Chapter 2597 - 2571: Let Them Go

Patriarch Zheng frowned, "Are you saying to let them go? Erlang, do you know you almost died this time?"

Zheng Fei certainly knew, but he did not resent those people, not even a trace of anger. He was more intent on finding out whether there were indeed other forces at play in this case as County Magistrate Guo suspected, and how to resolve this feud.

Zheng Fei dipped his brush in ink and continued to write: "Father, this matter started due to a dispute over water, and if not handled properly, it could become a generational feud. Although this is not Xingyang, we can’t let enmity form just because this isn’t our hometown. Seven people have already died; should more die, and should future generations become enemies?"

In his view, this issue wasn’t mainly about the feud between their Zheng Family and the Li Gong family.

Because he didn’t die, and even if he did, as long as interests existed, the two families would always find a way to resolve their feud.

Instead, it was the tenant farmers and laborers between the two estates who would harbor a generational hatred over this matter, competing with each other. As long as they lived on this land of Wanian County, the enmity would continue.

Zheng Fei stared intently at his father, hoping he would take a stand.

Patriarch Zheng frowned, "The county magistrate of Wanian County will handle this; there’s no need for us to worry about it." Just a bunch of commoners, why should they concern themselves with it?

Seeing his father’s stance, Zheng Fei’s expression turned somewhat indifferent. He felt disinclined to continue the conversation, but after glancing behind him, he still wrote: "What about Fifth Uncle?"

Patriarch Zheng stared at those three words for a long time before saying, "Your Fifth Uncle has gone up the mountain, saying he wants to travel with Master Daoyuan. He’s been gone for three months."

So, he left not long after the New Year. Zheng Fei put down his pen and stopped communicating.

Patriarch Zheng, however, asked him, "What did the imperial doctors from the Imperial Hospital say? Can your injuries be healed?"

Zheng Fei lowered his eyes and wrote with his pen: "Yes, but it will take time."

Patriarch Zheng then breathed a sigh of relief, grabbing his hand and saying, "It’s good that it can be healed, it’s good that it can be healed."

Zheng Wang was surprised; Director Xiao had always said there was a chance, but the hope wasn’t very high, only fifty to sixty percent, how...

Could it be that there has been improvement in the last two days?

Manbao came over, first bowing to the Crown Prince, expressing the Emperor’s longing for him, and with a cough, urging him to go to the Taiji Hall, then called over the medical assistant hiding in the side hall, leading him inside together.

She assessed Patriarch Zheng and Zheng Wang and said to the medical assistant, "Later, give Young Master Zheng a full fumigation, and the room as well."

Patriarch Zheng was puzzled, "Fumigate with what?"

Manbao said, "Patriarch Zheng has traveled a long way from Xingyang to the capital, who knows how much dust and evil things he has brought with him. Right now, these are the things Young Master Zheng fears most."

After saying this, her expression darkened, and she scolded the medical assistant, "Why didn’t you change Patriarch Zheng into a new set of clothes and wash him before letting him into the room? Isn’t the kitchen always equipped with steaming medicines?"

The medical assistant quickly lowered his head in acknowledgment of his mistake, internally complaining that he had stopped and reminded him early on, yet he didn’t listen, rushing inside to see his son without taking heed. What could he do?

Patriarch Zheng’s expression was not good; he knew Zhou Man appeared to be reprimanding the medical assistant, but was actually scolding him and speaking up for the medical assistant...

Now, even an imperial doctor could impose on him?

Patriarch Zheng frowned, the anger that had risen from the Emperor’s implicit sarcasm and threat almost couldn’t be suppressed.

He was about to speak when Zheng Wang, standing next to him, caught his hand.

Zheng Wang slightly shook his head at Patriarch Zheng, then seriously said to Zhou Man, "We were too hasty, please forgive us, Imperial Doctor Zhou. After all, my eldest brother is anxious to see his son."

He led Patriarch Zheng out, allowing Zhou Man to fumigate the room with the medical assistant. Zheng Fei was also fumigated, and his clothes were changed.

Zheng family father and son, along with Zheng Wang, stood in the courtyard, frowning slightly at the mingled scent of mugwort and atractylodes coming from inside. Patriarch Zheng looked at Zheng Wang in puzzlement, "Why did you stop me? She’s just a medical artisan, the Emperor told her to treat my son; does she dare to be negligent?"

Zheng Wang helplessly said, "Elder brother, she’s not just any medical artisan, and the Imperial Hospital now belongs to the Imperial Medical Bureau, which is independent and ranks alongside other ministries."

Although he didn’t like it much, it’s true that these artisans are now of the same official rank as them, so even if there’s contempt, it’s only psychological; openly, they can’t say so.

Moreover, Zhou Man isn’t just an imperial doctor; she also holds a position as an editor at the Chongwen Pavilion. He said, "She is also a civil official, an editor at the Chongwen Pavilion."

Patriarch Zheng frowned, and Zheng Wang continued, "Besides, she has a sharp tongue and a bad temper. We don’t need to provoke her. Erlang managed to escape danger partially thanks to her, and future treatments will also depend on her."

He lowered his voice and said, "The Emperor and the Crown Prince both value her a lot, so she’s quite temperamental. If she’s unwilling, even if the Emperor issues an edict, she can find other reasons to refuse. Brother, there are hierarchies even among the imperial doctors of the Imperial Hospital, and in terms of acupuncture, probably no one in the entire Imperial Hospital can surpass her."

Patriarch Zheng then stopped speaking. Of course, he knew it’s unwise to offend a skilled doctor; he was just momentarily unable to control his temper.

He stood silently without a word.

Zheng Wang saw Zheng Dalang standing quietly aside, patted him on the shoulder with a smile, and said, "Dalang is getting more and more steady. By the way, earlier you were entertaining the Crown Prince outside; do you want to change your clothes before seeing Erlang later through the window?"

Zheng Dalang smiled slightly and said, "No need. Father has already seen Erlang; I can just look through the window later."

Zheng Wang was slightly stunned, feeling that Zheng Dalang’s attitude was somewhat indifferent.

Patriarch Zheng kept his eyes down without speaking or looking back at his eldest son. Zheng Wang felt their attitude was a bit off but couldn’t pinpoint exactly what was wrong.

Since he had seen Zheng Fei, Patriarch Zheng was roughly aware of his injuries and asked Zhou Man more detailed questions about them.

He hesitated for a moment before asking, "Can I bring him out of the palace?"

Manbao’s eyes lit up, immediately saying, "Of course."

Although the Imperial Hospital is inside the palace, it’s actually not as convenient as outside for treatment. Moreover, treating inside the palace operates on the Imperial Hospital’s budget, and the Emperor won’t charge the Zheng family, so the Imperial Hospital has to cover it themselves.

Leaving the palace is good. Once outside, even consultation times can be arranged post-office hours, and she wouldn’t have to travel far to the East Palace for treatments anymore.

However... Manbao asked Patriarch Zheng, "Where is your residence located?"

If it’s far, living in the palace would be better.

The Zheng family’s residence in the capital naturally wouldn’t be far since everything is in the same area. After finding out, Manbao felt relieved and then said grandly, "Tomorrow I will send a medical assistant to help you clean the house."

Patriarch Zheng: "Clean the house?"

"Yes," Manbao replied, "It is spring now, and it’s been a rainy season recently, so apart from a bed, a couch, and a set of tables and chairs, nothing else should be there. I will have someone go to fumigate the place."

Manbao didn’t mind the trouble at all and even wrote them a list, "This is the list of items needed, including Young Master Zheng’s clothes and the medicines you need to prepare."