Chapter 182: That Didn’t Look Too Good
Doctor Li and Xiao Dong left the Sixth Madam’s courtyard and saw Qin Yuan waiting at the corner.
"I was too careless," Doctor Li said. "If you come back tomorrow and she’s looking for you again, what will you do?"
Judging by Nanny Zhao’s behavior, she didn’t seem like one to give up easily.
Today didn’t go as planned; there’s no guarantee she won’t try again tomorrow.
Qin Yuan did have other options, but...
She thought for a moment and said, "I won’t come tomorrow. The Sixth Madam is a bit suspicious. She doesn’t like hearing about things like self-cultivation. If she finds out I came in with you, she’ll surely have wild thoughts and might become even more reluctant to use the medicine."
From the pulse diagnosis, Qin Yuan knew the Sixth Madam suffered from heart disease.
She feared this heart disease involved her as well.
Doctor Li nodded and said, "Very well, tomorrow we’ll go to other courtyards first and then come here last. You don’t need to come."
Qin Yuan said, "Alright. Let’s do as Master says."
The group visited the other courtyards, and Qin Yuan remained silent, standing behind Doctor Li, watching him diagnose, prescribe medicine, and perform acupuncture.
Doctor Li was meticulous in explaining pulse readings to his two disciples and sometimes let them feel the pulse themselves.
Occasionally, Xiao Dong would ask questions, which Doctor Li answered one by one.
Qin Yuan could tell from his questions that Xiao Dong had great potential.
After all, at this age, he already knew much.
No wonder in his previous life, he entered the Imperial Hospital at such a young age.
However, Doctor Li spoke disdainfully about the Imperial Hospital, so why did Xiao Dong still go there?
Qin Yuan was puzzled.
She intentionally introduced the pandemic prevention methods summarized by the Imperial Hospital after the Yu Hang epidemic in her previous life, with modifications for smallpox’s characteristics, and added her blended medical incense.
This lifetime, if Xiao Dong intends to go to Yu Hang, he might face fewer risks.
Unexpectedly, both Master and disciple praised her intelligence and thorough consideration. They suggested that once the Marquis Mansion opens, she should submit a proposal to the court to share this method with everyone.
Qin Yuan thought, reincarnating was a favor from heaven, and she should do some good deeds.
Unknowingly, it was already very late. Doctor Li had been examining patients carefully, moving from one courtyard to another.
The number of patients wasn’t overwhelming, but those who had close contact with them residing in another courtyard were numerous.
It was difficult to gauge these people’s health condition, and they all wore bibs consciously, looking anxious and worried.
Besides diagnosing and examining, Doctor Li also said comforting words.
He said, "A medical practitioner should empathize with the patient’s suffering. Words of kindness warm even the coldest winter, harsh words chill even June’s warmth. After falling ill, patients inherently feel uncomfortable in both body and mind. If they hear reassuring words, their heart will ease, and recovery might be quicker."
Xiao Dong said, "I will remember this, Master."
Qin Yuan thought to herself, "The words Doctor Li spoke to the Sixth Madam probably just angered her more."
Naturally, she wouldn’t disrupt Doctor Li’s medical focus by saying that aloud.
As they finished the diagnoses, the mansion lights were already lit. In places where light couldn’t reach, fireflies flitted about with a pale green glow. The sounds of insects and frogs were loud, highlighting the quiet summer night in the mansion.
Their shadows stretched very long.
Xiao Dong’s stomach growled like thunder, clearly hungry.
Doctor Li apologized, "Xiao Dong, once again we’ve made you wait for food today."
Xiao Dong replied, "It’s fine, Master. Missing one meal doesn’t matter. You’ve seen all the courtyards; they definitely won’t be as hopeless tomorrow."
Doctor Li paused, then burst into laughter, "Right, with hope, they’ll take precautions seriously. The mind matters most. Otherwise, relying solely on our medicine pills won’t help. Xiao Dong, you’ve grasped the key."
Qin Yuan smiled slightly, her eyes suddenly feeling a bit sore.
After a while, she said, "It’s quite late now; why don’t we dine together at Wutong Garden? They have a small kitchen there, and the food will be hot."
Xiao Dong didn’t speak but looked expectantly at Doctor Li.
Doctor Li could only say, "Alright."
Xiao Dong jumped lightly, showing his internal excitement, but was so subtle that one might not notice unless looking closely.
Qin Yuan asked with a smile, "Xiao Dong, what do you like to eat?"
Xiao Dong said, "I like all tasty food. I’m not picky; I’m easy to feed, as Master says."
Qin Yuan said, "That’s good. The food at Marquis Mansion is quite nice. I’ll have them prepare different meals every day for you. Note down what you and Master like, so I can send you food in the future."
Xiao Dong grinned widely without immediately agreeing, instead looking at Doctor Li and asking, "Is it alright?"
Doctor Li, huffing and puffing, said, "Why not? I’m her master. If there’s work, a disciple should take the load; if there’s food and drink, the master eats first. Xiao Dong, you should learn."
Xiao Dong laughed, "Hahaha, Master, I’ve remembered. I’ll be like this in the future."
Qin Yuan couldn’t help but laugh as well.
They walked into Wutong Garden, laughing, and saw Hong Ye carrying a sheep horn lamp pacing on the porch, looking somewhat anxious.
Qin Yuan asked, "What’s the matter?"
Hong Ye said, "Miss, why are you back so late? The Marquis has come several times, but without saying a word. His face is getting darker."
She didn’t dare stay in the main room, so she took the lamp and came to wait for Qin Yuan outside.
"Oh," Qin Yuan remembered, "The Marquis came to invite me for dinner."
Hong Ye made a meaningful, "Hmm" sound.
Qin Yuan asked, "Where is the Marquis now?"
"In the main room."
"Is Cui Ming serving him?"
"No, she went to the small kitchen."
Both of them couldn’t bear Marquis Gu releasing his cold aura incessantly, so they put down the ledger and found an excuse to stay far away.
Qin Yuan quickly understood and said with a smile, "Let’s go."
Doctor Li hesitated and said, "We shouldn’t go; we might disturb the Marquis..."
Qin Yuan said, "That’s not right. We’ve seen so many people today; shouldn’t we let the Marquis know about the mansion’s situation?"
Xiao Dong quickly responded, "Okay."
He had admired Marquis Gu for a long time, and dining at the same table with him now was truly a pleasure.
Seeing Xiao Dong’s bright eyes, Qin Yuan seemed to see Qin Heng.
Indeed, every boy has a hero’s dream in his heart.
Gu Jinghui’s grand defeat of the Yelv Family made him the War God admired by the men of the Da Xing Dynasty.
Qin Yuan couldn’t help but pat his head and said, "Let’s go, let’s go. The Marquis is the most amiable. He gets along well with my brother Qin Heng. Whenever Qin Heng has time off, he wants to visit the Marquis for horseback riding."
"Horseback riding?" Xiao Dong’s eyes lit up again, his small hand clenched into a fist.
"Yes, indeed."
Qin Yuan thought, every boy wants to ride the dark steed Ta Xue that belongs to Marquis Gu.
Hong Ye dared not speak a word beside them.
Marquis Gu’s look when he came to see Qin Yuan wasn’t too pleasant.