Chapter 28: Chapter 27 Current Situation_1
At night, a breeze had started in the small courtyard.
The doors of the medicine shop were already closed, and the lanterns in the yard were lit up.
Yin Zheng asked Du Changqing for a few old lanterns, which she cleaned with a handkerchief until they were spotless, hanging them under the eaves of the four corners of the courtyard. As darkness fell, a layer of dim yellow was cast on the bluestone ground.
The moon shone like silver, lighting up the small courtyard with a snowy brightness, and in front of the stone table at its center, a lamp was burning.
Lu Tong sat in front of the stone table, pounding medicine at a leisurely pace.
The jar for the medicine was silver, engraved with luxurious and intricate Bao Xianglian branch patterns. The medicine hammer, which was also made of silver, made a crisp ringing sound as it hit the sides of the jar through the stillness of the night.
Yin Zheng walked out from the house, holding a few newly made silk flowers and measured them against Lu Tong’s temples, saying, "Miss, I’ve made a few new silk flowers for you to try. The blue velvet flower from last time soaked up the blood and can’t be cleaned, so it cannot be used anymore. These two I made are new styles, I guarantee they’ll look good."
Lu Tong’s gaze fell on the flowers in her hand, and she couldn’t help but be startled.
She was not adept at dressing or makeup, having spent most of her years in the mountains where she rarely saw other people. On the odd festival, Lady Yun would suddenly become enthusiastic and go down the mountain to buy her a few new clothes, and those would have to do until they no longer fit, when it would be time for new ones.
The last time Lady Yun bought her new clothes was a year ago, and not long after that, Lady Yun died.
She had only a few garments of her own, and the idea of having any jewelry was even more improbable. But Yin Zheng was skillful with her hands, always choosing matching handkerchiefs to make silk and velvet flowers, so she could wear them with her dresses.
Lu Tong continued pounding the medicine without pausing, simply saying, "I really don’t need these."
"How can you not need them?" Yin Zheng, still comparing them, replied, "At your age, it’s the perfect time to dress up. If you wear plain and simple clothes, wouldn’t it be a waste of that beautiful face? These silk flowers can be made with just a few coins’ worth of handkerchiefs and can add a lot of color to you."
"You must trust my craftsmanship," Yin Zheng took the silk flowers back from Lu Tong’s temples, carefully adjusting the needles and thread, "Back in the establishment, I dare not claim expertise in many things, but dressing up and hairstyling were my specialties. When Shopkeeper Du gives out the monthly salary, you should go and buy a few yards of light gauze. In a few months, summer will be upon us, and you’ll need to make a couple of light summer dresses."
Lu Tong gave a light smile.
As Yin Zheng spoke, she suddenly remembered something and turned to look at the girl earnestly pounding medicine under the moonlight: "I heard from Tailor Ge next door that Xinglin Hall has reopened today. Shopkeeper Bai actively apologized to those who bought medicines, compensated them with a lot of silver, and even promised never to sell Chun Yangsheng’s products again. Those commoners, satisfied with the silver, have stopped causing trouble, and it seems this matter will gradually settle down."
Lu Tong said, "Money talks. Bai Shouyi’s choice to spend money to avoid disaster shows he is a smart man."
Yin Zheng looked at Lu Tong with some concern, "However, they’ve had a setback this time; won’t they hold a grudge against us because of it?"
Lu Tong did not look up, pounding the medicine in the jar more forcefully: "So what if they bear a grudge? If I am to make a name for myself, I cannot avoid offending those in the same trade. Renxin Medical Hall is unremarkable; if it wants to stand out, it has no choice but to step on the signs of other medical halls."
"That’s true," Yin Zheng sighed, but soon smiled again: "No matter what, Xinglin Hall will have to stay quiet for a while now, and our medical hall has gained some fame. At least others can’t replicate your prescription, and Shopkeeper Du is now almost treating you like a treasure. As a resident doctor, your position is solid."
Lu Tong just smiled, "Indeed."
Now that she was a fully-fledged resident doctor and Renxin Medical Hall was gaining momentum, it was time to start thinking about the Ke Family’s affairs.
Ke Family...
Thinking of the Ke Family, Lu Tong’s expression darkened.
Speaking of which, the current Ke Family must have received the news about "Wang Yingying" by now.
...
Inside Ke Mansion in Shengjing, Madam Ke had just finished a box of fragrant candies.
Honey cakes, sweet curds, and preserved fruits were placed in a palm-sized rosewood box, divided into compartments, each with its own distinct flavor.
Madam Ke, advanced in years, had a fondness for soft, sweet foods. She wanted to eat a lot of sugar every day despite the doctor advising her to avoid too much sweetness and not indulge herself. The Ke family’s eldest son often tried to persuade her to no avail, as Madam Ke continued to crave sweets as essential as life itself.
Madam Ke sat in a huanghuali armchair with an intricately carved phoenix and rose pattern, her eyes half-closed. Nanny Li behind her massaged her shoulders, chatting intermittently.
"Madam," said Nanny Li, "I heard from Bi Qing in the master’s room during lunch that the eldest lady had another argument with the master over money."
Madam Ke’s brow furrowed and she opened her eyes, her face immediately darkening as she scolded, "That Lady Qin is really too much, wielding her father’s official influence to throw her weight around at home. She keeps such a tight grip on her husband’s money. The other day I gave Xing’er a few pieces of silver, and when she saw it, not only did she take them without saying anything, but she also indirectly criticised me in my presence, clearly trying to make a point."
Nanny Li said with a smile, "The eldest lady comes from a prestigious background; it’s inevitable that she has a bit of an attitude."
"What attitude?" Madam Ke grew more displeased. "It’s a lack of propriety and an ignorance of rank and order. Compared to her, the previous one was better. Although she didn’t have much to rely on and had a flirtatious look about her, she was easy to manage and took good care of people. Not like this one, it’s as if he married a Buddha, not a wife!"
Nanny Li didn’t dare to respond, and Madam Ke sighed herself, "The people I sent to Changwu County to inquire came back saying there indeed is a branch of the Lu Family in Su Nan, and they have a ’sister’ named Wang Yingying. Eight or nine years ago, she lived with the Lu Family for a while."
Nanny Li thought for a moment, "Presumably, the one who visited the mansion the other time was that Miss Wang from the family."
"You’re not wrong; it was probably a visit meant for mooching off us," said Madam Ke as she picked up her tea to sip, washing away the sweet taste in her mouth, "Unfortunately, if Mrs. Lu were still around, she might have given her some silver. Now that Lady Qin is in charge and so tight-fisted that she won’t spare a single coin, if she hears about the former lady’s issues, it’ll probably cause another fuss. There’s nothing to be done."
Nanny Li said with a smile, "Madam, you have a heart of gold."
Madam Ke waved her hand dismissively, "It’s not that I have a heart of gold; I just don’t want any additional trouble. The weather is gradually warming up, and after June or July, Grand Preceptor’s Mansion will have a birthday banquet, and our Ke Family will need to send over porcelain. Xing’er is careless and lazy on normal days. Our Ke Family relies on the Grand Preceptor’s Mansion to get by, and we must be careful not to make a mistake like the Lu Family did and invite trouble..."
She stopped mid-sentence as if she had thought of something, a flicker of fear crossing her eyes.
Nanny Li also stayed silent, quietly standing behind her.
After a long while, Madam Ke waved her hand and sighed, "Enough, go and tell Wan Fu’s that I’ve been wanting to eat Plum Cakes these days, ask her to pick up some plum blossoms from the Guanxiang Flower Market earlier."
Nanny Li quickly answered, "Yes."