"Not at all, not at all," the madam said, though her face was already twitching. She had lost so much already. Was this girl going to cause more trouble? "I am the one who defrauded everyone. I deserve this punishment and dare not ask for compensation."
"That's good to know. If you want to make money, you should conduct your business honestly. These crooked ways of yours are a light punishment," Rong Zhi said. She glanced around and noticed that many of the patrons, having received their money back, had not left. "Since these patients have come, I can't let them leave empty-handed. How about I use your establishment to see them? We can split the earnings fifty-fifty."
"Ah?" The madam's eyes darted, and she quickly understood. This young woman must also be a physician. Seeing how much money Doctor Wang was making, she had deliberately sent him away to profit herself. She didn't care who sat there, as long as money ended up in her pocket. After a brief hesitation, the madam readily agreed. "Certainly, that's a wonderful idea. Please, have a seat."
The madam invited Rong Zhi to take a seat facing the crowd. For a moment, she didn't know what to say. She had just been exposed for defrauding people. If she were to step forward now, not only would no one believe her, but she might even get beaten. After much thought, the madam decided it was better not to be involved. After all, the young woman had only said she would see patients there; she hadn't asked for her help in attracting customers. So, she casually called one of her girls to manage the place and retreated to her room to have some tea and calm her nerves.
Meanwhile, some people who had witnessed Rong Zhi prescribing medicine for Young Master Zhang stepped forward out of curiosity. Thus, even without any soliciting, a long line soon formed in front of Rong Zhi's seat. Seeing this, Xia Yunting stopped guarding the entrance and stood behind Rong Zhi.
Facing the crowd seeking medical attention, Rong Zhi employed basic diagnostic techniques: observation, listening and smelling, inquiry, and palpation. She asked about their usual symptoms. Sometimes, she didn't even need to ask; a glance at their complexion was enough for her to grasp their condition. Rong Zhi prescribed medicine tailored to their ailments. For those who didn't need medication, she simply advised them on lifestyle adjustments and offered a few words of caution. As a result, the consultations were swift, and the fees varied. For simple cases that required no treatment, she charged nothing. For more complex ones, she charged a symbolic fee of three to five copper coins.
Xia Yunting watched Rong Zhi's focused and earnest demeanor. He also observed the few copper coins that had accumulated on the table over the past hour and thought that if she were to open a medical clinic, it would likely go bankrupt.
"Doctor, is my condition really alright?" The last patient was still uneasy and asked the question several times.
"It's fine. Pay attention to your diet, sleep early and wake early, exercise more, and avoid women when you can," Rong Zhi said concisely. She didn't even take any money and waved him away.
By this time, all the patients seeking treatment had left. The remaining occupants were the courtesans and patrons looking for entertainment. Rong Zhi stretched as she sensed it was about time and said to Xia Yunting, "Let's go."
Xia Yunting nodded and was about to leave when Rong Zhi suddenly said, "I almost forgot. We need to split the consultation fees with them too."
With that, Rong Zhi picked up the copper coins on the table one by one and began dividing them. In the end, a single coin remained. Rong Zhi pinched the coin between her thumb and index finger, applied force, and split it in half, placing one half on the table. Then, she pulled Xia Yunting away.
Long after they left, the madam cautiously peered out of her room. Seeing the pile of gleaming copper coins on the table, she initially thought this young woman had collected a significant amount. After all, she appeared much more skilled than Doctor Wang. However, upon closer inspection, she was so angry she almost choked. The table was covered in scattered copper coins, and one was even broken in half! "This is simply outrageous!"
Emerging from the brothel, Rong Zhi realized it was already very late. The streets were deserted. "I didn't buy anything," Rong Zhi sighed. "I didn't expect a street stroll to involve debunking fraud."
Seeing her nonchalance, it seemed such incidents were not uncommon for her. "Was the poison real?" Xia Yunting asked.
"Fake, I was just teasing him!" Xia Yunting recalled Doctor Wang's flustered appearance and couldn't help but smile. This woman was truly wicked. "Fang Tianhua, is he your master who taught you medicine?" Although he asked the question, he already had an answer in mind and intended to have Chen Xing investigate thoroughly.
"Mmm..." Rong Zhi replied vaguely, then quickly added, "But I've surpassed my master. His medical skills are far inferior to mine now. If you want to seek medical treatment, it's more reliable to come to me." She then lowered her gaze and added with a hint of teasing, "Any ailment is fine."
Xia Yunting's expression shifted, and Rong Zhi, laughing heartily, dashed off. Xia Yunting followed closely, "Lin Xiao Mo, stop right there!" Their laughter echoed down the street.
The two rested for the night and returned to the streets the next day. This time, they deliberately visited shops selling silk fabrics and gold and silver jewelry.
"Young lady, would you like to buy some fabric? I have exquisite Shu brocade, perfect for a young lady like yourself. Please, take a look, you can try it on," the shopkeeper said.
Rong Zhi's gaze swept across the store, finally landing on a light green long dress embroidered with pink lotus flowers. She pointed, "Pack this one for me, and that one, and that one." She also indicated two other dresses with a similar style, thinking they would suit Gu Xin Lan. The shopkeeper, seeing Rong Zhi's generosity, happily went to pack them.
Just then, a large hand reached out from beside them and placed a sky-blue silk long dress on the counter. Rong Zhi immediately shook her head. "This one probably won't suit her."
"For you," Xia Yunting said earnestly, looking at Rong Zhi. "Try it on."
"What discerning eyes you have, sir! This is our newest arrival, made from silk from Jiangnan. Look at the embroidery, the patterns – it's perfect for a lady. Please, madam, come inside and try it on," the shopkeeper said, stepping aside after packing the dresses and making an inviting gesture. Rong Zhi had initially been selecting gifts for Gu Xin Lan, but seeing Xia Yunting's expectant gaze, she didn't refuse and went inside to change.
Xia Yunting's gaze fell upon the colorful clothes in the shop. He couldn't help but feel curious. He had known her for so long, yet he had rarely seen her dress up. Chen Xing and the others said women loved to adorn themselves with vibrant colors, but this woman beside him was no different from him, a man. He wondered what those exquisite, beautiful clothes with their intricate, bright patterns would look like on her.
Soon after, Rong Zhi emerged wearing the sky-blue silk long dress. The dress had few embellishments, only plum blossoms embroidered on the cuffs, collar, and hem. Rong Zhi's slender frame complemented the dress, making her appear even more refined and radiant… though perhaps a bit too thin. Rong Zhi examined herself, remarking that the dress was fine but impractical for gathering herbs or fighting. Just as she was about to tell Xia Yunting to forget it, he pointed to a wall of clothes.
"I'll take all of these," he declared.
Rong Zhi was stunned. "Oh my! This gentleman is truly generous! Please, you two, have a seat while I have them packed. Xiao Cui, hurry and get some tea for our guests!" The proprietress's smile was so wide it seemed about to split her face. Fearing these patrons might leave, she quickly ordered tea.
"Xia... husband, what are you doing? We're just buying gifts, why do we need so many?" Rong Zhi leaned closer, looking at Xia Yunting in confusion.
Xia Yunting's expression remained unchanged. "For you. No need to be polite."
"..."
"Young master, young lady, please have some tea." A young maid, still new to the job, came to pour tea. She blushed upon seeing Xia Yunting and quickly retreated after serving. In the meantime, the proprietress, like an octopus, had already taken down all the clothes from the wall and was packing them at lightning speed, her hands a blur, as if afraid Xia Yunting might change his mind.
Rong Zhi was both amused and exasperated. "How could I possibly need so many clothes?"
"As thanks for your help. No need to be polite," Xia Yunting said, taking a sip of tea with such earnestness that no room was left for doubt. Rong Zhi felt too embarrassed to refuse. As a result, after visiting just one fabric shop, the two of them were laden with several packages.
To save trouble, Rong Zhi then went to a gold and silver jewelry shop and bought a pair of golden hairpins, which were quite substantial gifts. As Rong Zhi paid, Xia Yunting had already arranged a small mountain of boxes. "I'll take all of these."
"Wait a moment!" Rong Zhi quickly stopped him, looking at the shopkeeper's gleaming eyes, and her mouth twitched. She turned and glared at Xia Yunting, whispering, "What are you doing? Don't cause trouble."
Xia Yunting looked at Rong Zhi's hair, held in place by a simple silver hairpin, and mused, "You would look very beautiful wearing them."
"It's not like I'm getting married. Why would I buy so many? No, no," she added, thinking that drawing attention with so many items would be an invitation to thieves. Xia Yunting seemed surprised. He thought all women liked such things. While she was indeed different, he hadn't expected her to be so resistant.
Since that was the case, Xia Yunting compromised. "Then... half of them."
"You..."
"Half of half," Xia Yunting declared firmly. "It's decided."
"...As long as you're happy."
And so, the two emerged from the jewelry shop with more boxes, mostly carried by Xia Yunting. When they reached the rouge shop, Rong Zhi hesitated to enter. However, upon further thought, it was for a gift, and it should be a complete set. Besides, Xia Yunting was already carrying so much; he couldn't possibly buy more, could he?
Yet, Rong Zhi had underestimated Xia Yunting. When they emerged, he wasn't carrying anything, but two shop assistants followed them, each burdened with a pile of boxes and two large bundles. Xia Yunting's expression remained impassive, but the anticipation in his eyes was undeniable.
"Xiao Mo, is there anything else you want to buy?"
"No, no, no, let's go home first..." Rong Zhi dared not buy anything else. If they continued, they might end up moving the entire town of Changping home. Xia Yunting nodded, a flicker of disappointment in his eyes, and instructed the two assistants to carry the items home. From these purchases, Rong Zhi picked out a few items to wrap separately for Gu Xin Lan, making it clear that no one in Yun Shui Village would receive a more generous gift.