Chapter 29 Fame Spreads Throughout Chang'an
This third group of people, needless to say, were servants from the household of Minister Gao of the Ministry of Revenue, the same family of the plump woman Li San Niang had seen on the banks of the Yu River.
The visitor was not to be underestimated; he was Gao Deli, the chief steward of the outer courtyard of the Gao family.
This man was truly eloquent. Although Minister Gao was a high-ranking official in the Ministry of Revenue, he was not at all like a pedantic scholar, which Li Er found quite amusing.
All because Gao Deli was just like the head steward of an old landlord's house. He always had a smile on his face and never repeated himself when praising Li San Niang. He called her a fairy goddess from heaven and a rare beauty in Chang'an City. He even praised Xiao Luzhu for being so lovely and beautiful.
This person not only sent a gift to express gratitude, but also said that once the Gao family had settled things, he would send an invitation to visit and express his thanks in person.
This time, it wasn't just the Emperor's grace and his ability to distinguish right from wrong, or Di Shaoqing's brilliant and fair investigation, but also Li San Niang's rescue of the Duke of Liang's daughter, which prevented the situation from worsening and gave the Gao family a chance to clear their name, allowing them to escape unscathed.
Therefore, they will definitely visit to express their gratitude.
After saying many kind words and praising Brother Li repeatedly, they finally saw the worldly and shrewd man off at the Li family's door.
Li San Niang, along with her father, brothers, and sister-in-law, looked at the three gift boxes and were filled with emotion.
Mr. Li thought to himself, "This hurdle is finally over."
At lunchtime, apart from Lu Zhu'er and Xiao Huang, the adults at the table ate without any appetite. They were all thinking about whether it was a good or bad thing that the Li family had become connected with the Liangguo Duke's Mansion, the Cheng'an Princess's Mansion, and the Gao Shangshu's family because Li San Niang saved the little girl who had fallen into the water.
After waking up from her afternoon nap, Li San Niang was about to take Lu Zhu'er to see how the craftsmen in the newly purchased courtyard found a location to dig a well when she saw the young apprentice Li Gui leading a kind-looking elderly man into the courtyard.
They seemed to be acquaintances, because as soon as they entered the main hall, Li's father and second brother happily followed.
At this moment, Li Da Sao was probably doing needlework in Li Er Sao's room. Li San Niang quickly went to greet her, left the dewdrops for Li Er Xiong, and went to the kitchen to make tea to entertain this guest whose identity she did not know.
As soon as Li San Niang served the tea, the group exchanged a few pleasantries. The elderly man, who looked much older than Li's father, insisted on giving Lu Zhu'er a gift. It seemed that he had prepared it beforehand: a smooth-looking jade pendant that would be perfect for a young girl to wear as a skirt-pressing ornament.
After Li San Niang sat down and chatted for a quarter of an hour, she learned that this was the old doctor Gao who had introduced Li's father to the Chang'an Medical Alliance and was practicing medicine in Chongrenfang.
Li San Niang suddenly remembered that in her childhood memories, every New Year's Day, her father, mother, and second brother would go out to pay New Year's visits with gifts. Among them should be the family of the old doctor Gao, which was a relatively important relationship of the Li family in Chang'an City besides her eldest uncle's family.
Thinking of this, Li San Niang became even more respectful to the old doctor. After all, the path of practicing medicine still depends on seniority. Apart from geniuses like Li Lingxiao, medicine is more of an experience-based discipline. The older one is, the greater one's seniority, the more one knows, and the more respectable one is.
Li San Niang thought there was nothing for her to do, so she stayed for a while before deciding to leave with Lu Zhu'er to make room for them to have a proper chat.
Just as Li San Niang expressed her intention to leave, the old doctor Gao stroked his beard and smiled, saying, "San Niang, please wait a moment. This old man doesn't come here today without a reason, but I really did come for San Niang."
“Master, I was able to open this herbal medicine shop in Chang'an thanks to your mediation, and you also guaranteed my entry into the Chang'an Medical Alliance! When I first entered the profession, you taught me a lot. Although I am not your disciple, in my heart you are my master. Third Sister is my Li family's daughter, and I taught her her pulse diagnosis skills. In a sense, she is your grand-disciple. You are our elder, so please feel free to speak your mind, and we will do our best to help!”
Upon hearing Li's father's words, Li's second brother and Li's third sister immediately stood up, bowed to the old doctor Gao, and affirmed Li's father's statement.
"Okay, okay, I know that. Hua Lin, you're a good person, I know that. This time I came here not only because I was curious, but also because some people in the alliance urged me to come and ask them questions."
"Master, is it because of the matter of Third Sister saving the daughter of the Duke of Liang?"
It's estimated that the man grew his beard just for this moment. The old doctor, stroking his beard, nodded and replied, "I guess you guys don't pay much attention to the rumors circulating in the city. Now, all the prominent officials in Chang'an and people in our profession know about it. It's not just that Third Sister saved the lifeless daughter of the Duke of Liang, but also that Third Sister saved the young master of the Qian family of the Dali Temple. These things are being talked about."
At this point, Doctor Gao turned his head, looked at Li San Niang, and nodded with satisfaction, saying, "San Niang is now famous throughout Chang'an City. She's so popular that she's on the list of the most enviable women in Chang'an."
Li San Niang thought in surprise, "So this is how you become famous?"
"Grandmaster, me? I'm famous?" Li Sanniang asked in surprise, pointing at herself with her finger.
"Haha, yes, it's you! You've become famous throughout Chang'an!"
"Master, is your visit now for the method to save Third Sister?" Before the old doctor could answer, Li's father glanced at Li Third Sister and continued, "We had already decided to share these two methods with the alliance. Master's arrival is just in time. Erlang, go and get the manuscript you've written for Master to see."
After the old doctor Gao had briefly glanced through the two methods Li San Niang used to save people, which were summarized by Li Er Xiong, he directly asked Li's father, "Are you really going to share these two methods with the Alliance without taking a single penny? You don't ask for anything in return?"
“Grandmaster, it's not that I have no request at all. Third Sister wants to use this as a stepping stone to ask the Alliance for an opportunity! Third Sister has studied medicine with Father for many years, and now that she's divorced and returned home, she has the idea of opening a clinic like Father. I know that no female physician has ever opened a clinic before, but the Alliance hasn't said that female physicians are not allowed to do so. Besides, Third Sister wants to treat female physicians more. Third Sister only asks for an opportunity and is willing to accept all tests. Once she is qualified, we can talk about other things. I earnestly hope that Grandmaster can help mediate!”
Li San Niang rose and bowed deeply to Doctor Gao, looking at him with eager anticipation, awaiting his answer.
"This... Third Sister is truly no ordinary woman! Since you call me Grandmaster, then Grandmaster will make a trip for you, how about that!"
The four then carefully discussed and analyzed all aspects of the two methods. Later, Dr. Gao wished he had been there when Li San Niang saved the person so he could have observed it closely. If it weren't for his compassionate heart as a doctor, he would have even tried to find someone to deliberately block the trachea with a foreign object and drown to verify the method.
They were so engrossed in their conversation that even after Li's mother had gone home, the group was still excitedly chatting away.
Finally, Dr. Liu Gao had dinner at his home before Li Erxiong called a donkey cart to take him home.
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