At the tea pavilion in front of the Divine Physician’s residence, there were increasingly more people. Their desire to seek medical treatment was not deterred in the slightest by the sweltering weather.

In the face of life and death, other things became bearable or insignificant.

The first to arrive at this place yet unable to knock open this ordinary door, Prince Pingnan’s heir Wei Feng clenched his fists hard, his expression extremely ugly.

The Divine Physician’s airs were far too grand.

When he had rushed here before dawn and went forward to knock on the door, the gatekeeper boy said the time hadn’t arrived yet—please wait at the tea pavilion outside the gate.

Disregarding the patient’s critical situation—did this so-called Divine Physician have any physician’s benevolent heart at all!

Both anxious and angry, he had been about to smash the door and enter, but was persuaded to stop by the steward he’d brought.

The steward said: “Even Prince Kaiyang has been turned away multiple times when coming to seek medical treatment. Young Master, you should exercise patience.”

Hearing the steward mention that Prince Uncle, he had no choice but to endure.

If the Divine Physician could refuse to give face to Prince Uncle, naturally he could also refuse to give him face.

He was also aware of the Imperial Uncle’s courteous treatment of Physician Li.

But Father was in critical danger. If something untoward happened—Wei Feng simply couldn’t imagine that consequence.

He pressed his lips tightly. The tea placed before him hadn’t been touched at all, his eyes staring fixedly at that door.

The torment in his heart was something his twenty smooth and successful years had never experienced.

At this moment, he finally understood what it meant for days to feel like years.

He didn’t know how much time had passed when the door finally opened.

Those who had received number tokens crowded in. The gatekeeper boy called for the person with token number one to enter.

Naturally, Wei Feng had obtained the first number.

Wei Feng was led inside the house and handed the gift he’d brought to the gatekeeper boy to deliver behind the screen.

Before long, the gatekeeper boy walked out from behind the screen carrying the gift and bowed to Wei Feng: “Young Master, my apologies. The Divine Physician did not take interest in what you brought.”

“Impossible!” Wei Feng cried out, suddenly looking toward that embroidered screen depicting Shennong tasting hundreds of herbs.

His situation was different from Prince Uncle’s.

Prince Uncle’s visit to seek consultation was reportedly for his ailing wet nurse—it wasn’t surprising the Divine Physician wouldn’t give this face.

But he was seeking medical treatment for Father, and Father was the Crown Prince’s birth father, the Imperial Uncle’s blood brother!

Wei Feng shouted toward the screen: “Divine Physician, it’s my father who has suffered an arrow wound. Right now his life hangs by a thread, waiting only for you to save him.”

There was no sound from behind the screen.

The gatekeeper boy replied on behalf of Physician Li: “Young Master, these are our Divine Physician’s rules. Regardless of what status the medical seeker has, we only look at whether the items they bring can arouse the Divine Physician’s interest.”

How could Wei Feng listen to such words? He raised his voice: “If the Divine Physician doesn’t fancy what I’ve brought, whatever Prince Pingnan’s Manor possesses, as long as the Divine Physician desires it, can all be offered. As long as you move to the manor now and save my father!”

After a moment, a voice finally came from behind the screen: “Not going. Fuling, let the next one in.”

The crisp and decisive refusal made the already anxious and irritable Prince Pingnan’s heir unable to restrain himself any longer. He raised his foot to walk behind the screen.

“Young Master, please stop—” The gatekeeper boy hurried to block him.

“Stand aside!” Wei Feng reached out and pushed the gatekeeper boy to one side.

Father was in critical danger—even a mere gatekeeper boy dared to obstruct him.

Just as Wei Feng was about to reach the screen, an unsheathed blade silently barred his way.

Wei Feng stopped abruptly, only now discovering a man standing in the corner.

Perhaps due to excessive urgency, he actually didn’t know whether this man had been in this room all along or when he had entered.

Though that blade was unsheathed, it inexplicably made one’s blood run cold.

Wei Feng’s heart quailed, yet a kind of offended fury also rose up. He glared fiercely at that person and demanded: “Do you know who I am?”

The man held his blade, his tone extremely bland: “No matter who you are, those who force the Divine Physician shall be killed without exception.”

“You dare!”

The man’s face remained calm and unruffled: “These words weren’t spoken by me, but by the Late Emperor.”

Wei Feng instantly lost his courage.

The gatekeeper boy took advantage of the moment to smile at Wei Feng: “Young Master, you should please return. Tomorrow you can bring another item to try.”

“My apologies, this young master was discourteous.” Wei Feng apologized toward the screen and walked out with a dark expression.

Come again tomorrow?

Father could have an incident at any moment—how could he wait until tomorrow?

But he hadn’t been able to move the Divine Physician.

Barely managing to leave the Divine Physician’s residence, Wei Feng dejectedly pounded the hitching post.

The steward’s expression also looked terrible: “The Divine Physician refused to make a house call?”

Wei Feng nodded.

“What are we to do…” The steward also panicked.

“Damned Divine Physician, what exactly is he interested in!” Wei Feng gripped the reins tightly, his expression gloomy as he instructed the steward, “Quickly investigate and see if you can discover the Divine Physician’s preferences.”

The steward shook his head and sighed: “In the capital, people have specifically compiled those items that moved the Divine Physician—there’s absolutely no pattern whatsoever.”

“Are we just going to give up like this?” Wei Feng was extremely unwilling. Sitting on his horse, he didn’t even have the courage to return to Prince Pingnan’s Manor.

He feared that upon stepping through the gate, he would hear news of Father’s demise.

“Wait!” The steward’s eyes lit up. “Young Master, this servant has thought of someone!”

“Stop being long-winded!”

The steward lowered his voice: “Miss Luo.”

“Miss Luo?” Wei Feng didn’t react immediately.

“Yes, precisely Grand Marshal Luo’s precious daughter, Miss Luo. Have you forgotten? Back when Grand Marshal Luo was critically ill, the Divine Physician declared he wouldn’t pay attention to anything the Grand Marshal’s Manor sent. Miss Luo went to request him personally and actually moved the Divine Physician…”

Wei Feng also recalled this matter. Listening to the steward’s words, his expression continuously changed.

“Not only that, this servant has also heard that some days ago, after the Divine Physician went to the Grand Marshal’s Manor, he went to Prince Kaiyang’s Manor. At that time, Prince Kaiyang had been turned away from seeking consultation several times. There are rumors that Miss Luo helped Prince Kaiyang…”

Wei Feng impatiently interrupted the steward’s words: “You’re saying Miss Luo very likely knows the Divine Physician’s preferences?”

The steward nodded solemnly: “This servant believes this is possible.”

“To the Grand Marshal’s Manor!” Wei Feng forcefully pressed his horse’s flanks and headed straight for the Luo Manor.

At this time, Luo Sheng was sitting under a tree in Xianyun Courtyard drinking tea.

The weather was very hot. Cicadas hid in the treetops, calling one after another.

On the ground beside the stone table were placed several ice basins, delivering threads of coolness to this small corner of heaven and earth.

“Miss, are you in a bad mood?” Seeing that Luo Sheng hadn’t spoken for a long time nor touched her teacup, Hong Dou asked in puzzlement.

Beside her, Kou’er sighed: “How could she be in a good mood? Our tavern finally became prosperous, but who knew we’d encounter this kind of thing. Just watch—tonight there probably won’t be any customers.”

“No customers coming?” Hong Dou blinked, the corners of her mouth lifting uncontrollably. “Doesn’t this mean the ingredients prepared today can only be dealt with by us?”

This was clearly a good thing!

No customers means can’t earn money? Heh heh, their Miss didn’t lack those few coins.

Reminded by Hong Dou, Kou’er also reacted.

Eh, it did seem to be a good thing.

Then why did Miss seem unhappy?

The two maids exchanged glances. Hong Dou rolled up her sleeves: “Miss, are the cicadas bothering you? This servant will climb the tree and catch them.”

“Don’t climb the tree.” Luo Sheng picked up her tea cup, her tone bland. “Be careful not to fall.”

At this moment, a servant came to report: “Miss, Prince Pingnan’s heir requests an audience.”