"Why do I feel like Gu'an is treating Yunbei as their cheap workshop?" Zhu Changle turned to look at Qiuli, "Or rather, they're confining them, leaving them with no choice."
"The evidence shows they've been very successful at it," Qiuli replied.
Zhu Changle nodded, "True. The money they've made by compromising their conscience is enough to secure their descendants' futures."
"Quite the opposite, they're doing very well," Dingding scoffed at the notion that evil people would get their comeuppance. "Passing exams to gain official positions and protect their families is how they educate their children. If you don't believe me, once we find out which families are involved, take a look at how their descendants are faring now."
Zhu Changle glared at Dingding but had no rebuttal. She wasn't naive.
Dingding rubbed his nose and tried to soften his stance a bit, "Of course, not all of them are like that. These kinds of families can easily produce wastrels too."
Qiuli glanced at him and lightly fanned himself with his open fan.
Zhu Changle snorted, "What else? Hurry up and tell me."
Now it was Dingding's turn to glare at her, "I've only been here half a day. How much do you expect me to find out?"
She had to admit he had a point. Zhu Changle forgave his lack of productivity, "Try to investigate the background of the Heart Ease Medical Hall, and see if anyone is keeping tabs on it. Also, following the timeline of Yunbei's decline, check if there have been any changes in those wealthy families in Gu'an. The ones with big changes are likely involved in this matter."
"I'm already looking into that. I'll check the background of the medical hall," Dingding thought of something and complained, "If there's nothing urgent, don't let Little Golden come during the day. It's too conspicuous. There's a black market in a few days, right? We can meet there then."
"It's fine if you can't make it. I'll be coming back to the medical hall in three days to get more medicine," Zhu Changle stood up. "Don't let anyone catch on to you. I'm leaving now."
Dingding was initially a bit reluctant to see his friend go, but when he saw Qiuli pick up those medicines again like a servant, he couldn't help but laugh. To think that in the past, all these tasks used to be his! Finally! Hahahahaha!
Qiuli moved the Huafeng Ointment to his other hand, and with his free hand, he lightly waved. The stool behind Dingding flew up and accurately smacked his backside, sending him stumbling. His laughter cut off abruptly.
Now it was Zhu Changle's turn to laugh!
"Oh Dingding, does your bottom hurt? Should the stool rub it for you? Hahaha!"
Dingding rubbed his backside, grimacing, "You better get out of here."
Zhu Changle made a face at him, laughing as she chased after Qiuli.
***
Junzi came out from the inner room and found it strange to see Dr. Tang in a daze. This was the third time Dr. Tang hadn't responded when called.
"Dr. Tang."
"Ah? Yes." Tang Ming stood up, "How is Master Liang?"
"Uncle Liang can speak now."
Tang Ming hadn't expected such a quick recovery. After examining him, he remarked with amazement, "Master Liang is truly fortunate this time. It's a good thing he encountered Miss Zhu. Her medicine is remarkably effective and long-lasting. If he continues to take the medicine for a while longer, his physical condition might even improve."
Junzi and the elderly couple all looked delighted. This was wonderful news indeed.
"Dr. Tang, we're back!" a voice called from outside.
To those in the room, that voice sounded like heavenly music. Tang Ming stood up so quickly he knocked over his chair. With an agility unusual for him, he hurried out of the room. Upon seeing the familiar cloth bag, he didn't need to ask anything - his heart settled back into place.
The pattern on the cloth was the one commonly used by Heart Ease Medical Hall, and the way it was tied was unique to his mother.
They were safe.
Zhu Changle noticed his change in demeanor and said with a grin, "I thought Heart Ease Medical Hall would be huge, but it's actually quite small. Though that old doctor with white hair looks very capable."
"White hair?" Tang Ming clutched at his clothes, gripping so tightly that when he let go, that part was all wrinkled.
"Is something wrong?" Zhu Changle blinked, not hiding at all that she had seen through him.
Tang Ming was silent for a moment, then walked over to take the medicinal herbs, asking, "How much do I owe you?"
Qiuli looked at Changle.
Zhu Changle rubbed her chin thoughtfully, "How much would you charge Master Liang?"
"All the medicine here is ten wen per dose."
"Regardless of the type of herb?"
"Yes," Tang Ming replied frankly. "If it were more, they couldn't afford it. Even at ten wen, it's expensive considering their income. Often, several families have to pool their money to buy some."
So Tang Ming was running a business at a loss. Zhu Changle's respect for him increased a notch. "Let's consider it as winning people's hearts on behalf of my father. I won't charge you for it."
Tang Ming nodded. There was no reason not to accept such a favor. "In that case, I won't charge the Liang family for their medicine either."
"Dr. Tang is a good doctor," Zhu Changle gave him a thumbs up, speaking sincerely. Many people don't lack money, but they lack conscience. Dr. Tang had a big heart, truly deserving to be called good.
Tang Ming made no comment. He hadn't expected to become such a kindhearted person either.
"This Huafeng Ointment," Zhu Changle took out a box and examined it. "Dr. Tang, you said many people need this medicine?"
"Yes, the prevalence of arthritis is related to the local diet. Especially in recent years with the food shortage, seafood has almost become a staple, which has exacerbated this condition."
"Then please take the trouble to issue a notice, Dr. Tang. Those with mild symptoms can come to your shop to apply it when they have a flare-up. As for the severe cases... the quantity is limited, so divide this box into several smaller portions. Let those with severe symptoms take a small box home to use for now. As for later..." Zhu Changle smiled, "Yunbei won't always have its throat gripped by Gu'an like this."
Tang Ming's eyes brightened. After a moment's consideration, he said, "I know how to make this medicine, but I lack the herbs."
"Are you short of a lot?"
"Yes." Tang Ming pointed at the medicine cabinet, "The herbs here are either brought to me by people who gathered them, or ones I collected myself. In the two years I've been in Yunbei, I haven't seen any herb merchants come in. Not just my clinic, but the other few are in the same situation. To say we're scraping by is no exaggeration. However, there is a silver lining."
Tang Ming walked over and picked up a few prescriptions, looking at them with a slight smile, "Being forced by circumstances has actually pushed me to improve."
Zhu Changle walked to the medicine cabinet and pulled out a few drawers to look. Only one had any herbs in it, and it was almost empty. "Well then, would Dr. Tang be willing to help make some Huafeng Ointment in the future?"
"Of course, I'd be more than willing."
Seeing Zhu Changle's confusion at his readiness, Tang Ming smiled, "Yunbei is a good place, blessed with talented people and favorable geography. Under Lord Zhu's governance, it will surely become even better. I very much hope that Chengde Medical Clinic can continue to operate here in the future."
"That would be a blessing for the people of Yunbei."
"To have Lord Zhu and Miss Zhu arrive, Yunbei's tribulations should come to an end. Don't you think so, Miss Zhu?"
"Yes, without a doubt."
Zhu Changle pushed the empty drawers back one by one and took two steps towards the door before stopping. It seemed as if those moments of seriousness had been consumed in those two steps, and she was smiling again like a carefree child.
"I forgot to mention, I ordered three hundred boxes of Huafeng Ointment from Heart Ease Medical Hall. I'll pick them up in three days. If Dr. Tang needs any herbs, just let me know!"
Tang Ming's heart skipped a beat. This was...
Zhu Changle waved her hand, bouncing over the threshold to pounce on her little shadow.
Tang Ming rushed out to watch their retreating figures. His hand clenched into a fist then relaxed. Soon, his own tribulations would be coming to an end as well.
