Chapter 267: My Arsenic

Old Madam Gu just finished speaking, and Sixth Master Gu clapped his hands, saying, "Mother is absolutely right, this arrangement is quite satisfactory. In the future, the Marquis Mansion will have preserved its reputation. As long as they grow up well, they will surely have a good future."

He didn’t plan to drive the twins too far away—just moving them out of the mansion was all he wanted.

Old Madam Gu smiled at Doctor Li, saying, "The trivial matters of my family must have given you a good laugh."

Doctor Li said, "Every family has its worries. As the saying goes, every family has its own difficult scriptures to recite, even the Emperor is not exempt."

Old Madam Gu nodded, saying, "You are right, the Emperor is also troubled by his son’s illness. The Crown Prince is weak in health, and even seeking out the best doctors hasn’t helped."

Doctor Li smiled, finished his wine, and said, "Tomorrow morning, I’ll leave with Xiao Dong. Thanks so much for the Marquis Mansion’s hospitality these past days. If you ever need anything from Renhe Hall, just let me know."

Old Madam Gu smiled, saying, "We’re all so familiar, why be so polite? I have an unreasonable request: I’d hope that Renhe Hall could periodically visit the mansion for peaceful pulse readings. How does that sound to you?"

Sixth Master Gu said, "Even if Mother hadn’t mentioned it, I would have suggested it. Doctor Li’s medical skills are superb, and Xiao Dong has taught me martial arts. My health has improved a lot these days. Doctor Li even said that my weakness would be cured with a few years of treatment."

Doctor Li rejoiced and said, "Old Madam Gu, rest assured, I’ll bring my apprentice to regularly visit the mansion. If there’s any ailment, just send someone to fetch us."

Xiao Dong was all smiles.

Sixth Master Gu teased him further, "Now you don’t need to worry that your master has no business. You can come daily to teach me martial arts and watch me paint."

Xiao Dong laughed, "Then can you teach me how to paint?"

Sixth Master Gu felt confident in teaching Xiao Dong and immediately said, "It’s a deal."

Having said this, they high-fived to seal the pledge.

They chatted happily, not caring how others viewed them.

Old Madam Gu shook her head, saying, "My youngest son is always so carefree. He was happy today and drank a bit too much wine, becoming somewhat tipsy. Doctor Li, don’t take offense."

Everyone laughed heartily.

Gu Jinghui pulled out a letter from his sleeve and handed it to Doctor Li, saying, "Your lifesaving grace, the Marquis Mansion won’t forget. A little token, not enough to express our gratitude, please accept it."

Doctor Li had been waiting for this moment for a long time, naturally he didn’t decline, and accepted it, placing it in his sleeve without even looking.

This gesture, in Sixth Master Gu’s eyes, seemed very much like having a disdain for money—showing the air of a noble. He felt even better about Doctor Li and his apprentice.

Qin Yuan couldn’t help but chuckle seeing this.

Seeing that time was almost up, everyone dispersed, and Doctor Li returned to his residence with Xiao Dong, only to find two large parcels on the table as soon as they entered.

Upon opening, they found trendy pastries and fabrics, along with several sets of ready-made clothes, shoes, and socks.

The servant said, "These were sent by Miss Cui Ming, who urged the sewing room to hurry and make them. They were done in a rush, so wear them for now and more good ones will be sent later."

Xiao Dong smiled broadly, touched them repeatedly.

Once the servant left, Xiao Dong whispered, "Master, quick, see how much the Marquis has given us in silver notes."

"Little money-grubber," Doctor Li teased, yet his face was filled with joy. He reached out, touched the package, opened it, and inside was a silver note worth a thousand taels.

"Goodness, the Marquis Mansion is truly wealthy."

Doctor Li happily put it away.

Xiao Dong asked, "So later, when we visit the Marquis Mansion for consultations, will we still receive payment?"

Doctor Li said, "Of course. Such families won’t pay per visit. They’ll send festival gifts during holidays, it’s standard practice."

Xiao Dong flipped over on the bed, laughing, "That’s wonderful, I won’t have to worry about being too poor to eat later."

"...I’ve never heard of a doctor starving to death... We’re reputable doctors from Renhe Hall, not wandering bell doctors. Renhe Hall has built a reputation over so many years."

Doctor Li didn’t understand why his young apprentice always feared lack of money.

Xiao Dong squinted, his mouth corners raised high, "Master, now that we have money, can I learn painting with Sixth Master Gu?"

"Sure, you just wait here for me."

Doctor Li was both amused and annoyed, pinching his ear, saying, "You kid, always so full of schemes. If you want to learn, then learn well. I’m waiting for you to bring fame to Renhe Hall, counting on you."

"Alright, that’s settled. This silver note should be kept for me. Publishing books by my seniors will cost quite a bit."

Doctor Li: "..."

After a long pause he managed to squeeze out a word, "You’re really something, aren’t you?"

Qin Yuan returned first to Wutong Garden, tidied up, and lay down for a nap, before Marquis Gu returned.

"Why did it take so late?"

Qin Yuan heard the noise and murmured softly.

Marquis Gu hurriedly changed clothes and hugged his young wife, saying, "I talked things over with Mother. She listed several candidates for us to consider."

The Gu Family has many clan members, but finding one with the same generation as him, with a good temper, a moderate disposition, and no children, was no easy task.

Qin Yuan said, "Once we’ve found one, it’s good. We’ll support them with more silver taels, making sure they don’t lose out."

Marquis Gu sighed, "Let’s hope so."

If Mrs. Zhao decides to be difficult, things could become tricky.

Marquis Gu pondered for a moment and then asked, "Why is your master leaving early tomorrow morning?"

He originally didn’t plan to give the thank-you gift tonight—it seemed a bit formal and rushed—but Doctor Li, upon hearing the Director of the Imperial Hospital was coming the next day, insisted on leaving, not even staying a couple more days.

Qin Yuan turned over, distancing herself a bit from his warm body, saying, "I don’t know either, but from the looks of it, he seems quite unliking of people from the Imperial Hospital. He often teaches Xiao Dong that inheriting Renhe Hall is enough, and to never think of working in the Imperial Hospital."

Marquis Gu found it strange, saying, "People aspire to go higher, like water flowing to lower places; getting into the Imperial Hospital is undoubtedly good. I’ve seen your master’s medical skills are high; why isn’t he willing to serve in the Imperial Hospital?"

Qin Yuan hummed a sound, saying, "One man’s honey, another man’s poison. Perhaps my master thinks entering the Imperial Hospital would mean too many constraints, entangled in fame and profit, and being involved in constant schemes, making it difficult to practice as a good doctor."

Marquis Gu did not respond.

The next morning, Xiao Dong, bleary-eyed, followed Doctor Li out of the small courtyard, with the servant behind them carrying parcels. The three of them headed towards the usual small gate used for daily shopping.

Cui Ming had already arranged everything for them, and the nanny guarding the gate had opened it, only waiting to let them through.

Seeing they had many packages, the nanny said, "Doctor Li, why not stay a couple more days, tomorrow the mansion officially opens, and we could send you back with a carriage."

Doctor Li just smiled.

Once out of the mansion, Xiao Dong couldn’t help but ask, "Master, why don’t we stay a couple more days when we could get a carriage ride back?"