The words of gratitude she once received turned into insults, which she found difficult to accept.
"Oh... you're her masters, then who am I?" Jin Shanyao leaned back in her chair and said coldly, "Auntie, if I remember correctly, you went to the doctor three times last year."
"I always took the pulse first before my apprentice did it. How could I... use you as practice too? And the one behind you..." Jin Shanyao her gaze, passing over the woman and looking at the man who was making a fuss.
"Your mother had a night attack, and you didn't have the money to hire a doctor, so you went to the Anzhi Hall for help."
My apprentice and I went to your house to treat patients under the moonlight, but we didn't charge you a single penny.
The medicine your mother took was personally gathered from the mountain by my apprentice. I just want to ask, what has she done to offend you that warrants such treatment?
Jin Shanyao the table, her eyes coldly fixed on the woman. "Five coins... leave them here, and don't ever appear at the Anzhi Hall again."
The woman swallowed hard; it was the first time she had ever seen Jin Shanyao angry. In the past, the master and apprentice had always been all smiles.
"I... I didn't bring any money with me when I went out."
Jin Shanyao chuckled, "The clothes you're wearing should be worth five coins, otherwise..."
Seeing that she was serious, the woman quickly took out five coins, slammed them on the table, and slunk out of the shop.
After seeing two more patients, Meng Anzhi listlessly put away the pulse pillow.
"Auntie, why are they scolding me?"
Jin Shanyao patted her little head. "A little kindness is appreciated, but too much can breed resentment. Everything should be done in moderation. If kindness goes too far, it gives others the audacity to bully you."
Jin Shanyao had ulterior motives in delivering medicine to patients. Meng Anzhi was too soft-hearted, and if she wasn't let suffer a loss, she might suffer a big setback in the future.
In the backyard, Qing He sat by the kitchen door, picking vegetables while watching Lu Chi chop firewood.
"What's wrong with you today? You usually can't even be bothered to lift an axe, why are you chopping all this wood today?"
Lu Chi took out the handkerchief around his neck to wipe his sweat, placed the log on the round log post, and swung the axe, splitting it in two with a loud bang.
"You're unhappy if I don't work, and you're unhappy if I do work, so what do you want?"
Qing He rolled her eyes. "I'd be happy if you did the work, I just think you're acting a bit strange today."
She held a scallion in her hand, her eyes probing, "You didn't upset the master, did you? I just heard quite a commotion in the study."
Lu Chi didn't argue with her as usual, but simply said, "I'll chop more firewood and put it in the woodshed. Take some if you need it."
Don't throw this log away. Use it as a stake, like I did. If you ever encounter a piece of wood that's difficult to split, just borrow a piece of wood from a carpenter's shop.
"Okay, just let me know when you need it, and I'll borrow it for you," Qing He said, getting up and walking towards the kitchen. After taking two steps, she turned around.
"Oh, by the way, what would you like to eat? Master said he'd treat you to something special today."
Lu Chi: "Have your sister make the braised pork; she makes it really well."
"Tch... you're really not polite," Qing He rolled her eyes and went into the kitchen, picked up a piece of meat from the shelf and put it in a basin to wash.
"That kid Lu Chi has sharp eyes; he must have seen us buying meat."
Qing Yang chuckled, kneading the dough in his hands, "He's still chopping wood."
"Yeah, I don't know what got into him, he's almost chopped up all the wood in the woodshed."
Qing Yang glanced outside, smiled, and didn't say anything. Today, the family was steaming buns, the master wanted to eat cold dishes, the young lady wanted to eat chicken stew with mushrooms, and a braised pork belly would be about right.
I'll ask the young master what he wants to eat later, and make him something special too.
Thinking this, he called out towards the door, " Lu Chi, ask the young master what dishes he would like to eat."
"Sigh..." Lu Chi responded, slamming the axe heavily onto the log, wiping his sweat as he went to find Meng Anci.
After returning from the prefectural city, Meng Anci spent his days holed up in his room reading.
People were almost dumbfounded...
Lu Chi knocked on the door twice. " Anci, Qing Yang is asking what you want to eat tonight?"
"Anything is fine, I'll eat whatever I want," he said, just as Lu Chi pushed the door open and came in.
Lu Chi looked across the table. "What are you looking at? You never leave the house."
Meng Anci and said, "Master, you're exaggerating. I practiced archery for half an hour this morning, didn't you see?"
At that time Lu Chi was arguing with Jin Shanyao and didn't notice him at all.
Lu Chi chuckled awkwardly, "Why aren't you looking at the law?"
Meng Anci's smile faded, and her upright figure showed a hint of dejection.
"Master, I suddenly realized that reading the law is useless; those with power and influence don't even look at it."
This law was established for the poor.
Lu Chi walked around the table, picked him up, and sat him in a chair. "Princes are subject to the same laws as commoners. The law itself is not wrong; it depends on who holds it."
In the hands of treacherous officials, it becomes a weapon to oppress the people; in the hands of loyal officials, it becomes a weapon to punish evil and promote good.
What you should do now is study hard and master this powerful tool, instead of handing it over to others.
Meng Anci listened attentively. "Master, I heard Zhao Zhiyuan say that there are always people more capable than you, and the Prefectural City Academy is much better than the one in the county town. I wonder if I can become the top scholar in the imperial examination."
Whether you become the top scholar or a mere graduate, just remember to fulfill your responsibilities in your position.
If you are a county magistrate, you will act in the best interests of the people; if you are a prefect, you will ensure that there are no corrupt officials under your command; if you are a first-rank minister, you will be able to assist the emperor.
Don't be afraid that you won't go far enough; just try your best to take each step well.
For example, if you pass the county-level exam, try to pass the prefectural exam; if you pass the prefectural exam, try to pass the provincial exam.
Don't compare yourself to others; reading is a battle against yourself.
Meng Anci turned around and asked, "Master, what's wrong with you today?"
Lu Chi forced a smile, "You brat, I'm just afraid you'll go astray. Your auntie only knows how to take advantage of you and take you to all sorts of filthy places."
"I won't be around to see you anymore, so you must try your best to be a good person, okay? Don't let your aunt lead you astray."
Meng Anci was a little unhappy, "Master... if you say anything bad about my aunt again, I'll get angry."
"Alright, alright..." Lu Chi couldn't help but laugh out loud. Suddenly, Qing Yang's voice rang out from outside, " Lu Chi, did the young master say what he wanted to eat?"
Lu Chi got up, picked up Meng Anci, and walked outside. "No more reading, Master will teach you how to ride a horse."
Meng Anci a little uncomfortable. "Master, I'm five years old now. You can't keep carrying me around like that."
Lu Chi ignored him, came out of the study and shouted to the kitchen, "Make whatever you want, my little master isn't picky about food." Meng Anci was amused and giggled.
In the stable, two horses were huddled together, seemingly talking. When the young master came over, the Black Grand Marshal neighed happily and raised its head, unlike the General White.
Meng Anzhi never rode the General White except when making house calls, which made it extremely jealous of the Black Grand Marshal.
When Lu Chi was putting on the saddle, he instructed, "Don't approach the horse from behind, don't force the bridle on, don't ignore the length of the reins, and don't let the reins get tangled around the horse's limbs."
"Master, you've already told me all of this," Meng Anci as Lu Chi lifted him onto the saddle, positioning his legs comfortably.
"Don't tense up, keep your back straight... Remember, your direction is the horse's direction."
Lu Chi taught Meng Anci like a beginner, explaining each step in great detail, afraid that Meng Anci wouldn't understand or remember.
He always felt that the days were very long, but today, for some reason, it seemed like it got dark before he had done anything, Lu Chi felt inexplicably sad.
During the meal, he sat in his usual spot and reached out to take the dishes from Qing He's plate.
He said gently, "Let me do it." He placed two chicken legs from the plate on Meng Anzhi and Meng Anci respectively.
Eat more, you're growing.
Meng Anzhi, holding the bowl, smiled and said, "Thank you, Master."
Qing He chuckled and teased, " Lu Chi has finally shown some self-awareness as a servant; he's finally learned to serve his master food."
Lu Chi didn't reply, he just held his bowl and smiled at everyone. He ate very slowly, but even the slowest meal eventually came to an end.