Chapter 48: The Zhechong Commandant

The Imperial Medicine Hall spent a night on high alert. The next day, the sack of corn was still missing. The Steward gathered all the servants in the courtyard and interrogated them one by one. Yet, not a single person showed any telltale sign. The half sack of moldy corn seemed to have vanished into thin air overnight.

Chu Mingxi was furious enough to get a headache. Left with no choice, she had Shopkeeper Yu question everyone in the front Medicine Hall as well. Just at this inconvenient moment, a maid came to report that people from the Governor’s Mansion had arrived again.

“Don’t they ever give up!” Chu Mingyu grumbled.

The maid presented the Governor’s Wife’s name card. Chu Mingxi frowned but still had the Steward of the Governor’s Mansion brought to the outer study.

The Governor was the highest local official in a prefecture. Steward Chen, relying on his master’s power, had run rampant in Peaceful Ease Prefecture for years. Let alone a mere Medicine Hall, even lower-ranking officials were all three degrees humbler before him.

Coming now to summon a female doctor, he felt deeply disdainful in his heart. But upon meeting her in person, he became somewhat more courteous. After all, such a bearing was indeed rare in Peaceful Ease Prefecture.

“Doctor Chu. My master is the local Governor. The Madam is hosting a lotus banquet today at the Shattered Jade Pavilion. Many official’s wives and young misses are gathered to appreciate the flowers. My Madam has ordered me to invite you, Doctor Chu, to honor us with your presence at the feast.”

He struck first to overawe her, dropping the names of the Governor and his wife, and phrasing it all so finely. Surely an ordinary person wouldn’t disrespect him to this extent, he thought arrogantly.

But this Doctor Chu was no ordinary person!

Chu Mingxi replied, “Thank the Governor’s Wife for her kind intentions. I accept them in my heart. However, I truly have no free time today. Please, my Lord, convey this to your Madam. When I have a free day, I will send Shopkeeper Yu to pay respects to the Governor and his Madam.”

??? What did that mean? Steward Chen’s expression flickered. He dropped all pretense, rose, clasped his hands behind his back, and said arrogantly, “Doctor Chu, my Madam’s intention is that you follow me to see her right now, immediately!”

The door to the study was wide open. At that moment, Yining hurried over, dipped a slight bow, and whispered something in the Eldest Young Miss’s ear. Chu Mingxi’s heart seized. She set her teacup down on the corner table. “Have Shopkeeper Yu see this Lord out.” Before her words had finished, she was already walking out.

Steward Chen had never suffered such a slight. He jumped up in rage, shouting, “Doctor Chu, I advise you to think twice!”

But Chu Mingxi had already turned the corner of the corridor, her figure vanished.

Receiving the news, Shopkeeper Yu rushed over. He politely escorted Steward Chen out while drawing a banknote from his sleeve.

“An urgent matter truly arose in the household. Please, be understanding. When the Governor has a free day, I will certainly come to the mansion to pay our respects to the Governor and his Madam.”

Shopkeeper Yu was well-practiced in social graces, and the money he offered was generous. Unfortunately, Steward Chen was still inflamed with anger and wouldn’t even glance at it. With a cold sneer, he shoved the man aside and galloped back on his horse.

Shopkeeper Yu could only return inside. This matter might prove troublesome. But at least there was finally a lead on that sack of corn—which was why the Head Proprietor had left so urgently.

In the rear courtyard of the Imperial Medicine Hall, a kitchen serving-woman was dragging a sobbing woman to kneel outside the corridor. The Eldest Young Miss had finally returned. The serving-woman pushed the woman forward, and the woman hastily kowtowed with both hands on the ground.

Chu Mingxi, face grim, watched her kowtow several times before calmly saying, “Speak. What happened?”

“Back to the Eldest Young Miss’s words, this is Sister-in-law Zhu, who guards the gardens at our herb farm. She rarely comes here. It was she who took the corn,” the serving-woman said, glaring at Sister-in-law Zhu.

Sister-in-law Zhu was still sobbing. Wiping her tears, she said, “Replying to the Eldest Young Miss, the corn kernels were taken by me. I truly didn’t know they were forbidden. I… a few days ago, I came with my man to deliver herbs and saw a bag of dried corn kernels in the kitchen. As it happened, I was out of chicken feed at home, so I poured out half a bag. Truly, I only took half a bag. Usually… when there are leftovers in the kitchen, they sometimes let me take some back…”

“You’re saying that corn was used to feed chickens?” Chu Mingxi cut her off.

“Yes.”

“And how are those chickens now?”

“The chickens… they DIED!!!” Sister-in-law Zhu wailed in loud sobs, thinking of the chickens she’d raised for half a year! All laying hens!!!

Everyone in the courtyard was stunned speechless, exchanging glances full of relief at having escaped disaster themselves.

Only Chu Mingxi’s expression remained calm, her eyes even glinting with the pleasure of a piece of the puzzle resolved.

That sack of corn was indeed poisonous!

Search high and low for something, only to find it right under your nose.

Steadying herself, she asked, “Where are those chickens now?”

“Still at the farm. I… I wanted to throw them away, but I couldn’t bear to.” Sister-in-law Zhu had considered selling them cheaply, but seeing how mysteriously they had died, she truly hadn’t dared.

Chu Mingxi asked again, “Who discovered this first?”

“Replying to the Eldest Young Miss, it was this humble servant who found it,” the kitchen serving-woman replied. “Yesterday, when I went to deliver things to the farm, I saw so many of those chickens dead. I got suspicious and questioned her. This morning, first thing, I dragged her right back here!”

Chu Mingxi nodded. “The one hundred taels of silver is rewarded to you.”

“Thank you, Eldest Young Miss! Thank you, Eldest Young Miss!” The serving-woman kowtowed in ecstasy, almost delirious with joy.

“As for you.” Chu Mingxi looked at Sister-in-law Zhu. “I said I wouldn’t pursue this matter, so I won’t hold you accountable. But from now on, you are forbidden to take anything from the household without permission.”

“Understood. This slave knows her wrong,” Sister-in-law Zhu said, also kowtowing.

“Have the Steward send someone back with her. Bring all those chickens—dead or alive—back here,” Chu Mingxi instructed Yining. “Tell the Steward to pay her at market price.”

After all, she had, albeit unintentionally, rendered a service.

Sister-in-law Zhu hadn’t expected this. Her mouth dropped open in shock, her face a mask of tears and laughter. Yining took the Eldest Young Miss’s order and led her away.

At the Shattered Jade Pavilion, the Governor’s Wife was in high spirits, her guests filling the pavilion. The upper floor was all ladies. As the guests were all wealthy and noble, the Governor’s Mansion had specially dispatched soldiers to guard the front and rear.

The entire facade of the upper floor was open, directly facing the lake full of lotuses. A blanket of emerald green was interspersed with pure white and soft pink, blooming ostentatiously yet not garishly. The Governor’s Wife, Lady Bao, sat in the host’s chair, listening to the endless flattery from the noblewomen around her. Several large blocks of ice had been placed throughout the pavilion to chill fruits and watered-down wine. Raising her cup, she signaled everyone to join in a toast.

Not one among the assembled guests dared show disrespect. As expected, they all raised their cups. The daughter-in-law, Lady Wen, still recovering her health, merely touched her lips to the wine. Lady Bao spotted this, and displeasure flickered within her. Thinking of why Lady Wen needed to recover, the memory of yesterday’s events suddenly returned.

“Has Steward Chen come back?” She beckoned a young maid.

“Yes. He’s waiting downstairs, saw the crowd, and didn’t dare come up,” the maid replied. She wasn’t the same one from yesterday and was unaware of the situation.

Didn’t dare come up? Still that small-mindedness. The Governor’s Wife smiled, relaxing back into her chair. “Have the Steward bring her up.”

A wealthy banker’s wife leaned in with a sycophantic air, “Which household’s sister is it, to warrant the elder sister sending someone personally to fetch her?”

“A divine physician recommended by my cousin. A female doctor, said to possess rare and excellent medical skills.” The Governor’s Wife pointed toward Madam Deng, granting her a favor. “This cousin of mine married into Li County; her husband’s family also holds an official post.”

Madam Deng smiled demurely, curtsied, and performed a standard courtesy.

Then came the thudding of footsteps on the wooden stairs. Wives and young ladies alike were all curiosity piqued, quietly watching the direction of the sound, waiting to glimpse the famed female doctor they had never met.

The moment Steward Chen appeared on the upper floor, he realized everyone was staring at him. His scalp prickled. He briskly walked to the Governor’s Wife and stood there, hands clasped respectfully. “Madam.”

The Governor’s Wife looked at him, then glanced again at the staircase. Confirming he was alone, she asked, puzzled, “Where is she? Still down there, too afraid to come up?”

Steward Chen was the mute swallowing bitter herbs. He opened his mouth and said, bitterly, “Doctor Chu… Doctor Chu said… she can’t come today. Another day, she’ll…”

“She can’t come?!” The Governor’s Wife shot upright, her voice suddenly high-pitched, sharp and piercing. “What do you mean, she can’t come? My Governor’s Mansion can’t summon a mere doctor?”

Steward Chen dared not make a sound. He hunched his back, trying to shrink away.

The Governor’s Wife was absolutely trembling with fury. Last night, one could claim ignorance of who had sent the invitation. Today, they’d even sent her official name card, and this female doctor still dared refuse! In all of Peaceful Ease Prefecture, no one had ever defied her like this.

“Useless fool!” She clenched her fingers, dashing her half-cup of watered wine against Steward Chen. The cup shattered on the floor.

Steward Chen didn’t dare retreat a single step, cursing Doctor Chu eight hundred times in his heart.

All the guests in the pavilion were silent, fearing to provoke further anger. Madam Deng, who had recommended the famous doctor, regretted it so deeply her guts churned. Why had she even opened her mouth! To make the Governor’s Wife lose face in Peaceful Ease Prefecture—this female doctor likely wouldn’t live long.

“Sister, why such fury over a mere doctor? She refuses a toast, punish her with a forfeit, that’s all.”

A coquettish voice broke the silence. The Governor’s Wife turned to see the speaker: none other than Madam Liang, wife of the Zhechong Commandant Liang Yu. In a prefecture, the Governor governed the people’s livelihood, granary, and taxes, while the Zhechong Commandant held military power!

On paper, the Governor outranked the Zhechong Commandant by half a step. In reality, they complemented each other, equal in influence. If there was any lady among all the officials’ families in Peaceful Ease Prefecture to whom even Lady Bao had to yield, it was this Madam Liang.

Holding military authority meant holding real power. Madam Liang was young and beautiful, and her temper was even greater than the Governor’s Wife’s. Inclined to show off, she toyed with a round fan, a beguiling smile on her lips. “Today is perfect; my husband is drinking downstairs. Why not have him make a trip and personally meet this divine physician?”

The matter of the corn was finally resolved, and Chu Mingxi was very pleased. Though only half the mystery was solved, at least it was a starting point.

“Eldest Young Miss! Eldest Young Miss! Disaster!” A young maid came running in, panic-stricken. “Many government officials have arrived outside! They want to smash our shop!”

Hearing the report, Chu Mingxi already guessed that the trouble from the Governor’s Mansion was escalating. She placed the few corn kernels in her hand back into the cloth sack. Qingdai tied the sack tightly and put it away. Yining poured water for the Eldest Young Miss to wash her hands. Only then did the mistress and her two maids proceed unhurriedly toward the front hall.

Inside the shop, Liang Yu had long grown impatient. He swatted Shopkeeper Yu aside and was about to force his way into the rear courtyard. Just then, the door curtain lifted, and a beautiful young woman emerged with her maids. She was exquisite. Liang Yu couldn’t help but eye her for a moment before stepping forward, “Are you Doctor Chu?”

“My surname is Chu. And you are?” Chu Mingxi stood gracefully, regarding him without timidity.

A woman of such courage was truly rare. Pity. Liang Yu answered nonetheless: “Zhechong Commandant of Peaceful Ease Prefecture.” He paused. “The Governor’s Wife bids you come. Doctor Chu, please come with us.”

Chu Mingxi already understood the Governor’s Wife was using her power to bully. She wasn’t one to cause trouble, but if trouble sought her, she never feared it.

Chu Mingxi gave a soft laugh and shook her head. “I won’t go.”

Liang Yu was stunned. This woman wasn’t courageous; she was simply foolish! He then sneered coldly, “That’s not up to you!” With a wave of his hand, the soldiers flanking him stepped forward all at once, blocking Shopkeeper Yu and the maids who rushed to intervene. He himself reached out and, through her sleeve, seized Chu Mingxi’s wrist to forcibly take her.

“Let go!”

Suddenly, a fierce shout, laced with the sharp whistle of wind, erupted from behind. The innate alertness of a military officer made him turn his head instantly. But the figure was too fast! A brutal lash of a horsewhip struck him squarely across the face!!