He Gu was soon brought over. When he saw a group of people surrounding him, glaring at him menacingly, he felt a flicker of apprehension.
Old Master He, leaning on his cane, approached He Gu. An intense aura of pressure washed over him. "Doctor He, give me the prescription you wrote. I want to see what's so mysterious about this pharmacology!"
He Gu forced a smile. "What's wrong? Is there a problem with the medicine I prescribed? Don't be so anxious. This is just the first stage of treatment; there are other steps yet to be implemented!"
Old Master He tapped the floor with his cane, his tone leaving no room for argument. "I don't care about your first or second stage. You just need to give me the prescription you wrote!"
He Gu swallowed hard.
He then glanced towards Zhang Wan'er, praying that the woman would keep her word. Otherwise, his reputation for life would be ruined by a woman!
Sensing He Gu's gaze, Zhang Wan'er glared fiercely at him, as if afraid others didn't know about their arrangement.
He Gu quickly averted his eyes and presented the prescription to Old Master He with both hands. Old Master He glanced at it without a word and then picked up his phone to call Chen Tong.
"Hello? Are you free to come over to my place? I have something I need to trouble you with!" As soon as Old Master He finished speaking, a gasp was heard. Following the sound, they saw that Madam He was already drenched in blood.
Old Master He felt as if the air around him had solidified, his limbs turning ice-cold. He trembled as he leaned on his cane and approached Madam He, his lips quivering as he spoke:
"W-what's going on? Old woman, what happened to you? Don't scare me! What will I do if something happens to you?! Hold on a little longer, Chen Tong will be here soon, just wait a bit longer, okay?"
Seeing this, Chen Li Shu's eyes flashed with anger. Without a word, she strode to Zhang Wan'er, grabbed her collar, and questioned her sternly, "Is this your doing? Zhang Wan'er, do you think you're so clever that no one will discover your little schemes?
I didn't want to argue or compete with you before because I found it pointless, but you shouldn't have involved my family. Since you've done this, let me be blunt: I won't let you stay in Kyoto unscathed. I will make you pay!"
"Li Shu, what are you talking about? How could I possibly harm Madam He? I've already given up on fighting for Xing Dong with you. I've been with Old Master He these past few days; you can ask him if I've ever mentioned anything about the two of you!
If one seeks revenge by harming those around you because they didn't get what they wanted, then I can only say such behavior is foolish. Everyone knows the He family's influence in Kyoto. Even with the Zhang and Yang families behind me, I wouldn't dare act rashly. I certainly wouldn't abandon my entire family for my own selfish desires!
Besides, I only brewed the medicine. Don't forget that you were the one who arranged for someone to fetch the herbs. Who knows if you tampered with the medicine? After all, you aren't biological mother and daughter!" Zhang Wan'er's words were quite frank, and even the servants in the courtyard found her reasoning somewhat sound.
Old Master He, looking at the two arguing, had a face as dark as coal. "All of you, shut up! Who is right and who is wrong will be determined in due time!"
Zhang Wan'er's expression turned slightly aggrieved upon hearing Old Master He's scolding, but she obediently fell silent. Chen Li Shu's face showed a cold smirk at her feigned meekness.
Soon, Chen Tong arrived at the courtyard with medical equipment. Upon seeing Madam He's condition, his expression grew grave, and he quickly performed a comprehensive examination.
After about half an hour, Chen Tong packed up all the equipment. Old Master He, seeing this, hurried forward and asked, "How is it? Is my wife alright?"
Chen Tong took a deep breath, suppressing his anger, and gritted his teeth, "Do you remember what you said when you brought the medicinal herbs to my house last time? These herbs are incredibly nourishing. Her body was already in good condition. Now, prescribing such tonics, do you know that all medicine has a degree of toxicity and can cause serious problems?
She's no longer a young girl and cannot absorb them like youngsters. These tonics will all accumulate in her body, and sooner or later, her body will collapse from over-saturation! I really want to know which doctor prescribed these herbs for her! It's simply a quack!"
At these words, everyone's gaze fell upon He Gu. Chen Tong, seeing this, approached He Gu and questioned him, "As a doctor, don't you know you need to conduct a comprehensive examination before treating a patient?
This examination shouldn't be that difficult! How could you not know the trouble that over-consumption of tonics can bring to Madam He? You clearly knew the consequences, yet you insisted on proceeding. Are you perhaps an unqualified doctor?
Compared to your mistakes, I'm more curious about who hired this doctor! This is clearly an attempt to make her pass away unnoticed! After all, she's elderly and likely takes other supplements. In the end, all the blame can be shifted to those supplements. A clever way to kill without leaving a trace!"
Upon hearing Chen Tong call him an unqualified doctor, the veins on He Gu's forehead bulged. He then feigned indignation, "Our Chinese medicine hospital has a history of a hundred years in Kyoto. I didn't want this to happen, but there was no other way. Miss Chen insisted on using her status to force me to do it.
Since the matter is exposed, I can no longer act against my conscience. I must reveal the truth. I don't expect Old Master He's forgiveness, but I hope to reduce my own sin!"
Chen Li Shu's face showed a look of understanding as she listened to He Gu's words. It seemed the situation was as Su Nian had guessed: the problem lay with He Gu, and Zhang Wan'er had bribed him!
It seemed this Zhang Wan'er was quite capable. After all, compared to the He family, the Zhang family was nothing. Yet, He Gu was willing to be used by her!