Chapter 163: Chapter 163: There Won’t Be Any Problems
After Qian Yuanxing left with Hong Xing, Meng Yao finally told Madam Qian about what happened on this trip.
Madam Qian smiled bitterly, "I had a feeling about it. This time is different from the usual. Money is just an external thing, you can’t take it with you when you die. This time, the Qian family’s business has failed, but as long as I’m here, I can surely make a comeback."
Meng Yao sensed something she didn’t know about and pursued further questions with Madam Qian.
"I won’t hide it from you, the academy can’t be kept open anymore. Over in Qingzhou Prefecture, a government officer came and said they received an anonymous report that the Qian Family was closely connected with the Qin Family. Although the Qin Family has now faced justice, those who were closely associated with them still need to be monitored." Madam Qian tried to speak lightly, "Fortunately, Dahe has already participated in the county examination by now."
"How could the Qian Family be closely associated with the Qin Family? Wasn’t it just that Qin Zheng used to study at the academy?" Meng Yao felt puzzled.
"The government officer found some seemingly incriminating letters, which are correspondences between your brother-in-law and Qin Zheng’s father." Madam Qian said, "The handwriting is remarkably similar; your brother-in-law took one look and almost really thought he wrote them himself."
"So, could it be a student?" Meng Yao asked cautiously.
This wasn’t good news. Master Wang was always very dedicated to his students. Because the Qian Family did business, their family was large and generous with the gift fees. Even the meals provided daily had a symbolic charge, allowing students to eat good food.
"People’s hearts are difficult to gauge..." Madam Qian sighed, "But not teaching also sounds good, it saves me from worrying day and night."
Meng Yao didn’t know how to comfort Madam Qian, she just said, "As long as you’re fine, there will always be opportunities."
"You are right." Madam Qian nodded heavily, "Thirty years on the east of the river and thirty years on the west, we’ll see who laughs last, who truly wins."
"As long as you think openly, that’s fine. It’s getting late, I’ll be on my way now. I need to watch over that young man tonight to avoid any incidents." Meng Yao said, "Xiaoshu is not only a student of the academy but also your brother-in-law’s disciple. So, he’ll have to continue troubling you."
Madam Qian looked at Meng Yao gratefully, "It’s wonderful that you’re willing..."
"Two matters shouldn’t bother one person, Dahe was taught by your brother-in-law, and naturally, Xiaoshu should continue under his tutelage. In fact, we’re the ones at an advantage. Before, your brother-in-law had to teach many students at once, now it’s one-on-one, something others can’t even get." Meng Yao said sincerely.
"Yes, students needn’t be many. Having a student like Xiaoshu is worth many others." Madam Qian said.
"Sister, do persuade your brother-in-law, I’m sure he’ll come around quickly." Meng Yao said.
Meng Yao returned to the Hundred Herbs Hall, where a maid brought hot water and a set of new clothes for her.
Meng Yao soaked well, dispelling all fatigue from her body. After drying her hair, she lay on the bed and quickly fell asleep.
In the middle of the night, there was a knock on the door.
Meng Yao got dressed and came out, finding it was that woman.
As Meng Yao expected, he had developed a fever.
Meng Yao had prepared in advance, brewing a bowl of heat-clearing decoction and had the woman feed it to him.
"If the fever hasn’t subsided in an hour, feed him another bowl. You can also go to the kitchen and find some spirits, use them to wipe his body to help cool him down." Meng Yao instructed.
"Doctor Meng, will my son be alright?" The woman grasped Meng Yao’s hands, tears streaming down her face.
Her son’s body was so hot it felt like one could boil an egg on it. She had seen people with high fever convulsing to death before.
"If you promptly follow my instructions, there’ll be no problems. But if we delay further, I can’t guarantee anything." Meng Yao said.
The woman hurriedly went to work, and to be safe, Meng Yao didn’t leave. After an hour, when the young man’s high fever began to subside, Meng Yao left, yawning, but still reminded as she went, "If there’s anything, just come and get me."
Fortunately, the high fever subsided, and the young man did not have another episode of fever that night.
When Meng Yao opened her eyes again, it was broad daylight.
After getting up and washing up, the woman cheerfully brought Meng Yao rice porridge and pancakes.
"Doctor Meng, I made this, try it, see if it suits your taste. If it doesn’t, I’ll make something else. My husband went back home early this morning to fetch some rice and flour. We’ve got permission from Doctor Su to use the kitchen." The woman said, "My son drank half a bowl of rice porridge this morning."
"Thank you, elder sister." Meng Yao expressed her gratitude.
Meng Yao didn’t expect this couple to be quite nice. They could have done nothing and waited for the Qian family to support them instead.
"Cooking a bit of food isn’t much trouble. But Doctor Meng, you didn’t have a good rest last night." The woman apologized.
"This is what I’m supposed to do." Meng Yao replied.
Regardless of the reason, since she took in the patient, she had to be responsible.
"Anyway, my entire family is grateful to Doctor Meng." The woman said, "Doctor Meng saved my son, and we would be willing to work for you as cattle or horses in return."
Meng Yao smiled, and after finishing her meal, went to check on the young man, then wrote a new prescription, "This set of medicine should be taken for seven consecutive days. During this time, your son’s diet needs to be light and easy to digest. Also, he should stay in bed."
"We’ll listen to whatever Doctor Meng says." The woman replied.
"I’ll inform Doctor Su, and if you need anything, you can contact him." Meng Yao said.
The woman immediately looked nervous, "Doctor Meng, are you abandoning us?"
"Don’t worry, elder sister, I won’t. I just need to go home briefly; I didn’t return last night. The children at home must be worried. I’ll inform them and come back." Meng Yao said, "At the latest, I’ll be back this afternoon."
The woman then breathed a sigh of relief.
Meng Yao informed Doctor Su and went to the Qian family to prepare the carriage before heading back.
As soon as the carriage stopped, Zhao Xiaohua rushed out, "Mom, why are you back only now?"
Zhao Dajiang also came out, taking the reins to settle the carriage.
"Aunt Qian’s family has some issues. I have to help out, and I’ll have to go back in the afternoon. Be good at home and don’t let your sister-in-law worry. Take good care of brother An, okay?" Meng Yao said.
"What’s the issue? Mom, can I help?" Zhao Xiaohua asked.
"It’s hard to say for now, someone is causing trouble." Meng Yao said, "Kids shouldn’t ask so much. Just being good at home would greatly help Mom."
Zhao Xiaohua pouted, "Okay."
Meng Yao also instructed Song Xiu’er, saying she couldn’t return for the next few days and asked Xiu’er to watch over the house.
Afterward, she went to the village chief’s home.
She relayed what Ren Zhong had said to the village chief.
"Alright, don’t worry, Dajiang grew up under our watch. The kid is honest, and I’ll make sure to keep a good eye on him." The village chief patted his chest as he promised.
The County Magistrate’s orders were something he, as a village chief, must certainly follow.