Leaving behind others' grudges, Zhu Changle had already forgotten about these minor matters as she entered Heart Ease Medical Hall again with Qiuli.
The father and daughter, who had been waiting for a long time, stood up together. Seeing the two visitors remain silent, they weren't sure what to say. The woman nervously wrung her hands and forced a smile, saying, "The guests are here, and the Wind-Dispelling Ointment is ready."
Zhu Changle, deliberately maintaining control of the situation, nodded, "May I examine the goods?"
"Of course." After glancing at her father, the woman gestured invitingly, "It's inside, please follow me."
Behind the medical hall was a courtyard where the father and daughter lived with their two apprentices. After sending the apprentices to watch the front of the hall, the woman led the two visitors into the main room and quickly returned with a package.
"Here are three hundred boxes of Wind-Dispelling Ointment. Please count them."
Qiuli took the package and set it aside, exchanging a glance with Changle, which the woman noticed.
"Tang Ming mentioned that his mother is too soft-hearted and indecisive. Perhaps we should invite the old doctor to join us?"
The woman covered her mouth, tears flowing before she could speak.
"Oh, please don't cry! I'm here with good news!" Zhu Changle jumped up to pat the woman's back, doing so in the manner of an elder comforting a junior, which momentarily stunned the woman out of her tears.
"What's wrong?" The old doctor entered and, seeing the scene, felt his heart tighten. He hurriedly asked, "Is it about Mintang..."
"Mintang? Tang Ming? You mean Doctor Tang? He's doing fine, please don't worry, both of you. I couldn't bear the responsibility if anything happened to upset you."
The old man sighed in relief and sat down, gesturing for everyone to be seated. "My surname is He, given name Yuanbai. This is my daughter, and if you're speaking of Tang Ming, he should be my grandson, Zhou Mintang."
"Yes, that's him. Apart from being unable to leave Yunbei against his will, he's doing well in all other aspects. He even opened a medical hall there called Chengde." Zhu Changle first briefly described Tang Ming's situation to ease their worries.
Indeed, hearing this news, both their expressions brightened. The old man asked eagerly, "So he's still running a medical hall and practicing as a doctor?"
"Yes, and he's the most skilled doctor in Yunbei," Zhu Changle praised Tang Ming highly. "He also mentioned that despite limited conditions, he's made great progress in these two years."
"Good, good, good." Mr. He's eyes sparkled with pride. He had truly worried that his grandson might have abandoned medical practice due to various reasons. Many things are easy to give up but difficult to pick up again, and with Mintang's talent in medicine, two years away from practice would have been an incalculable loss.
"Did he... did Mintang send any message?" Lady He asked anxiously, clutching her chest. She didn't care whether he was still practicing medicine; she just wanted to know when he could return, when she could have him back under her watchful eye.
"He said he's doing well and wants you to continue living as you have been, especially not to seek help from the Zhou family. Just wait patiently for his return."
Mr. He's face immediately darkened. "It was the Zhou family who harmed him, wasn't it?"
"Yes."
"Just as I suspected." Mr. He slapped the armrest of his chair. "He was a doctor serving the community; by all rights, he shouldn't have made any enemies, and outsiders would have no reason to harm him."
"But, but the Zhou family had no reason either," Lady He couldn't understand. "Mintang studied in Xinshui County for so many years, clearly intending to pursue a career as a doctor. He wasn't even from the main branch of the family and never showed any interest in claiming a share of the Zhou family's property. He practically kept his distance from the Zhou family, so why would they want to harm him?"
"Mintang must know the reason."
Meeting the old doctor's gaze, Zhu Changle nodded, "He does know, and you'll understand everything when he returns."
"I can guess without waiting for his return. They must have threatened him using his weakness as leverage." Mr. He's hands trembled slightly as he pressed them against his abdomen. "May I ask what relationship you two have with Mintang?"
"My surname is Zhu, and my father is the new magistrate of Yunbei. We currently have a mutually beneficial relationship with Doctor Tang, and I'm sure we'll become good friends in the future!" Zhu Changle introduced herself straightforwardly, even adding the future friend label.
The old doctor was surprised, yet not surprised. Someone unconnected to Yunbei wouldn't go to such trouble. He stood up and cupped his hands in greeting, "So you're Miss Zhu from Magistrate Zhu's family. If there's anything this old man can do to help, please don't hesitate to ask."
Zhu Changle jumped back to avoid the formal gesture, "Please don't be so formal. I'm not trying to use you for anything. I simply came to deliver a message to Tang Ming to ease his worries. He's very clever, and we still need his help with matters in Yunbei."
Such frankness was unexpected but made people feel more favorably disposed and willing to trust her.
Sitting down again, the old doctor said, "I've lived here for decades and know something about Gu'an. Perhaps Miss Zhu might consider if there's any way I could be of assistance."
He was clearly determined to offer some favor in return. Zhu Changle sat back down, secretly delighted – only a fool would refuse such an offer, and she was no fool!
After some thought, Zhu Changle directed her question to Lady He, "After marrying into the Zhou family, did you notice anything unusual about them?"
Suddenly questioned, Lady He was flustered for a moment, then tried hard to remember. She had been away for so many years and had deliberately forgotten many things; except for those memories that would stay with her until death, much had faded from her mind.
"I've had a suspicion all these years," Mr. He suddenly spoke up. "Mintang's father's death was too suspicious..."
"Father!" Lady He jumped up in shock, her eyes wide.
"Sit down and listen." Mr. He's expression remained unchanged as he continued, "A perfectly healthy person suddenly died. They said it was heart disease, but they wouldn't let mother and son see him one last time. This doesn't make sense."
Zhu Changle shook her head, not accepting this as evidence. "You should know that sudden death from heart disease isn't unheard of."
"The coincidence is that Ning Bo had visited my medical hall to deliver something just two days before his death. I had checked his pulse casually, and he was in good health. While it's not impossible that he suddenly died from heart disease, I managed to see him before burial, and his body showed none of the typical symptoms of a heart attack. Moreover, all the fingernails on one of his hands had black residue in their beds."
Mr. He looked up, "That was corrupted blood."
Lady He couldn't believe there was such a secret, "Father, you never mentioned this..."
"What good would it have done to tell you? Other than risking your and Mintang's lives, what could you do against the Zhou family? Even I could only take this opportunity to bring you both back home. If this hadn't happened, I would have taken this secret to my grave."
Mr. He looked at Zhu Changle, "I have only one daughter. Ning Bo was filial and often came to visit me. The last time he came, he was happier than usual, saying his father had finally agreed to let him handle some business. Though it was a minor task, being neither the eldest nor the youngest in the Zhou family, he had never been valued much, so he was content just to be given any responsibility. I casually asked what the task was, and he said he would be responsible for escorting goods to Xinshui, making trips every half month, so he wouldn't be able to visit as frequently."
Mr. He's voice grew hoarse, "But he never came again."
