Chapter 463: Chapter 450: There’s a Ghost

After preparing this, Zhuang Qingning once again went to Cheng Ruize’s home and gave the pills to Fang Hou, “Take these pills three times a day, each dose should be at least two and a half hours apart.”

“In addition, these pills must be swallowed whole, do not chew them. Make sure to remember this, or else the medicinal properties will be lost.”

“I have noted it down, Manager Zhuang will not have to worry.” Fang Hou nodded repeatedly, “I just wanted to ask Manager Zhuang, when will my young master wake up?”

“He should wake up within half an hour at most.” Zhuang Qingning said, “By then, you can let Doctor Qin check his pulse.”

After all, she was not a doctor and even though Cheng Ruize’s condition now seemed to be somewhat better than before, Fang Hou and the others were probably not that reassured.

Having an actual doctor look at him should set their minds at ease.

Fang Hou had been considering letting Doctor Qin check his pulse to see if the poison had truly weakened, but he felt awkward doing this in front of Zhuang Qingning and thought about asking Doctor Qin over after Zhuang Qingning left.

Unexpectedly, Zhuang Qingning was the first to bring it up.

This surprised Fang Hou somewhat.

But he thought that Zhuang Qingning’s words revealed her straight forwardness and supreme confidence in her medical skills, which deepened his admiration and respect for her.

“Yes.” Fang Hou nodded.

“However, if Doctor Qin prescribes any more medication, there’s no need to use it. All drugs have side effects. The medicinal properties might counteract each other, do not delay Manager Cheng’s detoxification.” Zhuang Qingning warned.

“Manager Zhuang can rest assured, I understand.” Fang Hou nodded again.

He understood this basic principle.

“In addition…”

Zhuang Qingning lowered her voice, “Moreover, Cheng Ruize’s poisoning can be cured and the symptoms have already been alleviated. But remember not to publicize his recovery.”

“Why so?” Fang Hou was extremely astonished.

However, considering Cheng Ruize was not merely sick, but poisoned, Fang Hou instantly became alert, “Does Manager Zhuang mean someone in the house is trying to kill Manager Cheng?”

“As of now, I dare not confirm that person is in the house, but judging from Cheng Ruize’s condition, this is not a result of sudden severe poisoning, but of long-term exposure. If Cheng Ruize had touched the poison unintentionally once, it could have been ignored. But over such a long period of time, none of you who are regularly with him have been significantly affected. This inevitably leads to the suspicion of foul play.”

“If this is intentional, the fact that the poison has affected him for so long without anyone noticing, the culprit must be someone close to Manager Cheng, or at least someone who knows him very well and is familiar with the household. Even if that person is not currently in the house, they wouldn’t be far off and must be closely monitoring this place.”

Zhuang Qingning continued, “Since this person is determined to take Cheng Ruize’s life, if they find out Cheng Ruize is fine, they will definitely be inclined to kill again and we won’t be able to guard against it. It’s better not to broadcast the news prematurely to see if we can catch this fox by the tail.”

“Manager Zhuang makes sense.” After carefully considering Zhuang Qingning’s words, Fang Hou nodded in agreement.

“In addition, there’s the matter regarding Doctor Zhuang…”

Zhuang Qingning said, “This matter is quite strange and warrants a thorough investigation.”

“When I was treating Manager Cheng earlier, I noticed that this poison is not easily detectable, and can be easily misdiagnosed. If misdiagnosed, treating it with acupuncture would not be considered wrong. Doctor Zhuang’s treatment method was not wrong, but if we were to discuss this in practical terms, Doctor Zhuang’s medical skills are indeed limited and he would not have been capable of diagnosing this as poisoning.”

“In addition, I just heard from you that Doctor Zhuang was brought in after you went to get a doctor. But Doctor Zhuang himself acknowledges his limited medical skills and does not usually work in the county town, only maintaining a clinic in our town. How did he become a doctor at Huichun Hall?”

Fang Hou also paused, “But at that time Huichun Hall told us that a renowned doctor had just arrived who could definitely cure my young master’s illness, so we invited Doctor Zhuang.”

Huichun Hall is a reputed medical clinic in the county. Even the doctors practicing at Cheng’s pharmacy come from Huichun Hall.

But it doesn’t seem to be the case now.

“It seems that there is indeed a big problem.” Zhuang Qingning speculated, “Right now, we should ask Doctor Zhuang.”

“Doctor Zhuang is currently in the woodshed…”

By this time, Fang Hou had also noticed something was amiss. He hastily led Zhuang Qingning to the woodshed, quickly instructed the servant who was watching Zhuang Wencheng to untie him and took him to the side to talk.

“There seems to be a misunderstanding here, just now….” Fang Hou apologized again and again, “I am sorry, Doctor Zhuang.”

Zhuang Wencheng had already taken a sip of tea, listened to Zhuang Qingning, and took a deep breath, “You don’t need to blame yourself. When I was treating your young master, I was also taken aback. I really didn’t expect that Cheng Ruize was not sick but poisoned.”

“Brother Wencheng, what’s the matter with Huichun Hall? Why did you go there and how did you become a doctor at Huichun Hall?” Zhuang Qingning asked.

“Originally, I came to the county town today to look for medical books and buy some herbs to make pills. But when I arrived, I heard that Doctor Lu from Huichun Hall was giving a lecture on medical principles, so I decided to listen.”

“But when I arrived at Huichun Hall, Doctor Lu had already finished his lecture so I was a little disappointed. I was thinking about buying some things and going back earlier. But a medicine apprentice stopped me. He asked me if I was a doctor and if I could treat common diseases. He also said that the doctors at Huichun Hall were all out seeing patients and no doctor was available for consultation. Coincidentally, someone would come to ask for a doctor soon, so he asked me to help.”

“He even promised me that if I could help see the patients, he would give me a book of Doctor Lu’s medical skills as a thank-you.”

Zhuang Wencheng said, “Doctors are kind-hearted. If I can help treat a patient, I would certainly do so. Moreover, I would receive a book on medical skills in return? So I agreed. Shortly after, this young fellow came along with the apprentice and we arrived here.”

“You all know what happened after we arrived here…”

After hearing Zhuang Wencheng’s story, Fang Hou stared wide-eyed and his brows furrowed in anger, “But Huichun Hall told me that they had invited a renowned doctor who would definitely cure my young master’s illness…”

“The discrepancy between these accounts actually serves to prove that something is amiss.” Zhuang Qingning said, “That person knew you were going to get a doctor and even premeditated at Huichun Hall. The goal was to use Brother Wencheng to trigger Cheng Ruize’s serious condition. In this way, you would only focus on Brother Wencheng and would only think of seeking justice for Manager Cheng, while ignoring the poisoning.”