"I am also very saddened by the loss of your son at such a young age, but you cannot blame my clinic. We did our best, and with your son's condition being so critical at the time, if we hadn't intervened, he would have likely perished anyway. If everyone acted like you, I would be afraid to offer treatment in the future when facing dangerous situations." Qiu Ze knew that reasoning with the man was futile, but he still tried to appeal to his emotions and logic.
The other onlookers, who had been equally indignant as the man, heard Qiu Ze's words and were struck with fear that they too might be left to die if he refused to help in a life-or-death situation. They quickly moved to the sides of the road.
"My son, your death is such an injustice! Someone caused your death but refuses to admit it. How can your father possibly go on living?" Seeing that he no longer had their support, the man sat down abruptly on the ground, wailing and crying out.
Qiu Ze felt a headache coming on, knowing this matter wouldn't be easily resolved. He only knew the general sequence of events and was unaware of the specific illness the man's son had, nor did he know what prescription Lei'er had written. His earlier claim that the prescription was correct was merely to pacify the man.
Initially, the man believed that the young doctor from yesterday lacked the skill and prescribed the wrong medicine, leading to his son's death. Now, even Physician Qiu confirmed that the medicine was not at fault. Even if he reported the matter to the authorities, it would likely only result in some monetary compensation. Moreover, common folk feared dealing with officials. Most farming families had several sons. After this incident, the man's ultimate goal was to extort some money to improve his family's livelihood. He was pragmatic; his son was already dead, and even if the murderer were brought to justice, he would gain nothing.
Having lived in the town for so many years, Qiu Ze understood the man's intentions. In the past, perhaps a few dozen taels of silver would have settled the matter. However, his clinic was currently rented, and he himself was short on funds. How could he possibly compensate others? This was not a matter that could be resolved with one or two taels.
At first, there were onlookers, but as time passed, everyone had their own affairs to attend to. Gradually, only the man remained sitting at the entrance of Qiu Ze's clinic.
He felt that continuing like this was not viable. After some thought, he walked into the clinic and found Qiu Ze, who was busy. "Physician Qiu, let's be frank. I heard that your wife's brother killed someone and compensated fifty taels of silver last time. Let's settle this similarly. Give me fifty taels of silver, and this matter will be concluded. Otherwise, I will report it to the authorities."
"Each situation is different. His was purely an accidental killing, which is not the same as this case. Furthermore, you must have heard that I am renting this clinic. If I had that much silver, wouldn't I prioritize buying back my ancestral home? After all, this is my family's property." Qiu Ze sympathized with the man's plight but genuinely did not have that much money.
"Then how much do you propose to compensate? I'm telling you upfront, I will not agree to too little." The man had thoroughly investigated Qiu Ze's situation and knew he didn't have much money, so he was willing to compromise.
Qiu Ze truly didn't know how much money his family had and was unsure how to respond.
Seeing this, Madam Shen, who had been helping at the clinic since morning, quickly interjected, "Fifteen taels."
"What? Are you trying to scold a beggar?" The amount was far from what the man had expected, and he exclaimed in disbelief.
Madam Shen had no other choice; this was all the money they had at the moment.
After much negotiation, the man, seeing that there was no room for increase, left in disappointment.
Madam Shen and Lei'er were filled with anxiety, fearing that the man would report them to the authorities.
When they were alone, she discussed with Qiu Ze the possibility of borrowing money at high interest. This time, Qiu Ze adamantly refused. The last time, they had sold their ancestral home for twenty taels. This time, it was thirty-five taels. If they couldn't repay it, there would be no escape other than severe consequences. He also had a selfish side; Lei'er was not his child, so why go to such lengths?
When the constables found them that afternoon, they felt a sense of relief, as if it had finally come.
The remaining medicine from the man's home, combined with the symptoms at the time, revealed that one of the herbs in Lei'er's prescription was incorrect. This very herb had directly led to the patient's death.
The official sentenced Lei'er to twenty beatings and five years of imprisonment.
Lei'er and Madam Shen could not accept this outcome. They collapsed to the ground. Madam Shen regretted it, thinking that if she had known, she wouldn't have let him learn medicine from Qiu Ze. Even as a farmer, he could have lived a peaceful life until old age, rather than facing imprisonment at such a young age.
The man also found it difficult to accept this reality. He had initially reported the matter to the authorities because the monetary settlement had not been agreed upon. He had mustered the courage to approach the officials hoping to receive more compensation, not this outcome. While justice had been served, he received not a single coin.
When they returned home, Qiu Ze acted as if nothing had happened, eating and drinking as usual. Madam Shen became increasingly taciturn, clutching the silver tightly. In her free time, she would cook delicious meals and visit her son in prison.
Zhang Ziwei's life was nearing its end this winter. Although he was paralyzed and confined to bed, given his youth, he shouldn't have been running out of energy so quickly. However, his parents, Mr. and Mrs. Zhang, were rather mercenary. Seeing that their younger son could not support them in their old age and required their constant care, they initially tolerated it. But over time, they grew impatient.
Zhang's eldest and second sons had their own families and were busy with their livelihoods every day. Who had the leisure to care for unrelated individuals? Consequently, he often went hungry.
Confined to bed and unable to care for himself, the room became increasingly dirty and smelly. Mrs. Zhang no longer wanted to manage it.
Facing the prospect of spending the rest of his life in bed at such a young age was already hardship enough for Zhang Ziwei. Now, with his family neglecting him, he passed away amidst sorrow and despair.
Soon, Wu Caiwei received the news. The group that had troubled the Zhang family was sent by her. In a previous life, Zhang Ziwei had subjected Qiu Zisu to domestic violence, beating her to death within a year. Despite the large Zhang family, none of them had intervened; in fact, they had colluded to bully her. This was because they knew that even if they bullied her, the benevolent Qiu Ze would not come seeking trouble. None of them were innocent in Qiu Zisu's death.
After some thought, she called for a guard and whispered a few words to him. Letting the Zhang family off so easily was too lenient; they needed to be given some trouble.
The events that had transpired with Lei'er surprised her. Before she could even act, he had run into trouble himself.
In her previous life, a high-ranking official had passed through the town and visited Qiu Ze's clinic. Qiu Chaihu and Lei'er were both busy at the medicine cabinet. Lei'er, seeing the visitor's wealthy attire, wanted to get acquainted and eagerly stepped forward to dispense medicine for him. However, due to his lack of skill, he carelessly mistook an herb, leading to the patient's death. Lei'er and Qiu Ze, acting in concert, pushed Qiu Chaihu forward to take the blame.
As a result, Qiu Chaihu died young. Although Qiu Ze and Lei'er also suffered retaliation, their lives were spared.