Chapter 908: Favor of Acquaintance

Editor: Henyee Translations

Lu Changyu bowed with his fists clasped, “Greetings, young master.”

Lou Ze was sizing up the decent-looking man in front of him, a puzzled look in his eyes, “We do not know each other, so what brings you here seeking help from me?”

Lu Changyu earnestly said, “A few days ago, my family’s servant went out to buy vegetables and saw the young master use a pill to save someone addicted to ‘divine ointments.’ Your medical skills are extraordinary, so I wanted to invite you to come and check on my father’s illness.”

Lou Ze asked, “What’s wrong with your father?”

Lu Changyu, feeling desperate, said, “He’s addicted to divine ointments too, and he can’t quit it no matter what. He’s almost at his end.”

Lou Ze was puzzled, “Isn’t your family secluded? How did he even get addicted to that stuff?”

Lu Changyu’s voice was indignant, “Someone deliberately harmed him; it wasn’t my father’s doing. He detests divine ointments and would never touch it on his own.”

Lou Ze nodded, “Let’s go, let’s have a look.”

Lu Changyu stepped aside and politely said, “Please.”

After crossing several streets, they arrived at the entrance of the Lu residence. Lu Changyu pushed open the grand doors, welcoming Lou Ze inside.

Lou Ze said, “Directly to your father’s room.”

“Yes,” Lu Changyu was even more courteous as he led Lou Ze to the back courtyard, then to the master of the Lu family’s room.

Upon entering the room, they were greeted by the smell of smoke from divine ointments, which was quite unpleasant. Lou Ze approached the window to open it for ventilation, then walked towards the bed.

The bed housed a man in his forties, moaning continuously, with a face that looked over sixty years old, begging, “Give me divine ointments, give me divine ointments…”

Lou Ze lifted the blanket and sure enough, found the man tied up. He knocked the master of the Lu family unconscious, then untied the ropes and took his pulse.

There was no other illness; it was all due to smoking divine ointments.

Lou Ze asked, “How long has he been smoking it?”

He thought to himself, there are countless people like this in Linzhang City. Using pills is too wasteful, but there is currently no precise prescription. Why not use this man as an experiment to come up with the most accurate prescription?

Lu Changyu replied, “For over half a year. After the gates were closed, everyone mostly stayed in their rooms. He and my mother have separate rooms, so no one knew he got addicted to divine ointments.”

Chu Qingzhi asked, “Do you have paper and pen?”

“Yes.” Lu Changyu led Lou Ze to a small study in the partition, “This is where my father usually handles household affairs. Whatever you need, young master, feel free to take.”

Lou Ze nodded, sat down, took out paper and pen, thought for a moment, and wrote down the prescription, “Go and get the medicine immediately.”

“Yes.” Lu Changyu took the prescription and personally went to fetch the medicine, the magistrate had already fled, so there was nothing to worry about.

Lou Ze got up and walked to the corridor outside the room.

Soon, a woman in her thirties adorned with gold and silver walked by. Seeing a stranger, she immediately changed her expression, “Who are you? Why are you in our mansion?”

Immediately, a servant stepped forward to explain, “Third Madam, he is a doctor brought back by the young master to treat the old master.”

Third Madam disdainfully flicked her handkerchief, “What kind of doctor? The old master will be fine as long as he smokes divine ointments. That unfilial son refuses to let him smoke, tormenting people; he just wants the old master to die so he can inherit the family business.”

The servant hurriedly said, “Third Madam, please be careful with your words. The young master is genuinely concerned for the old master, not for the family business. If this gets out, it will damage the young master’s reputation.”

Third Madam scornfully said, “Your young master dares to do it but doesn’t dare to own up, huh? Since it’s already done, why fear a tarnished reputation? What hypocrisy!”

Lou Ze couldn’t help it anymore, “How can you be so malicious? I am a doctor, it’s normal to call a doctor for an illness. How did it become a plot to usurp property in your mouth? You can’t spit anything good out of a dog’s mouth!”

Third Madam put her hands on her hips, “Who are you cursing?”

Lou Ze said, “I’m cursing you, isn’t it obvious? You’re not only malicious but also stupid.”

Third Madam was furious, “Someone, throw him out! This isn’t a place for him to run wild!”

The servant stood in front of Lou Ze, “Until the young master returns, no one can touch him. Third Madam, you’d better restrain yourself, or when the young master comes back, see how you explain!”

“He’s just a junior, I don’t believe he dares to do anything to me,” Third Madam said proudly, “Someone, throw him out!”

“No need to push, I’ll leave myself!” Lou Ze stepped out, glancing at Third Madam before leaving.

Third Madam suddenly felt a chill run down her spine at that gaze. How terrifying, but she quickly distracted herself, driving out those who were an eyesore, and soon this Lu mansion would belong to her son.

Lou Ze walked along the street, following the aroma to a breakfast stall, ordered a bowl of noodles, then sat down on a stool to wait.

Zeng Huo came from around the corner and sat opposite Lou Ze, “Another bowl of noodles.”

“Right away.”

Zeng Huo said to Lou Ze, “I went to the inn to find you, didn’t find you, thought you were in trouble.”

Lou Ze looked around, “What trouble could I possibly be in?”

Zeng Huo, “…”

Zeng Huo said, “Still, it’s better to be humble. By the way, how did the people from the Lu mansion come to invite you?”

Lou Ze said, “They asked me to treat their old master, but Third Madam drove me out.”

Zeng Huo felt it was a pity, getting Chu Qingzhi to treat someone was a rare opportunity, “Short-haired women lack foresight.”

As they spoke, Lou Ze’s noodles were ready, “Authentic Yangchun noodles, my lady.”

Lou Ze picked up his chopsticks and started eating, “Boss, your noodles are really good.”

“That’s right, I studied in the south for three years just for these noodles.”

“Not bad, a craft that can feed you for a lifetime.”

“Haha, the young master is visionary.”

Zeng Huo listened to their conversation, thinking to himself, he hadn’t expected Chu Qingzhi to be so down-to-earth, even able to chat with a small stall owner.

Zeng Huo’s noodles arrived, “Enjoy your meal, brother.”

As they ate, Zeng Huo talked about Hong Feiyun coming to find him and mentioned a new mission, then explained, “It’s not that I didn’t notify you in advance, but Hong Feiyun came by herself, which was quite unexpected.”

Lou Ze said nothing, finishing a bowl of noodles before he spoke, “Who does Hong Feiyun trust the most?”

Zeng Huo thought for a moment, “Her sister and subordinate, Hong Feiying.”

Lou Ze then asked, “What do you think about setting her sister up as the one who leaked the information? Dare to find trouble with Jing Hong, then see whose move is better.”

Zeng Huo looked up at Chu Qingzhi, “She, she probably wouldn’t believe it?”

Lou Ze countered, “A strategy of discord, would that work?”

Zeng Huo nodded, “I know, but I’ve never used it.”

Lou Ze took out his money pouch to pay for the noodles, “Do the sisters have anyone they like?”

Zeng Huo was confused, but still nodded, “Yes, and what’s dramatic is that both sisters like the same person, that is, the gentleman Mu Xiao from the organization.”

Lou Ze asked further, “Who is this Mu Xiao gentleman?”

Zeng Huo said, “He’s also from the Yun organization, responsible for recruiting new members. The two sisters were brought into the organization by him.”

Lou Ze couldn’t help but comment, “So there is also the favor of acquaintance.”