Chapter 68: Examining the Tiger Bone

Zhengning Prefecture wasn’t far from the Capital City, and a wide road had been built, reachable by carriage in one or two days. However, since Chu Mingyu had ridden out on horseback, a carriage likely wouldn’t catch up to her.

Chu Mingxi rubbed the center of her brows, her head aching.

The front hall was bustling with people coming and going. Chu Mingxi didn’t linger long and went directly up to the elegant private room on the second floor. Qingdai and the others were left to wait downstairs; only Chu Kang followed her up.

“Head Proprietor, please have some tea.” Since no junior maids were left in the front hall to serve, Chu Kang poured the tea himself.

“Uncle Kang, no need for such formalities.” Chu Mingxi raised a hand. After Chu Kang sat down on the other side of the tea table, she asked, “What exactly happened at the Zhengning Branch?”

“It started a few days ago. A patient came to our Medicine Hall seeking treatment, complaining of leg pain. The on-duty physician diagnosed him and asked about his symptoms. The patient experiences numbness in hands and feet easily when the seasons change from autumn to winter, with signs of swelling around the joints. The physician judged it as early signs of Bi Syndrome and prescribed a formula for internal and external application. The patient bought the medicine from our shop.” Chu Kang had been managing affairs for a long time and his account was clear and logical. In a few sentences, even the patient’s symptoms were explained. Finally, he concluded, “In that prescription, one ingredient was Tiger Bone.”

Chu Mingxi gave a neutral “Mm.”

Tiger Bone, also known as Great Insect Bone. The Sheng Ji Zong Lu states: “For treating Li Jie Wind (acute joint pain), where hundreds of bones and joints ache unbearably day and night. Myrrh (ground) half a liang, Tiger Shin Bone (roasted with wine) three liang. The above two ingredients are pounded and ground into powder. Take two qianbi per dose, mixed with warm wine. Take three times a day, regardless of time.”

If the on-duty physician’s diagnosis was correct, then using Tiger Bone in the prescription was perfectly normal.

“That patient took the medicine home. Not long after, officials came to our branch to find Manager Hong, saying the Medicine Hall had been reported. The complaint stated we were selling fake medicine, causing illness and disability, and beseeched the official to seek justice for him. Manager Hong asked for the plaintiff’s name and compared it with the name left on the medical case record, and quickly identified him.” Chu Kang summarized, “It was precisely the person diagnosed with Bi Syndrome that day.”

Chu Mingxi raised an eyebrow. “He went directly to the prefectural yamen? Didn’t come to our Medicine Hall to confront us first?”

“No.” Chu Kang shook his head. “The patient took his complaint and went directly to the yamen to file the lawsuit.”

“Heh.” Chu Mingxi gave a cold laugh and instructed, “Have the carriage prepared. I am going to Zhengning Prefecture.”

This spring had been unusually rainy, but autumn and winter were on the dry side. Many days had passed without rain, even delaying the arrival of the cold.

The Imperial Medicine Hall’s carriage traveled for over a day on the road, staying one night outside the city gates. Early the next morning, as soon as the city gates opened, they entered Zhengning Prefecture.

“Head Proprietor! You’ve finally come!!” Manager Hong of the Zhengning Branch heard the shop assistant’s report and practically threw himself forward to pay respects.

This sentence was so familiar. Chu Mingxi found it slightly amusing. Seeing Qingdai help him up beside her, she asked, “Has Mingyu caused trouble?”

“No, not at all.” Manager Hong’s face flushed red. Unwilling to speak ill of her behind her back directly, he could only say, “The Second Young Miss interrogated all of us yesterday and is currently throwing a fit in the back courtyard.”

At least she was here. Chu Mingxi decided to ignore her for the moment, sat down in the main seat, and then said with a faint smile, “I heard from Chu Kang that you let the branch get reported to the government office.”

Manager Hong was about to voice his grievances but looked up to see the Head Proprietor smiling. Yet, her eyes held no hint of a smile; instead, they were cool and clear, seeming to peer straight into one’s soul.

Manager Hong’s heart skipped a beat. He knelt down and said, “Head Proprietor, it is my fault that the Zhengning Branch has been sued. But the medicines in our shop are all genuine. There is absolutely no claim that we used dog bones to pass off as Tiger Bone. Please, come inspect the medicine warehouse and you will see.”

Chu Mingxi replied, “Indeed, I want to see it. Manager Hong, lead the way.”

The Zhengning Branch’s medicine warehouse wasn’t in the back courtyard, but it was close by. Going out the back door, crossing the opposite street, one arrived. The warehouse was off the main thoroughfare, separated by a street, which saved quite a bit on rent.

The group accompanying them included not only Manager Hong but also two physicians who were on duty today. Halfway there, they encountered the Second Young Miss, Chu Mingyu, who also followed along.

Seeing her sister’s stern face, Chu Mingyu quietly glanced at Qingdai. Qingdai gave a discreet look, and she knew her sister was angry.

This matter was indeed infuriating. When had the Imperial Medicine Hall ever produced fake medicine?

“Head Proprietor,” Manager Hong said. “A couple of days ago, people from the prefectural yamen already came. They wanted to temporarily seal the medicine warehouse, but our Imperial Medicine Hall has a century-old reputation and is well-spoken of in Zhengning Prefecture. So I asked the officials to wait a moment. I first sent a young lad to the Head Office to report to you, to see your instruction before proceeding further. Since the prefectural yamen has frequent dealings with our Medicine Hall, they agreed to my request.”

This was an attempt to absolve himself of responsibility.

Chu Mingxi glanced at him lightly but said nothing.

Exiting the back gate of the residence compound, crossing the street, and walking just a few steps, they entered a large gate. There were shop assistants guarding the entrance. Having seen them before when the Head Proprietor came to inspect the branches, they now all saluted respectfully.

Chu Mingyu was here for the first time. As soon as she entered, she looked around curiously. The medicine warehouse was sited in a cool, shady, and dry location. Medicinal materials were stored by category, sealed in wooden boxes, with the more precious ones additionally wrapped in fine cloth. Besides the inherent fragrance of the herbs, a careful sniff could detect a slight scent of Sichuan peppercorn, likely used for repelling insects.

“Head Proprietor, these chests here contain the latest batch of Tiger Bone. Two chests have already been used up, and we’ve heard no one claim they were dog bones. The prescriptions dispensed used ingredients from these very chests.”

Manager Hong led them to a row of chests. They weren’t large. Chu Mingyu silently counted them. Seven in total. Each chest had a paper label reading “Tiger Bone,” with a line of smaller characters beside it specifying types like “Tiger Body Bone,” “Tiger Shin Bone,” “Tiger Four Leg Bones,” and so on.

After a while, another shop assistant came in carrying an already-opened chest and placed it before them. Manager Hong explained, “This is the one that was opened, the one kept in the front cabinet. I had the assistant pack it up and bring it here.”

He spoke openly and frankly, his expression and words leaving little to criticize.

Chu Mingxi said, “Open them all.”

The shop assistants brought tools forward and pried open the sealed chests one by one.

Yining found a chair from somewhere nearby. Chu Mingxi sat there, silently observing, while the several people around her loosely fanned out in a semicircle.

“Start the examination with the chest brought from the front cabinet,” Chu Mingxi said once all chests were open.

The two physicians who had come along didn’t even need instructions. They naturally stepped forward.

Everyone in the warehouse watched quietly. The physician on the left, who was older, picked up a piece of the bone medicinal. He first examined it repeatedly under sufficient light, then brought it to his nose and smelled it. Finally, he broke off a tiny piece and placed it in his mouth.

“Reporting to the Head Proprietor, this bone is dense, solid, and hard. Upon smelling, it is slightly fishy and carries a hint of frankincense, its aura slightly warm. Tasting it, the flavor is acrid and slightly spicy.” He bowed and presented the piece of Tiger Bone to the Head Proprietor with both hands, leaving some room in his speech for the younger man beside him.

The physician on the right, as expected, caught the cue. Holding another piece of Tiger Bone, he supplemented, “Against the light, it appears slightly translucent. Inside, there are densely interwoven layers of a loofah-like veined pattern. This bone should undoubtedly be Tiger Bone.”

Manager Hong’s expression visibly relaxed. Although it wasn’t appropriate to laugh too broadly, the corners of his mouth visibly turned upward.

The two physicians waited a moment. Not receiving any instructions from the Head Proprietor, they exchanged a glance and moved toward the second chest of Tiger Bone.

“Is the examination finished already?” The Head Proprietor’s voice rang out from behind. Her tone was clear and resonant, like ice and jade.

The two physicians were both older than her, but hearing her voice, they were both somewhat afraid.

Chu Mingxi, however, didn’t intend to make things difficult for them. She gestured with her chin toward the first chest of Tiger Bone: “Continue the examination.”

The two physicians wiped away nonexistent sweat. Not daring to raise their heads, they acknowledged the order and turned back to the first chest.

The pieces of Tiger Bone in the chest diminished one by one, and a small pile gradually grew on the empty ground beside them.

When they reached the last layer, the older physician picked up one piece. He examined it carefully as before, but his expression suddenly froze in surprise.

Chu Mingxi raised her eyebrows slightly, her gaze becoming more focused.

The older physician went through the procedures of examination step by step. His expression grew increasingly complex, until finally, he was completely dumbstruck.

“What did you find?” Chu Mingxi still spoke in that faint tone, as if devoid of emotion, asking casually.

The older physician, trembling with fear, bent his body low. “Reporting to… to the Head Proprietor. This… this piece… appears to be… dog bone.”

Everyone in the warehouse, except Chu Mingxi, was stunned.

“Th-… this… how is this possible…” Manager Hong’s face changed dramatically. He shook his head violently. “Impossible! We already used up two whole chests before!”

Chu Mingxi’s gaze lingered on him only for a moment before turning back. Smoothing out her wide sleeve with one hand, she said, “Continue the examination.”

“Aye!” Both physicians were visibly panicked. But if fake medicine had truly appeared, it wasn’t their direct responsibility. Hearing the Head Proprietor’s order, they hastily lifted their robes and threw themselves back toward the medicine chests.

After examining that entire chest of Tiger Bone, a total of seven pieces of dog bone were found. Including the one dispensed in the prescription, there were at least eight pieces.

Manager Hong’s face turned ugly, cold sweat beading on his forehead.

Nearly midday, no one dared to mention having lunch. Yining exchanged a few words with Qingdai, went out by herself, and returned shortly carrying a tea tray with two cups of hot tea. One cup for the Eldest Young Miss, the other for the Second Young Miss.

Chu Mingxi accepted the tea, took a sip, and watched as the two physicians began examining the fourth chest of Tiger Bone.

“He-… Head Proprietor…” Halfway through the chest, the younger physician stammered, his voice trembling, “Th-this chest of medicinal material… is also mixed with dog bones.”

Chu Mingxi handed her teacup to the maid beside her and gave a completely unperturbed “Mm.”

After all the chests were inspected, it was found that three chests had been mixed with dog bones. Although the quantity wasn’t large, the pieces were all pressed into the bottom layer. Clearly, someone had tampered with them.

Watching the pile of separated dog bones gradually grow, Manager Hong could no longer contain himself. His knees gave way, and he slumped to the ground. Sweat rolled down from his hairline, making his face look comical in its terror.

The medicine warehouse was utterly silent. No one spoke. After the very last bone piece was examined, Chu Mingxi finally asked, her voice cold and detached, “Speak. What’s going on?”

Manager Hong’s whole body shuddered. He crawled to her feet, weeping piteously. “Head Proprietor, it wasn’t me… truly, it wasn’t me…”

Chu Mingxi lowered her eyes and swept her gaze over him. His voice choked. Suddenly, as if remembering something, his eyes widened and he cried out, “It’s the Eldest Young Master! I know it now! It’s the Eldest Young Master trying to ruin me!”