She intended to make a name for herself in the prefectural city, earn money, and then have a proper spar with Master Ye.
Arriving in the provincial city, weary from their journey, they found it easier to act without familiar faces around.
To accumulate wealth quickly, she returned to her old trade: selling medicine.
Her newly opened clinic lacked trust from others, especially since the physician-in-residence was a woman. To establish her reputation, she decided to proactively seek patients.
She heard that the prefect was a devoted son, but his mother suffered from chronic illness and was bedridden. The prefect worried constantly and would personally invite anyone with renowned medical skills, even if they couldn't cure her, as long as they could alleviate her mother's pain.
Wu Caiwei packed her belongings and went to the prefect's residence herself.
The gatekeeper, hearing the knock, saw a young woman holding a medicine box. He was curious. He didn't believe she was a doctor; he had never heard of a female physician and assumed she was delivering a medicine box for someone else. However, the prefect hadn't requested a doctor today.
"Miss, did you come to the wrong door?"
Seeing the gatekeeper's polite demeanor, Wu Caiwei breathed a sigh of relief. The subordinate's attitude reflected his superior's respect for physicians, confirming the rumors.
"Young man, I am Doctor Jiang from the newly opened Rendetang in the city. I heard the esteemed madam of your household is unwell and have come to offer my services."
"Please wait a moment, I will report to the prefect." The gatekeeper dared not make decisions on his own and asked her to wait at the door.
Wu Caiwei thanked him politely.
Before long, the gate reopened, and she met the prefect, a scholarly middle-aged man. Upon seeing her, he said courteously, "My mother is in your hands, Doctor Jiang."
"You are too kind, Prefect. I will do my utmost." Wu Caiwei knew he didn't entirely trust her, seeing her as a last resort.
She was confident in her medical skills and believed she wouldn't disappoint him. Letting her skills speak for themselves was the best approach.
Soon, she met the old madam, a frail woman tormented by pain. Upon seeing the person with the medicine box, she became extremely resistant. "I don't want to be treated, nor do I want to take medicine. So many doctors have failed; just let me die."
The prefect's face immediately showed distress. "Mother, what are you saying? What would I do if you died? You raised me with such hardship, and just as your son has achieved some success, you can't enjoy the fruits of it."
"My son, my living is just suffering. It would be better to die and be done with it all." The old woman was deeply saddened. Every time a doctor came, she held hope, only to be disappointed repeatedly. She had accepted her fate.
While they were talking, Wu Caiwei's hand had already found the old woman's pulse. The old woman, engrossed in her grief and pain, didn't notice.
She was somewhat surprised by her diagnosis and, fearing a mistake, re-examined the pulse. She was certain the old woman was not suffering from any illness or poisoning, but rather from a Gu.
The prefect, though speaking with his mother, had been observing her expression. Previous doctors had shown confusion upon taking her pulse. The pulse indicated she was healthy, yet she was bedridden. Ultimately, they could only prescribe tonics.
This female doctor, however, showed a thoughtful expression, indicating she had made a significant discovery.
"Doctor, how is it?" The prefect looked at her with eager eyes, hoping for a different answer.
"Does the Prefect have any enemies?"
"Oh? What do you mean?" The prefect raised an eyebrow, looking at her in surprise.
"Prefect, please look." Wu Caiwei took out silver needles from her medicine box and slightly rolled up the old madam's sleeve, exposing her arm. She swiftly pricked several points on her body with the needles.
What happened next left the prefect dumbfounded. A lump slowly began to form on the old madam's arm, with something wriggling inside.
"What...what is this?" The old woman had calmed down while she and her son were talking. This young doctor, though young, seemed to possess extraordinary medical skills, and perhaps her illness had hope. Seeing the abnormality within her body, she asked in surprise.
"This is a type of Gu worm. This Gu requires heart's blood to nourish it, which is why the old madam's health has been so poor these past few years, leaving her bedridden and unable to move. Doctors couldn't pinpoint any issues." Wu Caiwei explained patiently.
"Since you can diagnose the cause, you must have a way to cure my mother, right?" The prefect looked at her with hopeful eyes, his hands trembling with excitement.
"Naturally. However, to be upfront, the old madam's body has been harmed by this for so many years. I can remove the Gu worm, but some of the physical damage can be repaired slowly, while some..." Wu Caiwei paused, seeing his sad expression, and quickly added, "You can rest assured, Prefect. Although the old madam's health won't be as good as before, she will be able to get out of bed and walk. With proper care, she can live another ten to twenty years."
Upon hearing this, the prefect's eyes lit up. "That's wonderful! It's beyond my expectations. As long as my mother lives, that's all that matters."
"Doctor, can you quickly remove this vile thing? I am in so much pain, I wish I could die." Hearing this, the old madam felt a sense of relief. Who wouldn't want to live? Before, there was no hope, but now, with light ahead, she felt a surge of strength.
"Not now. I need to prepare some medicinal ingredients. I will try to come as early as possible tomorrow morning."
"Please tell me what medicinal ingredients you need. I will have the steward prepare them for you." The prefect quickly pledged, his heart finally at ease knowing his mother's illness had hope. As for who had used such a cruel method, he was confident he would find out.
Wu Caiwei thanked the prefect and said she would definitely seek his help if she encountered any difficulties.
Upon returning, she went into seclusion. In reality, her clinic had all the necessary herbs; it just required time to brew them.
The next day, she arrived early and directed the maids and servants to boil water. The old madam was then moved into a bathing tub filled with her specially prepared medicine.
As time ticked by, the old madam initially found the bath comfortable. Gradually, she began to feel uncomfortable, sensing something within her body trying to break free.
Wu Caiwei timely applied acupuncture needles to the bulging areas. Small worms immediately emerged from the needle holes and fell into the water, where they were dissolved by the medicine, emitting a sizzling sound.
It turned out that these Gu worms, having been in her body for too long, had multiplied, and the water in the basin transformed from clear to black.