When Wei Ran wasn't someone who valued money so highly, it was truly because he had encountered difficulties that he made requests again and again.
"I think he's just greedy and wants more," Cai Qing said with dissatisfaction.
Feng Jin chuckled softly, "You speak so eloquently now, you've made great progress."
"This is all thanks to the young madam's excellent guidance, allowing me to improve so quickly."
"You girl are becoming more glib, and as for this Wei Ran, he does possess some genuine skill, but whether his love for money stems from a specific reason or is simply his nature, we still need to investigate thoroughly."
This matter was best left to Lu Shi, as he was accustomed to such tasks.
Before Feng Jin could speak, Cai Qing impatiently said, "Then let's have Lu Shi investigate him."
Feng Jin smiled faintly, "Go tell Lu Shi."
"Yes, young madam." After receiving Feng Jin's permission, Cai Qing hurried out.
Feng Jin shook her head and sighed. As expected, a woman's heart could not be hidden, and a grown daughter could not be kept.
In the vast medical hall, only Feng Jin was left busy.
It wasn't until dusk that Cai Qing and Lu Shi entered together.
"Your subordinate greets the young madam."
"How is it, Guard Lu?" Feng Jin asked, putting down what she was holding.
"Reporting to the young madam, Wei Ran's family is impoverished, and he has a mother who has been ill for many years and needs care. The daily cost of medicine is not a small sum, and all the money Wei Ran earns is used to buy medicine for his mother."
Feng Jin's brow furrowed slightly. There was indeed a hidden reason: "Have you found out from whom Wei Ran learned his medical skills?"
In this era, physicians would never pass on their entire skill set. Moreover, Wei Ran already possessed medical skills when he worked at Hui Chun Tang, which could only mean he learned his skills long before.
"Your subordinate has found that Wei Ran's father was the renowned physician Wei Guangchu. It is likely that his medical skills were learned from his father."
"Do you know anything about Wei Guangchu's background?"
"Young madam, I know this. Wei Guangchu was a famous doctor in the surrounding villages. The Wei family was once very prominent. Wei Guangchu was always generous and devoted to healing the sick, never charging the poor for medical treatment, only dispensing medicine. Unfortunately, fifteen years ago, the Wei family suddenly suffered a great misfortune, offending a powerful noble. Wei Guangchu was arrested and executed, and all of the Wei family's property was confiscated, leading to their decline."
Feng Jin's eyes lowered. It seemed there was indeed a connection. The fall of the Wei family left the mother and son in despair and without support.
"Cai Qing, how do you know all these things?" Feng Jin asked, puzzled. Cai Qing was born and raised in the Ling residence; how did she know these matters?
"Young madam, my mother once received a favor from Doctor Wei. When Doctor Wei was accused, my mother brought this up and also went to pay respects."
Lu Shi's brow furrowed, as if recalling something. "Now that you mention it, I do remember. The many petitions from the common people caused quite a stir back then. The authorities sent troops to suppress it, and it only calmed down after a long time."
"With such popular support, how could Wei Guangchu have committed a crime punishable by death? There must be many hidden circumstances."
In ancient times, unjust cases were not uncommon. Wei Guangchu was likely framed.
"Young madam, be careful. Wei Guangchu's case was exposed by the Empress, and the Emperor personally ordered his execution. To openly discuss this case is a grave offense. If it reaches the Emperor's ears, the entire Ling family will be implicated."
Lu Shi broke out in a cold sweat and quickly reminded her.
"I understand, I won't speak of it again." Feng Jin had a look of helplessness. In this day and age, one couldn't even speak carelessly. A single wrong word could lead to eternal damnation. Living was too exhausting.
"Let's return to the manor."
After putting things away, Feng Jin and the others returned to the Ling manor.
During dinner, Feng Jin sat beside Ling Mohan. Gu Beichen and Ling Muzhu were seated opposite her, and Feng Jin immediately lost her appetite. The presence of these two was truly an eyesore.
"This dish tastes great!"
Gu Beichen showed no sign of being a guest, instead eating with great gusto, almost lifting his plate to shovel food into his mouth.
"Do not speak while eating, nor chatter while resting," Ling Mohan sternly warned.
"I'm just talking to aid digestion, what do you know?"
Gu Beichen retorted unceremoniously, continuing his eating spree. He had to admit that the chefs here cooked exceptionally well, even better than the imperial kitchen of Emperor Xuanwen.
Compared to this, what he had eaten before didn't even deserve to be called food.
As for Ling Muzhu, after being whipped by Feng Jin for these past days, she had become much more obedient.
Now, only Gu Beichen was annoying.
After eating his fill, Gu Beichen let out a satisfied burp, patting his round stomach. He had eaten very comfortably.
"Where did you find your chef? I want to find one too, to improve the meals at the Zhennan Prince's manor."
Having eaten his fill, Gu Beichen had nothing else to do and chatted with Ling Mohan, asking him this and that.
However, he only received a few blank stares from Ling Mohan.
"So boring." Feeling ignored repeatedly, Gu Beichen instantly lost interest and turned his gaze to Cai Qing.
"Little girl, tell this prince where you found your chef, and help this prince find one too."
If all else failed, he wouldn't mind if they let him have this chef; he had no objections.
"The cooking skills of the chefs in our manor are all personally taught by the young madam, so the Prince is unlikely to find one."
Cai Qing replied, her face full of pride. Her young madam was so outstanding that others could only envy her.
Gu Beichen's face showed a slight shock, and he looked at Feng Jin with disbelief. A country girl possessing such ability? Could this little girl be deliberately deceiving him?
"Her? How is that possible?"
Feng Jin sneered, not bothering to argue with Gu Beichen. She could understand the envy and jealousy of incapable people towards her.
After all, her excellence always made some people feel inferior.
"Cai Qing, did you remember all the dishes that Young Prince Gu ate just now?"
"Replying to the young madam, your servant has remembered everything."
Feng Jin nodded with a smile, "Good, tell Young Prince Gu everything, and have him settle the bill."
"Yes, young madam." Cai Qing complied, stepped forward, and said, "Young Prince Gu ate two bowls of rice, one bowl of seaweed and bird's nest soup, half a plate of mapo tofu, six chopsticks of stir-fried shrimp... The total converted to silver is twenty-three taels and four qian."
"Young Prince Gu will likely be staying here for some time. All expenses will be recorded for now, and payment will be collected when Young Prince Gu leaves."
She was no philanthropist. Taking in Ling Muzhu was unavoidable, but that didn't mean she would let Gu Beichen eat and drink for free here. Not a single coin would be spared.
"Yes, young madam." Cai Qing took out her ledger and recorded everything.
Gu Beichen instantly panicked and snatched the ledger from Cai Qing's hand.