In the night, lanterns were lit at Qianjin Hall, and the day’s clamor on the street had also dispersed.
Qi Yue put on her mask and gloves, took her stethoscope, and entered the room hung with “sickroom” lanterns.
Of the four beds, one held a patient. His splinted leg was suspended by wide straps hanging from the ceiling beams. The head of the bed was raised, and the man was being helped to eat. An elderly man was curiously examining the bed.
“How does it just prop up like this?” he muttered.
Hearing footsteps, all three looked over.
“Lady Qi, you’ve come,” the three warmly greeted her, with the elderly man especially grateful as he bowed and nodded.
“What are you eating?” Qi Yue asked with a smile.
“It’s what Lady Qi prescribed – bean sprout and bone soup,” the woman feeding him said.
Qi Yue sniffed.
“Mm, truly fragrant. Elder sister has good cooking skills,” she smiled.
The woman had never been praised like this before and immediately blushed, not knowing what to say. This woman was beautiful and capable, but most importantly, she just gave people such a good feeling – though she couldn’t say exactly how. She just felt willing to listen to this woman speak.
How could such a good woman be unwanted by the Marquis Dingxi household?
Indeed, the affairs of wealthy families were beyond what a village woman like her could understand.
After Qi Yue finished examining the patient, she smiled and gave a few instructions about precautions.
A disciple responsible for care came in from outside to deliver medicine.
“Lady Qi, when can he… be discharged?” the elderly man asked.
“In five days,” Qi Yue said.
Actually, this type of injury was best not moved. In a modern hospital, he’d need to stay at least ten days to half a month, but…
Qi Yue saw the patient’s family exchange glances and obviously breathe sighs of relief.
Firstly, everyone was still unaccustomed to this, and secondly, the cost…
Qi Yue left the sickroom and saw Liu Pucheng’s room still had lights on. Tonight was his shift.
When Qi Yue stood at the door, Liu Pucheng was talking with Zhang Tong. The two stood at the table with counting rods, calculating something.
“…The material and labor costs are enough, but the rest is still insufficient…” Zhang Tong said quietly.
“…I still have a plot of land back home. I’ll sell it first…” Liu Pucheng said quietly.
As they spoke, Qi Yue knocked on the door from outside.
Seeing Qi Yue standing at the door, the master and disciple looked somewhat nervous and quickly tidied up.
“Lady Qi, why haven’t you left yet?” Liu Pucheng said.
Zhang Tong also respectfully called out “Master.”
“I’m leaving now. Thank you for your hard work tonight, Teacher,” Qi Yue said with a smile.
“Child, you always speak so politely,” Liu Pucheng shook his head.
Qi Yue didn’t ask what they were calculating, and Liu Pucheng naturally wouldn’t say.
Qi Yue left Qianjin Hall with Cui Zhi. Under the cover of night, her cheerful expression faded, replaced by a trace of melancholy.
She silently looked at the starry sky, wishing it could be daylight twenty-four hours a day.
During the day, busy with work, but when quiet… this loneliness was truly hard to bear.
“Lady Qi,” Cui Zhi walked beside her and couldn’t help speaking. “Aren’t you tired living like this?”
“Like this?” Qi Yue concealed her dejection and resumed her smiling expression, turning to look at her. “I think being human is always tiring. It depends on how you look at it – doing what you love isn’t tiring.”
Cui Zhi nodded and smiled.
However, Qi Yue looked back at Qianjin Hall – without money, it would be tiring indeed.
Without money, you couldn’t take a single step. Without money, living in ancient times wasn’t easy either.
In the deep night, the Rongan Courtyard was still brightly lit.
Chang Yuncheng placed the sutra on the table. Nanny Su waved at him.
On the kang, Madam Xie had her eyes closed as if asleep.
“This is the sutra I copied for Mother, offered before the Buddha,” Chang Yuncheng said quietly to Nanny Su.
Nanny Su nodded, looking at him with words she wanted to say but didn’t.
“I’ll depart the night after tomorrow. I won’t disturb the household. I’ll kowtow to Father and then leave,” Chang Yuncheng continued.
Nanny Su’s face paled, and Madam Xie suddenly sat up.
“Leave now, don’t wait until the day after tomorrow,” she said sternly.
Chang Yuncheng walked to her and knelt beside the kang.
“Mother, please take care of yourself at home. Don’t argue with Father. When bored, go out for walks. I’ll have someone send letters home every month,” he said.
Madam Xie breathed heavily, staring fixedly at Chang Yuncheng.