Chapter 277 - 277: The Qj Family

Translator: Atlas Studios Editor: Atlas Studios

Mr. Wen looked at Mr. Qian and smiled at Zhou Jia and the two clerks. “That child’s father was also a doctor in the past. After his father left, he brought his mother along and relied on writing letters to make a living. He’s a filial child. I don’t know why he fell to such a state.”

Mr. Qian thought for a moment and said, “Maybe it’s because he didn’t learn his father’s medical skills and lost his ability to make a living. As time passed, it became more and more difficult.”

Mr. Wen shook his head. “He said that he had never studied medicine. When his father was alive, he had always been studying.”

Mr. Qian recalled his past and laughed self-deprecatingly. “Sigh! A useless scholar. If he had medical skills, he wouldn’t have fallen to this state.”

After an hour, Zhao Cai, Tiezhu, and Ah Wei brought a table of food to the small courtyard. There were pork trotters stewed with soybeans, stir-fried side dishes, pork liver… They were all home-cooked dishes. Everyone had been traveling all morning, so they sat at a table and ate. After a good meal, Tiezhu accompanied Ah Wei out of the city to deliver the medicine.

A group of bailiffs came to the entrance of the alley. They surrounded a middle-aged man with a square face and slightly yellowish skin. He was wearing a green official’s uniform and a straw hat. The group walked to the door of Mr. Wen’s small courtyard. A bailiff with a few pockmarks on the tip of his nose bowed forward and pointed at the small courtyard. He smiled obsequiously. “Master Yang, that old divine doctor lives here.”

County Magistrate Yang thought of his colleague in the neighboring county. He had informed him that this magistrate was incomparably handsome and did not like to philander or accept gifts. He was forgiving towards small errors but would not allow for grave mistakes. He originally thought that Lord Zhou would arrive tomorrow at the earliest. Unexpectedly, he came early this morning and happened to see the local ruffians bullying his teacher on the street. It was considered bad luck. However, he had a pair of peerless twins. No matter how much he did not like women, they would still charm him.

County Magistrate Yang straightened his clothes and glanced at the bailiff. The bailiff knocked on the door and retreated to the side. County Magistrate Yang took a step forward and said loudly, “Lord Zhou, I, Yang Xian, am here to pay my respects.”

When Zhou Jia heard this, he raised his eyebrows. To have found this place so quickly, Lord Yang was quite attentive! But he didn’t seem to be so attentive about other things!

Zhao Cai went forward to open the courtyard door and said, “Sir Yang, please.”

County Magistrate Yang cupped his hands politely and bowed to Zhou Jia. “I was late to welcome you. Please forgive me!”

Zhou Jia said indifferently, “Lord Yang, there’s no need for formalities. I came in a hurry and didn’t inform you in time.”

Mr. Wen said to Zhou Jia, “Jiahe, I don’t need you to accompany me. Go and do your work.” County Magistrate Yang hurriedly went forward and bowed. Mr. Wen smiled and said, “Don’t worry about this old man. Go ahead.”

Zhou Jia knew that Mr. Wen hated these formalities the most. In addition, a large group of people was standing outside. He smiled and said, “Sir, I’ll go and come back.”

Mr. Wen waved his hand and watched Zhou Jia leave with his men.

Ah Wei and Tie Zhu bought some buns on the street and went to the straw hut outside the city.

Tiezhu saw that the dilapidated temple outside Ling County was filled with straw sheds. The people living there were all people who lived in the city.

Ah Wei led him to the two straw sheds at the end and heard a heart-wrenching cough.

Ah Wei said to Tiezhu, “Aunt Qi’s health is not good. Old Master came to treat her two days ago and went to find these herbs for her.”n/ô/vel/b//in dot c//om

Tiezhu looked at the low straw shed and the dirt at the door. He felt that although his family had sold themselves to be slaves, they were considered lucky compared to the Qi family. His Master and Madam were generous, and he had learned a lot from his Master.

Ah Wei carried the medicine and buns to the door and shouted, “Brother Qi, Auntie Yu, I’m here to bring you the medicine.”

Qi Zhanpeng’s face darkened. He walked to the door and said to Ah Wei, “Leave. I don’t care about your pity.”

Ah Wei looked at Qi Zhanpeng and was stunned for a moment. He placed the medicine in his hand in front of him and looked at him with a smile. “Brother Qi, this is the medicine my Old Master went to the mountain to pick. It’s just been concocted. There are also a few ointments. You were kicked a few times by those hooligans today. It must be very painful.”

Qi Zhanpeng looked at Ah Wei’s smiling face and could no longer maintain his cold expression. He lowered his head and thought for a moment. “Ah Wei, you and Old Master are good people, but your Master is in cahoots with those officials. Don’t come here again. I don’t want the medicine. Take them back.”

When Tiezhu heard Qi Zhanpeng’s words, he felt uncomfortable. He went forward and pulled Ah Wei away. He looked at him and said, “My Old Master is worried that you can’t afford the medicine. He’s so old, yet he still went up the mountain to pick herbs for your mother. After brewing it, he sent it to you, but you said that you’re not worthy of being associated with an official. What does my Master’s position have to do with you? You’re really ungrateful.”

Ah Wei also looked at Qi Zhanpeng in disappointment. “Brother Qi, my Master is a good official. Since you said that, I’ll leave you be.” Ah Wei stuffed the medicine and buns into his arms. “My Old Master helped Aunt Qi make these medicine. No one else can drink them. If you don’t want it, throw it away!” With that, he pulled Tiezhu away.

Qi Zhanpeng looked at Ah Wei and Tiezhu, who were walking away, and at the medicine and food in his arms. He sighed and couldn’t bear to throw away the things in his arms. He carried them into the house.

Aunt Yu lay on the bed and panted as she said to Qi Zhanpeng, “Peng! In this world, there are evil doctors like the Holy Hand Hall who don’t treat illnesses and only care about money. There are also divine doctors like Doctor Wen who focus on treating illnesses and saving people. It’s the same logic with officials. There are good officials. Besides, I believe in Doctor Wen. Why don’t you try to tell him about our grievances and see if you can clear your father’s name?

When Qi Zhanpeng heard Madam Yu’s words, he felt that what she said was reasonable. He recalled how he didn’t listen to his mother back then and insisted on doing things his way. He thought that everything in the world was the same as what the Sages taught him. Who knew that the logic of the Sages could onlv be used in books? Once his father left. he auicklv exoerienced the cruelty and darkness of the world. A person who toasted him on one occasion could wrong him on another.

Qi Zhanpeng looked at his mother, who was lying on the bed, old and thin, and regretted it. “Mother, it’s all my fault for being useless. I didn’t know how to read people and was deceived by others. I made you live a hard life with me.”

Madam Yu coughed a few times and panted. “It’s not your fault. Dad and Mom were focused on letting you study and obtain scholarly honors. We forgot to remind you that humans are sinister and forgot to teach you how to live well…”

As Madam Yu spoke, she coughed again. Qi Zhanpeng hurriedly helped her lie down. “Mom, don’t worry. I’ll go look for Doctor Wen later. You’re hungry, right? Ah Wei sent buns over. They’re still hot. Eat two first to fill your stomach. I’ll prepare medicine for you.” Madam Yu looked at her son and nodded in relief.

Qi Zhanpeng brewed the medicine for Madam Yu and watched her fall asleep. Then, he went out and gently closed the door before walking into the city..