Other clinics underestimated Liu Qingyan, and so did Lu Zheng.
After checking the patient’s pulse briefly, she identified the cause with confidence, prescribing medicine decisively.
“Follow this prescription, and you should see results in half a month, though full recovery will take at least two months. Also, your condition has lingered for a long time, and it’s due to your constitution, causing these sores to keep forming and festering,” Liu Qingyan explained. “So, you’ll need to take this medicine long-term. Even after the sores clear in two months, continue for another three to ensure they don’t return for three years.”
The patient, clearly experienced with seeking treatment, wasn’t fully convinced. “I came all the way from Pingtan County because of your reputation. If you cure me, I’ll spread your name there. But if you don’t, don’t make big claims and mock me, or I’ll ruin your reputation in Pingtan.”
Liu Qingyan smiled faintly, but before she could respond, another patient in the clinic cut in. “If you don’t trust her, don’t come. Dr Liu’s delayed helping several of us to treat you. Since you’ve got your prescription, go grab your medicine and leave, don’t linger.”
The man was taken aback, said nothing, and quietly went to the pharmacy counter.
The assistant at the counter frowned as the man approached, but the patient, used to such reactions, didn’t care.
Lu Zheng stepped forward, patted the assistant’s shoulder to step back, and while preparing the medicine, casually asked, “Dr Liu hasn’t been at Benevolence Hall long, how’s her reputation reached Pingtan County?”
“No idea,” the man replied. “I usually go to Jizhen Hall in the county for medicine. One day, a stranger approached me, saying Dr Liu at Benevolence Hall in Tonglin County has amazing skills, especially with tricky cases. My festering sores? Just routine for her.”
Clearly, the man was a pawn. “I figured I’d treat a dead horse as a live one and give it a try.”
Lu Zheng nodded. “I see.”
The man wasn’t foolish. Despite his sores, his clothes were expensive, marking him as no ordinary commoner. He caught the implication in Lu Zheng’s question.
Benevolence Hall looked newly opened, yet the steady stream of patients, some even queuing, showed it didn’t lack business.
So, there was no need for them to advertise in neighbouring counties.
The situation was clear: rivals in Tonglin County, losing business, were sending difficult cases to Benevolence Hall, hoping to tarnish its reputation when treatments failed.
But this only happened if Benevolence Hall either charged fair prices or had real skill.
“Total comes to one guan and three hundred twenty wen,” Lu Zheng said, handing over the packaged herbs.
Well, it seemed like the latter.
The man’s eyes lit up. Could his sores actually be cured?
Taking the herbs, he glanced at Liu Qingyan and Lu Zheng, nodded, and left.
…
That afternoon, Lu Zheng said goodbye to Liu Qingyan and left early.
Back home, he grabbed a jug of scorpion wine and strolled to the county yamen’s side courtyard, where the constables’ quarters were.
If there was a problem, solve it.
Lu Zheng’s approach was simple. He had no time for mind games with scheming clinics. If some ruthless one killed a patient to frame Benevolence Hall, even if it could be sorted out, it’d be a disgusting hassle.
So, nipping the problem in the bud was the best solution.
Thus, he visited Captain Liu with the wine, offering pleasantries while mentioning Benevolence Hall’s situation.
As he left, he said, “Anyone who troubles Qingyan will make me unhappy.”
And one more thing.
“The Peach Blossom Fairy of Peach Blossom Ridge calls Qingyan her sister.”
Captain Liu, sweating profusely, patted his chest, assuring Lu Zheng not to worry.
The next day, every notable doctor from Tonglin County’s clinics visited the Liu family, praising old man Liu and his daughter, bringing gifts of herbs, exchanging pleasantries, and then leaving.
Old man Liu and Liu Qingyan exchanged a glance.
Old man Liu smiled, while Liu Qingyan blushed.
“Your old man spent a lifetime hiding my skills, blending in, to avoid accidents or being found out by experts. But you, so young, charge ahead boldly,” old man Liu sighed. “I wasn’t going to warn you, hoping you’d face a setback to learn how treacherous people can be…”
Liu Qingyan looked sheepish. Over the past two days, three or four patients from other counties, all with difficult cases, had come, claiming to have heard of her reputation. She’d sensed something was off.
“Didn’t expect you to be luckier than your dad. My master died early, but you’ve already found a solid ally.”
“Dad~”
“The medical book Lu gave you, don’t show it to anyone after you’ve learned it, to avoid trouble.”
“I know, Dad, but why won’t you look at it? Lu wouldn’t mind.”
“I know, but I’ve only studied my master’s book my whole life, and it’s been enough. Your skills now surpass mine. Even if I die, I won’t worry about you and Qingcuan being found out.”
“Dad, we’re doing fine, why talk about dying?”
“Who doesn’t die eventually? Alright, alright, I’ll stop. Qingyan…”
“Dad?”
“When’s Lu going to propose?”
“Dad~”
“Heh, just asking. He’s right next door anyway, doesn’t change much.”
“Lu’s skilled in both martial arts and Taoism, always practising spells, refining qi, or helping at the clinic…”
“What’s that got to do with marriage?”
“Dad!” Liu Qingyan pouted. “Don’t you want your daughter to spend more time with you and Mum?”
“Nope, I’ve got Qingcuan.”
Liu Qingyan rolled her eyes. “Then I’ll tell Lu not to send you wine. You get drunk and can’t control yourself, showing your tail.”
“Nonsense, I’ve got it under control. I was careful every time!”
“Hmph, Mum said you sometimes can’t help turning back to your true form in the bedroom.”
Old man Liu: ╭(╯^╰)╮
That blabbermouth wife, telling the kid everything!
But chatting with Liu Qingyan, he roughly understood her concerns.
“You’re worried Lu will find out the truth?”
Liu Qingyan hesitated, nodded, and stayed silent.
“Then just keep it hidden.”
“I’m more afraid…”
“Then stop masking your aura with merit. Find a chance to tell him, show your true form in front of him, do a big reveal.”
“Dad~”
