Chapter Seven: Wang Da Sets a Trap

"Brother Wang, what brings you here?" Chen Jie set aside his book and rose to greet his visitor.

Wang Da offered a faint smile and replied, "Brother Chen, now that I’ve finally found a moment of respite, I couldn't help but come over to discuss the medical arts with you."

Chen Jie gestured for Wang Da to take a seat. He sat back down himself, laid his book open before Wang Da, and looked at him with bright, expectant eyes. "Brother Chen, look here..."

As the two began to chat, after some time, Wang Da remarked in a seemingly casual tone, "Speaking of this suturing technique, I wonder how the General’s wounds were treated to bring his fever down so rapidly."

"Indeed," Chen Jie sighed. "We all knew the General’s high fever was due to the severity of his wounds—specifically, the depth of the incision and the fact that it refused to heal for so long. We tried every method we knew, yet the fever persisted. It is truly a mystery how Jiang Bai managed to lower his temperature in just a single night."

"I wonder who taught Jiang Bai that skill. What kind of brilliant, peerless talent must one possess to reach such a level at such a young age?"

"I wonder if young Master Jiang would be willing to discuss it with us," Chen Jie mused, feeling a strong urge to approach Jiang Bai directly.

"I’m not sure if Jiang Bai would be open to such a discussion," Wang Da countered. "She seems quite cold and aloof, not the type to engage with others. Who knows if she would even deign to speak with us?"

"What should we do, then?" Hearing this, Chen Jie hesitated. He had originally intended to seek out Jiang Bai for professional discourse, but Wang Da’s assessment made him doubt her willingness to interact. He frowned, pondered for a moment, and said, "Perhaps we should observe her first? See who she associates with; maybe we can find an opening?"

Wang Da was secretly overjoyed—this was exactly what he had hoped for. "A sensible plan. Let us not be hasty. If we cannot reach Jiang Bai, it matters little. I have heard her master is also from Pingcheng; if all else fails, we could seek out her mentor." He feigned a deep, fanatical obsession with medicine.

"That is a strong possibility," Chen Jie said, feeling a sense of longing. Jiang Bai might be cold, but she wasn't necessarily unreachable. And if it came to it, speaking with her master would be a worthy alternative.

***

After chatting a while longer, the two parted ways. Back at his desk, Chen Jie found himself unable to settle down. He was a man obsessed with medicine, his pursuit of the craft bordering on madness. Jiang Bai’s miraculous suturing and her rapid fever-reducing methods were an irresistible temptation. He resolved that, no matter what, he would find a way to engage with her.

Meanwhile, having returned from Chen Jie’s quarters, Wang Da began instructing his subordinates to prepare. He swore that he would ensure Jiang Bai never had a chance to rise again.

The next day, while Wang Da and another military physician, Physician Liu, were tending to the wounded, Wang Da struck up a conversation as they walked back. "Brother Liu, ever since we were dismissed from the General’s tent, we have been treated with indifference. Now that Jiang Bai’s reputation is soaring, even Yang Bin and Duan Jing sing her praises. If this continues, our standing in the army will be lost."

Physician Liu, a man of narrow mind, furrowed his brow, though he replied, "Brother Wang, you are mistaken. Jiang Bai’s medical skills are indeed profound, and her techniques for treating wounds are refreshingly innovative. To be honest, I have reached the age of thirty and seen countless healers, yet one as exquisite as Jiang Bai is rare indeed."

"But I have heard she is merely an apprentice from a small clinic in the city, and has yet to complete her training."

A flicker of disdain crossed Physician Liu’s eyes, yet he kept his voice low. "A hero’s origin should not be questioned. Since she was able to heal the General, she must possess true talent."

Seeing his apprentice nod at him, Wang Da led Physician Liu past a tent where soldiers were loudly lauding Jiang Bai. Distracted by his own inner irritation, Physician Liu did not notice they had strayed from their path. Hearing the praises from within, his expression darkened to match Wang Da’s. Once inside Wang Da’s tent, he could no longer contain himself. "Brother Wang, we cannot sit idly by. That girl may have skill, but she is young and headstrong; she is bound to make a mistake. If we catch her in a blunder, we can ruin her reputation forever!"

Wang Da feigned a look of alarm and waved his hands. "Brother Liu, this... this is surely improper? We are healers; how could we resort to such things?"

Physician Liu sneered. "Brother Wang, we have served in this army for years. Are you content to be trampled by a mere slip of a girl? We are not seeking her life, only to expose her errors. Once she no longer threatens our position, we shall naturally trouble her no further."

Wang Da pretended to hesitate, weighing the pros and cons. Finally, he sighed. "Brother Liu, what is your plan?"

***

Seeing Wang Da waver, Physician Liu was pleased. He lowered his voice: "We can start with her prescriptions. She is young and lacks experience. We can secretly monitor her medical charts, find a flaw, and expose her for improper treatment that worsens the patients' conditions. That way, she will not only lose the trust of the General but also face military justice."

Wang Da furrowed his brow, feigning hesitation. "This... is it not too risky? What if we are discovered?"

Physician Liu waved him off dismissively. "Do not worry, Brother Wang. We only need to observe from the shadows; we need not act ourselves. As long as we are discreet, no one will suspect us. Besides, I heard that she cured the soldiers' long-standing stomach ailments with a few mysterious pills. We have never seen those pills—who is to say they aren't dangerous?"

After a long silence, Wang Da finally nodded. "Very well, Brother Liu, I shall follow your lead. But we must be extremely cautious; we cannot leave a trail."

Delighted, Physician Liu said, "Rest assured, Brother Wang, I have everything under control. We shall watch and wait for the perfect moment."

Once they had finished their discussion, Physician Liu took his leave. A-Sheng, who had been waiting outside, entered to dutifully refill Wang Da’s cup. Watching the look of malicious glee on Wang Da’s face, he silently cursed the man as a fool.

That night, agitated by Wang Da’s words, Chen Jie could not sleep. Driven by insomnia, he sat outside his tent, grinding herbs under the moonlight—a peculiar habit he had developed during his training, one he kept carefully hidden, even from his closest confidant, Wang Da. Startled by a strange sound, Chen Jie looked up and saw a shadow moving near Jiang Bai’s tent. He squinted and saw a young soldier, skulking about. Fearing to act prematurely, Chen Jie waited until the shadow vanished, and after a long moment, he stepped forward into the darkness.