Chapter 72: Shen Wanshan’s Doubt

Xue Haisu noticed Shen Wanshan’s expression and immediately stepped forward. “Mr. Shen, this is the Mr. Ye I mentioned to you.” He then turned to Ye Tianci and bowed. “Mr. Ye, I was the one who recommended you to Mr. Shen. If I have overstepped, I ask for your understanding.”

Ye Tianci nodded in acknowledgment.

Shen Wanshan, seeing the young Ye Tianci, began to doubt Xue Haisu. Young men are often inexperienced. Ye Tianci was so young, about the same age as Shen Ying, his daughter—how skilled could his medical expertise be?

Still, he greeted Ye Tianci politely. “Mr. Ye, I am Shen Wanshan. My father is gravely ill, and I have invited you here to treat him.”

Ye Tianci replied coolly, “No need for formalities. Let’s save lives.”

Shen Wanshan led Ye Tianci into the old man’s bedroom.

As Ye Tianci entered, Shen Ying’s face hardened. “You really dare to come to my house?”

“Dad, why must you invite him? Yesterday he boasted, claiming not even a miracle could save Grandpa within twelve hours. That’s what agitated Grandpa and made him sick!”

“Besides, he’s so young—how skilled can he possibly be? He probably doesn’t even have a medical license!”

Shen Wanshan, ever indulgent with Shen Ying, looked at Ye Tianci instinctively. “Mr. Ye, do you have a medical license?”

“No.”

“Then who taught you medicine?” Shen Wanshan pressed, frowning.

“My master and I are both wandering healers from the countryside,” Ye Tianci replied, his voice calm.

Shen Wanshan’s expression darkened immediately, and he angrily reproached Xue Haisu. “Divine Doctor Xue, is this the man you recommended? He doesn’t even have a medical license—how can he treat my father?”

Xue Haisu, usually good-natured and never one to offend the elite of Shu City, now erupted in anger. “Shen Wanshan! I recommended Mr. Ye to save your father only because of our friendship. Mr. Ye’s willingness to come is a favor to me and to you!”

“How dare you not appreciate his kindness? Questioning Mr. Ye like this!”

He turned and bowed to Ye Tianci in apology. “Mr. Ye, I apologize for meddling and recommending you, only for you to be doubted.”

“It’s not your fault,” Ye Tianci said with a gentle smile, acknowledging Xue Haisu’s gesture, whether genuine or intended to curry favor.

Lei Hong stepped forward, his expression stern as he glared at Shen Wanshan. “Old Shen, what do you mean by this?”

“Master Ye is my honored guest. I invited him here at your request, and now you’re not only ungrateful, but you question his credentials and show him disrespect!”

“You can insult me, but you cannot insult Master Ye!”

Lei Hong rebuked Shen Wanshan without hesitation.

Previously, he would never have dared offend Shen Wanshan. Now, with Ye Tianci backing him, he felt no fear.

Yu Feihu had just arrived as well. He was here to apologize to Shen Wanshan, but had not yet found the opportunity to speak. Witnessing the scene, Yu Feihu stepped out from the crowd, his face severe. “Mr. Shen, Mr. Ye here saved my father-in-law’s life yesterday. His medical skills are extraordinary! How can you question him just because he lacks a medical license?”

“Hmph, I’d say you’re wise in most things but foolish in this!”

Shen Wanshan looked astonished.

The statuses of Xue Haisu, Lei Hong, and Yu Feihu were all significant. Normally, despite their positions, they would only seek his favor and never speak so bluntly.

What was happening today?

For Ye Tianci’s sake, all three stood firm against him?

This stark contrast left Shen Wanshan deeply unsettled!

His face grew somber as he said, “You three dare to speak to me like this for his sake? Are you not afraid I’ll settle this score later?”

He hoped to see regret or worry on their faces, but was disappointed.

Xue Haisu, Lei Hong, and Yu Feihu all remained calm, utterly unconcerned by his threat.

“Divine Doctor Xue, Tiger, Mr. Yu, there’s no need to say more. I’ll leave,” Ye Tianci said lightly.

Shen Ying scoffed disdainfully, “You shouldn’t have come in the first place. Someone else will save my grandfather!”

Ye Tianci’s lips curled as he gestured to the unconscious Shen Cangyun. “Remember your words. And your grandfather’s last hope was snuffed out by you, his dutiful granddaughter.”

Shen Ying lunged forward, furious. “Explain yourself! Are you cursing my grandfather?”

“I made myself clear yesterday,” Ye Tianci replied coldly, casting a brief glance at Shen Ying’s chest.

Shen Ying’s beauty rivaled Lin Qingqian’s, her only advantage being her proud figure. Ye Tianci’s glance was instinctive, not malicious.

But Shen Ying noticed his gaze, and her anger flared. She swung to slap Ye Tianci’s face.

Smack!

Ye Tianci easily caught her wrist and gently pushed her away.

Shen Ying stumbled back several steps, glaring at Ye Tianci in shame and rage. “You scoundrel!”

Ye Tianci stared at her coldly. “Don’t think your privileged upbringing means everyone will cater to you. You can be willful, but not brainless.”

“Dad, look, he humiliated me!” Shen Ying stamped her foot in anger.

Shen Wanshan’s face remained cold. “You humiliate my daughter, you humiliate me, Shen Wanshan. No matter who you are, the Shen family will never employ you. Leave!”

Shen Ying lifted her chin, prideful as she gave Ye Tianci a triumphant look. “Even if you have some medical skill, there’s no need for you to save my grandfather.”

As she finished speaking, a servant rushed in to report, “Young Master Qi Xian and Divine Doctor Lu have arrived.”

Shen Ying ran out excitedly to greet them.

Leading the way was a man more beautiful than most women, with an oval face, willow brows, curled eyelashes, and a touch of eyeshadow.

It was the Qi family prodigy, Qi Xian!

His features surpassed those of most women, possessing a bewitching beauty unique to him. Standing beside Shen Ying, they looked more like sisters.

Beside Qi Xian was an elder, well past fifty. His hair was sparse, with a goatee, dressed in traditional attire embroidered with cloud patterns at the shoulders, and a unique medicinal fragrance wafting from his collar.

This was Lu Zhanyuan, one of Shu City’s two legendary physicians, alongside Xue Haisu.

“Uncle Shen, I’ve brought Divine Doctor Lu,” Qi Xian announced.

“Thank you, my dear nephew,” Shen Wanshan replied, respectfully addressing Lu Zhanyuan. “Divine Doctor Lu, my father is critically ill. Please, lend your skilled hands.”

Lu Zhanyuan stroked his goatee, serene and airy. “Certainly. It’s my honor to treat Elder Shen.”

He spotted Xue Haisu nearby and remarked with surprise, “Xue Haisu, you’re here too? What, you couldn’t cure Elder Shen?”

Xue Haisu answered coolly, “That’s right. I couldn’t.”

Rivals in the same trade, their relationship was lukewarm.

Lu Zhanyuan mocked him, “Xue Haisu, it’s time you put aside your empty reputation and focused on medicine. Otherwise, the phrase ‘East Lu, West Xue’ will fade, and Shu City will have only one divine doctor—me, Lu Zhanyuan.”

He actually ridiculed Xue Haisu in public.

Though both were famed, more of Shu City’s elite sought Xue Haisu’s care than Lu Zhanyuan’s. For years, Lu Zhanyuan had been overshadowed by Xue Haisu, and he had always envied him.

Today, finally, it was Lu Zhanyuan’s turn to shine!