Chapter Four: Deception

Chu Yun listened to the diner’s words without a trace of pride; instead, he was exceedingly humble. He was well aware that the former Chu Yun had been quite the scoundrel, and this sudden transformation into a physician was bound to arouse suspicion. There had to be a reasonable explanation. That way, when treating people in the future, he would avoid being doubted and save himself much trouble.

He realized that this civilization was extremely backward; the vast majority of people had no understanding of science and were deeply superstitious. Inspiration struck, and he smiled, saying, “Last night, I dreamed of an old immortal who imparted to me the art of medicine. That’s how I came by these healing skills.”

The moment the crowd heard this, envy filled their hearts. Some exclaimed that Chu Yun was truly fortunate to have a deity teach him medicine in a dream. Others muttered their dissatisfaction, blaming the immortal for being blind enough to bestow such skills on a rascal like Chu Yun.

Observing their reactions, Chu Yun secretly confirmed his suspicions: these people were so superstitious that they’d probably believe him if he claimed to be the reincarnation of an immortal.

The diner sighed at Chu Yun’s luck and introduced himself. “Chu Yun, my name is Jiang Lin, and I am the landlord of Huanglan Manor east of town.”

Chu Yun bowed respectfully. “So you are the baron, my apologies for not recognizing you sooner.”

Jiang Lin waved his hand with a smile. “It’s nothing. I survived the wars by sheer luck and was granted a bit of land for my efforts. Compared to you, who received divine medical arts in a dream, it’s hardly worth mentioning.”

He quickly returned to the matter at hand, “Brother Chu Yun, do you think my illness can still be cured? I’ve suffered all my life. Only in these past two or three years, after being ennobled, have things improved. I haven’t even had a chance to enjoy life properly yet.”

Chu Yun patted his chest. “Rest assured, sir, your illness is treatable. And judging by your appearance, you’re destined for a long life!”

Jiang Lin roared with laughter. “Very well, then how should my illness be treated?”

Chu Yun replied, “I’ll prescribe you a tonic to invigorate the qi and promote blood circulation. Take a few doses, keep active, eat less meat, drink less wine, and you’ll soon recover, free from chest pains and tightness.”

Jiang Lin hesitated. “A tonic to invigorate qi and promote blood circulation…”

Chu Yun nodded. “This is a prescription given to me by the old immortal in my dream. For men, the left hand, for women, the right. Please, sir, give me your left hand so I can check your pulse and determine the precise combination of herbs.”

Jiang Lin complied, extending his left hand. Chu Yun carefully took his pulse, then pressed his ear to Jiang Lin’s chest to listen to his heartbeat. Considering Jiang Lin’s years as a soldier, Chu Yun quickly concluded that he suffered from blood stasis, phlegm accumulation, and high blood lipids. The tonic would need to be adjusted with cassia seeds, lotus leaf, hawthorn, clove, and notoginseng.

He said, “Sir, please have someone bring me a bamboo slip and some ink and brushes so that I may write out your prescription.”

Jiang Lin agreed at once and sent someone to fetch the writing materials.

The others in the inn crowded closer, whispering among themselves, “That rascal Chu Yun barely knows how to read. If he can actually write out a prescription, perhaps he really did receive divine instruction in his dream.”

They were all eager to see if Chu Yun could truly write.

Before long, the bamboo slip and writing tools arrived. Chu Yun picked up the brush, dipped it in ink, and paused, lost in thought as he stared at the bamboo.

Someone couldn’t help but mock him, “Ha! Looks like the charade is about to be exposed.”

But the next moment, Chu Yun began to write swiftly across the bamboo slip. His hesitation had not been an act, but rather a brief moment spent recalling the traditional forms of some characters. In his previous life, he had read countless medical books, including handwritten folk remedies, most of which were in traditional script. With a bit of recollection, he could write them all.

“Look at that, he really can write!”

“Incredible! That rascal barely knew a few characters, yet he’s written so much, and the calligraphy is quite elegant—not at all like someone who just learned to write.”

“Seems he truly did meet an immortal in his dream and received the art of medicine!”

Seeing Chu Yun’s increasingly skilled movements, the crowd could not help but marvel, their envy and jealousy only deepening.

Jiang Lin, too, was astonished and became utterly convinced of the story about the immortal.

Once the prescription was finished, Chu Yun handed the bamboo slip to Jiang Lin. “Take this to the pharmacy and have the herbs prepared.”

“Thank you, Doctor Chu,” Jiang Lin replied, smiling as he accepted the slip.

From Chu the Rascal, to Chu Yun, to Brother Chu Yun, and finally Doctor Chu—Jiang Lin’s titles alone showed how completely his attitude had changed.

As Jiang Lin accepted the prescription, Chu Yun said, “This formula was given to me by the immortal in my dream. Some herbs may not be available at the pharmacy, or they might go by different names. But don’t worry—I can help you obtain the medicines, and if the pharmacy doesn’t have them, I’ll gather them from the mountain myself.”

After all, many things had different names in ancient times; for example, radishes were once called ‘lufu.’

“Thank you so much, Doctor Chu. In that case, you’d better keep the prescription and fetch the herbs for me. Rest assured, you’ll be well compensated,” Jiang Lin said gratefully, taking out a tael of silver and handing it to Chu Yun along with the bamboo slip.

In this era, technology was primitive and minting coinage was no simple task, but one tael of silver could be exchanged for a hundred knife-shaped coins—a sum equivalent to many families’ income for more than half a year.

Many around them grew all the more envious and jealous at the sight.

Chu Yun accepted the silver without hesitation and said, “Thank you, Lord Jiang. I’ll go to the pharmacy right away to get your medicine.”

But Jiang Lin stopped him. “No rush, Doctor Chu. Sit and eat with me first. You said I should eat less meat from now on, and I still have half a leg of braised lamb here. I’ll need your help to finish it.”

Chu Yun’s stomach had long been growling, so he sat down at once. “Thank you, Lord Jiang, I’ll gladly accept your hospitality.”

And so, under the envious and jealous gazes of all the inn’s patrons and staff—especially those of the Ten Mile Fragrance Inn—Chu Yun began to eat heartily.

As for the dishes he’d ordered earlier, he planned to take them home for Yang Liu’er to enjoy.