Chapter 75 Visits in Succession on the Seventh Day of the Seventh Lunar Month
The diarrhea that had ravaged Lin'an for so long was finally relieved. Coinciding with the Qixi Festival, this ancient city, which had been silent for months, seemed to be injected with new vitality overnight. Taking advantage of the romantic occasion of praying for skill, it dispelled the gloom of the past few days and showed a vigorous life after surviving the disaster.
Just past noon, lanterns and colorful decorations were hung on both sides of the Imperial Street, and the north and south tile houses were filled with the sounds of silk and bamboo instruments and various performances, attracting throngs of tourists.
The area in front of Helelou was bustling with carriages and horses. As dusk fell, the entire building was bathed in a dazzling light, with a constant stream of people coming and going, creating a lively and noisy atmosphere.
Peach Blossom Street wasn't very wide to begin with, and now it was filled with all sorts of vendors. Stalls selling lanterns, pearls, pastries, and incense were lined up one after another, and shouts and laughter mingled together.
The Wangxian Bridge was already tightly wrapped with red ribbons for blessings, and the old peach tree by the bridge was also adorned with all kinds of exquisite lanterns and colorful ribbons, shimmering with a warm glow in the twilight, reflecting the smiling faces of passersby.
As dusk approached, the people of Zhaoyutang finished their dinner and tidied up the hall.
With the clinic quiet these past few days, Meng Yutong didn't ask Liu Sijun and the others to come and help. They had also been working hard for a while, and since they had a few days of leisure, they went to a restaurant to get together.
Liu Sijun sent Mei Sanlai to invite everyone in the hall to go together. Wu Ming and Bai Zhi were both fond of lively gatherings. On this festive occasion, their minds had already flown to the hustle and bustle outside. Upon hearing the invitation, their eyes secretly glanced at Meng Yutong.
Seeing their expectant looks, Meng Yutong couldn't help but smile. She then let the two of them go with Mei San, while she stayed behind to guard the clinic.
There were no patients in the clinic at the time. Meng Yutong sat alone behind the counter, opened the recent income and expenditure records of Zhaoyutang, and looked at them carefully.
The book clearly records in ink: Between May and July, a total of 872 patients with diarrhea were treated, including 39 severe cases. A certain amount of main medicines such as Coptis chinensis, Pueraria lobata, and Pulsatilla chinensis were used, and 30 doses of medicine were donated by Lotus Seed...
Although the cost of medicinal materials was considerable, the consultation fees and medicine fees were also quite substantial. After offsetting the income and expenses, the surplus was 30% higher than expected.
She closed the booklet, feeling somewhat relieved. Although these days had been arduous, with everyone working hard, the epidemic in the city had finally been brought under control, and Zhaoyutang's reputation had spread as a result.
She was already a highly skilled doctor, and she always spoke gently and patiently to her patients. Many patients who had been treated here would later go out of their way to see her if they felt unwell.
She secretly planned that in the future, she would just need to proceed steadily and make some sachets with different effects to sell.
As the summer heat intensifies, the quantity of calming sachets prepared earlier can be reduced accordingly. Instead, more sachets can be made to repel mosquitoes, ward off evil spirits, and refresh the mind. In the future, smaller items such as medicinal pillows, anti-epidemic powders, and summer refreshing drinks can be developed, which will not only benefit the people but also increase revenue.
She already had many ideas in mind, and now that she had some free time, she could start trying them out one by one.
As she was pondering to herself, she suddenly heard footsteps. She put down the booklet and looked up.
The newcomer was dressed in a cloud-patterned brocade robe with a jade belt around his waist, looking quite noble. However, a sachet with a slightly unruly embroidered pattern, indistinctly resembling a tortoise, hung prominently from his waist, adding a touch of comicality.
It was Li Jing.
Behind him followed a middle-aged man who looked uneasy. The man hunched his shoulders, his eyes darting around, and he kept glancing around furtively, appearing anxious and uneasy.
This person is Zheng Hui, the former manager of Bazhenfang.
Looking at the two, Meng Yutong wondered what this young master was up to today. She simply said, "Young Master Li, it's been a long time. I'm sure you're feeling much better now?"
It was just a casual, polite remark, but it warmed Li Jing's heart for no apparent reason.
He quickened his pace, approached the counter, and hurriedly replied, "Much better! It's all thanks to your skillful treatment last time!"
"Your Highness is too kind." Meng Yutong said calmly, her clear gaze sweeping over him and the person behind him. "I merely lent Your Highness a humble room in Zhaoyu Hall for temporary accommodation. Your Highness's recovery was largely due to Physician Ji's meticulous care. May I ask what brings Your Highness here today?"
Seeing her indifferent attitude, Li Jing turned around with some annoyance, glared at Zheng Hui behind him, and said in an unfriendly tone, "What are you dawdling for! Haven't you eaten?"
Zheng Hui trembled at his shout and quickly ran forward, bowing and scraping: "Yes, sir, yes, sir."
He turned to Meng Yutong, bowed deeply with utmost respect, and his face was filled with remorse and heartache: "Doctor Meng, it was I who was blind and confused for a moment, and was misled by others into doing such a despicable thing as framing Zhaoyutang! This matter has absolutely nothing to do with our young master; it was all my own doing! Today, whether you want to punish me or not, it is up to you, Doctor Meng, and I will have no complaints whatsoever!"
In fact, after his cousin reminded him last time, Li Jing had thought about coming to Zhaoyu Hall to apologize. However, he had been pampered for many years and was spoiled by nature. He had never been so humble as to try to please others.
So the matter remained in his mind for a long time. Last time, he unfortunately contracted diarrhea, and Ji Yun brought him to Zhaoyutang for treatment. Meng Yutong treated him as usual, which made him feel even more ashamed.
He brought Zheng Hui here today for two reasons. First, he wanted to clarify things in front of Meng Yutong and salvage his image. Second, he also had a selfish motive: he wanted to take advantage of the Qixi Festival to find an excuse to see her again, even if it was just to say a few words.
After Zheng Hui finished speaking, he glanced nervously at Meng Yutong's expression, then secretly looked at Li Jing, feeling uneasy, wondering if his explanation would be accepted.
Li Jing also looked at Meng Yutong with considerable nervousness. This was the first time in his life that he had apologized to someone so humbly, and he was unsure if his approach was appropriate. He had initially considered giving Zheng Hui a good beating on the spot to vent Meng Yutong's anger, but he feared that such an action would be too harsh and offend her. After much deliberation, he finally restrained himself and dared not act rashly.
After being scrutinized by the two men for a while, Meng Yutong finally spoke slowly and deliberately, her voice clear and melodious: "Manager Zheng, you are mistaken. Bazhenfang is a property under the young master's name, and it is usually managed entirely by you, Manager Zheng. I have also heard that Manager Zheng is shrewd and adept at social maneuvering, but I do not know what kind of person you are that could persuade you to do such a despicable and treacherous thing? Furthermore, I do not know how many times Manager Zheng has instigated people to sign deed of yin and yang and plotted to seize other people's property in the past?"
Upon hearing this, Zheng Hui's knees buckled. He had originally thought that this young woman was innocent and that if he acted pitiful in front of her, he might soften her heart and let the matter drop. Now it seemed that she was taking advantage of the prince's favor and was unwilling to let it go easily!
"Doctor Meng, please understand!" He hurriedly bowed, almost kneeling, his face filled with utmost pleading and grievance. "I was truly blinded by greed and... I was misled by those scoundrels! I swear to heaven, I have never done anything so heinous before! I beg Doctor Meng to show mercy and give me... give me a chance to reform. I will repay your kindness with the utmost gratitude!"
Upon hearing this, Meng Yutong's lips curved slightly, revealing a faint smile. In Li Jing's eyes, the beauty under the lamplight was like jade, elegant and incomparable. Although her smile was faint, it seemed to have a hook, scratching directly at the tip of his heart, causing his heartbeat to suddenly become disordered, and he subconsciously tightened his grip on the sachet at his waist.
"Why is Manager Zheng in such a hurry to distance himself?" Her tone remained calm, each word clear and unyielding. "The evidence regarding the Yin-Yang contract is irrefutable. You know perfectly well what you've done. If you're going to apologize today, I'm afraid I'm not the only one you'll be apologizing to. Besides..."
She glanced meaningfully at Li Jing beside her, her eyes flickering slightly. "You know how sincere the shopkeeper is in coming here today, and I know it too."
Li Jing felt inexplicably guilty after being stared at by her, and subconsciously touched his nose.
Meng Yutong's gaze returned to Li Jing, and her tone softened slightly: "Your Highness is willing to condescend to come here today to apologize, which shows that you are not an unreasonable person. I hope that Your Highness will be able to distinguish between loyalty and treachery in the future, befriend the virtuous and keep away from the wicked, and not let the pearl be tarnished and the petty people prosper."
Li Jing's face flushed red from her words, and he stammered with embarrassment, "I...I really..."
The word "wrong" rolled around in my throat, but I couldn't bring myself to say it.
After holding it in for a long time, he finally said, his neck stiff, "In short! Such a thing will never happen again!"
Zheng Hui, who was standing to the side, was terrified. He had worked under Li Jing for several years and knew that this young master was arrogant, haughty, and easily influenced. Usually, with just a little encouragement from him, nothing was impossible.
What's wrong with him today? He's actually changed his ways in front of this young woman, even obediently listening to her lecture! It's like the sun has risen in the west. For a moment, he forgot his own situation, staring intently at Li Jing with a look of utter astonishment, as if he'd seen a ghost.
The next moment, he saw something even more astonishing. Li Jing fumbled in his sleeve for a while, then took out an exquisite brocade box. His face flushed slightly, and he shoved the box into Meng Yutong's hands.
"I've come here today to sincerely apologize, so here's a gift for you." Before he finished speaking, he quickly turned his face away, not daring to look at Meng Yutong's expression, but instead met Zheng Hui's wide-open eyes, filled with disbelief, as if he were looking at a bewitched, mindless person.
Li Jing was already embarrassed and annoyed, and seeing this only made him angrier. He shouted angrily, "What are you still doing standing here in the way! Get out of here!"
Zheng Hui jumped up and quickly replied, "Yes, yes, yes, I'll get out of here right away!"
He hurriedly turned to slip away, but a burst of laughter and commotion suddenly came from outside the clinic. A moment later, several elegantly dressed, dashing young men rushed in.
The leader raised his voice, his tone full of mockery: "Oh! Brother Mingyuan, didn't you say you weren't feeling well today and were going to rest at home? How come you've come to Peach Blossom Street?"
Dou Zhijie's shout immediately made Li Jing blush from ear to neck, so embarrassed that she wished she could disappear into the ground.
He didn't care about Meng Yutong's reaction at that moment. He immediately turned around and practically pushed and shoved Dou Zhijie and his group out, making up excuses as he said, "Why are you guys coming to this clinic instead of going to the restaurant to have fun?"
With a swift movement, he unfurled his folding fan, revealing a worldly and sophisticated air about him, a seasoned and insightful understanding of human nature.
Dou Zhijie was the oldest among this group of young masters, and also the most unrestrained and unconventional. Although he already had wives and concubines at home, it did not prevent him from indulging in poetry, wine, and romance outside, enjoying the beauty of youth.
It was precisely because of his temperament that he was able to see through Li Jing's unusual concern for Meng Yutong at a glance.
Though his voice was soft, the ambiguous, teasing expression on his face was unmistakable. The people around him, sensing something amiss, were about to make a fuss when Li Jing preemptively shouted, "Stop talking nonsense and blocking their business! Tell me, which restaurant do you want to go tonight? I'll treat!"
Upon hearing that Li Jing was going to treat everyone, the crowd immediately beamed with joy, surrounding him and leaving Peach Blossom Street in the blink of an eye.
As Li Jing was pushed and shoved onto Wangxian Bridge, he couldn't help but turn back and glance in the direction of Zhaoyu Hall. There he saw a graceful figure by the counter, opening the brocade box he had given her and examining it closely.
The heat that had just subsided on his face instantly returned. He hurriedly turned his head and followed the crowd off the bridge towards Yujie Street.
After Li Jing left, Meng Yutong fully opened the brocade box in her hand, and there lay a pair of white magnolia earrings on a velvet backing.
The jade is lustrous and flawless, the carving is exquisite and meticulous, the petals are naturally and gracefully arranged, and the whole piece exudes an elegant and refined air, making it clear at a glance that it is of great value.
Meng Yutong lowered her eyes slightly, the lamplight outlining her profile, making her expression indistinct.
Since Li Jing had made it clear that this was a gift of apology, and considering that the opening of the clinic had indeed caused complications because of him, and that she herself had suffered quite a bit, she felt no unease accepting the valuable gift.
Without giving it much thought, she was about to put the brocade box away when she heard footsteps outside the door again.
Looking up, one could see that the person was dressed in a jade-green long robe, with a tall and slender figure, and only a jade pendant of the same color, carved into the shape of two fish, hanging at his waist.
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