Translator: Nyoi-Bo Studio Editor: Nyoi-Bo Studio
Before departure, Wu Mancheng had taken into account the long distance and that people in the group would inevitably fall sick, so he hired an experienced physician at a high price to accompany the group.
The physician was old and weak and was usually seated in the carriage. He was rarely seen unless there was a sick person that required his attention.
The medical standard of the old man was not at the top of the country, but he was a famous name in Foshan. If it wasn’t for his b*stard son’s gambling debt, he wouldn’t be traveling with the old body of his. He might even send his life away during the journey.
The old physician waved to Wu Mancheng, meaning to say that nothing could be done, or that he can’t get any better, which meant that there was no saving the patient in the car.
The fatigue and anxiety over the past few days had caused Wu Mancheng to have a temper. He felt that the man hadn’t even tried, so why was he asserting that there was no cure? He insisted on having the physician try, even if it was futile.
His other trusted aides also echoed after him, requesting for the physician to give it a try.
Famous did not understand anything about medicine, and it wasn’t bothered to care since the group wasn’t moving for the time being. Why not continue to sleep and wait for breakfast?
Old Time Tea had a little understanding of medicine, so it was really interested in listening in on the conversation between the physician and Wu Mancheng. It was too far away to hear anything, though.
Just that moment, the carriages that were grouped in a circle were separated down the middle by the carriage driver. A group of maidservants and old mothers yawned as they headed to the stream to empty their night stool.
Wu Ning wore a neat set of men’s clothing and walked over with a maidservant, who was holding a bamboo basket in her hands. Needless to say, it was breakfast.
The meals for Famous and Old Time Tea had always been made by Wu Ning personally, so their meals were better than the ordinary carriage driver. However, ever since their deviation from the official road, the meal quality of the whole group had declined, and no one could be excluded.
Some people in the group looked at Wu Ning’s back and whispered to each other. There was a lot of discontent in their eyes. Under the current circumstances, their young lady was still caring for the two animals… Such actions made them feel resentful. So what if the two animals had saved the young lady?
Looking at the situation, Old Time Tea was worried, and it wanted to advise Wu Ning to stop sending them meals.
Famous confirmed the look in the people’s eyes. It indicated that the hearts of the people were scattered, and the group would no longer be easy to lead.
However, it also knew why Old Time Tea liked Wu Ning, and why it would even follow her to the north. Just by her character that held gratitude in her heart, she was already very likable.
Wu Ning was not oblivious to the dissatisfaction of the people, but at least she pretended not to know.
Coming in front of Famous, she ordered the maidservant to put down the bamboo basket. “Two Benefactors, please have your breakfast.”
Famous smelled the scent in the bamboo basket and wanted to open the basket to see what was for breakfast, but Old Time Tea didn’t move, so it didn’t move, either.
Old Time Tea stared at the physician and Wu Mancheng, who were in a dispute. It took a few steps forward, then looked back at Wu Ning.
Wu Ning had been with them for a long time, so she was able to make out the meaning behind their actions. She replied, “A family uncle suddenly suffered from an acute illness. My father and this family uncle have always had a good relationship, which is why he’s acting this way… We have embarrassed ourselves in front of the two benefactors.”
Old Time Tea remained in its same posture. Even if it was an acute illness, why didn’t the physician even try to cure him?
“Cat Benefactor, do you want to know more about it? Okay.” Wu Ning found a clean stone, the maidservant laid a mat on it, and she sat down.
“Two Benefactors, please have your breakfast. You can just listen to me.”
It turned out that Wu Ning’s uncle had fallen ill all of a sudden, but it wasn’t serious at first. Her uncle would only feel discomfort all over and be suspicious of things. He would yell at a touch then hide in the carriage. After the physician took a look at him, the physician diagnosed that he had developed hysteria.
As time went by, his condition began to deteriorate. His body would convulse intermittently, and his mouth would drool with saliva. When he woke up that morning, he was so thirsty that his lips were chapped, but he still refused to drink even a sip of water. He stared at the water as if he saw a demon. Even the sound of pouring water would cause him to convulse…
Cough! Cough!
Famous was stuffing itself when it almost choked at that part of the story.
Wu Ning quickly patted its back to help it catch its breath.
“Brother Famous, are you okay?” Old Time Tea asked worriedly.
“I’m okay… that’s not hysteria!” Famous cried out.
“Oh?” Old Time Tea was really surprised. “I didn’t know that Brother Famous was also well versed in the art of Qi Huang.”
“What art of Qi Huang?” Famous did not understand the term. It sounded like something Richard would say.
“It’s medical skills,” Old Time Tea explained.
“I don’t understand medicine at all! I only know that it’s not hysteria, because it’s rabies!” Famous said with agitation.
Old Time Tea pondered and said, “Rabies… is Brother Famous referring to the disease contracted after one is bitten by a mad dog? This old one also has doubts on it too after listening to Miss Wu’s description, but wasn’t as sure as Brother Famous…”
Famous wanted to say that it wasn’t only through dogs––even getting scratched by a cat can get you infected, but Famous could explain it in detail later because Wu Mancheng was calling for Wu Ning to go over.
“Old Time Tea, this disease can be transmitted, and once someone is infected, there is no cure! Do not let Wu Ning close to the patient!” Famous said quickly.
Famous cast a look at Old Time Tea and gestured for it to quietly follow along.
A cat and a dog followed behind Wu Ning. They slowly approached the group. Wu Ning turned to look at them and she didn’t stop them.
While walking, Old Time Tea shook his head in disapproval. “What Brother Famous said earlier isn’t right. If this person was really bitten by a mad dog, although it’s difficult to cure, it isn’t without a cure—there are records of many prescriptions in the ancient books that can be used as a cure. For example, using the brain of the mad dog and applying it to the patient’s wound…”
Famous shuddered. Its body stiffened immediately, and one of its legs that was lifted remained in the air.
Using the brain of the mad dog? That’s really cruel…
Famous immediately caught up and retorted, “No! Old Time Tea, I don’t know where you saw it, but Zhang Zian had said that the mortality rate of rabies is above 99 percent. Once contracted, the patient is basically dead. I have never heard him say that using a mad dog’s brain can cure this illness! Did you read a fake medical book?”
Old Time Tea was still in doubt. “Brother Famous, are you serious? But this method is clearly recorded in the ancient medical books… How can it be wrong?”
“It’s better to not have books if all you believe are books! Anyway, I’ll tell you that a mad dog’s brain is not a cure for rabies! There was no cure for rabies a 100 years ago, and there’s no cure for it now, either!” Famous didn’t know how to explain, because it was sleeping when Zhang Zian was explaining it. It didn’t hear clearly but it had caught the part of the horrible mortality rate.
In just a few words time, Wu Ning was already beside her father, followed closely by Famous and Old Time Tea.
Just then, Famous heard the old physician say, “This old one had made an incorrect initial diagnosis, and now I plead guilty to you. This person is not suffering from hysteria, but poison from a mad dog’s bite. It is necessary to extract the brain of a mad dog and apply it to the wound before it can heal… I’m not trying to blame anyone, but where can we find the mad dog who bit him?”
While the physician spoke, his eyes fell on Famous.
