Chapter 17: Wrongly Accused
In Jianye City, Xu Xuan had opened a modest little clinic. Though still at the Qi Refining stage, he possessed some knowledge of herbal medicine, and with the teachings of his sister, he hoped to use his skills to heal and help others.
One day, a gaunt and haggard patient came to the clinic. Clutching his abdomen, he cried out in pain, “Doctor, please save me! My stomach aches terribly.”
Xu Xuan hurried forward to examine him carefully, feeling his pulse and inspecting his tongue coating. Yet something about the pulse and symptoms seemed unusual. Still, he prescribed medicine according to standard methods and earnestly instructed the patient on how to take it.
The next day, however, the patient’s family stormed into the clinic in a fury. Pointing at Xu Xuan, they shouted, “You quack! You’ve only made my relative’s condition worse—now he can’t even get out of bed!”
Xu Xuan was taken aback and tried to explain, “My diagnosis yesterday was accurate; the medicine matches the symptoms.”
But the family refused to listen. They dragged him toward the government office to lodge a complaint, and soon a crowd gathered, pointing fingers and whispering accusations.
Just as Xu Xuan was about to be taken away, a gentle breeze stirred, and Xiaobai and Xiaoqing appeared before the crowd.
Xiaoqing crossed her hands on her hips and spoke loudly, “How can you accuse an innocent man without knowing the facts?”
The patient’s family, now more enraged at the interruption, snapped, “Who are you to meddle in this?”
Xiaobai stepped forward and said softly, “We are his friends. You claim he harmed the patient, but how do you know someone isn’t deliberately framing him?”
With that, Xiaobai approached the patient. A strange light flickered in her eyes as she waved her hand gently, channeling a faint spiritual energy into his body. The man shuddered all over; the pain vanished from his face, and he suddenly tried to flee in panic.
Quick as a flash, Xiaoqing grabbed him tightly. “Hmph, going to run? Tell us, were you paid by someone to deliberately frame Xu Xuan?”
Cornered, the patient confessed that he had been bribed by a rival clinic to sabotage Xu Xuan’s practice.
The crowd’s expressions shifted as realization dawned, and one by one, they apologized to Xu Xuan.
Wiping the sweat from his brow, Xu Xuan looked gratefully at Xiaobai and Xiaoqing. “If not for you, I wouldn’t have been able to defend myself.”
Xiaobai smiled warmly. “Xu Xuan, you were only trying to do good. We couldn’t stand by and watch you be wronged.”
Moved, Xu Xuan said earnestly, “I must thank you properly. I know a noodle shop that makes especially delicious yangchun noodles. Let me treat you.”
The three of them soon arrived at the small noodle shop. The aroma of fresh noodles filled the air. Xu Xuan kindly invited Xiaobai and Xiaoqing to sit, then ordered three bowls of yangchun noodles.
Before long, steaming bowls were set before them. The noodles were distinct and tender, sprinkled with scallions and bits of minced meat, the broth fragrant and inviting.
Xu Xuan said modestly, “These yangchun noodles aren’t a delicacy, but they taste quite good.”
Xiaoqing eagerly took a bite, muttering through her mouthful, “Mmm, really delicious.”
Xiaobai also sampled the noodles and nodded with approval. “Xu Xuan, these noodles are truly tasty.”
Watching them enjoy the meal, Xu Xuan felt a warm glow in his heart. In a day filled with trials, he had come to cherish the bond of friendship. For Xiaobai and Xiaoqing, this simple bowl of noodles revealed Xu Xuan’s sincerity and gratitude, deepening the ties between them in this humble little noodle shop.