Doctor Liu listened, then sneered without immediately sending the attendant to the Gu Family: "Your scheming runs deep, girl. Trying to calculate the old man and make our Liu Family Clinic your pawn to manipulate the Gu Family."
Tian Huiâer was shocked, not expecting Doctor Liu to see through her thoughts. She hurried to deny: "Doctor Liu misunderstood. Huiâer didnât mean it... Itâs just that in the Prefecture, we only know the Gu Family, and now in trouble, we can only seek their help."
As she spoke, her eyes reddened, tears welled up, and she seemed utterly aggrieved.
Doctor Liu was thoroughly disinterested, and said disdainfully: "What are you crying for, making it look like our clinic is trying to harm you."
And then said: "Little girl, if you want to scheme against the First Place Gu, the old man wonât stop you. But your mistake lies in wanting to use our Liu Family Clinic. Havenât you investigated? Is our Liu Family Clinic that easy to use?"
Seeing Tian Huiâer wanted to deny, he added: "Donât rush to proclaim injustice. Old men whoâve lived half a lifetime canât see through such tricks? More cunning means canât fool me. You better save your energy, I wonât fall for it."
Tian Xiwangâs family was flushed with anger, pointing at Doctor Liu, saying: "You old man, what nonsense are you talking? Youâre ruining Huiâerâs reputation!"
"Bah, your daughter hasnât even gotten engaged to First Place Gu, yet you keep clamoring that heâs your son-in-law. Isnât that ruining your daughterâs reputation?" Doctor Liu felt himself a good person, so kindly reminded them: "First Place Gu is Master Tongsheng, holding an official position in Great Chu. Without an engagement letter or tokens, you dare talk nonsense. If he reports you to the government office, at least youâll be beaten, at worst banished."
The class system in Great Chu is strict; slaves cannot marry those of good register, a commoner trying to accuse an official must first endure flogging, and false accusations against an official are heavily punished.
Tian Xiwangâs family was scared witless hearing this, even Tian Huiâer was frightened. But she was indignant, thinking thereâs nothing wrong with wanting to marry a promising gentleman and lead her family to a life of prosperity.
Does she really have to live a life of suffering?!
Tian Huiâer was very dissatisfied, wanting to argue but suppressing herself from speaking.
Doctor Liu watched her face filled with resentment and unwillingness, and sneered: "Iâve said before, you can want a good life, you can scheme against First Place Gu, but you must not try to use our clinic."
He continued with an implicit tone: "You only think about calculating everyone so you can live a good life. But have you ever thought about whether others are willing to be calculated by you?"
These words were more humiliating to Tian Huiâer than being slapped in public; her pretty almond eyes were filled with malice, staring at Doctor Liu.
Doctor Liu had no fear; he wasnât wrong, so why be afraid?
Doctor Liu then ignored Tian Xiwangâs family and instructed his apprentice: "Go get Yuan Jiagui; I think heâll pay this sum of silver."
Yuan Jiagui and Tian Xiwangâs family had once gone to court to sue Granny Gu. After the storytellers spread the tale, the whole Prefecture heard it and knew where Yuan Jiagui temporarily resided. Finding him would only take an hour.
Doctor Liu acted out of reluctance to lose silver. Though putting Tian Xiwangâs family in prison would be satisfying, he would incur a loss!
"Yes." Doctor Liuâs third apprentice immediately left with an attendant to find someone.
Tian Huiâer was anxious, trying to block them, but was halted by attendants wielding wooden sticks.
Tian Xiwangâs wife seized upon it like a great fault of the Liu Family Clinic, shouting: "Oh, you dare stop us. Youâre imprisoning us, breaking the Criminal Law!"
Having served at the Dai Family, Tian Xiwangâs wife knew the word âimprisonmentâ.
Doctor Liu replied: "You owe money unpaid; as your creditor, I have the right to confine you until the debt is settled. Get inside, once Yuan Jiagui brings silver, you can leave."
Tian Xiwangâs family was fierce, trying to break through, but after some beatings by attendants, fearing the pain, they obediently retreated inside.
However, Tian Xiwangâs son said: "Father, Mother, really having Old Man Yuan bring silver to ransom us is quite good. I heard that whatâs-his-name San Lang gave him an extra sum, more money than our family got, him paying for our medicine is fitting, and weâre also profiting."
Tian Xiwang and his wife agreed immediately, praising: "Our son is smart indeed."
But Tian Huiâer could have killed them out of rage, feeling theyâre a bunch of useless layabouts only eyeing petty gains, while grabbing Gu Jinâan would mean mountains of gold!
However...
"You mentioned San Lang is Qin San Lang? How much silver did he give to Old Man Yuan?" Tian Huiâer suddenly asked.
Tian Xiwangâs son scratched his head, saying: "Not sure, heard from Old Man Yuanâs grandson that itâs enough to raise him and let him marry a wife."
"Wow, thatâs quite some silver, must be at least a hundred taels!" Tian Xiwangâs wife was thrilled, but angrily said: "Why donât we get it? We all testified together, treating us so poorly, they better watch out or weâll reveal they invited us to testify!"
Tian Huiâer however had a new thought, recalling that Qin San Lang who picked them up... He was quite handsome, though overly fierce, looking intimidating. But young, already a Company Commander, shared part of Gu Familyâs business, with all his family gone except a grandfather. If she marries him, no mother-in-law worries, entering the door sheâll manage the household and finances!
Tian Huiâer, having found a new target, was full of joy, all past gloom vanished, her whole being radiated contentment.
Hmph, if the Gu Family doesnât fancy her, sheâll just find another. Brother Qin is a military general, bound to fancy a delicate girl like her. As long as she cries a bit before him, maybe faints somewhat, sheâll surely win over the heart of this rough man, marrying into the Qin family as the Company Commandersâ Wife.
Itâs undeniable Tian Huiâer was impressive, targeting every promising youth for a better life.
...
An hour later, Yuan Jiagui hurried over, seeing the Tian Family People, angrily saying: "You barely started living well and already seek death, this is the last time Iâm helping you. From now on, whether your family lives or dies, donât come to me!"
When Liu Family Clinic found him and told him about Tian Xiwangâs familyâs situation, he was almost enraged to death. This Tian Family indeed had lofty aspirations, daring to target Gu Jinâan.
Heâs Top of the County, a future Scholar. What is Tian Family? Recently freed servants, not yet warmed the good register, and already crowning Gu Jinâan as the son-in-law; madness!
Tian Xiwangâs family was still hoping Yuan Jiagui would cover the medical expenses, but kept silent despite being scolded, only urging: "Old Yuan, please quickly save us, the Liu Family Clinic extorts us."
"Bah, shut your mouths. I know the situation; if you donât want to end up imprisoned, stay put."
After cursing them, Yuan Jiagui apologized to Doctor Liu: "Doctor Liu, sorry for the trouble. Country people donât understand proper behavior, please donât be angry."
He then inquired: "How much is the total medical expense?"