Chapter 78 The Prodigal Brother (18) A Merchant's Son's Counterattack Against a King of a Different Surname...

Upon hearing this, Gu Tingxuan picked up a brush, dipped it in ink, pondered for a moment, and then wrote eight characters: "Catering to their preferences and showing them sincerity."

Upon seeing this, Guan Mao quickly cupped his hands in acknowledgment and said respectfully, "Yes, I understand."

The next morning, just as dawn broke, Guan Mao went to Song Ce's house as instructed by Gu Tingxuan. He brought with him a set of "Bai Shi Medical Canon" that Gu Tingxuan had treasured for a long time. It was said that this medical book contained many long-lost remedies, which were exactly what doctors needed and found most precious.

Guan Mao arrived outside the manor carrying a book box. Just then, the manor gate creaked open.

Song Ce was about to leave with a basket on his back when he saw Guan Mao. A hint of surprise flashed in his eyes, but he quickly nodded politely and said, "Mr. Guan, what brings you here today?"

Guan Mao smiled warmly upon hearing this, saying, "Young Master Song, I have come to visit you on the orders of my master. Your noble character and exceptional skills have earned my master's deepest admiration, which is why he sent me here so early. Having known you for some time now, you must be able to see what a kind and benevolent person my master is in managing his subordinates. From our first meeting, my master intended to win you over, and today he specifically sent me to negotiate with you. As the saying goes, a good bird chooses its tree, and a good minister chooses his lord. With your talent, Young Master Song, why confine yourself to a small county town? Why not consider my master and come north with us? If you achieve great things in the future, promotion and advancement will naturally follow. What do you say?"

Song Ce glanced discreetly at Guan Mao's overly enthusiastic expression and said in a calm tone, "I am grateful for your kindness, young master, but I am always free-spirited, and I still have my mother and younger sister to take care of at home, so it is really difficult for me to travel far." As he spoke, he naturally adjusted the basket on his shoulder and said apologetically, "I'm afraid I will have to disappoint you, young master."

Guan Mao was taken aback. He looked at the leisurely-looking young man in front of him, then at the basket on his back, and said, "Am I out of luck? If Young Master Song has something to attend to, he may go ahead. We can discuss things further after he's done."

“That’s not it,” Song Ce said earnestly. “It’s just that I’m still young and dare not agree so easily, lest I disappoint your expectations, sir.”

Guan Mao was not discouraged upon hearing this. He stepped forward and said sincerely, "Young Master Song, my master carefully instructed me before he left that if you wish to go, he will arrange everything for you at home, so that you will have no worries." As he spoke, he handed the box containing the "White Stone Medical Canon" to Song Ce. "As the saying goes, a famous book is given to a famous scholar. This is just a small token of my master's appreciation, so please do not refuse."

"This Mr. Guan is quite eloquent," Song Ce thought to himself.

“If Young Master Song has any concerns, please feel free to speak them. You may want to think about it carefully these next few days, and then give your reply.” After saying this, Guan Mao nodded slightly with great tact. “In that case, I shall take my leave now.”

Song Ce paused for a moment, took the book box with both hands, and turned back into the courtyard.

Lu Wuniang had noticed the situation at the door early in the morning. Seeing that Song Ce's expression was relatively calm, she stepped forward and asked with concern, "Ce'er, what brings that gentleman here just now?"

"Mother." Song Ce looked at Lu Wu Niang's concerned face and said gently, "That person just now is a friend I made. He came to invite me to go to the capital with him in the north."

"The capital?" Upon hearing this, Lu Wuniang frowned slightly. "Ce'er, we are unfamiliar with the capital, and things are expensive there. It might not be easy to live there long-term. That gentleman from earlier must have some background, right?"

Seeing Lu Wuniang's worried expression, Song Ce felt a warmth in his heart and gently comforted her, "Mother, please don't worry. Even if I go, I am confident that I can gain a foothold in the capital with my own abilities and make sure that you and Yu'er can live a good life in the future."

Lu Wuniang nodded slightly, her eyes full of love and trust, "Ce'er, just do whatever you want to do, I will support you."

"Thank you, Mother."

Three days passed quickly, and before they knew it, it was time for Gu Tingxuan's follow-up appointment. Song Cechen got up, carrying a basket on his back, and had just opened the door when he saw Guan Mao waiting for him with a smile.

When Guan Mao saw Song Ce come out, he put on a friendly smile, cupped his hands and said, "Young Master Song, it's been a few days. How have you been?" Upon hearing this, Song Ce smiled and returned the greeting, saying gently, "Thank you for your concern, Mr. Guan. I am doing well."

After exchanging a few pleasantries, the two walked towards Yongyang Taoist Temple, chatting and laughing all the way.

At this moment, Gu Tingxuan was sitting upright at his desk, with the ointment that Song Ce had prescribed for him applied to his throat. When he heard a sound coming from outside, he stood up and came out with a smile.

"Greetings, young master." Song Ce strode in, rolling up his sleeves as he walked, and said gently, "Young master, please do not speak yet, but sit down. I need to take your pulse first. The acupuncture will take two hours today. Would you like to eat something beforehand so that you are not exhausted?"

Upon hearing this, Gu Tingxuan placed his hand on the pulse pillow and shook his head with a smile.

Song Ce took the pulse with focused attention, and after a moment, he picked up his pen and drafted a new prescription. Then, he said to Guan Mao, who was waiting beside him, "Mr. Guan, please send someone to get the medicine according to this prescription. After the acupuncture is performed today, the young master will be fully recovered in less than five days."

Seeing this, Guan Mao hurriedly stepped forward, took the prescription with both hands, and nodded in response, "Don't worry, Young Master Song, I'll go out and make the arrangements right away." After saying that, Guan Mao bowed to Gu Tingxuan and then left in a hurry.

Song Ce methodically prepared all the necessary items for the acupuncture and said to Gu Tingxuan, "Young Master, you will feel a slight soreness in your throat during the acupuncture. Please bear with it and do not make any sudden movements, so as not to injure yourself."

Gu Tingxuan nodded slightly upon hearing this, indicating that he understood.

By the time Song Ce finished administering acupuncture to Gu Tingxuan, it was already noon. Soon, Guan Mao brought the prepared medicine to Gu Tingxuan and served it to him. Gu Tingxuan clearly felt that this medicine was somewhat different from the last one; the liquid had a slightly sweet taste as it entered his throat and slid down slowly.

Gu Tingxuan coughed subconsciously, and the sluggish, burning sensation that had lingered in his throat for years almost completely disappeared. Since he could remember, his throat had never felt so clear, as if he had been given a new voice.

"Master, how are you feeling right now?" Guan Mao asked cautiously.

Gu Tingxuan did not answer immediately, but instead turned his questioning gaze to Song Ce.

Seeing this, Song Ce smiled and said, "Master, you can speak now."

Upon hearing this, Gu Tingxuan's lips curled up slightly. He cleared his throat and said, "I... I feel perfectly fine, without any discomfort." After speaking, he stood up and said to the two of them with great interest, "Come on, let's go and see what kind of food has been prepared for lunch today."

"Young Master Song is truly a divine physician!" Guan Mao, being straightforward, didn't notice the subtle change in Song Ce's address just now. He simply said with a face full of surprise, "Young Master Song, would you also like to take my pulse and see if I have any hidden ailments or illnesses?"

Upon hearing this, Song Ce couldn't help but smile. "Mr. Guan has a rosy complexion and walks with a light step. It's clear that you are in excellent health and there is nothing wrong with you."

"That's good! That's good!" Guan Mao clapped his hands and laughed heartily.

After everyone finished their meal and confirmed that they were all alright, Gu Tingxuan solemnly took out a box and handed it to Song Ce, saying earnestly, "Song Ce, let's keep things separate. I really don't know how to repay your kindness. Consider this a small token of my appreciation, and I hope you won't refuse it."

Song Ce was slightly taken aback, then took the heavy box with both hands and said seriously, "Since you say so, then I will accept it without hesitation."

After the carriage had slowly traveled a few miles, Guan Mao followed behind Gu Tingxuan and muttered in a low voice, "Master is really generous this time, such a big box!"

Gu Tingxuan bent down and picked up Dexi, who was nuzzling affectionately at his feet, and said softly, "Since he is one of our own, he should be rewarded for his merits. Once he enters our household, we won't need to bother asking for a plaque or summoning those imperial physicians anymore."

"Wait, one of our own?" Guan Mao scratched his head, puzzled, and asked, "Master, forgive my ignorance, but when did he agree to this?"

"Hahaha!" Gu Tingxuan patted the obedient Dexi in his arms and revealed a rather cheerful smile. "Go and think about it yourself."

When the carriage had traveled halfway, Song Ce finally opened the box in his hand. Inside, lying quietly, was a property deed for a house in the capital and a box full of gold ingots.

Song Ce raised an eyebrow slightly, picked up a gold ingot from the box, and couldn't help but chuckle. Gu Tingxuan looked like a refined gentleman, but the gift he gave was surprisingly practical.

When the carriage arrived at the manor, Song Ce saw Song Yu carrying a bamboo basket, happily picking up fallen leaves from the ground.

"Brother?" Song Yu, with her sharp eyes, immediately spotted Song Ce carrying the box and walking towards them. Her eyes were full of curiosity as she asked in a clear voice, "Brother, what's in this wooden box?"

Song Ce stepped forward, raised his hand and patted the little girl's head, smiling gently: "Well, what's in this box are things that Yu'er will need when she grows up. When you're older, I'll give them to you, okay?"

"Okay! Thank you, brother! You're so kind!" Although Song Yu didn't quite understand what her brother was saying, she still thanked him happily. Her brother said it was for her, and that he would definitely give it to her when she grew up.

Song Ce gazed at Song Yu's innocent face, his heart filled with tenderness. He carried the wooden box in one hand and gently took Song Yu's soft hand in the other, and together they walked towards home.

In the afterglow of the setting sun, the shadows of the brother and sister were stretched long, like a serene painting unfolding on the ground.

After the family finished dinner, Song Ce went back to the house with his mother, Lu Wu Niang, and Li Mama. The mother and son talked for a long time behind closed doors. When they came out again, Li Mama's eyes were red. She held Lu Wu Niang's hand tightly and said with reluctance, "Miss, please take care on your journey."

“Mother.” Song Ce stepped forward and bowed solemnly to her, earnestly saying, “For so many years, Mother has relied entirely on your meticulous care. Please accept my bow.”

"Young Master, please get up! I... I can't possibly... I really can't accept this!" Seeing this, Madam Li tried to step aside, but it was too late, and she could only accept half a bow.

Seeing this, Lu Wuniang gently patted Li Mama's hand and comforted her gently, "We have been together for so many years and are already like sisters. Even if you receive a big gift from Ce'er today, it is only right."

The master and servant talked for a while longer before Li Mama, with tears in her eyes, reluctantly returned to her own courtyard.

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Author's Note: Today's experiment failed and I have to redo it~ That's all for now, I'll talk more tomorrow and the day after~ How about we read something modern next~ My little angels [Let me see] Leave a comment if you like it~