The Fang Medical Clinic was a rather well-known small clinic in Shengping Town. Mid-afternoon was usually the quietest time, with no patients around and the doctors having retreated to the back for rest.
As an attendant, Ruo Shan took this opportunity to restock the medicine cabinet with herbs.
At this moment, Lady Zhuang brought out several packets of herbs and said to Ruo Shan, "You've been busy all day, take a rest! I can organize the medicine cabinet."
Organizing the medicine cabinet and promptly refilling the herbs was Ruo Shan's responsibility. How could he dare to let Lady Zhuang do it?
Lady Zhuang was not just anyone—she was from the long line of the elite medical Fang Family, born into a family with a proud heritage in the medical arts, and was responsible for purchasing their herbs.
Lady Zhuang always assumed she was being spied on by the wife of the second son of the second house, treating her with contempt; neither nose nor eyes looked right to her.
He respectfully said, "Thank you, eldest daughter-in-law, for your consideration, but Ruo Shan is not tired. Organizing the medicine cabinet is Ruo Shan's duty, and he dares not neglect it."
Lady Zhuang pursed her lips and left him alone, opened a packet of Gorgon fruit, found the corresponding cabinet drawer, turned her back to him, and added it inside.
Ruo Shan, not quite at ease, took a glance. It was indeed Gorgon fruit, and only then did he look away.
Seeing him glancing over, Lady Zhuang sarcastically remarked, "Rest assured, I am, after all, from the Fang Family. I recognize these herbs. Not like those country bumpkins who can only distinguish grains but not necessarily herbs! Oh, I'm not talking about you, don't take it the wrong way!"
Ruo Shan didn't speak.
After Lady Zhuang added the Gorgon fruit, she opened a packet of Coix seed and put it in the corresponding cabinet.
These were relatively common herbs that could be recognized at a glance. Ruo Shan looked and knew immediately there was no mistake.
At that moment, Ruo Shui came in holding Ruo Xuan, and seeing Lady Zhuang, greeted her out of courtesy, "Madam!"
Hearing a familiar voice, Ruo Shan turned his head to see his fourth brother and Xuanbao. He exclaimed happily, "Fourth brother, Xuanbao, you've come!"
Seeing Ruo Shui, Lady Zhuang's mood soured—just great, here to take advantage again!
Every time someone from the Ruo Family came to fetch medicine, the old master never took consultation fees, and charged them only the cost price for herbs. This displeased Lady Zhuang immensely.
Their family ran a medical clinic, not a charity!
Ruo Shui nodded with a smile, "Xuanbao, quickly greet Madam and your fifth uncle."
Just as Ruo Xuan was about to greet them, Lady Zhuang scoffed mockingly, "Isn't this the little idiot who couldn't speak or walk even at three? I've heard all about her from the old master of the household—no need to be polite! I know about her condition; I won't blame her for any rudeness. Are you here to see my father-in-law for a consultation? Unfortunately, this isn't a good time; he's resting."
She looked indeed like a lovable and delicate child, acting very much like a normal one.
Ruo Xuan obediently called out, "Fifth uncle, Madam."
Ruo Shan's eyes widened, unable to hide his surprise: Had Xuanbao just called him fifth uncle???
He was so excited that for a moment he was lost for words.
His Xuanbao could speak now?
After speaking, Ruo Xuan looked seriously at Lady Zhuang, "Madam, Xuanbao can speak now. I am not a simpleton; I can speak and walk. Father, put me down, I will walk to show fifth uncle."
She knew everyone thought she was a simpleton. The first time was forgivable, but if it happened again, she would get angry!
Ruo Shui quickly put his daughter down. Although he disliked Lady Zhuang's comments, considering the gratitude their Ruo Family owed to Dr. Fang, he didn't bother to argue with her.
As soon as Ruo Xuan's feet touched the ground, she threw herself at Ruo Shan and hugged his legs, "Fifth uncle, hug."
Ruo Shan lifted Ruo Xuan in his arms, excitedly hoisted her high, "Fifth uncle will give you a hug! Fifth uncle will raise Xuanbao high! Call out to fifth uncle again!"
"Fifth uncle, hehehe... Fifth uncle, put me down, it tickles, hehe..." Ruo Xuan, lifted high, couldn't help but burst into laughter.
Worried that Ruo Shan might drop his precious daughter, Ruo Shui hurriedly said, "Alright, put Xuanbao down quickly."
Ruo Shan then carefully set her down, switching to holding her with one arm.
Lady Zhuang was so shocked her eyes bulged; when she came to her senses she couldn't help but exclaim, "Has she been cured? Weren't we told that such innate foolishness is incurable? Simpleton, bow to me and let's see!"
Had her father-in-law actually cured this simpleton? If this news was released, their clinic's business would undoubtedly skyrocket!
It would also generate good publicity for the medical competition hosted by the Imperial Court next year.
Ruo Xuan furrowed her brow, "I've told you I'm not a simpleton, apologize, or else don't blame me for being rude!"
The Divine Monarch had said that she must not use Immortal Technique to harm others, as evil deeds incur their own karmic retribution, which is governed by the Heavenly Dao. If she used her Immortal powers to harm others at will, she would be punished by Heavenly Dao.
Ruo Xuan understood that she could not use her Immortal abilities to punish others. Since the matter was under Heavenly Dao's jurisdiction, she could use her Immortal powers to remind the heavens to act in the name of justice!
Lady Zhuang said as if she heard a great joke, "You want me to apologize to you? Do you know who I am? How exactly will you be rude to me? You've turned the world upside down! Ask your father if he dares to make me apologize!"
If they dared to ask for her apology, she would immediately have Ruo Shan pack up his belongings and leave! That would suit her just fine!
Ruo Xuan said no more—what did she care about who she was!
"Why shouldn't I be rude? It's about acting on behalf of the Heavenly Dao, telling the Heavens to take care of her, that's all!"
Xuanbao tucked her small hand into her sleeve and secretly pinched a magic seal, sending her a dose of Immortal Technique for verbal misconduct.
There, let the Heavens take care of her!
Ruo Shui frowned and clenched her fists, "Mrs. Fang, Xuanbao said, apologize!"
Xuanbao is still so young; she can't be made to endure the humiliation brought on by those in power from such a young age. What if she only learns to tolerate and appease others as she grows up?
One must have a bottom line in life; one cannot be debauched by wealth nor subdued by power!
Ruo Shan also asserted firmly, "Apologize!"
He could tolerate Mrs. Zhuang insulting him, but not Xuanbao!
He would rather not be an attendant than let Xuanbao suffer such indignity.
Mrs. Zhuang laughed derisively, "Apologize to a fool? Ruo Shan, don't you want to be an attendant anymore?"
At this moment, an elderly man lifted the cloth curtain and stepped out, speaking with authority, "Mrs. Zhuang, apologize!"
Mrs. Zhuang's face stiffened, and with reluctance, she turned to the elderly man, "Father, I've done nothing wrong, it's them..."
Doctor Fang said with displeasure, "Your attitude alone is a grave mistake! Apologize, or go kneel at the ancestral hall."
Being the eldest daughter-in-law of the Fang Family and in charge of purchasing medicinal herbs, being punished to kneel in the ancestral hall would be a disgrace she couldn't face.
With unwillingness, Mrs. Zhuang said, "I'm sorry."
Xuanbao turned her head away; too late! She refused to accept it.
It was then that Ruo Shui and Ruo Shan decided to let it go. Doctor Fang owed the Ruo Family a favor, and he was also Ruo Shan's master; they had to accept the apology no matter what.
Getting a sincere apology from Mrs. Zhuang was impossible.
They chose to accept the situation, but Mrs. Zhuang felt she had been humiliated in front of them and harbored even more hatred towards Ruo Shan.
"Father, I'll go back to the back courtyard first!"
She left with just that and walked away!
Back in the back courtyard, Mrs. Zhuang couldn't help but curse, "A family of ungrateful wretches, no wonder they are mad, crippled, and foolish! Apologize to a fool? As if I wouldn't be struck by lightning? Does she have such good fortune? Pah!"
"Boom!"
A bolt of lightning struck down from a clear sky!
Mrs. Zhuang was charred black on the outside and tender on the inside!
*
In the clinic, after Mrs. Zhuang had left, Doctor Fang said to Ruo Shui and the others, "I truly apologize for earlier, Brother Ruo, Ruo Shan, please don't take it to heart; it was my failure to discipline properly."
The two hurriedly said he was too serious, then Ruo Shui asked Doctor Fang to check on Xuanbao.
"Now that Xuanbao can talk and walk, is she all right?"
Doctor Fang took Xuanbao's pulse, asked her a few questions, had her walk a few steps, and perform some actions. Seeing her articulate clearly and move flexibly, he laughed, "This is not just getting better, it's fantastic! Brother Ruo, you are blessed indeed! Xuanbao is smarter than most children; she probably just didn't like to talk before, not that she couldn't."
Doctor Fang had seen some introverted children before; those children were simply reticent but very smart.
Xuanbao's condition had been more serious before, even unable to walk, probably due to adults pampering her.
Moreover, the Ruo Family had a girl for the first time in several generations, and everyone was too fond of her to put her down, naturally, she wouldn't learn to walk.
Both Ruo Shui and Ruo Shan showed beaming smiles.
Doctor Fang then inquired, "How has Ruo Hai been lately?"
Ruo Shui replied, "He hasn't had an episode recently; I just came today to gather some medicine."
"That's good to hear; it proves that the prescription is effective. Ruo Shan, continue to prepare two doses of the medicine for your brother according to the prescription."
"Yes," Ruo Shan said and went to gather the medicine for his brother.
Xuanbao looked at several packets of medicine on the counter, puzzled, "Uncle Five, some of those packets have worms, and some are moldy, can they still be used?"
Just then, a shadow rushed in and, hearing this, tripped and fell flat on its face.
Everyone only heard a "plop," and a black mist rose from the ground.
"..."