A divine healer, a general, a young marquis! Who can rival them!

During that period, the number of people in front of Yang's shop suddenly decreased.

At first, Yang Hu didn't take it seriously. After all, how many doctors do you need?

But for several days in a row, there was no one in the front yard, and even the old customers who usually came to her for medicine stopped coming.

As soon as Lu Rou checked the accounts, she immediately sensed something was wrong: "Husband, the income from the past few days has almost dropped by half."

Before she could finish speaking, Granny Zhang from the alley, carrying a basket, peeked in, bought a box of common digestive medicine, and as she left, grabbed Lu Rou and whispered, "Young lady, I have to say something. Did you hear what was going on outside?"

"What do you mean?"

Grandma Zhang looked left and right, her voice even softer: "They've all said that this Doctor Yang of yours killed someone in the east of the city, that it was caused by evil magic. They also say that his methods of disemboweling people are crooked and evil, and that he'll get his comeuppance sooner or later. So lately, nobody's been coming to our door much."

Lu Rou's face turned pale instantly.

Yang Hu laughed.

The rumor is too convenient; it just so happens to hit on his most resounding and powerful claim of reviving Old Master Wei. Now, people are using this to accuse him of using evil magic to harm people.

He wouldn't dare to act openly and honestly, so he'd start by dismantling the cards behind the scenes.

There's only one person in the city who would dare to do something like this, someone who could accurately predict the future.

As Yang Hu had expected, that very evening, Scarface sent someone to deliver a message.

Behind those hooligans gossiping in teahouses, restaurants, and on the streets, the ones who paid for their services were all the sons of the Zhao family in the west of the city. He got humiliated in the street and spent money to cut off his medicine and poach his people, gaining nothing from it all. This time, he simply hired someone to fabricate stories and completely destroy the foundation of Yang's brand.

Lu Rou's teeth chattered with anger: "That Zhao guy is really ruthless! Let's go find him and reason with him!"

"What's the point of reasoning?" Yang Hu shook his head. "Anyone can get this kind of mud dirty. The more you try to reason with them, the more they'll think you're weak. The more you try to cover it up, the more they'll see how corrupt you are."

He picked up the cup and took a sip of tea.

"This kind of thing can't be washed with your mouth; it needs to be washed with something real."

Lu Yan listened to him and nodded gently: "Husband is right. Such words are bullying the weak. The more afraid we are, the more people will believe them. Anyway, let those who have benefited from you in the past say it themselves."

She came from a noble family, so how could she not understand the people's hearts and thoughts in officialdom and among ordinary people?

The tangible thing didn't wait for Yang Hu for more than a few hours.

The news spread like wildfire on those two days, and even the young master of the Wei family in the east of the city heard about it.

He saw his old man being disemboweled and then brought back to life, and now, upon hearing that such a great act of kindness was being described as being caused by evil magic, he immediately flew into a rage.

He didn't say much, prepared a generous gift, and rode in a sedan chair to the entrance of Yang's restaurant.

People came seeking medical help and those just to watch the spectacle, crowding out a street.

The young master of the Wei family got out of the sedan chair and bowed deeply to Yang Hu in front of everyone.

"We, the Wei family, can never repay Dr. Yang's life-saving grace!" The young master of the Wei family stood up, his deep voice reaching everyone's ears. "What are those gossipy people in the city saying? They say it's because of invasive surgery that someone died! Dr. Yang performed the surgery on my stomach, and he saved my father's life! If they continue to spread these lies, we'll take the lives of the Wei family first!"

These words are more effective than anything else.

What kind of family is the Wei family?

Even the prefectural governor had to address Old Master Wei as "Uncle"!

When the young master of the Wei family personally came to express his gratitude and publicly vouched for them, the doubts in their hearts immediately disappeared.

Next up was Old Sun, the owner of the largest silk shop in the city.

He vomited blood a few days ago because of Yang Hu. Hearing some gossipy people slandering his benefactor, he rushed over on crutches and told everyone he met that this was how his blood was blocked up...

There was also Old Shuan, who sold groceries, and his family, who lived next to the teahouse and inn. As they passed by, they explained in detail how Yang Hu cured his father's dizziness...

Even the scholar surnamed Zhou, who had been saved by Yang Hu from his swollen body and was able to participate in the imperial examination, wrote a note and posted it on the tea stall of the hotel, saying that Doctor Yang's ability to save lives was clearly that of a second parent sent down from heaven, rather than some demon or monster!

The one who left those hooligans speechless was Scarface from the south of the city.

The scarred thug, having heard that someone in the city was slandering their friend, was furious. He led a group of his men to several hotels where the slander was most outrageous.

Without lifting a finger or saying a word, he simply gathered up the most talkative ruffians one by one and asked them questions with a half-smile.

"Who said that Dr. Yang from the east of the city is a friend of my old scar?"

Those hooligans are usually very arrogant, but when they face Scarface from the south of the city, their legs go weak, they can't even speak, and they run away in a panic!

In just one day, those scoundrels who had been gossiping and spreading rumors scattered like birds and beasts, and dared not utter a single word again!

The wind direction reversed in a single day!

"I knew it! Saving Old Master Wei by opening his chest is a great skill, how could it possibly be fatal?"

"That's right. Even the young master of the Wei family came to thank us personally, so it can't be fake. Obviously, someone is just jealous and trying to sabotage us."

Some of the quick-witted ones had already figured out what had happened and whispered in someone's ear, "Wasn't that young master Zhao from the west of the city being bullied by Doctor Yang? He's probably just making things up!"

"Shh~ How can you say such things carelessly? That's the eldest son of Magistrate Zhao!"

Within a few days, the number of people seeking medical treatment in front of the Yang family's door returned to the street, and even increased compared to before.

This rumor did not ruin Yang's reputation.

Rather, everyone witnessed such a wonderful performance!

In the east and south of the city, and even in the Lianwei family, everyone is protecting this Doctor Yang...

As a result, Yang's brand became even more firmly established in the west of the city.

At home, Zhao Yanei broke a fine celadon teacup.

They blocked the street demanding someone's help, but the other person took advantage of the situation and stomped on them.

They spent money to buy medicine and poach talent, but didn't gain anything.

Now even making up a rumor gets you shut down?

Moreover, it was accomplished in just a few words, not only making things worse but also giving this Mr. Yang's good reputation a huge boost.

A quack doctor from out of town, along with a few lowly women, managed to humiliate the young master of the Zhao family in the west of the city on several occasions.

If word gets out, where will he put his face?

This resentment was becoming increasingly difficult to swallow...

Evening, in the backyard.

After wiping the knife clean, Qin Ying didn't put it away. Instead, she stared blankly at the darkness of the courtyard for a long time before speaking:

"This time... once again, they used other people's help to suppress the matter."

Yang Hu, who was reading a book under the lamplight, looked up when he heard this and said:

"A problem solved with the mind is a safer approach than a direct confrontation."

"But..." Qin Ying's voice lowered.

"This kind of person has been blocked in the street, tried to buy medicine and kicked someone but failed, and now he's spreading rumors that have been exposed. He's getting angrier and angrier with each incident."

"They've played all their cards, both open and closed, this time..."

As she spoke, her voice softened:

"Shouldn't he find someone even more capable this time?"

Yang Hu, holding a book in his hands, looked up:

Of course he knew who she was talking about.

That was Magistrate Zhao from the west of the city.

That's Zhao Yanei's own father.

If a high-ranking official of the imperial court were to actually take action, the methods of relying on personal connections and face-saving might simply be ineffective.

By that day, the most secretive man in this courtyard, with his shameful identity, will probably find it hard to hide.

Qin Ying didn't say anything more.

She picked up the dagger again and began to clean it, watching her shadow in the lamplight as she did so. Her eyes were as calm and still as if a storm was about to break...