The next morning, a radiant Lin Wan dragged a large box of snacks and gifts, driving her Dongfeng Fengshen to work.
Lu Zheng, meanwhile, freshened up, returned to his rented apartment, gave it a quick tidy, and traversed to ancient times.
Stepping out of the house, the spring sunlight felt pleasantly warm, bathing Lu Zheng in a cozy glow. Though he’d just woken up, he was tempted to grab a recliner and nap in the backyard.
“Uncle Li!”
“Young Master’s back?”
Uncle Li responded, then jogged into the backyard.
“Anything happen recently?” Lu Zheng asked.
“Nothing much,” Uncle Li replied. “Miss Liu goes to Benevolent Heart Hall daily to see patients. A few days ago, some ladies from Five Elegance Manor came by, but hearing you weren’t home, they didn’t stay.”
“Good,” Lu Zheng nodded, pleased. Leisurely, that’s what he liked, a carefree, idle life.
But…
“There’s still one thing to do before I can truly relax,” Lu Zheng murmured.
Should he tell Shen Ying?
His unilateral actions had already upset Shen Ying a few times. She’d even agreed to inform him immediately upon encountering enemies, per his request. Wasn’t it a bit hypocritical for him to act so differently?
In principle, as partners, he should discuss such a big matter. But how could he explain the details?
So…
“Double standards are human nature. No explanation needed. Decision made!”
Cheerfully settled, Lu Zheng strolled through the front yard, opened the gate, and saw a carriage passing through the alley.
“Big Brother Lu!”
In the carriage, Du Yueyao, peering through the curtain at Lu Zheng’s gate, spotted him stepping out. Her brows lifted, her lips curved into a smile, and she called out happily.
Ever since Du Yueyao wanted to apprentice under Liu Qingyan, who insisted on treating her as a sister, Du Yueyao started calling Liu Qingyan “sister” and Lu Zheng “Big Brother Lu.”
“Yueyao?”
That’s what Lu Zheng and Liu Qingyan now called her too.
“You’re here? Just arrived?”
“Mm, just got here. I went to Benevolent Heart Hall to see Sister Liu first. She told me to go home and rest, said she’d host me tonight,” Du Yueyao said with a clear laugh. “Heard Big Brother Lu was away?”
“Yeah, I was out. Just got back,” Lu Zheng nodded. “Go rest at home. You must be tired from the journey. I’ll have Aunt Liu make something nice tonight.”
“Great!” Du Yueyao smiled. Having stayed at Lu Zheng’s house once with her father, she knew he had treasures even the wealthiest families in Yizhou Prefecture couldn’t match.
According to Du Yuru, among the extraordinary, Lu Zheng was quite exceptional.
Nodding to the two guards by the carriage, Lu Zheng watched Du Yueyao’s carriage depart, instructed Aunt Liu, and headed to Benevolent Heart Hall.
“Qingyan?”
“My love!”
Seeing Lu Zheng at the door, Liu Qingyan’s face lit up, and she hurried to greet him.
“You’re back! Yueyao arrived today too. Shall we all dine at home tonight?” Liu Qingyan linked her arm with his.
“Sure,” Lu Zheng nodded, curiously asking, “Where’s Uncle Liu? Not here?”
“He’s out on a house call,” Liu Qingyan replied. “The patient’s elderly, immobile, so the family requested a visit, and Father went.”
Lu Zheng nodded in understanding, then sat to chat with Liu Qingyan.
With spring’s warmth and vital energy resurging, there were no contagious diseases. The few patients had organ-related issues, which Liu Qingyan treated effortlessly.
Thanks to the medical texts Lu Zheng shared, Liu Qingyan could cure most non-genetic or hopeless cases. Even irreversible chronic conditions could be managed with acupuncture and medicine, allowing patients to live out their natural lives if they followed her advice.
What’s the difference between that and a cure?
When Lu Zheng studied medicine with Liu Qingyan, he’d even surpassed her initially.
But over time, he could see her skills advancing rapidly, overtaking him again and innovating beyond existing prescriptions.
In ancient China, Liu Qingyan would undoubtedly be a renowned female physician.
With her cultivation of the Moonlit Scripture, her ability to treat cases had multiplied.
Lu Zheng wondered, if he brought Liu Qingyan to the modern world, could her Chinese medicine skills, demonstrated publicly, revive its reputation?
Rubbing his chin, he thought he could do it too, but if the star was a beautiful young woman, the impact would likely be tenfold.
“What’s on your mind, my love?”
Having just seen off an elderly patient, Liu Qingyan turned to see Lu Zheng grinning at her, blushed, and asked shyly.
“Your medical skills are getting more impressive,” Lu Zheng laughed.
“It’s the profound theories in the medical texts you brought,” Liu Qingyan said. “They explain the balance of bodily qi so clearly. Though not about cultivation, they’re nearly the pinnacle of mundane medicine.”
Lu Zheng chuckled. These were classic Chinese medical texts, no joke.
“Young Master’s back?”
Old Master Liu’s voice came from the door as he stepped into the clinic, handing his medical box to an assistant and downing a cup of tea offered by another.
“Uncle Liu!”
“Father!”
Lu Zheng and Liu Qingyan stood to greet him. Liu Qingyan asked, “How’s the patient?”
“Old and frail, beyond medicine’s help,” Old Master Liu shook his head. “I gave acupuncture and prescribed tonics. It’ll extend life as long as possible.”
…
At noon, Liu Qingsuan and the old servant Liu San brought food. Lu Zheng took two crispy chickens and some buns from his gourd, so Liu Qingsuan, despite having eaten at home, polished off half a chicken.
She was a fox spirit, after all. A normal teenage girl eating two meals’ worth would probably be dragged to a doctor.
…
In the afternoon, Benevolent Heart Hall had few patients. Lu Zheng stayed briefly, then returned home, traversed to the modern world, and bought some fruit.
That evening, Du Yueyao arrived at the Liu residence with a maid. They dined together, and Du Yueyao formally met Old Master Liu and Madam Liu.
At night, Lu Zheng gently shook his sachet, murmuring a few words. A flash of green appeared outside the wall, and Liu Qingyan stood at his door.
Tucking her hair behind her ear, she smiled softly, her starry eyes like water, her lips glossy.
“My love~”
“Qingyan missed you so much~”
