Chapter Nine: Transformation

Page (1/3)

The servant who had been waiting outside came hurrying in. Before long, Jia Pingan reappeared outside the old madam’s side room in the rear courtyard.

Hu Buyun had been waiting there all along, and it was plain from his expression that he was somewhat nervous.

In truth, it was not only him. The steward, Hu Shoufu, and Ren Qinghu, who stood a short distance away, were also waiting anxiously.

Ren Qinghu in particular was under considerable pressure. Jia Pingan had been recommended by him. If even Jia Pingan proved incapable, the general would inevitably lose some trust in him. In Ningguta, once a man lost the general’s protection, it was easy to imagine how difficult it would be for him to rise any further. His prospects for the rest of his life would be more or less decided.

Compared with the others, Jia Pingan appeared remarkably calm.

Gu parasites were formidable things, especially those that lived inside the human body.

Yet even such a creature was no match for the Spirit Spring Water. The moment a drop entered the body, it had been forced out entirely. The illness was only chronic bronchitis, so it should be cured as naturally as water flowing downhill.

In fact, everyone had barely waited at all before a maid emerged from the side room.

The moment he saw her, Hu Buyun hurried forward. At that instant, he had none of a general’s dignity; he was like a student eager to learn his results, stepping forward to ask, “How is my mother?”

“After taking the medicine, the old madam stopped coughing. She was tired and has already fallen asleep,” the maid replied, her face alight with excitement.

“She isn’t coughing anymore? She’s asleep?” Hu Buyun stared at her in disbelief.

If that was the case, did it not mean that the illness had already been cured by more than half? A physician trained in the imperial court truly was a physician trained in the imperial court—even the physician’s son possessed the skill to bring the dying back to life.

With that thought, Hu Buyun turned and looked at Jia Pingan, who stood nearby with confidence shining from his face. “Good. Your family’s inherited art is truly remarkable. I am impressed.”

“The general flatters me,” Jia Pingan replied humbly, naturally unwilling to become arrogant at such a moment.

“Haha, good. A young man who does not grow proud in victory or despondent in defeat—excellent.” In his great delight, Hu Buyun was lavish with his praise. “Steward, reward him handsomely! Hahahaha!”

When Jia Pingan returned to the Jia residence, an entire cart loaded with goods followed behind him.

Ren Qinghu was personally driving the cart.

Just moments earlier, in the general’s joy, he had promised that before long Ren Qinghu would be promoted from probationary junior officer to junior officer.

At last, he would rise another step. Since Jia Pingan had brought him this opportunity, how could he not be grateful?

The cart stopped outside the Jia residence, and the commotion attracted the attention of Yu Luoli and Jia Rongrong.

“Oh! So much meat, and such beautiful clothes!” Though Jia Rongrong was young, she had seen a few things in her time. When the family had lived in Changdu, the Jia household had even kept servants. The moment she saw all these fine goods, the words escaped her lips.

Page (1/3)

Page (2/3)

Yu Luoli had seen the goods as well and could not help asking, “An-ge, what… what is going on?”

Before Jia Pingan could explain, Ren Qinghu, who was directing two soldiers in carrying the goods inside, cheerfully provided the answer. “Madam, An-ge cured the old madam’s illness. These are the general’s rewards.”

“He cured the old madam’s illness?” Yu Luoli widened her eyes, her face filled with disbelief.

When they had been in Changdu, Jia Pingan had studied medicine by following his father, but in terms of ability he had been, at most, only somewhat better than an ordinary apprentice. Jia Fanghao himself had said so. How, then, could he have treated someone on his own—and actually cured them?

Yu Luoli had been at Jia Fanghao’s side for more than a decade and was no ignorant woman. She did not believe the old madam’s illness could have been so easy to treat. Ningguta might have been remote, but the patient was the mother of Ningguta’s general. How could there have been any shortage of excellent physicians to treat her?

How, then, had Jia Pingan cured her with a single attempt?

Her heart was filled with questions. How had her An-ge become so capable? This would not do!

Why had they named him Pingan in the first place? Was it not because they hoped he would live an ordinary life, free from danger and misfortune? If he became too conspicuous, how many schemes and struggles would he have to face in the future? How much bloodshed and treachery?

This was not a scene she wished to see, nor one her husband would wish to see.

“Yes, An-ge cured the old madam’s cough. It was practically an instant cure—truly amazing.” Ren Qinghu was in an excellent mood because of his impending promotion, and he praised Jia Pingan with all his might.

“Is that really true?” Having accepted the fact, Yu Luoli turned her gaze to Jia Pingan, seeking confirmation.

Jia Pingan nodded with a smile, thereby admitting it.

Though Yu Luoli was astonished, the deed was already done, and there was nothing she could change. Besides, the Jia family badly needed these goods. She quickly smiled and stepped forward. “Good. Bring everything inside.”

As she spoke, Yu Luoli led the way, directing the soldiers where to place each item.

The three men worked quickly. Before long, everything had been carried inside, and they took their leave with great courtesy. They even declined when Jia Pingan invited them to stay for a cup of hot water.

What a joke. This man had cured the old madam and was therefore a benefactor of their general. In the presence of someone like that, what right did they have to put on airs?

Once the three men had left and only the family remained in the courtyard, Jia Pingan reached into his robe. It appeared that he was taking something out from within, but in truth he retrieved five ten-tael silver ingots from his spatial storage and placed them before Yu Luoli.

“Aunt Yu, these are the general’s rewards. Keep them for the household expenses.”

“So much?” Even though Yu Luoli had been somewhat prepared, she was still startled to see him produce fifty taels at once.

In this era, one tael of silver was equivalent to a strong laborer’s monthly income. Fifty taels was enough to support their family of four for a very long time.

Under ordinary circumstances, Yu Luoli would never have accepted money Jia Pingan had earned. As an imperial physician, Jia Fanghao received a regular salary each month. When he was off duty, he could also treat the illnesses of wealthy and influential people, which provided him with a considerable additional income.

But now, after the family had been exiled, all their money and property had been confiscated. She truly had almost nothing left.

Page (2/3)

Page (3/3)

“Very well. I’ll take twenty taels. Keep the rest for yourself. An-ge, you’re grown now, and if you go out to make friends, you’ll need money.” Taking their circumstances into account, Yu Luoli decided to accept some, but she still did not want to take too much.

“Take it all. The general rewarded me with a hundred taels in total. I still have fifty left.” Jia Pingan shook his head with a smile.

He had never been able to see through this aunt who both cared for him and had placed a gu parasite in his body. But for now, he still depended on her to manage the household, so he could not treat her too harshly. As for who she truly was, Jia Pingan believed that, given enough time, he would uncover some trace of her intentions. If he eventually confirmed that she meant him harm, it would not be too late to eliminate the threat then.

Having come to a new era, Jia Pingan’s character had changed to some degree as well. The law was no longer an untouchable presence before him. For the sake of his own safety, any threat had to be eliminated before it had the chance to materialize.

When Yu Luoli heard that Jia Pingan still had fifty taels, she stopped protesting. She accepted the silver, joy appearing on her face. “Rongrong said earlier that she wanted to eat meat. Now that we have this money, we can make her happy.”

“If Rongrong wants meat, then buy her some. Once the silver is spent, we’ll find a way to earn more. Aunt, go prepare the meal. I’m going to see Father.”

Jia Pingan had already eased the old madam’s illness. He could not simply neglect his father as well.

Though once his father recovered, he might start meddling in affairs again and even disrupt some of Jia Pingan’s plans, he was still his father. Even if Jia Pingan had inherited this body, he could not do nothing at all.

“Good, go on. I’ll make something delicious and give the two of you a proper meal.” Yu Luoli was clearly delighted. Although An-ge’s abilities had been more outstanding than she expected, this was Ningguta. It should not be as dangerous as Changdu, where there were so many people to guard against. Since that was the case, a little brilliance should not matter.

Inside Jia Fanghao’s side room, he was sleeping soundly.

In truth, Jia Fanghao’s health was not particularly poor. It was only that he had been pushed forward to bear the blame, leaving him depressed and allowing the cold to penetrate his body. That was what had made him so weak.

With an illness like his, even after the fever and chills were cured, his spirits would remain blocked and his body weak. Minor ailments would continue to seek him out.

As things stood, Jia Fanghao was in low spirits, and his physical condition had deteriorated further. Although he had taken some medicine for his cold, there had been no noticeable improvement.

With a sigh, Jia Pingan came to his father’s bedside. After confirming that no one was nearby, he took out his water flask and poured the liquid into Jia Fanghao’s mouth.

Though this father was only his father by circumstance, he was still his father. Jia Pingan could not simply stand by and watch. He could at least help him recover from the cold. As for when his father’s mood would improve and he would finally come to terms with everything, that was not a problem Jia Pingan could solve.

After Jia Fanghao had swallowed a large mouthful, Jia Pingan helped him lie back down on the bed, then rose and left the room.

About fifteen minutes after Jia Pingan departed, Jia Fanghao woke once more. He felt far more comfortable all over. The nasal congestion and other symptoms that had plagued him were gone, though his bones still ached slightly—another sign that the illness was passing.

Yet, just as Jia Pingan had expected, although his body was no longer troubled, the deeply dispirited Jia Fanghao still did not want to get up. He simply lay there, staring blankly at the ceiling.

Once a respected imperial physician, he had now become a convicted official exiled to a bitterly cold wasteland. The violent contrast between his former life and his present one was something he could not accept.

Until he managed to turn that corner in his mind, all he could do was endure. When he finally came to terms with reality, he would face it anew.

Page (3/3)