“Young Master Lu, we meet again.”
“Greetings, Master Yu.”
In recent days, whenever Lu Zheng came to listen to storytelling, he often encountered Master Yu. They had become acquainted.
Yu Jinbo spoke with an accent from the Eastern Prefecture capital. He said that after his grandfather passed away, he split from his elder brother and came to Tonglin County for a fresh start.
The Madam Yu who had consulted at Benevolent Heart Hall was indeed his wife.
“Doctor Liu truly lives up to her reputation as a renowned physician around Yizhou Prefecture. After my wife soaked in the medicated bath prescribed by Doctor Liu, her complexion has improved greatly lately.”
“As long as it helps!” Lu Zheng nodded. “Healing and saving lives is a physician’s duty.”
Yu Jinbo smiled. “My wife’s illness has persisted for years. She has seen many famous doctors, including renowned experts in the field for decades, yet they all proved overhyped. None compare to Doctor Liu.”
“Madam’s condition is unlike others. It is indeed difficult to treat,” Lu Zheng said.
Naturally, this made Liu Qingyan, who could treat it, seem even more impressive.
After a brief exchange, the storyteller took the stage. With a slap of the gavel, he began.
Old Master Wang was absent today. During a pause in the tale, Yu Jinbo asked Lu Zheng, “Tomorrow is the decadal rest day. I wonder if Young Master Lu and Doctor Liu are free? I would like to invite you both to my residence for a visit.”
Pausing, Yu Jinbo added, “I have no other intentions. Simply that we will reside long in Tonglin County and will trouble Doctor Liu often. I thought to foster closer ties.”
Lu Zheng considered, then nodded. “Your kind invitation is hard to decline. Thank you for the hospitality, Master Yu.”
“Not at all!” Yu Jinbo laughed. “It is settled then. My wife and I will await you tomorrow. Oh, our children did not come along. The house feels rather quiet. Young Master Lu, feel free to bring your family.”
Lu Zheng smiled. “Good.”
The Yu couple, though not cultivators and quite low-key, could not hide their innate noble air. Lu Zheng guessed they were either nobility whose titles had been revoked or direct descendants who had split from the main family.
Such figures normally would have no overlap with Lu Zheng and his circle. But who made Lu Zheng idle daily and Liu Qingyan practise medicine openly?
Lu Zheng was familiar with the retired masters and idle folk who listened to stories daily, not to mention the commoners indebted to Benevolent Heart Hall. During festivals, their home never lacked vegetables, eggs, or game.
So Lu Zheng agreed. As long as he did not expose his cultivator identity before ordinary folk, it was fine.
…
The next day at noon, Lu Zheng shamelessly brought Liu Qingquan and Ao Qian along.
“Greetings, Master Yu. Greetings, Madam Yu!”
The two little girls curtsied properly and respectfully.
“Good, good! Please rise!” Madam Yu smiled, helping them up. She placed a jade pendant in each girl’s hand.
“Nothing valuable. I hope Young Master Lu and Miss Liu will not disdain them.”
“Not at all. Madam is too kind,” Lu Zheng glanced. They were ordinary jade pendants, so he said nothing.
“Thank you, Madam!”
Yu Jinbo stood at the door, gesturing invitingly with a smile. “This way, please.”
Entering the gate, Lu Zheng saw two servants following Yu Jinbo. He handed over two boxes.
“First visit. Unsure what to bring. Just some home-brewed wine and fresh fruits. Please do not disdain, Master Yu.”
Yu Jinbo waved laughing, signalling his servants to take them. Then he led Lu Zheng towards the main hall.
Following along, Lu Zheng felt the estate serene and elegant, far from vulgar.
“I heard after the Huang family left, this place stood empty for years. Yet in mere days, Master Yu has tidied it so well.”
Yu Jinbo smiled faintly. “Hired three teams, paid double.”
Lu Zheng understood. Money talks.
“Here we are. Please take seats!”
Madam Yu pulled Liu Qingyan along, enthusiastically greeting Liu Qingquan and Ao Qian.
In Lu Zheng’s view, Madam Yu’s gaze towards the girls held genuine warmth and fondness.
This delighted Liu Qingquan and Ao Qian, especially Ao Qian, who felt as relaxed as at home.
“Madam truly loves children!” Lu Zheng sighed.
Yu Jinbo nodded. “Our eldest son is married and established. Our second daughter is wed and away. My wife alone at home feels lonely. The house is large too. In future, the girls are welcome to visit often.”
Lu Zheng smiled. “Of course.”
…
Dishes served. The Yu chef was skilled: six meat, six vegetable, full of colour, aroma, flavour. Using many spices of this world, no less than Mingyue Tower.
Though not matching Lu Zheng, it barely suited Liu Qingquan and Ao Qian’s tastes.
But Madam Yu keenly noticed the girls’ moods.
“Are the dishes not to your liking?”
“No, no!”
“Very good, very good!”
Both girls were polite. They could act spoiled at home but not misbehave before outsiders.
Madam Yu tried a piece of braised fish Ao Qian had briefly frowned at. Rich sauce, tender meat, melt-in-mouth, lingering aftertaste.
Quite delicious?
Madam Yu blinked, then smiled. “Perhaps Young Master Lu has a master chef at home, raising the girls’ standards?”
Liu Qingquan and Ao Qian exchanged glances, unsure if truth was appropriate.
Lu Zheng raised his cup, toasting Yu Jinbo virtually before draining it. He smiled at Madam Yu. “When inspired, I occasionally cook a few dishes. They suit the girls’ tastes.”
“Young Master Lu cooks too?” Yu Jinbo and Madam Yu asked together.
“A hobby,” Lu Zheng smiled.
“A fine hobby,” Madam Yu said smiling. “Better than idling away listening to stories or opera.”
Yu Jinbo laughed heartily, picking vegetables without reply.
Since Lu Zheng’s hobby was mentioned, the girls relaxed. From barbecue to squirrel fish, crispy chicken to Buddha Jumps Over the Wall, oil-braised prawns to boiled fish. They spoke until drooling, then stopped.
Naturally, seeing the Yus listen avidly, invitations followed for them to dine at home sometime.
…
The Yu couple were warm and attentive hosts. After meal, Lu Zheng’s group again invited closer ties, then departed for Taohua Flat outing.
The Yus watched them leave.
“A fine family.”
“Nothing pressing. Let us stay longer here.”
“Perfect. Accompany me shopping more.”
“Nice weather this afternoon. Shall we visit White Cloud Temple on Shaotong Mountain, offer incense?”
“Good idea!”
