Zhiyun's lips trembled as his eyes instantly reddened.

So many people were worried about him, grieved for him. And to think he was hiding in some corner of the city nearby. Now there was anger on top of that.

"This is all just my speculation," Xu Mo took a deep breath, trying hard to dispel the resentment of his younger siblings. "It hasn't been confirmed and may not be true."

"We'll know if it's true or not tomorrow," Zheng Ruqian shouted. "Tomorrow, get Little Four to take a look and see if Wu Manor is the same place he was refused entry."

Of course... it was.

Wen Zhiyun stood under the plaque of Wu Manor, recalling how last time he had come hand-in-hand with his brother. Now he was alone, and his eyes grew moist again.

He touched the copper ring with one hand, hesitating whether to knock with it or not.

Suddenly the main gate opened and the gatekeeper eagerly stuck his head out. Seeing him, the gatekeeper asked, "Are you the young doctor from Wen's Medical Center?"

Wen Zhiyun hesitated and nodded.

"Oh my, you're right on time. Come in since you're here, the Elder Master has been waiting for you," the gatekeeper smiled brightly and enthusiastically.

Before Wen Zhiyun could react, he was led before Imperial Physician Wu.

The aged doctor was always immaculate, wearing the simplest cotton robe, sifting through medicinal ingredients, occasionally lifting his brush to record something.

What was his relationship to Chang Yan? Could he find their Little Fifth Brother through the Wu family?

Full of doubts and puzzles he couldn't voice, Wen Zhiyun forcibly swallowed them down. He remembered his brothers' instructions to focus his attention back on medicine and medicinal ingredients.

Xu Mo had said that since Chang Yan did not take the initiative, it meant it was not suitable for him to appear.

Fang Heng had instructed that as long as the Wu family sincerely taught him, he should take the opportunity to learn well.

Zheng Ruqian promised they would eventually find their Little Fifth Brother.

Even Jiang Sheng had grasped his hand and earnestly said, "Don't worry Fourth Brother, as long as Fifth Brother is in Fengjing City, we will run into him for sure."

As long as they were still family, they would reunite.

Wen Zhiyun's attention was captured by the profound medical techniques. Looking at medicinal ingredients of different colors, different combined effects, he gradually became absorbed in it, unable to extricate himself.

Only occasionally would hints of complexity flash through his eyes.

Imperial Physician Wu noticed, but gave no indication. At noon.

According to their agreement, Wen Zhiyun would study medicine in the morning and see patients at the clinic in the afternoon. He had to return home for lunch.

Imperial Physician Wu did not stop him, only sending him off before summoning a carriage into the palace.

In the dilapidated courtyard, he bowed deeply before the youth. "Your Highness, this old servant has done exactly as you instructed, explaining the reasons and successfully accepting the disciple. But I wonder why after one night, the young doctor is suspicious again."

Acting was something Wen Zhiyun had never been good at.

Being suspected was no exception - given all he and his siblings had experienced, how could they not be wary?

He just didn't know if... they had guessed his identity.

"Your Highness, should this old servant pretend ignorance, or explain again to dispel the young doctor's doubts?" Imperial Physician Wu asked in a low voice.

The youth collected himself and calculated the time. "No need."

Lies that could be fabricated contained countless flaws within them.

And everyone in that small courtyard was so clever.

Rather than painstakingly covering things up, it was better to teach openly and generously.

"As long as Imperial Physician Wu teaches wholeheartedly, Little Four... the young doctor will sense no ill intent and eliminate his doubts." The youth's tone was indifferent.

Imperial Physician Wu understood his mind. "Your Highness, rest assured. This old servant will impart all I know and never conceal anything."

The two exchanged a few more pleasantries before the old man took his leave.

Leaving the youth standing alone in the dilapidated courtyard. After a long pause, he pushed open the door to the main room, knelt on the dusty mat, put his palms together and closed his eyes to murmur.

Someone walked in lightly, their footsteps crunching on dry twigs.

The youth seemed not to notice, bowing to the equally dusty ancestral tablet, seeming to express apology for his five years of absence, yet also informing the person on the tablet that he had returned.

"It's been five years, Mother. Are you well?"

"In life, you lost to Imperial Concubine Ju. Now your son has also lost to Eldest Imperial Brother."

"I hear that Father Emperor has already allowed him to enter the Golden Sacred Hall to observe the imperial examinations. You must be very gratified in the afterlife."

"As for me, a motherless child, I can only mourn you in the home where you once lived."

"Mourn these... five years you have been neglected."