“We both want you to have a wonderful life, to live with dignity, instead of forever following behind other women, bowing your head and submitting, competing with them for that insignificant affection, and waiting for a man's favor. A woman like you should be treasured by a man who has only you in his heart.”
Meiyun asked blankly, "Are there really people like that?"
Gu Qinlan answered affirmatively, "Of course there will be."
Mei Yun bowed to Gu Qinlan and said sincerely, "Thank you for your guidance, Madam. I was young and ignorant before, and I caused you a lot of trouble."
Gu Qinlan smiled and replied, "It's alright, it's just a young woman's whim, I didn't take it to heart."
Meiyun felt a little embarrassed and said in a low voice, "Thank you for your magnanimity, Madam. I... I am still a little confused and need time to sort out my thoughts. Please give me some time to think."
Gu Qinlan nodded in agreement: "Of course, you can stay here with peace of mind. You can come to see me anytime after you have thought it through."
As Mei Yun watched Gu Qinlan's figure gradually disappear into the distance, she reflected on her own actions over the past few days and felt extremely ashamed.
She suddenly realized where she had gone wrong. Compared to Gu Qinlan, she was indeed far behind.
As Madam Zheng said, she did not need to waste her life in a man's private quarters.
She should be like Gu Qinlan, relying on her own abilities to live an upright life.
Just like Gu Qinlan, who won the title of county princess through her own abilities, making everyone envious of Zheng Dinglian's good fortune. Not the other way around.
Meiyun gripped the hand warmer tightly, and suddenly a clear direction became clear in her mind.
The next day, she approached Gu Qinlan again and shared her thoughts.
"Madam, I wish to open a clinic. Could you lend me some funds?"
When Meiyun made this request, she appeared calm and confident.
Gu Qinlan smiled knowingly: "No need for loans. I'll cooperate with you. I'll provide the capital, you provide the medical skills, and we'll split the profits equally, how about that?"
Mei Yun replied with a bright smile, "Deal!"
On the second day after dawn, Gu Qinlan and Meiyun traversed the streets and alleys of the northern city, carefully examining several shops. Among many options, the two unanimously decided to settle down in this vibrant land and open their own clinic.
The residents of the northern part of the city are mostly hardworking ordinary people. Opening a clinic here may not be as economically lucrative as in other bustling areas, but the purpose of a clinic cannot be merely to make a profit. The true purpose is to heal the sick and save lives; this is the original aspiration of a doctor.
The lives of ordinary people in the Western Wei Kingdom were becoming increasingly difficult, and medical expenses were a significant burden. Many commoners, when faced with minor ailments such as headaches or fevers, often had no choice but to rely on folk remedies to cope. It was only when their symptoms became severe that they were forced to visit a clinic.
Choosing to open a clinic here not only offers affordable prices, but also allows for modest profits. However, as the number of patients increases, the steady stream of income will eventually accumulate. This ensures the clinic's sustainable operation and alleviates the financial burden of seeking medical treatment for the general public, making it a truly beneficial endeavor for the country and its people.
Mei Yun had worried that Gu Qinlan wouldn't agree to the plan, but to her surprise, Gu Qinlan shared her thoughts, which both excited and moved her. She sincerely said, "Madam, I couldn't understand why Prince Zheng favored you so much, even making such extraordinary promises, given that you are a woman from a wealthy family and a merchant background. But now I understand; my perspective was too narrow. Although you are a woman, your heart and vision far surpass those of many men. You not only care for those around you but are also very tolerant of me. Prince Zheng is truly fortunate to marry a woman like you."
Gu Qinlan smiled and replied, "You flatter me too much. I was just doing my best and fulfilling my duty."
Meiyun said seriously, "I am not exaggerating. Every word comes from the bottom of my heart. Madam, my thinking in the past was too narrow. I thought that a woman's life was only about relying on a good man, being a good wife and mother, and living a plain life. But now I understand that I can also become a respectable person, just like you."
Gu Qinlan patted her hand gently, moved, "You will definitely do better than me."
Mei Yun nodded firmly: "I will do my best."
The two shared the same vision, and preparations for the clinic quickly began. They named the clinic after themselves, calling it "Meilan Clinic".
Led by Gu Qinlan, Meiyun went to the pharmacy and selected several young and strong servants and maids to work as staff in the clinic. At the same time, she also hired two experienced counter clerks to handle the collection and distribution of medicinal herbs.
After half a month of intensive preparations, Meilan Medical Clinic finally opened for business. On the opening day, Gu Qinlan, along with Zheng Huiyi, Zhao Qingyu, and the Zheng Huaiyu siblings, came to the scene to offer their sincere congratulations.
Mei Yun personally stood guard at the stall in front of the clinic, wielding a large soup ladle in her hand. Beside her was a large pot emitting steam, in which a medicinal soup to prevent colds was being cooked. All of this was thanks to Gu Qinlan's ingenious plan, which suggested distributing this medicinal soup free of charge to passersby for the first three days of the clinic's opening.
Although this herbal decoction cannot cure the illness, it is sufficient to prevent it. It is currently February, and with fluctuating temperatures, it is peak season for colds. These inexpensive yet effective herbal decoctions have made Meilan Medical Clinic known to the surrounding residents.
Unlike ordinary businesses, clinics often see very few customers when they first open. After all, no one knows the skill level of the doctors, and most people prefer to seek treatment at familiar clinics to avoid wasting money and not getting better. Therefore, appropriate advertising and promotion are especially important.
On the quiet streets, very few people came seeking medicine, because there was a general taboo surrounding drugs among the public.
"Taking medicine when you're not sick is tantamount to inviting illness upon yourself."
Just as the clinic was getting a little quiet, Meiyun saw the group stepping through the threshold and immediately put down her soup spoon, hurrying over to greet them.
Gu Qinlan greeted him with a warm smile, saying, "Congratulations on your grand opening, Physician Mei."
Zheng Huiyi and others also took out red envelopes and offered their blessings: "May your business open to great success."
Mei Yun blushed slightly: "Your presence is enough, there's no need to go to the trouble of sending such a generous gift."
Zheng Huiyi, however, slipped the red envelope into her hand and said gently, "This is just a small gift, please accept it."
They all knew that Mei Yun was not well-off. Although Gu Qinlan had provided the initial capital for the clinic, Mei Yun had also invested all of her meager savings into it. Therefore, they specially chose to present this gift on the occasion of the opening to alleviate Mei Yun's financial burden.
Meiyun understood their good intentions and was moved to tears.
She knew that this kindness came from Gu Qinlan's care. If she had insisted on becoming Zheng Dinglian's concubine back then, probably no one would want to associate with her now.
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