"Seventh, don’t go to the medical hall yet. Let’s go see your youngest brother." As soon as they entered the city, Gu Dashishi pointed in a certain direction. He still remembered where the Lan Family lived.

Gu Yuanjin said, "Father, why are you going to see him? Your current injury is all his fault. Are you planning to take us brothers to settle the score with him?"

Gu Yuanhuo rolled up his sleeves. "We should go settle accounts with that brat. He made Dad suffer so much he couldn’t get out of bed all winter. We ought to beat him until *he* can’t get out of bed."

Gu Yuanshui glanced at Gu Dashishi, as if to remind him, "What youngest son? In our family’s genealogy, Seventh is the youngest."

Gu Wenheng said, "My dear brothers, just keep calling me Seventh. I’m already used to it."

Without even turning around, Gu Wenheng could hear the old man’s breathing grow heavier. "Renhe Medical Hall is just up ahead. That Doctor Chu is the successor to an Imperial Physician and the best doctor in Dao City."

"Seventh, how do you know that?" Not wanting to let the old man speak, Gu Yuanjin decided to just go along with Gu Wenheng’s words.

"While we were waiting to be settled, I heard some of the city folk talking about it. This is what the locals say. If you don’t believe me, you can ask anyone."

Gu Yuanhuo added, "I think I overheard something like that too. They all say Doctor Chu’s medical skills are excellent. It looks like we’ve come to the right place."

...

Gu Dashishi was speechless. ’When did these boys get as clever as monkeys? He wanted to use this as a chance to have them teach his youngest son and the Lan Family a lesson, to avenge the humiliation from his last trip to the city. Could he admit that now?’

"We’re here," Gu Wenheng said, stopping the donkey cart outside Renhe Medical Hall. "Brothers, please help Father down. I’ll take the cart around back to tie it up."

"Be quick about it, then," Gu Yuanjin said. Looking at the large medicine shop, he reached up to touch the small silver coins in his tunic, feeling a little flustered.

"Can this place really cure my illness?" Gu Dashishi asked, his tone full of doubt as his four sons carried him, one at each corner.

Before the Gu brothers could say anything, a person nearby couldn’t help but interject. "What nonsense are you spouting, old man? If even Doctor Chu can’t cure you, then you’re a lost cause."

"Exactly! If you don’t believe in him, then don’t come."

Gu Yuanshui quickly put on a placating smile. "Apologies, everyone. My father is a bit muddled from his illness. We came specifically for Doctor Chu’s skills. Please bear with us."

"You unfilial son!" Gu Dashishi reached out to hit Gu Yuanshui. Gu Yuanshui didn’t dare to dodge and took the blows unflinchingly. The onlookers, however, couldn’t stand to watch.

"You’re being completely unreasonable, old man! Your son didn’t even say anything wrong. He’s a grown man, and you’re still hitting him. I’d say it’s not a case of an unfilial son, but an unkind father."

Gu Dashishi was speechless. ’This Dao City is definitely bad luck for me.’

"Quiet down if you’re here to see the doctor," the attendant said, walking over immediately upon hearing the commotion.

"Young man," Gu Yuanjin began with a fawning smile, "we’re here to see Doctor Chu. Excuse me, is Doctor Chu available now?"

The attendant glanced at Gu Dashishi and asked, "New injury or old illness?"

"An old illness, I suppose?" Gu Yuanjin wasn’t entirely sure.

The attendant pointed to a nearby bench. "Wait over there for a bit. Our master is currently dressing a wound."

The moment Gu Dashishi’s rear touched the bench, he started swaying from side to side. "I can’t sit up! Hurry and find a place for me to lie down."

"Father, just hang on a little longer. There’s no place for you to lie down here."

"Nonsense! You think I’ve never seen a doctor before? The medical hall has beds in the back courtyard. Go find one, quickly."

"...Fifth Brother, you go." Seeing that none of his sons moved, Gu Dashishi picked on the most honest-looking one.

...

* * *

"How can there be nothing wrong with me?" Gu Dashishi suddenly pointed an agitated finger at Doctor Chu. "You quack! I can’t muster any strength in my whole body! You’re just incompetent, and now you’re slandering me!"

Chu Dongnan withdrew his hand, his brow not even twitching. "No matter which doctor you see, the result will be the same. Although you broke your leg before, after several months of careful rest, it has already recovered completely.

"As for a stroke? There might have been some signs of one previously, but that’s not to say you actually had one. Besides, I believe you’ve likely taken some medicine in the meantime. Even if there was an issue, it would have been cured."

Chu Dongnan stood up and looked at Gu Wenheng. "I am a doctor. I can treat the body, but not the heart. Go home. Don’t waste your money."

Feeling the stares of his five sons, Gu Dashishi stubbornly held his ground. "Go find me another doctor! This one can’t cure me, so he’s just spouting nonsense."

Gu Wenheng suddenly pointed toward the door and shouted, "Youngest Brother! I just saw him walk past!"

Everyone saw a shadow flash by. Gu Dashishi, who had just been leaning on Gu Yuantu, was now standing at the doorway, craning his neck and looking all around. "Where? Where is he?"

"My master was right! Your body is perfectly fine. You run faster than I do!" the attendant who had been beside Chu Dongnan immediately jumped out and pointed, shouting.

Hearing this, Gu Dashishi snapped back to his senses, his face instantly turning pale. He wanted to collapse to the ground right then and there, but when he saw the half-smiling, knowing looks in his sons’ eyes, he guiltily lowered his head.

Chu Dongnan shook his head. ’It truly is a wide world full of wonders. I’ve really seen something new today.’

Gu Yuanjin was the first to recover, clearing his throat twice. "Since Father is all right now, let’s head back!"

"Right, let’s go back." This was so embarrassing, they had disgraced themselves all the way in the Prefecture City. Even Gu Yuantu, who usually had little presence, felt his face burning with shame.

"Seventh, where did you say Youngest Brother was just now?" Gu Dashishi, deciding to throw caution to the wind since he was already exposed, stared directly at Gu Wenheng and demanded.

"Didn’t you see him? I thought I saw him walk past, but I didn’t get a clear look. I might have been mistaken." Gu Wenheng wasn’t about to admit it was all a fabrication. ’Besides, it was a white lie. Look, the old man’s illness was cured without any medicine.’

"You..." Even a fool would have realized he’d been tricked by now, but Gu Dashishi had no way to prove it. All he could do was grind his teeth, turn around, and storm out.

"Father, where are you going?" The brothers exchanged glances but couldn’t just let the old man wander off. They all rushed out after him.

Gu Wenheng turned to Chu Dongnan, clasped his hands in a fist-and-palm salute, and bowed slightly. "My apologies for the scene. May I ask what the consultation fee is?"

Chu Dongnan looked at him with a smile. "I didn’t write a prescription or dispense any medicine. There’s no fee.

"But you’re a clever one, kid. To think you came up with such a mischievous trick."

Gu Wenheng gave a wry smile. "As sons, we all want our parents to be healthy.

"Besides, if he just lies in bed all day and night, even a healthy body will slowly waste away. I had no choice but to be the bad guy."

Chu Dongnan smiled. "How is your little wife’s health recuperating? Why didn’t you bring her along this time?"