Chapter 35 Young Master's insightful observation, helping those in distress...

As Zhang Ting stepped into the main hall, he pondered deeply: if he were to open a branch, should Ke Ying Lou simply follow the current model and copy it exactly? Or should he devise a completely different approach?

Furthermore, where should the site be chosen?

Her thoughts drifted away, and she sat absentmindedly on the stool, shoveling rice into her mouth.

Oblivious to the disapproving glances around him.

Xiaoyi glared at her fiercely, but thinking of how she had been suffering from poor meals lately, she pursed her lips, lowered her eyes, and quietly ate her meal.

Zhang Ting felt a bloating in her stomach and came to her senses. She put down her chopsticks and wiped her lips with a towel.

My gaze fell on Xiaoyi, and I was surprised that he was so silent tonight.

One can't help but ask him, "Is Zheng Er easy to use?"

"If you want more people, just ask."

He slowly put down his chopsticks, elegantly wiped his lips, and said softly, "Zheng Er is alright. For now, she's enough."

Zhang Ting nodded slightly, "As long as things go smoothly on your end." She then stood up, as she hadn't finished reading her book that afternoon.

Xiaoyi also got up and called out to her.

Zhang Ting had only taken a few steps when she turned back to look at him.

Xiaoyi felt that he was unusually cold to her today, and treated her completely differently than last night, which made her feel a pang of bitterness.

But he gestured with his chin and said only, "Miss, have you considered what you would do with the shop if it made a profit?"

Zhang Ting frowned slightly, and sensing the deeper meaning in his words, she asked in return, "What brilliant idea do you have?"

“Vegetables and fruits are expensive in the capital. If the shop is profitable, the young lady can buy a farm, grow vegetables and fruits, and be self-sufficient. If the family is poor, the young lady can use the money to give New Year’s gifts and holiday gifts in a respectable way.”

Upon hearing this, Zhang Ting couldn't help but smile, as this coincided with her own thoughts.

She smiled and bowed to him, saying gently, "Truly a brilliant insight. I am ashamed of my inferiority. If I make money in the future, I will still need your discerning eye to purchase an estate!"

Xiaoyi pursed her lips, which couldn't help but curl upwards, to maintain her dignity.

In an instant, he covered his lips and laughed out loud. His laughter was like a spring, clear and melodious. His eyes, which were fixed on Zhang Ting, sparkled with joy, like the summer sun, dazzling and captivating.

Zhang Ting turned her back, put her hands behind her back, and went back to her study. On the way, she thought to herself: It's easy to fool someone who is young.

The moon climbed above the treetops, and dark clouds flashed by, allowing the bright moonlight to spill across the earth.

Xiaoyi snuggled into her blanket and fell into a deep sleep, dreaming sweet dreams, a smile blooming on her lips.

The next day, after breakfast.

Lin Xiuzhen came to report that someone was requesting an audience at the door. It was a woman dressed in fine clothes named Pu Qiu.

Zhang Ting raised an eyebrow. "See her?"

Although Zhang Ting had never heard of this person, she wouldn't turn him away since he had come to pay his respects. She had Lin Xiuzhen bring him in and instructed Xiaoyi to prepare tea and snacks to be sent to the study.

No sooner had Zhang Ting returned to the study than the other person was ushered in.

Zhang Ting looked surprised and invited her to sit down. "It's actually you, elder sister. Why didn't you send a visiting card first? I could have prepared a banquet to entertain you."

Pu Qiu smiled and said, "I asked Qiu Yuan for your address yesterday. I am sorry to have come here today. I was in a hurry and did not prepare a visiting card."

He stood up and bowed to Zhang Ting, saying, "Please don't be offended."

Zhang Ting quickly went over to help her up, saying, "Sister, why do you have to do this? Please get up quickly."

After the two sat down, Xiao Rong and Xi Ge brought in tea and snacks and respectfully presented them to them.

Zhang Ting nodded in satisfaction. After Xiao Yi's training, the servants in the house had made significant progress in their manners and etiquette.

She warmly invited Pu Qiu to try some tea and snacks.

Pu Qiu tried them all and exclaimed, "Tingmei is indeed a refined person. The tea and snacks in her home are so exquisite and delicious, not inferior to those of the Qiu family at all."

Zhang Ting waved his hand, saying that he was not good at talking about strange and ingenious skills, and dared not show off his limited abilities in front of an expert.

After exchanging pleasantries for a while, Pu Qiu finally explained his purpose: "I must thank Tingmei for helping me out last time, otherwise I wouldn't know how to handle the situation."

"Then Japan chased after you to thank you, but unfortunately it was too late."

She was the friend of the woman in the purple robe.

When Zhang Ting heard Pu Qiu talk about that day, she couldn't help but ask about her friend.

Pu Qiu sneered: "To be honest, Tingmei, I have known her for several years and I believe I have never neglected her. But I never expected that when I fought for her, she would turn a deaf ear and be afraid of the powerful."

"I've come to see her for who she really is, and we've parted ways."

Zhang Ting comforted her, saying, "You will definitely find more suitable friends in the future, so there's no need to worry, sister."

Pu Qiu nodded repeatedly, rubbing her hands together. Her eyes held anticipation and a touch of shyness as she softly asked, "That day, I observed Ting-mei's composed demeanor and speech, and I greatly admired her. I am about to depart for Jizhou Prefecture at 9:00 AM today. I wonder if I will be able to correspond with Ting-mei in the future?"

Zhang Ting was overjoyed to have connections offered to her for free, so why would she refuse? She responded immediately.

Seeing the other person's delighted expression, Zhang Ting asked her, "Why did you leave in such a hurry, sister?"

Pu Qiu sighed and said frankly, "Tingmei, you may not know this, but the situation in the capital is unclear. Dr. Zheng committed suicide, and I am filled with fear, that's one reason; secondly, I have a conflict with that person and do not wish to see him again, so my family has arranged for another tutor to teach me poetry and literature in preparation for the imperial examination, that's another reason."

Zhang Ting nodded slightly, then said with a look of regret, "It is truly a pity that I was unable to properly entertain my sister after she went to Jizhou Prefecture."

Pu Qiu laughed and said, "Jizhou Prefecture borders the capital. Tingmei, you can come to visit me whenever you have free time. I will be your host and make you feel right at home."

Zhang Ting readily agreed and promised to visit him at that time.

During their conversation, Pu Qiu mentioned that the imperial examination in the year Han Daren took place was a gathering of exceptional talents, a truly unprecedented event. There were countless literary geniuses and political talents, with not a single ordinary person among them.

Lord Han?

That was the imperial examination in the first year of the Chengtai era.

Pu Qiu's eyes revealed envy, "If I had been born earlier, I could have witnessed the spectacle."

"The ancients had their merits, and we have our own wonders today. Sister, you passed the imperial examination with flying colors, showcasing your talent. Why should we envy those who came before?"

Pu Qiu felt comforted and smiled, realizing that making time to befriend Zhang Ting today was absolutely the right thing to do.

Talking to this person was exactly what she wanted!

If these are not considered true friends, then there are no more intimate confidants in the world.

He chatted with Zhang Ting about the past and present, regretting that they hadn't met sooner!

It wasn't until 9 AM that a maid waiting outside the door sent someone to urge Pu Qiu to leave Zhang Ting, and Pu Qiu reluctantly said goodbye.

Before leaving, he specifically instructed her: "Tingmei, you must come to Jeju Prefecture to see me in the future! We can discuss current affairs and sleep side by side."

Zhang Ting smiled slightly: "That's natural."

But sleeping side by side is out of the question.

Standing in front of the door, I watched Pu Qiu's car disappear into the distance.

Zhang Ting turned back, pondering on the way when to ask her good younger sister Ziju to tutor her on the key points of knowledge. She felt that she still had some omissions in the confinement section of policy theory.

If we count the days, since we both live in Kyoto, we should have received letters by now, right?

Zhang Ting suddenly realized something was wrong and hurriedly instructed the coachman to prepare, while he went back into his house to collect the money.

The driver was instructed to take the carriage to Luo Zijun's home in the south of the city.

Seeing Zhang Ting's urgency, the coachman urged the horse to take a detour through the empty streets, whipping the horse faster.

It took them a quarter of an hour to reach Luo Zijun's house.

Zhang Ting nimbly jumped off the carriage and knocked on the gate, but no one answered for a long time.

Her eyebrows furrowed, her heart sank, and she kicked the door hard.

"Thud—"

Thanks to Zhang Ting's diligent practice over the past two months, his strength has increased considerably, and the two doors collapsed to the ground in an instant.

She leaped over the wooden gate, ran into the courtyard, and headed straight for Luo Zijun's bedroom.

A thin layer of dust had accumulated in the living room, and it was completely silent.

Zhang Ting couldn't find Luo Zijun in the bedroom, so she went to the study to check. It was empty there too. She went up to look and saw a brownish-yellow letter on the table. She picked it up and saw that it was a handwritten letter from Luo Zijun to her.

With sharp eyes, he looked down and saw Luo Zijun lying on her back in the corner with her eyes closed, her face pale and her lips dry and chapped.

Zhang Ting reached out to check her breathing and then felt her pulse; her breath was already very weak.

He put one arm around Luo Zijun, supported her knees, picked her up horizontally, quickly went out, put her into the carriage, and ordered the driver to drive to the clinic.

Given the urgency of the situation, the driver went to the nearest clinic in the south of the city.

They arrived shortly after. Zhang Ting carried the person down from the carriage and cut in line to the front. "Doctor, come and take a look at her!"

The patients who were cut in line initially complained, but seeing the deathly look on Luo Zijun's face, they immediately took a few steps back and dared not say anything more.

The resident doctor was an elderly woman with white hair. Seeing that the patient's face was pale, she asked Zhang Ting to carry her to the back couch and then went to get the silver needles.

After the old doctor administered a few needles, Luo Zijun's hand trembled slightly, indicating a reaction, and her complexion gradually returned to normal.

The old doctor put away the silver needles and told Zhang Ting that her friend was weak and had asthma, and that she would need to take good care of her health in the future. Then he wrote a prescription and asked her whether she should take it home to decoct or have the clinic do it for her.

Zhang Ting didn't care about the few dozen coins for the decoction. After settling the payment, she even gave the apprentice an extra hundred coins to look after Luo Zijun for the time being.

It was getting late, so she and her driver found a nearby eatery for lunch.

Zhang Ting had never eaten in the south of the city before. Now, she had a bowl of wontons in front of her, while the coachman ordered a bowl of noodles.

Picking up a wonton and taking a bite, you realize that the meat filling is fresh and juicy, with a water chestnut and pork flavor. Mixed with spicy and savory seasonings, it's piping hot and makes your mouth water.

Having eaten too much bland food lately, Zhang Ting found the spicy version of wontons even more delicious today. Seeing the driver across from her enjoying his bowl, she licked her lips and called the shopkeeper for another bowl of noodles.

After finishing the two bowls, Zhang Ting covered her mouth and let out a satisfied burp, feeling extremely content.

When she returned to the clinic, she was still thinking about when she could come back to eat there again.

Fearing that Luo Zijun might be hungry when she woke up, they bought her a bowl of porridge and a few steamed buns on the way.

Zhang Ting borrowed water from the clinic to rinse her mouth. When she saw the young apprentice bring over the medicine, she quickly helped Luo Zijun sit up against the cushion and took the bowl of medicine from her, saying, "I'll do it."

Each spoonful of the medicine caused diarrhea, and Luo Zijun refused to swallow it. Zhang Ting, having run out of patience, simply grabbed her chin and forced the medicine down her throat.

After swallowing a bowl of medicine all at once, some inevitably got into her trachea, causing Luo Zijun to cough.

After coughing for quite some time, she was aroused and slowly woke up.

Luo Zijun opened her eyes groggily, looked around at her surroundings, and then her gaze fell on Zhang Ting. Zhang Ting had a beautiful face and was holding a medicine bowl in her hand, looking at her gently.

Luo Zijun coughed a few times, propped herself up on the couch with one hand, her lips were pale, and she said in a hoarse voice, "Thank you for saving my life, sister."

Zhang Ting sat down next to her, told her about the doctor's diagnosis and the precautions to take, and inquired about the cause of her illness.

Perhaps it was the sternness in Zhang Ting's tone that made her shrink back a little. She shrank her neck and whispered, "Zijun was born with this disease. She is usually fine as long as she doesn't touch fish. But this time, I just finished writing a reply to my sister and suddenly fell ill and fainted."

She grabbed Zhang Ting's hand, her face full of flattery: "If it weren't for you, sister, I would probably be dead today."

Asthma has a complex set of triggers, and now, with the changing seasons, Luo Zijun's emotions, behaviors, and even the things she comes into contact with can all become triggers.

However, although Luo Zijun is somewhat emotional, she did not have a seizure when she was so heartbroken last time she came, so the factor of emotional fluctuation can be ruled out.

Zhang Ting judged that her illness was probably caused by her environment, and couldn't help but sigh when she thought of Luo Zijun's dilapidated house.

Luo Zijun was a man of profound learning, exceptionally talented and rare in the world. It would be a great pity if he were to succumb to illness.

Zhang Ting originally wanted to invite her to stay at his home for a while, which would not only reduce the probability of Luo Zijun's illness, but also make it convenient for him to ask her any questions he might have. However, the east wing room, which was originally intended for entertaining guests, had already been occupied.

Zhang Ting offered to help Luo Zijun repair her house.

Luo Zijun repeatedly refused, saying, "Last time, my sister helped me with a hundred taels of silver. How can I accept your help again this time?"

Zhang Ting dismissed it, her tone light: "I haven't even mentioned it to you yet. The situation was urgent, and I kicked down your door. How can anyone live in a house without a door?"

"Besides, given our sisterly bond, if Ziju were to still be concerned about gold and silver, it would be an insult to me."

With a smile in her eyes, she said softly, "If Zijun is feeling unwell, please teach me more."

Hearing this, Luo Zijun's eyes reddened. She held back her tears. The two had known each other since they were humble beginnings, but Zhang Ting had repeatedly saved her from danger and was deeply devoted to her. She really didn't know how to repay him for his kindness!

She dragged her weak body forward, nearly falling off the bed, but Zhang Ting caught her quickly, preventing her from suffering another fall.

Luo Zijun grasped Zhang Ting's arm tightly and forcefully. Her youthful face was pale and haggard, her eyes filled with tears, and her voice choked with emotion: "Zijun lost her parents at a young age and grew up alone. Fortunately, she was loved by her older sister, which filled the void of family ties."

"I consider my sister as my own sister, and she treats me like her own sister, how about that?"

Fearing that Zhang Ting might think she was taking advantage of her, she added, "Sister, you don't need to help me. Just come to see me occasionally. It's wonderful for us to get together and talk about poetry, current affairs, and everyday life."

Luo Zijun's tears involuntarily streamed down her cheeks, but her eyes remained fixed on Zhang Ting's expression, stubbornly biting her lip, determined to get an answer from her.

Zhang Ting felt the force on her arm increase. Looking down, she saw her knuckles were white from gripping so tightly. She smiled slightly, raised her eyes, and said, "Okay."

She smiled as warmly as a spring breeze, took out a handkerchief from her bosom, and gently wiped away Luo Zijun's tears, as if she were treating something extremely precious.

Zhang Ting slowly put down the handkerchief and said softly, "From now on, we will be sisters." She embraced the woman and skillfully patted her back to soothe her fragile nerves.

Offering help in times of need and relieving people's distress is always the best course of action.