Chapter 550: Chapter 194 Lack of Morality_2
Lin Danqing was taken aback, "This is..."
Lu Tong was also at a loss.
"This is our Benevolent Heart Medical Hall’s celebration invitation," the patron unfurled his fan and smiled slightly, "I’m not afraid of being laughed at by Doctor Lin, our small medical practice may seem modest, but in fact, we’ve also been operating on West Street for nearly fifty years, with a long-standing heritage."
"In a few days, it will be the fiftieth anniversary feast of our medical hall. Conveniently, we have just recently expanded our doorway, which is another cause for celebration. I thought to myself, why not invite some friends of distinguished status and special position to gather and celebrate the auspicious day."
"Although today is the first time I meet Doctor Lin, I feel a kinship with you, and since you and Doctor Lu work together at the medical hall, the camaraderie must be extraordinary."
"I wonder if Doctor Lin would be available to attend on the day of the feast?"
The crowd: "..."
The ink on the flower card was still fresh, and the handwriting wasn’t exactly immaculate either, obviously written in haste.
Ah Cheng spoke up in puzzlement, "Patron, which of our friends are so prestigious?" but he was quickly silenced by Du Changqing, who maintained his smile.
However, Lin Danqing was excited, "Great!"
She picked up the celebration invitation and scrutinized it, "It just so happens to be on my day off, I will definitely come!"
Du Changqing rejoiced, "A deal it is!"
Lin Danqing pocketed the celebration invitation and was about to turn away, then suddenly something occurred to her. She hesitated and looked towards Du Changqing, "Shopkeeper Du, may I take another invitation?"
Du Changqing heartily agreed, "Of course you may!" Then he asked, "Does Doctor Lin wish to bring a friend along?"
Lin Danqing shook her head and looked at Lu Tong instead.
Lu Tong: "What is it?"
"Before making my rounds today, I happened to run into Doctor Ji, so I casually chatted with him. Younger Sister Lu, after you left, Doctor Ji asked about you several times, saying he wanted to deliver the rare medical texts he found for you. I heard from his attendant Zhu Ling that he plans to come by in a few days. Since everyone is a colleague, and he is usually so aloof, why not have him join us?"
She whispered into Lu Tong’s ear, "It could also be an opportunity for him to plead on behalf of the envoy."
Before Lu Tong could respond, Du Changqing clapped his fan shut with a "snap," and his face broke into a grin.
"Excellent! Another person from the medical community, this truly is an honor for our Benevolent Heart Medical Hall. Wonderful, wonderful, guests are friends, everyone is welcome! Come one, come all!"
His face beamed with joy, "Wait here, Doctor Lin, I’ll write that celebration invitation right away. May I have the honor of knowing the medical officer’s full name?"
"Ji Xun."
Du Changqing’s smile suddenly froze: "Ji Xun?!"
Miao Liangfang, from behind the medicine cabinet, was also stunned: "Ji Xun?"
The name Ji Xun was known to everyone in Shengjing Pharmacy. The genius medical officer from Grand Scholar Ji’s family, whose medical skills were exceptional, had become an Imperial Physician at a young age. Moreover...
This year, the newly added Verification Case Study for the spring examination was created by him.
Ji Xun, a male?
Du Changqing’s smile was not as genuine as before, and he gave Lu Tong a skeptical glance, with a hint of probing in his tone, "I’ve heard that Doctor Ji is a reclusive and reserved individual who doesn’t socialize with others. So how is it that from what Doctor Lin has said, he seems to have taken special care of Doctor Lu?"
Lin Danqing pondered for a moment, "It’s not really special care, but compared to other people at the Medical Officer Institute, Doctor Ji indeed treats Younger Sister Lu a bit more favorably. He never offered to help others find medical texts or discuss pharmacology before. Maybe he cherishes talent? Being a medical genius herself, Younger Sister Lu shares a mutual understanding with him!"
This response clearly did not satisfy Du Changqing.
The patron frowned, "So how old is this Doctor Ji, what’s his appearance like, and does he have a spouse?"
Lu Tong: "..."
Lin Danqing answered, "He’s of age, with a handsome and refined appearance, and not yet married." After a moment of puzzled pause, looking toward Du Changqing, "Shopkeeper Du, you’re asking in such detail, are you planning to matchmake for Doctor Ji?"
Du Changqing choked, grumbling irritably, "Matchmake, matchmake, to set him up with Widow Sun as her toy boy would be perfect."
Without another word from him, Lin Danqing shrugged, "Since Shopkeeper Du has promised, please give me an invitation, and I’ll take it to him when I return to the Medical Officer Institute."
Du Changqing: "..."
His word was out, like a stone thrown—it was difficult to take it back in the presence of a Hanlin Medical Officer.
The patron reluctantly went back into the courtyard and came out shortly with a lackluster demeanor, handing over a roughly made celebration invitation to Lin Danqing’s hand: "Here."
Lin Danqing took the two invitations with a grin, gave Lu Tong a few more instructions, and then turned to leave.
Lu Tong saw her out to the West Street where she boarded the carriage then returned.
After they had left, Yin Zheng spoke with relief, "Miss has also made friends at the Medical Officer Institute."
"I was originally worried that the students from the Imperial Medical Bureau would be too arrogant to associate with commoners. This Lady Lin has a pleasant personality, and she’s also quite good-looking."