The three of them had always lived in the village and had not seen much of the world.
Being suddenly scolded by a worker in the medical hall made all of them feel uncomfortable.
Especially Tian Fengying, who had a fiery temper. “How can you talk like that, young man? Guests who come to your door are guests. We’re not here to see a doctor, and this is your attitude?”
The worker had been busy all morning and was already in a foul mood.
Impatiently, he urged them, “What guests? We only receive patients here. If you have nothing to do, hurry up and leave. Don’t block the patients from getting treatment.”
Tian Fengying put her hands on her hips and glared at him. “How are we not guests? Let me tell you, not only are we guests, we’re distinguished guests!”
She dragged over a chair herself, sat down on it, and even crossed one leg.
Raising her voice, she said, “You don’t understand anything, so I won’t argue with you. When Doctor Cui comes back, I’ll have him deal with you. When that time comes, you won’t even have a place to cry. Don’t say I didn’t warn you.”
She slammed the bundle onto the table and said to Ning Yuchan and Taohua, “You two sit down as well. Get familiar with the place. You’ll be living here in the future…”
The worker found that the more he listened, the stranger it sounded.
Doctor Cui possessed the abilities of a medical immortal, saving lives and healing the wounded throughout his life, with boundless merit.
It could be said that his life was quite complete.
The only thing incomplete was that he had never married.
He once had a son, but the son was a good-for-nothing and was driven away by Doctor Cui.
After that, Doctor Cui has lived alone until now.
Looking at Tian Fengying’s rough appearance, it was impossible that Doctor Cui would like her.
But a man might not always be able to restrain himself.
Moreover, Doctor Cui often went into the mountains to gather herbs, sometimes for three to five days, and at times staying for half a month.
Perhaps at some point, he encountered danger and was saved by this rough woman, and then…
They ended up having two daughters as beautiful as flowers.
Otherwise, how could such a rustic woman give birth to two such beautiful daughters?
They must have taken after Doctor Cui.
Back then, Doctor Cui’s eldest son had also been delivered to his door by a village woman.
Of course, such a coarse woman might be fine for occasional relief, but marrying her as a proper wife would likely lower one’s status.
So Doctor Cui had never made it public, but secretly provided money to raise the two daughters.
Now that the daughters had grown up and wanted to acknowledge their ancestry, they had come knocking on the door.
The worker’s thoughts ran wild. If he did not write storybooks, his imagination would be wasted.
He quickly adjusted his expression and said with a smile, “Auntie, our master has indeed gone out. Sit here for a while. Master will be back soon. I’ll pour you a cup of water.”
Just moments ago, he had looked fierce, but now he had become polite and courteous.
Tian Fengying could not make sense of it, but she let him be.
Ning Yuchan wanted to confirm when Doctor Cui would return, so she went out and asked, “This young brother, will Doctor Cui return in the morning?”
The worker’s name was Cui Shitou. He was a little beggar picked up by Doctor Cui and had been staying in the medical hall doing odd jobs.
He could not be considered a formal disciple.
Seeing Ning Yuchan’s gentle and soft appearance, Cui Shitou felt a strong fondness in his heart and tried to smile gently as well. “Little Junior Sister, don’t worry. Master will definitely return by noon at the latest. Go sit in the shade for a while, and I’ll bring you some snacks.”
The term “Little Junior Sister” left Ning Yuchan momentarily stunned.
“May I ask how to address you, young brother?”
Cui Shitou straightened his back and adjusted his shoulders. “Ahem, you can just call me Brother Shitou.”
Ning Yuchan remembered it. “Brother Shitou.”
Cui Shitou was delighted.
Master’s daughter, judging by her appearance, was not very old and should not be married yet. It just so happened that he was also not engaged. Perhaps…
Hehe…
Cui Shitou lowered his head, smiling shyly, and quickly ran off to fetch a kettle.
Ning Yuchan returned inside and told Tian Fengying, “That young worker just now is called Shitou. He said Doctor Cui will definitely be back before noon.”
Tian Fengying instructed Taohua, “That Shitou doesn’t look like a good person. Keep an eye on him and don’t let him get close to your sister-in-law.”
Taohua took it as seriously as if she had received a general’s order. “Mother, don’t worry. I’ll definitely keep watch.”
Ning Yuchan felt a bit troubled. “Mother, he doesn’t mean it that way.”
Tian Fengying looked at her daughter-in-law, who was as beautiful as a flower. She believed that in the entire Qinzhou City, there was no girl more beautiful than her daughter-in-law.
She had to keep a close watch for her son.
There were many people who came to the medical hall for treatment, but most of them were sent away by Cui Shitou.
Especially those with mild symptoms, who would not spend much money.
In Qinzhou City alone, there were at least dozens of medical halls. They could go to any one of them for treatment. There was no need to trouble his master.
Moreover, his master would soon be acknowledging his daughters. Whether he would even be in the mood to see patients was uncertain.
He could not let people delay such matters.
Doctor Cui had not returned for a long time. Many patients could not wait any longer and went to other medical halls after asking around.
In less than the time it takes for an incense stick to burn, only a dozen or so patients remained in the courtyard.
Most of them were seriously ill patients.
Some of them had even traveled thousands of li from other provinces.
Not to mention that Doctor Cui might return at noon. Even if he did not come back today, they would still have to keep waiting.
Ning Yuchan had been given two plum blossom cakes by Cui Shitou. Holding them, she sat in the shaded area by the window, observing the patients in the courtyard.
At the far left by the gate, there was a woman whose illness was unknown. Her head was wrapped tightly, leaving only a pair of eyes exposed.
There was no vitality in them at all, as if she had already lost all hope in this world.
Beside her stood a burly man, who would occasionally lean close and say something to her.
Most of the time, the woman did not respond. Only when the man spoke more would she nod slightly.
Next to her was a man in his thirties or forties. He was very thin, dressed in ordinary coarse cloth, sitting on the ground leaning against the wall, with a pair of crutches placed beside him.
His left leg was clamped between wooden boards, clearly injured.
From time to time, he frowned and tapped his calf a few times with a small hammer.
He looked to be in great pain.
To his right, there was a large empty space.
There was a man dressed in blue brocade, sitting on an extremely large two-wheeled chair. His face was as round and swollen as a steamed bun made of risen dough. He held a folding fan, waving it absentmindedly.
He looked as if he thought himself very charming.
Behind him stood four or five expressionless servants.
It was not clear what injury he had, but it was obvious that he must be very wealthy.
…
“Sister-in-law,” Taohua sat down beside Ning Yuchan, “what are you looking at?”
Ning Yuchan handed her one of the plum blossom cakes and said calmly, “I’m looking at the patients by the door. Three of them have leg injuries, probably similar to Father Huo’s. Later, we can see what medicine Doctor Cui prescribes for them and how it is used.”
Taohua admired Ning Yuchan’s keen observation. “Sister-in-law is really smart.”
Ning Yuchan smiled. “We should pay more attention. If we can find out how the medicinal plaster is prepared, then our family’s prescription can be replicated.”
Taohua nodded. “I’ll pay attention with you.”
Doctor Cui returned around noon.
He had just passed forty. Perhaps because he lived in the city and was a doctor who knew how to take care of himself, his skin was clean, his figure tall, and he wore a dark gray robe with subtle patterns. His hair was tied up, and his thick brows and large eyes made him look like the male lead who stepped out of a storybook.
Aside from being a bit older.
Tian Fengying was a countrywoman who had not seen much of the world.
She only felt her eyes brighten at the sight. As a woman whose son, if nothing had happened, would already have children of his own, she still found her cheeks heating up in embarrassment.
Ning Yuchan did not have such thoughts. Her mind was entirely on the three patients with leg injuries at the door.
Taohua was still young. Whatever Ning Yuchan said, she followed. At this moment, she only cared about how Doctor Cui would prescribe medicine for the patients.
After entering, Doctor Cui first went to the back room to wash his hands before returning to the medical hall to begin consultations.
All the patients lined up in order of arrival, waiting for Doctor Cui to examine them.
Tian Fengying and the others were not there to seek treatment, so naturally they did not need to line up.
They stood at the entrance of the medical hall, planning to wait until Doctor Cui finished seeing patients before going forward to speak.
While seeing patients, Doctor Cui glanced at Tian Fengying and the others.
He asked Cui Shitou, “Why are these people not lining up?”
Cui Shitou suspected that his master had forgotten them. “Master, they said they are your distinguished guests and are not here for treatment.”
Doctor Cui looked at them again.
He was certain he did not recognize them. “Did they say what they came for?”
Cui Shitou shook his head. “Master, look at those two girls. Don’t they seem familiar?”
After finishing writing a prescription for the current patient, Doctor Cui glanced toward the entrance a few more times.
He was certain he did not recognize the older village woman, and he did not recognize the youngest girl either.
But the girl in the middle seemed somewhat familiar for no clear reason.
Fragments of scattered memories surfaced in his mind and gradually came together. After a brief pause, he instructed Shitou, “Take them to the side room to rest. I’ll go over shortly.”
Cui Shitou was startled inwardly. As expected, Master’s daughters had come to find him. Their treatment was indeed different.