Mochen felt a surge of nervous excitement. He knew the theories inside out, but he had never performed a real diagnosis on a stranger. The young child, A Heng, squinted at him skeptically. "He's about the same age as me. Does he actually know how to heal people?"
Mo Yan laughed. "You have no idea. This young man is the disciple of our Divine Doctor. He's quite remarkable."
A Heng didn't look convinced, but after patting his empty pockets, he didn't argue further. "Fine. Take a look at my grandfather."
The elderly man sat down, looking tired and weak. Mochen composed himself, sat upright, and asked in a professional tone, "Grandfather, where do you feel unwell?"
"My limbs are heavy and exhausted," the old man replied feebly. "I have night sweats, dizziness, and no strength in my body."
Mochen took the man's pulse, checked his tongue, and carefully analyzed his symptoms. "Before this started, what did you eat? What did you do?"
"Two days ago, I went out in the rain to find this boy," the old man sighed, glancing at his grandson. "I got soaked. By the next morning, I couldn't get out of bed."
A Heng lowered his head in shame. Behind the curtain in the hall, Mo Lixia watched silently, a proud smile playing on her lips. She saw Mochen hesitate, then re-check the pulse with a focused expression.
"Do you even know what you're doing?" A Heng snapped, seeing Mochen's silence. "If you give my grandfather the wrong medicine, I'll make you pay!"
Mochen let go of the wrist and stood his ground. "Hmph! My medical skills aren't for show. Your grandfather doesn't just have a common cold..." He quickly scribbled a prescription. "Take this. One dose now, three times a day. He'll be better in two days."
A Heng took the paper, but since he couldn't read, he just glared at Mochen and helped his grandfather up. "Grandfather, let's go. When we have the money, we'll pay them back!"
The old man sighed and followed the boy out of the pharmacy.
The Great Escape
A Heng stood in line at the medicine counter while his grandfather waited outside. When it was finally his turn, Mo Yan handed over the wrapped herbs. "That will be one tael of silver..."
Before Mo Yan could finish, A Heng snatched the medicine and bolted out the door like a lightning strike.
"Hey! Stop right there!" Mo Yan shouted, jumping over the counter to give chase. Mochen, finally realizing what was happening, followed close behind.
But by the time they reached the street, the boy was gone. He was as slippery as an eel.
Mo Yan returned, panting. "Sigh... I should have known. I've seen this before. If you catch them, you catch them; if not, you just have to take the loss. It's not worth reporting to the authorities over a small amount."
Mochen's face was a mask of frustration. His very first patient had tricked him. "That brat... he basically robbed us in broad daylight!"
A Lesson in Medicine and Mercy
Mo Lixia stepped out and sat at the consultation desk. "I saw everything."
"Master..." Mochen looked down in shame. "It's my fault. I shouldn't have treated them."
"On the contrary," Lixia smiled. "You did very well. Tell me, what was the actual diagnosis?"
"At first, I thought it was a simple fever," Mochen explained seriously. "But remembering what you taught me about the environment and the patient's age, I realized it was a case of Severe Deficiency (Xu Kui) exacerbated by the cold rain."
Lixia nodded. "Exactly right. But do you know what the best part was? You were brave enough to re-check the pulse when you felt something was off. Some doctors care more about their pride than the patient's life; they would rather stick to a wrong diagnosis than admit a mistake. That is poor medical ethics."
Mochen's expression softened. "I understand, Master."
"As for the boy," Lixia added, "he likely truly had no money and was desperate to save his grandfather. We'll consider it an act of charity today. But next time, be a bit more observant."
The Invitation
"Miss Mo!" Xichun, Leng Xue's maid, entered the pharmacy with a basket. "My lady has prepared lunch and is waiting for you and the Little Master."
Mochen's face paled instantly. "I... I'm not hungry!"
Xichun let out a dry laugh. "Don't worry, Little Master. The professional chef cooked this time."
Lixia and Mochen shared a look of pure relief and burst out laughing.