Wu Zhi patted her hands, then straightened her back and helped her breathe more smoothly. "Breathe slowly, speak slowly."
After a moment, Madam Lou calmed her breathing and said slowly, "Is what Doctor Wu said true? Can my illness be cured?"
Wu Zhi nodded firmly, "Yes."
"Madam!" A call came from outside the hall.
"The master is back." Mrs. Lou stood up and went out to greet him, and Wu Zhi followed immediately.
"The wine has just been filtered and you are back." Xu Jiang handed the wine pot to Liu Mei and walked forward to salute Lou Jing.
Seeing that her expression was as high-spirited as before, Lou Jing knew that her journey to find her relatives was going smoothly, and his heart settled down. He said lightly: "I could smell the aroma of wine from afar, so I knew you were preparing food." Xu Jiang was not at home, and no one at home had the leisure to do so.
Then he looked around and asked, "Where's that unfilial son? Didn't he say we'd all come back together? Where's he?"
When everyone arrived, Lou Yunchun came out from the garden, followed by A Shou holding a lantern.
Seeing that Lou Jing had no shame in his expression, he bowed respectfully and said, "Hello, father. Thank you for your hard work."
Lou Jing sneered, "You know the hardship but you didn't share your worries with Your Majesty. You ran away without a word. Do you still have any regard for me, your father?"
Lou Yunchun bowed and said, "It's my son's fault. Please calm down, father."
He always said this when he was scolded. Lou Jing was about to raise his hand to hit him, but when he saw his wife come out, he immediately flattened his palm and patted his shoulder instead, turning into a kind father and saying, "You've worked hard too." Then he turned to Mrs. Lou and smiled, "Madam, is everything okay at home today?"
"He's fine." Because of Wu Zhi's diagnosis just now, after seeing Lou Jing, Mrs. Lou couldn't help but step forward and grab his hand, wanting to tell him the good news, but when she saw so many people around, she didn't know how to speak, so she just looked at him intently.
It was rare for Lou Jing to see her so proactive, and his heart was filled with joy. He did not care that there were others around, and took the lady's delicate hand in his own.
"I am also happy to know that you are happy that my son and Ajahn are back." As long as his wife is happy, his son can beat her again another day.
Mrs. Lou quickly calmed down when he held her hand, and then she struggled but failed to break free.
She whispered, "There are guests."
Wu Zhi stepped forward to greet him, "I, the commoner Wu Zhi, greet Lord Lou."
Seeing that there was a guest, Lou Jing cleared his throat awkwardly, and after letting go of Madam Lou, he said seriously, "Madam Wu, please don't be polite."
Lou Yunchun stepped forward and said, "Wu Zhi is a great doctor. He not only cured A Jiang and I of our injuries, but also escorted us all the way from Fuzhou back to the capital to prevent them from recurring. He is A Jiang and I's benefactor, and a distinguished guest whom I have invited back."
Treat injuries? Protect? Upon hearing this, Lou Jing turned and looked at Lou Yunchun and Xu Jiang. What had these two troublesome people done? Seeing that they looked better, although they had lost some weight, they thought they were much better. He suppressed his anxiety and doubts for the moment, turned back and bowed solemnly to Wu Zhi, saying, "On behalf of my younger generation, I deeply thank Doctor Wu for your generous farewell."
"Your Excellency, you are welcome. I was planning to come to the capital in the first place, and I chose to join Master Lou and A Jiang to have the best of both worlds."
"That being said, we have received a great benefit and should be gratefully received. Doctor Wu, please stay at your home so that we can fulfill our duties as hosts and thank you for your help."
Wu Zhi smiled and looked at Madam Lou.
"Doctor Wu has agreed to stay, which is just right for keeping A Jiang company." Then Mrs. Lou leaned close to Lou Jing's ear and told him what Wu Zhi had just said in a low voice.
"Really?" Lou Jing was surprised and happy, and looked at Wu Zhi as if he was looking at a treasure.
Lou Yunchun and Xu Jiang looked at the three people in confusion.
"Good, good, good. Today is a good day. Not only have the two children returned, but they've also brought back a lucky charm. We should celebrate." Lou Jing ushered everyone in and said happily, "Come on, let's take our place. Doctor Wu, please go first."
Wu Zhi was already standing at the threshold, and upon hearing that, he went in.
Lou Jing and Madam Lou followed closely behind.
Lou Yunchun and Xu Jiang looked at each other, and only hurriedly followed after Lou Jing turned back to urge them.
Lou Jing poured wine and began the feast. During the meal, he inquired about Xu Jiang's search for her relatives. Upon learning that Xu Jiang had reunited with her mother-in-law and would be traveling to Beijing for the wedding ceremony, he was overjoyed. He then inquired about the details of the two's injuries and, despite Wu Zhi's presence, gave them a severe scolding. Finally, upon learning that Chen Que was in Fuzhou, he was filled with longing and resentment, and the entire reunion dinner was filled with his laughter, anger, and scolding.
Everyone enjoyed the meal to their heart's content. When the meal was over, Lou Jing's face was flushed with wine, and his eyes were red.
He called Wu Zhi and bowed to her solemnly, then returned to the house with the help of Lou Yunchun and Mrs. Lou.
Wu Zhi and Xu Jiang stayed in the hall. Xu Jiang suggested to Wu Zhi, "You're too full. Why don't you go for a walk in the garden? I can show you around."
It was pitch dark, what could one possibly be familiar with? However, Wu Zhi agreed anyway, as she guessed Xu Jiang had something to ask her.
Xu Jiang asked the maids for a lamp, and then led Wu Zhi into the garden.
The two walked to Mingshi Pavilion, and Wu Zhi asked them to sit down and rest.
Xu Jiang asked, "Are you tired?"
Wu Zhi looked at Xu Jiang's feet. Xu Jiang then realized that she was worried about her feet. She smiled and said, "Then sit down for a while."
The two of them sat by the railing. Xu Jiang looked up at the abundant fruits on the persimmon tree, and recalled the scene when he first came here, and couldn't help sighing.
Who would have thought that she had only accepted a few baskets of persimmons from that man, but ended up losing herself in the process.
"You just drank some wine. You shouldn't eat persimmons for an hour. Persimmons are cold in nature, so you shouldn't eat too many of them. They can damage your spleen and stomach."
The reverie in her mind was extinguished by Wu Zhi's basin of water, and Xu Jiang looked at her sadly.
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