West Street during the Grain Rain period was bustling with activity, with many shops hanging up new products.
When Madam He went to the embroidery workshop in the morning, she saw numerous shops along the street displaying all sorts of new patterns. After Grain Rain passed and the weather gradually warmed up, people would be able to enjoy various fashionable cold beverages again.
The people here loved drinking beverages, which they’d supposedly learned from the prefecture capital, and the prefecture capital in turn looked toward Bianjing (historical capital of China). Bianjing was even more prosperous and flourishing; everything used there was in the latest and finest styles, and even the best silk produced in Tongchuan Prefecture was transported there.
A gleam appeared in Madam He’s eyes. Years ago, when she had attended to her master’s wife, she had gone to the prefecture capital near Bianjing and lived there for several years.
That place was far more prosperous and affluent than Yanting County. Everything used, eaten, or worn there, down to even the smallest hairpins and wooden ornaments, was more exquisite than those in Yanting County.
Madam He looked on with envy, then glanced at Xu Yi walking ahead of her.
Xu Yi remained calm and composed, seemingly unconcerned with Bianjing’s prosperity. When he noticed Madam He looking his way, he smiled and explained that he wasn’t out shopping for pleasure but rather to sell medicine.
Madam He: “…”
Selling medicine?
She glanced behind Xu Yi. The fresh medicinal herbs that had been piled in the courtyard a few days ago were gone.
“What medicine are you selling?” Madam He asked.
Xu Yi replied, “Digestive pills I made. They can be taken for symptoms like food stagnation, abdominal bloating, and stomach pain.”
This type of medicine for treating food stagnation was considered a household staple. Most people would get prescriptions from medical halls, have the medicine prepared, and take it home to brew when needed.
One dose of medicine cost around ten wen, which wasn’t considered expensive.
Madam He’s family used to keep some on hand as well. During the seasonal transition from spring to summer, one easily developed uncomfortable bloating, and the digestive decoction they kept at home had been used up. She had been planning to go to a medical hall in the next few days to get a few more doses.
Madam He’s heart stirred. Xu Yi had studied for so many years and read countless books; the digestive pills he made must surely be good. Madam He inexplicably trusted him.
She grabbed Xu Yi and asked how many he had and whether he could spare some to sell to her.
Xu Yi nodded and said, “Madam He, you don’t need to buy them. I’ll just give you a portion. They’re not made from particularly precious medicinal ingredients. One portion contains five pills, and you just take one at a time.”
For an acquaintance, giving away a portion of pills was no trouble for him.
Besides, the winter melon soup Madam He had brought him today was delicious, and he really liked it.
How could Madam He dare to accept? These were meant to be sold for money.
“I won’t take them for free. Name your price; you think I won’t pay?” Madam He said firmly, hands on her hips.
Xu Yi smiled. “Ten wen per portion.”
Madam He’s mouth dropped open in surprise. “That cheap?”
Xu Yi nodded. Yes, it was cheaper than digestive decoction, which made it affordable for ordinary people.
Of course, since he was going to West Street today, where there were many wealthy people, he wouldn’t be selling at this price there.
Xu Yi had no qualms about making money from the rich.
While the scene here was warm and harmonious, the Chen household next door was anything but peaceful.
Accountant Chen lay on his side on the bed, hands clutching his stomach, face pale, corners of his mouth tinged with blue. He had become noticeably thinner, looking sickly, without any trace of the swagger he’d had when he went to cause trouble for Xu Yi.
“Ow… ow…”
He was in such pain that his whole body ached. That grinding sensation, like a stone mill crushing him, made him feel as if his intestines were being torn apart.
The room was filled with the heavy scent of medicine. With a creak, the wooden door opened and Madam Chen entered carrying a bowl of medicine. Seeing him in this state, she let out a deep sigh.
“Has there been no relief at all? How is it that drinking the medicine has made it worse?” After feeding him the medicine, Madam Chen stared at his complexion, her willow-leaf eyebrows furrowing in thought. “You said Doctor Sun from Apricot Grove Hall was highly skilled, but you’ve been drinking medicine for four days now without improvement. Perhaps we should try another place.”
Accountant Chen’s expression stiffened. “Change… change… change…”
If they didn’t change doctors, he would continue suffering this pain until his life was at stake.
Seeing him like this, Madam Chen cursed, “Serves you right,” then said sternly, “Brother Yi told you to see a doctor, but you wouldn’t listen. You even thought he was trying to harm you. How would he harm you? By poisoning your food?”
Accountant Chen: “…”
Madam Chen continued, “If you ask me, you should have asked Brother Yi that day what medicine to take. I saw him look at your complexion and know you were sick. Isn’t that better than Doctor Sun?”
Accountant Chen: “…”
What could he say? Right now, he didn’t dare say anything, afraid that Madam Chen would ignore him and leave him to continue suffering.
“Why aren’t you speaking? Chen Erwang, do you think that I, a mere woman, am talking nonsense and don’t even deserve acknowledgement?” Madam Chen gave him a push.
Now Accountant Chen couldn’t stay silent even if he wanted to, crying out “Ow, ow, ow” in pain.
Seeing him like this, Madam Chen’s eyes showed disgust. This man was becoming increasingly useless, with a heart as small as a needle point. She really didn’t want to stay in the room any longer.
She went out to the courtyard for some fresh air, fanning herself with a handkerchief while her eyes darted toward the Xu household.
She saw Xu Yi and Madam He standing in the courtyard.
Xu Yi seemed to sense something and turned around, their gazes meeting.
Madam Chen first put on a smile and walked over to exchange pleasantries. She had better social relations in Stone Well Lane than Accountant Chen. Madam He, who usually embroidered at home, was equally polite to her.
After chatting for a bit, Madam Chen heard that Xu Yi had made pills that could treat abdominal pain and quickly asked if they could be given to Accountant Chen.
She sighed and told the two of them, “He’s been taking medicine for several days now, but there’s still no improvement. I even think Doctor Sun prescribed the wrong remedy and want to find another doctor to take a look.”
Halfway through, Xu Yi raised his eyelids to look at Madam Chen.
He said, “The digestive pills won’t be effective for Accountant Chen’s condition. It would be better for him to see a doctor.”
“I understand…” Madam Chen’s heart sank slightly. She caught the implication in Xu Yi’s words; he didn’t want to treat Chen Erwang.
Madam Chen closed her eyes briefly. For Chen Erwang’s sake, she had to seize this opportunity and couldn’t let him continue lying at home, spending money and suffering. Moreover, she could tell that Xu Yi had real skill; he had diagnosed Chen Erwang’s illness through observation alone, and she couldn’t help but believe in him.
“Brother Yi, I recall that you’re also a doctor now. Could you please make a house call?”
Xu Yi looked at her with neither humility nor arrogance. “Madam Chen, there are many doctors in Yanting County.”
Madam Chen bit her lip. “I know, but Doctor Sun, he…”
Xu Yi: “If Doctor Sun won’t do, there’s still Doctor Chen.”
Madam Chen fell silent.
The Doctor Chen that Xu Yi mentioned was naturally Doctor Chen from Miracle Hands Hall. An illness that Sun Shitong couldn’t diagnose accurately shouldn’t be beyond his ability to examine.
However, his consultation fees were expensive, and with Accountant Chen in such a state of pain, he couldn’t go to the medical hall himself; they would need to request Doctor Chen to make a house call.
That was an old doctor whom even the wealthy families of Yanting County found difficult to summon. Madam Chen gave a dry laugh.
The last time Accountant Chen had come to cause trouble for Xu Yi, it had become known throughout Stone Well Lane. Madam He naturally knew about it too, and she now understood why Madam Chen kept mentioning Accountant Chen’s condition; she actually wanted Xu Yi to go to their house to treat him.
She remained silent, watching Xu Yi thoughtfully, wondering whether he would agree.
Madam Chen didn’t give up and again quietly requested Xu Yi to make a house call, saying she would be willing to pay whatever consultation fee he asked.
Xu Yi: …
He said, “I still need to go to West Street later, so I’m afraid I don’t have time to examine Accountant Chen. Why don’t you invite Doctor Chen instead, Madam Chen? With him making a house call, the illness will surely be cured immediately.”
Madam Chen’s eyes immediately reddened. “Is Brother Yi resentful about what Accountant Chen said that day? I’ll have him come apologize to Brother Yi. He has such a foul mouth, saying all those unpleasant things. When I get back, I’ll scold him and beat him, and we’ll see if he dares do it again.”
Xu Yi showed a troubled expression. “I’m not angry.”
He just felt that since Accountant Chen had delayed for several days, it would be more appropriate for an experienced old doctor to examine him.
This seemed to have caused a misunderstanding with Madam Chen.