Chapter 43: Kneeling in the Street
When Jiang Lili entered the village, her hands were empty, but when she left, she returned laden with the villagers’ gratitude.
Over the past few days, Madam Yang of the Marquis family had been eating and sleeping well. Her physical condition had greatly improved, and she was now able to move freely.
On the road, after discussing the right timing with the Vice Monitor, Jiang Lili passed the painting that Xin Che had prepared to him.
The Vice Monitor had mentioned that Emperor Qingning forbade anyone from visiting the Imperial Consort Ying. Jiang Lili was curious as to how the Vice Monitor managed to deliver the item inside.
This time, there were no more unexpected incidents along the way. However, traveling on foot was not as fast as on horseback. It wasn’t until the afternoon of the sixth day that the exiled group finally arrived at Linzhou City.
The officers’ cold symptoms gradually improved, but their attitude toward Jiang Lili became more respectful. After all, there was still a long way to go to Haizhou, and the Qinglin Mountain Range was filled with unknown poisonous plants and insects. Who could guarantee that they wouldn’t fall ill?
The officers had recovered, but Yang Yunzhao felt her body growing heavier. She started coughing and had a runny nose. However, she couldn’t bring herself to ask Jiang Lili for medicine, nor did she dare to prescribe for herself. She simply left it unresolved.
By the time they reached the city gate, she had begun to develop a fever and only hoped to reach the inn soon. After all, once they reached Linzhou City, there were acquaintances of her father who could help, and the situation would improve greatly.
This time, the guards at the city gate had been replaced, and the lead inspector, upon seeing Jiang Lili, exchanged a glance with her before riding off from the gate.
When Jiang Lili entered the city, she noticed that the entrance had been divided into two lanes: one for civilians and one for merchants, making it easier for traders to enter the city quickly.
She realized that Li Sicong’s influence was growing stronger, and that Sales Champion Li truly had a remarkable skill in handling matters.
Wang Zifu handed over the documents to the officials and informed them of the difficulties they had encountered on the road, explaining why they had only just arrived now.
The officials were used to such delays in the exile process. As long as the names on the exile list matched and no one was missing, it was fine.
“With the changing seasons and the unpredictable weather, be cautious when crossing the Qinglin Mountain Range,” the officials said, following the usual procedure. They provided the exiled group with the necessary herbs, sachets, and other supplies for the journey, adding one more reminder.
The government wasn’t entirely indifferent to the lives of the exiles. One of the main purposes of exile was to open up and utilize remote regions to prevent them from falling into disuse.
Once the handover was complete, Wang Zifu led the exiles to the inn arranged by the officials.
The exiled group attracted quite a bit of attention. Just then, a carriage suddenly blocked their way.
Wang Zifu was about to scold the person when he saw Li Sicong stepping down from the carriage, looking into the group of exiles.
Immediately, he broke into a smile. “Young Master, are you looking for someone?”
Li Sicong, upon hearing this, said solemnly, “Your cold symptoms have improved so quickly. Could it be that Miss Jiang whom I met in the village helped you?”
Upon hearing this, Wang Zifu quickly pointed to Jiang Lili. “It’s this young lady. Her skills are remarkable!”
He guessed that Li Sicong might be seeking medical help, and if Jiang Lili could assist him, perhaps they would also benefit from her expertise.
Li Sicong quickly walked up to Jiang Lili. “Divine Doctor, please, I beg you, save my father!”
Seeing Li Sicong’s act of pretending to be unfamiliar, Jiang Lili was not surprised, as they had already discussed this matter beforehand.
With her hands clasped behind her back, she began her act. “Young man, when you were in Langyan Village, you already told me about your father’s illness. It’s not that I can’t treat it, but there’s no cure for asthma.”
Li Sicong remained persistent, unwilling to give up. “I heard that you once mentioned being able to prescribe a medicine that could save a person during a sudden asthma attack.”
Jiang Lili put on an expression of embarrassment. “Young man, I can indeed prescribe such a medicine, but making it requires a great deal of financial resources and effort. It’s quite difficult for me. After all, I’m just an exile.”
“As long as it can relieve my father’s suffering, I’d be willing to work like a cow or a horse for you!” Li Sicong immediately knelt before Jiang Lili and performed a deep bow. “If the young lady is unwilling to help, I will remain kneeling here without getting up!”
“Please, young lady, have mercy!”
Li Sicong spoke earnestly, his eyes flashing with emotion. “I’ve been foolish for so many years, causing nothing but trouble for my family. I feel deeply guilty and want to repay my father for his raising of me. They say a man’s tears are hard to shed, but when I think of how my father’s asthma could take his life at any moment, it feels like there’s a knife cutting at my heart.”
Jiang Lili almost couldn’t hold back her expression. Was this guy taking his role a bit too seriously?
Li Sicong appeared every bit the filial son, and his display moved the bystanders greatly.
“Young Master Li’s filial piety is truly moving. To beg for medicine for Lord Li, he’s even willing to kneel to an exiled convict.”
“Indeed, Young Master Li was foolish for 20 years, but after his awakening, he’s become incredibly intelligent. I heard that just the other day, he assisted Lord Li in solving a major case and saved the people of a village.”
“Lord Li truly has a good son!”
The passing villagers couldn’t help but praise Li Sicong’s filial devotion.
Recently, the second young master of the Li family, who had been paying close attention to his older brother’s movements, quickly heard about the incident on the street. He rushed back to the manor to report to his father. “Big brother actually kneeled in public to beg a convict for help! How embarrassing!”
Meanwhile, Jiang Lili had already put on an expression as if she had been deeply moved by Li Sicong’s filial piety. She said, “I am an exiled convict, and I am not in control of my own actions. You should negotiate with Captain Wang.”
“Captain Wang, would it be possible to borrow someone from your side to examine my father?”
Li Sicong pounded his chest and reassured her, “Don’t worry. If anything happens, I’ll take full responsibility.”
Wang Zifu naturally agreed. After all, it was an opportunity to return a favor to the son of the magistrate.
“Thank you for your understanding, Captain Wang! You and your men must be tired from the long journey. Why don’t we go to my Fengdeng Restaurant for a good meal first, then stay at my family’s Laifu Inn?”
Wang Zifu was overjoyed. “Young Master Li, you’re too kind! On behalf of my brothers, I thank you.”
As a result, Jiang Lili became a distinguished guest at the Li Manor, and as a “Divine Doctor,” her entourage from the Marquis of Zhaoping residence was also accommodated at Laifu Inn, sparing them the need to stay at the simple inn meant for exiles.
On the way to the Li Manor, Jiang Lili had already instructed Xiaopang to deliver the various asthma medicines that the Class Monitor prepared earlier.
However, as soon as they entered the manor, the butler hurried over to inform Li Sicong. “Young Master, something’s wrong. Master has had another attack.”
Li Sicong furrowed his brows. “How did it suddenly flare up? Lead the way quickly!”