Su Meilan looked at Wang Cheng's face, filled with weariness, and could only let out a soft sigh. She knew full well how much this man desired a simple life, but it seemed his talents were far too great for the world to let him live in peace.
She stepped closer before speaking in a tone more serious than before. "Uncle... who do you think the Third Prince is? He is not a merchant with whom I can negotiate."
She paused slightly, letting the meaning of her words sink in. "He is a dragon poised to soar into the heavens... Refusing the Prince at this moment... has only one meaning: death. Not just for you, but for everyone connected to you... myself, the Chamber of Commerce, your disciple... and this entire city."
Her words were like a heavy hammer smashing down on Wang Cheng's peaceful dream!
He fell silent for a moment. The simple smile and weary demeanor vanished from his face, replaced by eyes that were strangely calm and profound.
'Damn it! I just treated two people, and now I'm entangled in a battle for the throne!?' he lamented inwardly, though his outward expression remained cool and composed.
"I understand," he said calmly. "Since I cannot escape... I must face it."
The next day... the entire city was thrown into turmoil!
The sound of horses' hooves thundered through the streets! A cavalry in gleaming golden armor marched into the city with an imposing air. The golden four-clawed dragon flag fluttered powerfully. Commoners and merchants alike hurriedly cleared the way and knelt on the ground in fear!
The most luxurious palanquin moved past everyone's eyes, heading straight for the City Lord's Manor... The Third Prince had arrived!
The atmosphere in the city became visibly tense. The Prince's soldiers spread out to every corner of the city, as if to declare their authority for all to know.
At the Wang Pai Divine Medicine Hall...
Wang Cheng, Liu Yuexin, and Su Meilan, who had stopped by to check the situation since morning, sat sipping tea in silence. No one spoke a word.
Until late afternoon...
A group of people stopped in front of their shop, led by an old eunuch in deep purple silk robes. His face was pale and adorned with a smile that looked friendly but concealed a chilling coldness.
"Is Uncle Wang... present?" the old eunuch asked in a high-pitched voice.
Wang Cheng walked out to welcome him personally, bowing humbly. "I am here. May I ask what business Lord Eunuch has?"
The old eunuch looked him up and down with assessing eyes before smiling. "You are indeed as humble as the City Lord respects you to be."
He continued, "I am the Third Prince's personal eunuch... The Third Prince has heard of your reputation for 'miraculous medical abilities' and wishes to request that you go 'diagnose' his favorite younger brother at the City Lord's Manor."
It was a command from royalty disguised as a request!
Wang Cheng let out a massive sigh... His sigh sounded so weary and sincere that the old eunuch raised an eyebrow slightly.
"Sigh..."
He spoke with the voice of a truly weary old man. "Lord Eunuch, please inform the Prince that I am merely a lucky country doctor. My skills are meager... I fear I cannot undertake such a grand task as treating a member of the Imperial Family... I beg the Prince to please reconsider."
He refused as politely as possible!
The smile on the old eunuch's face faded slightly. "Uncle Wang... surely you do not wish to defy the Prince's will?"
Wang Cheng shook his head. "It is not defiance, but a self-assessment of my own abilities. If I fail to treat him, the charge of deceiving royalty... is something this old man cannot bear."
The old eunuch went still for a moment before chuckling softly.
"You are truly interesting... Very well... The Prince anticipated you might be humble like this. He has issued an additional command... He does not require you to 'treat', but only to 'diagnose'."
He continued, "His favorite younger brother has fallen ill with a strange condition; his body grows colder every day like ice. The Royal Doctors are at their wits' end... The Prince only wants you to 'pinpoint' the root cause of the illness... If you can do this, no matter the result, the Prince has a handsome reward."
This offer... closed off every avenue of escape!
Wang Cheng closed his eyes wearily before nodding slowly.
"Since it is his will... and a matter concerning a patient... how could a doctor like me dare to refuse?"
He turned back into the shop, grabbed his old medicine bag and slung it over his shoulder. He turned to look at Liu Yuexin and Su Meilan one last time, his eyes conveying the message: 'Don't worry.'
"Watch the shop well... It seems that tonight... I will not be returning to sleep here."