The back room of the Hundred Herbs Hall in the capital city.
Song Mingze's complexion looked much better, and he seemed more energetic. A physician was currently inserting needles into him, fine as ox hair, all around Song Mingze's navel.
"Doctor, how is my son?" Song Zhishu couldn't help but ask.
Song Zhili pulled Song Zhishu's arm. The people at the Hundred Herbs Hall had explained that the physician treating Ze Ge'er was very reluctant to speak. His condition and progress would be communicated by others. Why was his elder brother so impatient and insisted on asking?
The physician, wearing a silver mask, paused and nodded at Song Zhishu. "Passable."
His voice was hoarse and unpleasant, but the words spoken could be discerned.
After half an hour of needling, the physician withdrew the needles, packed his medicine chest, and walked out.
"Does this doctor have a speech impediment? No wonder he's unwilling to talk. That voice could scare people to death," Song Zhishu said, patting his chest.
"Brother, the Hundred Herbs Hall told us from the very beginning that this doctor doesn't like to speak and doesn't want us to ask him about Ze Ge'er's condition. Why didn't you listen?" Song Zhishu complained. "What if he gets annoyed and stops treating Ze Ge'er?"
Song Zhishu looked sheepish. "Is it that serious? I was just worried about Ze Ge'er... I've got it. I won't ask anymore."
"You stay here and look after Ze Ge'er. I'll go buy some food. Ze Ge'er, what do you want to eat today?" Song Zhili asked Song Mingze.
"Second Uncle, just buy a few steamed buns," Song Mingze said faintly. "Don't buy anything special for me..."
Song Zhili acknowledged and left the room.
"You child, how can you get better without eating something good to nourish yourself?" Song Zhishu grumbled.
"Father, the money brought from home is all gone, isn't it? Are the consultation fees, medicine costs, and food expenses all being paid for by my Second Uncle now?" Song Mingze asked.
Song Zhishu nodded. "Yes, so what?"
"Father, didn't Mother give you money before you left home?" Song Mingze retorted.
An embarrassed look crossed Song Zhishu's face. "Doesn't your Second Uncle's family have money? That dividend from the Qi family girl that Mingyue got, it's several hundred taels of silver in a winter. Didn't you see? Your Second Uncle wears much better clothes than your father. He has money, so it's fine for him to spend more. Besides, I'm the elder brother, and the eldest brother is like a father. It's nothing for him to be filial to me."
After speaking, he grabbed a kumquat from the fruit bowl on the low table and popped it into his mouth. "Look, I've never eaten this before. Your Second Uncle was willing to buy it. They say it's forty wen a jin. That's enough to buy so much meat."
"Father, although we haven't split the family, and the relationship between the two households is still quite good, I am still the son of the elder household. We shouldn't be like this. If we run out of money, I won't be treated anymore. Let's go back," Song Mingze said seriously. "Brothers should keep accounts clear. You can't just deplete Second Uncle's goodwill towards our family like this. You tell me yourself, since coming to the capital, everything has been handled by Second Uncle!"
"This, aren't we family?" Song Zhishu said uncomfortably. "If we are too clear about things, are we still family?"
"Then I won't be treated," Song Mingze began to put on his outer clothes. "Let's pack up and go back."
If he couldn't be treated, his son's life would be ruined. Although Song Zhishu had his own calculations, he still doted on Song Mingze.
"When your Second Uncle comes back, I'll give him all the money I have, alright?" Song Zhishu said with a pained expression.
"Not only do we have to repay, but we also need to calculate exactly how much money was spent and how much needs to be reimbursed to Second Uncle. It's already very kind of Second Uncle to accompany you away from home and take care of me here. We can't let him spend his own money," Song Mingze added. "If we can't repay it now, we can do it slowly, but we must repay it."
"Yes, yes, yes," Song Zhishu replied perfunctorily. "You're a scholar, you're noble. Your father is just greedy for money and even schemes against his own brothers."
"Father, this isn't about being noble or not. After this incident, I've thought a lot. I've walked through the gates of hell and seen through many things," Song Mingze said earnestly.
Song Zhishu lowered his head, unsure if he had heard him. Song Mingze sighed. Some things couldn't be understood after saying them once or twice; it would take time.
Song Zhili carried a ceramic jar in one hand and a paper-wrapped package in the other.
The ceramic jar contained stewed chicken, and the paper package held a piece of oily meat bun.
"This stewed chicken has astragalus and ginseng slices in it, which are said to replenish qi. I asked the doctor, and this is just right for Ze Ge'er to eat now," Song Zhili said, smiling as he put down the items.
Song Zhishu felt a little uncomfortable. His second brother was genuinely good to Ze Ge'er, yet he was always calculating.
"Second Brother, here's for you. When we left, Ze Ge'er's mother gave it to me. You're always running around outside, you can't always be spending money," Song Zhishu took out a cloth bag from his怀 and handed it to Song Zhili.
Song Zhili waved his hand. "Brother, I have money. You keep this money for yourself. We're all family, what's yours is mine? We are brothers, my money is your money."
"That won't do. Brothers should keep accounts clear. I'm already grateful that you accompanied me out. How can I let you spend money? In the first few days, I was too worried about Ze Ge'er and didn't think of anything. If Ze Ge'er hadn't reminded me today, I wouldn't have thought of it. Take it. When we get back, we'll settle it properly. I'll slowly reimburse you for whatever is short," Song Zhishu insisted.
Song Zhili looked at Song Zhishu, then at Song Mingze, and nodded. "Alright, I'll take it for now. Brother, Ze Ge'er, don't worry about anything else. Let's just focus on getting well here. If he gets better, any amount of money is worth it."
After the three of them ate, Song Mingze put on his clothes and went for a stroll in the back courtyard.
This was also what the doctor had advised, to walk more when he could, as it was beneficial for recovery.
"Hey, Xiao Niu, why are you here?" Song Zhili called out.
"Our Young Master is a kind-hearted person. He was worried that you might have inconveniences in the capital, so he sent me to check on you. Feel free to tell me if you need any help," Zhang Xiaoniu said. "Is Mingze's health better? The physicians at the Hundred Herbs Hall are famous doctors. Our Young Master said that the physicians here are on par with the imperial physicians in the Imperial Academy."
"Much better, much better. The Hundred Herbs Hall said that Mingze is young and recovers quickly. He should be completely well in a few more days. Oh, your Young Master is truly approachable. And thanks to you, Xiao Niu. If we hadn't met you when we arrived, we wouldn't have found the Hundred Herbs Hall." Song Zhili said.
"We're all from the same village, and besides, the Song family is on good terms with the Qi family," Zhang Xiaoniu scratched his head.
Song Zhili understood what Zhang Xiaoniu meant. He was helping out of consideration for the Qi family. Indeed, the Zhang brothers, especially Zhang Erniu and Zhang Xiaoniu, had a good relationship with the Qi family. Zhang Xiaoniu's dedicated help was likely due to the good relationship between the Song and Qi families?
Zhang Xiaoniu stayed and chatted for a while longer before leaving. He was on duty today and had to report back.