Chapter 303: It's Not Like I Can't Afford It

Now Qiao Mai's reputation grew louder; even now the common folk still don't know her surname, so they all kept asking her.

"Divine Physician, how should we address you?"

This made her recall the code name of her organization from her previous life; although she didn't like that organization, the code name sounded nice.

"My surname is Ye!"

"Ye Divine Physician!"

"Mm."

She cast a glance at the Mingren Yi Guan; the Daifu didn't take it as a joke, and when they saw the principal smirking with glee at them, they all, indignant, went inside.

Qiao Mai curled her lips, let out a cold snort, thinking these few medical halls really aren't settled.

Those who have reached attainment are teachers; they don't humbly seek guidance, coming to learn from her, but instead look for trouble and oppose her at every turn—then it's unforgivable.

If you don't touch their rice bowls, they won't restrain themselves.

Yun'er also wants to leave, Qiao Mai asked, "You're about to get married soon; have all the preparations been completed?"

Qiao Mai hasn't set up her stall for three days, yet the common folk still go there daily to take a look; the Divine Physician didn't say she won't come again, which means she just has temporary matters.

Qiao Mai arrived at the small house, crouched and looked inside; Xuelihong was nursing a child, and Shanlihong stood guard nearby.

Seeing the examination hall's main gate open, Qiao Mai handed each of the two a Jade Bottle.

"Not sleepy?"

"Haha, I don't have that ability; it feels like Xuelihong's belly got bigger, and she's eager to find a nest, so we had a carpenter make one; the whole family loves it."

"Mm, as long as you know it in your heart."

Don't underestimate some folk remedies; they're cheap and effective. For example, for diarrhea, roast some plain flour in a pan, mix with boiling water into a paste, and drinking it works well. Another, for high fever, you can rub strong liquor over the whole body; this buys them time to fetch medicine.

"Not bad, how many days?"

"So expensive?"

As expected, in the end Chuan'er stared at Qiao Mai.

He was grumbling in his gut, hum, it must be that Wang Jiaru's Servant Girl gave them that bottle of medicine.

"Yes, yes," everyone echoed along.

The two brothers left; Ling'er, accompanied by Jin Mama, also said goodbye and left the shop; Yuan Jiaqi took leave, skipping the Morning Court to go to his post, and he also left.

Now those medical halls, besides causing her trouble this way, are truly at a loss; as long as she doesn't prescribe a formula, they won't find a way to control her.

"It's not that; it's just that outside isn't as good as home, even a breath of air isn't as comfortable as at home. We're going back; aren't you going back?"

"Mm, the old man will go back to read books."

"Alright, in a few days, I'll get you one, so you don't have to read all the time; when there's nothing, you can take it for a walk."

This name was given by the old lady; it fits the two cats' colors and temperament perfectly.

Because they can only act from the opened prescription, these people all have backers; as long as they fiddle a bit, they can bring her to the authorities to punish her.

When Qiao Mai appeared, the two cats, very spirited, all looked at her; Qiao Mai reached out, patted their heads, and casually slipped a pill into each of their mouths.

Zihan also rose and bowed to Qiao Mai, "Thank you, Auntie, for the medicine; this time Zihan should get a good ranking."

"Alright, stop just talking, go wash up, change your clothes."

"Mother, the pills you gave us are truly divine; since taking them, not only are we full of spirit, but our minds feel especially clear—things that were puzzling become clear with a little thought, it's amazing."

"Yes."

"Finally, a small favor—I'll go back later to check."

"The relationship is good, I have it myself, truly wonderful."

The whole family came to give gifts; Chuan'er and Zihan were still a bit nervous.

"Thank you, Mother; thank you, Auntie."

"These are energizing pills; three per meal, taking them is good for you."

Don't underestimate a high fever; missing the optimal treatment window can fry a person into stupidity or death.

"Yes."

"You really dare to ask for it,"

"Mm, go in."

"Since it's rare to come out, shall we go to the Tea House to listen to some tunes?"

"Not sleepy at all; in the examination hall, we just lie on the desk for a short nap, and we're full of vigor all day."

"Six."

So they all hope the Divine Physician will come over to take their pulse and devise a free folk remedy for them to treat illnesses back home.

"Yes, even bigger than the Fengyun brothers; if he hadn't been foolish those few years, sigh~"

The old lady looked at her cats with happy, gentle eyes; the old man sat on the kang, watching, his mouth perpetually pursed.

Watching the two line up and enter the examination hall, Feng'er saluted them.

In fact, he also likes these two cats; he appears stern on the surface, but when no one is around, he shows his tenderness and love for cats.

"Not going, I still have to go back to feed my little animals."

"The old man doesn't want those ordinary ones."

Hehe, go have sweet dreams!

If she doesn't prescribe a formula, for acute illnesses like earlier, she heals them directly; for no serious diseases, she tells the common folk to use diet plus exercise, along with some folk remedies.

Qiao Mai curled her lips in a smile, "I think you two dislike the outside air, right?"

Qiao Mai rested at home for three days, then again took Chuan'er and Zihan back with her family.

"Mm, if you can return early, do so; your daughter-in-law's belly is big, spend more time with her."

"Father, Mother, am I going to my post?"

"Hmm, I've already written a letter to his mother; she'll be coming soon, and when she does, the matchmaker will definitely step on and break our threshold."

"It's been ten days, and you still aren't home during the day; whatever I try to say to you just won't get through."

The two cats actually chewed happily and ate it, and the old lady had someone bring over two stools.

"Even the whole country can't find one like this."

"Just take the exam seriously; don't feel pressured, just do your best."

The two of them sat like that in front of the little house, looking at "Are you planning to give this cat away?"

"When the list is out, just say it's a marriage."

"Hmm, go take up a post."

Only then did the old master's face break into a smile, no longer rolling his eyes or pursing his lips.

"Like Bai Yangyang's."

"Yes, mother."

"How many?"

"It's fine, I'll replace it with an iron threshold."

"I won't give it away; I'll keep it myself—I'm not unable to raise it, nor do I lack a place."

Later I'll go to the authorities and apply pressure, lock her up so she can't get out, and be careful not to let her die in prison; then no one will ever compete with them for patients again.

The three sat in the same carriage when the old lady suddenly remembered something: "Servant Girl, Xuelihong and Shanlihong have had offspring; would you like to go see?"

"Is this the nest you built for them?"

"Mother, rest assured; everything's almost ready."

After returning home, Qiao Mai followed them to Penglai Pavilion; the old lady took her hand into the building, and in a corner by the wall she clearly saw a little house.

"Let's go, together."

Gradually, the common folk learned these folk remedies; some tried them at home and found them effective, and over time these methods spread among the people.

"Whoa, it took them several years to have offspring?"

After arriving home, the two felt no drowsiness or fatigue, chatting with everyone about the exam hall; the old master, a meticulous person, noticed them as soon as they returned.

When the two left, Qiao Mai looked at their backs and said, "Zihan must be grown up by now,"

"Hmm, this cat is worth a fortune; don't give it away lightly."

The name of the Ye Divine Physician also began to spread throughout the Ming Emperor's realm.

"Indeed, other people's cats have a litter each year after reaching adulthood; I was puzzled, as it took them several years to breed."

"Servant Girl, why not give old me a pet as well?"

Only Qiao Mai, the old master, and the old lady remained.

"What kind do you want?"

On March 26, Qiao Mai didn't set up her stall; she was sending two kids to the imperial examination and planned to rest for a day.

"Ha ha, you!"

Before long it was the tenth day of the fourth month, the day the list was posted; every household sent someone to view the list.

Those with candidates at home went to see, those without also went, and unmarried daughters were also very concerned about it.

The matchmaking under the list was about to begin, but there was no mention of Chuan'er or Zihan.

(End of chapter)