Time Travel: The Best Doctor in Ancient Times

Chapter 18: Chapter 11 Bring the Consultation Fee_2

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“Young Master Du, please forgive me, I misunderstood you. Thankfully, we didn’t come to blows yesterday; otherwise, I really wouldn’t know how to end things,” Gu Changsheng said, rubbing his hands together with a somewhat awkward smile.

“So, Young Master Du, your wife risked her life for you during childbirth, facing many dangers, yet insisted on saving the child first. It’s clear she deeply cares for you. The Han siblings really shouldn’t stay in the Du Residence, causing trouble. I’ll take them with me. The consultancy fee of ten thousand taels, I’ll accept it as agreed. Additionally, I’ll help you get rid of this body fat, how about that?” Gu Changsheng felt that actions spoke louder than apologies, and besides, Young Master Du was blocking her light with his body, preventing her from basking in the warmth.

Xiao Cui: “…”

The Medicine Lady says she’s charging ten thousand taels, and she really is charging that amount? Isn’t that just like robbery?

That’s ten thousand taels we are talking about! Not ten or twenty taels! Nowadays, if a doctor charges a hundred taels for a visit, it’s only because they are a famous physician, yet the Medicine Lady…

Young Master Du clearly didn’t think so, as he heard this, he was extremely moved, hurriedly stepping forward, his face showing disbelief, “Is what Lady Changsheng says true? If it really is as Lady Changsheng says, how can I let Lady suffer any grievances? The life-saving grace for Wanniang and the child, just a mere ten thousand taels is nothing. Even if it costs me my life, I would not hesitate,” he said.

Gu Changsheng shifted her body so the sunlight could fall on her. In April, how could one waste such pleasant sunshine?

“Young Master Du, you are too kind. Business is business, I save lives as a doctor, I take the fee, and we owe each other nothing,” she said, seeing that he was understanding and cared greatly for his wife, Gu Changsheng didn’t make things difficult for him any longer.

“It is not that I am being too polite. The matter of the consultancy fee need not be mentioned again, Lady. If you truly can help me get rid of this cumbersome body, I will surely have a separate, generous reward for you,” Du Chenzhi said, then respectfully bowed.

“Young Master Du needn’t do that, Changsheng’s fee for saving a life is ten thousand taels, I won’t ask for a penny more. Treating you is only because of yesterday’s misunderstanding and your affection for Han Qiu. Consider it a favor,” Gu Changsheng waved her hand dismissively, then turned around to instruct Little Meat Bun and Han Mo, “You two better study the Three Character Classic well here, or forget about dinner if you can’t recite it properly. Mom will go check on Madam Du and the child now.”

Little Meat Bun, Gu Ze, obediently nodded his head, not worried at all about missing dinner.

Gu Changsheng patted his hair with satisfaction and turned to leave, with Du Chenzhi quickly moving forward to lead the way.

Although Madam Du was still weak, there was no longer a risk to her life. Gu Changsheng gave her acupuncture and instructed her on recovery, before going to check on the newborn.

The one-day-old child’s face was not yet fully formed, his chubby little reddish face was all wrinkled, truly not very attractive. Gu Changsheng watched him sleep, blowing little bubbles, his delicate neck adorned with a red longevity lock, and couldn’t help but think of her own son. When he was born, had someone put a longevity lock on him, wishing him a hundred years of life? Thinking about it, he was only approaching his fourth year, and already so precocious—surely he had endured much hardship.

She was lost in thought after the examination, but Elder Master Du and Old Madam Du, following behind her, were anxious.

“Lady Changsheng, is there something wrong with my grandson?” Old Madam Du asked, her heart full of trepidation.

“Old Madam worries too much, the Young Master is premature but was well-nurtured in the womb. As long as he is well-fed, there should be no problems,” Gu Changsheng, snapping out of her reverie, hurriedly replied.

Relief washed over the three members of the Du Family, all looking at Gu Changsheng with gratitude.

If it weren’t for her, both mother and child would likely not have survived.

“Lady Changsheng’s great kindness will be remembered deep within the heart of the Du Family. If you ever issue a command in the future, we dare not disobey,” Elder Master Du said, lunging forward with a gesture of his long sleeves.

Gu Changsheng was startled and quickly stepped aside, “Well, forget about commands; just make sure not to shortchange the ten thousand taels,” she said.

This was a former Elder, ranking as a Grand Secretary, an Assisting Minister of the highest order. She was now but a common citizen and a small Medicine Lady; she certainly could not let him bow to her.

Elder Master Du was surprised; ten thousand taels was an exorbitant fee, but for the Du Family, a lineage of long-time officials, it wasn’t of much concern. Yet this lady was fascinating. The Du Family had a heritage of scholarship, and to him, they were vastly honoured. Now with the emperor aging and the inevitable struggle for the Crown Prince, his timely retirement was seen as perceptive. After all, many of his former students were influential in the Imperial Court. When the new emperor ascended the throne, he, Du Mingli, would surely be the first to be recalled as an Assisting Minister—a sentiment shared by the current emperor and a stroke of fortune for the Du Family! His favor was not easily earned, yet in the eyes of Lady Changsheng, it seemed not as valuable as a mere ten thousand taels?

Of course, Gu Changsheng did not know his thoughts. After giving instructions on the Du Family’s care, she returned to Lanqiu Courtyard to teach her son and now also Han Mo.

Han Mo was a boy of few words, but his evident interest in martial arts pleased Gu Changsheng and Han Qiu greatly. Being descended from a family of Military Generals, their family’s extensive knowledge was unquestionably profound.

The days of being treated as a distinguished guest were indeed to Gu Changsheng’s satisfaction. Teaching her son and practicing with Han Mo, occasionally sparring with Han Qiu, and finding time to perform acupuncture on Young Master Du, prescribing diet and medicine. Obesity was never innate; only the lazy who do not know how to keep fit, not those naturally born overweight. Even those with an innate predisposition to obesity could see great improvements through methods such as acupuncture, medicinal diets, and exercise.

Du Chenzhi was unfortunately someone innately obese, the type to gain weight even from drinking cold water. However, he was lucky to have met her, Gu Changsheng. As a woman, Changsheng was extremely attentive to beauty, body shaping, and health.

With acupuncture, medicinal steaming, a reasonable schedule, and rational exercise… Gu Changsheng spared no effort, and Du Chenzhi appeared to be losing weight at a visible rate.

Half a month flew by, and Du Chenzhi no longer needed acupuncture, while Madam Du, whose stitches had been removed long ago, was recovering well. Gu Changsheng had Xiao Cui and Han Qiu buy a horse carriage, prepared their luggage, and then asked to leave.

With a silver note of ten thousand taels in her pocket, amidst the thousands of thanks from the Du Family, she refused the offer of a guard escort. Gu Changsheng reclined comfortably on the soft cushion of the carriage, with her two maids and two little ones, embarking once again on the journey home.

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