Denghuaxiao

Chapter 201 Replacement

 There was silence all around.

Cui Min stared at the face in front of the lantern

That face...that face is still the same as in the memory, but it is completely different from the memory.

The black hair is graying, the smooth skin is full of wrinkles, the beard has grown long without knowing it, and it piles up on the chin. Even if it is combed, it looks messy.

This face must have lived a bad life, full of vicissitudes of life, a crutch with peeled off skin supported on his slightly curled legs, and his clothes are also made of coarse linen.

This face seems to be living a good life, there is no gloominess between the eyebrows and eyes, and the responding voice that came from behind the felt curtain is full of happiness. Even if they meet now, there is only a look of confusion on the face, but no anger.

 He froze in place.

 This is his former best friend—

 Miao Liangfang.

With his confidants waiting under the carriage, Cui Min heard his own voice, which was too vague to be real.

 “…Why are you here?”

Miao Liangfang opened his mouth, but Lu Zhu took over the conversation naturally: "Of course he is here. Mr. Miao is the doctor at Renxin Medical Center."

 “A doctor sitting in the hall?”

Cui Min only felt ridiculous.

 “He is a guilty minister, how can he sit in the palace?”

 “Why not?”

 Lu Zhen smiled slightly, but his tone was still calm, "Mr. Miao was kicked out of the Medical Officer's Hospital back then. As for his punishment, the Medical Officer's Court never said that he would not practice medicine again in the future."

Cui Min had a meal.

　　 is not said.

But…

how could be?

More than ten years ago, Miao Liangfang was kicked out of the medical hospital. He also asked people to secretly inquire about him.

 With the talented medical officer who was once so popular and so proud, no miracle happened when he hit rock bottom. Miao Liangfang also asked for help from his former friends, but a common medical officer who had offended someone was also charged with crimes, so no one would take the risk to help him.

He is like a sapling that accidentally broke into a noble's flower garden, and was removed in an understatement.

Cui Min knew that Miao Liangfang later lived in poverty, drank too much, was lame, lived in a muddle all day, and hung out with beggars, so he gradually stopped caring about this person.

He did not kill them all, but still left a way for the other party to survive. This was because of the old friendship between the two of them when they worked together in a drug store. He hoped that Miao Liangfang would live, but not live too well, like countless busy mediocre people, and gradually turn into a piece of rotten dust.

Many years have passed, and Cui Min has never seen Miao Liangfang again. He thought that the other person had long been annihilated in the cruel world, maybe dead. The name "Miao Liangfang" only occasionally appeared to him suddenly at a moment when he was sleepless in the middle of the night. Like a false hallucination, he gradually left it behind.

I never thought he would suddenly appear in front of me.

 There is no degradation or depression. The man looks prosperous and mediocre, but he is more peaceful than when he was young many years ago.

"you…"

Miao Liangfang came back to his senses, as if he had woken up from the shock just now. Needless to say, he took a step forward subconsciously, stared at Cui Min and said coldly: "What are you doing here?"

 “Envoy Cui Yuan is here to see me.” Lu Yan said.

 “Yes, I’ll come—”

Cui Min suddenly paused and looked at the two people in front of him again.

The lantern in the shop was dim, but the faint light illuminated the subtle expressions on the two people's faces very clearly.

Miao Liangfang stood in front of Lu Zhuo, with a protective posture. The two of them talked and looked close, as if they were familiar people.

 Suddenly, a ridiculous idea came to mind.

　　…“…Are you in the same group?”

Miao Liangfang was startled and didn't know why.

Lu Zong, however, smiled and said nothing.

Cui Min was shocked and then took two steps back.

Lu Zong and Miao Liangfang seemed to be old acquaintances, but when did they meet?

Is it when Lu Zhuo was suspended from work and returned to West Street in the past few days, was it when Lu Zhuo was injured in Huangmaogang a few days ago, or was it when Lu Zhuo just entered the medical hospital?

He didn't take West Street seriously, and Renxin Medical Center was just a run-down medical center that was indispensable. He only knew that there was an old doctor there who had taken Lu Zong's place, but no one had ever told him. Who is the sitting doctor?

Cui Min looked at Miao Liangfang: "When did you start sitting here?"

Lu Zhen answered on behalf of Miao Liangfang: "I was here before the spring exam." She asked: "Why did Cui Yuanshi come suddenly? Could it be that... Mr. Qi is sick again?"

Hearing this, Cui Min's face suddenly changed.

 She actually guessed it!

 No, maybe it’s not a guess, but...

Lu Zhen was from Miao Liangfang, so there was no way he would enter the Medical Official Hospital without any purpose. Miao Liangfang had a grudge against him. The only possibility was that Lu Zhuo entered the Medical Official Hospital just to avenge Miao Liangfang himself.

 The ten prescriptions in the spring examination, the seemingly earnest efforts to point out errors and omissions in the study room, the baseless and covert accusations...

 It turned out to be just a carefully arranged exit by her...

 He is already in it!

A chill suddenly arose from the bottom of his heart. His body, which had been exhausted all night yesterday, was crumbling, and his head hurt as if it was about to split. Cui Min opened his eyes wide, and the eyeballs were filled with thin bloodshot eyes, which made his usually gentle face look a bit ferocious.

"you do this delibrately?"

“You deliberately left a questionable recipe to lure me into taking the bait, but you had already expected this day!”

 It dawned on him.

　　Why did Qi Yutai's illness suddenly relapse when he was already close to being cured? Why are all the pulse conditions that never appeared before now appearing? He couldn't find a clue, he couldn't even find a direction to cure the disease, just because all of this was a trap left by Lu Zhuo.

 He fell into a trap!

Miao Liangfang frowned: "What are you talking about?"

Lu Zhen, however, took a few steps forward from behind Miao Liangfang and looked at him with a smile.

“Is it important whether it is done intentionally or not? If you take something owned by others as your own, you will have to pay the price sooner or later.”

 She stared at Cui Min with her bright black eyes, which seemed to contain infinite ridicule.

"Mr. Cui, even if there is something wrong with the prescription on the spring examination paper, even if there are errors or omissions in the materials I mentioned in your medicine room, as long as you don't have any intention of coveting it, or even mention it by the way when you are doing this, If you mention my name, you won’t end up in such a passive position today.”

 “After so many years, I still only know the same trick. It seems—”

 “You are not only despicable, but also stupid.”

The words were plain, but they struck Cui Min's heart like a dull drum and a thunderclap.

 He almost stumbled.

His former friend was standing in the back shop. He didn't know how much Miao Liangfang knew, or whether he was responsible for the incident, but he instinctively didn't want to embarrass himself in front of Miao Liangfang. Cui Min gritted his teeth and looked at Lu Yun , lowered his voice and said: "Lu Huan, in order to deal with me, in order to avenge what happened back then, you dare to attack the Grand Master. Even if you are finished, he will not be able to run away."

Lu Zhen and Miao Liangfang came for themselves, but they used Qi Yutai as a **** in this game. She was the only legitimate son of the Taishi Mansion!

How could the Qi family just let go of being played by a lowly and common man in the midst of applause?

“The Qi family will never let you go…”

 “You are looking for death!”

"What does this have to do with me?" Lu Zhen was surprised, "The prescription was developed by Cui Yuanshi himself. This fact was already settled when the medical officers of the Medical Officers Academy were suspended from their posts."

She smiled: "As the head of the hospital, the hospital envoy cannot just dump the burden on others whenever a problem arises."

Cui Min felt depressed.

At that time, the medical officers witnessed the hospital now became evidence.

 She has already calculated everything!

Cui Min was extremely angry, but he calmed down, and finally couldn't help but soften his tone towards Lu Shu.

“Lu Huan, what should I do so that you are willing to make up for the mistakes in Fang Zi?”

He has no other way to go. If Qi Yutai cannot regain consciousness before the ceremony, the Qi family will threaten his wife and children...

 The woman tilted her head and looked at him, as if she was thinking seriously.

After a moment, she nodded and said in a cheerful voice: "As long as the envoy Cui can now explain to the world that the "Cui's Pharmacology" he wrote back then was stolen from the "Miao Prescription" written by the envoy in front of the hospital, and admit that he was framed back then. The former Vice-President made this crime and tell everyone in Daliang that you are a liar who is just trying to gain fame..."

 “I’ll let you go.”

 As soon as these words came out, Miao Liangfang's expression paused and he was not surprised.

Cui Min's face was ashen.

 She really came here because of Miao Liangfang!

"Impossible." Cui Min said flatly. While rejecting, a trace of absurdity appeared in his heart.

This woman is very young and calm in situations. In the past, he thought she was Ji Xun, who had no background, or Miao Liangfang, who knew better about judging the situation. Now it seems that she is different from both of them.

Cui Min has been in the medical hospital for twenty years. From a little boy in a drug store to the current hospital envoy, he is no longer the lowly poor man who was bullied everywhere. He prides himself on knowing the desires of people's hearts, especially when he has no power. A powerless ordinary person could not see through anything but Lu Zhuo.

 She is said to be noble, but she is entangled between Pei Yunying and Ji Xun. She is said to be greedy, but she goes against the Taishi Mansion without overestimating her abilities.

 “What on earth do you want to do?”

 He held on, trying not to let himself be completely defeated in front of the other party, trying to prevent her from this brutal and almost fatal revenge.

“No one in Shengjing knows about Qi Yutai’s condition.” He breathed slightly, “You know his secret, do you think you can survive?”

Even if she takes revenge on herself, Lu Zhuo will be dealt with by the Taishi Mansion. Does she understand it?

Lu Zhen licked his lips, as if he was amused by his words.

“Master Cui, didn’t you survive?”

Cui Min was startled: "What did you say?"

In the long empty street, the sky in the distance gradually turned white. The line became brighter and brighter, and grew larger and larger. The darkness faded away little by little, and a trace of golden light from the sun emerged from the thin white mist. There was a "rustling" sound of a bamboo broom sweeping the floor. Lipu was also brightened by this sun, and it was no longer as dark as before.

Lu Zhen smiled slightly.

　　"Mr. Cui Yuan has forgotten one thing. The Grand Master's Mansion needs a medical doctor. You and I are from the same background, and it will be the same no matter who you are."

 “Of course I won’t die.”

She looked into his eyes and spoke softly.

 “Because I will take you…”

  “Instead of—”

 …

The sky is completely bright, and the water splashed at the street entrance has been evaporated by the morning heat, illuminating a little golden color of the sun.

Lu Zhen walked to the front of the shop and put out the lantern.

Miao Liangfang sat blankly on the stool. Under the plum tree in front of the door, there was no shadow of the carriage.

Cui and Min have left.

He was in a very embarrassed state before leaving, as if Lu Huo had uncovered some of the most feared realities, like a trapped animal screaming at the end of its rope.

"I can cure him. You are not the only one in the world who can make new prescriptions." He sneered. When his eyes passed over Miao Liang's prescription, he felt unwarranted anger and unhappiness. "The Qi family will not show mercy to you."

He ran towards the carriage as if fleeing, and left in a hurry, as if escaping from a quagmire he couldn't face.

It was quiet outside the door. It was still early, few pedestrians passed by on the street, Acheng and Du Changqing hadn't come over yet, and Yin Zheng was cooking porridge in the backyard kitchen.

“Xiao Lu.” Miao Liangfang said blankly, “Did Cui Min really come here just now?”

 Lu Huan: "Yes."

"oh."

 The old gentleman became even more confused. After a while, he murmured softly: "I almost don't recognize him."

　　Time has passed too long.

For more than ten years, he was so drunk that he collapsed on the floor of the messy thatched house. The rice bag under the stove was so embarrassed that he could no longer pour out a grain of rice. On rainy days, when the scars on his leg bones ached...

Cui Min's face is always very clear.

He thought he would always remember the enemy who brought him to his current situation. However, when Cui Min actually appeared in front of him today, his first reaction was that Cui Min looked so strange and completely different from the past.

As for the hatred and the unwillingness to accept the grievance, the moment he saw the other party, it was not as strong as he imagined. It was like looking at an old scar. Although it hurt occasionally, it no longer lingered.

 It is a thing of the past.

 Compared with this, he is more worried about another thing at the moment——

"Xiao Lu." Miao Liangfang asked hurriedly: "What did Cui Min mean just now? You deliberately left the problematic prescriptions to induce Cui Min to use the problematic prescriptions to treat the grand master's son?"

 “You are too courageous!” Miao Liangfang blushed.

What kind of family is the Qi family? One person is inferior to ten thousand people. He had thought that Lu Zhuo could get justice for himself, but it was not this way.

Although this method can control Cui Min, it will also involve the Taishi Mansion.

Qi Qing would never tolerate his son becoming a **** in the contest between Lu Zhen and Cui Min.

 No one can withstand the anger of the Taishi Mansion.

"Mr. Miao," Lu Yu said, "the prescription was written in my spring examination paper. During the spring examination, I had not yet entered the medical hospital. I didn't even know who was in the Taishi Mansion. How could I know the future son of the Qi family? Is he going to get sick, and it happens to be epilepsy?”

Miao Liangfang was stunned.

 This is true.

After all, after Lu Zhen entered the Medical Officer's Hospital, he came back once during his ten-day break to specifically seek confirmation from him, indicating that it was only after Lu Zhen entered the Medical Officer's Hospital that he could find out some facts.

 “You mean, this was an accident?”

"Yes, sir, you know that. My new prescriptions have never been reliable enough. I didn't expect that the young master of the Qi family would suddenly become ill, but Cui Min had the audacity to steal it directly. He didn't even notice the shortcomings in the prescription, so he suffered the consequences himself."

Miao Liangfang was still confused: "Then why did he insist that it was you who did it?"

Lu Yan said calmly: "It's natural for a dog that has lost its home to bite randomly."

After hearing this, Miao Liangfang felt that what she said made sense, but he still felt a little weird.

“Don’t worry, sir, I don’t know much about the Qi family, so how could I possibly make a move in advance? He has done too many things that were unscrupulous, and it’s just a reward for his karma.”

"But Xiao Lu," Miao Liangfang was worried, "if Mr. Qi continues to be bad and Cui Min continues to go crazy, will it affect you?"

"Won't."

She spoke calmly: "Those who do good will be rewarded with blessings, and those who do evil will be rewarded with misfortune."

"Cui Min has been doing evil for many years, and it's time for a big disaster to come."

 …

 The sky is bright and it is still a sunny day today.

 There was someone sitting in front of the window in the Taishi's residence.

Someone hurried in from outside the door and reported in a low voice: "Sir, early this morning, Ambassador Cui left the mansion and did not return to the Medical Courtyard. He went all the way to West Street."

 “West Street?”

Qi Qing picked up the tea cup on the table and asked, "Why are you going to West Street?"

“The people who followed him saw him stop in front of Renxin Medical Center on West Street, and exchanged a few words with Lu Zhuo, who had driven out of the hospital earlier. They were afraid of disturbing the public, so they didn’t dare to get close. They didn’t know what he was talking about.”

Qi Qing frowned.

 He knows Lu Zhuo.

First, he had an affair with Pei Yunying, which made Qi Huaying cry. Later, he fought and captured a tiger on Huangmao Gang, which made Qi Yutai embarrassed...

In fact, he didn't care what Lu Zhuo did. A helpless ordinary medical officer, the Qi family could have her in the palm of their hand at any time if they wanted.

 The reason why he didn't attack her was because Pei Yunying was involved.

The third prince is now trying to win over Pei Yunying, Emperor Liang Ming also acquiesces, and Yuan Zhen has become anxious.

Lu Tong was just a **** used by the Palace Chief to express his attitude, representing Pei Yunying's wishes.

Pei Yunying has decided to support Yuan Yao.

The servant said: "Maybe Cui Yuanshi wants Lu Huo to return to the medical hospital and treat the young master together? After all, Lu Huo was suspended earlier because he accused Cui Yuanshi of plagiarizing the young master's prescription."

The teacup was brought to his lips, Qi Qing lowered his head and took a sip, "Yes."

 “My lord, if what she says is true…”

 Qi Qing said nothing.

If what Lu Zhen said is true and Cui Minzhen plagiarized her prescription, now perhaps only Lu Zhen can prescribe the right medicine for Qi Yutai's illness as quickly as possible.

 “One more thing…”

"explain."

“People who followed me said that the newly hired doctor at Renxin Medical Center looks a bit familiar. He looks like Miao Liangfang, the former deputy director of the hospital.”

“Later I inquired about it and found out that the doctor sitting in the hall was indeed named Miao.”

 Miao Liangfang.

This name is too old. Qi Qing thought silently for a long time before gradually piecing together a vague impression.

 “Is your surname Miao?”

"Yes."

He remembered that the deputy envoy who was kicked out of the medical hospital was once deeply loved by the nobles in the palace. A common man was so proud of his career that he didn't know how to adapt to the current situation in the palace. His fate can be imagined.

 If I remember correctly, Miao Liangfang and Cui Min entered the medical hospital together.

Qi Qing’s eyes moved.

Lu Tong came from Renxin Medical Center on West Street, and now Miao Liangfang also works at Renxin Medical Center.

Miao Liangfang and Cui Min had old grudges in the past.

　　Lu Zhen entered the Medical Officer's Hospital as an ordinary person.

It was as if the originally chaotic and fuzzy clouds were blown away in an instant, and everything suddenly became clear. Qi Qing put down the tea cup and couldn't help but laugh.

He smiled deeply, as if he had discovered some new secret. His smile made the wrinkles at the corners of his eyes become deeper and deeper, but his eyes were like cold arrows, covered with a layer of gray shadow.

I see.

 It turns out that I came prepared.

 “A common medical officer dares to use the jade platform as a tool for fighting.”

He picked up the table and took off the prayer beads, slowly twisting them in his hands, and his tone was a bit appreciative: "You are really brave."

 The sun was shining brightly outside the window, and there was silence in the house.

 “Get the car ready.”

The servant was startled: "Your Excellency, you want to..."

 The old man stood up, with a pair of cloudy old eyes gloomy, but a kind smile on his face.

 “Go to West Street.”