After the time it took a stick of incense to burn, Du Yueniang finished dressing with her maids’ help.
Song Zhiwei’s expression was gentle as she said, “Take another three doses according to the original prescription, and there should be no major problems.”
Hearing those words, Du Yueniang could scarcely believe them. She froze for a moment. Then, unable to hold herself back, she began to weep softly.
Three years. So many days and nights. So much pain that words could scarcely describe it. How could she possibly explain it all? Now she learned that all she needed was a good physician. All it took was such a short period of treatment to heal what had tormented her for years. Yet she had suffered for so long. So very long.
As a woman herself, Song Zhiwei naturally understood the bitterness of such an experience and couldn’t help but let out a quiet sigh.
Meng Jiping, who had been listening nearby, finally understood. So the physician her mother had mentioned after returning from the Princess Royal’s banquet a few days earlier was actually this young woman. She looked roughly the same age as herself.
Yet Song Zhiwei appeared far more composed and intelligent. And she even knew how to treat illnesses.
Meng Jiping listened as Song Zhiwei spoke with her mother about proper breathing techniques, lower-abdomen massage, and cleaning and daily care. Part of her felt embarrassed to hear such things. Yet another part of her could not help but feel awed.
How had Song Zhiwei learned all these things? She was truly remarkable.
As the conversation continued, Song Zhiwei gradually lowered her voice. Out of respect for her patient’s privacy, she naturally did not wish to discuss certain matters too openly in front of the woman’s daughter, especially topics that would be considered quite private even by modern standards.
After carefully explaining everything and seeing that Du Yueniang seemed to have taken her instructions to heart, Song Zhiwei finally relaxed. “If anything else comes up later, just send word through my Second Aunt.”
Du Yueniang understood and nodded.
Song Zhiwei then opened her medicine chest and took out several bottles. “These are all medicines I’ve made myself. This one is Huoxiang Zhengqi Pills, for relieving summer heat. The weather has been hot and oppressive lately. If someone suffers from heatstroke or headaches, this is appropriate to take.”
“And this is Baohe Pills. They help with indigestion, bloating, and acid reflux after overeating. This one is Xiangsha Yangwei Pills. They’re suitable for people with weak and cold stomachs who frequently experience bloating after meals or stomach discomfort whenever they catch a chill.”
One by one, Song Zhiwei laid out the small bottles of pills she had prepared.
Then she added, “I’ve written all the instructions down on paper. If you experience headaches, fevers, bloating, or diarrhea, you can use these. But if they don’t help, you should call for a physician. These are only meant for convenience when medical care isn’t immediately available.”
Seeing both mother and daughter nod obediently, Song Zhiwei spoke frankly: “If you find them effective and would like to keep some on hand in the future, then come buy them from my shop.”
Du Yueniang laughed softly at that. “You’re opening a shop too?”
Song Zhiwei smiled as well. “One must have some means of making a living. Otherwise, nothing can last for long.”
Then she straightened and formally bowed to Madam Du. “It’s getting late, and I should take my leave. The consultation fee is two taels. Madam may settle it directly.”
By asking for payment, Song Zhiwei made her position clear: a straightforward transaction, money exchanged for services rendered. She did not intend to cure Du Yueniang and then have her repay the favor through personal obligations later. Yet this world ran on relationships and favors. Not every debt could be settled with silver alone.
Holding Song Zhiwei’s hand, Du Yueniang pressed a small pouch of gold nuggets into it and instructed a maid to bring out another ten taels of silver. Apparently, she had prepared it beforehand.
Clasping Song Zhiwei’s hands, she said, “You haven’t even charged me for the medicine itself. Consider this my support for your new business. When you make anything good in the future, just send it over. The Duke’s household can certainly afford to keep an account.”
Her tone made it clear she regarded Song Zhiwei as a junior. What she meant was that Song Zhiwei could simply send medicine to the Duke’s residence and receive payment later.
But Song Zhiwei shook her head. “I thank you for your kindness, Madam, but one matter should not be mixed with another. If the consultation fee is two taels, then it is two taels. I cannot accept more.”
“As for the medicines I brought today, they’re only samples. If you use them and find them effective, then come back. If not, don’t. Otherwise you’ll buy medicines only to let them gather dust, and what would be the point of that?”
Her meaning was perfectly clear.
Du Yueniang immediately understood. “You sound just like some poor scholar determined to become an incorruptible official.” Unable to help herself, she laughed and shook her head.
Du Yueniang then removed a hairpin from her own hair. The entire hairpin was made of red gold. A ruby was set at the top, and delicate gold filigree formed an exquisite cage-like design around it. It was a striking piece.
“You are my junior. This is your first visit to my home. Giving you a meeting gift is only proper.” As she spoke, she pressed the pouch of gold nuggets into Song Zhiwei’s hands. “Take it. You’ve earned it.”
If Song Zhiwei refused again, it would become discourteous. Her earlier refusal had never really been about the money. It was simply to ensure that if Du Yueniang ever fell ill again, she would feel comfortable seeking her out without feeling burdened by a debt of gratitude. So she accepted the gifts and said, “Thank you, Madam.”
Only then did Du Yueniang smile in satisfaction.
Du Yueniang still needed rest. After being ill for so long, she needed to continue taking her medicine and recuperating.
Meng Jiping escorted Song Zhiwei out and earnestly thanked her as well.
“You don’t need to thank me. This is simply what a physician ought to do.” Song Zhiwei felt somewhat at a loss.
But Meng Jiping shook her head. “You cured my mother. A few words of thanks are the least you deserve.”
Thus Song Zhiwei left with both hands full and a considerable favor earned along the way. In this job market, she thought, her former self would probably have cried with envy at the opportunities.
Not dwelling on it further, she departed Duke Cheng’s residence with Liu’er and boarded the carriage for the return trip home.
The carriage passed through the market district once again. This time, Song Zhiwei’s interest piqued, and she told the driver to take a detour through the street where the pharmacies were.
After the driver agreed, Song Zhiwei lifted the curtain and looked outside.
As they headed north along Mahang Street, they passed Xiaohuohang Alley. At its entrance stood a famous restaurant called Shi Tower, reputedly a favorite dining place for high-ranking officials and nobles.
Beside the restaurant was a large pharmacy named Youshiyuan. At first glance, it seemed to have few customers. Further ahead, near Fengqiu Gate, the road was lined with many renowned pharmacies and medical halls. Many were established by famous imperial physicians. One was the Liu family clinic, which specialized in treatments for deafness and tinnitus; another was known for remedies for mouth, throat, and speech disorders; and others were devoted specifically to pediatrics and obstetrics. Among them was a medical hall called Shouchuntang, whose physician Song Zhiwei had met before.
Seeing all this, Song Zhiwei felt a strange sense of familiarity and nostalgia. It reminded her of the old traditional Chinese medicine clinic back home. She lowered the curtain, and the carriage continued rattling along the road.
Meanwhile, in a blue-canopied carriage passing in the opposite direction, Li Rongpei set down a stack of property deeds and remarked casually, “The gambling houses should primarily accept land deeds. Why are you accepting wives and children as repayment for debts? They’re difficult to sell for any worthwhile price anyway, and they only bring endless crying and trouble. Don’t do that again in the future.”
His tone was not particularly cold. In fact, he even smiled as he spoke.
Yet the more lightly he spoke, the more frightened the man before him became, shrinking back in fear. “Yes, Master.”
Chen Fuchun, the old manager of Shi Tower, had beads of cold sweat on his forehead.
“And another thing,” Li Rongpei continued as he closed the account book, looking thoroughly bored. “Put that pharmacy up for sale sometime soon. Since it’s not being managed properly, there’s no point letting it sit there gathering dust. Whatever profit you can get from it is better than none.”
Money was never enough. Especially when compared to the value of his own life.