LW chapter 52

 

If they rode quickly, the journey from Luohe Village to Yunxi City would take only ten days. However, Chen Qing and his group walked for twenty-five days before finally seeing the gates of Yunxi City.

Li Xin let out a sigh of relief. He turned to look at Zhang Yin’s face inside the carriage. Her face was still as pale as before, but at least it hadn’t worsened. Everyone breathed a sigh of relief.

The gates of Yunxi City had likely just been renovated. They looked much sturdier and stronger than their own town’s city walls.

The city streets were clean and orderly with no vendors setting up stalls.

Zhou Yuan dismounted and led his horse. Chen Qing walked beside him, gripping his hand tightly. He felt uneasy in the unfamiliar surroundings.

“Don’t be afraid.” Zhou Yuan patted his hand.

Chen Qing took a deep breath and followed Zhou Yuan.

After passing through the main street, they came to a busier road with more people. Zhou Yuan saw Tian Ji, who was almost the center of attention along the entire street.

Zhou Yuan walked ahead and led the way. They chose an inn not far from Tian Ji and a clinic and booked three rooms. They decided to rest well first instead of rushing to see the doctor. What Zhang Yin needed most right now was probably a good rest.

“In that case, take a bath and get a good night’s sleep first. We’ll go see the doctor tomorrow.”

Of course, Chen Qing listened to Zhou Yuan. Li Xin helped Zhang Yin back to her room, and Qi Shuning followed them. They dispersed at the doorways and asked the servant for warm water. Chen Qing and Zhou Yuan washed away their fatigue together.

Zhou Yuan, who was usually lustful, didn’t think about anything else for once. He helped Chen Qing wash his back, carried him back to bed, quickly washed himself, and then lay down, pulling Chen Qing into his arms.

Chen Qing was lying in bed, but he felt as if he were still on horseback and the entire bed was swaying. Zhou Yuan hugged him and soon fell into a deep sleep. Chen Qing slowly closed his eyes, too.

When he woke up, it was already dark. Zhou Yuan was still sleeping soundly. As soon as Chen Qing moved, Zhou Yuan woke up as well.

They had slept very well, and Zhou Yuan noticed that Chen Qing was in a much better mood. They changed clothes and went to find Li Xin and the others.

Li Xin had gone out and ordered porridge and side dishes for Zhang Yin in her room. Zhou Yuan knocked on the door and entered after receiving a response. “Godmother, how are you feeling?”

Zhang Yin put down her spoon and smiled at them. “I feel a little more relaxed after a good sleep.”

“I’ll take you to see Doctor Yu tomorrow,” Zhou Yuan said. “Later,” I’ll ask the waiter to brew the medicine.”

Zhang Yin nodded. “I heard it’s quite lively outside. You young people should go out and get something to eat. You must be tired from the journey.”

Zhou Yuan nodded. “Then you should rest well.”

After that, he took Chen Qing, Li Xin, and his husband out of the inn. He had lived in their city for some time. At night, except during festivals, no one could be seen on the streets. In Yunxi City, nighttime seemed to be the start of the day. Lanterns lit the streets, and stalls selling things they had never seen before lined both sides.

Li Xin was also a bit stunned. “Can it really be this lively at night?”

All four of them came from poor villages. Aside from the lantern festival, they had never seen such a bustling place.

It was summer now. Even at night, the wind was warm, but it carried a strange fragrance. They glanced at each other and heard their stomachs rumble.

“Let’s eat something,” Zhou Yuan said.

Because there were too many people on the street, Chen Qing felt uncomfortable and hid behind Zhou Yuan.

They had never seen or eaten any of the foods sold here before. Soon, Zhou Yuan spotted a roadside dumpling stall and brought Chen Qing over.

They ordered four bowls of dumplings. The stall was run by a middle-aged couple; the wife was making dumplings on the side. Chen Qing saw that the filling was all real meat.

“Are you from out of town?” the stall owner asked, quickly serving them four bowls of soup.

Chen Qing tasted the soup and found that it was a light bone broth.

Zhou Yuan started chatting with the owner. “How did you know?”

“If we locals in Yunxi City wanted to eat, we wouldn’t come to my wonton shop. We all go for the real delicacies.” The stall owner grinned, revealing big white teeth.

“Could you help introduce us? We’re from out of town and here to seek medical treatment.” Li Xin came over to join the conversation.

“Ah, you’re looking for Doctor Yu, right? He’s a good doctor with a kind heart.” The stall owner served the wontons one by one. “You’ve found the right person at last.”

Li Xin’s tense mood eased considerably. He tasted a wonton with thin skin, a generous filling, and a rich, delicious broth.

Even Chen Qing, with his small appetite, left only three wontons in his bowl. Zhou Yuan took them and finished them.

“If you’ve had enough, you can go to Tian Ji and try it. It’s the best food in Yunxi City. They also have barbecue at night, though it might not be available now.”

“Thank you.”

Zhou Yuan paid and led them down the seemingly endless street. Soon, they saw a Tian Ji stall with a strong charcoal smell and strange aroma. Zhou Yuan wanted to buy some for them to try, but there was a long line of people, and the server said they were sold out. They had to leave disappointed.

“So this is Yunxi City. Brother, you’ve been to the capital. Is it like this?” Qi Shuning asked, walking behind Li Xin.

Zhou Yuan shook his head. “Not exactly. The capital isn’t this laid-back.”

They returned to the inn. Li Xin went to check on Zhang Yin, who was sound asleep, and then returned to his room with Qi Shuning.

Chen Qing and Zhou Yuan also went back to their room. Having slept too long in the afternoon, they were both now a little sleepless.

Chen Qing was quiet and shy, so Zhou Yuan took the initiative in everything. Sometimes, though, he wanted to see Chen Qing blush and try to endure it.

Zhou Yuan held Chen Qing’s waist and whispered encouraging words again and again. Chen Qing’s eyes grew hazy from the praise.

He thought it would be a sleepless night, but once he was exhausted, he slept more soundly than usual.

The next morning, everyone was in high spirits. Zhang Yin was able to come downstairs and have breakfast with them at the inn.

After eating, they took Zhang Yin to the clinic.

This clinic didn’t have a large sign. Only the scent of medicine wafting from inside revealed that it was a private practice.

There weren’t many people inside. Doctor Yu was treating a patient behind a curtain. Two apprentices were filling prescriptions at the front desk, while another was preparing medicine in a side room. The aroma of medicine kept drifting out from there.

“Are you here to see the doctor?” an apprentice asked. “You’ll have to wait a bit.”

Li Xin quickly replied, “We can wait.”

After a while, Yu Nian finished examining the patient and asked the apprentice to escort them out. He saw Zhou Yuan.

He was stunned. “You?”

Zhou Yuan hadn’t expected Doctor Yu to remember him. Yu Nian walked over and said, “I later looked up the symptoms you mentioned last time in medical texts, and there really was a precedent.”

Hearing this, Li Xin immediately stepped forward. “Doctor, please help my mother.”

Then, Yu Nian noticed Zhang Yin standing behind them. He looked at Zhou Yuan and said, “You’re truly filial.”

When Zhou Yuan had come before, he’d only briefly mentioned the situation, saying it would be better if he could bring the patient so the doctor could learn the details. However, he thought it would be too difficult for the patient to make the trip. He hadn’t expected Zhou Yuan to actually bring someone all the way here.

After helping Zhang Yin inside, Yu Nian checked her pulse through a handkerchief. It was exactly as recorded in his notes. “Qi stagnation, blood stasis, blockage…”

Chen Qing and Li Xin grew nervous. Li Xin grabbed Chen Qing’s hand, and Chen Qing tugged at Zhou Yuan’s clothes.

“What medicine have you been taking?” Yu Nian asked.

Qi Shuning immediately produced a copy of the prescription he had prepared just in case—he hadn’t expected it to come in handy.

Yu Nian’s expression became more serious. Most of the medicine in this prescription was meant to replenish qi and blood. She had been taking it for so long while her meridians were already blocked. Over-replenishing qi and blood had only weakened her further.

He glanced at the people in the room. Only one looked very similar to Zhang Yin—likely her biological child.

He looked at Zhou Yuan. “There’s something I want to tell you alone.”

Qi Shuning tactfully helped Zhang Yin out, leaving Zhou Yuan, Chen Qing, and Li Xin inside.

Chen Qing also wanted to leave, but Zhou Yuan stopped him. “You listen too.”

“My master’s notes do record such an illness, but the patient was a man in his prime.” Yu Nian closed the notes in his hand. “First, use silver needles for acupuncture for over a month to clear the internal blockages. Then, take medicine to strengthen the body and nourish the essence for over a month. Finally, do acupuncture again.”

Zhou Yuan and Chen Qing exchanged a look. This meant they would have to stay here for quite a long time.

Li Xin grew excited. “Does that mean my mother can be cured?”

Yu Nian shook his head. “Doctors can’t say that with certainty. The patient I mentioned was weak since childhood, but he had a good doctor who treated him long-term. But your mother’s condition is different. Acupuncture carries risks.”

Li Xin’s joy faded instantly. He glanced at Doctor Yu, then looked helplessly at Zhou Yuan and Chen Qing. Chen Qing held his hand to comfort him.

“Also, there’s another medicine that’s even harder to find.”

Li Xin’s eyes turned red. “Then… what about my mother?”

“Yu Nian, what would you like for lunch? I—” The back door suddenly opened, and someone stepped into the room. He didn’t expect so many people to be inside. He froze for a moment, then said, “Oh, there are people here. Little one, why are you crying? What’s wrong?”

Zhou Yuan recognized him as the shopkeeper from Tian Ji.

Li Xin was usually warm and cheerful, but he felt a bit embarrassed. He wiped his tears away and nodded at the newcomer.

Yu Nian smiled and continued the discussion.

Tian Yao thought for a moment. “You’re talking about the medicine you gave to Master Liu. Why don’t we go into the mountains to find it?”

He walked over to Li Xin. “You’re a filial child. Don’t cry. I’ll take you into the mountains to look for the medicine to save your mother. The child will be happy.”

He turned and saw Zhou Yuan standing nearby. He had a good memory, too. “Oh, it’s you.”

“Manager Tian.” Zhou Yuan bowed to him.

Tian Yao looked again at the person beside him. Chen Qing was still shy, but he also greeted him. He could tell what their relationship was at a glance. “Your husband? Very sweet.”

Then, he turned back to Yu Nian. “I happen to want to go up the mountain, so let me take you there.”

Yu Nian was reluctant to agree. Tian Yao was forty-one this year, and he wasn’t as strong as before. But, upon seeing the hopeful eyes in the room, he sighed.

“I’ll do my best to treat your mother.”

Li Xin immediately knelt. “Thank you, Doctor Yu!”

But before his knees could touch the ground, a strong force lifted him up. he turned to see Shopkeeper Tian, who had picked him up with one hand. He said, “Why do you keep kneeling? Stand tall.”

Still a little dazed, Li Xin was helped up by Tian Yao. Zhou Yuan said, “Go see your godmother and tell her the good news.”

Li Xin wiped his tears and left, leaving Zhou Yuan and Chen Qing in the room.

Zhou Yuan looked at Tian Yao. “Shopkeeper Tian, could you take us into the mountains to look for the medicine?”

Tian Yao thought for a moment, feeling a little regretful. “I went there twenty years ago. I don’t know if the medicinal herbs still grow there, but it won’t hurt to go and take a look.”

“Thank you.” Zhou Yuan sincerely expressed his gratitude.

His expression was tense, and Chen Qing noticed, gently holding his hand behind his back.

 

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