Chapter 98 - 99: The Apothecary
Lu Tongzhi and Lu Tongzheng both turned to Xiao Yunhai for help, but he only gave them a slight shake of his head. Only then did they respectfully say, "As you command!"
Niu Hai’an turned to the aide who had followed him. "Have them run the numbers again. Tell them to cut the relief silver and grain by another ten percent."
"Sir, even with that, it won’t be enough."
Niu Hai’an said, "I’ll write a memorial later. All I can do is report the situation here as it is. But you must keep the people calm. If a riot actually breaks out, none of us will come out of it well."
’Niu Hai’an hadn’t expected to be appointed the comforting envoy. Now he had to deal with these refugees *and* rush off to the Northern Three Provinces. The very thought was a massive headache.’
"This young lady is emaciated. Her hair is brittle and dry, and she’s weak and listless... This comes from severe starvation. If she isn’t properly cared for, it could shorten her life. Fortunately, she had a strong constitution to begin with. As long as she can stick with a treatment plan for two or three years, she should make a full recovery."
’Listening to Doctor Chu ramble on with his medical jargon, Jin Qianqian boiled it all down to one thing: she needed to recuperate.’
"How should she recuperate? Please write a prescription, Doctor." Ancient Wen Heng breathed a sigh of relief upon hearing she could be treated.
Doctor Chu sighed. "However, two of the herbs for this treatment are quite precious. It will cost a significant amount of silver. Are you sure you want to proceed?"
’Looking at their clothes, they didn’t seem wealthy. He had to be upfront about the cost.’
"How much silver, exactly?" Jin Qianqian asked cautiously. ’Why didn’t I think to stock up on some Chinese herbs back then?’
"The first month’s course of treatment will cost eight taels of Silver. After a month, you’ll need to come back so I can take her pulse and adjust the prescription. That will be a separate charge."
"Doctor, please write the prescription and prepare the herbs. We’ll definitely be back for the follow-up in a month," Ancient Wen Heng interjected. "But could you show me how to brew the medicine?"
Doctor Chu stroked his beard and called over his attendant. "Go with him in a moment. He’ll show you exactly what to do."
Jin Qianqian then asked timidly, "The medicine is very bitter, isn’t it?"
"Good medicine is always bitter. As long as it’s good for your body, you have to drink it even if you have to close your eyes and force it down," Ancient Wen Heng said, turning to look at her. "We’ll go buy some candied fruit later. We’ll have the bitter before the sweet."
Doctor Chu: "..." ’It’s nice to be young!’
The attendant to the side: "..." ’That’s great, they get to have candied fruit.’
Jin Qianqian suddenly pulled on Ancient Wen Heng. "Doctor Chu, could you take a look at my husband too?"
Ancient Wen Heng went along with it and sat down. "Stop pulling. I was going to ask Doctor Chu to take a look at me anyway."
Doctor Chu asked, "Are you feeling unwell somewhere?"
Ancient Wen Heng shook his head. "If I’m sick, I’ll treat it. If not, I’ll prevent it. I’d appreciate it if you’d take a look, Doctor Chu."
"This is just nonsense." ’I’ve really seen it all now. Coming to a doctor when you’re not sick or in pain? What kind of logic is that?’
’He’s not some master or madam from a great estate, calling for a routine check-up every few days.’
Nevertheless, he placed his hand on the wrist and studied Ancient Wen Heng for a moment. "You’re a young man, full of vigor, with a lot of ’fire.’ It would be best to control your..."
’Ancient Wen Heng understood immediately. With a beautiful woman in his arms, he’d had to practice a great deal of self-control. He never thought this old doctor was the real deal, able to see all that.’
Jin Qianqian: "..." ’Did I... understand that correctly?’
"As for the rest, there are no problems. You’re as strong as a bull calf. Now hurry up and go get the medicine." Doctor Chu waved his hand impatiently. ’Being a doctor these days is exhausting.’
Looking at the large bag of herbs in Ancient Wen Heng’s hands, Jin Qianqian really wanted to smash the medicine pot she was holding. ’She’d only been starved for a few days, yet she had to recuperate for so long!’
"Is it awkward to carry?" Ancient Wen Heng reached out to take the pot, but Jin Qianqian turned and dodged away.
"It’s easy enough to carry. I’m just thinking about certain people who will start gossiping the moment we get back."
"Are you afraid of them?"
"Who’s afraid? I’m just tired of hearing their sarcastic comments. We’ve only come into the city a little more often these last two days, and they’re already whispering behind our backs. They really think I don’t know anything." Jin Qianqian didn’t want to be the subject of everyone’s gossip, but some people just wouldn’t leave her alone.
Ancient Wen Heng said, "Let’s just endure it a little longer. Once the authorities give us a clear directive, we can put some distance between us and them."
Jin Qianqian nodded emphatically. "Absolutely. I’m going to build our own house and live our own peaceful little life. It’s a wonderful thought."
’As for those unimportant people, she could just treat them as passersby in her life.’
’Of the sisters-in-law in the family, besides Fifth Sister-in-law, she could only treat the others as ordinary relatives to interact with occasionally.’
’She was once again thankful that the family had been divided. It was a really good thing.’
Ancient Wen Heng’s face also filled with longing. "I remember you used to take a sketching class after your regular lessons. When the time comes, you can draw up the designs for our house. Whatever kind of house you want to live in, we’ll build it according to your plan."
"Really?"
Ancient Wen Heng looked at her dotingly. "It’s going to be our little nest, so of course, you get the final say."
Jin Qianqian: "..." ’This isn’t a good topic at all. Change it, quick.’
"Are we taking these leftovers back with us?"
Ancient Wen Heng said, "Let’s take them back. We can give some to Father and Mother tonight."
"Is that a good idea?"
"Why wouldn’t it be?" Ancient Wen Heng gave her a wink. "Don’t forget, I’m currently living off my wife. We have to show everyone we’re doing alright, so they stop finding excuses to bother you all day."
Jin Qianqian understood completely. "That’s true. As long as we keep Mother-in-law happy, the other sisters-in-law and brothers won’t be a problem."
The two came to an instant agreement and swaggered back outside the city gate, carrying the take-out container from the restaurant.
"Seventh, back from the city with so many bags! What goodies did you buy? Let me see!" Li Xiaohua stood on her tiptoes, trying to peek.
To her surprise, Li Xiaohua was the one to rush up this time. Jin Qianqian put on a show of weary resignation. "Third Sister-in-law, it’s nothing special. My husband saw how exhausted I was from the journey and took me to a doctor. This is all just medicine to help me get my strength back."
"Seventh Sister-in-law, why did you have to see a doctor? Are you unwell?" Hong Daya asked hurriedly.
"I’m not unwell," Jin Qianqian said, deliberately glancing at the equally thin and petite Li Xiaohua. "My husband just thought I was too skinny, so he had a doctor take my pulse. This medicine is just to build up my health, not to treat any illness."
"Don’t tell me you have some incurable disease! If you’re fine, why are you taking medicine?" Liu Liu stared at Jin Qianqian with malice.
Ancient Wen Heng said coldly, "This is a restorative tonic personally prescribed by the famous Doctor Chu of Dao City. His ancestors used to prepare treatments for the nobles in the palace. I just wonder if the good doctor also treats being brainless. Perhaps I’ll have Fourth Brother go ask him for you tomorrow."