White Snake: 1-4 Unwarranted Disaster

< Previous

Next >

Suzhen is attending to the young girl, Yue'er, when the distinguished She family's servants arrive and cause a commotion. Yue'er's consition is likely to worsen. What will Suzhen do?

Info

Style: Recommended: Worldly Longing Perfect Score: ~228 Rewards: 3,000 , 600 , 3 , 1 , 1 , Blueprint: Of One Mind

Of One Mind

Dialogue Choices

Note: Changing choices when replaying will cost 5

Meanwhile, Xiaoqing is getting so indignant that she's ready to put up a fight, and Xu Xian appears similarly inclined.

• Ask Xiaoqing for help
  • Xiaoqing's Goodwill will rise
• Ask Xu Xian for help
  • Xu Xian's Goodwill will rise

Transcript

Expand for script.

• Thinking back on what Xiaoqing said the other day, I wait until midmorning to prepare to open our apothecary.

• You: (There won't be any patients coming anyway.)

• Xiaoqing watches me idly straighten ginseng roots for fifteen minutes before she bursts out laughing.

• Xiaoqing: You're grooming that ginseng so tenderly. Have you finished combing its hair?

• Xiaoqing: Want me to buy some flowers for you to pin to it?

• I know Xiaoqing is trying to lift my spirits, but I'm still upset about what happened yesterday.

• You: If I continue like this with nothing to do, I'm afraid I'll move on to braiding the door curtain after I finish I finish with the ginseng.

• You: All those people yesterday... the second they heard we were demons, they fled in panic. I wish I could have grown wings and flown out of the Xu Apothecary.

• You: Who would dare come to an apothecary run by demons?

• Xiaoqing: You're not usually this forgetful. Don't you remember your promise from last night?

• You: Of course I remember. Little Yue'er will come to see me about her cough.

• You: She and her nanny just came to Hangzhou. Maybe they haven't heard the rumor.

• You: But it caused such an uproar yesterday, it's probably spread through the whole neighborhood by now. If they hear we're demons, they might not come.

• Xiaoqing: You're having these absurd thoughts because you didn't sleep well last night.

• Xiaoqing: I bet that woman will bring Yue'er here within an hour. You wait and see.

• Xiaoqing: Maybe that shameless Xu Xian will come, too. I can't believe his audacity yesterday, suggesting he could offset his tuition fees because he stopped that wine from spilling on your clothes.

• Seeing that Xiaoqing is going to mock Xu Xian again, I quickly change the subject.

• You: Xiaoqing, why are you so certain that woman will bring Yue'er here?

• Xiaoqing: Because you are an excellent and considerate physician.

• Xiaoqing: The first day we opened the Bai Apothecary, we had the fewest customers of any apothecary on the street, right?

• Xiaoqing: But by our second month, we were swamped with customers.

• You: I recall wishing I had eight arms so I could more adequately handle all our patients.

• Xiaoqing: We didn't hang signs advertising discounts, nor did we have the money to hire people to spread the word. So what do you think made all those people come to our apothecary?

• You: I treated the woman who sells fish soup. Then she introduced us to other vendors, and then more and more people came...

• Xiaoqing: And the reason she introduced us to other vendors is because that medicine you prescribed effectively eased her pain.

• Xiaoqing: You gave her good reason to have faith in your medical skills. That's why she introduced her friends and relatives to us.

• Xiaoqing: Anfer that, you cured more and more patients, and word of your reputation spread.

• I appreciate what Xiaoqing is saying, but when I think of what happened yesterday, I'm still apprehensive.

• You: Just hearing the word "demon" scared those people out of their wits. Even if we wanted to start over again, it's easier said than done.

• Xiaoqing: All the more reason to be the best physician you can be!

• You: Ah, you mean--

• Xiaoqing: Right now, when people mention the Bai Apothecary, all they think of is that hateful rumor.

• Xiaoqing: But if we continue to run the apothecary and give our patients the best care, people will soon forget about the word demon when they hear "Bai Apothecary."

• You: What will they think of instead?

• Xiaoqing: They'll think of a great physician whose cures are akin to miracles.

• You: Now you're just making fun of me!

• Xiaoqing: I am not. What Xu Xian said about you yesterday surely left a deep impression on that nanny.

• Xiaoqing: Even if she eventually hears the rumor, who do you think she'll believe? A stranger on the street? or Xu Xian, who's an apprentice at an apothecary?

• You: You make a good point, Xiaoqing. I can't argue with that.

• Xiaoqing: Just remember that people are forgetful and public opinion is constantly changing.

• You: Well, now I'm confused again.

• Xiaoqing: Think of the people who were afraid of us yesterday. In time, they'll hear of someone they know whom you treated...

• Xiaoqing: ...or even brought back from the brink of death.

• Xiaoqing: when their families are seriously ill, they'll remember what they heard and bring their loved ones to the Bai Apothecary, begging for your help.

• You: Good point. By then, most people will have forgotten the rumor.

• Xiaoqing: As with most things, it will be tough at the start. Treat today as our first day of business and summon the same enthusiasm you had when tending to the fish soup vendor.

• Xiaoqing: Your skirt hem is covered with dust from that ginseng you were preparing.

• Xiaoqing: Go change into something neat so you can leave a good impression on on Yue'er and her nanny.

• After I've changed, I see the nanny enter, holding Yue'er in her arms. And behind them is-

• Xiaoqing: Hey, stop right there! We invited Yue'er, not you! What are you doing here?

• Xu Xian: The day before yesterday, you lent me an oiled paper umbrella. I'm here to return it.

• Xu Xian bows and hands me the umbrella respectfully.

• You: There's no need to be so courteous.

• You: But if you beat around the bush again, I'll have to take a leaf out of Xiaoqing's book and kick you out.

• Xu Xian: Alas, you've seen through my ruse...

• Xu Xian: Last night, I went back to the apothecary to take Yue'er's pulse and prescribe her medication. I'm not too proud to admit I don't know what's making her ill.

• Xu Xian: I figured if I watch you work, I can learn from your medical expertise.

• Xiaoqing: Fine, we'll allow it. For the record, we charge by the hour.

• Xiaoqing: How's ten liang of silver for the first hour, double that for the second hour, quadruple for the third hour, and so on?

• Xu Xian wastes no time reaching into his pouch, only to find that it's empty. He thinks for a moment, then pulls a jade pendant off his waist and hands it to me with a smile.

• Xu Xian: I left my house in a hurry. Can this jade serve as today's payment?

• You: You're usually so clever. Can't you see she's only joking? I couldn't possibly take that as payment, it's far too valuable.

• Holding his jade, Xu Xian hesitates, not knowing what to do.
• It's rare to see Xu Xian so confused. Xiaoqing laughs so hard that she rocks back and forth. Even Yue'er can't help but poke fun at him.

• Yue'er: Xu Xian, you're so gullible!

• Yue'er starts coughing again. I bend down and pick her up to feel her pulse.

• You: Here, Yue'er. Put your palm flat, like this--

• Just when my fingers touch Yue'er's wrist, a clamor erupts outside the door.
• I turn and see a large group of people crowding into our apothecary, shouting insults.
• The group leader, a burly man with angry bulging eyes, seems to be the most enraged.

• ???: Demon! Let go of her this instant!

• I'm too shocked to move. Fortunately, Xu Xian steps in front of me and Yue'er. He confronts the man at the front of the group.

• Xu Xian: Qui Shi, I already sent a message to the dowager. Yue'er is to stay here a couple days and return to the dowager andter she's recovered.

• Xu Xian: So why are you making a scene?

• Qiu Shi: Xu Xian, you know this girl is Madam She's most beloved granddaughter.

• Qiu Shi: How can you let a demon diagnose her?

• Qiu Shi: Everyone knows this demon is hurting villagers under the guise of practicing medicine.

• Xu Xian: What nonsense.

• Xu Xian: Miss Suzhen uses her medical skills to heal people. No one knows this better than me. I'll vouch for her, so stop this nonsense!

• Qiu Shi: That's easy for you to say, Xu Xian.

• Qiu Shi: If this demon hurts Yue'er today and Madam She starts casting blame...

• Qiu Shi: It's the servants who'll pay the price. We're the ones who'll be punished.

• Xu Xian: What are you talking about? Miss Suzhen would never hurt Yue'er.

• Qiu Shi: I heard this demon is good at deceiving people.

• Qiu Shi: Xu Xian, as a relative of the family, you have responsibilities. I urge you not to be deceived by her.

• Qiu Shi: Otherwise, you'll find yourself in a world of trouble!

• The mob echoes the leader's words, their voices rising in a cacophonous racket.
• Yue'er runs into my arms and clutches my dress. I pat her back and comfort her in a hushed voice.
• Yue'er is on the verge of tears. I'm worried she'll have trouble breathing if she doesn't calm down.

• You: Enough!

• Unfortunately, me shouting only makes the crowd more aggressive.

• Qiu Shi: Everyone in Hangzhou knows I'm from the She Residence!

• Qiu Shi: Even provincial officials must send the house of She a calling card when they visit the residence.

• Qiu Shi: We're not afraid of any demons!

• Qiu Shi rushes towards me, intending to pull Yue'er from my arms.
• Yue'er hugs me tightly, her small face flushed from shortness of breath. She's clearly terrified of Qiu Shi.

• You: Yue'er, don't be afraid. Take a deep breath like this, look...

• Evading Qiu Shi while comforting Yue'er is starting to overwhelm me.
• Meanwhile, Xiaoqing is getting so indignant that she's ready to put up a fight, and Xu Xian appears similarly inclined.

<

Ask Xiaoqing for help

• I look at Xiaoqing and signal to her to stop Qiu Shi so that Yue'er won't get sicker with fright.
• Without hesitation, Xiaoqing jumps between us and Qiu Shi.

• Xiaoqing: You cowardly little bully!

• Xiaoqing: You're lucky we're able to diagnose Yue'er. And you should be grateful I haven't given you a smack in the face!

• Xiaoqing: If you ingrates keep making trouble, I'll kick you out! All of you!

• Humiliated, Qiu Shi flies into a rage and leaps forward to pull Yue'er from my arms. Yue'er cries out then struggles to catch her breath.

• You: Stop it! Yue'er's out of breath. In a few moments--

• Xiaoqing: Suzhen, don't waste your time with him. Let him do what he wants. If something happens to Yue'er, it'll be on his head.

• Xiaoqing: They'll punish him, but even if they beat him until his flesh splits open, that won't make up for the sin of causing Madam She to grieve.

• Xiaoqing: Maybe I'll be generous and sweep your tomb next Qingming Festival.

• Qiu Shi is furious. He's about to shout at Xiaoqing, but a servant in black yanks at his sleeve and whispers something to him.
• Qiu Shi's expression changes, and he takes a half step back. Though he still sounds angry, he's not as arrogant as he was moments before.

• Qiu Shi: For the sake of Yue'er's safety and Madam She's wellbeing...

• Qiu Shi: I won't argue with you demons anymore, for now.

• Qiu Shi steps back and gestures for me to continue treating Yue'er.

Ask Xu Xian for help

• You: Xu Xian, Yue'er's frightened. I'm afraid if something happens again...

• Xu Xian looks at Yue'er and his face clouds with worry.
• When he turns back to speak to Qiu Shi, he appears stately and sarcastic once more.

• Xu Xian: They say a decent man should behave with propriety. I believe that applies to dogs, too.

• Xu Xian: The family dog might enjoy making a show of his dominance, but if he's cast out of his master's house, he becomes another stray begging in the streets.

• Xu Xian: And he won't be as good at begging as the mutts who live on the streets, poor thing.

• Qiu Shi: Xu Xian, I show you respect only because you're somewhat close to Madam She.

• Qiu Shi: But if you keep speaking like that and defending this demon, I won't be polite anymore!

• Xu Xian: So, you do remember? I thought you'd forgotten my family has ties with your house.

• Xu Xian: In a recent letter, Madam She invited me and my father to come admire the beautiful flowers at her residence.

• Xu Xian: What should I say if she asks about Yue'er's illness while I'm there? You know I could never lie to her.

• Qiu Shi remains silent in thought, offering no answer.

• Xu Xian: I'd have to tell her the truth.

• Xu Xian: That you frightened Yue'er in the Bai Apothecary and interrupted her treatment--

• Before Xu Xian can finish speaking, Qiu Shi steps back and gestures for me to continue treating Yue'er.

• Qiu Shi: But I warn you...

• Qiu Shi: If you can't cure Yue'er in three days, I'll tear this apothecary down.

• Qiu Shi: You demons will have no place to hide in this city!

• The crowd echoes his sentiment, their voices bristling with hatred.
• Xu Xian comes over and whispers in my ear.

• Xu Xian: Don't be afraid of these jackals. The She residence is huge. Not everyone there is a bully.

• Xu Xian: My family may not be prestigious, but we've been practicing medicine for generations, and we have the greatest respect for physicians.

• Xu Xian: As long as I'm here, there will always be a place for you and Miss Xiaoqing at my apothecary.

• Xu Xian's support is touching. I'm not sure how to reply.

• You: (Xiaoqing and I agreed this morning that treating Yue'er was an opportunity to restore the Bai Apothecary's reputation.

• Yue'er stops crying, but her face is flushed, and her cough is worsening.
• The crowd is still making a lot of noise. I have no choice but to suppress my anger, calm my mind, and patiently diagnose Yue'er.

• You: (Her pulse is really strange, but her symptoms resemble those of the pandemic patients we saw at the Xu Apothecary a few days ago.)

• You: (Not to mention the fact that she just came to Hangzhou from somewhere else...)

• You: May I ask, did you ever stop or stay at a hotel outside the city on your way to Hangzhou?

• Nanny: A few days ago, Yue'er wasn't feeling well, so we had a short stay at a hotel outside the city.

• Nanny: When I saw that her cough was getting worse, I begged Xu Xian to leave the city and meet us.

• You: When you stayed at the hotel, did you see any guests or staff with symptoms like Yue'er's?

• Nanny: Actually, I did see some people coughing. Some of them even coughed up blood.

• At last, I'm able to diagnose Yue'er. She's another victim of the plague. But there's no wheezing in her chest, so it appears the disease hasn't hit her full force yet, which is lucky.

• You: (I'm afraid a child of seven or eight years old couldn't handle such strong medicine.)

• I think for a moment, then prescribe some medicines to remove heat from the lungs and calm the nerves. I ask Yue'er to return tomorrow.
• I'm afraid Qiu Shi might interfere again, so I tell the nanny it's imperative that she watch Yue'er drink the medicine.
• The nanny thanks me profusely then leaves with Yue'er. The crowd flies out of the apothecary and follows them on their way back to the She residence.

• Xiaoqing: How can the House of She employ such an insufferable bully? He went too far!

• Xu Xian: The She family is one of the most prestigious families in Hangzhou.

• Xu Xian: Although Madam She is kind-hearted, her servants have always acted like bullies.

• Xu Xian: Especially Qiu Shi. He uses pretexts like killing demons to extort others.

• Xiaoqing's anger hasn't let up. I understand how she feels. Just thinking about what happened today fills me with gloom.

• Xu Xian: Don't worry. Yue'er is a strong girl, and with your miraculous medicine I'm sure she'll recover soon.

• I recall Yue'er's strange pulse. Will the medicine work? Xu Xian seems to sense my worry and gives me an encouraging smile.

• Xu Xian: It's been raining so much lately, and now it's finally sunny out.

• Xu Xian: Ladies, why don't I walk you around the city? It's about time I showed you some Hangzhou hospitality.

• You: (News of what Qiu Shi must have already circulated around the neighborhood.)

• You: (Because it doesn't look like we'll have any more patients today. Maybe a walk isn't a bad idea.)

• You: You described Hangzhou as a heaven on earth. I want to see it for myself. Xiaoqing, what do you think?

• Xiaoqing: Have I ever stopped you from going where you want to go? Count me in!

• It's noon. Guan Alley is a sea of moving colors and people, lively and vibrant. Xu Xian leads the way, patiently serving as our guide.

• Xu Xian: I grew up hearing people say the weavers in this alley are as good as those in the realm of the immortals.

• Xu Xian: "Bright as a jade, soft as skin. Bamboo windows murmur the clacks of spinning wheels, weaver hands pull winter-soft strands, the spring breeze blows all night, a thousand petals dazzle the eyes."

• Xiaoqing: What does that mean, exactly?

• Xu Xian: Take a closer look at the fabric, then you'll understand.

• It's just like like Xu Xian said. The fabric is as light and delicate as a cicada's wings. It has golden lines running through it and vivid flower patterns.

• You: (Even the clothes worn in the realm of the immortals don't compare.)

• Xu Xian: This store has exquisite cloth, but their business isn't booming like it is at the wool store at the end of the alley.

• Xu Xian: The lords and nobles must recognize outstanding dressmaking when they see it, yet they shop at the wool store.

• Xu Xian: It's because the owner of the wool store is a high-level official now, and they want to curry favor with the family.

• You: You're young, but you talk like an old wise man.

• Xu Xian: I just hate to see people become blind to reality because of their desire for fame and fortune.

• Xu Xian: It's like the emperor who visited a famous shop that served fish soup. The soup was bad and had no fish in it, but it didn't matter because the shop was owned by celebrities.

• As we continue walking, Xu Xian tells us about the tea houses, breweries, theaters, and sleepless streets of Hangzhou.
• This prosperous city used to feel like a huge, confusing maze.
• But now that Xu Xian has unveiled a portion of the maze, it's less confusing, even a little entrancing.