Wu Yi had always served Liu Yan and was considered a promising young man.
Upon learning of his uncle's defeat and death, he realized the gravity of the situation and sought Liu Yan's help.
Liu Yan, showing him great respect, readily agreed to assist.
Now it seemed Lu Ming was in trouble.
Liu Yan was furious. He was the Grand Master of Ceremonies, a position of real power!
He held the highest position among the Nine Ministers, a very prestigious post, overseeing culture and education, the administration of imperial mausoleums, and also commanding the Imperial Academy and the Imperial Scholars.
He was primarily in charge of the rituals concerning heaven, earth, gods, and spirits, as well as auspicious and inauspicious rites, military and celebratory ceremonies, and the administration of artifacts such as jade, silk, bells, and drums.
He was about to take up his post in Yizhou, and yet he was being treated with such disrespect.
However, he had no choice but to help. Liu Yan harbored ambitions to become emperor himself, and a physiognomist predicted that Wu Yi's sister, Lady Wu, would one day hold an extremely prestigious position. Therefore, he arranged for his son, Liu Mao, to marry Lady Wu.
Now a problem has arisen. Wu Xian has been included in the confiscation of her property and is now under Lu Ming's command.
This wouldn't normally be a problem; they could simply remove her.
However, Lu Ming isn't giving them any face, so they'll have to think of another way.
"Ziyuan, don't worry, I'll go and plead for her myself." Liu Yan truly harbors ambitions to become emperor, which is why he's going to such lengths; otherwise, there would be no need to go through so much trouble for an outsider.
It's a pity that Wu Xian, this future beauty with a noble status, has already been taken by Lu Ming!
She was deflowered, and he ejaculated inside her!
She might even be pregnant!
Even Liu Yan finds this hard to accept, but he doesn't know yet, so he can only bite the bullet and go.
"Then I'll trouble you, sir." Wu Yi also didn't have a good solution. Although he hated Lu Ming, he didn't have a better way to deal with it for the time being.
This is His Majesty's decree. His Majesty is His Majesty, even if he is incompetent, he is still His Majesty.
When Liu Yan personally went to pay his respects, the steward only said, "Let's talk about it tomorrow; Lu Ming has gone to a banquet at the Yang family's residence."
This left Liu Yan speechless. The imperial clan was no match for the Yang family. The Yang family had been entrenched for many years and their influence was deeply entrenched; he couldn't possibly contend with them.
The Yang family's residence.
As soon as Lu Ming arrived, Yang Biao personally went to the gate to greet him, showing great courtesy.
Ordinary people wouldn't be qualified to receive such treatment from him—not that it was unnecessary, but that he wasn't qualified.
For him to do this, Lu Ming must have already demonstrated enough power to make them want to win him over.
"Grand Master, you are too kind. I have long admired you. It is truly an honor to meet you today!" Lu Ming immediately showered him with flattery, regardless of anything else, he just wanted to fawn over you first.
Yang Biao's expression was rather indifferent. With the Yang family's prestige and reputation, many people would fawn over him.
However, he only acted with courtesy because he needed Lu Ming's help. "Anmin, you're too kind. Please come in. We've prepared some simple wine; today's victory deserves a hearty toast!"
"I'd be honored, please!"
"Please!"
After exchanging pleasantries, the two entered the main hall.
The decorations were luxurious, with silks and satins, and incomprehensible landscape paintings and calligraphy hanging on the walls.
The paper, seemingly made using some method, was inferior to plain white paper and crudely made, but still legible.
Musicians played, and dancers entered, bowing to the two men before beginning their dance to the music. Long sleeves flowing, red sleeves adding fragrance. Paired with fine wine and food, it was truly a delightful experience.
Lu Ming simply picked up his wine cup, offered a toast, and then began to eat. "Since you've sent me, sir, you must have something to instruct me on. Please speak freely. I will certainly not refuse if it is within my power!"
Simple, direct, and without any beating around the bush. Yang Biao's impression of him deepened. "Anmin's medical skills are superb. Could you examine my father?"
"I can, but I'll need to see the situation. If there are no hidden illnesses, and he has simply passed away due to old age, then I have no way to help him." Lu Ming wouldn't waste his time trying to prolong the man's life; he could do so, but it wasn't necessary.
"In any case, I will be very grateful." Yang Biao was somewhat dissatisfied. Was this an attempt to refuse?
"In that case, let's begin." Lu Ming finished his wine in one gulp and stood up.
He had long known that Yang's visit to him was never for anything good, and now it seemed it was indeed about treating an illness.
This was exactly what he expected: treat the sick, save lives, and then receive payment.
"Please." Yang Biao rose and personally led Lu Ming to the backyard.
They entered a room filled with the scent of sandalwood. A single stick of this sandalwood cost several taels of silver, an extremely high expense, and it only burned for an hour. Several sticks were needed a day, and at least five were required for each treatment to be effective.
Just from this, one could see the Yang family's immense wealth. Perhaps not as rich as a country, but certainly not lacking in money!
Lu Ming approached the bedside and saw a gaunt old man, his eyes still closed.
He found it somewhat amusing, because Wang Lang was Yang Ci's protégé, someone he was grooming.
He was also a collaborator with the Langya Wang family, and now that Wang Lang was imprisoned, and his wife and daughter had been seized and raped by Lu Ming, he was, in a sense, an enemy.
Lu Ming took Wang Lang's pulse, narrowed his eyes, and inquired about some symptoms.
He then shook his head, and under Yang Biao's expectant gaze, uttered the most desperate words, "This is tuberculosis, one of the incurable diseases. Unless Bian Que (a legendary physician) is resurrected, it's unlikely to be cured!"
"What!" Yang Biao was shocked. The doctors in his family were always secretive and dared not speak openly. He had long suspected it, but he never expected it to be incurable!
"Although I cannot cure it, it shouldn't be a problem to wait three to five years. In three to five years, perhaps there will be medicine that can cure it." Lu Ming didn't make any absolute promises, because Yang Ci was already old, and medical conditions in ancient times were limited; a cure was extremely difficult. Therefore, he didn't give any guarantees.
"Regardless, please do your utmost to treat him," Yang Biao said, clasping his hands in a fist salute. "I will certainly offer my gratitude."
"Then let's observe again. I need to give the old man acupuncture to force out the remaining toxins. With rest and recuperation, he should live for another three to five years without any problem," Lu Ming said, pulling out silver needles and beginning to heat them. This method struck Yang Biao as very strange, but he didn't ask. Perhaps it was Lu Ming's secret technique; everyone has their hidden tricks up their sleeve!
It took about an hour, and by the time it was finished, it was already evening.