CH 3

Lin Qingyu got up and left. The patient himself has lost all desire to live, so what did he have to worry about? The sooner Lu Wancheng died, the sooner he could return to the Lin Residence. 

Lin Qingyu went to the study. He came to the Nan’an Hou Mansion with only two boxes of things. One box contained clothing, and the other contained medical books. According to the rules of the Hou Mansion, he could bring two dowry maids with him. But he wasn’t used to being served by a woman. When he was in the Lin Residence, he’d had one page who grew up with him, who joined him in his studies and reading.

It wasn’t some glorious thing to be married as a male wife. He didn’t want his little page to enter the Hou Mansion as “dowry.” And so he came to Hou Mansion alone, with probably only this one box of medical books to keep him company in the future.

Among medical books, there were many ancient ones that he had yet to read. He didn’t know, there may be records of cases similar to Lu Wancheng’s in these ancient books. Lin Qingyu immersed himself in his reading and finally calmed down.

When he was in school, his classmates thought that medical books were boring and complicated. Reading just three pages was enough to get them sleeping. But for Lin Qingyu, those novels his schoolmates yearned for weren’t even a tenth as interesting as medical books. He, like his father, had a highly-retentive memory. What his classmates took a day memorize, he needed only to read once to be able to memorize and recite backwards. 

His father was once of a mind to have him take the imperial examination, but he just wanted to be a medical officer. He liked the feeling of a patient getting better under his own hands. He wanted to enter the Imperial Hospital, where famous doctors from all over the world gathered. He wanted to hone his medical skills with them, to find cures for all kinds of intractable diseases, and to help the people.

He could have. He almost could have.

“Shaojun.”

The voice did not sound like that of a servant girl’s. Lin Qingyu looked up. Sure enough, it was the momo who kept pestering him to change his way of address. It was said that her surname was Liu.

Lin Qingyu said coldly, “What?”

Liu momo was all smiles. “Shaojun, it’s time to eat.”

Lin Qingyu didn’t have any appetite at all, but these dogs in the Nan’an Hou Mansion weren’t worth harming his body over. “Bring the food, I’ll eat in the study.”

Liu momo waved her hands again and again. “This is cannot be, Shaojun.” 

Lin Qingyu frowned, “Why can it not be? Does the Hou Mansion’s rules say ‘no eating in the study’?”

“That is not the case. It is the madam’s order. It was because of the Chong Xi that our Young Master got his life back. Shaojun is the Young Master’s lucky star. You must stay together so that the Young Master’s illness can heal faster.”

To refute such remarks would only make him appear stupid. If a Chong Xi really could cure diseases, what need would Dayu have for doctors? Why would the court go to such great lengths to train medical officers? If you get sick, then just get married; then everything would be fine and well with the world.

Lin Qingyu looked at Liu momo and asked, “Momo, how old will you be this year?” 

Liu momo didn’t know what Lin Qingyu intended by asking this question. Nevertheless, she still smiled and said, “This old woman is fifty and two.”

“A fifty-two year old who looks like forty-two. I might not necessarily live to reach fifty-two. Momo is very lucky. You should be the one to take care of the young master, that way he would heal even faster.”

Liu momo’s smile froze. “Shaojun jests.”

Lin Qingyu’s face turned cold. “Do I look like I’m joking? Go.” 

Liu momo’s face turned extremely ugly. She was Madam Hou, Liang Shi’s confidant. Who in the Hou Mansion, save for the masters, dared to not treat her with respect? Even the masters usually gave her a lot of face. What was Lin Qingyu? Wording it nicely, he was the Shaojun, but put another way, he was just the male wife “bought” by the Hou Mansion to renew the life of the Young Master. This was only his first day since he was married into this family and he was already scowling at her?

Seeing that Liu momo made no move to leave, Lin Qingyu sneered, “You do not know to recognize your betters. A servant dares to turn a deaf ear to the Shaojun’s order. — Is this not one of the rules of the Hou Mansion?”

Madam Liu lowered her eyes. “This servant dares not. It is only that the Madam has personally ordered this servant to bring this chicken soup she had ordered to be stewed with ginseng. If Shaojun and the Young Master does not have a taste of it, it would be a betrayal of the madam’s good intentions.”

Ginseng Chicken Soup? 

Stupid. Did they not know that a person who is in poor health cannot handle tonic-like foods? Did Liang Shi think that her son was not sick enough?

“She had merely personally ordered someone to make it. She hadn’t personally made it herself.” Lin Qingyu no longer looked at her. He turned the page of his medical book. “You give it to the Young Master.”

Liu momo gritted her teeth. She secretly gave Lin Qingyu a dirty look, took the chicken soup and left.

Calm was restored in the study but Lin Qingyu grew a bit absent-minded instead. 

Lu Wancheng is currently suffering from gastrointestinal damage. Having him ingest tonics would only be putting frost atop snow on his already weak body. Lu Wancheng has been ill since he was a child and prolonged illness turns patients into doctors. How could Liang Shi, as his mother, not even know this?

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Fine, he’ll just consider it as him doing good works and accumulating merit. Lu Wancheng’s situation was really rare, and he wanted more time to study it. 

Lin Qingyu left the study and came to the dining room; but he didn’t see Lu Wancheng. He asked a passing maidservant, “Where is the young master?”

Maidservant: “The young master said he was too lazy to get up and wanted to eat in bed.”

It was only right for laid up patients to lie down more.

Lin Qingyu headed once again to the bedroom. Before he even entered the room, he was already saying, “The ginseng chicken soup your mother sent, don’t…” 

Sitting up in bed, Lu Wancheng was eating rice porridge with some side dishes. “Huh?”

There was a square table in front of Lu Wancheng’s bed. Most of the things on the table were light dishes, except for that big pot of chicken soup with ginseng slices floating in it. Ling Qingyu saw the pristine soup ladle beside the pot. Lu Wancheng actually hadn’t touched the chicken soup.

Lu Wancheng chewed slowly, swallowing all the contents in his mouth before saying, “Doctor Lin, what an unexpected visit from such an infrequent visitor. Have you eaten?”

Lin Qingyu asked, “This is ginseng chicken soup that your mother personally ordered someone to make. Why won’t you drink it?” 

Lu Wancheng wiped his mouth with the kerchief, and said casually, “I can’t eat the things she sends.”

Lin Qingyu asked curiously, “Why?”

“They say I have half a year left to live. So any moment less than that would be less than half a year. If they want to send me away sooner, then I’d have to make a fuss about that.”

Lin Qingyu became more and more surprised. “Why would they want to send you away sooner?” 

Lu Wancheng winked. “Care to venture a guess?”

Lin Qingyu was momentarily speechless. “Do you think you’re funny?”

Lu Wancheng laughed out loud. He laughed so much, he accidentally choked himself, coughing again and again, his handsome face turning a pale red.

Lin Qingyu had no idea what Lu Wancheng was laughing about. But it wasn’t difficult to see that the relationship between Lu Wancheng and Liang Shi wasn’t the ‘compassionate mother and filial son’ relationship that it seemed to be on the surface. 

Seeing the maidservant by his side hurriedly patting Lu Wancheng’s back for him, Lin Qingyu took back his half-outstretched hand. “What’s so funny?”

Lu Wancheng stopped coughing, with a smile in his breath, “I am but a little funny but still very full of delight.”

Lin Qingyu disdained, “With your broken body, I’m afraid you won’t be able to make use of whatever delightfulness you have, no matter how big it is.”

“You are right.” Lu Wancheng sighed, “This body is really holding me back. If only I were in my own…” 

“What do you mean?”

Lu Wancheng smiled and sidestepped the question. “Well, I’m here now. Doctor Lin, sit down and have a meal. I can’t drink this chicken soup but you can.”

Lin Qingyu said, “Where do you want me to sit?”

Lu Wancheng looked around, “Why don’t you come sit on the bed too?” 

Lin Qingyu didn’t feel the least bit grateful. “Excuse me. Just eat by yourself. I will be taking my leave.”

“Wait.” Lu Wancheng stopped him, “I have something I want to give you. I was just reading the list of gifts we’ve received from the guests and I’ve found a gift that suits you very well.”

Lin Qingyu didn’t even look at it. “No.”

Lu Wancheng gave a “tsk”: “At least, take a look at it first. Just a look won’t cost you anything. — Hua Lu.” 

Hua Lu was the other maid besides Feng Qin, who was stationed to serve in the room. She was rather quick-witted and lovely. She presented him with something and said with a smile, “If the young master hadn’t told me, I wouldn’t have known what this is.”

Lin Qingyu condescended to give it a look and was startled.

What Hua Lu had given him was something similar to a cloth bag. It was made of leather and could be rolled up easily. Spread out, it was only a thin layer and couldn’t hold anything.

Ordinary people might not be able to tell what it was, but doctors would know at a glance that this was an acupuncture bag. The inner double layer was where the needles were inserted. 

Lin Qingyu couldn’t help from reaching out his hand, stroking this first class leather bag that felt so good to the touch. His long eyelashes trembled slightly, his eyes turned deep and dark.

Lu Wancheng smiled and said, “Do you like it?”

The Nan’an Hou Mansion had celebrated a wedding and most of those who sent gifts were high-ranking dignitaries in the capital. Lin Qingyu picked up the gift list from the table and looked at it. Most of them were gold, silver and jade, antique calligraphy and paintings. A small acupuncture bag paled in comparison against them.

But Lu Wancheng insisted on giving him this. 

Lin Qingyu looked at the characters embroidered in gold thread on the outside of the bag. “Lu-Lin Wedding; Forever with one Heart” A self-deprecating smile appeared at the corner of his lips. “Thank you, Young Master Hou, for your kindness, but what is the point of giving me this?”

Lu Wancheng placed a fist against his lips and coughed. “Why would it be pointless? You can use it in the future.”

“Oh? For your exclusive use, you mean?”

Lu Wancheng’s smile faded and he was silent for a while. He said, “I’m sorry, I didn’t mean that. I just…” Halfway through, he lost all seriousness. “If you don’t want it, then you don’t want it. Don’t be angry. Although an angry Doctor Lin is also very eye-catching, too much anger is bad for your health. As the saying goes, ‘If you think back on it, you will find that losing your head over trivial things is unnecessary. If you die from anger, who would feel satisfied. Moreover, it is bothersome and laborious.’ “ 

Lin Qingyu said calmly, “I’m not angry.”

Lu Wancheng beckoned to Hua Lu. Hua Lu brought her ear closer to him. “What’s the matter, Young Master?”

Lu Wancheng said, “Someone’s angry, but I won’t tell you who it is.”

Lin Qingyu: “…” 

“Shhhh.” Lu Wancheng raised his index finger in front of his lips and looked out the window, “That mother of mine is here.”

Lin Qingyu sneered, “Who are you shushing? You’re the one who keeps on talking. As for your mother, she’s probably here to criticize me violently.”

Lu Wancheng stroked his chin and said, “Let me guess, did she tell you to stick close to me but you didn’t feel like paying her any attention?”

In his surprise, Lin Qingyu forgot to be angry. “How did you know?” 

Lu Wancheng smiled meaningfully. “I know a lot of things.”

Lin Qingyu thought for a moment, then smiled. He lifted up his sleeves and took up Lu Wancheng’s bowl of half-eaten porridge. “Young Master Hou, I’ll feed you your rice porridge.”

Lu Wancheng: “…eh?”

Outside, Liang Shi, with Liu momo lending her arm for support, entered the courtyard. Feng Qin greeted her and said, “Greetings, Madam.” 

Liang Shi asked her, “Where is the Young Master?”

“Answering Madam, the Young Master is eating in the bedroom.”

“Is Shaojun with him?”

Feng Qin shook her head. “Shaojun is alone in the study.” 

Liu momo whispered, “Madam, you have heard it yourself. What I told you were all things that Shaojun has said.”

Liang Shi straightened the hair ornament by her temples and said calmly, “I believe you. Let’s go. We’ll go in and take a look.”

Liu momo walked lightning quick, opening the way for her mistress. “The eldest Young Master has just woken up last night. It is precisely at this time that he needs someone to wait upon him. Although there is a maid in the room, Shaojun is Shaojun, after all. With the husband laid up in bed, what reason could there be for his wife not to take care of him? This is only the first day, and Shaojun is already neglecting him so. How is this worthy of our Lu Family’s marriage…?”

Everyone knew that Nan’an Hou Mansion’s madam had a gentle temperament. Yet at this moment, she too couldn’t help pulling a long face as sped up her pace. 

The two rushed into the inner room, almost like fire was nipping at their heels. The wedding decorations had yet to be removed. Lu Wancheng was half lying on the marriage bed. Lin Qingyu was seated beside him, holding the porridge bowl in one hand, and holding the spoonful of porridge to Lu Wancheng’s mouth with the other. He called to him, “Young Master Hou.”

Lu Wancheng laughed and said, “It’s a bit hot. Blow on it first.”

Lin Qingyu narrowed his eyes, looking like he was about to poke a hole into Lu Wancheng’s smiling face.

In any case, the husbands, one handsome and luxurious, the other bright and dignified, looked nothing but joyous and harmonious. It seemed that their time together would be good and peaceful. 

Liang Shi and Liu momo both stood there stunned until Lu Wancheng looked at them. “Why is Mother here?”

Liang Shi frowned but quickly relaxed her expression. She said softly, “Mother came to see how your appetite is.” As she said so, she cast an almost indiscernible glance at Liu momo.

Liu momo was utterly discomfited and she asked in a low voice, “Didn’t you say that Shaojun is in the study!”

Feng Qin said, dazed, “He-he was just in the study a moment ago.” 

Lin Qingyu put down the bowl of porridge, stood up and said, “Madam just sent Liu momo here not long ago. Why would she be here again in person? Are you here to personally confirm whether Young Master Hou has had a good meal?”

Lu Wancheng smiled and said, “It’s so cold outside, and still my mother came to see me eat. I’m moved.”

Liang Shi forced a smile and said, “How could a mother not be concerned about her child? Wancheng, have you drank the chicken soup that Mother sent you?”

“I wanted to drink it,” Lu Wancheng looked at Lin Qingyu, “but he wouldn’t let me.” 

Lin Qingyu said calmly, “It is written in a book: Only once the evil spirits are expelled, can a patient then take tonics. Young Master Hou is now physically weak. Too strong a tonic will only be a burden on his body. This is but general knowledge. Surely, Madam knows this?”

Liang Shi’s expression became even uglier. She opened her mouth, “I…”

“Naturally, Mother knows. It must be due to the negligence of her subordinates, forgetting to offer this reminder.” Lu Wancheng said with a smile, “Wouldn’t you say so, Liu momo?”

Liu momo looked quietly at Liang Shi. Seeing that Liang Shi refused to look at her, she understood. Bracing herself, she knelt down, “Yes, it is this servant’s fault. This servant should be punished.” 

Without waiting for Liang Shi to speak, Lu Wancheng said, “Qingyu, how do you think she should be punished?”

“This matter concerns the Young Master Hou’s health. We have no choice but to punish a little to prevent a lot. This should serve as a warning to others.” Lin Qingyu said, “According to the rules of the Hou Mansion, you should be fined three months of allowance and made to do drudgery for a month.”

Lu Wancheng nodded. “I think this will do. But what I think is of no matter. What does Mother think?”

Liang Shi forced a smile and said, “It shall be handled as Qingyu said.” 

After that, Liang Shi was obviously preoccupied and after sitting around for a while, she took Liu momo with her and left. When there were only two people left in the room, Lu Wancheng asked, “How did Liu momo provoke you?”

Lin Qingyu said, “She told me twice to change my term of address.”

“Change what term of address? She asked you to call me ‘husband’?

Lin Qingyu’s face looked cold as jade. “…En.” 

Lu Wancheng laughed. “Doctor Lin, you really know how to nurse a grudge.”

Lin Qingyu narrowed his eyes at him, “Is that funny?”

Lu Wancheng held back a smile. “Then I won’t laugh. But how did you know the rules of the Hou Mansion?”

Lin Qingyu said indifferently, “Liu momo insisted on telling them to me. I tried my best not to listen but I can’t help it if my memory’s too good.” 

Lu Wancheng smiled and said, “Well, damn. She played right into your hands there.”