"The Wei family is the most prominent clan in the county city, but it is not merely a local family in the county government.""In fact, the Wei family's influence extends throughout the entire prefecture, and it is even rumored to have connections in the royal capital."
"Young Master Lu, with such a grand family, a mighty clan, can you blame me for being fearful?"
Upon hearing Mago's explanation, Lu Qing finally understood why he held the Wei family in such reverence.
However, he was still somewhat puzzled, "If the Wei family is so powerful, why do they reside in a small county?"
"That, I am not sure," Mago shook his head. "Perhaps it is because Cang County is the birthplace of the Wei family."
"And from what I know, most of the Wei family's industries and forces have already moved to the prefecture and the capital. In the county, there remains only an ancestral home and some minor businesses."
"However, the head of the Wei family has always lived in the ancestral home, for reasons unknown."
"Even though most of the Wei family's industries have moved, their status in the county remains unchallenged."
It seemed that the Wei family harbored secrets.
Lu Qing pondered deeply.
Otherwise, it was hard to explain such peculiar behavior.
A grand family head, willing to remain in a small county rather than moving to the more prosperous prefecture or capital.
However, no matter what the secret was, it was not something he could investigate at his current level.
So, Lu Qing dismissed the matter.
Hearing about the Wei family's immense strength, he felt somewhat relieved.
With the Wei family's resources, they surely wouldn't lack precious medicinal herbs.
As long as the two guards returned quickly and Young Master Wei could endure through the night, his life should be saved.
In fact, the two guards returned much faster than Lu Qing had anticipated.
Because of the critically ill patient, not knowing when his master might need to brew medicine, Lu Qing did not return home that night but stayed at the Halfway House.
That night, Lu Qing sat on a chair, holding Xiao Yan, drowsy. The little one slept soundly in his arms.
Suddenly, a commotion outside woke him up.
Seeing that Xiao Yan was still asleep, he carried her to his master's room, letting her continue to sleep, and then walked outside.
Outside, the courtyard was brightly lit, with many people present.
On both sides of the courtyard, more than a dozen burly men stood in two rows, holding lanterns, illuminating the place.
Lu Qing saw Guard Li bowing and whispering to a stern-faced middle-aged man.
"You mean to say that the young master's injuries are too severe to be moved?"
After hearing Guard Li's report, the stern middle-aged man asked.
"Yes, Steward, Doctor Chen said that the young master's condition is still critical. It's best to rest here temporarily. Once he wakes up and his condition improves, it will be safer to move him back to the mansion," Guard Li replied.
"I want to see the young master."
The stern man, addressed as the steward, did not immediately agree but made a request.
Guard Li immediately looked at Doctor Chen.
The old doctor nodded, "Only one or two people can enter. Too many people might bring in evil spirits, which would be harmful to the young master."
Hearing this, the stern man immediately said, "You all wait outside. Only Doctor Chen and I will go in."
"Yes, Steward."
Watching the two enter the room, Lu Qing felt a shock.
In his heart, he murmured, "Internal Organs Realm..."
Inside the ward, as they approached the bed, seeing the pale-faced, closed-eyed, dry-lipped young master, the Wei family steward's heart tightened.
After examining the wound on the young master's abdomen, his brows furrowed even more.
Before arriving, he had thought that those two scoundrels exaggerated the young master's injuries to shirk responsibility.
Now it seemed that those two scoundrels had not only not lied but had even understated the severity.
What nonsense about the life being saved and the condition stabilized.
As someone with some medical knowledge, the steward could see that the young master's current state was truly hanging by a thread, with death potentially imminent at any moment.
This was after the doctor's treatment. He could not imagine what the young master's state was like before.
Recalling the family head's instructions, the Wei family steward turned around and bowed deeply to Doctor Chen.
"Thank you, Doctor Chen, for saving my young master's life. The Wei family will remember this great kindness."
"No need for that. I was just doing my duty as a healer," the old doctor waved his hand. "Moreover, the young master is not out of danger yet. It is still too early to say these things."
The Wei family steward quickly said, "I heard that Doctor Chen needs ginseng and Tian Qi? Before I came, the family head specially instructed me to bring many medicinal herbs. Please follow me outside to select the herbs."
(Note: "Tian Qi" also known as "Panax notoginseng", is a type of medicinal herb highly valued in traditional Chinese medicine. It is often used to stop bleeding, reduce swelling, and alleviate pain. Tian Qi is known for its ability to promote blood circulation.)
"Oh, you brought ginseng?"
The old doctor brightened up.
Although his medical skills were superb, even the best doctor could not work without good medicinal herbs.
The two returned to the courtyard.
"Bring the box up."
At the steward's command, two men immediately brought up a box.
Opening the box, they saw rows of long boxes inside.
The steward stepped forward and opened these boxes.
Inside were top-grade medicinal herbs, all dried and cured.
There were over a dozen ginseng roots alone.
Lu Qing saw that some of them were even larger than the two brought by the little black beast.
Lu Qing couldn't help but be amazed.
As expected of a grand family, their foundation was deep. Casually, they brought out so many hundred-year-old ginseng.
"Doctor Chen, use these herbs as you please. If they are not enough, I will send more from the mansion," the steward said respectfully.
"These will be more than enough."
The old doctor chuckled and only took a few boxes, each containing ginseng, Polygonum multiflorum, and Tian Qi. Sᴇaʀch* Thᴇ ɴøvᴇl_Firᴇ.ɴet website on Gøøglᴇ to access chapters of nøvels early and in the highest quality.
"I will go to the pharmacy to prepare the medicine. You all have been working hard. Take a rest. If you need anything, just ask my disciple."
The old doctor pointed to Lu Qing.
The Wei family steward immediately bowed to Lu Qing, "Thank you, young master."
"It's no trouble. Just call me if you need anything," Lu Qing quickly returned the bow.
At the same time, he couldn't help but marvel.
As expected of a grand family, this steward was clearly a highly respected and authoritative figure in the Wei family.
Judging by Guard Li and the others' attitudes towards him, it was a respect that came from the core.
Moreover, Lu Qing's supernatural ability had revealed that this steward was a martial arts expert in the Internal Organs Realm.
Yet, despite his stature, when asking for help, he could be humble and respectful, giving others plenty of face, without any arrogance or bullying.
A steward with such demeanor—no wonder the Wei family could develop from a county clan to a grand family with far-reaching influence.
The old doctor's medicine preparation was swift. That night, he brewed the medicine.
Then, in the presence of the Wei family steward, he fed the life-saving decoction to the young master.
After drinking the decoction, with the old doctor’s acupuncture to stimulate the medicinal effects.
Soon, the steward saw a hint of color return to the young master's pale face.
His breathing also became steadier, no longer as faint as a wisp.
This change uplifted the steward's spirits and strengthened his confidence in the old doctor.
The next morning, at the break of dawn.
The steward saw the young master's eyelids twitch.