Chapter 52: The Inferiority of Wen Zhiyun

Chapter 52

Xu Mo began preparing for the April prefectural exam.

Over the past few days, the small courtyard had transformed from tranquility to bustle, and then back to tranquility again. The siblings were having a hard time adjusting.

Zheng Ruqian was especially taken aback. "Had I known studying would bring so many benefits, I would've attended school with Eldest Brother too!"

Jiang Sheng shot him a look. "Recite a classical essay for me to hear."

"...Nevermind," Second Brother looked up at the sky.

Anyone could get an education, but not everyone was Xu Mo - shockingly brilliant, diligent, endowed with talent and a strong work ethic. Both were indispensable to him.

At least in little Jiang Sheng's heart, Eldest Brother was the smartest and most incredible.

Beside her, Zheng Ruqian pouted. He admitted Eldest Brother was amazing, but couldn't Little Jiang Sheng look at Second Brother too? Second Brother made money, he was amazing too!

"What about me, aren't I amazing either?" Fang Heng was even more disappointed. "I can take on five men alone."

Wen Zhiyun's lips moved again but he swallowed his words back down.

The rest, especially Chang Yan, watched this scene unfold with great interest, coughing now and then to remind them of Fifth Brother's presence.

Times like these gave Jiang Sheng a headache. Too many brothers was troublesome as well. Apart from mild-mannered Fourth Brother, her other brothers competed and quarreled over everything.

When Jiang Sheng was in a good mood, she would placate each of them, and harmony would return to the family.

But right now she was not in the mood to humor anyone. She planted her fists on her waist and stormed off in a huff.

Leaving Zheng Ruqian and Fang Heng staring at each other.

"You upset Little Sister."

"No, it was you."

"Nonsense. It was clearly you."

"Wanna fight it out?..."

The truth was, everyone in this family tried their best and contributed in their own way.

Eldest Brother excelled in academics, Second Brother made money, Third Brother was a fighter, and even Fifth Little Brother was so clever.

At first, Wen Zhiyun was also quite confident in his ability to make money treating illnesses in the village.

But now that they had moved, Xieyang County already had plenty of professional physicians, and a half-baked apprentice like him was naturally ignored.

So whenever Second and Third Brother bickered, Eldest and Fifth could chime in or watch the show.

Only Wen Zhiyun would hesitate to speak.

He felt too inferior compared to his brothers. To them, he was just a burden.

Too weak to be noticed.

Wen Zhiyun closed his eyes. Sheltered by his parents since youth, he had developed a timid personality.

Later, surrounded by caring elder brothers, even little Chang Yan was smarter and braver than him.

The more Wen Zhiyun thought about it, the more aggrieved he felt. Finally mustering half the courage he possessed in life, he shouted, "The young physician is right! It's obstruction!"

Silence fell over the hall.

The disheveled young doctor lifted his head, eyes bright with tears, as if ready to kiss Wen Zhiyun in gratitude. "You see, you see! Someone believes me!"

The old doctor glanced back disdainfully. "A mere child spouting nonsense. Worse than us."

Indeed, Wen Zhiyun looked very young. The crowd eyed him dubiously.

But he grew more adamant. "Less talk, more action. Better than leaving the patient writhing in pain."

He had struck the crux of the issue.

Several patient relatives rushed over in tears. "He's suffering! He's dying! Give him medicine, any medicine, so he can be cured!"

The senior and middle-aged doctors exchanged a look. They weren't certain of the diagnosis either. Reckless treatment meant shouldering responsibility.

Years of experience made them wary of risk. "Then do as the young physician suggested."

Who diagnosed, who prescribed, who took liability.

The young doctor understood too, but the patient's life hung by a thread. However furious, saving him came first.

Not complex at all - just ground fava bean powder mixed in water.

The medicine boy quickly ground and brought it over. The patient's family carefully fed it to him.

In about the time it took to finish a cup of tea, a thunderous fart resounded.

The stench drove those nearby to cover their noses and mouths.

Then, as if a hornet's nest was stirred, farts came one after another, each layer of stench stronger than the last.

When it seemed the stench could grow no more intense, the thunder turned to quiet plops.

And even greater vileness swept forth.

The faint of heart instantly vomited or nearly swooned.

But before their eyes, the patient's abdomen gradually deflated. His consciousness also grew clearer.

The young physician pinched his nose, eyes streaming tears, still arguing his case as best he could while choking on the fumes. "I was...I was right...I was right..."

He didn't get to finish before crumpling to the ground.