Chapter 243: Taking While Eating

"Master is here," Qin Yuan greeted with a smile.

Immediately, Xiao Dong slipped off the chair, ran over briskly, grabbed Doctor Li’s hand, and smiled up at him, "Master, I went to the front yard and played the Five Animals Qigong with Sixth Master, then came to Wutong Garden to find Sixteen. Sister taught me painting, and I’ve painted quite well."

Doctor Li sneered.

"You little rascal, what schemes are you plotting again?"

Qin Yuan flattered, "What can he possibly hide from Master? It’s just that I taught him painting today and found he has some talent and likes it. I want to coax Master into letting him paint."

Doctor Li said, "You, as the elder sister, are planning to be the mediator. Don’t assume I can’t hear because of my age."

"So does Master agree or not?"

Xiao Dong and Qin Yuan asked in unison.

Looking at the affectionate pair, Doctor Li’s throat choked and he said, "He can learn painting, but must not neglect studying medicine."

Xiao Dong immediately patted his chest and promised, "Master, rest assured, Renhe Hall is waiting for me to inherit it. I’m learning painting to be able to draw those herbs. After learning to paint people, Sister said she’d combine it with medical cases and prescriptions, and make a book for me. Master, isn’t that great? Then we can publish a collection on uncommon diseases for Renhe Hall, ensuring everyone understands it, and making Renhe Hall renowned worldwide."

Doctor Li sighed and said nothing, caressed Xiao Dong’s head, then cupped his hands to Marquis Gu who had stood up, and the two went to perform the salutations.

Marquis Gu’s expression was gloomier than usual, which inevitably reminded Doctor Li of the equally somber Gu Shiliu.

It was unclear what matter had marked such a somber look on these master and servant.

After the food was placed, the group took their seats.

Marquis Gu was preoccupied, spoke little, and Doctor Li had few words as well, while Qin Yuan and Xiao Dong chattered non-stop.

Seeing Doctor Li spoke less, Qin Yuan asked, "Master, can you stay at the mansion for a few more days?"

Doctor Li puzzled, "Why is that?"

Qin Yuan said, "Sixth sister-in-law’s condition..."

Before she finished speaking, Doctor Li said, "I can’t cure Sixth Madam’s illness; I can only improve her condition, but cannot treat the root cause. Keep nurturing her to prolong life. To speak frankly, she’s dragged it out to become chronic, even using the Li family’s acupuncture is difficult. Furthermore, she is unwilling to let me examine her, so I can’t perform acupuncture at all. The mansion might as well seek renowned doctors broadly, perhaps they might find someone suitable. Treating illness is a matter of fate; using the right folk remedy can cure serious diseases."

This was indeed the truth; Qin Yuan couldn’t persuade further and asked, "Can Brother Qi’s mother be cured?"

Doctor Li was amazed, "Are you asking me to treat her eyes?"

Qin Yuan nodded.

Marquis Gu chimed in, "The Qi family sacrifices for the mansion, with only the mother and son relying on each other. If her eyes can be cured, Master, just speak up on what medicines are needed, and I’ll find a way to gather them."

Doctor Li was mildly apprehensive and said, "It’s not impossible to cure... I’ve examined her pulse and tried a few needles. She feels numb at several acupuncture points; there is hope for saving her, but..."

The blind nanny was overly sorrowful, cried day and night, damaging her liver and lung meridians, needing rare medicines to nourish.

He could deliver free acupuncture but couldn’t afford the medicine costs.

Brother Qi was merely a servant; unable to bear the burden.

Saying more would only cause further grief, so Doctor Li refrained.

Since Marquis Gu was willing to be benevolent, there was no issue.

Doctor Li agreed promptly but responsibly reminded, "Without an expenditure of a thousand taels of silver, it’s unlikely her eyes can be saved."

Marquis Gu said, "No matter, Master, just focus on treating. List the required medicines and give the list to Sixteen; charge it to the mansion’s account."

Doctor Li nodded, "If so, she can be cured within half a year, but..."

He glanced at Marquis Gu but ultimately didn’t continue.

Doctor Li thought, in ancient times, General Wu Qi sucked pus for soldiers, and the soldiers sacrificed their lives on the battlefield to repay the kindness.

If Marquis Gu cures Brother Qi’s mother’s eyes, he’s worried Brother Qi might lose his life.

But upon further thought, the Qi family were indeed household servants to the Dingbei Marquis Mansion; even if sacrificing their whole family for the mansion, it’s deserved.

Marquis Gu’s father and brother died for Daxing in the Northern Border; were it not for fate sparing him, Marquis Gu’s life would be lost there too.

Doctor Li’s mood turned inexplicably heavy.

Yet Xiao Dong was overjoyed, "Brother Qi’s mother’s ears work well; if her eyes get well, that would be fantastic. I’ll go back and share the good news with her."

Marquis Gu laughed, "Yes, she has contributed greatly. Their Qi family is utterly loyal to Dingbei Marquis Mansion; she deserves it."

Seeing Xiao Dong gaze at him expectantly, Marquis Gu added with a smile, "Xiao Dong has earned merit too. Tomorrow, have Sixteen take you horseback riding. If I have time, I’ll take you to ride Ta Xue."

Xiao Dong proudly puffed his chest and spoke insincerely, "Brother-in-law is so kind. I just moved my hand, but riding Ta Xue would be truly wonderful."

Doctor Li’s eyes grew narrowly.

So, this was the little rascal’s involvement.

Qin Yuan devised ways to keep Doctor Li and Xiao Dong for a few more days.

But Doctor Li said, "I’d better leave early. The Imperial Hospital staff will surely come to inspect the mansion; I do not wish to encounter them, lest I feel nauseous."

Thus, Qin Yuan couldn’t persuade further, merely saying, "Master, worrying about Renhe Hall’s business, returning makes sense. But in the future, frequent visits to the mansion would be good."

Doctor Li nodded, "Sixth Master’s body needs conditioning, and Old Madam is also old, best to regularly check their pulses. Plus, Brother Qi’s mother needs treatment; Xiao Dong and I can’t help but visit often."

Marquis Gu suddenly asked, "Master, can you serve as the mansion’s household doctor? It would make things more convenient."

Xiao Dong looked at Doctor Li expectantly.

He lived comfortably at the mansion, truly unwilling to return to the cold and bland Renhe Hall.

Doctor Li said, "Marquis’ trust is my honor. However, Renhe Hall has been passed down for generations, and it’s my legacy to leave Xiao Dong. Serving as a household doctor makes it difficult to open a clinic for consultations."

Marquis Gu reconsidered, "I was mistaken. Let’s forget I mentioned it."

After chatting for a while, Doctor Li bid farewell with Xiao Dong.

Cui Ming gave Xiao Dong two bundles, saying they contained clothes sewn for them by the needlework room during their free time.

"It’s really embarrassing to take so much and eat."

Xiao Dong’s eyes smiled like a crescent moon; Doctor Li glanced at him and ignored him.

"So that’s why Sister Cui Ming requested old clothes earlier – to measure the size," Xiao Dong said, carrying the bundle and laughing at his own bulky shadow under the moon, "I truly like them; Brother Qi’s mother will like them even more."

They walked back to the courtyard, passing Doctor Liu’s room, seeing the door wide open and silence within.