"Besides," she smiled, "isn’t it good to hold clinic on West Street? Mr. Miao sometimes gets too busy to handle everything himself, and with me joining, it’s just perfect. On holidays, we can also concoct new prescriptions to supply. Shopkeeper Du previously wanted to move the clinic to Qinghe Street in South City to earn the rich folks’ silver. Who knows? Perhaps one day that opportunity will really come."
Upon hearing the phrase "to earn the rich folks’ silver," Du Changqing suddenly lost his confidence, his expression wavering.
Yin Zheng, seeing this, smiled and consoled, "If we don’t go to the Medical Officer Institute, then we don’t go. The salary there isn’t much more than what we offer at our clinic, and we close our doors every evening while they have to work late into the night. Miss, your return is timely. When spring arrives, I can refurbish the yard, and I won’t be afraid anymore, living there by myself."
After speaking, she covertly gave Miao Liangfang a meaningful glance.
Miao Liangfang came back to his senses and chimed in, "Right, right, right, the owner wouldn’t begrudge giving out an extra month allowance, would he? There’s no need for that. The new medicine made by Xiao Lu is worth way more than the month allowance."
Du Changqing still frowned, his tone resentful, "To forsake a promising future and stay at the clinic on West Street, have you gone mad?" He waved his hand impatiently, "Forget it, I don’t want to talk about your matters. There’s not one thing that pleases me... Since you’ve returned, you should start thinking about what new medicine to make. Let me tell you this, even though you are a Hanlin Medical Officer from the Hanlin Medical Institute, your month allowance will remain the same, you’re not allowed to jack up the prices."
Lu Tong smiled, "Alright."
He asked a few more questions, all indirectly trying to find out whether Lu Tong had made any mistakes in Su Nan. Lu Tong answered them all. Seeing that he couldn’t get anything more, Du Changqing had no choice but to give up, though his expression still showed some lingering concern.
After finishing the meal, Miao Liangfang pulled Lu Tong back to her room. Taking the chance while Du Changqing was settling the accounts inside the shop, he asked in a low voice, "Xiao Lu, have you really resigned from your official position?"
Lu Tong nodded.
"But why?" Miao Liangfang didn’t understand, "You’ve just returned from Su Nan, and it’s a crucial time for the Official Examiner’s assessment. You resigned, and even Chang Jin agreed to this?"
Lu Tong smiled gently and replied, "Chief Physician Chang knows."
"Xiao Lu..."
"Mr. Miao," she turned towards Miao Liangfang, "you’ve worked there before and know the Hanlin Medical Institute better than I do. I’m not suited for that place, and I can’t bear to live a life of kowtowing and trying to please others day after day. Hosting a clinic on West Street and treating commoners suits me far better than living a constrained life in the Imperial City."
Miao Liangfang looked at Lu Tong.
Lu Tong’s eyes were open and honest as she let him look her over.
Miao Liangfang felt that Lu Tong who had returned from Su Nan was somewhat different.
In the past, Lu Tong always worked in silence, never liking to explain herself to others, as if no one knew what she was doing or thinking. In reality, everyone at Renxin Medical Hall knew that Lu Tong was pursuing her own matters; however, she was like an immovable rock, and by implicit mutual understanding, they chose not to ask.
Now, however, she seemed suddenly at ease, as if she had finished all she needed to do, shed all the burdens she was unwilling to carry, light-hearted, serene—a simplicity no one wanted to disturb.
Miao Liangfang sighed.
"Alright," he leaned on his cane, "you’ve always had your own ideas, and as long as you’re confident in your heart, that’s enough."
Right now, Shengjing’s Imperial City was caught in a complex web of events. Withdrawing and staying clear of the turmoil might not be such a bad decision. With this in mind, he saw some wisdom in Lu Tong’s decision.
"Since you’ve resigned, you’ll return to host the clinic eventually. Perfect, I also have something I’d like to discuss with you."
Lu Tong asked, "What’s the matter?"
Miao Liangfang waved it off, "Let’s not talk about it now. We’ll discuss it after some days have passed."
He then gave Lu Tong a few more instructions and went back to the inside of the shop to stay busy.
Lu Tong watched quietly. In the half a year since she had last been at Renxin Medical Hall, the number of patients coming to the clinic had increased. Not only from West Street, but those living further away were also willing to come here for medicine and consultations, perhaps because Miao Liang was skilled in medicine, didn’t charge much for consultations, and the medicines were generally not expensive, making patients from near and far prefer coming here.
Lu Tong had also wanted to help, but Yin Zheng had insisted she rest more, having just returned, and wouldn’t let her out of the house.
When evening came and the crimson sunset touched the ground, Du Changqing prepared to take Ah Cheng home. Lu Tong was conversing with Miao Liangfang inside the shop when suddenly she heard Ah Cheng call out, "Lord Pei!"
Lu Tong looked up.
The sun was nearly setting, and half the golden light spilled into the shop. A young man walked in under the Li Zishu tree, his robes lightly lifted by the evening breeze, bringing a sudden sense that the day was warm and long, full of splendid springtime.
Du Changqing’s face changed, "Why has he come here?"
Lu Tong walked around from behind the counter as Pei Yunmeng entered the shop, greeted Miao Liangfang, and then looked down at her with a smile, "You wouldn’t have started holding clinic today, would you?"
"No, today is a day of rest. I will start tomorrow."
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