Gao-Yuan noticed the commotion and rushed over immediately.

In the yard, he ran into Su Pingchuan, who was jogging for exercise. Su quickly joined him, and the two headed to the Xinsheng Clinic.

The scene was utter chaos. Outside, a large crowd of onlookers jostled to catch a glimpse of the drama, while inside, an all-out brawl was unfolding.

Gao-Yuan stepped forward and helped Shen Congyun, who had been knocked to the ground. “What happened?” he asked.

Rubbing his sore backside, Shen grimaced. “I was just trying to break up the fight and pull the young herbalist out so he could prepare our prescription. But as soon as I stepped in, they pushed me down. It hurts like hell!”

Frowning, Gao-Yuan asked, “Where’s the father of the sick child?”

Shen pointed inside. “He’s over there, trying to grab the herbs himself.”

Looking in, Gao-Yuan saw the man clumsily rummaging through the medicine cabinet.

“What on earth is this mess?” Gao-Yuan muttered to himself.

Impatient, Su Pingchuan strode in and shouted, “Stop it! All of you, stop fighting right now!”

When no one paid him any attention, Su grabbed two combatants by their collars and yanked them apart with brute strength, tossing them aside like rag dolls.

The fighters froze, stunned by Su’s extraordinary display of strength.

“What do you think you’re doing?” Su bellowed. “Who gave you permission to brawl in here?”

One burly man with rough hands scowled. “Who do you think you are to meddle in our business?”

“I’m Su Pingchuan!” Su replied firmly.

The room fell silent. Everyone had heard of the war hero Su Pingchuan; his exploits were the talk of the town.

“You’re Comrade Su?” The burly man’s tone softened immediately.

Su nodded. “If there’s a problem, talk to me. No more fighting.”

The man pointed at Li Runyu and shouted, “They’re a bunch of quacks! They prescribed so many toxic herbs for my wife, and now she’s been poisoned and is on the brink of death. Yet they have the gall to deny responsibility!”

The young clinic doctor retorted, “It’s not fair to blame us every time something goes wrong!”

“Shut up!” the burly man roared. “If you don’t have the skills, don’t take on the job! Do you think you’re Gao-Yuan, daring to prescribe such dangerous doses? Who do you think you are?”

He raised his fist again.

Gao-Yuan quickly intervened. “Enough! Stop fighting. Where is she?”

The man glared at Gao-Yuan. “And who are you?”

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“I’m Gao-Yuan,” he replied calmly.

The man froze. “You’re Doctor Gao-Yuan?”

“Yes,” Gao-Yuan snapped. “This is a matter of life and death. Stop wasting time with this nonsense! Where’s the herbalist?”

A timid young man raised his hand.

“Go prepare the medicine. Now!” Gao-Yuan ordered, pointing to the dispensary.

The young man glanced nervously at the family. Seeing no objection, he darted into the dispensary.

Now that order had been somewhat restored, Gao-Yuan turned to the burly man. “Where’s your wife? How is she doing?”

The man, still fuming, replied, “She’s definitely not going to make it. Someone has to pay with their life! I won’t let Li Runyu get away with this. And you—don’t think you’re off the hook either!”

He jabbed a finger at Li Runyu, who shrank back, visibly terrified.

Su Pingchuan stood guard next to the furious man, ready to intervene if needed.

Amid the chaos, Gao-Yuan barked, “I haven’t even said I can’t save her yet! Who are you to decide she’s beyond help?”

The man was taken aback and stammered, “You mean… she can still be saved?”

“Where is she?” Gao-Yuan demanded.

The man quickly pointed to the corner, where a woman lay unconscious, her two children sobbing beside her.

Nearby, an elderly man was restraining Li Runyu, who looked utterly humiliated and avoided meeting Gao-Yuan’s gaze.

Gao-Yuan hurried over to examine the woman. Her condition was critical: labored breathing, convulsions, vomiting, diarrhea, and an irregular heartbeat. She was already unconscious.

“Aconite poisoning,” Gao-Yuan diagnosed immediately.

The burly man glared at Li Runyu and bellowed, “It’s his fault! Why would he prescribe so much processed aconite root? Do you think you’re Gao-Yuan? Four taels may work for him, but who do you think you are? Are you trying to kill people?”

Li Runyu, trembling, tried to explain, “She insisted on a higher dose! And four qian (mace) wouldn’t cause such severe symptoms. There must be some other factor…”

“Still making excuses? Then explain why she’s like this!” the man roared.

“I… I don’t know,” Li Runyu stammered.

“Enough!” Gao-Yuan interrupted. “Let’s focus on saving her first!”

The man hesitated. “You mean she can still be saved?”

The woman’s children clung to Gao-Yuan, their tear-filled eyes pleading.

“Stop wasting time,” Gao-Yuan snapped. “Take her to the county hospital immediately for life support. Herbalist!”

“Yes!” The young man rushed over, having just finished preparing another prescription.

Gao-Yuan quickly issued instructions. “One tael of raw rhubarb for rapid purgation. Add one tael each of saposhnikovia root, black soybeans, and licorice. Mix with five taels of honey and brew into a decoction. Finally, mix in one tael of raw mung bean powder. Hurry!”

“Yes, sir!” The young man scurried off without question.

Turning to the burly man, Gao-Yuan said, “Carry her to the county hospital now. And let go of Li Runyu—he’s not going anywhere.”

The elderly man reluctantly released his grip, still glaring at Li Runyu.

A group of onlookers followed them to the hospital, where doctors worked on stabilizing the woman. Word of the incident spread like wildfire, drawing a curious crowd. Even Yanqiao, the respected local physician, hobbled over with his cane to observe.

Standing outside the hospital room, the burly man grew increasingly anxious. “Doctor Gao, tell me the truth. Can she really survive this?”

The children clung to Gao-Yuan, their tear-streaked faces filled with hope.

“I haven’t given up. Why should you?” Gao-Yuan replied firmly.

The man was speechless.

“Stop panicking. Administering the antidote will counteract the poison,” Gao-Yuan reassured.

Yanqiao’s eyes narrowed as he observed Gao-Yuan.

“Here it is! The medicine is ready!” The young herbalist rushed in, holding the decoction.

“Quickly, give it to her!” Gao-Yuan directed.

All eyes were on the woman as the antidote was administered. Minutes ticked by in tense silence.

The crowd outside buzzed with speculation. “She’s too far gone,” someone muttered.

The burly man lost his composure upon hearing this. He turned to Li Runyu with fury in his eyes. “If she dies, you’re coming with me!”

Fortunately, Su Pingchuan intervened just in time to restrain him.

At that moment, the woman’s daughter cried out, “Dad! Grandpa! Mom’s awake!”

Everyone froze.

“What?” The burly man spun around, rushing to his wife’s side.

The onlookers were stunned. “She’s alive?”

Yanqiao’s eyes flickered with astonishment as he looked at Gao-Yuan, now filled with deep respect. To revive a patient from aconite poisoning in such a short time—Gao-Yuan’s expertise was undeniable.