Li Xuan nodded slightly and agreed to this matter.
If Xixi could send the injured Gray Gray from the alley to Dr. Fang for treatment, she must at least be a kind-hearted girl.
Coupled with the hidden relationship between Xixi and Dr. Fang that they kept from everyone, and recalling how Xixi had opened the door full of joy, only to be filled with terror upon seeing Zhao Four and Third Young Master Hou, Li Xuan had already understood who Xixi had been waiting for that day.
Li Xuan jumped from Ankang's arms to the window, then dropped down and vanished without a trace.
"Li Xuan, where did he go?" asked Yuan'an curiously from the side.
"Li Xuan was feeling a bit stifled, so he went out for some fresh air." Ankang smiled, then silently looked out the window.
"Sister, let's just wait here for them to come to us."
After that, Ankang said no more, but her gaze, now looking at the bustling scene on Flower Street, was filled with complex emotions.
After leaving Hu Yu House, Li Xuan headed straight for Dr. Fang's clinic.
In any case, he was just a cat; even if they confronted each other, Dr. Fang shouldn't be too guarded, right?
Of course, this was just Li Xuan's one-sided expectation.
After stating his purpose, he hoped Dr. Fang would trust him.
With a nervous heart, Li Xuan once again passed through that gloomy alley.
Arriving at the door of Dr. Fang's clinic, Li Xuan found the door panels tightly closed again.
It seemed Dr. Fang might have gone out for a house call again.
However, as Li Xuan approached, he heard movement inside the clinic.
He climbed over the wall directly and headed to the backyard of the clinic.
It didn't take long for him to find the source of the sound.
There was a small, low house in the backyard, which seemed to be where Dr. Fang lived.
Voices were coming from inside the low house.
It was thanks to Li Xuan's excellent hearing that he could hear the movement from the door.
Li Xuan skillfully crept to the window; the window was so broken that he didn't need to poke a hole in it; he just had to tilt his head to see the situation inside.
"Is it really okay for the window to be leaking air like this?"
Li Xuan looked at the tattered window paper, which was covered in small patches.
But it seemed that it hadn't been patched for a while.
Through a hole, Li Xuan looked inside. Facing him was Dr. Fang, and sitting opposite Dr. Fang was a figure wearing a bamboo hat and a long robe.
Judging by the voice, this was an old man.
"Muyang, how long are you going to stay here?" The old man's questioning tone carried obvious anxiety.
Dr. Fang lowered his head, avoiding the old man's gaze.
"Master, please forgive this Disciple for being unfilial."
Li Xuan's eyes flashed; he hadn't expected this old man to be Dr. Fang's Master, and he had also unexpectedly learned Dr. Fang's name.
"So his name is Fang Muyang, and he has a Master. I just don't know who this old man is."
Just as Dr. Fang finished speaking, the old man angrily slapped the table.
"What nonsense are you talking about!"
"You have already passed the Imperial Hospital's assessment, so why don't you hurry and follow me to report to the palace?"
"For the sake of my Face, no one will mention what happened during these past few days."
"Pack your things now and come with me immediately!"
Seeing that Dr. Fang didn't react, the old man stood up with a swoosh and reached out to grab Dr. Fang.
Looking at this, the old man seemed intent on dragging Dr. Fang away.
"Master, I can no longer be an Imperial Physician."
"I'm sorry…"
As Dr. Fang spoke, he silently pressed down on the old man's arms, stopping his movement.
The old man struggled to break free, but in the end, he could not overcome his own Disciple.
"Why must it come to this, why must it come to this…" The old man said sorrowfully, his voice trembling.
"You child, why have you never told your Master about your troubles? Do you still consider me your Master?"
As the old man spoke, he began to cover his Face and weep, heartbroken.
"Master, things have reached this point, I will not hide it from you anymore."
"Back then, I suffered from a terminal illness, and my mother took me everywhere to seek medical treatment, but everyone was helpless."
"There were even many so-called famous doctors who, seeing that our mother and son were poor, impatiently told us to go back and wait for death, not to get in the way of other patients."
"Later, when I heard that you were conducting free clinics in the bustling market, my mother took me to seek treatment from you."
"We couldn't even get in line, so my mother took me and broke through, kneeling down to you and crying, begging you to save me."
"I didn't understand much at the time, but seeing my mother crying so sadly, I just cried along with her."
"Master, you might not remember."
"The weather was very good that day, and the sunlight shone in from outside, outlining a golden edge on your tall silhouette. It was incredibly beautiful."
"You comforted me and my mother, telling us not to cry, and then you squeezed us in."
"After that, I became the first patient at every one of your free clinics."
As Dr. Fang spoke, he couldn't help but reveal a gentle smile, as if recalling that experience.
The old man listened to these words, but still wept silently, tears falling onto the table drop by drop.
"Master, actually, my mother passed away when I was ten."
Hearing this, the old man looked up suddenly, seemingly unable to believe it.
"That was the second year after my mother and I met you, but it wasn't until I was sixteen and had recovered from my illness, and was accepted by you as a Disciple, that I told you about it, and I only said that my mother had passed away not long ago."
"Why, why didn't you tell me!" The old man slapped his chest hard and asked, puzzled.
"My mother said that since you treated my illness and provided medicine without charging money, that was already an immense favor."
"We knew very well what the cost of those medicinal herbs was at the time."
"My mother had actually been holding on for those years because of me; seeing that I had hope of living, that breath of hers finally released."
"Master, regarding my family background, I have never told you in detail…"
Dr. Fang now poured out the things he had hidden for many years to his Master.
Originally, Dr. Fang's family background was quite good; they didn't worry about food or drink and could be considered a wealthy family.
But because his father was implicated in some groundless matters, the family was ruined overnight.
Dr. Fang's mother relied on a mother's perseverance to survive that ordeal while taking care of Dr. Fang.
But misfortune never comes singly.
The mother and son's life fell from the clouds; just as they had settled a bit in the mire, the young Dr. Fang began to show symptoms of illness.
Dr. Fang's mother took out all the remaining savings to have her son treated, but the result was either being cheated of money or being told it was a terminal illness. Finally, they met Dr. Fang's Master and saw hope.
But Dr. Fang's mother ultimately did not get to see the day her son recovered.
Dr. Fang relied on the little money his mother had left behind and worked at whatever odd jobs he could find to survive until the day he recovered at sixteen.
Then, he was lucky enough to become the Disciple of the person he admired most.
But learning medicine was not an easy task; it was extremely exhausting.
Dr. Fang gradually found it difficult to balance life and learning medicine, feeling the strain.
He didn't want to disappoint his Master, but as he constantly reduced his rest time, his body gradually couldn't hold up.
One day, Dr. Fang fainted from exhaustion on the road, but when he woke up, he saw a familiar Face.
"Master, you might not know."
"Actually, I have a childhood sweetheart, but after something happened at home, we lost contact. I never expected that we would meet again that day."
"Her name is Liu Xixi."
Speaking of his childhood sweetheart, Dr. Fang could not suppress the smile on his Face.
"I never thought that we would have a day to reunite."
"It's just that we were both in a sorry state at the time."
At that time, Dr. Fang was struggling on the poverty line, still working hard to learn medical skills, barely able to take care of himself.
And Xixi had been sold into Hu Yu House.
Her family was just like Dr. Fang's, implicated by the same matters.
It was just that Xixi, being a girl, was even more miserable than Dr. Fang; she had even lost her freedom.
At that time, Xixi helped Dr. Fang get through the most difficult period, allowing Dr. Fang to gradually Master medical skills and start earning a living by healing and saving people.
The relationship between the two was their biggest secret; no one knew about it except themselves.
A few years later, Dr. Fang's medical skills were recognized by his Master, who recommended him to take the Imperial Hospital examination.
Only then did Dr. Fang know that his Master had such connections.
Dr. Fang and Xixi had been saving money together for these few years to redeem Xixi's freedom and start their new life.
It's just that it wasn't easy for them to make money; the redemption money for Xixi was an astronomical figure for both of them.
But if Dr. Fang became an Imperial Physician, this would be much easier.
Just by virtue of being an Imperial Physician, Dr. Fang could borrow this money without having to pay too much interest.
Because being able to befriend an Imperial Physician was already a great interest.
The two saw hope, and Dr. Fang, under his Master's guidance, prepared for the Imperial Hospital examination with all his might.
Dr. Fang did not disappoint his Master and Xixi; he successfully passed the Imperial Hospital examination.
After receiving the news that he had passed the exam, he immediately went to find Zhou Mama of Hu Yu House to make a deal.
Zhou Mama, seeing Dr. Fang's status as a newly appointed Imperial Physician, gave a very low redemption price.
It was just that at this time, Zhou Mama didn't know about their relationship, assuming that after Dr. Fang achieved success, he wanted to buy a concubine to warm his bed.
"That day, I borrowed the silver and ran to find Xixi, but I only saw a room full of bloodstains."
"I later found Xixi at Sanli Slope outside the East City…"
Hearing the words "Sanli Slope," Dr. Fang's Master knocked over the chair he was sitting on with a bang and stumbled.
"Muyang, Muyang…"
"You should have told me, you should have told me sooner."
The old man hugged Fang Muyang's arm, his tone full of heartache.
Fang Muyang was already in tears, but his expression didn't change much.
"Master, didn't you also never say it?"
"If I had known that you were the legendary Chief Imperial Physician Xue of the palace, I would have begged you to redeem Xixi first, and then I would have been a beast of burden for you for the rest of my life to repay your kindness."
Li Xuan was shocked to hear this.
"Surname Xue, Imperial Physician!?"
"This old man is Imperial Physician Xue!"
Li Xuan had long heard of his name but had never met him; he didn't expect to see Imperial Physician Xue here, and he was actually Fang Muyang's Master.
Imperial Physician Xue was the palace physician who had diagnosed Ankang, stating she would not live past eighteen. Li Xuan always heard his name within the palace.
"Muyang, Master is sorry to you, so sorry to you..."
The Master and Disciple hugged and cried together, though Fang Muyang's expression remained indifferent, while Imperial Physician Xue was deeply agitated.
"Do not blame yourself, Master. This is all Destiny."
"The cycle of heaven is absolute; retribution is never delayed."
"Back then, I hid the fact from you that I was the descendant of a sinner, and this concealment has led to the bitter fruit we see now."
Imperial Physician Xue understood his beloved Disciple's implication and hurriedly urged: "Muyang, you cannot continue this!"
"Your mother, and Xixi—they would never want to see you like this."
Fang Muyang lowered his head and said dejectedly: "Master, I am sorry."
"I have failed to make good use of the medical skills you taught me."
"There is one last step remaining, and I must complete it."
"Master, please leave quickly. I do not want to implicate you."
How could Imperial Physician Xue just watch his beloved Disciple head toward a dead end? Naturally, he would not leave easily.
But at that moment, the door was kicked open with a bang. A dark shadow rushed in and then collapsed directly onto the floor.
Seeing this, Fang Muyang wiped the tear stains from his Face and leaned in to check on the person's condition.
Imperial Physician Xue stood to the side, turning to look at the person who had suddenly burst in. Only then did Li Xuan get a clear look at Imperial Physician Xue's Face.
He was a kind, elderly man with white hair and a youthful complexion, possessing a gentle aura that made one feel naturally close to him.
"Who is she?" Imperial Physician Xue could not help but ask.
However, Li Xuan had recognized the person a step earlier, because that wheat-colored skin was simply too distinctive. "Aymu!"
Aymu's Face was pale at this moment, her veil was disheveled, her body was stained with some blood, and there were traces of blood at the corners of her mouth.
"She is the top courtesan of Hu Yu House, Aymu. Through Destiny, she can be considered my accomplice," Fang Muyang explained to Imperial Physician Xue.
Aymu was indeed outside of Fang Muyang's plan.
Originally, he had abducted Aymu to put pressure on Zhou Mama, forcing her into a dead end so she would jump into the fiery pit herself and end her own life.
Back then, if it hadn't been for Zhou Mama's greed, unilaterally tearing up the agreement Fang Muyang had made to buy Xixi's freedom and instead publicly allowing Zhao Four and Third Young Master Hou to bid, the subsequent tragedy would not have occurred.
Fang Muyang had investigated everything clearly; that day when Zhao Four and Third Young Master Hou were bidding, it was Zhou Mama who had been fanning the flames behind the scenes.
A girl who should have only sold for thirty taels ended up selling for the high price of two hundred and fifty taels; one could only imagine how happy Zhou Mama must have been.
But what Zhou Mama did not know was that she would have to pay for those extra two hundred and twenty taels of silver with her life.
"What are you just standing there for? Hurry up and save me!" Aymu gritted her teeth, panting heavily, and said to Fang Muyang with annoyance.
"Didn't you go to check on Zhou Mama's corpse? How did you end up like this?" As Fang Muyang spoke, he prepared to treat Aymu.
However, Imperial Physician Xue stepped in first, plunging several silver needles into Aymu's body. Aymu's eyes widened immediately, and she glared fiercely at Imperial Physician Xue. "Old man, what are you doing!?"
Aymu discovered that the flow of Qi and blood in her body had become incredibly slow; she could not summon even a shred of strength, and her body felt as soft as a noodle, leaving her with no power to resist.
"Little girl, do not be ungrateful. I am treating your injuries."
Aymu was no fool; how could she not know she was under someone else's control? She opened her mouth to snap back: "You..."
However, the moment Aymu uttered a single word, Fang Muyang hurriedly stopped her: "This is my Master, do not be rude. If he wanted to harm you, you would have been killed by the needles just now."
Aymu swallowed the rest of her words. When one is under another's roof, one has no choice but to bow one's head.
"Little girl, you are young, yet your temper is quite fiery, and your cultivation is not bad either." Imperial Physician Xue stroked his beard as he commented, though his hands did not continue with the treatment.
At this time, Fang Muyang explained from the side: "Master, I originally intended to abduct Aymu to return her to freedom."
"Zhou Mama spent a significant price on her; losing Aymu would force Zhou Mama into a dead end."
"But I did not expect that not only did Aymu not want to regain her freedom, she wanted to return to Hu Yu House."
"Moreover, she possesses cultivation, and I cannot do anything to her."
"After she heard that I wanted to deal with Zhou Mama, she wanted to cooperate with me. I want Zhou Mama's life, and she wants Zhou Mama's property."
Hearing this, Imperial Physician Xue took a deep look at Aymu. Feeling as though she had been seen through by that gaze, Aymu uncomfortably avoided Imperial Physician Xue's eyes.
"Interesting." Imperial Physician Xue nodded, then asked Aymu: "Then how did you get these injuries?"
Aymu turned her head away, unwilling to pay attention to Imperial Physician Xue. Fang Muyang stepped in to play peacemaker.
"Zhou Mama is currently missing and should be dead in the secret passage I tampered with. It was Aymu who told me about this secret passage."
"She went to confirm whether Zhou Mama was dead or alive earlier, and it seems she ran into an ambush."
At this moment, Aymu said indignantly: "Those were definitely not Hu Yu House thugs, and they weren't even experts from Flower Street! Fang Muyang, you bastard, how many more things are you hiding from me?"
Aymu blamed her own bad luck entirely on Fang Muyang. Li Xuan, watching from outside the window, understood.
Aymu must have run into the Flower-Clothed Eunuchs watching the cellar secret chamber. But Aymu had some skill, to be able to escape from the hands of a Flower-Clothed Eunuch.
Even if there was only one Flower-Clothed Eunuch responsible for watching the cellar secret chamber, that was still a genuine Great Inner Expert. Aymu's strength must definitely be in the middle three grades.
Possessing such strength, Aymu was likely no ordinary top courtesan.
"Don't you also have many things you are hiding from me?" Fang Muyang said indifferently.
Aymu was so angry that her chest tightened; she almost couldn't catch her breath and nearly vomited blood. But since her Qi and blood were flowing slowly, she avoided that happening.
Seeing Aymu in such a sorry state, Fang Muyang stopped being angry with her and explained: "This matter really has nothing to do with me. Whether it is the Hou family or the Zhao family, I fear there are no experts who could injure you."
"You said yourself that your lightness skill is invincible under heaven." Fang Muyang stated this calmly, simply repeating what Aymu had once said.
"You!?" Aymu glared furiously at Fang Muyang. If she didn't lack the strength right now, she would have slapped this murderous doctor across the Face long ago.
"Alright, alright, you had better calm yourself down, otherwise, even if your injuries are healed, you will just end up dying of anger."
Imperial Physician Xue, having understood what was going on, began to truly treat Aymu's injuries.
"With nobles from the palace coming out recently, you likely encountered a Great Inner Expert. Just consider it your bad luck."
Imperial Physician Xue pressed several Acupoints on Aymu's body, then took a Medicinal Pill from his bosom and stuffed it into her mouth.
Aymu was weak all over and could only let Imperial Physician Xue do as he pleased. However, after this ordeal, Aymu immediately felt the chaotic Qi in her body become much smoother.
"A few days of quiet rest will be enough. To only suffer these injuries after fighting a Great Inner Expert, your lightness skill is indeed invincible under heaven."
Aymu's wheat-colored Face flushed bright red, and she began to curse: "What is wrong with you Master and Disciple? Are you never going to finish!"
"&*...￥&..." Aymu then unleashed a stream of babbling, authentic Western Regions language, greeting Imperial Physician Xue and Fang Muyang.
Imperial Physician Xue laughed and remarked: "You people from the Western Regions are truly full of vitality." He then waved his hand, signaling for Fang Muyang to carry Aymu to the bed.
Fang Muyang took the opportunity to press on Aymu's throat, and immediately, Aymu began to "aba aba," unable to utter those noisy Western Regions words anymore.
After throwing Aymu onto the bed, the Master and Disciple sat back down. Having gone through an honest confrontation, both of their moods were somewhat unusual.
"Muyang, what do you plan to do next?"
Fang Muyang lowered his head, hesitated for a moment, and then said: "I must avenge Xixi. Third Young Master Hou is dead, and all that remains is Zhao Four and..."
As Fang Muyang spoke, he turned back to look at Aymu on the bed. Aymu nodded at Fang Muyang with annoyance.
Only then did Fang Muyang say somewhat happily: "Only Zhao Four remains."
This time, Imperial Physician Xue did not try to persuade him further, but instead continued to ask: "And what about after you kill this last person?"
Fang Muyang shook his head and said: "I have not thought about it yet."
Imperial Physician Xue reached out and patted the back of Fang Muyang's hand. "Then think about it slowly, consider it slowly. Master will always be waiting for you."
"If you need help..." Before Imperial Physician Xue could finish, Fang Muyang hurriedly shook his head.
"Master, you are the best doctor under heaven; you must not get involved in these matters with your Disciple. The Disciple needs this resentment, but you do not need it, nor should you have it."
The Master and Disciple were silent for a while, not knowing what else to say.
At this moment, the sound of the window being opened suddenly rang out. The three people in the room all turned their heads in unison toward the direction the sound came from.
A Little Black Cat climbed in from outside the window as if no one were there, stepped onto the table with a cat's gait, and sat between the Master and Disciple.
"You have raised a new cat again?" Imperial Physician Xue asked, raising an eyebrow.
"No, this is a cat belonging to a previous guest," Fang Muyang replied, then helplessly stroked Li Xuan's head and said: "Your owner even said you would never get lost."
"Sigh, what is this supposed to be now?" Fang Muyang smiled gently; the tone he used when speaking to Li Xuan was just like he was speaking to a child.
"Someone who likes cats like this shouldn't be a bad person."
Li Xuan thought this to himself, took some clean water from the di hong bone ring, dipped his tail in it, and wrote a few words on the tabletop: "Zhao Four is hiding at home; how will you kill him?"