Prime Minister

Chapter 189, Section 188: [Constant dripping wears away a stone]

Xue Huai did not notice Shen Qingluan's sudden change in demeanor. His attention was focused on the orderly scene in the courtyard, and he had a very good impression of Jimin Hall.

The people's suffering was alleviated, and he practiced medicine to help the world—this was precisely the picture of people's well-being that he hoped to see.

If it is verified that Jimintang is consistent in its words and deeds, then it would be appropriate to regard it as a model of moral education and goodness.

"Compared to the reputation of being a miracle doctor, I think this kindness is even more commendable."

Xue Huai answered Shen Qingluan's question in a low voice, his tone carrying a hint of approval.

Shen Qingluan suppressed her unease and nodded, saying, "Indeed, it is commendable."

At that moment, she felt that perhaps she was overthinking things. Maybe that goddess doctor was just naturally aloof. If she were really a person with malicious intentions, why would she be treating poor people in this ordinary pharmacy?

Thinking of this, she couldn't help but feel a little ashamed.

Just then, the old man who had been helped by the servant and hadn't been able to kowtow, trembling, held up a few pieces of silver and handed them to Xu Zhiwei's desk: "Divine Doctor, I am truly ashamed, this is all I have..."

Xu Zhiwei sat upright, not even glancing at the small amount of silver. Her voice was calm and even: "No need for a consultation fee. The medicine has already been prepared according to the prescription. Go back and decoct it on time. Also, remember to avoid wind and cold."

The clever servant next to him immediately smiled and said to the old man, "Old man, you should put the money away. My master always says that everyone suffers in this world. It would be more practical for you to keep the money to buy some meat to nourish your body!"

As he spoke, he deftly stuffed the medicine packet into the old man's arms.

The old man thanked him profusely, saying, "Thank you so much, doctor! You are truly a bodhisattva reincarnated!"

These words immediately drew responses from other people, and praises rose and fell. Xu Zhiwei stood up and bowed his head in gratitude to the people, but still did not say much. The manager of Jimintang, who was standing not far away, quickly stepped forward to express his humility.

Xue Huai looked up and saw that the goddess doctor had already begun to diagnose the next commoner. Her slender and upright figure exuded a calm and detached demeanor.

A thought stirred within him, and he turned to Shen Qingluan and said gently, "Qingluan, since we have the opportunity to witness such a good deed, how about we express our gratitude in a small way?"

Shen Qingluan still had some doubts, but she wouldn't object to such a thing. Doing good deeds was a family motto of the Shen family, so she readily nodded and said, "Okay."

Xue Huai whispered a few words to Jiang Sheng, who immediately understood. He parted the slightly crowded people, stepped forward, and bowed to the steward, saying, "My master is grateful for the kindness and skill of Jimintang in benefiting this area, so he has come to donate some medicine funds. We hope you will accept them."

He took out a 100-tael membership card from his sleeve and placed it on the table.

This is clearly not a small amount.

The steward was slightly surprised, then looked towards the corner of the courtyard. Xue Huai and Shen Qingluan were so outstanding in both appearance and temperament that it was hard for him not to notice them.

Xu Zhiwei, who had been writing with her head down, suddenly stopped writing. Her clear, cold eyes looked past everyone and landed directly on Xue and Shen, who were a few feet away.

The strange feeling in Shen Qingluan's heart surged up again, and it was even more pronounced than before.

Although the goddess doctor seemed to have only glanced at them casually, Shen Qingluan's intuition told her that the person she really wanted to see was Xue Huai beside her.

She couldn't describe the feeling; she just felt inexplicably uneasy.

"Thank you."

Xu Zhiwei withdrew her gaze, nodded slightly to Jiang Shengwei to accept the donation, and then lowered her head again to continue writing the prescription for the patient.

Jiang Sheng was taken aback by this attitude.

He had followed Jiang Li and Xue Huai, meeting countless officials and merchants, and dealing with all sorts of people. He had rarely encountered someone so cold-hearted, but since the other party was actively doing good deeds, he couldn't very well criticize him for such a minor matter of etiquette. He could only retreat and whisper to Xue Huai, "Young Master..."

"It's alright, we've done our part."

Xue Huai naturally noticed Xu Zhiwei's indifference, but he smiled indifferently and then said to Shen Qingluan, "Let's go?"

"Ah."

Shen Qingluan really didn't want to stay here, so she quickly agreed.

Just then, the calm voice of the goddess physician suddenly came from behind: "Young master, please wait."

Xue Huai paused, looking somewhat surprised and questioning, and turned slightly to the side.

Shen Qingluan's heart jumped instantly, and her gaze pierced Xu Zhiwei behind the desk like lightning.

“I am not a rude person, but I was just diagnosing someone else, and as a doctor, I cannot be distracted.”

Xu Zhiwei stood up and had another doctor take her place. Then, accompanied by the steward and servant, she came to Xue Huai and curtsied, saying, "On behalf of Jimintang, Xu Zhiwei thanks you both for your generosity in giving me the gold."

Xue Huai calmly replied, "It's just a small token of my appreciation; there's no need for thanks."

Xu Zhiwei looked at him and said, "Young Master, you have a bright and cheerful spirit, but when I look at your eyebrows and eyelids in the sunlight, I see a faint bluish-gray tinge, which is a sign of slight stagnation in your blood and qi and a slight burden on your heart. Have you recently felt a slight tightness in your chest, like a needle pricking or an ant crawling, which disappears in an instant?" These words were extremely precise and subtle, touching on the point without being sensational, yet keenly grasping the subtle feeling that most people easily overlook.

Xue Huai remained calm as he looked into Xu Zhiwei's eyes. They were calm and rational eyes, filled with the focus and meticulousness of a doctor.

Her reminder was clearly a way of repaying Jiang Sheng for the hundred-tael membership card he had just handed her. She didn't want to incur a favor so easily, which shows that the Jimintang was quite methodical in its operations.

Xue Huai gestured to Shen Qingluan not to be nervous, and then said to Xu Zhiwei, "The divine doctor's eyesight is indeed extraordinary. I do have a few discomforts as you said, but I was so busy that I didn't notice them. I wonder if they are serious?"

Xu Zhiwei shook his head and said calmly, "I observe that the young master's illness has not yet developed, and he only feels slightly fatigued in his heart meridian. The young master is of noble health and has a solid foundation, so such a slight symptom can be ignored as if it were just a common discomfort. However, even though the illness is minor, you should not overexert yourself, and you should especially avoid working on paper and thinking too much."

Shen Qingluan listened with trepidation. Although she didn't understand medical principles, Xu Zhiwei's words struck her heart like a hammer blow.

Of course she knew what Xue Huai had been through over the past year: first, he fell into the water and was on the verge of death; then he devoted himself to the Ministry of Works corruption case; and then came the imperial examination cheating case.

After going to the south of the Yangtze River, he hardly rested for a single day, working non-stop from beginning to end, and his whole body was always in a tense state.

Shen Qingluan felt a strong sense of self-reproach. She had only given Xue Huai a few words of concern that were kind but not costly, but had never seriously considered how tired he was.

The girl clenched her hands tightly, looking at Xue Huai with unease and shame, temporarily putting aside her previous suspicions about Xu Zhiwei.

Xu Zhiwei took in Shen Qingluan's reaction and then said to Xue Huai, "What you feel is not an acute illness that can be treated with acupuncture, moxibustion, or decoction; it is simply a matter of rest and recuperation."

Xue Huai remained calm and politely but tactfully said, "Please enlighten me, Divine Doctor."

Xu Zhiwei said, "I have a prescription that can nourish the mind and calm the spirit. If you don't mind, young master, you can have someone prepare the medicine according to the prescription."

Xue Huai nodded and said, "Then I'll have to trouble you, Divine Doctor."

Xu Zhiwei said no more, walked to a table, took out a plain sheet of medicine paper, dipped her brush in ink, and quickly wrote a few lines of delicate small characters with her wrist suspended in the air. Then she turned to Xue Huai and said, "This prescription is simple. It only requires three qian of danshen, five grains of ophiopogon japonicus, a little polygala tenuifolia, and one qian of lotus seed heart, supplemented with a few red dates and half a dou of sweet spring water. Simmer over a low flame for half an hour to take advantage of its mild medicinal properties to nourish the heart qi and relieve mild depression. Drink a small cup of it warm every afternoon or before going to bed to help soothe the mind."

Jiang Sheng stepped forward and respectfully accepted the prescription.

Before Xue Huai could thank her, Xu Zhiwei continued, "However, medicine can only be used as an adjunct to this ailment. Please remember that the root cause lies in your own health. You must avoid staying up late and damaging your spirit, and refrain from excessive thinking and worry. With the cold winter approaching, you must especially avoid the invasion of wind and cold, and not let your heart meridian suffer further. If you can be careful with your daily life and rest quietly for ten days, these inappropriate conditions will naturally disappear."

"Thank you so much, doctor, for your guidance and for this excellent remedy."

Xue Huai bowed respectfully to Xu Zhiwei and said sincerely, "Your Excellency's dedication to healing and compassion is truly admirable. Since this illness is not serious, I will not trouble you any further, as there are still many people waiting for your treatment."

Since the other party didn't want to owe him a favor, and would repay the hundred taels of silver with a diagnosis and a prescription, Xue Huai naturally wouldn't mention the consultation fee again.

Xu Zhiwei glanced at him thoughtfully, then returned the greeting and said succinctly, "Take care, young master."

She then returned to the medical record.

Shen Qingluan said in a low voice, "Brother Huai, shall we go back now and have someone brew the medicine according to the prescription? I felt really anxious when I heard what she said earlier."

Xue Huai felt the girl's deep concern and gently comforted her, "Since this divine doctor says there's nothing to worry about, then there's nothing to worry about. I know I haven't been resting enough, I'll just be more careful in the future, there's no need to worry."

Shen Qingluan nodded gently.

They turned and walked out of Jimintang. Xue Huai whispered to Jiang Sheng beside him, "Have someone check that prescription."

Jiang Sheng didn't ask any further questions, and bowed his head to accept the order, saying, "Yes, young master."

The chilly wind of early winter carried the bittersweet scent of the medicine shop across the stone steps outside.

Xue Huai and Shen Qingluan stood side by side, waiting for the slowly approaching carriage.

He suddenly turned his head to look.

Inside the Jimintang, patients were arranged in an orderly fashion. The goddess doctor sat there with her head bowed, pen in hand. Her slender figure was adorned with no jewelry, and a few strands of hair, blown by the wind, clung to her ears.

"Young Master, the carriage has arrived," Jiang Sheng reminded him softly.

"Ah."

Xue Huai responded and glanced one last time at the busy yet orderly scene behind him.

Shen Qingluan's attention was focused on Xue Huai, so she naturally wouldn't miss this detail. She felt a little bitter, but she couldn't bring herself to say anything negative about Xu Zhiwei. After all, the other party had seen through Xue Huai's health problems at a glance and immediately provided a corresponding prescription. In a way, she had to thank Xu Zhiwei.

but……

The girl sighed silently. She knew that Xu Zhiwei had already left a very good impression on Xue Huai. Even though she felt it was a bit strange, how could she speculate about others out of thin air?
I only hope that today's encounter was just a chance meeting, and that they will never cross paths again.

(End of this chapter)