Wiping the dagger on the curtain to clean off the blood stains carelessly before sheathing it, Li Shuchen shot him a cold glance and turned to leave in silence.
On the bed, Lu Baiian was unable to move his hands and feet, only managing to wake up Lady Mei when the rooster crowed.
"Quick! Go call the doctor!"
However, the doctors that were summoned all shook their heads and declined, saying, "To reconnect the tendons in the hands and feet, probably only the late Doctor Qi in all of Mo County had that skill."
Another doctor speculated, "...Or if another imperial physician were to be exiled from the capital, he might be able to heal Lord Lu."
"...You think imperial physicians are like cabbages, exiled at the drop of a hat? Besides, Lord Lu can't wait that long."
Glancing at the generous consultation fee on the table, Doctor Sun was tempted but regretted his lack of skills. Since that was the case, he could only leave this opportunity to Young Qi.
Clearing his throat, he recommended, "Although Doctor Qi has passed away, his daughter is still around. Young Qi has unique medical skills and remarkable efficacy."
Upon hearing that the Young Qi mentioned by Doctor Sun was the owner of Qi's Restaurant, Lu Baiian instantly regretted it, wishing he could bang his head against the wall.
To grasp at this life-saving straw, he swallowed his pride and gritted his teeth to order, "Prepare generous payment and go to the Qi Mansion."
"...Young Qi doesn't have a mansion, she lives in a thatched hut," Doctor Sun corrected, then kindly reminded, "Young Qi is recuperating from injuries at home. Lord Lu might want to bring some supplements... I don't know which vicious scoundrel pushed Young Qi into the door frame, but judging from her expression, she must have been severely hurt..."
Lu Baiian gave him a look but still followed his suggestion, preparing exquisite medicines and forcing himself to pack a box of silver ingots.
That shrew Lady Du often restricted his finances severely for fear he would squander money on wine and women. These silver ingots were what he had painstakingly saved up - from his salary, gifts from his subordinates, and even deducted military provisions.
This trip spent nearly half of his savings.
But he would spare no expense if it meant restoring his condition.
After a bumpy journey, the coachman reined in the horses, and Lady Mei brought the gifts to seek favor as he had instructed.
"Miss Qi, my lord accidentally harmed you yesterday. He feels terrible about it and asked me to bring these gifts to visit you. Please do not take his unintentional mistake to heart."
Lady Mei had a lovely voice, soft and melodious.
She opened the silver box, displaying the neatly arranged silver ingots that looked exquisite.
To deal with Qi Huan, she had already devised a plan: first apologize sincerely, then tempt the young lady with the gifts in hand, and the rest would follow seamlessly, wouldn't it?
Sure enough, Qi Huan's eyes lit up as she gazed at the silver box Lady Mei had placed down, promptly saying, "Alright, I forgive him."
"Miss Qi is so magnanimous. My lord will be delighted to know that you have accepted his apology," Lady Mei flattered, thinking to herself: If you're going to act, do it properly.
Qi Huan readily accepted the flattery, then pretended to worry, "But I can't take so much silver without reservations."
She did not know what scheme Lu Baiian had in mind, but since the woman before her claimed it was compensation for his wrongdoing, she would accept it as payment for medical fees.
Qi Huan asked Qing Cao to fetch paper and ink.
Hindered by the soft bedding, her writing was somewhat unsightly. But the content was clear - it was a compensation document for medical expenses.
Handing it to Lady Mei, Qi Huan firmly stated, "If Lord Lu signs this, I will believe in your sincerity and accept these gifts."
Qi Huan was self-aware; she was merely an insignificant figure in Mo County. For Lu Baiian to humble himself and apologize, he must need her help.
Since that was the case, she could afford to make excessive demands, and he would have to endure.
Lady Mei took the document without concern, thinking: This greedy young lady is indeed troublesome! But it's not a big issue. Everything is under control. Once she mediates the discord between Miss Qi and the lord, the request for medical treatment will be a minor matter. She could just offer more silver as consultation fees, and the girl wouldn't refuse, right? She didn't believe this young lady could still say no.
She gracefully approached the carriage and relayed Qi Huan's message.
Upon hearing it, Lu Baiian warily said, "No way, change it to medical fees and I'll sign. We also need to draw up a military order - full refund if the treatment fails."
This silver was his hard-earned savings. If not for his hands and feet, he would never part with it.
After hitting this snag, Lady Mei nimbly climbed into the carriage and gently reasoned, "My lord, don't be upset. She's just a young girl in her teens, you shouldn't take her seriously. Think about it from her perspective - would you treat someone who injured you?"
"If I don't cut him down, I'd be disgracing my blade."
"There you have it. I think Miss Qi must still harbor resentment in her heart. If my lord can first resolve these ill feelings, it would be easier to bring up the request for treatment. For the sake of your hands and feet, we can always offer her extra consultation fees. Easy money at her doorstep - she won't refuse."
Little did they expect that Qi Huan would indeed refuse.
She joyfully accepted the compensation document that Lady Mei had persuaded them to offer with great difficulty, tucking it into her pocket and instructing Qing Cao to keep the silver and medicines.
Observing her expression, Lady Mei scoffed inwardly: Such a greedy girl, dazzled by money. The rest will be easy.
"Miss Qi, you're unaware that my lord didn't come to apologize in person because intruders broke into our home last night and injured his hands and feet. All the physicians in the city have been summoned, but those quacks claim they can't treat it.
It was kind Doctor Sun from Sun's Medical Hall who recommended you. Miss Qi, your late father was an imperial physician, so you must have learned his exceptional skills. My lord's hands and feet are entrusted to you."
Thinking of her son's future relying on Lu Baiian, Lady Mei softly knelt down, her pleading eyes brimming with grief, while inwardly feeling smug: Back when she was in the opera troupe, no man could resist this demeanor.
Unfortunately, Qi Huan was a young lady. She snidely remarked, "Please rise, Lady Mei. You got one thing wrong - my medical skills are not exceptional, and I don't know how to reconnect tendons in the hands and feet. You'd better seek someone else's help." Considering the silver box, she added, "I wish Lord Lu a speedy recovery."
Her words struck Lady Mei like a thunderbolt on a clear day.
She called her Lady Mei!
Lady Mei was indignant!
But before she could scold Qi Huan, remembering the lord was still waiting outside, she pleaded desperately again.
Qi Huan remained unmoved, stubbornly claiming ignorance of medical skills.
And she truly didn't know any. To get rid of the pestering, she resolutely swore, "I really don't have medical skills. If I did, may I be struck by..."
Before she could finish, Li Shuchen burst in and covered her mouth.
As her lips moved, a ticklish sensation stirred in Li Shuchen's palm, as if a feather was scratching his heart.
Li Shuchen withdrew his hand and chided displeased, "Don't talk nonsense."
On the ground, finally realizing she refused to treat her lord, Lady Mei stood up, dusted off her skirt, and coldly said, "I never expected Miss Qi to be so petty and unwilling to forgive my lord.
You are indeed unworthy of being Doctor Qi's daughter, without an ounce of a physician's compassion. Since that's the case, return the silver."
Qi Huan tightened her grip on the blanket, feigning innocence, "What silver?"
