14 Did You Think of A Miracle? 5 (1/2)
”What's wrong?”
Wei Xuan raised a brow towards Physician Gao. For some reason, the aged physician seemed rather enraged, panting heavily as the latter glared at the minister.
”What's wrong? What's wrong?” the physician screeched. ”That Imperial Physician clearly has alternative intentions for your fourth daughter, otherwise he wouldn't have indicated a second visit! What studying ancient medicinal texts? He's just using that as an excuse to the emperor!”
Drawing Wei Xuan closer until the minister's toes were dragging on the floor, the aged physician continued.
”You and I, we are well aware that there needs not to be any social convention between the two of us junior and senior apprentices under Master. You may not have been able to see that young physician's intent, but I saw it clearly, even if he had concealed it the moment after.”
”Not to mention, just to hide all other ailments and only present cold deficiency syndrome, I forced your daughter to undergo quite a few moments of pain and some rather uncomfortable side effects, a case that will last for a week. You think she will be able to withstand such prolonged strain if that esteemed Imperial Physician were to come for successive visits?”
”…”
”Are you going to listen to your Junior Brother's words, or will I have to take off this disguise and give you a severe thrashing?”
”I'll…I'll listen.”
Wei Xuan murmured, his countenance pale. As Physician Gao let him go and stepped back, the minister lowered his head, countless memories flashing before his eyes in moments.
Not long after, he raised his gaze to look at the aged man's back.
”…Thank you, Yun Zhi,” Wei Xuan said. ”I wonder if I would have even gotten to this point if it hadn't been for your reminders.”
”No need for thanks,” Gao Yun Zhi brusquely responded. ”Although this disguise can become rather uncomfortable at times, it isn't that great of a burden compared to the one carried by Master that year. You should be more conscientious, however. In Jiang'an, neither of us can really relax and take things for granted, even in our own home.”
”…I understand. I won't do such things anymore. Is Fei'er fine?” Wei Xuan asked.
To this, Gao Yun Zhi merely shook his head, having completed his checkup of the girl sleeping on the bed.
”Senior Brother, I didn't wish to hide this from you, yet it seems I must reveal it so quickly. The technique I utilized to disguise all symptoms except for cold deficiency syndrome was the World of Ice's . Surely, you know the implications within that monstrous technique.”
”World of Ice…” Wei Xuan murmured. Suddenly, his eyes blazed with an unknown ferocity, silver light threatening to break out from his body.
”Yun Zhi, you promised Master not to use that technique! Techniques originating from Natural Domains naturally have a severe consequence in exchange of manifesting their miraculous effects. Just…” his voice trailed into a soft whisper as he silently gazed at Gao Yun Zhi. ”…who was the sacrifice?”
”An ordinary passerby. Such is the advantage of a city as large as Jiang'an. Nobody will be capable of tracing it back to the House of Wei.”
Gao Yun Zhi's reply was curt and indifferent, as if the death of a civilian was of the same as cutting vegetables. Picking up the toolbox and taking one last glance at the brooding Wei Xuan, he departed from the study. As he stepped out of the door, a fatigued voice could be heard once more, but this time was young and valiant, completely different from the aged voice earlier.
”Senior Brother, you mustn't forget our identity. Do not convert to the life of Yong.”
The door slid shut, Wei Xuan remaining inside the study as he gazed at the figure of the sleeping girl. Moments later, he opened his eyes, fierce determination and rage blazing in his dark irises.
”The House of Wei…must go through some purging tonight. This incident may never happen again.”
Gently squeezing An Fei's exposed hand, Wei Xuan carefully tucked the girl underneath the blankets before blowing out the lights.
Draping a black outer robe around his body, the minister departed from the study, his back radiating a bleak coldness.