Plotting with You: The Forensic Scientist in Ancient Times!-Chapter 451 - 450: Snatch

When he said that, the farmer’s originally warm smile suddenly became a bit awkward. He stood to the side, rubbing his hands, looking like he wanted to say something but was hesitating.

"Old fellow, is there something... hard for you to speak about?" Yan Daoxin observed his expression and demeanor, and he roughly understood. This kind of posture and expression was not unfamiliar to him, evidently someone being considerably solicitous before asking a favor.

Of course, in this regard, despite Lu Qing having a higher status, he had rarely experienced it. After all, in the Capital, although no one dared to openly show disrespect to Prince Xiaoyao, they were also very clear that he was merely a pretty but hollow title, not worth currying favor from.

Moreover, those aligned with Duke Yan were eager to dissociate from Lu Qing to better cling onto Zhao Bi’s thigh and avoid the vicinity of Prince Xiaoyao Mansion altogether, lest they cause any unnecessary misunderstanding and displeasure to Duke Yan.

The farmer, faced directly by Yan Daoxin’s question, felt a little embarrassed, but since he was asked directly, if he continued to stutter, he might miss the best opportunity, also making others feel it odd.

"To be honest..." He rubbed his hands awkwardly, "I just heard from your apprentices that you are doctors, and I was wondering if I could ask you to take a look at my child’s illness."

After all, the man had warmly invited them in and offered them a place to rest, and they intended to inquire about some things, so of course they couldn’t just ignore him now.

Thus, Yan Daoxin kindly asked, "What kind of strange illness does your child have that the local witch doctor cannot cure?"

This question hit the farmer’s sore spot, and he wiped his eyes: "It’s my youngest son, just over seven years old this year. From birth, he was perfectly fine, so lively and spirited, running and jumping around.

More than two years ago, my wife became ill, and couldn’t be cured, she died of the illness. Since then, the child turned silly, stopped speaking, and clings to his mother’s clothes day and night, while eating, walking, even sleeping...

I have sought the local witch doctor, tried all kinds of potions and talismanic water, and none of it worked. Later, someone said when my wife passed away, she inadvertently took our child’s soul with her, and we held rituals to call the soul back.

Despite having tried everything, none of it has been effective.

I saw your demeanor and appearance just now, and you don’t look like those con artists trying to cheat money.

My child is already over seven years old and still in this dull state. I’m afraid if it’s delayed any longer, the condition, even if curable, might become incurable...

So I was hoping if you could take a look at my child?

No matter the outcome, it’s my child’s affliction, and I’ll hold no grudge against you..."

Yan Daoxin gestured for him to stop, and the farmer closed his mouth awkwardly, thinking he had been rejected outright.

Not knowing what to do, he heard Yan Daoxin say, "Hurry and bring your child over.

Your child is the one who’s ill, not you. Talk as much as you want, it’s still more useful for me to see him personally."

The farmer was overjoyed, quickly expressed his gratitude, and rushed inside the house to grab his child, leading him to Yan Daoxin and Lu Qing.

Seeing so many strangers before him, the child seemed quite uneasy and tried to wriggle away from his father’s hold.

Nonetheless, one of his hands still held tightly to a garment, as if it had become a part of him.

Yan Daoxin looked on helplessly, wanting to check the child’s pulse, but the child was full of resistance, extending his arm only because his father held onto it, unable to retract it.

Under such circumstances, it was clearly impossible to check the pulse.

Zhu Yu noticed and quickly felt around her waist, soon producing a small paper packet.

She approached the child, squatted down, and opened the packet in her hand, revealing a few pieces of honey-preserved candied apricot within.

She pinched a small piece herself, put it into her mouth, and displayed a satisfied look at the sweet and sour taste. She then asked the child, who seemed to forget to struggle at the sight of the treat, "Would you like some?"

A child is still a child, although the farmer mentioned having an apricot tree in the backyard, honey and other materials weren’t affordable for just anyone.

Now, as he looked at the candy in the paper packet, his eyes widened, and although he didn’t speak, he swallowed incessantly and nodded slowly.

Seeing that the child was responsive and understood her, Zhu Yu figured the problem wasn’t too big, moved the apricots closer, pinched another piece, and brought it to the child’s mouth.

Failing to resist such temptation, the child opened his mouth and took the apricot in. The sweet and sour taste, along with the rich aroma of apricot, relaxed him entirely.

Zhu Yu gave Yan Daoxin a glance, and taking advantage of the child’s focus on eating apricot, Yan Daoxin took his arm from the farmer, quickly placed his fingers gently against the child’s wrist to take his pulse, while his eyes studied the child’s complexion and condition.

The child tensed initially at the unfamiliar touch on his wrist, but relaxed again upon realizing Yan Daoxin wasn’t doing anything harmful.

The farmer gratefully smiled at Zhu Yu and turned back to Yan Daoxin, waiting to hear what was truly wrong with his child.

However, the calm atmosphere was soon interrupted.

Before Yan Daoxin could release the child’s wrist, there were hurried footsteps approaching from outside the yard, and several tall, burly men dressed in coarse clothes rushed in.

Their faces were full of malicious expression, and their presence was enough to give off an intimidating aura, even without speaking.

They stormed into the yard like a whirlwind, first violently shoving Zhu Yu away from in front of the child, then tugging away the garment he was holding.

Initially, the boy had been enjoying the taste of the candied fruit, but having the precious garment snatched from his hands was like having his lifeline taken away — he let out a sharp scream and immediately tried to recover it.

The farmer, rather experienced from having gone through a lot, reacted swiftly, clutching the child tightly, preventing him from actually rushing forward.