Medical Sage

Outside the room, filled with the bitter scent of traditional Chinese medicine, a middle-aged man in a suit with graying hair stood in a daze. He stared at the emaciated and frighteningly comatose young man inside, his mouth pursed in silence. There was a slight redness around his eyes, and his curled fingers continued to twitch subconsciously.

Next to him stood a middle-aged woman of about the same age, clutching his sleeve tightly with one hand and covering her mouth with the other. Her eyes were lifeless, her body trembled slightly, and tears occasionally streamed down her cheeks.

”Minister Chen, Madam Chen, the visiting time has passed. Why don’t you step out for now?” Just then, an elderly medical staff member appeared beside them, sighing lightly at their expressions before speaking gently.

”Ah, oh… Has the time already come?” The suited, graying man faltered, his tone complex and downcast.

He then patted the woman beside him and whispered, ”Zhenru, it’s time. Let’s go.”

”Ah, it’s time already? So soon?” Perhaps feeling her husband’s touch, the woman snapped out of her trance. She spoke dazedly before her reaction suddenly became more intense. ”Please wait! Let me take one more look at Little Liin!”

”Shh, Zhenru, what are you doing?”

The graying middle-aged man frowned at her outburst but then sighed. He forcibly led her away, calling back over his shoulder, ”Dr. Mo, we entrust Little Liin to you… We will come to see him again in a few days.”

”Alright. Take care, Minister Chen.”

The elderly staff member nodded, then shook his head with a sigh, his expression becoming complex as he fell silent.

…

Meanwhile, after the middle-aged man had forcibly led the woman away from the courtyard house, she suddenly found a burst of unexpected strength. Wrenching free from his grip, she cried out uncontrollably, ”Chen Zhenjun! Are you satisfied now?! Our son has ended up like this, and I, his mother, can’t even stay a moment longer to look at him? Your Chen family is going too far!”

If anyone from political circles had been present and heard her call the man Chen Zhenjun, they would certainly have been stunned. That name belonged to the current Executive Vice Minister of a department in Capital City. He was a man with substantial power, the kind one normally only saw on television, yet here he was.

”Zhenru, I didn’t want Little Liin to become like this either. It’s just… I was wrong, alright? Don’t be angry anymore. If you fall ill again, what am I supposed to do?” Hearing her words, Chen Zhenjun’s face was a mixture of regret and dejection. He took her hand and caressed it gently, his tone carrying an undeniable sense of helplessness.

He was the Executive Vice Minister of his department, the envy of countless people. He wielded significant power and was a strong candidate for an even higher position in the upcoming term elections. Yet, he was powerless to save his own son, forced to watch him suffer and waste away day by day. This feeling was truly unbearable, more than anyone could stand.

”Sigh, I…”

At his words, the woman called Zhenru trembled. A look of exhaustion crept onto her face, and her voice was devoid of strength. ”I didn’t mean to lose my temper with you, it’s just…”

”Don’t worry. We’re an old married couple; I understand,” Chen Zhenjun said, mustering a small smile.

The woman named Zhenru shook her head, her tone suddenly hardening. ”What nonsense are you talking about? The Little Divine Doctor mentioned by Mr. Xunn… is there any news about him?” As she spoke, her expression and tone were strange, and Chen Zhenjun’s reaction was much the same.

”You mean… No. The Patriarch has apparently sent someone already, but it doesn’t seem to be going smoothly. Mr. Ming seems unwilling to let our Chen Family contact that family,” Chen Zhenjun replied, his expression complex.

”After all, they were driven out of Capital City back then… But if we can’t invite the Little Divine Doctor here to treat Little Liin, then…?” The woman’s expression shifted, and she trailed off, unwilling to finish the thought.

”Zhenru, do you really think that… that Little Divine Doctor can cure Little Liin’s illness?” Chen Zhenjun fell silent for a long moment before suddenly asking.

”Why do you ask?”

Zhenru was slightly taken aback, then replied in a quiet, uncertain voice, ”He was, after all, personally recommended by someone from the Medical Sage Hall. A man of Mr. Xunn’s standing wouldn’t just say things carelessly, would he?”

Hearing this, Chen Zhenjun’s reddish eyes flickered. He seemed to come to a decision. ”In that case, I will personally go to Jiangnan to see that… nephew.”

”What did you say? Zhenjun, are you serious?” The woman looked startled and surprised.

”Of course, I’m serious. Little Liin is already in this state, and Dr. Mo and the others are clearly at a loss. If this continues, his condition will likely become dire,” Chen Zhenjun said, nodding before his brow furrowed.

”Pah! Don’t say such things! But right now, aren’t you in a critical period? Will the family let you leave Capital City?” the woman asked hesitantly.

”Little Liin is my son. I must fulfill my duties as a father,” Chen Zhenjun said flatly.

Hearing this, Zhenru’s expression softened considerably as she looked at him again. She said slowly, ”Zhenjun, don’t wear yourself out. Why don’t I go with you?”

”No need.”

Chen Zhenjun shook his head. ”The incident back then is still a thorn between us. And now, with the friction between Mr. Ming and Grandpa, he doesn’t want our Chen Family to contact that family again. It’s better if I go alone. More people will only complicate matters.”

”I see. Alright… When do you plan to leave?” The woman paused, finally relenting, and asked again.

”First thing tomorrow morning. I have to go back and lay my cards on the table with Dad tonight,” Chen Zhenjun replied, shaking his head with a hint of a headache.

…

At nightfall, in the study of an unremarkable courtyard home in a Capital City alley, Chen Zhenjun sat facing a frail, elderly man. Between them were two cups of steaming green tea.

The old man was dressed in a gray robe, his face a roadmap of wrinkles. He looked decrepit, and even his eyes were clouded. However, the authority that occasionally flashed in his gaze was enough to make one’s heart skip a beat, a clear sign that this old man was no simple figure.

”Dad, I’m planning to leave Capital City for a while,” Chen Zhenjun said, looking at the older man.

His use of ”Dad” made the other man’s identity clear.

The frail-looking elder was none other than Chen Bingzhang, the eldest of the Chen Family of Capital City’s second generation, also known as Old Master Chen. He had once held a deputy-national-level post and served in the State Council, but he had retired a few years ago to live a quiet life. Even in retirement, however, such a man wielded astonishing influence. Within the Chen Family, Old Master Chen’s influence was second only to the elder Patriarch.

As for his relationship with Chen Zhenjun, they were, without a doubt, father and son.

”Leaving Capital City? For work?” Old Master Chen asked, slightly surprised.

Chen Zhenjun shook his head. ”Not for work. It’s a personal matter. I want to make a trip to Jiangnan.”

”A personal matter? Nonsense! Don’t you know this is a critical time for you? Whether you can be promoted to a ministerial position depends on this period… Wait, where did you say you wanted to go?” Old Master Chen began, his voice simmering with anger as he slapped the table lightly. But mid-sentence, he froze.

”Dad, I want to go to Jiangnan,” Chen Zhenjun repeated, his face expressionless.

”Jiangnan… Is this because of Little Liin?” Old Master Chen asked after a moment’s hesitation, his expression complex.

”Yes. Zhenru and I went to see him again today. I feel that if I don’t do something soon, I’m afraid I’ll have to bury my own son,” Chen Zhenjun said with a sigh.

”Bury your own son?”

Old Master Chen’s rough fingers trembled slightly. He fell silent. After a long pause, he said hesitantly, ”But what about your grandfather… and Zhenguo…?”

”Those are their grievances. They have nothing to do with me, and I don’t want to be involved,” Chen Zhenjun cut him off stiffly. ”I am going only as a patient’s father to ask him to treat my son.”

Hearing this, Old Master Chen was taken aback, then a wry smile touched his lips as he fell silent once more. A long time passed before he finally spoke slowly, ”Your grandfather’s health has been getting worse lately. He most likely… won’t hold on for much longer. If he really passes away, our Chen Family’s situation could become quite troublesome.”

”That’s why we’ve always listened to him and deferred to him all these years, which is as it should be. But Little Liin is my own son. I cannot stand idly by,” Chen Zhenjun said, his tone unchanging.

”…Alright, you’re right. Little Liin is my grandson, after all. I cannot tolerate anyone treating his life like a joke.”

Old Master Chen’s tone suddenly changed, and he broke into a grin. ”If you want to go, then go. But remember not to give anyone any leverage, or your election campaign will become difficult. After all, besides you, many others are vying for the position.”

”Dad, don’t worry. I know what to do,” Chen Zhenjun said, letting out a long breath and forcing a smile.

However, Old Master Chen didn’t reply. Instead, he adjusted his reading glasses, got up, and walked over to a landline on a small wooden cabinet. Rummaging inside, he pulled out a tattered phone book. He murmured to himself, ”I remember Mr. Ming’s number should be in here. Since you’re going, it’s best to inform him first to avoid any misunderstandings.”

With that, he dialed a number and stepped outside to speak in whispers.