Chapter 574: Chapter 201: Meeting the Grand Preceptor_2
The elder slightly squinted his eyes and stretched out his hand to twirl the Buddha beads around his wrist, one bead after another.
The next moment, Lu Tong’s voice rang out.
"Besides, there wasn’t even a stone bridge over the moat back then."
The twirling of the Buddha beads paused.
"Exactly because there was no bridge, my elders specifically warned me never to play by the riverbank. Later, due to too many children falling into the water, the Imperial Court ordered a reconstruction. But that was five or six years ago."
Lu Tong looked at the man before him, his gaze filled with confusion, "Old sir, could you have remembered the time incorrectly?"
The other party didn’t speak, the smile at the corner of his mouth slightly fading as he continued to scrutinize her.
Lu Tong’s expression remained calm.
After a moment, he smiled again, his eyes looking at Lu Tong with even more warmth, "So, Doctor Lu, after living in Su Nan for many years, why did you suddenly come to Shengjing?"
"My master was from Shengjing," Lu Tong said: "After she passed away, I had no more relatives in Su Nan. Her only wish before passing was to return home, and I am fulfilling my master’s last wish."
"Then why think of joining the Hanlin Medical Institute?"
"My medical skills seemed somewhat wasted, just sitting in a clinic on West Street." She smiled, as if joking, "Some of the medical officers at the Institute don’t even rival me in medical skills."
The elder laughed heartily.
He shook his head: "Others say Doctor Lu is dull and quiet, but I find Doctor Lu quite interesting, not as dreary as the rumors suggest."
Lu Tong looked at him, "But I think, Grand Preceptor, you are as kind and gentle as the rumors say."
At these words, the elder’s smile froze.
He looked at Lu Tong.
"When did you recognize me?"
He had clearly changed into plain clothes, and the carriage hadn’t stopped at the door; he had even refrained from bringing a single guard.
"I figured it out while taking your pulse earlier."
"Oh?"
"The pulse of elderly men in Shengjing is weak, but yours, although not strong, seems nourished over the years with precious medicinal herbs. The patients I see on West Street are poor commoners, accustomed to hard work and fatigue; they wouldn’t specifically come to the clinic for mere weakness and insomnia, as it’s unnecessary for them."
"Though dressed in commoner’s clothing, you can’t disguise the bearing of a nobleman. The distinction between noble and humble is easily discerned."
She smiled slightly: "Moreover, just this morning, I encountered Envoy Cui."
"So it is, Doctor Lu, with a heart as delicate as orchids."
"You flatter me too much, Grand Preceptor."
Qi Qing nodded, then coughed a few times: "Since that’s the case, you must know why I am here today."
"To say I don’t would seem rather false." Lu Tong spoke calmly: "This morning, Envoy Cui already told me everything. Young Master Qi’s old illness has recurred, Envoy Cui stole my prescription but didn’t understand how to apply it correctly, hurriedly made mistakes, and now can’t fix the problem, and that’s when they thought to seek me out."
She spoke clearly and plainly, and Qi Qing’s eyes revealed a slight movement.
A mere young woman of humble status, she didn’t at all shy away from mentioning the Qi Family’s involvement. Was it arrogance or confidence?
"Did Cui Min ask you for treatment?"
"Yes, and I refused."
"Why?"
"Envoy Cui has no real talent or learning; he’s spent years building a reputation on the merits of others. Why should I be a stepping stone for such a person? Though of ordinary birth, I have my own pride. With my medical skills, I can shine anywhere."
The young woman sat at the table, her calm voice tinged with indignation.
Qi Qing toyed with the Buddha beads in his hand.
She was very young, just seventeen, and her words reminded him of Hua Ying, who was of a similar age. At that age, children are often naive and rash, easily biting off more than they can chew.
But Hua Ying was the daughter of the Qi Family; however arrogant she might be, the Qi Family stood behind her. But the person before him was just a commoner girl...
If she were truly as proud and foolish as she seemed, she would not have made Pei Yunmeng and Ji Xun fall for her, nor would she have driven Cui Min, who had been secure for years, to such desperate measures.
If not too clever for her own good, then, she was acting.
Qi Qing sighed.
"But now my son is gravely ill, and Cui Min fails to heal him. If Doctor Lu is indeed the only one in Shengjing who can save my son, as you claim, what would it take for you to agree to treat him?"
Lu Tong pressed her lips together, saying nothing.
He smiled, speaking in a gentle tone as though struggling: "I know Yu Tai had past grievances with you, and for the incident on Huangmao Hill, I’ve already severely reprimanded him... Once he recovers, I will have Yu Tai personally apologize to you. It is my failure in teaching my son that led to this trouble, and I hope Doctor Lu can understand a father’s love and give Yu Tai another chance."
"Whatever Doctor Lu wishes for, I will grant."
For the high-and-mighty Grand Preceptor to personally visit a clinic on the bustling West Street and speak so humbly to a commoner medical officer was already a great show of respect.