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The siblings returned to the study, and Lu Man went to the bookshelf to retrieve the records and notes on accumulations. They began discussing the topic until Jiang Zhankui and Jiang Jiu arrived at the main room, prompting the siblings to look up.
“Oh, it’s already this late.” He Cheng stood up to leave.
Lu Man insisted, “Let’s have our meal here, I’ll have mother join us.”
Jiang Jiu also chimed in, “I heard from Mama Wang that there will be sour fish tonight, isn’t that dish your favorite, Big Brother He?”
Shaking his head with a smile, He Cheng replied, “No, I have other matters to attend to.” He added, “A few pounds of loaches were bought today, they’re being kept in a tub. Tomorrow at noon, Aunt Fu will make loach stuffed tofu. Aunt Fu excels at this dish, my mother invited you and old Marquis to have lunch at our place.”
Lu Man and the siblings happily accepted the invitation.
Just then, Mrs. Fu’s son, Wu Baizhu, hurried over and reported, “Young Madam, Young Master, an hour ago, Old lady Lu took Third Young Miss Lu to the Yuling Courtyard, saying she wanted to see Young Master. Madam said Young Master was out visiting friends, and she hid inside the house. However, old lady Lu refused to leave, insisting on seeing Young Master before departing. She cried and scolded, accusing Madam and Young Master of moving without informing her, calling them heartless. My mother asked me to inform Young Master to stay out of sight for a while.”
Upon hearing this, He Cheng’s face reddened with anger, and he started walking out. He muttered, “My mother is honest, don’t let them deceive her.”
Lu Man was fed up with old lady Lu’s antics. Despite their stubbornness, they couldn’t deny the fact that He Cheng was her grandson. Since He Mingzhu was honest, and He Cheng couldn’t mistreat his grandmother, Lu Man feared they might be taken advantage of. Turning to Liu Ya, she instructed, “Go, bring Liu Xin and a few others, go to Yuching Courtyard and find a way to get that old lady to leave.”
About twenty minutes later, Liu Ya returned, saying, “Old Lady Lu has left.” She added with a smirk, “Old Lady Lu wanted to stay at Yuling Courtyard for dinner. When she saw that Madam and Young Master didn’t stay, she mumbled some nonsensical words before leaving.”
After dinner, the rain had stopped. The post-rain sky was crystal clear, with the sunset casting a vivid and tender glow from the western horizon, captivating in its beauty.
Lu Man led the siblings for a stroll on the veranda to aid digestion. Sweet Pea had wandered off again, leaving only Qichang and Sweetheart wagging their tails behind them. The maids swept the fallen leaves and flowers in the courtyard, clearing the accumulated water into the drainage ditch.
The group was chatting and laughing softly when the doorbell at the gate chimed.
Huang quickly said, “Coming, coming.”
Opening the door, Jiang Zhanyu’s maid Fang hurried over. There was a door in the small courtyard outside the front door of Donghui Courtyard that led to the outer courtyard.
Fang paid her respects to Lu Man and said, “Third Young Madam, Physician Gu is coming this evening. After dinner, he was eager to see Young Madam.”
Lu Man smiled and responded, “Oh, Physician Gu is coming? Wonderful.”
She had long wanted to meet Physician Gu, believing his skills in treating heart ailments were truly extraordinary, deserving of the title “miracle physician”.
Lu Man quickly sent someone to fetch He Cheng from Yuling Courtyard to learn from Physician Gu and gain valuable insights. She then led Jiang Zhankui to the front courtyard hall, where they lit the lanterns inside and the lanterns in the courtyard to welcome their esteemed guest.
Before long, a servant announced that Physician Gu had arrived. Lu Man, He Cheng, and Jiang Zhankui welcomed him in the hall and saw Jiang Zhanyu supporting an elderly man with white hair and a beard, accompanied by a young boy of fourteen or fifteen. The old man walked unsteadily due to his legs.
Approaching them, Lu Man greeted him with a bow and a smile, saying, “Physician Gu, your reputation precedes you. Today, I finally have the pleasure of meeting you in person.”
Physician Gu chuckled, “Third Young Madam Jiang, your reputation has long preceded you to Dingzhou Prefecture. I had imagined a formidable figure, but here stands a young and charming lady.”
The elderly man sure had a way with words.
After exchanging a few compliments, Physician Gu pointed to the young boy and said, “This is my grandson, Gu Mo.”
Gu Mo greeted Lu Man with a respectful gesture.
Lu Man then introduced He Cheng to Physician Gu.
Upon learning that He Cheng would inherit He Huang’s legacy and mantle, Physician Gu was thrilled. He held He Cheng’s hand and said, “I only met Brother He a couple of times, despite our significant age gap, but we shared a deep friendship. I admire his integrity and medical expertise. It’s a great loss that he met such a tragic fate… Your sister possesses great talent, learn from her well and carry on the He family’s medical legacy.”
He Cheng respectfully acknowledged him.
Lu Man was surprised to learn that He Huang’s was acquainted with Physician Gu.
As everyone settled in the hall and sipped tea, Physician Gu went straight to the point, saying, “Third Young Madam Jiang, news about the effectiveness of Angel’s Trumpet in treating heart ailments has spread to Dingzhou. I’ve tested it myself. It proves beneficial for certain heart conditions, but for others, it can worsen the situation, making it extremely challenging to dose properly…”
Both of them had expertise in heart conditions and admired each other’s knowledge. Engrossed in discussing their shared interest, they momentarily forgot about the presence of others.
The rest couldn’t interject, while He Cheng and Gu Mo listened attentively. Meanwhile, Jiang Zhanyu and Jiang Zhankui quietly discussed their studies.
Subsequently, Physician Gu visited Donghui Courtyard daily to exchange medical knowledge with Lu Man, with Gu Mo and He Cheng observing on the sidelines. Despite being offered banquets by the Second Household, Physician Gu politely declined, expressing his preference to dine at Donghui Courtyard.
Eventually, the Second Master and Second Madam had to visit Donghui Courtyard to express their gratitude in person. Lu Man hosted a meal for them at Donghui Courtyard.
Staying at the Princess Changting’s residence for over a month, Physician Gu also brought the three patients he had treated for observation and consultation. With over sixty years of medical experience and unique insights into treating various heart conditions, coupled with Lu Man’s theoretical knowledge and understanding of the special effects of digitalis and golden lotus on specific heart ailments, they shared their expertise freely, elevating their understanding of heart disease to new heights.
During this month, Lu Man only rested for two days.
One of those days was on April 18th when the elegant and matchmaker-loving Princess Changting hosted a Peony Banquet, inviting prominent families, nobles, and influential figures from the capital to her residence.
The Peony Banquet held at the Princess Changting’s residence was one of the four major floral banquets in the capital and had been popular for decades. Particularly after the Princess’s second son’s marriage to the talented scholar Mu Qing (alias of Madam Lin) and became the Second Madam Jiang, Mu Qing had become one of the judges for the banquet’s artistic performances and the poet for the poetry gathering, further enhancing the event’s popularity. Each year during this time, families seeking brides or grooms and aspiring poets and beauties would eagerly attend the banquet.
The event wasn’t solely about poetry but also included other competitions such as playing musical instruments, painting, and more. The top three participants would receive rewards from Princess Changting.