https://novelcool.info/chapter/Chapter-64-Awakening-with-a-Look-of-Sorrow/13688213/
Chapter 63: Wei Family Grand Manager
"This Wei family is the foremost clan in the prefectural city—but it’s far more than just a noble family within a mere county."
"In truth, the Wei family’s influence stretches across the entire prefecture, and rumors say they even have connections deep within the imperial capital."
"Lu Xiao Langjun, such a mighty lineage, such a great house—how could I not fear them?"
Hearing Ma Gu’s words, Lu Qing finally understood why the man had shown such deep reverence toward the Wei family.
Yet, a lingering doubt remained.
"If the Wei family is so powerful, then why does it remain confined to such a small county?"
"I’m afraid I don’t know," Ma Gu shook his head. "Perhaps because Cang County is the very place where the family first rose to power."
"Moreover, from what I’ve heard, most of the Wei family’s assets and influence have already been relocated to the prefectural capital and even the imperial capital. What remains here in the county is merely the ancestral estate and a few minor holdings."
"Still, the family head has remained in the ancestral home all this time. That part, I truly don’t understand."
"Regardless, even with most of their power moved elsewhere, the Wei family’s dominance here in the county remains unshaken by any other clan."
So… the Wei family must have secrets.
Lu Qing pondered silently.
Otherwise, it would be impossible to explain such peculiar behavior.
A family head, with such vast influence, choosing to stay in a humble county rather than reside in the bustling prefectural capital or even the imperial metropolis?
But whatever those secrets might be, they were far beyond his reach for now.
So Lu Qing simply set the matter aside.
Instead, hearing of the Wei family’s immense power brought him a measure of relief.
With such deep roots and resources, they surely wouldn’t lack for rare and precious medicinal herbs.
If those two guards were swift enough, Wei Xiao Gongzi might just survive the night.
In fact, the two guards proved even faster than Lu Qing had expected.
Because of the critical patient, he hadn’t returned home that night—he stayed at the Half Mountain Small Courtyard.
Late into the night, Lu Qing sat in a chair, cradling Xiao Yan as she slept soundly in his arms, her breathing soft and peaceful.
Suddenly, a commotion outside jolted him awake.
Seeing Xiao Yan still asleep, he carefully placed her into his master’s room so she could continue resting, then stepped out.
The courtyard was now fully illuminated, crowded with people.
On both sides of the yard, over a dozen towering men stood in formation, holding lanterns that cast bright light across the ground.
Lu Qing saw Li Huhui bowing his head, quietly reporting to a stern-faced middle-aged man.
"So you’re saying the young master’s injuries are too severe to move?"
After listening to Li Huhui’s report, the imposing man asked.
"Yes, Grand Manager. Chen Laodaifu has stated that the young master’s condition remains unstable. The best course is to let him rest here for now, and only return to the family residence once he’s recovered somewhat and regained strength," Li Huhui replied.
"I wish to see the young master myself."
The man called Grand Manager did not respond immediately, but instead made a demand.
Li Huhui quickly turned to Chen Laodaifu for guidance.
Old Doctor nodded. "Only one or two may enter. Too many people could bring in harmful energies—dangerous for the young master."
At that, the Grand Manager said without hesitation, "Then wait outside. I’ll go in with Chen Laodaifu alone."
"Yes, Grand Manager."
Watching the two disappear into the room, Lu Qing felt a surge of shock.
His mind whispered in awe: "Nei Fu Jing..."
Inside the room, the moment the Grand Manager saw the young master—pale as death, eyes tightly shut, lips cracked and dry—his heart clenched.
After examining the wound on the boy’s abdomen, his brow furrowed deeply.
Before coming, he’d assumed the two guards were exaggerating the injury, trying to shift blame.
Now, he realized they hadn’t lied—they’d actually understated it.
"His life has been saved," they’d claimed. "The condition is stable."
But the Grand Manager, who understood medicine himself, knew better.
The young master was already on the brink of death, hanging by a thread, ready to slip away at any moment.
And this was after the doctor had already treated him.
He couldn’t even imagine what the boy must have been like before.
Recalling the family head’s solemn warning, the Grand Manager turned to Old Doctor and bowed deeply.
"Thank you, Chen Laodaifu. You’ve saved my master’s life. This debt, the Wei family will never forget."
"There’s no need for such formalities," Old Doctor waved it off. "I only did my duty as a physician. And besides, the young master is not yet out of danger. It’s too early to speak of victory."
The Grand Manager quickly replied, "I’ve heard you require ginseng, notoginseng, and other rare herbs. Before leaving, the family head personally ordered me to bring a supply. Please, come with me—select what you need."
"Oh? You’ve brought ginseng?" Old Doctor’s eyes lit up instantly.
Even the greatest medical skill is useless without proper ingredients.
No matter how skilled he was, he couldn’t perform miracles without quality herbs.
The two returned to the courtyard.
"Bring up the box," the Grand Manager commanded.
Two men carried forward a large wooden case.
Opening it, Lu Qing saw row after row of long, rectangular drawers.
The Grand Manager lifted each one open, revealing carefully dried and preserved top-grade medicinal herbs.
Among them, over a dozen large ginseng roots—some even larger than the two that had been given to him by the black-furred beast.
Lu Qing couldn’t help but marvel.
No wonder they were a great family—such depth of wealth and legacy.
They produced century-old ginseng like it was nothing.
"Chen Laodaifu, please use whatever you need. If more is required, I’ll send someone back to the family estate," the Grand Manager said respectfully.
"I won’t need so much," Old Doctor chuckled lightly, then selected just a few boxes—ginseng, rehmannia, and notoginseng—each carefully taken from the case.
"I’ll go prepare the medicine now. You’ve been traveling and tiring yourselves. Rest for a while. If anything comes up, just call on my disciple here," Old Doctor said, gesturing toward Lu Qing.
The Grand Manager immediately bowed again. "I apologize, little master, for troubling you."
"Not at all," Lu Qing returned the bow. "Just call me if you need anything."
At the same time, he couldn’t help but reflect again.
No wonder the Wei family had grown from a county clan into a power that reached the highest circles.
This Grand Manager was clearly a man of great authority—commanding respect even from Li Huhui and the others, who looked at him with genuine fear.
And even more astonishing—Lu Qing had sensed earlier that this man was a Nei Fu Jing-level martial cultivator.
Yet, despite his power and status, he remained humble and respectful when asking for help.
He didn’t act with arrogance, nor did he use his rank to pressure others.
A man of such dignity—no wonder the Wei family had risen so high.
Chen Laodaifu worked swiftly. That very night, he prepared the medicine and brewed it to perfection.
Then, in front of the Grand Manager’s eyes, he fed the life-saving decoction to the young master.
After the medicine was swallowed, Old Doctor applied acupuncture to enhance its effects.
Not long after, the Grand Manager watched in stunned relief as the young master’s pale face began to show the faintest hint of color.
His breathing grew steadier—no longer the fragile, barely-there breath of a dying man.
The change was immediate.
The Grand Manager’s spirit lifted, and his faith in Old Doctor deepened.
But the greatest surprise came the next morning, as the first golden rays of dawn touched the sky.
He saw—just barely—the young master’s eyelids twitch.
(End of Chapter)
Chapter end
Report