Chapter 85 - It Isn't Really What You Think
“What's happening here? Have these bandits been captured alive?” Tang Yue inquired as he gazed at the bound captives.
Zhao Sanlang emerged from the sidelines and playfully grabbed Tang Yue's neck. “Hey there, Tang Xiaolang, I made it back in one piece.”
Tang Yue turned his head, slipping out from under Zhao Sanlang's grasp. He placed his hand on Zhao Sanlang's chest and chided, “Show some decorum. Don't touch me.”
Zhao Sanlang shot him an intense look and swiftly removed his shirt, exposing his fair chest. Tang Yue, feeling uneasy, asked, “What's going on?”
“Look!
“Where are you looking at?”
Zhao Sanlang pointed to a red mark on his chest. “Right here, do you recognize it? Last night, a sword was aimed at my heart. It nearly pierced me through. We were on the brink of life and death.”
Tang Yue was taken aback. He leaned closer for a better look, gently touching Zhao Sanlang's chest before concluding, “It's just a scratch, barely even broke the skin.”
It appeared that these two were unable to resist embellishing their story, magnifying the incident tenfold.
Wang Zizhao turned around and witnessed the scene. Their proximity and positioning raised his suspicions. From his vantage point, he saw Tang Yue planting a kiss on Zhao Sanlang's chest, an act witnessed by everyone present.
Suddenly, fury surged within him. Wang Zizhao exclaimed, “Tang Yue!” Drawing everyone's attention.
Confused, Tang Yue turned to face the crowd, met by their suggestive glances. Instinctively retracting his hand, he inquired, “What did His Highness just call me?”
“Mind your conduct. Publicly, this is inappropriate!” This was the harshest reprimand Wang Zizhao had ever given Tang Yue.
Tang Yue, usually thick-skinned, would have retorted if it were just Wang Zizhao, but with over a thousand pairs of eyes watching, he couldn't openly dispute it. Instead, he explained politely, “There's been a misunderstanding. I was merely examining Zhao Sanlang's injury.”
Zhao Sanlang, even more embarrassed, quickly donned his shirt and averted his gaze, saying, “It was just a check-up. It's not what you're thinking.”
His reputation was going to be ruined like this.
Laughter was stifled, and nobody passed judgment. Tang Yue paid no heed to gossip, being a man himself. As for Zhao Sanlang, he had it coming, and he cared somewhat about Wang Zizhao's perception. He didn't want to appear too casual in his eyes.
Tang Yue couldn't quite understand why he was so concerned about Wang Zizhao's opinion. Nonetheless, he seemed like a peacock in Wang Zizhao's presence, always striving to present his best self.
Clearing his throat, Tang Yue adopted a dignified tone. “Sanlang, those bruises on your body appear to be the result of heavy blows. Fortunately, there's no internal organ damage. You just need to apply some blood circulation ointment to alleviate the blood stasis. The pharmacy has these remedies. You can have someone fetch them for you.”
Zhao Sanlang responded swiftly, nodding appreciatively. “That's reassuring. I appreciate the medication, young sir.”
Tang Yue waved off the gratitude. “You don't need to thank me. If you must, thank Wang Zizhao. He's the one who urged the Imperial Court to prepare these herbs. I only played a small part.”
Zhao Sanlang promptly turned to Wang Zizhao, bowing respectfully. “Thank you for coming to my aid last night, Your Highness. Zhao Xian won't forget this favor.”
Wang Zizhao observed Zhao Sanlang's changed demeanor, feeling a tinge of regret for having saved him the previous night. He replied nonchalantly, “I acted in the interest of the State Protector. Your gratitude is unnecessary.”
Tang Yue's curiosity about the events of the previous night grew stronger. He wanted to pull Zhao Sanlang aside to inquire, but he sensed Wang Zizhao's peculiar gaze fixed upon them. So, he approached Wang Zizhao and changed the topic. “Will these individuals be brought back to Ye City?”
Wang Zizhao's expression softened somewhat as Tang Yue approached. “Only the significant figures among them will be brought back. The others will be dealt with on-site.”
“I didn't have the opportunity to ask last night. Have all the bandits been eliminated? Why is there a fire?”
Wang Zizhao provided a brief account of the previous night's events to Tang Yue. Even though Tang Yue had never personally witnessed such a scene, he found it profoundly stirring.
“The final group of bandits set fire to their hideout and attempted to escape amid the chaos. With the dry weather recently, the fire spread rapidly and couldn't be extinguished. We had to spend some time felling the surrounding trees to prevent further spread.”
Tang Yue privately admired the actions of these ancient people. They managed to clear such a vast section of the mountain forest without much effort or time. It left him wondering about the tremendous strength they possessed.
“Then what do you plan to do next? When are we going to return?”
“There's no need to rush. I'm heading to Qinyang City for some matters. You stay here to tend to the wounded and await my return,” Wang Zizhao stated, his gaze shifting meaningfully toward Tang Yue.
The intense scrutiny from Wang Zizhao made Tang Yue feel uneasy. He inquired awkwardly, “How long will you be gone?”
“Three days should suffice.” Wang Zizhao averted his gaze from Tang Yue and instructed Hu Jinpeng, “Prepare for our trip. Tomorrow, we're heading to Qinyang City to apprehend that criminal.”
Were they planning to bring the underworld boss before the officials for a showdown? Tang Yue wished he could join them, but his duty bound him to stay behind.
Nevertheless, although he couldn't accompany them to Qinyang City, he decided to spend his time gathering herbs in the nearby mountains. Along the way, he discovered several valuable herbs of considerable age, thriving in their natural habitat. It would be ideal to unearth their roots and cultivate them.
In this era, the concept of cultivating medicinal herbs was virtually nonexistent. Masters typically collected herbs themselves or bought them from others. While these herbs were pure and natural, their availability was limited, often leading to shortages.
Tang Yue planned to seek a plot of land from his affluent father for medicinal herb cultivation. He believed that his father would readily agree.
Following that, he would purchase various herbs and seeds. Whether he could successfully cultivate them remained uncertain. Nonetheless, he surmised that this era wouldn't lack individuals skilled in farming. He could enlist their expertise and explore the process gradually.
Tang Yue had already enjoyed ample daytime rest and felt exceptionally energetic at night. After patrolling the ward once, he retrieved some massage cream and sought out Wang Zizhao.
“I didn't have a chance last night. Your legs must have been bothering you these past two days, haven't they?” Tang Yue discerned, even though Wang Zizhao had done his best to appear unperturbed.
“It's bearable. Imperial Doctor Wu offered some advice before he left. A little discomfort won't deter me.”
“Did Imperial Doctor Wu advise against strenuous activity?” Tang Yue inquired. Rolling his eyes, Tang Yue squatted in front of Wang Zizhao, removed his shoes, and rolled up his pants.
He rubbed his hands together to generate warmth, then applied some massage cream and kneaded his hands. Afterward, he smoothed the cream onto Wang Zizhao's legs, repeatedly massaging them.
“Feeling better?” Tang Yue inquired with a knowing smile, looking up at him.
Wang Zizhao had an inexplicable urge to touch Tang Yue's face. It was just an ordinary face; why did he feel compelled to gaze at it and even touch it?
“If circumstances permit, I recommend resting in bed for a couple of days. But I know you won't heed my advice,” Wang Zizhao remarked. Tang Yue gently applied pressure to the acupuncture points on Wang Zizhao's legs, occasionally tapping them lightly.
“This place is known as ‘Three Li Feet.' The attending physician here suffered from gastrointestinal issues, and his lower limbs are paralyzed. He must have administered acupuncture to you previously,” Tang Yue explained, tapping the acupuncture points beneath Wang Zizhao's knee.
Wang Zizhao nodded, well-acquainted with the major acupuncture points of the human body. This current injury had made him recognize most of the leg's acupuncture points. He hadn't expected Tang Yue to possess this knowledge as well.
Tang Yue's treatment method seemed to involve a different medical system altogether. It was vastly different from contemporary medical practices. Even Imperial Doctor Wu couldn't explain this anomaly.
“There's also a Yin Ling Spring Point on the inner side. The attending physician can treat diarrhea, edema, jaundice, knee pain, and spleen disorders with it.”
Wang Zizhao lay comfortably on the bed, his eyes closed. “I can't recall ever seeing you utilize acupuncture for treatment.”
Tang Yue's hands paused, and he admitted with a hint of embarrassment, “Well, I only know the basics. I'm not proficient in it.” Every doctor had to learn the human acupoint map, but acupuncture was a specialized skill in traditional Chinese medicine.
“Many are curious about young dandy's teacher and where you learned your skills. I'm curious too, but if you'd rather keep it to yourself, I won't pry.”
“Your Highness is remarkably understanding!” Tang Yue sincerely praised, feeling fortunate to have such an open-minded boss.
Wang Zizhao's tone changed as he continued, “But… I'm afraid it won't be easy to persuade someone to undergo your treatment.”
Convincing these individuals to accept surgical techniques involving the use of scalpels was a formidable challenge. People were often hesitant about procedures involving incisions or even more invasive ones.
Tang Yue replied, “Once we achieve successful outcomes, it will reshape everyone's perspective. Besides, when you're on the brink of death due to illness, do you really care how someone saves you?”
Wang Zizhao felt his leg muscles relaxing. He posed a question that had been gnawing at him all day, “How did you resurrect the person who died last night?”
Confirming the death of a wounded individual required more than a casual check. They had to ensure there was no breathing or heartbeat. How had they managed to revive someone who was seemingly deceased?
In the army, rumors circulated that Tang Yue possessed not only extraordinary medical skills but also might be the reincarnation of a deity, holding the mystical power of reviving the dead.
Although such rumors might seem favorable for Tang Yue's reputation, they often carried more downsides than upsides. Bestowing him the title of a Divine Immortal's reincarnation could lead to unwanted constraints in the future. Any misstep would be doubly criticized.
As history had shown time and again, extreme circumstances often led to reversals of fortune.
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