Chapter 95 Mid-Autumn Festival
"You've had a long day too. The clinic has been closed these past few days. I wonder where your grandfather is staying? I was busy seeing patients this morning and didn't have a chance to ask him." Meng Yutong looked out the window and saw Wu Lin resting with his eyes closed under the old peach tree.
Wu Ming said nonchalantly, "Don't worry about him, sir! He's been around Peach Blossom Street for half his life, he knows every corner of the place well, he certainly won't mistreat himself!" Despite his words, he added, "But since you're concerned, I'll go ask him now, so I can convey your good wishes."
After saying that, he walked towards the tree by the bridge.
Meng Yutong smiled helplessly and was about to turn around and go back into the house when she heard a cheerful call coming from not far away:
"Dr. Meng!"
She turned around and saw Dou Zhijie gently waving his folding fan, a lazy smile on his face, slowly walking towards her.
"It has been several days since we last met at the Princess's residence. The sachets I bought from your shop last time were very useful. I originally intended to come and buy a few more, but unfortunately I heard that something has happened to your shop."
He approached, closed his fan, clasped his hands, and spoke earnestly, “I felt at the time that there must be a misunderstanding. How could someone as kind-hearted and skilled as Doctor Meng, a person like a fairy, do such a thing? Today, seeing you, it is truly clear that the clouds have parted and the moon is shining.”
His slick flattery flowed effortlessly, as if it were nothing.
Meng Yutong, realizing that she had only met Dou Zhijie a few times and had no deep relationship with him, simply nodded indifferently upon hearing this: "Thank you for your concern, Young Master Dou. May I ask if you have come today for a medical consultation or to pick up medicine?"
Dou Zhijie gently flicked the folding fan in his hand again. "Hey, Dr. Meng, you're mistaken. Mingyuan and I are even good friends, and Mingyuan takes good care of Dr. Meng. So, there's no need for us to be so formal; we should treat each other like family."
Meng Yutong's expression remained indifferent, her aloofness undiminished: "Young Master Dou has misunderstood. I merely lent a room in Zhaoyu Hall for Prince Li to stay in temporarily during his illness; I dare not use this to curry favor."
A smile, seemingly genuine yet feigned, flashed across Dou Zhijie's eyes. He then said, "I heard that the antidote for Princess Jingfu's poison was concocted by Doctor Meng? Doctor Meng is truly a divine being. Confined to this medical clinic without ever leaving the premises, he was able to cure the princess's poison remotely. No wonder Physician Ji and Mingyuan both regard Doctor Meng with special regard."
His words were tinged with a sense of probing.
Meng Yutong looked up at him, her tone calm yet measured: "Princess Jingfu is blessed by the heavens, and the officials of the Imperial Medical Academy have also done their best. I merely happened to be there and did my part, and I dare not take credit for it."
She deftly deflected the question, using minimal force to deflect it.
"If Young Master Dou has nothing else to do, there are still patients waiting in the clinic, so please forgive me for not being able to stay any longer."
After saying that, without waiting for Dou Zhijie's response, she nodded slightly and turned to walk gracefully into the inner hall of the clinic.
Dou Zhijie stood there, watching the aloof figure disappear behind the curtain, a hint of amusement growing in his eyes, and a faint smile curving his lips.
This woman is quite interesting. He came today not just for idle chatter, but because he heard that Princess Jingfu had been cured of her poison and came to find out the truth.
Based on his understanding of the Empress Dowager in the palace, he would definitely summon him to the palace to inquire about the details of this matter before today.
However, Meng Yutong was far more intelligent and vigilant than he had expected. She was shrewd and unyielding, and after chatting for a long time, he had not been able to glean any useful information.
Slightly annoyed, he flicked his sleeves and was about to turn and leave when he heard an old voice calling from under the old peach tree behind him:
"Young master, I see a hint of cloudiness obscuring the sun between your brows. Is something troubling your mind lately, making it difficult for you to make a decision? Why don't you come forward and allow me to perform a divination for you?"
Wu Lin stroked a few strands of his beard, his gaze lingering on Dou Zhijie.
Upon hearing this, Dou Zhijie chuckled lightly, somewhat dismissively: "Thank you for your kind offer, sir. However, my father taught me from a young age that the concept of fate is vague and ethereal; things are up to us, and destiny is in our own hands. You should find someone else who is destined for you, sir."
After saying this, he didn't linger and turned to leave gracefully.
Wu Lin's gaze lingered on the street corner where he had disappeared, never looking away. His fingers unconsciously caressed the few dark-colored tortoise shells in the wooden box, and the usual carefree and playful smile on his face faded, leaving only an obscure and complex expression.
This man's features, demeanor, manner of speaking, and manner of doing things are exactly like his father's.
Seeing him like this, Wu Ming reached out and gently massaged his slightly hunched shoulders, saying comfortingly, "Old man, what's wrong with you today? Don't you always have that 'Jiang Taigong fishing, those who are willing will take the bait' attitude? If they don't want to calculate, you can just wait for the next person who is destined."
Wu Lin closed his eyes and snorted, "Use some strength. Didn't you eat?"
"I'm the pillar of our family now, so please take it easy on me, old man," Wu Ming complained, but he did as he was told and increased the pressure on his hands.
"Yes, yes, you are the pillar of strength, and I am an old man. From now on... we will have to rely on you more as our pillar of strength." Wu Lin tugged at the corners of his mouth, as if he were smiling, but the smile did not reach his eyes, and a layer of heaviness was unusually shrouded between his brows.
Wu Ming stopped what he was doing, walked around to his front, squatted down and looked at him carefully: "Old man, is there something you're hiding from me? You seem a bit strange today."
Wu Lin looked up at the brand-new plaque of "Zhaoyutang" in front of him, remained silent for a moment, and then said slowly, "If I said... I'm a little tired, and I don't want to rent this shop anymore, would you agree?"
Upon hearing this, Wu Ming abruptly stopped. He stood up abruptly and hurriedly asked, "What happened? If you're tired, just rest in the backyard of the clinic. Why come out here in the wind and sun? I told you long ago that I could support you! The clinic has only been open for three months, and I've already saved some money. Just wait a little longer, and soon I'll be able to earn even more, enough for your retirement!"
Looking at his grandson's eager and sincere face, Wu Lin felt a complex worry flash through his eyes, which was then soothed by the undisguised concern into a warm and comforting feeling, and finally turned into a trace of reluctance.
Although Wu Ming was not his biological son, he was a pitiful child whom he had picked up when he was homeless and destitute, just like him.
At that time, he was heartbroken and had no interest in life. If it weren't for this innocent child, he probably would have been dead long ago...
So be it. We've all reached this age, with the earth almost reaching our necks. What is there to fear or back down from? He spends his days divining and guiding others, but when it comes to himself, does he become timid and hesitant?
He suddenly threw his head back and laughed, his face regaining some of its former radiance. He glanced at Wu Ming with disdain: "What could possibly be wrong with me? I was just teasing you! Doctor Meng's clinic is thriving, and now you have a proper job. I'll be counting on you to take care of me in my old age, so why would I be so foolish as to take back the shop?"
Hearing him say that, Wu Ming finally breathed a sigh of relief and put his mind at ease. He then pinched Wu Lin's arm lightly and gently, saying, "You old rascal, stop looking so gloomy like others! Anyway, do whatever you want. Even if the sky falls, I'll hold it up."
A gentle breeze swept by, causing the peach tree branches overhead to rustle and scatter tiny golden dapples of sunlight across the ground.
In the flickering light and shadow, Wu Lin's gaze toward the person beside him was calm and gentle, with a hint of tenderness.
*
On the fifteenth of August, the Mid-Autumn Festival, the moon is full and round, its clear light shining everywhere.
Seven days have passed since Zhaoyutang was raided.
In the past few days, Meng Yutong has been handling the affairs inside and outside the clinic as usual. During this time, she also made a special trip to the Princess's residence to give Princess Jingfu a follow-up examination.
Although the antidote that Ji Yun collected cured the begonia's deadly poison and saved her life, the poison was vicious and ultimately damaged her meridians. Her leg ailment, which had shown signs of improvement, regressed to its original state after this ordeal.
After Meng Yutong carefully treated her with acupuncture, she truthfully told her: "Your Highness is currently severely weakened. Your leg ailment cannot be rushed. You must rest and recuperate first, and then we can plan for the future."
Upon hearing that his leg ailment had worsened, Jingfu's reaction was surprisingly calm to Meng Yutong. Instead of getting angry, she said slowly, "According to Huaizhi, I was able to escape danger this time entirely because you identified the source of the poison and found the antidote. If it weren't for you, I'm afraid I would have lost my life."
Meng Yutong bowed slightly: "Your Highness is blessed with good fortune and is fortunate to have you. If we must express our gratitude, it should be Physician Ji who braved dangers and traveled thousands of miles to find the medicine. I dare not take credit for it."
Jingfu reached out and kindly pulled her to sit down, his tone unusually frank: "In the past, due to some prejudice, I treated you harshly. But after experiencing so much, I've seen through some of the ways of the world. In this world, you can't see into people's hearts; you can't tell who is kind on the outside but cold on the inside, and who is smiling while hiding a knife. If it weren't for this incident, I wouldn't have known that Jin'an harbored such deep hatred for me, and even wanted to kill me!"
Meng Yutong raised her eyes and looked at her with a clear and upright gaze: "Now that the princess is aware of the cause and effect, may she restore the innocence of this humble woman and Zhaoyutang?"
Upon hearing this, Jingfu couldn't help but chuckle: "You are truly an interesting person. I treated you harshly in the past, but you didn't hold a grudge. Instead, you healed my leg and detoxified me. Now I regard you as my benefactor and treat you with courtesy. There are few people in the entire city of Lin'an who can earn my favor so much, yet you are not particularly warm towards me. You still have this aloof and cold demeanor."
She sighed softly, with a hint of self-mockery, "Don't worry, I will clear your name and clear Zhaoyutang's name. But it's my own grudge that I can only swallow now, pretending nothing happened. It's really frustrating."
Meng Yutong lowered her eyelashes slightly, her tone remaining calm, yet carrying a hint of something inexplicable: "Your Highness is so magnanimous. Considering Princess Jin'an's young age and the kinship of the royal family, you would rather suffer some grievances yourself than compromise the dignity of the younger generation. Such a magnanimous spirit is truly admirable."
Her words were soft and clear, yet they contained phrases like "magnanimous" and "admirable," leaving a lingering sense of deeper meaning.
Jingfu sneered, a hint of anger flashing between his brows: "Hmph, magnanimity? Huaizhi has been running around for me these past few days, compiling all the evidence gathered in the manor and submitting it to the Court of Imperial Clan Affairs. But after all that work, he was only met with the dismissal of 'insufficient evidence to file a case'!"
"I originally intended to wait until I was feeling better before personally going to the palace to plead my case to the Emperor. However, the Empress Dowager spoke first, saying that since my life was no longer in danger, I should focus on recuperating and not cause any more trouble."
Meng Yutong had gained a glimpse into the intrigues and power struggles within the palace. No matter how flamboyant Princess Jingfu was, she was ultimately a person caught up in the power struggles and could not completely ignore the intricate relationships and the attitudes of those in power.
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