Chapter 33: Follow-up Examination

Not only Song Yuntang felt it, but Liu Shi did too.

They looked at each other in disbelief, smiles in their eyes.

“Now, Sister-in-law can rest assured?”

Liu Shi nodded, eyes red. “Yes, I shouldn’t have suspected you because of Tian shi.”

Song Yuntang shrugged. “Forget about the past. I need to wash clothes.  Sister-in-law, you should rest.”

“Okay.”

Liu Shi left Song Yuntang’s room.

Seeing her leave with red eyes, the others in the courtyard were puzzled.

Tang’er had brought her food from town; she shouldn’t have bullied her.

“Xiangyun, what’s wrong?” Song Jinyuan asked.

Liu Xiangyun smiled, shaking her head. “Nothing. The baby just kicked me. I’m happy.”

…

The next day, after breakfast, everyone started their chores. Zhao Shi embroidered handkerchiefs, Liu Shi made shoe uppers, and the two brothers went to the mountains to dig wild vegetables.  The three adult men handled the field work.

Song Yuntang had her own tasks.  Putting her needles in her sleeve, she went towards the private school, intending to give Xu Qingye a follow-up examination.

Usually, her appearance was accompanied by whispers and glares. Today, it was eerily quiet.

Even those chatting fell silent upon seeing her.

Watching the villagers shrink back, Song Yuntang smiled faintly. Going crazy once brought peace.

With this thought, she quickened her pace.

The private school, not far from the Song family ancestral hall, was a separate courtyard without nearby huts.

Because of the break from farming, the school was quiet.

Song Yuntang knocked on Xu Qingye’s door.

“Mr. Xu, are you there?”

The door creaked open, but it wasn’t Xu Qingye who opened it, but another young man.

Song Yuntang recognized him. She had seen him twice at the Lin family’s. He was the son of Madam Zhuang’s cousin.

Zhuang Zian.

She used to call him cousin.

But now she had no connection with the Lin family, so she didn’t need to.

In the courtyard, Xu Qingye, holding chess pieces, looked towards the entrance, a gentle smile on his lips. “Miss Song has arrived.”

Zhuang Zian, after realizing it, frowned at her. “Why are you here?”

Song Yuntang’s expression was calm.

“I’m here for Mr. Xu’s follow-up examination.”

Zhuang Zian didn’t give way.  He looked at Xu Qingye in disbelief.

“Brother Xu, is the divine doctor you mentioned… her?”

He knew some things about the Lin family, but he had never heard of this former cousin knowing medicine.

Xu Qingye softly hummed.

“Let Miss Song in. Guests are welcome.”

Ignoring Zhuang Zian, Song Yuntang entered the courtyard and went to Xu Qingye.

“Mr. Xu’s complexion is much better than last time.”

Xu Qingye smiled. “Miss Song’s medicine is miraculous. It cured my illness.” He gestured to a seat beside him. “Miss Song, please.”

Song Yuntang sat down. Zhuang Zian, having closed the gate, sat back at the chessboard.

“When did you learn medicine?” He looked at her intently.

Song Yuntang calmly raised her eyes. “Is that relevant to you, Mr. Zhuang?”

Stuttering, Zhuang Zian shook his head.

“It’s not.”

“Then don’t ask.” Song Yuntang ignored him, extending her hand towards Xu Qingye. “Mr. Xu, let me feel your pulse.”

Xu Qingye nodded, offering his hand.

Zhuang Zian was speechless.

What did she mean, “Then don’t ask”?

He had been her cousin for thirteen years. Even if she wasn’t a Lin family member anymore, they were still acquaintances, right?

No wonder the Lin family avoided her.  Her personality was truly unpleasant.

While Song Yuntang felt his pulse, Xu Qingye glanced at Zhuang Zian, then at Song Yuntang.

“Miss Song, have you had a conflict with Zian?”

“No.” Song Yuntang coldly said, “I simply don’t want to have anything to do with anyone or anything related to the Lin family.”

Xu Qingye’s calm eyes fell on Zhuang Zian.

“Zian is related to the Lin family?”

“Madam Lin and my father are cousins. But we haven’t interacted much, so I didn’t mention it.” Zhuang Zian explained.

Xu Qingye understood. “I see.”

Song Yuntang withdrew her hand, inquiring about Xu Qingye’s condition.

“Mr. Xu, how’s your sleep lately?”

“I can sleep through the night.”

“Can you lie flat?”

“It’s still uncomfortable, but much better than before.”

Song Yuntang nodded, writing a new prescription with minor adjustments.

“Take this for seven days, maintain a good mood, and exercise moderately. I’ll come again in seven days. You should be able to lie flat then.”

“Thank you.” Xu Qingye received the prescription. “I’m at the school. If you need help, come find me.”

“Okay, Mr. Xu, don’t mind me.”

Song Yuntang stood up, bowed slightly, and left.

The whole process was efficient and concise, completely different from the cousin Zhuang Zian remembered!

He frowned, puzzled by Song Yuntang’s back.

“In just three years, such a huge change?”

Not only did she acquire medical skills, but her personality was also drastically different.

“After such a huge change, a change in temperament is normal.” Xu Qingye said, placing a chess piece on the board.

Zhuang Zian leaned closer, puzzled. “Brother Xu, she’s just a sixteen-year-old girl. How could you trust her to treat you?  Aren’t you afraid she’ll harm you?”

Xu Qingye sat at the side of the chessboard, a confident smile on his face.

“I’m not afraid.”

“Why?” Zhuang Zian pressed.

“Intuition.” Xu Qingye said, pointing to the chessboard. “Your turn.”

Looking at the chessboard, the situation was evenly matched, but after Xu Qingye made a move, it seemed advantageous but was actually doomed.

After pondering for a long time, Zhuang Zian threw his white pieces back into the container. “I lose. I admit defeat.”

Xu Qingye solemnly bowed. “For the next five years, I’ll leave this school to Brother Zian.”

Zhuang Zian waved his hand. “Don’t worry, I’ll do it. I have something to do, so I’ll leave now.”

Xu Qingye nodded. “Farewell.”

…