Preparing for business
Recently, the Xie family has returned to its former peace and decay. Just as Qiu Qingye said, she has indeed been returning home late every day and has not had dinner with the people of the Xie family for a long time. Even her maid Xueya has disappeared.
The dinner table, which had been lively for only a few days, became quiet again, and the person who was least able to adapt was Xie Chengfeng.
Perhaps because of his mental disability, all his emotions were clearly expressed. On his face, which was over twenty but didn't look very bright, his eyelids drooped, and he looked listless. Xie Chengfeng awkwardly picked up his chopsticks, picked out a grain of rice from the countless grains of rice in the bowl, and put it in his mouth, chewing each grain at least twenty times.
Xie Chengnan gave him a nonchalant look, earning him a roll of his eyes in return.
This situation has lasted for about half a month since Qiu Qing stopped eating with them.
Xie Chengnan belatedly realized the connection between the two and was slightly surprised. He wondered what it was about that Miss Qiu that caught his brother's eye. The two had no interaction except for eating at the same table. Moreover, he hadn't forgotten that last time, Xie Chengfeng had caused a huge fuss with him simply because he had waited a little longer for Qiu Qingye and the meal was served late.
Cang Xie was also finding it hard to adjust. He used to find it quite entertaining to listen to Xue Ya chatter incessantly to Miss Qiu at the dinner table every day. And when Miss Qiu wasn't around, Xue Ya would always follow him around like a little shadow, telling him all sorts of interesting stories and anecdotes. The sudden peace and quiet was really taking him a bit out of sorts.
Xie Chengnan seemed to have adapted well to this situation. Cang Xie looked at his young master's rather contented appearance and secretly worried for him. When would he finally be able to win Miss Qiu's heart?
"Eyes meet, heart is set"—this phrase was taught to him by Xueya. It must be said that although the little girl was sometimes clever and sometimes clumsy, her eye for people was quite sharp. If it weren't for her, Cang Xie would never have realized that his lord had secretly fallen for Miss Qiu during their interactions over the past few days without even realizing it.
If Miss Qiu isn't returning to the manor, why doesn't the Marquis take the initiative to go find her? She's been running around trying to get things done at the clinic, she must be exhausted by now. That's precisely the time to help her and let people see how good he is. Otherwise, are we just waiting for His Highness the Crown Prince to beat us to it?
Xie Chengnan always said that he was unromantic and as dull as a block of wood. In Cang Xie's opinion, he was no better than him, or even worse!
But he couldn't say that. Saying it wouldn't necessarily get him beaten up, but he would definitely be assigned endless tasks as a way of settling personal scores.
So after dinner, Cang Xie volunteered to go to the study to fan his master, who was lying in bed reading a storybook.
"Good strength, move it a little more to the left."
Cang Xie, holding the fan and fanning himself, moved his hand an inch to the left as instructed.
"Why are you being so solicitous? Tell me, what trouble have you gotten yourself into this time? Or have you finally taken a fancy to a girl and want me to propose marriage on your behalf?"
"..."
"Don't worry, I can say with confidence that although my family is not wealthy, the bride price will definitely be enough to make you feel grand."
"My lord, please don't speak nonsense. It's still early. What I was trying to say was, shouldn't you go and take a look at Miss Qiu's clinic?"
"Her clinic has finally closed down?" Xie Chengnan's hand, which was turning the pages of the book, finally paused for a moment.
"...It's not open for business yet."
Xie Chengnan asked curiously, "Then what should I go see?"
With his good temper and self-cultivation, Cang Xie took a few deep breaths before he managed to restrain himself from grabbing his collar and shaking him to question him.
But the disdain in his eyes was hard to hide: "The clinic opens tomorrow. Miss Qiu has been coming home late every day lately. She must be very busy. As her husband, won't you go and see her?"
"You know perfectly well that we're just putting on an act, why would I go see it?"
“If you’re going to put on an act, you have to go all the way. Besides, didn’t you promise Doctor Qiu last time that you would take good care of Miss Qiu?”
That's great, they've learned to use words to shut him up.
He had indeed promised Qiu Baiji last time, but that was merely a delaying tactic. With her father about to interrogate him, was he really going to stand there like a spineless stick, waiting to be scolded? However, Cang Xie's words made sense; if he didn't go, he'd be the subject of gossip. Besides, even based on a cooperative relationship, he needed to know what Qiu Qing was up to. But he quickly realized something was amiss. "Are you teaching me how to do things? Or are you actually using my visit to Qiu Qing as an excuse to visit someone else?"
"……No."
Xie Chengnan narrowed his eyes, deliberately using an authoritative tone to press, "Really?"
No matter how many times he had experienced it, Cang Xie still couldn't get used to the young marquis's teasing, and weakly defended himself, "Really not."
Xie Chengnan looked at his face, which was about to turn red, and laughed, "Alright, but when will you grow up a bit? How will you settle down and start a family if you're so easily teased? It's kind of you to persuade me so earnestly. I'll go tomorrow."
Cang Xie thought to himself: You're married now, but you're still just as troublesome.
However, he was relieved. Xie Chengnan always kept his word, and if he had promised, he would definitely go.
---
“Xinglin Medical Clinic has changed its name.” Xie Chengnan stood under the brand-new medical hall plaque and read it aloud, “but the name ‘medical clinic’ is not very common.”
Cang Xie nodded in agreement, "It was Miss Qiu who chose it herself."
"Let's go in and take a look."
The clinic was formerly known as the Rejuvenating Clinic—this was actually an accident. When Lin Yi was looking for a shop to rent on this street, he unexpectedly discovered that the legendary Doctor Cui had already run away with his apprentice. Perhaps it was because Lin Yi had exposed his lack of medical skills and he was too ashamed to continue living on this street. In any case, all the medical equipment and valuables belonging to the previous owner had disappeared, and the landlord was worried about not being able to find a tenant in time.
Huichun Medical Clinic is in a great location, with shops and inns on both sides, and ordinary residences are just a street away, making it a densely populated area. Huichun Medical Clinic had already been operating here for some time, and the local residents knew there was a clinic here, which served as free publicity for them.
Xie Chengnan obviously knew about Huichun Medical Clinic, but he wasn't curious about it.
Not only has the name been changed, but the interior layout is also completely different from before.
A dozen bamboo chairs were placed in the front hall, facing the counter and with their backs to the door, arranged in three neat rows.
In addition to the traditional Chinese medicine cabinets behind the counter, each herb was also individually placed on a wooden shelf next to the bamboo chair for patients to see.
The hall is filled with fresh green potted plants, one every five steps. Among them are medicinal plants such as dragon blood trees and aloe vera.
Upon entering the clinic, I heard a commotion, but I could only hear the noise and not see anyone.
Xie Chengnan walked into the inner hall again. He had expected it to be a storage room, but instead, he found several pristine white beds. Next to them stood a life-sized wooden doll, clearly marked with the meridians and acupoints of the human body. Further to the side was a space separated by a screen, and the noise was coming from that side.
Even after Xie Chengnan walked to the other side of the screen, the noise inside the room did not stop for a moment.
Six people were crammed into the small space, the most conspicuous of whom was Miss Qiu in the middle.
Qiu Qing, also dressed in a light blue silk dress, sat at a square table, her body bent low, almost lying on the tabletop. A roll of Xuan paper was spread out in front of her, and she picked up a brush to write and draw on it, saying repeatedly as she drew, "After I finish drawing, take these to Erhei and have him distribute them to West Street and East Street."
"Alright, Miss!" Xueya didn't stop working, arranging the long red silk ribbon, which was probably for the ribbon-cutting ceremony that afternoon.
"Dr. Wang, please wait a little longer, we'll be there in a bit." Qiu Qing didn't stop for a moment, finishing one sheet of paper and immediately picking up the next.
Xie Chengnan remained silent and watched quietly for a while.
It was quite far away, and the paper was colorful and wonderful, but it was impossible to make out what was drawn on it.
The middle-aged man, referred to as Doctor Wang, smiled with narrowed eyes and said, "I'm not in a hurry, you go ahead with your work."
There were three other people in the room, two men and a woman, who were arguing quietly with anxious expressions.
Qiu Qing also looked up at them—she looked up very quickly, and Xie Chengnan doubted whether she had really seen them. Then she said, "Don't worry, tell us one by one what the problem is."
The three men exchanged glances, and one of them spoke first: "Miss Qiu, we've already distributed the name cards with the meals as you instructed. Shouldn't you settle the bill for us now?"
"Are you all here to ask for money?"
The woman laughed and said, "I don't want money. You went to Zuixianlou, but you didn't come to Lanyueju. I came here by following the smell of medicine."
Qiu Qing finally looked up. "You want to collaborate with me?"
"Yes, who doesn't know about Physician Qiu's medical skills? He's even qualified to treat the current emperor. They say the student surpasses the teacher, so your medical skills must be among the best in the world."
“This is my clinic, and it has nothing to do with my father.”
"Yes, yes, yes, you said it's unrelated, so it's unrelated." Clearly, the woman hadn't listened to her. She probably thought that as a father, she should support her daughter's business opening. With the title of Imperial Medical Academy Director, many people would come seeking her services, and she could use this opportunity to attract more customers. "How about exchanging name cards with my Lanyue Residence when it opens? Or I can pick a few girls to help out, absolutely free of charge."
Qiu Qing also lowered his head and continued writing and drawing: "As you can see, I am really too busy today. If you need me in the future, I will definitely come to invite you in person."
This was a tacit rejection. The woman chuckled twice, then stood up and excused herself, her smile clearly less genuine.
"Wait a moment."
The woman thought she had changed her mind and put on a perfectly timed, ingratiating smile, but it vanished after hearing her words.
"Xueya, bring me the note I wrote." Upon hearing this, Xueya handed over a piece of stiff paper about half the size of her palm, on which the character "杏" (apricot) was written in extremely childish handwriting. "To celebrate the opening, Xinglin Medical Clinic is offering free clinics for three days. All the girls and staff under your care can come here for treatment." Qiu Qing also handed her a thick stack of notes.
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