Xiao Yuan, with astute observation, brought over a stool, allowing Rong Zhi and her father to sit. She then began to watch Rong Zhi's actions with focused attention.
Rong Zhi casually reached out and took Zhou Dazhuang's wrist to examine it.
Zhu Dahong stopped fiddling with the pig offal, her eyes fixed on her husband, fearing any potential complications.
After a quick pulse diagnosis, Rong Zhi nodded.
"Much better. Just maintain a light diet, avoid overly salty or oily foods, and eat smaller meals more frequently throughout the day. Don't overeat at one sitting."
"Alright, I understand."
Zhou Dazhuang quickly withdrew his hand and glanced at Zhu Dahong.
This doctor was truly remarkable, discerning his eating habits with just a glance.
In reality, he himself preferred bland food and couldn't eat much at each meal. It was his wife, adept at feeding him, who was the issue!
Relieved by the positive outcome, Zhu Dahong also relaxed. She then heard Rong Zhi ask, "Sister-in-law, I heard that the medicine from Jishi Hall previously nearly caused someone's death. It was an old woman surnamed Chen. Where does she live? I'd like to go and see her."
"Old Mrs. Chen," Zhu Dahong said, after a glance at Zhou Dazhuang. "She lives three streets east of Jishi Hall, behind a small tavern. But the old woman isn't surnamed Chen; Chen is her husband's family name. She has only one son, named Chen Lin."
Chen Lin... Rong Zhi silently noted the name.
"How is Old Mrs. Chen now?"
"Alas, what can you expect? The elderly lady is frail. If she falls ill, even if she recovers, her body will be weakened. Now she's bedridden, completely reliant on her son for care. Chen Lin is so busy, running errands and working, and he doesn't even have a wife. How can he manage alone?"
As she spoke, she shot Zhou Dazhuang several glances, filled with a sense of blame.
Zhou Dazhuang could only try to break the awkwardness by changing the subject.
"I think Old Mrs. Chen seems much better lately. Not long ago, when my own illness wasn't severe, we even bought some date paste shortbread to take to her."
"Alas, we can only help for a while, not for a lifetime."
Zhu Dahong suddenly remembered something and looked at Rong Zhi, but ultimately said nothing.
Rong Zhi had a general idea. "You two are busy. I have other matters to attend to, so I'll be going now."
"Ah, Divine Doctor Lin, please visit again sometime!"
After walking a distance, Rong Zhi heard Zhu Dahong scolding Zhou Dazhuang.
"I told you Zhao Qiancai wasn't a good person, yet you still insisted I buy medicine from his shop."
...
Rong Zhi arrived at the pastry shop and bought several pounds of date paste shortbread. Thinking that the elderly woman had difficulty chewing, she also purchased some sweet and soft osmanthus cakes.
Following Zhu Dahong's directions, Rong Zhi found a small courtyard. The gate was closed, and it was quiet inside.
Rong Zhi stepped forward and knocked on the door.
A young man, about seventeen or eighteen years old, opened it. A light stubble was already growing on his chin, and his face was gaunt, looking somewhat tired.
He looked at Rong Zhi with surprise.
"Miss, who are you looking for?"
"My name is Lin Mo. I'm a doctor. I heard from Sister-in-law Zhu, the butcher's wife, that your mother is quite ill, so I've come to take a look."
"Oh... so Sister-in-law Zhu introduced you?"
Chen Lin's guard lessened upon hearing this. He thought female doctors were indeed rare, then became somewhat embarrassed.
"I... I can't afford the medical fees."
His voice was very soft, as if the matter was difficult to speak of.
"You can pay later. Illness cannot be delayed. Sister-in-law Zhu asked me to visit the patient, and I owe her a favor. I won't charge you too much."
"That's too kind of you!"
Chen Lin was still hesitating, but Rong Zhi had already squeezed past him.
"Is the patient in that room?"
She pointed towards the main house.
"Yes..."
Rong Zhi pushed open the door and found the room dim. A thin, small old woman lay on the bed, her white hair looking like dandelion fluff ready to be blown away by the wind.
The old woman's breathing was somewhat rapid. Rong Zhi frowned as she looked at the closed window.
"This room is so small and poorly ventilated; are you trying to suffocate the patient? Open the window."
"No, my mother is weak and cannot be exposed to drafts!"
"The patient will be fine as long as she's not directly in the wind. The air in the room is stagnant; stale air accumulates over time and turns into illness, only worsening the patient's condition."
Chen Lin, though skeptical, opened the window, but only a crack.
A beam of light shone in, and the old woman began to cough. Chen Lin startled and was about to close the window.
"Don't move."
Rong Zhi stopped him.
She approached the bedside, helped the old woman calm her breathing, and after she stopped coughing, she gave her a cup of water. Seeing the old woman's complexion improve slightly, she began to take her pulse.
"What medicine has the old lady been taking?"
Chen Lin watched her skilled movements and replied, "She's been taking medicine for lung illness."
"Do you have the prescription?"
"Yes."
He found the prescription and handed it to Rong Zhi. Rong Zhi examined it and found nothing amiss. If she continued taking the medication and received proper care, the old woman's health would gradually improve. Since the prescription was fine, the issue must be inadequate care.
She felt a bit puzzled.
An Ping had mentioned that the old lady had almost died before and was saved by Chu Qingze. Why hadn't he simply cured the old woman's illness then?
Rong Zhi decided to ask directly.
"Did your mother take the wrong medicine before?"
"Yes," Chen Lin nodded.
"She caught a cold two years ago and took medicine for it, but it worsened her condition, and she's been declining ever since."
"Taking the wrong medicine is no small matter. Who treated you back then?"
"Chu Qingze."
Chen Lin's tone was unpleasant as he spoke, as if Chu Qingze were an enemy rather than the one who saved his mother's life.
"Then this doctor was incredibly irresponsible. If he could save your mother's life, why didn't he cure her illness? People in town call him a divine doctor, but it seems that's all he is."
This comment surprised Chen Lin.
In Changping County, everyone held Chu Divine Doctor in great respect, not only due to his medical skills but also his close relationship with the county magistrate's daughter. Almost no one spoke ill of him behind his back.
However, considering that the young woman before him was also a doctor, he could understand her perspective.
His words made him relax his guard.
"He offered to treat my mother, but I refused."
"Hmm?"
Rong Zhi was a little surprised. "Why?"
"He's too close to that Zhao Qiancai. Who knows if he's Zhao Qiancai's accomplice? What if my mother's condition worsens after he treats her?"
He spoke righteously, and Rong Zhi picked up on the crucial information. It turned out to be because of Zhao Qiancai. httpδ:/m.kuAisugg.nět
"So... your mother's illness has been left untreated for two years?"
She emphasized her words, causing Chen Lin's expression to change.
"I... I did find other doctors for my mother later. I brewed her medicine every day."
"..."
Well, his concerns were not entirely unfounded.
Rong Zhi was glad she hadn't mentioned Zhao Qiancai's name earlier, or she might have been chased out as well.
"How has your mother's condition been over the past two years?"
"Her condition... it always fluctuates, getting better and worse."
His tone was somewhat dejected.
Rong Zhi thought that in such an environment, it was already good that her condition hadn't completely deteriorated.
The room was small, not well-lit, and the windows were kept shut tightly year-round.
Chen Lin was alone at home, having to support the family and care for his mother, unable to do justice to both. It was no wonder his mother's illness hadn't been cured.
Therefore, the illness wasn't difficult to treat; it just lacked proper care.
"I can take care of your mother for you."
"What?" Chen Lin was taken aback. "Why would you help me like this?"
"Of course, it's because of Sister-in-law Zhu's request. Good deeds should be seen through to the end. As a doctor, I cannot tolerate a patient's treatment being left unfinished. Of course, I'm not helping you for free. What is your livelihood?"
"I sell tofu at a stall." He didn't understand why Rong Zhi was asking.
"Then you can provide me with two pounds of dried tofu every day as consultation fees. How does that sound?"
Two pounds of dried tofu was a negligible amount, essentially meaning Rong Zhi was helping him care for his mother for free.
This seemingly windfall was so good that Chen Lin became even more suspicious.
"Where are you from? Where can I find you?"
"If you want to find me, go to Yunshui Village. Just inquire about the haunted house."
"Alright, I'll consider it."
He nodded hesitantly.
"I'll wait for your news. These are for your mother."
Rong Zhi left after placing down the two bags of pastries.
She knew that Chen Lin would not easily believe her and would surely go to ask Zhu Dahong. Therefore, she needed to preempt his actions.
As Rong Zhi had anticipated, shortly after she left, Chen Lin also exited his home. Seeing Rong Zhi had gone far, he headed straight for Zhu Dahong's house.
He did not expect that Rong Zhi had already predicted his move.
"Sister-in-law, when he comes later, just tell him what I told you."
"Okay, leave it to me."
Zhu Dahong agreed readily, trusting Rong Zhi's medical skills and not suspecting anything.
Shortly after Rong Zhi's departure, Chen Lin arrived.
Zhu Dahong feigned ignorance, showing surprise.
"Brother Chen, why are you here? Is your mother feeling any better?"
"She's a bit better," Chen Lin nodded. "Something strange happened just now. A doctor suddenly came to my house..."
Chen Lin recounted the entire incident.
"Sister-in-law, did you introduce that doctor?"
"Yes!"
"Ah?"
Chen Lin hadn't expected this outcome.
All the way there, he had been thinking this must be a scammer. What doctor brings pastries when treating an illness, and only asks for two pounds of dried tofu to care for his mother?
Someone who could do such a thing was perhaps only a Bodhisattva enshrined in a temple.
"She refused to take my money. Where in the world can you find such a kind person?"
Zhu Dahong smiled and began to tell a fabricated story as Rong Zhi had instructed. "You don't know, this doctor said her fate is bad. Her master told her to accumulate good deeds, and it would benefit her in the future. My husband, Brother Zhou, was also treated by her. Look at him now, he can even walk."
Just then, Zhou Dazhuang walked out from the inner room, asking, "What are you two talking about?"
"Brother Zhou?"
Chen Lin looked at the man who had been ill for many days suddenly regaining color in his face, and was even more astonished.
"So there really are such good things..."
"Of course. This doctor is not only skilled but also kind-hearted."
"But I have nothing to repay her with."
"This..." Zhu Dahong grinned as if she had thought of something.
"I think this young lady is quite young and likely unmarried. If you truly want to repay her, why don't you marry her?"
"Cough, cough, cough!"
Zhou Dazhuang began to cough violently nearby.
"Sister-in-law, don't speak nonsense."
Chen Lin's mind flashed with the image of that delicate and aloof face, and his complexion instantly turned red.
"Oh, Big Sister was just joking with you," Zhu Dahong realized she had spoken out of turn and quickly tried to cover it up.
"Don't worry about it. Isn't it good that someone is taking care of your old mother? Hurry back. Your mother is waiting for you to care for her. Oh, right, I have some freshly washed pig offal here. Take it back and stir-fry it!"
As Zhu Dahong spoke, she bustled into the kitchen and brought out a basin of pig offal to give to Chen Lin.
"Thank you, Sister-in-law."
These two families had always looked out for each other, so Chen Lin didn't stand on ceremony and accepted it.
That evening, hearing of Rong Zhi's decision, Xia Yunting frowned.
"You're going to a stranger's home to care for his mother?"