Elsewhere, just as Meng Anzhi stepped out of the shop carrying her medicine box, Shopkeeper Wang splashed a basin of water on her. This scene was witnessed by Qing He, who was returning from buying groceries.
She said unhappily, " Shopkeeper Wang... I'm telling you, can't you look left and right with those eyes? If my young lady hadn't reacted quickly, this whole basin of water would have been poured over her."
Shopkeeper Wang was most afraid of talking to Qing He, so he quickly apologized, " Anzhi, I'm sorry... I didn't notice you coming over."
Meng Anzhi waved her hand, "It's alright, you should go inside, it's awfully cold outside."
Shopkeeper Wang gave a soft "hey," then slipped into the shop, avoiding Qing He's gaze. Qing He couldn't help but roll her eyes and yelled at the rouge shop.
"I've told him so many times, don't splash water in the middle of the road. It'll freeze in winter and make you muddy in summer. If you keep splashing water... I'll pluck out both of his locks of hair and make him bald."
Shopkeeper Wang subconsciously touched his head, glared at the door, and muttered under his breath, "Look how powerful you are, even pulling my hair. Why don't you just fly to the moon?"
Qing He listened intently but heard nothing. She gave a soft snort and said, "Miss... are you going to the free clinic again?"
"Hmm... I'll go check out the outskirts of West Street; there are a few places there where the old problems persist..."
Meng Anzhi made sure those Qing He families knew that she wasn't a widow who had lost her husband and needed to support her family.
Even porters without land are all unfortunate people. Qing He didn't say anything, but instructed, "Then go and come back early, Miss. I bought pig's stomach today, I'll stir-fry it for you tonight."
Meng Anzhi smiled and agreed. The two parted ways, and she walked towards West Street, with Xiaoli following slowly behind her.
West Street was a chaotic mix of people. Meng Anzhi dodged the low-lying, muddy areas and stopped in front of a house. The door was tightly closed, and a red wooden sign hung on it. Meng Anzhi didn't linger and turned to walk towards another house.
"Brother Niu... is your wife home?"
Niu Dadan was carrying a carrying pole on his shoulder, with hemp ropes tied to both ends. He was on his way to find work in the street when he heard someone calling him. He turned around and looked.
" Doctor Meng... when did you get back?"
"How is your son's condition after a few days?"
"Thanks to the medicine you prescribed, I'm much better now... Doctor Meng, does Anzhi Hall still have any medicine of lower quality?"
Meng Anzhi dodged the person who came in and leaned against the wall. "Yes, I had Qing Yang set some aside for you. Just go get it when you have time."
Niu Dadan expressed his gratitude, saying, "Thank you for your help, Doctor Meng."
"It's nothing... you go ahead and get busy," Meng Anzhi said, nodding to the passersby before heading towards Niu Dadan's house with her medicine kit on her back.
The Niu family's door was open. She knocked, lifted the curtain, and went inside. A musty smell hit her, but Meng Anzhi seemed not to notice and continued walking in.
Sister-in-law Niu was changing her son's pants when she saw Meng Anzhi come in and called out, " Doctor Meng, please find a seat, I'll be done soon."
Meng Anzhi glanced at the room full of clothes, then her gaze fell on the half-rolled hemp rope. She put down her medicine box, picked up one end, and continued rolling.
Sister-in-law Niu turned around, holding the wet pants, "Oh dear... Doctor Meng, put them down quickly, your hands are delicate, don't get blisters."
As she spoke, she threw her pants into the basin, snatched the rope from Meng Anzhi's hand, and said awkwardly, "I was a bit busy today and didn't have time to tidy up the house. I'm sorry you had to."
Meng Anzhi, "How is Zhuangzhuang's illness?"
Sister-in-law Niu glanced at her son on the kang (a heated brick bed) and sighed, "You saw it too, he couldn't hold it in and peed again."
Niu Zhuangzhuang was a chubby boy when he was born, but when he was six years old, half of his body suddenly became paralyzed, and he was bedridden in less than half a year.
Now, everything from eating and drinking to toileting is taken care of by Sister-in-law Niu alone, and all the money the couple earns goes to their son.
Meng Anzhi stepped forward to take the child's pulse, but the condition showed no improvement. She took out silver needles and, as usual, administered acupuncture. "Sister-in-law... Zhuangzhuang's illness is not easy to treat..."
Auntie Niu looked at her son and forced a smile. "Thank you for your trouble, Doctor Meng. My husband and I have given up hope. We'll just live as long as we can."
Meng Anzhi didn't know how to comfort her; an illness could really bankrupt a family.
Half an hour later, Meng Anzhi left the Niu family's house and headed to the other houses. By the time she had finished looking at them all, it was past noon.
Xiaoli, annoyed by the water on the ground, stood on the rooftop at the alley entrance waiting for Meng Anzhi to come out.
Just a few steps from the alley entrance, someone suddenly appeared and blocked Meng Anzhi's way.
She looked up and saw who it was. Her heart skipped a beat. The person in front of her was none other than Fifth Master Dong from the capital, also known as Xuanjizi.
Why is he here? What is he trying to do by blocking this way? Countless guesses flooded my mind.
Meng Anzhi subconsciously reached for her purse.
Fifth Master Dong's eyes flashed with ruthlessness, his lips pressed into a straight line. "Girl, didn't your aunt tell you? Your mother didn't die of illness at all."
Meng Anzhi's pupils dilated suddenly as she stared warily into Fifth Master Dong's eyes.
Fifth Master Dong was pleased with her reaction. He glanced around and lowered his voice, "It's not convenient here... Come with me, I'll tell you the truth."
After saying that, he walked into the shadows. Meng Anzhi hesitated for only a moment before following him.
The two arrived at a secluded spot. Fifth Master Dong turned around, his eyes filled with pity. "Child... I know you and your aunt have a deep bond, but you cannot mistake a thief for your mother."
Didn't you ever think that with her amazing medical skills, she wouldn't save your mother? She can summon ghosts and perform rituals to help them pass on; have you ever seen the spirits of your parents?"
Upon hearing this, Meng Anzhi's face turned deathly pale.
Fifth Master Dong pressed on, "Think carefully, have you ever heard your mother mention that she had any sisters, or that she saved anyone's life?"
Think about it again, isn't it strange that a woman is knowledgeable in both traditional Chinese medicine and divination?
How come she could find such rare medicinal herbs that others searched high and low for, just by bending down? Haven't you ever thought about that?"
Meng Anzhi's ears were ringing, and countless fragments flashed through her mind. Fifth Master Dong's voice seemed to come from near and far. She clutched her purse tightly, her voice trembling uncontrollably.
What exactly are you trying to say?
"Since you've asked so much, I'll tell you the truth," Fifth Master Dong lowered his voice, "Your aunt... I can't smell a trace of life on her; she's not human at all."
Bang! The medicine box fell to the ground, scattering its needle pouch, needle knife, and writing implements all over the floor.
Meng Anzhi's face drained of color, her legs went weak and she almost collapsed to the ground. She frantically grabbed Fifth Master Dong's arm, and when she looked up again, all she could see was despair.
She said haltingly, "I... my mother's death, is it related to her?"
"What do you think?" Fifth Master Dong sneered. "How could a monster without any human emotions have feelings for mortals? Your mother lost her life because she drained her yang energy."
She's raising you siblings only as a reserve of food; when you grow up, you'll suffer the same fate as your mother.
"A monster..." Meng Anzhi's heart felt like it was being squeezed, the pain making it hard for her to breathe. She murmured to herself, "What should I do? My mother... my mother..."
Halfway through her sentence, she could no longer hold back and squatted down, bursting into tears. "What have I been doing all these years? I trusted her so much, I did whatever she asked me to do, and I never resisted."
I thought she was doing it for my own good, but I never imagined she was a man-eating monster.
Fifth Master Dong squatted down beside her, his voice seductive, "Child, it's not your fault, it's that monster's fault for being so vicious. If you want to avenge your mother, I can help you."
A glimmer of hope suddenly appeared in Meng Anzhi's eyes, and she clung tightly to his arm with both hands. Fifth Master Dong felt a sharp pain in his arm, his heart skipped a beat, but he endured it and did not shake her off.
"Listen to me," he whispered in her ear, "I have a talisman here. Light it, dissolve it in water, and take it to Jin Shanyao to drink."
"As long as she drinks the talisman water, I will have a chance to take her life."