CHAPTER 9

The Tiger is Poisonous and Doesn't Eat Her Child

Jiujin pushed aside the woman blocking the road without hesitation, firmly grasping her girl's hand and stepping forward.

She was strong, and with Yu Linlang protected by her side, no one could get close. Most could only glare at her and mutter under their breath.

The master and servant walked straight to Huichun Hall, where they saw a young medicine boy struggling against a strong man. It was obvious the boy was no match—he was thrown to the ground and punched mercilessly.

Nearby, an old woman sat wailing, slapping her legs in rhythm as she cried out, "Huichun Hall's quack doctors couldn't save my child! And now, they have the audacity to start a fight!"

She howled and shrieked, "Oh, is there no justice under heaven?"

A young doctor, red-faced and flustered, supported an elderly physician who was struggling to catch his breath. Stammering, he pleaded, "You—You're being unreasonable! Your child was already dead when you brought her in! We are doctors, not gods! How are we supposed to bring back the dead?"

"Lies!" The old woman jumped up, her face contorted with rage. "My Second Girl was still breathing when we arrived! It was you who misdiagnosed her! My precious child died at the hands of you heartless quacks!"

"You—! You're being completely unreasonable!" The young doctor's face turned red, his eyes brimming with tears of frustration.

"Who's being unreasonable?" The strong man, now restrained by two onlookers, roared in anger. "So, it's fair for you doctors to kill poor farmers' children?"

"We know that in your noble eyes, we're nothing more than dirt in the fields, weeds in the corners! But my Second Girl was a living person! How can we just let this go?"

"Did you hurt her head?"

A thin woman clutching the lifeless baby stiffened at Yu Linlang's soft-spoken question.

She had been standing a few steps away. As Yu Linlang approached to examine the child, the woman instinctively pulled back, holding the baby tighter.

"Yes, she accidentally hit her head while kowtowing," the old woman interjected, stepping forward to block Yu Linlang. She wailed louder, "It was just a small bruise! But the quacks at Huichun Hall treated her to death! My poor Second Girl—only five months old, and now she's gone!"

Yu Linlang glanced at the wailing old woman before calmly stating, "I took one look and saw that your granddaughter has sunken injuries on both sides of her head. This is clearly not from a simple fall. You should report this to the authorities."

She turned toward the elderly physician at Huichun Hall's entrance. "If you suspect foul play, why not let the authorities handle it? A coroner can examine the injuries. There's no need to argue here and block the road—it's inappropriate."

"Yes, yes! Report it to the officials immediately!" The old doctor, as if waking from a daze, nodded repeatedly.

He had been tormented by the family's relentless accusations, and his mind had been clouded. But now, under the clear gaze of the young woman before him, he felt strangely reassured.

The old woman, however, panicked. "What officials? What's the point of reporting this? Everyone knows the courts are in bed with you doctors! It's useless! You're all covering for each other!"

Yu Linlang almost laughed. "Old lady, do you realize where you're standing? This is Weizhou's main street, yet you dare claim that officials are shielding criminals? Do you know what happens to those who slander the imperial court? Let me remind you—such accusations could get you beaten with thirty strokes and thrown in prison."

The old woman's expression changed drastically. Her face paled, turning from red to yellow, and then she collapsed onto the ground, continuing her wailing.

The strong man rushed forward to support his mother before turning to glare at Yu Linlang. "Why are you scaring her? She's just a simple village woman! How is she supposed to know all this?"

Noticing that a medicine boy had run off to report the matter to the authorities, the man became anxious. "Forget it! I won't argue anymore! Just give me a tael of silver, and I'll take my daughter back to the village for burial. We'll drop the matter."

The onlookers sighed.

"You caused a scene, blocked the road, and falsely accused people. Now you think you can just walk away? It's not that easy," Jiujin sneered.

The man scowled. "What do you noble ladies know? We farmers just want compensation for funeral costs!"

"The officials are here!" someone shouted.

The mother and son froze, their faces turning pale.

"Ah! Why are they here so fast?" The old woman leapt up, dusting off her clothes. Grabbing her son's hand, she hissed, "Let's go! Don't waste time with them—we're out of luck today!"

They rushed forward, grabbing the dazed woman holding the baby, trying to drag her away.

However, the street was too crowded to make a quick escape.

The doctors and staff at Huichun Hall weren't fools. Seeing the family's guilty behavior, they quickly moved to block their way.

A quick-witted medicine boy seized the child and shouted, "Officials, please bring justice!"

The crowd parted as a group of officers marched forward, escorting several dignitaries.

All eyes were drawn to one man among them—a strikingly handsome figure, standing tall like a pine tree. His hair was silver like frost, his presence commanding.

A young noble with hair turned gray too soon.

"Greetings, Your Highness." Yu Shoudao, drenched in sweat, bowed deeply before the man.

Today was truly unfortunate. He had gone to the city gates to welcome the prince's entourage, only to stumble upon a street brawl where a shrew had insulted the imperial court. It was an incredibly awkward situation.

Mu Zhao nodded, his deep, starlit eyes scanning the scene. He turned slightly and whispered to his attendant, "Summon Lord Lu and the others."

"Yes, Your Highness."

Meanwhile, the young doctor from Huichun Hall hurriedly helped his grandfather forward, falling to his knees before Yu Shoudao. "My lord, we have been wronged!"

Yu Shoudao remained composed but respectfully turned to Mu Zhao. "This is His Highness, the son of Prince Xuanping, and the magistrate appointed by the imperial court. I am Yu Shoudao, Governor of Weizhou. If you have grievances, speak now."

The young doctor took a deep breath and recounted the events succinctly. By the time he finished, he looked up at Yu Shoudao expectantly. "My lord, everyone in Huichun Hall swears that the child was already dead when she arrived. We speak only the truth."

"Ha! If she's dead, let's see if Miss Yu can prove it!"

A sudden voice rang out.

Mu Feng stepped forward, grinning mischievously, his gaze shifting between Yu Linlang and her servant.

Yu Linlang, who had been standing quietly, suddenly found herself under scrutiny. She had been secretly observing the man she had never met—her "good father."

Now, caught off guard, she froze.

Yu Shoudao and the others heard the words "Miss Yu" and turned to look at her.

Their eyes met.

Yu Shoudao was momentarily stunned.

The girl's gaze was like snow—bright, clear, and piercingly cold.