Chapter 32: Follow-up Appointment

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“Because there is a mechanism inside. If it is forced open, the mechanism will destroy everything within.” This information had been passed down through the generations. Both the Shangguan family and the imperial family knew about it.

“I see. The old ancestor really was something else, leaving the younger generations something useless unless they could open it, and then making people guard it.”

Yu Chaoyang was the eldest daughter of the first branch of her family and had been spoiled all her life. Even after living through another lifetime, she still had quite a temper.

From then on, whenever they had free time, the husband and wife would fiddle randomly with the numbers.

The next day marked the fifth day of Yu Yuanzheng’s agreement with the Jin family.

Early that morning, she once again asked the Princess Consort for leave, claiming that she needed to go out to attend to business concerning her shops.

The Princess Consort did not stop her in the slightest.

Seeing her son shed tears the day before had made her happy for the entire afternoon.

It was the first time in several months that she had seen any reaction from him. It had only happened after he married his wife.

She now regarded her daughter-in-law as her son’s lucky star.

Thus, whenever her daughter-in-law made a request, she was eager to grant it.

Yu Yuanzheng went out again with her four attendants.

They headed once more to the little shop on Minle Street.

A sign had already been hung above the entrance: Ten-Day Hall.

“Greetings, mistress.” A sturdy-looking man in his fifties came out to welcome them.

“Eldest Young Madam, this is the man your subordinate bought to watch over the shop. His name is Lin Houde. He has no family and nothing to tie him down.

“He used to work as a coachman for a wealthy merchant. He never married or had children in his entire life.

“Later, because of an accident caused by a mistake while driving the carriage, his former master sold him.

“He is honest and kindhearted, not the sly sort.”

Chunlei introduced him to Yu Yuanzheng.

“Mm.”

“Uncle Lin, this shop belongs to the eldest young madam, but you must not tell outsiders the truth. From now on, say that a divine physician surnamed Zeng rented it from the eldest young madam.

“You were only temporarily purchased to watch over the shop. If anyone asks anything else, simply say that you do not know. Do you understand?” Chunlei instructed him.

“Yes, sir. I understand.” Lin Houde bowed deeply.

The group entered the shop.

Several brand-new counters stood against the walls.

The interior had already been tidied up, and the two rooms in the rear courtyard were habitable. Even the small kitchen could be used.

Lin Houde would be living in the back.

“Jianghua, Ziyue, we’ll make several more kinds of medicinal pills later and put them on the counters for sale.” Yu Yuanzheng was very pleased.

“But, Mistress, hardly anyone comes here to buy anything.”

“It’s fine. We’re only putting on an appearance for now. Once my reputation spreads, perhaps people will come rushing to buy them.”

In the rear courtyard, the four of them changed their clothes and once again became the same group they had been five days earlier.

The carriage driven by Chunlei and Xiayu today bore no markings. No one would recognize it at a glance as belonging to the prince’s residence.

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When they arrived at the Jin residence, Lord Jin had already arranged for servants to wait at the gate. The moment they saw the visitors, they hurried forward to greet them warmly.

They proceeded to the secluded courtyard where Old Lord Jin lived.

The patient was basking in the sun in the courtyard, obediently wearing a mask as Yu Yuanzheng had instructed.

“Little Divine Physician Zeng has arrived.” The moment he saw Yu Yuanzheng, Old Lord Jin took the initiative to greet her.

“Greetings, Old Lord Jin. Compared with the last time I saw you, you look much more energetic today.” Yu Yuanzheng was still wearing a mask over her face.

“That is true. I encountered a divine physician who came knocking at my door of her own accord. Heaven has not abandoned me yet. Cough, cough…”

After saying this, he coughed several times, but stopped almost immediately. Compared with the relentless coughing five days earlier, he was much improved.

Even the sound of his cough was clearer. It no longer resembled a broken bellows.

From the tone of Old Lord Jin’s voice, it was obvious that he was filled with hope. He no longer possessed the mindset of someone waiting for death.

A person lived by his spirit.

As before, Yu Yuanzheng administered acupuncture. This time, however, she did not use cupping, but gua sha instead.

She stopped only after scraping red, bloody marks across the patient’s chest and back. The sight was frightening.

Yet the patient felt that his entire body had become far more open and comfortable after the treatment, and that his limbs were much lighter.

Just then, Lord Jin was summoned back by a servant from the household.

“Divine Physician Zeng.” Lord Jin did not put on airs. Instead, he lowered his stance and bowed to Yu Yuanzheng.

“There is no need for such courtesy, Lord Jin. Old Lord Jin’s symptoms have been brought under considerably better control, and he is sleeping soundly at night.

“But that does not mean he is cured. It has merely made him more comfortable. He is still a long way from recovery.

“He no longer needs to take the prescription from last time. Over the past few days, I prepared a kind of medicinal pill better suited to Old Lord Jin. There is no need to decoct it, so it is very convenient.”

Yu Yuanzheng took two porcelain bottles from Ziyue and handed them to the servant attending the old lord.

“Take five pills at a time, three times a day.”

“Thank you, Divine Physician.”

“That’s all. These two bottles contain enough medicine for six days. Once they are finished, send someone to collect more from a small shop called Ten-Day Hall on Minle Street.”

After giving these instructions, Yu Yuanzheng was invited to examine the young master of the Jin family’s second branch.

His condition had also been brought under control. Children recovered more quickly, and with the correct medicine, his symptoms had been suppressed. He had not developed another fever.

Yu Yuanzheng changed the child’s prescription and instructed them to continue the treatment.

“Divine Physician Zeng, may I trouble you to accompany me to the study?” Jin Lin said after she had finished.

“Please lead the way.”

The two of them went to the study in the outer courtyard and took their seats.

“Divine Physician Zeng, everyone in the Jin household is now taking the medicine you prescribed.

“You may well be the savior of our entire family. This is merely a small token of gratitude from the Jin family. Please be sure to accept it.”

Jin Lin pushed a bank draft across the table toward Yu Yuanzheng.

“Lord Jin, I already said that I will not accept it.” With great firmness, Yu Yuanzheng pushed the bank draft back.

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“Then may I ask what it is that you truly want from the Jin family?”

Jin Lin had spent many years in officialdom and naturally understood that nothing in this world came free.

Since the other party had not stated her request, he could not feel at ease. He feared that the divine physician might ask for something the Jin family was unable to accomplish, making it improper for them to accept her kindness without recompense.

If she accepted the money, it would be a transaction. If she refused it, then it became a favor.

“Lord Jin, there is no need to be nervous. I do indeed have a request. It concerns Old Lord Jin. I would like to ask him to accept two students.” Yu Yuanzheng finally stated her purpose.

“Is that all?” Jin Lin asked in disbelief.

“Yes. It is that simple.” Yu Yuanzheng had not expected him to consider it simple.

How many people wanted to become students of Old Lord Jin, yet could never obtain the opportunity?

“Who are they?” Jin Lin asked curiously.

“The second master of the Yong’an Earl’s Residence, Yu Yunzhi, and his son.”

At first, she had intended to mention only her father. But then she remembered that she had saved two members of the Jin family and helped stop the illness from spreading throughout their household. She might as well include her younger brother too.

Otherwise, she would be getting the short end of the bargain.

“What?” Jin Lin had never expected the name Yu Yunzhi. It was completely beyond his expectations.

“What is your relationship with him?” Jin Lin asked after recovering from his surprise.

“As for my relationship with him, Lord Jin need not inquire too deeply. But can you speak on your father’s behalf? Can you give me an answer now?”

Since Yu Yuanzheng had made the request, she naturally wanted to know his position immediately.

“Please wait a moment. I will go and ask my father now.” Jin Lin truly could not make the decision on his father’s behalf.

He left Yu Yuanzheng in the study and hurried away.

It was nearly half an hour before he returned.

“Well?” Yu Yuanzheng asked expectantly.

“My father says that he does not know Second Master Yu or the young master of the Yu family well enough. He wishes to meet them and test them before making a decision.” Jin Lin awkwardly delivered the answer.

Yu Yuanzheng was not disappointed. This directly showed that Old Lord Jin took his students very seriously.

He would not abandon his principles simply because he had received a benefit.

He truly lived up to his reputation as a grand academician of the Hanlin Academy.

“Very well. Please thank Old Lord Jin for giving them this opportunity.”

Yu Yuanzheng took her leave and arranged to return ten days later for a follow-up consultation.

The four-person group returned to Ten-Day Hall and changed back into their original clothing.

They slipped away through the rear alley without attracting anyone’s attention.

Having obtained Old Lord Jin’s approval, Yu Yuanzheng went straight back to her parents’ home.

The second branch had moved away on the day she returned to visit after her marriage, so this was only her second visit home since then.

However, the moment she reached the entrance, she heard loud arguing coming from inside.