"Mr. Lin, was that lady just diagnosed with the terminal illness, Stone Goiter?" Xia Zhu asked quietly after the woman left.

"Yes." Lin Miao nodded. It is basically confirmed to be malignant, as it has grown rapidly in just two months. If not treated, the tumor will soon severely affect eating and breathing.

Once you can’t eat or breathe, can you still live?

"Can your prescription cure it?"

Lin Miao shook his head, "No, at most it can slow its growth. To completely eliminate it is probably very difficult."

A hint of sadness flashed in Xia Zhu’s eyes.

"Xia Zhu, human ability has its limits. We doctors are not omnipotent, and there are some diseases that are beyond my current capabilities." Lin Miao said, "Therefore, as a doctor, you first need to understand life and death, only then can you better help patients."

"Yes, Mr. Lin."

...

"Sir, something’s wrong! The South City District Commander suddenly brought people to seal off Furong Garden, saying we have suspicions of smuggling and tax evasion..." Shi Yin came running, out of breath, to report.

"What?" Lin Miao immediately stood up, as he had expected something like this would happen.

"Liuli is stubbornly blocking the search, now they’re at a standoff!"

"Senior Sister, temporarily close the clinic, I’m going to take a look." Lin Miao immediately ordered, and together with Shi Yin, quickly ran to Furong Garden.

"Mr. Zheng, our Furong Garden operates legally and with integrity. All pastries are clearly priced, ingredients have clear sources. With just one unfounded report, you want to seal off our Furong Garden, isn’t this against the law of the court?" A crowd gathered at the entrance of Furong Garden, and inside, Liuli’s sad yet firm voice could be heard.

"Miss Liuli, I received reliable information that your Furong Garden is smuggling sugar crystals and stealing court taxes. We are sealing off Furong Garden according to the law to investigate. If you continue to obstruct my investigation, don’t blame me for arresting you on charges of interfering with official duties. Remember, you just redeemed your indenture; if you commit a crime, I can immediately throw you back into indenture, never to rise again!" South City District Commander Zheng Dan shouted sternly, his words full of threats.

Liuli shook with anger.

The people cannot fight against officials. It’s clear that the South City District Commander is just fabricating excuses to bully others with power.

"Apply seals, search Furong Garden. Anyone who dares to interfere, arrest them immediately and charge them with obstructing official duties!" Zheng Dan saw Liuli dare not act and immediately waved his hand, directing his constables to start sealing off Furong Garden.

"Such grand official power you have, Mr. Zheng!"

Lin Miao squeezed through the crowd and shouted angrily.

"Who dares insult me?"

"I, Lin Miao."

"Mr. Lin, I am conducting an investigation according to the law, please do not interfere to avoid trouble for yourself." Zheng Dan said coldly, looking at Lin Miao, aware that he has a recognized status by the court, different from ordinary citizens. Although Zheng Dan is the District Commander, he couldn’t act too arrogantly in public.

"I am the major shareholder of Furong Garden, Mr. Zheng wants to seal my business, and I can’t question or intervene?" Lin Miao retorted. "Since Mr. Zheng claims my Furong Garden is smuggling sugar crystals and suspected of tax evasion, then who is the accuser, and where is the evidence? Otherwise, you say seal, and that’s it, doesn’t this go against the law?"

"Once Furong Garden is sealed, I can naturally find the evidence!"

"Mr. Zheng, once you seal off Furong Garden and isolate us, isn’t the evidence just as you wish it to be, the people say, is that not so?" Lin Miao shouted. Outside, a crowd of citizens surrounded them, layers thick, too many watching the spectacle.

Zheng Dan’s reputation as South City District Commander was very poor, and the citizens of South City were long dissatisfied with him. However, as a court official, the common people dared not provoke him, only bearing it silently.

"Lin Miao, what do you mean, are you saying I’m deliberately framing you?"

"Mr. Zheng, those are your words; I didn’t say that." Lin Miao said coldly, "Furong Garden can let you search today. If you find evidence of the sugar crystal smuggling you claimed, Furong Garden will let you seal it off, and I’ll go to the yamen with you for questioning. Even if I’m imprisoned, I won’t say a word of ’no’. If you don’t find evidence today, if you don’t give me an explanation, I’ll go speak to Lord Pei Jian at his manor!"

Zheng Dan’s face slightly changed.

He thought to seal Furong Garden first, then whether or not he found evidence, if necessary, fabricate some evidence...

"Fine, I would like to see how tough your mouth can be, search!" Zheng Dan, not giving up, issued the order to search.

"Brothers of the South City yamen, you can search, but if anything is disturbed or damaged, I will definitely list a detailed account to seek compensation from Mr. Zheng later!"

As soon as these words were spoken, the constables became very cautious, afraid of breaking anything and having to pay for it.

The atmosphere became tense instantly.

About one incense stick later.

All the constables involved in the search returned, without exception, shaking their heads, indicating they found no trace of sugar crystals.

If no sugar crystals are found, how could there be smuggling or tax evasion?

"Mr. Zheng, where is the evidence you claimed that Furong Garden is smuggling sugar crystals and evading taxes?" Lin Miao pressed for an answer, "Let’s go, we’ll go to the yamen now, I intend to bang the injustice drum!"

"This... isn’t it better not to have any?" Zheng Dan mumbled, clearly not expecting this result.

"Mr. Zheng, everyone knows sugar crystals are ten to twenty times the price of regular sugar. Our Furong Garden’s pastries taste good because of the ingredient choices and craftsmanship improvements. Even the regular sugar we use is of the highest quality, as well as the best grade of flour, with added honey. Many delis have tried but failed to achieve the same taste, even if they used sugar crystals!"

"Mr. Lin Miao is absolutely right!"

"We love eating pastries from Furong Garden. They use good ingredients and put their heart into making them, so a higher price is justified..."

"Mr. Zheng, today you have two choices: either publicly apologize to me and Furong Garden, or go to the yamen with me. Choose one!"

Zheng Dan’s face flushed with embarrassment. He could only choose to publicly apologize, and then with a wave of his hand, he led his constables away sullenly amidst the people’s mockery.

He dared not confront Lin Miao openly in court for fear Pei Jian would use it as a pretext to bring charges against him.

As Zheng Dan left, customers flooded in.

Liuli’s eyes reddened, with a tear shimmering in her eyes, indelibly moved by the events that just transpired, unsure what she would have done if Lin Miao hadn’t arrived in time.

"Alright, it’s all over now." Lin Miao approached Liuli and naturally wiped the tear from her eye.

The gesture was too intimate, too suggestive.

Perhaps the two didn’t notice, but Shi Yin, standing beside them, did have a slight change in expression.

"Thank you, sir."

"Why thank me? It’s my business too; naturally I’m supposed to bear the responsibility." Lin Miao said naturally, "In the future, don’t be foolish and confront situations head-on. These are just external possessions; without them, we can acquire more. If someone gets hurt, it cannot be undone."

"Yes, Liuli will remember."