Chapter 36: Village Magistrate

"Is there paper and a brush?"

Liu Ruofu replied, "Brother Lin, let us go to my study."

The study was directly opposite the room, and the group walked inside.

"Please, Master Lin."

Lin Feng sat at the desk, picked up the brush, dipped it in ink, and wrote on the paper: "Three mace of mugwort fluff, two mace of roasted semen strychni, three mace of wormwood..."

As Liu Ruofu, the local magistrate, looked at Lin Feng's handwriting, he was astonished; he had not expected Lin Feng to possess such fine calligraphy.

Liu Ruofu was a Juren-degree holder and naturally possessed a scholarly background. Although he was an honest official, he also had his share of pride. Initially, he had assumed Lin Feng was merely a cook and had looked down upon him. Now, realizing he was skilled in both medicine and calligraphy, he completely cast aside his contempt.

"Go and fetch these six doses of medicine, and do not forget to buy the acupuncture needles."

Liu Ruofu immediately handed the prescription to the maid, who rushed off to purchase them.

"I will go prepare a meal for the Madam now," Lin Feng said. "It is best if she eats something before taking the medicine."

"I will take you to the kitchen," Zhang Yuan said, leading Lin Feng to a side courtyard. This courtyard had buildings to the north and south, and the kitchen, piled with firewood at the far east end, had a back door leading outside.

Upon entering the kitchen, they found a woman busy tending to the stove.

"Wait a moment; let Brother Lin handle the cooking first."

Upon hearing this, the woman stepped aside. Lin Feng took the candied haws and tomatoes he had wrapped in white cloth out of his bag.

Zhang Yuan picked up the candied haws. "I will take a skewer to my sister first."

"No, she must not eat candied haws on an empty stomach. It is best to have some noodles first."

"Very well."

There were already pre-cut noodles in the kitchen, saving Lin Feng the trouble of making them from scratch. He used one pot to prepare the tomato and egg sauce, and another to boil the noodles.

Before long, the noodles were ready. Lin Feng said, "Brother Zhang, have your sister eat only a small portion, no more than half a bowl."

"If she can manage even two bites, I shall thank the heavens!" Zhang Yuan hurried to pick up the bowl. Lin Feng handed him the candied haws. "After she finishes the noodles, she may have one candied haw. Do not let her have more than that."

"Understood, brother." Zhang Yuan quickly carried the noodles and the candied haws to his sister's room.

Lin Feng turned to the woman in the kitchen. "Ma'am, you just saw how I prepared this. If the Madam wishes to eat again in the next two days, please follow my method. I will leave these tomatoes here."

"I... I am not sure I remember it clearly," the woman said, embarrassed.

"It is alright. Let me explain the steps to you again..."

Lin Feng went over the process once more. It was nothing complicated; the key was that the tomatoes had to be sautéed in oil until they released their red juices. Only by doing this would the dish be nutritious and flavorful.

"I understand now, brother. But will the Madam truly enjoy it?"

"She should..."

"Brother Lin!"

Zhang Yuan burst in, shouting excitedly, shaking Lin Feng by the shoulders. "My sister ate it, and she said it tasted good! She liked the candied haws, too!"

"That is truly wonderful."

Zhang Yuan held the medicinal herbs in his hand. "The herbs have been purchased, and the acupuncture needles as well."

"I will go and administer the acupuncture. As for these herbs..."

"I will decoct the medicine," the woman said quickly.

"You handle the medicine; I will take Brother Lin to my sister's room."

Zhang Yuan led Lin Feng back to the western courtyard and pushed open the door. Liu Ruofu was sitting by the bedside, looking with relief at the woman, who appeared as withered as a dead branch.

"Sister, this is Brother Lin."

The woman looked at Lin Feng with dull, lifeless eyes, a faint smile tugging at the corners of her mouth. "The noodles and candied haws you made were very delicious."

"Thank you, Madam," Lin Feng said. "I must ask you to lie down so I may perform the treatment."

"Thank you for the trouble, little brother. It does not matter if I cannot be cured," she said softly.

Zhang Yuan's sister was a reasonable woman.

Lin Feng said, "Rest assured, Madam. I have identified the cause of your illness and will certainly be able to cure you. You may set your heart at ease."

She nodded slightly and whispered, "Thank you..." before closing her eyes again.

"Madam!" Liu Ruofu called out.

"Magistrate, the Madam is still very weak. Do not worry; she will improve after I administer the acupuncture."

"Brother Lin, please begin the treatment quickly," Liu Ruofu said, standing up.

"Where are the needles?"

"Here." The maid handed the needle case to Lin Feng. Lin Feng walked to the oil lamp, sterilized the needles, and wiped them clean.

He then walked to the bedside. "Magistrate, I will need the Madam to remove her outer garment for the acupuncture..."

Liu Ruofu hesitated. "This..."

"Brother-in-law, what time do you think it is? Do not hesitate. I will take responsibility for my sister," Zhang Yuan said. "Brother Lin, please begin."

Liu Ruofu nodded reluctantly, his face dark. He looked at the maid and said, "You stay here and watch." He then pulled Zhang Yuan out of the room.

Lin Feng did not pay much mind to the situation; it was not as if he were stripping her entirely. Besides, she was as thin as a skeleton; what was there to see? He picked up the needles and skillfully inserted them into the woman's head and abdomen.

Less than an hour later, after observing the woman's complexion, Lin Feng began to remove the bronze needles.

As the needles were withdrawn, the woman's throat began to rattle. The maid asked, worried, "What is happening?"

"Quick, bring a basin! She is going to vomit."

The maid hurriedly placed a wooden basin by the bedside. The woman turned to her side and began to retch violently. She vomited up the noodles and candied haws she had just eaten, followed by a thick, black, filthy substance.

Liu Ruofu and Zhang Yuan rushed inside.

Liu Ruofu was alarmed. "What is going on?!"

The woman had finished vomiting and raised her head. "Hus... Husband..."

"Madam, how are you?" Liu Ruofu hurriedly sat by the bed to support her.

"I feel much better."

"Better? You just vomited again," Liu Ruofu said, concerned.

"I feel much better after vomiting."

Lin Feng explained, "She was poisoned by oleander, and the toxins had to be cleared. However, because she had no food in her stomach, it was difficult to purge the poison. The food she just ate acted as a catalyst. I used acupuncture to guide the majority of the toxins out of her body. From now on, she need only take the medicine as prescribed—two doses daily—and she will be essentially recovered in three days."

"That is wonderful." Liu Ruofu let out a sigh of relief.

"I actually feel like eating something else," the woman said, sounding a bit embarrassed.

"You may eat a little, but still in small portions," Lin Feng said with a smile.

Zhang Yuan immediately handed the noodle bowl to the maid. "Go and heat this up."

The maid took the noodles to the kitchen, and Lin Feng followed her out.

"Brother Lin!" Zhang Yuan called out as they left the room. "Thank you."

"You are being too formal with me again," Lin Feng said. "It is getting late, and I should return home."

"Don't go yet! Stay for a meal, and I will escort you back!"

"No, you should stay and look after your sister. Take good care of her tonight, and she will be well on her way to recovery by tomorrow."

"Very well, another day I shall treat you to drinks!"

"Agreed. I am leaving now."

"I will go tell my brother-in-law."

"Do not bother him; he is currently talking with your sister."

Lin Feng smiled, bowed to bid Zhang Yuan farewell, and left the Inspector's Residence through the back door.