The various yamen collaborating to investigate Little Feng’s identity made no progress and had no choice but to post Little Feng’s portrait everywhere.

In a tavern, a middle-aged man whose eyes were hazy from drink slurred his words, boasting to his companion: “I know who the person in the portrait is.”

“You know?” His companion was also tipsy and forgot to keep his voice down. “Who is it? Tell us quickly.”

The middle-aged man hiccupped: “No, I won’t tell you.”

His companion hooked an arm around his shoulder and asked with a grin, breathing alcohol fumes: “Are you planning to collect the reward?”

The middle-aged man hurriedly shook his head: “I’m not going. Dealing with officials never ends well—”

He suddenly noticed his companion’s eyes had gone straight. Turning his head to look, he was instantly frightened sober.

“M-my lord…”

Two Jinlin Guards had stern expressions. One of them pressed down on his shoulder: “Come with us for a trip.”

The middle-aged man’s legs went weak with fear. He immediately began to cry: “This commoner drank too much and was talking nonsense—”

“Whether it’s nonsense or not, you’re coming with us.” The two Jinlin Guards’ tone was cold and hard, though they felt somewhat excited inside.

If this drunkard truly knew something, they would have achieved merit.

The middle-aged man was brought to the yamen. The one questioning him was a Jinlin Guard centurion.

In such a place, the middle-aged man completely sobered up. He did not even have the courage to lie and spoke honestly.

“The youth in the portrait is surnamed Liu. He used to live in Wanfu Ward. His father was an official, and his family also had an elder sister who was especially beautiful. About seven or eight years ago, his sister went out to play during the Qixi Festival. She was only found the next day. They said she had eloped with a lover for a secret tryst and was chased down and brought back. Perhaps she was forced to separate from her lover—we don’t know the specific reason. Anyway, after his sister was brought back, she hanged herself. Not long after, his father also died. After that, there was no more news of this family, and the house also became empty…”

Who would have thought this child would actually be apprehended by the authorities? He wondered what crime he had committed.

Hearing this person speak in such detail, the centurion asked: “How do you know so clearly?”

The middle-aged man hastily explained: “This commoner used to live there. Later, when my family circumstances declined, I moved away.”

The centurion still had doubts: “The youth in the portrait is already fifteen or sixteen years old, but seven or eight years ago he was still a small child. How could you recognize him at a glance?”

“This child resembled his sister quite a bit. Cough, his sister was this age back then and very beautiful, so this commoner had a deeper impression…”

The centurion’s face turned cold as he warned: “I will send people to investigate. If we find even half a sentence of lies from you, I’ll pull out your tongue.”

If he had truly lived in Wanfu Ward for many years, this would be easy to handle. Even after seven or eight years had passed, many neighbors would still remember this family.

On this side, the Jinlin Guards who finally had a lead began their investigation. On the other side, the old man who had taken down the proclamation, after being thoroughly searched inside and out, was brought before Emperor Tai’an.

“This commoner greets Your Majesty.” The old man performed his courtesies properly, his bearing neither humble nor arrogant.

Emperor Tai’an sat on the dragon throne, sizing up the old man.

The old man’s beard and hair were all white. He was vigorous in spirit. Wide robes draped over his thin frame, giving him the feeling of an immortal.

Emperor Tai’an was suspicious by nature. He did not develop much trust because of the old man’s apparently reliable demeanor and asked without any ripples: “You are the divine physician who took down the proclamation?”

“I dare not claim the title of divine physician. This commoner merely understands a bit about the golden needle pain relief method.”

“Merely understand a bit?” Emperor Tai’an’s voice rose slightly.

“Merely understand a bit.” The old man replied calmly.

Emperor Tai’an glanced at Eunuch Liu Chuan standing at his side. Liu Chuan immediately called out loudly: “Bring the person.”

Soon a young guard came to the hall and performed courtesies with difficulty.

The guard’s arm was wrapped in white cloth. His expression looked relatively calm, but if one looked closely, one could see the fine beads of sweat on his forehead and his pale lips.

“Trouble the divine physician to relieve his pain.” Emperor Tai’an said lightly.

Without question, this was a test of the old man. The Crown Prince’s precious body was not for random experimentation.

The old man walked before the young guard and reached up to unwrap the gauze.

Eunuch Liu Chuan considerately blocked Emperor Tai’an’s view: “Your Majesty, let the divine physician work in the side hall.”

Emperor Tai’an’s expression did not change: “No need. I will watch.”

Hearing him say this, Liu Chuan retreated to one side.

The old man had already removed the layers of white cloth wrapped around the young guard’s arm, revealing a vicious wound. The wound still looked very fresh—clearly he had been injured not long ago.

The young guard’s face became even paler. Beads of sweat rolled down. He gritted his teeth, restraining himself from losing composure before the imperial presence.

“Do you have golden needles?”

Hearing these words, Emperor Tai’an instinctively frowned: “Did the divine physician not prepare any?”

If he did not even have golden needles, how could he claim to understand the golden needle pain relief method?

The old man replied calmly: “A set of golden needles is too expensive.”

Emperor Tai’an fell silent for a moment, then nodded in indication to Eunuch Liu Chuan.

Liu Chuan gave a eunuch a look. The eunuch quickly fetched golden needles.

Liu Chuan received them and personally handed them to the old man.

The old man glanced at the complete set of golden needles in various lengths and thicknesses, selected a slightly longer one, and deftly inserted it near the young guard’s wound. In merely the blink of an eye, he had needled a complete circle.

The young guard’s expression visibly relaxed considerably.

Emperor Tai’an stared intently at the young guard. Seeing this, he hurriedly asked: “How is it?”

The young guard respectfully said: “Reporting to Your Majesty, the pain has lessened considerably.”

After a while, the young guard said again: “There is only slight pain now.”

Emperor Tai’an’s face showed delight. Looking at the young guard’s arm like a hedgehog, he hesitated somewhat: “Needled like this, it must be inconvenient to sit or lie down, right?”

Did this mean the Crown Prince would have to keep his arm exposed like a hedgehog constantly?

Of course, compared to being unable to bear the pain, it was not unacceptable.

The old man nodded in agreement: “It is indeed inconvenient.”

Before Emperor Tai’an could ask again, he saw the old man’s fingers flying as he removed the golden needles one by one.

“This way it’s convenient.”

Emperor Tai’an: “…” He suddenly felt like a fool for having asked just now.

Fortunately, he could maintain his composure. His face showed not the slightest embarrassment as he asked the young man: “How do you feel after the golden needles were removed?”

The young guard seemed unable to believe it. He even moved his arm slightly and said with a shocked expression: “It doesn’t hurt anymore!”

Emperor Tai’an looked toward the old man, the corners of his mouth lifting in a smile: “The divine physician is truly formidable.”

“Your Majesty is too kind. After acupuncture, the pain relief cannot last forever—it can only be maintained for a certain time.”

“How long can it be maintained?”

“If needles are applied three times a day, one can be free from the suffering of pain.”

Upon hearing this, Emperor Tai’an felt relieved: “Then I entrust the Crown Prince to the divine physician.”

“This commoner will do his utmost.”

Having confirmed that the person before him was not a pretentious fraud, Emperor Tai’an finally had the interest to ask: “How should I address the divine physician?”

“This commoner is surnamed Wang. Those who know me all call this commoner Old Wang.”

Old Wang? Was this form of address not too casual? Someone who knew such divine skills as golden needle pain relief should at least be called Physician Wang, right?

“At which medical hall does Physician Wang practice?”

The old man’s expression did not change: “Usually I mainly set up a stall on the street to tell fortunes.”

Emperor Tai’an: ?

After quite a while, the Emperor finally decided how to address him: “Liu Chuan, escort Master Wang to the Eastern Palace.”