Old Doctor An nodded.
Young Doctor An personally pushed the wheelchair, and the handyman at the gate immediately stepped forward upon seeing them.
“Please wait a moment, honored guests,” they said.
Young Doctor An’s face instantly darkened. What kind of clinic was this? Shouldn't they have rushed forward to help lift the wheelchair upon seeing such guests? They dared to make them wait? Wait for what!
As he pondered this, he saw the handyman quickly retrieve two wooden planks from beside the door and place them over the threshold, and one handyman rushed out.
“Sir, allow me,” he said.
Young Doctor An paused in surprise, while Old Doctor An smiled and nodded.
The handyman pushed the wheelchair, allowing them to enter the hall smoothly and steadily. Looking closer, they saw that similar wooden boards had been laid over all the thresholds leading to the consultation rooms deeper inside.
“Is the elder here to see the doctor or to collect medicine?” the handyman inquired.
Old Doctor An had remained silent, observing the hall. There weren't many people inside, but the orderliness and arrangement were different from their own usual clinic.
“Oh, we specialize in treating contusions and sprains here, so the layout is spacious and easy to navigate,” the handyman quickly explained when he noticed the old man’s scrutiny.
Old Doctor An nodded.
“Then, the elder…” the handyman asked again.
“Is your master here?” Old Doctor An asked.
Qianjin Hall was a name established by Liu Pucheng, and most patients came specifically for him, so the handyman found the old man's question unsurprising.
“Master is in the back hall. Please follow me to the waiting area,” the handyman replied, personally pushing the wheelchair.
Just as they crossed the threshold, they heard lively sounds coming from the back hall.
“What is all this commotion? Why is a medical hall so noisy!” Young Doctor An frowned.
“It’s our newly arrived surgical bed; the senior apprentices are examining it,” the handyman explained.
A surgical bed?
Was a mere bed worth such a clamor?
Truly… the shop reflects its owner!
“Surgical?” Old Doctor An inquired, looking towards the room where the excitement emanated. “Young man, may I go over and take a look?”
The handyman smiled apologetically.
“That… might not be convenient,” he said.
Medical practitioners have their secrets; Old Doctor An understood this.
As they spoke, Qi Yue and Liu Pucheng walked out from that direction.
“Excellent, it’s usable. In that case, let’s perform that surgery tomorrow,” Qi Yue was saying.
Liu Pucheng nodded and agreed, then suddenly looked up and spotted them. He initially thought they were waiting patients, but then froze in surprise.
“Lord Wang?” he exclaimed in astonishment.
Qi Yue followed his gaze, not understanding why.
The elderly man sitting in the wheelchair under the eaves nodded and smiled at them.
“Are you Mr. Meng’s most senior disciple?” Old Doctor An asked Liu Pucheng.
Mr. Meng? Qi Yue looked at Liu Pucheng. Wasn't Liu Pucheng’s medical skill hereditary? It turned out he had another esteemed teacher.
“Yes,” Liu Pucheng respectfully bowed to the elder. “He is indeed my master.”
Seeing them converse, Qi Yue said softly, “You have guests; I will take my leave.”
Liu Pucheng bowed to her again.
“Farewell, Young Madam,” he said.
Young Madam? The address reached Old Doctor An’s ears.
“This lady?” he couldn't help but call out.
Qi Yue paused and looked back at him.
“Are you the Young Madam of Marquis Dingxi?” Old Doctor An inquired.
Young Doctor An’s eyes widened on the side.
He had been trying to guess the identity of this beauty. Judging by her attire, she was from a wealthy family, but ladies of high status rarely visited a medical clinic. Yet, her demeanor and appearance didn't suggest a woman of ill repute…
The Young Madam of Marquis Dingxi?!
She was that… Young Madam of Marquis Dingxi who had ruined the reputation of the An family?!
“Yes,” Qi Yue smiled and nodded at him.
Though she didn't know who he was, seeing Liu Pucheng’s deference, she naturally treated anyone who respected her master with courtesy.
“Young Madam, this is Old Doctor An from Shanning Prefecture, formerly the Head of the Imperial Hospital…” Liu Pucheng quickly whispered in introduction.
Hearing the first part, Qi Yue froze.
Shanning Prefecture? Doctor An? Why did that sound so familiar…
Heh heh heh…
Young Doctor An stared coldly at her and let out a scornful snort.
“Young Madam, I have long admired your reputation,” Old Doctor An said with a smile, cupping his hands in salute.
Qi Yue quickly returned the courtesy. Although she didn't yet know if his intentions were benevolent or hostile, she never returned rudeness with rudeness when addressed politely.
“I dare not,” she replied.
“Dare not!” Young Doctor An had long lost any pleasure in admiring beauty and couldn't help but sneer, “What is there that the Young Madam dares not do!”
The remark was impolite, and Liu Pucheng was momentarily stunned.
Did… they know each other?
“Silence,” Old Doctor An sharply reprimanded his son.
Qi Yue chuckled.
“It’s nothing. It’s just that what others dare not do, I sometimes dare precisely,” she laughed.
Well, not only did they know each other, but their relationship seemed unusually… strained.
Young Doctor An’s face visibly paled again from her retort.
“You dare? What do you dare? Isn’t it just daring to bully people under the protection of Marquis Dingxi’s estate?” he demanded angrily.
Liu Pucheng’s expression shifted slightly. Trouble…
“Oh, you actually guessed right. I do rely on the protection of Marquis Dingxi’s estate to bully people,” Qi Yue laughed. “Go ahead and report me. Go tell the world how I use my power to oppress others…”
As if!
Let’s see if you dare! Qi Yue smiled winningly at him.
This woman!
Young Doctor An finally understood how those other doctors were incited to become famous by stepping on the An family’s reputation!
This woman! This woman was truly arrogant!
Did she not understand what manners were?
As for whether he was polite, Young Doctor An cared little; women were supposed to be gentle, virtuous, never leaving the inner quarters! What kind of woman was this!
“Kang’er!” Old Doctor An shouted sternly.
He interrupted their standoff.
“Apologize to the Young Madam!” Old Doctor An commanded again.
Young Doctor An’s face was grim, his reluctance obvious.
“Don’t,” Qi Yue raised her hand and smiled faintly. “We are all smart people. Let’s skip the formalities; it’s meaningless. This is fine, quite perfect as it is.”
Father, look at this woman! Young Doctor An looked at his father, his eyes conveying his exasperation.
Old Doctor An looked at her and smiled.
“Yes, the Young Madam speaks rightly,” he chuckled, ignoring his son.
Qi Yue smiled and said no more, turning to leave.
“Young Madam,” Old Doctor An called out again, stopping her. “I have a favor to ask.”
Qi Yue paused and looked at him.
“No need to ask,” she said. “Didn't I already mention it? That illness is nothing special; anyone with courage can treat it. Besides, the specific treatment method was based on the prescriptions written by those other doctors. If you want to ask, you should ask them.”
With that, she turned and walked away, not waiting for Old Doctor An to speak further.
“I wasn't lying. I truly don't know how to prescribe medicine. Doctor Liu can testify,” she said, looking back. “If you don't believe me, you can at least believe Doctor Liu.”
She then led her maid out.
Liu Pucheng hurried to bow to Old Doctor An.
“Sir, what the Young Madam said is correct,” he affirmed. “She truly isn't very skilled with herbal medicine.”
“I don’t think she is either! Having a mouth is enough!” Young Doctor An was deeply angered.
He had never encountered such a willful woman! And she called herself the Young Madam of Marquis Dingxi! What kind of person was she? Clearly, a ruffian!
But then again, wasn't this Young Madam from a beggar background!
Truly, the Marquis Dingxi estate had fallen low, marrying anyone!
Liu Pucheng’s expression flickered slightly as he straightened up.
“Sir, the Young Madam is straightforward in character. She is always courteous to those who are courteous,” he stated.
What did that mean?
It meant this woman is rude to those who are rude?!
Young Doctor An looked at Liu Pucheng and sneered. Indeed, birds of a feather flock together! Their speech patterns were identical!
“You are Mr. Meng’s senior disciple? Then Lord Dong Lin, the Registrar, is your junior apprentice?” he inquired.
Liu Pucheng nodded.
“Is that true? Mr. Meng, the Master of Divine Hands’ senior disciple, why are you here in this forgotten place? Your junior apprentice is already a sixth-rank Registrar…” Young Doctor An said with a mocking smile.
“Get out!”
Before his words died down, someone roared.
Young Doctor An sneered. Had he hit a sore spot? Was he flustered?
“Get out!” Old Doctor An shouted again.
Young Doctor An was taken aback, realizing the speaker was his own father, and his face flushed crimson.
“Father, I…”
Old Doctor An pulled a staff from his wheelchair and brought it down with a swing.
Young Doctor An took the blow, his face red, and went out.
Seeing that Old Doctor An did not defend his son, Liu Pucheng’s expression eased slightly.
“I apologize for the spectacle you witnessed. This son of mine, having been pampered and indulged since childhood, is arrogant and ignorant,” Old Doctor An said, sighing. “I was too absorbed in medicine and failed to discipline him, so now, when I try to control him, I can't.”
Liu Pucheng remained silent, only inviting Old Doctor An to sit in the room, pushing the wheelchair himself. A wooden board had also been laid over the threshold leading to Liu Pucheng’s room.
“I recall seeing you once at your master’s funeral. I never saw you again afterward. It turns out you have been here all these years,” Old Doctor An remarked.
“It is hard to leave one’s homeland. At that time, my parents were elderly, and my wife and children were young, so I returned home,” Liu Pucheng replied.
Old Doctor An nodded.
“I have come this time because I have a favor to request,” he finally stated.
“This junior dares not presume,” Liu Pucheng quickly stood up to attend to him.
“I wish to take this Young Madam as my teacher,” Old Doctor An declared.
Liu Pucheng was startled.
What?
Meanwhile, back at home, Qi Yue hurriedly washed up. It was time for dinner, and she rushed to Madam Xie’s quarters. Chang Yancheng was already there, and upon seeing Qi Yue arrive on time, he breathed a sigh of relief and smiled.
“You can eat in your own place. I am observing a vegetarian fast today,” Madam Xie said.
“I will too…” Chang Yancheng began to speak.
“You will do no such thing; you never eat this,” Madam Xie said with a slight smile, looking at Chang Yancheng. “Or perhaps you are worried I might make things difficult for Yue Niang, and you’re uneasy?”
Chang Yancheng immediately stood up.
“Mother, what you say is truly unjust,” he replied.
“Hurry and go. This is Mother’s kind intention, afraid you won't eat well. Don’t worry Mother,” Qi Yue said with a smile.
The smile on Madam Xie’s face then became something between a smile and a smirk.
“Then I am unfilial,” Chang Yancheng said with a laugh, bowing in deference before retreating.
“See? It’s still the daughter-in-law’s words that carry weight,” Madam Xie joked cheerfully to those around her.
However, not a single person dared to genuinely join in the jest.