Mò Sāng kept watch for a whole day. Just as she was preparing to lock up and close shop, a visitor arrived.
The visitor was dressed discreetly but spoke with an air of superiority. "I heard you used Gu techniques to save someone poisoned by snake venom the other day?"
"Mhm."
"The attending physician said he was beyond saving. How did you save him?"
"Our Wu Yi has our own methods."
"For one so young, you speak with much confidence."
"You've asked so many questions, what exactly did you come for?"
"To have you detoxify me."
"Are you kidding me? You show no signs of poisoning."
The visitor was somewhat surprised. "You can tell just by looking?"
Mò Sāng was growing impatient. "Are you ever going to stop asking questions? Can't you see I'm about to close?"
Hearing that true masters often had tempers, the visitor's expression became more respectful. He lowered his voice and asked, "Are you truly a Wu Yi? Can you make house calls?"
Mò Sāng rolled her eyes. "No."
"The house call fee is a hundred taels. If you cure me, you'll have made a fortune."
Mò Sāng no longer lacked money, but it was her first day of business, and she hadn't taken a single case. Wouldn't that make her lose face? So, she slung her bamboo basket over her shoulder. "Fine, I'll accompany you."
"This way, please." The visitor had already prepared a carriage, indicating he had inquired about her beforehand.
The carriage wound its way through several turns and entered a secluded estate, using a side entrance. Mò Sāng didn't feel slighted; who didn't have their privacy these days? After a moment, she was led to meet her client. His hair was bound with a jade crown, his clothes were luxurious, and he wore a rather exquisite mask.
His behavior was cooperative, and he directly extended his hand for her to take his pulse.
Her jade fingers rested on his pulse. After a few breaths, Mò Sāng's expression turned playful. "Qing Xin Gu. I didn't expect anyone in your Da Yin could create such a thing."
The masked man's heart stirred. He had seen many doctors, but this was the first who could identify his specific poison. "You recognize this Gu?"
"Naturally. Qing Xin Gu is a tiny creature that thrives on Buddhist chants, dedicated to purity and asceticism. It must have been hard on the ladies in your household, young master."
The face beneath the mask twitched a few times. Sītú Jué barely suppressed the urge to slap her. "Can you cure it?"
"Yes, by drawing it out."
"How do you draw it out?"
Mò Sāng fell silent.
Sītú Jué, being astute, said, "If you cure my ailment, I will give you a thousand taels of silver."
"And a hundred-year-old Ganoderma."
"Agreed. But if you fail, beware of your own life."
Mò Sāng was unconcerned. "What a joke! If I can't even cure this minor ailment, wouldn't the reputation of the Western Xinjiang Wu Yi be ruined by me?"
She immediately released Wān Wān.
Everyone in the room cried out in alarm, some becoming defensive, others retreating, and some reaching for weapons. Several guards drew their swords. "Protect the master!"
Mò Sāng quickly said, "Calm down, everyone. This is my little pet, it specializes in all sorts of Gu poisons."
She asked for a pot of clear water. After two quarters of an hour, a fat, pale grub crawled out of the patient's ear. "Hoh, it's quite a big one."
It was clear it had been nurtured for quite some time.
Mò Sāng placed the white grub into a wooden box and, along with Wān Wān, returned them to her basket. She then reassured the patient. "Don't worry. A good three days of rest and recuperation, and you can give your wives and concubines their 'happiness' again."
"How should I recuperate?"
"Seeing as you're from a wealthy family, do I need to tell you how to nourish yourself? Ginseng, deer antler, anything that heats you up from the inside. Hmm, nourishing with similar ingredients is also good."
"What if it's not effective?"
"If it's not effective, you can smash my shop."
Seeing her bold declaration, Sītú Jué was very satisfied. He had someone bring over bank notes. "I can't find a hundred-year-old Ganoderma right away, but once I do, I'll have someone deliver it directly to your clinic."
"Deal."
"Aren't you afraid I'll renege on the payment?"
"No worries. If you renege, I'll just send the Qing Xin Gu back to find you."
"This, this thing can return?"
Mò Sāng smiled mysteriously, slung her basket over her shoulder, tucked the bank notes away, and left.
The butler sent a carriage to take her back. Midway, she got out, touching her stomach, and told the driver, "You can go back. I need to grab something to eat."
Tsk, the capital was indeed different. Even at this late hour, the night market was so lively. Following the enticing aromas, she first ordered a bowl of wontons in chili oil. Then, noticing how fragrant the Jianbing looked, she ordered one too. She had only eaten half of it when she heard a surprised voice, "Look quickly, it's Miss Mò over there!"
Well, then. A few young servants rushed forward, instantly surrounding the small stall.
"What are you guys doing?"
"Miss Mò, the Third Young Master has been frantic looking for you since you haven't returned late at night."
Mò Sāng asked the stall owner inexplicably, "Uncle, what time is it?"
"Xū shí sān kè (8:45 PM)."
"It's already late at Xū shí?"
"It's indeed not good for young ladies to be out at night. Your family is worried about you. Go home quickly."