Chapter 166: Seeking a Cure

Deeply moved by the old lady's expression, Zhao Kaifang became even more determined to make a trip to the Liu family.

Putting aside the fact that Liu Yitiao had treated the Empress and saved the Crown Prince, earning immense merit, the mere possibility that he might be able to cure his mother's illness outweighed everything else. In the face of his mother's health, things like social status, face, and pride all had to take a back seat.

Zhao Kaifang might not have excelled in other areas, but he was undeniably a man of utmost filial piety.

Therefore, after a hasty lunch, he led the sullen-faced Zhao Ying, along with Zhang Anshan and others who had just recovered from their injuries, boarded a carriage, and set out.

Unfortunately, when they arrived at the Liu residence in Gutian Village, Liu Yitiao had just gone to the western part of the village to inspect the three hundred mu of wasteland he had recently acquired and to look for a foundation site for a new house.

Consequently, the only male members left to manage the household were Old Liu and Liu Ertiao.

Standing by the shed, Old Liu saw the same two people who had caused trouble earlier that morning returning with a large group and a carriage. His heart tightened instantly, and his intuition told him they were back to exact revenge for the morning's events. Feeling anxious and unsettled, and seeing that his eldest son was not at home, he momentarily had no idea what to do.

Liu Ertiao, however, hearing the commotion, emerged from the study. He saw familiar faces, including Zhao Ying—whom he had just beaten up—stepping down from the carriage looking gloomy and reluctant. He also noticed Zhao Kaifang, who clearly looked like a wealthy gentleman and wore a genial expression devoid of any intent to pick a fight or seek revenge. This somewhat steadied Liu Ertiao's nerves.

Recalling how Liu Yitiao usually received guests, Liu Ertiao composed himself, straightened his posture, and walked with steady steps toward the entrance.

This was Gutian Village, and it was just past noon, with people about in every household. Presumably, this group would not dare to act recklessly.

"Greetings to you all, and greetings to Young Master Zhao as well," Liu Ertiao said upon reaching the main gate. He cupped his hands in a salute to Zhao Kaifang, Zhao Ying, and the others, inquiring, "May I ask what brings Young Master Zhao and the rest of you back here again?"

Despite some lingering grievances with Zhao Ying, guests at the door were to be treated as guests, and Liu Ertiao maintained a polite demeanor.

"Greetings, young sir," Zhao Kaifang hurriedly returned the salute with a smile, saying, "I am Zhao Kaifang, unworthily serving as the current head of the Zhao family. My humble household was largely at fault for this morning's events, and I feel deeply ashamed. Today, I have specifically brought my unworthy son here to make amends, and I sincerely hope you and your family will be magnanimous and forgive us."

"Humph!" Hearing these words, Zhao Ying let out a soft snort and turned his head away, clearly deeply displeased that his father was humbling himself so much before a commoner.

If they wanted medical treatment, wouldn't throwing a bit more money at them suffice? Why stoop to lowering one's status and debasing oneself like this?

Zhao Ying cast a glance at the Liu family courtyard—small, shabby, and dilapidated—and then looked at the coarse, rough, and old clothes Liu Ertiao was wearing. Wouldn't people from a background like this chase after money with their lives on the line?

"Ah, so it is Master Zhao. Please forgive my lack of courtesy." Seeing Zhao Kaifang being so polite, Liu Ertiao cupped his hands again, opened the gate, and invited them into the courtyard.

At this moment, Old Liu had also regained his composure. He smoothed down his robes, stepped out from the shed, and walked forward to greet Zhao Kaifang and his son.

"You must be Brother Liu. Zhao pays his respects," Zhao Kaifang said, eyeing Old Liu and taking the initiative to cup his hands in a respectful bow.

Judging by Old Liu's honest and simple appearance, he should be quite easy to deal with.

"Greetings, Master Zhao," Old Liu returned the salute, bowing slightly as he invited Zhao Kaifang into the main room. At the same time, he whispered instructions to Liu Ertiao to quickly fetch the eldest son back. For a situation and matters of this scale, it was still best to have the eldest son handle them.

Liu Ertiao bowed slightly, excused himself to Zhao Kaifang, turned around, and hurried out the door straight toward the wasteland on the western edge of the village.

"Master Zhao, Young Master Zhao, please take a seat." Old Liu poured a cup of tea for Zhao Kaifang and Zhao Ying, and then seated himself in the seat of honor in the living room.

According to what Liu Yitiao had said yesterday: *This is our home, and we are the masters here. They hold neither academic honors nor official titles; why should we yield the seats of honor to them? Guests at the door are guests, and once they are guests, they must abide by guest rules. From now on, whenever guests come to our house, aside from officials with clear and recognized ranks, everyone else will be treated as ordinary guests, lest certain people think too highly of themselves and grow too arrogant.*

Though Old Liu felt somewhat uneasy inside, he still followed Liu Yitiao's words. This was the first time he had ever taken the seat of honor in front of a wealthy master and young master from a prominent family.

Taking a sip of tea to steady his nerves, Old Liu turned to Zhao Kaifang and said, "Master Zhao has come to my humble home at this hour. Could it still be on account of my second boy beating up Young Master Zhao this morning? It is all my fault for failing to discipline my children properly and allowing that unfilial Ertiao to run wild outside. For the harm caused to Young Master Zhao, I apologize to you and Young Master Zhao on behalf of Ertiao..."

Old Liu bowed and cupped his hands, but his sincere words sounded like a peculiar form of irony to the ears of Zhao Kaifang and Zhao Ying.

Using sarcasm? It seemed this Old Liu was not as simple and honest as he appeared. Zhao Kaifang inwardly retracted his previous assessment of Old Liu. His face flushed alternately red and white, and finally, with a bitter smile, he said to Old Liu, "Brother Liu's words truly put this Zhao to shame. That rebellious and stubborn son of mine repeatedly insulted your young master, and suffering a beating at his hands was only what he deserved. It is I who failed to teach my son properly, making Brother Liu a laughingstock."

Zhao Ying glared fiercely at Old Liu. Had Zhao Kaifang not been standing right beside him, he would have loved to step forward and slap this Old Liu across the face. From childhood to now, when had he ever suffered such humiliating grievance?

"Ah, Master Zhao's magnanimity and tolerance truly command my admiration." It was rare to encounter such a reasonable and sensible wealthy master. Old Liu leaned forward, nodded in salute to Zhao Kaifang, and uttered a genuinely heartfelt sigh of praise.

This Master Zhao truly was a good person.

Another sarcastic remark! Zhao Kaifang smiled unnaturally and said, "Brother Liu jokes. Zhao has come this time precisely to make this brat apologize to you and Young Master Ertiao. This morning, he acted behind my back to intimidate and coerce your household, causing much offense. I truly hope Brother Liu can be magnanimous."

"Oh, Master Zhao exaggerates," Old Liu waved his hand and once again said with utter sincerity, "The fault was actually with our eldest son this morning, who lost his temper and beat up Young Master Zhang. Please do not hold a grudge, Master Zhao, for where we overstepped."

Was this supposed to be amusing? A vein throbbed on Zhao Kaifang's forehead. He had already lowered his stance and admitted his mistake, so why did this Old Liu keep making such pointed digs?

"Brother Liu, let us lay everything out on the table. Tell me, what will it take for you to forgive my son and forgive the Zhao family?" Zhao Kaifang could no longer endure it and bluntly cut straight to the point.

"There is nothing to forgive or not forgive," said Liu Yitiao as he hurried back from outside, stepped into the room, cupped his hands in a salute to Zhao Kaifang, and said, "You must be Master Zhao. I am Liu Yitiao, and I pay my respects."

"Ah, so the master has arrived. This old man pays his respects." Seeing the principal figure return, Zhao Kaifang hurriedly stood up and returned Liu Yitiao's salute.

Was this the Liu Yitiao, the divine doctor Liu, mentioned by the eldest son in his letter? The person who had treated both the Empress and the Crown Prince? Zhao Kaifang felt somewhat uncertain; wasn't he far too young?

"Master Zhao, please take a seat." Liu Yitiao walked over to Old Liu's side, sat down in the adjacent chair, looked at Zhao Kaifang with a smile, and said, "Actually, there is no deep enmity between our two families. It was merely two youngsters who didn't see eye to eye and had a scuffle. Neither side suffered any major injury; once it's talked through, it's over."

"In fact, even if Master Zhao hadn't come today, I would have taken Ertiao to your esteemed residence tomorrow to pay a visit and clear the air. Right is right, and wrong is wrong; in all things under heaven, reason still prevails. Distinguishing right from wrong, having the two youngsters apologize to each other, shaking hands, and letting this matter pass will suffice."

"What the master says is true. Zhao's coming today is precisely with this intention," Zhao Kaifang said, seeing that Liu Yitiao was straightforward and open to reconciliation. "This matter was indeed my son's fault to begin with—he relied on his family's influence to bully others, and later privately sent people to provoke and intimidate. For the harm and inconvenience brought to your esteemed household and Young Master Ertiao, I beg the master to forgive us."

With that, Zhao Kaifang exchanged a glance with Zhao Ying. Understanding the cue, Zhao Ying reluctantly rose from his chair, tilted his head, and gave a perfunctory salute to Liu Yitiao, saying, "I have caused much offense, and I ask the master to forgive me!"

Without an ounce of sincerity. Liu Yitiao curled his lip, choosing not to lower himself to the level of this spoiled young rake who simply lacked proper discipline. It would suffice to let Liu Ertiao beat him up a few more times in the future.

"Young Master Zhao, please sit," Liu Yitiao nodded slightly, accepting Zhao Ying's less-than-sincere apology.

"Well... Master." Seeing that Liu Yitiao had agreed to let the matter go, Zhao Kaifang finally breathed a sigh of relief. He stood up once more and said softly to Liu Yitiao, "Actually, aside from bringing my son to make amends, Zhao has one more matter he wishes to beseech the master for."

Zhao Kaifang glanced at Liu Yitiao and continued, "I have an aged mother at home, sixty-six years of age this year. Over the past two years, she unfortunately contracted a chest-oppression affliction that various medical treatments have failed to alleviate. Hearing that the master possesses divine medical skills and is a master physician of transcendent caliber, Zhao earnestly hopes the master might extend a helping hand and relieve my mother of her illness and pain."