Wang Yi's face turned green.
Su Yunmo stretched and walked to the front, her gaze sweeping over the crowd before finally landing on the clinic owner. "Where is the contract?"
"Here, here." The clinic owner had initially not thought highly of such a young girl, but seeing her calmly retort Wang Yi's words, he understood that this one was not to be trifled with.
But then again, a young lady from the Marquis's mansion, even if young, with such a capable mother, how could she be lacking?
"It seems I'm not too late. I heard dogs barking when I got out of the carriage, and I thought I'd missed the good timing." Su Yunmo smacked her lips, her words carrying a double meaning.
Wang Yi's face turned even greener.
He let out a fierce shout, and the servants behind him gathered to block Su Yunmo.
Lin Lang's eyes darkened abruptly, but she remained in place without moving forward. However, her hand rested on her waist knife, awaiting her master's next command.
Su Yunmo remained unfazed, tilting her head and smiling lightly, "Lord Wang, do you intend to use force? Wouldn't that further solidify your reputation for forced buying and selling?"
Wang Yi narrowed his eyes dangerously, his expression chilling as he stared at Su Yunmo. Seeing that she, at such a young age, was not flustered in the face of so many people, he felt a measure of caution.
But it was only a measure of caution.
He privately did not take Su Yunmo seriously.
"For a little girl like you, I don't need to resort to swords and spears," Wang Yi sneered and waved his hand, signaling the servants to step back.
Seeing this, the clinic owner also breathed a sigh of relief and quickly stepped forward to mediate. "Both of you are interested in the clinic, which is our fortune. However, there is only one clinic, so we can only ask the other party to withdraw."
Neither side spoke.
Seeing that no one was withdrawing, the clinic owner had expected this.
If this matter were so easily resolved, it would not have dragged on until today.
The clinic owner beckoned to the clinic's apprentices and then cupped his hands, saying, "A clinic is a place for healing and saving lives. If neither of you is willing to yield, we can only proceed according to the rules of our profession."
Soon, a young apprentice brought over an elderly gentleman.
The clinic owner pointed at the old man and said, "This elder has suffered from an old ailment for ten years. Whichever party can invite a renowned physician to treat his illness will win."
The old man wanted to speak, but before he could, he let out a sigh and began to gasp violently, as if about to collapse.
Seeing this scene, the surrounding crowd quickly retreated, fearing to be stained by the blood, worried that his severe coughing indicated a serious illness.
Su Yunmo's gaze fell upon the blood, and she raised her eyebrows slightly, giving the clinic owner a look of appreciation.
"Hahaha... this is simple. Someone!" Wang Yi laughed heartily and waved his hand.
Soon, a man in his forties was escorted by servants from a distance.
This man wore a green robe and had an air of scholarly detachment.
Wang Yi pointed at him and said, "This is the renowned physician from the capital, Hua Yi, whom I recently invited."
As soon as these words were spoken, the surrounding crowd became agitated.
They had all heard of Hua Yi's name. This Doctor Hua not only studied medicine from a young age and was a famous divine physician, but more importantly, his family had served as imperial physicians for four generations.
His grandfather had even held the position of Head of the Imperial Academy.
It could be said that the entire Hua family was quite famous in the capital.
The clinic owner had not expected Wang Yi to be so well-prepared and could not help but worry for the Marquis's side.
However, he still cupped his hands towards the little dumpling and asked, "May I ask which physician this young lady intends to find?"
Su Yunmo smacked her lips, pointed her little finger at her chest, and tilted her head with a smile, "I'll do it myself."
Wow!
The crowd gasped, and they all began to whisper amongst themselves.
The clinic owner looked troubled, "This..."
Lin Lang had great confidence in her master. Seeing the clinic owner's hesitation, she was displeased. "My young master said she would do it, so let her. You can continue."
Although Lin Lang stood behind Su Yunmo and remained silent, her demeanor was imposing. Her sudden remark carried a palpable pressure.
Now, being stared at by her cold, clear eyes, the clinic owner's heart skipped a beat, and he quickly said "Yes," announcing the start of the competition.
Wang Yi, however, sneered dismissively, "What is there to start? How can a little girl compare to Doctor Hua?"
Simply overestimating herself!
Su Yunmo flicked the dust off her sleeves. "Whether we can do it or not will only be known after the competition ends."
Wang Yi's expression became even more contemptuous.
However, Hua Yi still maintained his manners and did not speak harshly to the little dumpling. He merely asked in a deep voice, "May I ask if this young lady wishes to go first or..."
Su Yunmo always treated friendly peers with respect.
Seeing Hua Yi speak so calmly, she knew that he was merely hired by Wang Yi and was fundamentally different from him.
She then softened the hostility in her eyes and replied in a deep voice, "Doctor Hua, please go first."
Hua Yi nodded and did not decline. He stepped forward to examine the old man's pulse.
A moment later, a look of surprise crossed Hua Yi's face, and he instinctively looked at the clinic owner.
As he remained silent, the crowd grew impatient.
Wang Yi became even more restless, "How is it? Can his old ailment be treated?"
Hua Yi shook his head, "It is not an old ailment."
A look of admiration flashed in the clinic owner's eyes.
Su Yunmo also raised her eyebrows.
This Doctor Hua's skills were good. If her mother's clinic opened, she could let him be in charge.
The crowd was confused.
Wang Yi knitted his brows, "What do you mean it's not an old ailment? Don't tell me you can't treat this illness?"
Wasn't it said that his family had been studying medicine for four generations? He hoped this wasn't just a reputation for fame. If he couldn't acquire this clinic, he would send people to smash Hua family's ancestral signboard!
Hua Yi cast a displeased glance at Wang Yi and continued, "He doesn't have an old ailment at all. He has been poisoned."
The crowd exclaimed in surprise, whispering amongst themselves, wondering why the old man had been poisoned.
Hua Yi looked at the clinic owner, "I presume the clinic owner intentionally misled us, intending to test our abilities."
Seeing his plan exposed, the clinic owner quickly cupped his hands, "Doctor Hua is indeed as renowned as his name suggests. I was merely showing off in front of an expert."
Hua Yi waved his hand and instructed someone to grind the herbs and prepare the prescription, "Take this prescription to get the medicine. The poison will be dispelled within the time it takes for one stick of incense to burn."
The servants went to fetch the medicine, and the decoction was prepared on the spot for the old man to drink.
Someone timed it.
Before the time of one stick of incense had passed, the old man indeed vomited a mouthful of black blood, stopped coughing, and his complexion gradually regained its rosy hue.
The crowd praised him.
Wang Yi slapped his thigh, "We won! With Doctor Hua here, this clinic has no choice but to be mine!"
Heh, Zhou Wanyou, that woman, although she was quite shrewd in business, she was ultimately just a woman.
She had been smooth sailing before because she hadn't encountered him. Now that she had, it was her bad luck!