"Zhenghe, did you see Nie Caidie come to Baicaotang today?" Leng Ruoli asked gently.
"Miss, I really didn't see her at the Baicaotang clinic this morning," Shi Zhenghe replied honestly.
"Do you know where she lives?" Leng Ruoli asked again.
"Yes, her home is in a small village in the southern part of the city," Shi Zhenghe nodded.
"Old Huang, please arrange for two people to go with Zhenghe to Nie Caidie's home," Leng Ruoli said, turning to her old disciple standing behind her.
"Yes, Master."
Afterward, Shi Zhenghe, accompanied by two young medicine apprentices, boarded the carriage arranged by Doctor Huang and headed south of the city.
---
Nie Caidie's Home
"Nie Caidie, you jinx! You're the reason my son is in this state. If it weren't for your inability to bear sons, my son wouldn't have sought solace elsewhere." An old woman stood with her hands on her hips, blocking Nie Caidie's doorway, frequently pointing her finger and cursing Nie Caidie.
"Mother, I just took my husband out to see a doctor, that's all," Nie Caidie said, her eyes red with injustice.
"Don't you know how many doctors have seen my son's illness? His condition is incurable. Are you trying to hasten his death?" The old woman said fiercely, her eyes gleaming with malice. She had other sons, and she wasn't willing to waste money on her son's venereal disease. She'd rather spend the money on a couple of pounds of pork.
"Mother, I'm not... I'm not like that." Nie Caidie finally couldn't hold back her tears. Her two emaciated daughters immediately rushed to hug her, crying along with her.
The man on the bed, half-dead from illness, also had tears streaming from the corners of his eyes as he listened to his mother. It was only after contracting this foul disease that he truly saw his mother's nature and felt his wife's sincerity and kindness. If he hadn't been misled a year ago and gone to a pleasure house for amusement, he would never have contracted this illness.
"Mother, I beg you, please stop scolding me. I won't go. I won't go for treatment, alright!" the man pleaded in a hoarse voice, his breath shallow.
"Er Zhuzi, it's not that I don't want to treat you, but your illness is truly incurable. Everyone in the world knows that," the old woman said suddenly, her expression shifting to one of feigned sadness.
The villagers standing at Nie Caidie's door began to murmur amongst themselves, their opinions divided, but they dared not provoke the "black widow" or speak up for Nie Caidie and her husband. They all understood why the old woman was preventing Er Zhuzi from seeing a doctor. She intended to wait for him to die, then use Nie Caidie's failure to bear a son as an excuse to drive Nie Caidie and her three daughters out, allowing her favored younger son to move into the brick house that Nie Caidie and her husband had worked so hard to build and marry there.
"No, Er Zhuzi, I must take you out for treatment. What will become of me and our two children if you're gone?" As she spoke, she tried to help Er Zhuzi up, intending to carry him away.
The old woman quickly stepped in front of her, raising her hand and slapping Nie Caidie's cheek fiercely. Nie Caidie was dazed by the blow, almost hitting her head on a sharp table corner.
"Mother, Mother..." Da Niu and Er Niu rushed to support Nie Caidie.
The man on the bed was covered in pustules, both on his face and body, causing him immense pain and itching. He saw his mother's actions, his eyes filled with rage and his heart aching for his wife. He wanted to hold her tightly, but in his current state, he was powerless. He deeply regretted always obeying his mother and scolding Nie Caidie for not bearing a son. Now, with his serious illness, it was Nie Caidie who treated him the best and wished for his recovery, while his own mother... well.
The old woman's anger intensified as she saw Da Niu and Er Niu supporting Nie Caidie.
"You two good-for-nothings, get away from me, or I'll hit you too!" The old woman threatened. Seeing Da Niu and Er Niu remain unmoved and glare at her, the old woman's fury boiled over. She grabbed a rolling pin from the chopping board and advanced toward the two thin girls.
However, as the old woman raised the rolling pin, Shi Zhenghe snatched it from behind and stared at her fiercely.
"You wicked woman! Not only do you refuse to save your son, but you intend to harm your granddaughters! How can you be such a cruel mother and grandmother?" Shi Zhenghe, having witnessed the entire scene, was so enraged that his eyes seemed to spew fire. He could no longer stand by and allow the old woman to continue her malice.
"Who are you? Are you Nie Caidie's lover from outside? Heavens, my son isn't dead yet, and you're already betraying him and bringing men into the house! You truly are a shameless harlot!" The old woman accused Nie Caidie, pointing at Shi Zhenghe and wailing.
"Enough!" Shi Zhenghe yelled at the old woman, his gaze sharp and stern. The old woman, seeing Shi Zhenghe's furious expression, immediately shut her mouth, daring not to utter another sound.
"Nie Caidie, Miss is still waiting for you at Baicaotang for the consultation. Let's go, we'll help you carry your husband to the carriage."
Nie Caidie nodded quickly and, along with Shi Zhenghe and the two medicine apprentices, they helped her husband onto the carriage. Da Niu and Xiao Niu were also brought to Baicaotang by Shi Zhenghe.
---
At Baicaotang, Leng Ruoli was growing anxious. Shi Zhenghe and the others had been gone for two hours without returning. Could something have happened? Leng Ruoli felt a pang of worry.
Just then, Liu Nianhua asked her son, Li Mengfan, to bring Leng Ruoli a bowl of rib soup.
"Miss, here you go," Li Mengfan said in a soft, childish voice.
Leng Ruoli turned and accepted the bowl. Glancing at Liu Nianhua, who was busy serving soup to others in the clinic, she smiled warmly at little Mengfan. "Thank you, little Mengfan."
Slightly shy, little Mengfan blushed and ran off. He then went to serve a bowl to Old Huang. Leng Ruoli immediately placed the soup bowl on the table and began to drink without hesitation.
Just as she took a couple of sips, Shi Zhenghe and the two medicine apprentices carried a patient in, followed by Nie Caidie and the two little girls.
"Miss, Nie Caidie's husband is indeed gravely ill," Shi Zhenghe said, his brow furrowed.
Upon hearing this, Leng Ruoli walked over to the patient and examined him closely. Her expression changed drastically, and she exclaimed, "Zhenghe, quickly carry him into that empty room and then come out immediately. I'll get disinfectant from the medicine chest to sterilize you all thoroughly. Nie Caidie, the three of you also need to be disinfected."
Leng Ruoli's actions puzzled everyone, and all eyes turned to her.
"Everyone, come over for disinfection, wash your hands, and put on masks like me. Old Huang, put on your mask, take this disinfectant, and go sterilize the carriage they used. I suspect Nie Caidie's husband has contracted syphilis."
"Syphilis? Heavens! Master, this disease is contagious!"
Upon hearing this, Old Huang hurriedly took the disinfectant and went to thoroughly sterilize the carriage. When everyone heard that the patient had syphilis, their faces changed. They all put on masks as Leng Ruoli instructed and disinfected themselves.