The next morning, the sky was still a hazy gray when Xing Muzheng was brought to the study again. This time, Aliman requested three goats and nine oxen, setting up an altar in the style of an ancient Western Li ritual.
After two nights of cold water immersion, Dingxi Marquis had become listless. He sat on a chair, dazed, staring at his toes. Qian Jiaoniang had come along and stood nearby watching Aliman perform the ritual.
Everyone present was full of hope. Though they knew the chances were slim, they still longed for a miracle. An hour later, Aliman poured the ashes of the talismans into a bowl of clear water and, with the help of the others, forced the Marquis to drink it. He disliked the taste and let out a few howls, but at least he didn’t spit it out.
Everyone held their breath, waiting—for the mad, dull-eyed Marquis to transform back into the valiant war god.
One incense stick’s time passed. Then two. The Marquis… went mad again.
Wu Shunzi couldn’t help but turn away, covering his face and weeping. Nothing could cure the Marquis!
Qian Jiaoniang smacked him on the head. “What are you crying for? Hurry up and take your General back to his room!”
Wu Shunzi wiped his eyes with his sleeve, sniffling as he ran off.
Qingya noticed Qian Jiaoniang’s calm expression—she showed not the slightest hint of discouragement—and couldn’t help but admire her. “You’re really composed. Aren’t you disappointed?”
Qian Jiaoniang stared at Xing Muzheng and said softly, “If we lose hope, then the Marquis will fall into despair.”
They finally managed to subdue the Marquis and bring him back to Qian Jiaoniang’s courtyard. The soldiers were startled to see an unfamiliar elderly man calmly sipping tea in the main hall. Li Qingquan recognized him and, surprised, stepped forward and saluted. “Old Miracle Doctor!”
It was none other than Wan Wengyuan, who had been waiting for Qian Jiaoniang. He glanced at Li Qingquan but didn’t recall who he was, only nodding slightly. What caught his attention was the man surrounded by all the strong soldiers—dull-eyed and clearly not in his right mind. That must be the husband Miss Qian spoke of yesterday. But this man had a unique bone structure—not an ordinary person. Thinking of Dingxi Marquis’s household, Wan Wengyuan began to suspect the truth.
Qian Jiaoniang arrived shortly after, quickly stepped forward, and respectfully greeted him, “Uncle Wan, why didn’t you let me know you were coming?”
“I haven’t been here long—just resting for a bit.”
Li Qingquan was surprised. “Madam, you know the old miracle doctor?”
Qian Jiaoniang replied, “Just a matter of chance.”
“Then please have the miracle doctor look at the Marquis!” Li Qingquan, once filled with despair, now rekindled a spark of hope. Could this be the silver lining? “I went to seek out the miracle doctor before, but he said he does not treat men.”
Does not treat men? Qian Jiaoniang hesitated and looked at Wan Wengyuan. “Uncle Wan… about that…”
Wan Wengyuan stroked his beard and said, “That is indeed a taboo of my practice.”
Ah Da glared. “Do you even know who it is you’re trying to save?”
“I don’t care if he’s the Jade Emperor or a duke or marquis—so long as he’s a man, I don’t treat him,” Wan Wengyuan said with narrowed eyes.
Qian Jiaoniang rubbed her fingers and said, “To tell you the truth, my husband is indeed the master of this marquis estate—he is the former General Dingxi, Xing Muzheng. Might Uncle Wan be willing to make an exception for him?” She suddenly knelt down and kowtowed heavily. “If you can cure him, this great kindness and virtue—I will never forget it as long as I live!”
Her injuries weren’t even healed—how could she kneel and kowtow like that?
Wan Wengyuan hurriedly helped her up. “Miss Qian, you’re putting me in a difficult spot.”
Qian Jiaoniang sighed. “I understand it’s hard for you, but if you are willing to make an exception, I’ll agree to any condition you name.”
“I do have one condition.”
Her eyes lit up. “Please tell me.”
“Please speak freely, great doctor! Even if it’s mountains of gold and silver, we’ll carry them over for you!” Li Qingquan added.
Wan Wengyuan smiled. “I don’t want gold or silver mountains. It’s just—Dingxi Marquis’s illness is bizarre. If my medical skills aren’t up to the task, Miss Qian mustn’t hold it against me.”
Qian Jiaoniang was stunned. “This… is the condition?”
Li Qingquan and the others were also taken aback.
Wan Wengyuan laughed heartily. “Miss Qian, you once saved this old man’s life—how could I ignore your request?”
Saved his life? When had Jiaoniang ever saved the miracle doctor?
Qian Jiaoniang rubbed her nose with a smile. “Uncle Wan, you are too sentimental. I don’t even know what to say.”
“That’s wonderful.” Though Li Qingquan didn’t understand the history between them, he only picked out the most important part. “Great doctor, please examine the General right away!”
Dingxi Marquis was seated in the hall, with Ah Da and Li Qingquan standing guard on either side, afraid he might suddenly go mad. Wan Wengyuan took his pulse for a long time, closely observed his condition, and asked detailed questions about the symptoms. Then he fell into deep silence.
Li Qingquan couldn’t hold back. “Well? Great doctor, is there still hope?”
Wan Wengyuan shook his head, still stroking his gray beard, but said nothing.
Qian Jiaoniang gestured at Li Qingquan to stop interrupting.
After a long time, Wan Wengyuan finally spoke. “For this illness… medicine is ineffective.”
As soon as those words were spoken, the room fell into utter silence.
“Uncle Wan… truly, there’s no cure?” Qian Jiaoniang finally asked.
Wan Wengyuan said, “I’ve encountered two similar cases before. One was a man who suffered a great misfortune at home and went mad under the burden; the other was frightened into madness by someone pretending to be a ghost while walking at night. Both had clear causes, and I couldn’t cure them either. There’s also a third type—those born into families with history of mental illness who fell ill and became fools. But your husband’s case is even stranger—he was perfectly fine, then suddenly became a fool, sometimes dazed, sometimes manic. I don’t know what herbs could possibly cure such an illness. I’m afraid… I’m helpless.”
After such a series of blows, the room could no longer bear it. Li Qingquan punched the bedpost, making a loud thud.
They had tried Western Li shamans, miracle doctors, chanted scriptures, performed rituals—every method possible, and still nothing worked. Nothing!
Could it really be that the General would remain deranged for the rest of his life? Was fate truly so cruel?
Li Qingquan punched the post a few more times, leaving deep dents in the wood. Ah Da and the others also had faces full of frustration and despair. Wu Shunzi ran out crying again.
Qian Jiaoniang said, “If you break that post, where’s the Marquis supposed to sleep tonight? Uncle Wan only said that medicine is ineffective—there may be other ways! Everything has a cause, and like Uncle Wan said, even madness has to have a reason! Go over everything again carefully—this is no time to throw tantrums!”
Li Qingquan slowly withdrew his fist and exchanged glances with Ah Da and the others.
Wan Wengyuan said, “Miss Qian is right. Everything must have a cause. The Marquis’s illness came so strangely that I was wondering—could he have eaten something unusual? Or gone somewhere unclean?”
Ah Da said, “That’s hard to say. We’ve been through all kinds of places during the war, eaten all kinds of things. The General was with us—we’re all fine, so why is he the only one who went mad?”
Qian Jiaoniang asked, “Uncle Wan, why do you say that?”
Wan Wengyuan replied, “Miss Qian, have you ever heard of insect magic?”
