Chapter 26

Yesterday, after finishing treating Princess Ning Le's illness, Jiang Yunzhou brought Shen Qingu back and returned very late.

Translation: Yesterday after finishing treating Princess Ning Le's illness, Jiang Yunzhou returned very late with Shen Qingu.

Yesterday after finishing treating Princess Ning Le's illness, Jiang Yunzhou returned very late with Shen Qingu.

It was mainly because treating at Prince Rong's mansion took extra time; it was absolutely not because he was half-embraced by Qingu sister and deliberately slowed his driving speed.

Translation: It was mainly because treating at the Prince Rong's mansion took extra time, not because he was half-embraced by Qingu sister and deliberately slowed his driving speed.

We need to keep the meaning: "It was mainly because treating at Prince Rong's mansion took extra time; it was absolutely not because he was half-embraced by Qingu sister and deliberately slowed his driving speed." So: It was mainly because treating at Prince Rong's mansion took extra time; it was absolutely not because he was half-embraced by Qingu sister and deliberately slowed his driving speed.

Bai Zhi thoughtfully prepared a late-night snack for the two of them.

Translation: Bai Zhi thoughtfully prepared a late-night snack for the two.

Seeing them return empty-handed, Bai Zhi guessed they must have failed to cure Princess Ning Le's eyes; otherwise they would have brought back a lot of rewards.

Translation: Seeing them return empty-handed, Bai Zhi guessed they must have failed to cure Princess Ning Le's eyes; otherwise they would have brought back many rewards.

So she didn't ask about the details, and she didn't even tease them about the young lady's flushed face when she returned.

Translation: So he didn't ask for details, nor did he tease about the young lady's flushed face upon returning.

Early the next morning, Jiang Yunzhou tidied up the already copied "Breaking Heaven Spear Technique" and "Yin-Yang Cloud and Rain," preparing to return the original manuals to Dong Pangpang.

Translation: Early the next morning, Jiang Yunzhou tidied up the copied copies of the Breaking Heaven Spear Manual and Yin-Yang Cloud and Rain Technique, preparing to return the original manuals to Dong Pangpang.

Actually, I and the paper person have already learned most of it; copying a version is just for backup, and mainly I copied the last two chapters.

Translation: Actually, he and the paper person had already learned most of it; copying a version was just for backup, and mainly he copied the last two chapters.

Bang!

Translation: Bang!

Before they could even leave, Uncle Hu pushed the door open and entered.

Translation: But before he could leave, Uncle Hu pushed the door open.

When Uncle Hu originally arrived, he looked dusty and weary like an escort from a courier service, but now he had changed into a set of light blue new clothes, his hair freshly combed; if not for the old sword at his waist, he would truly look like a steward of a wealthy household.

Translation: Although Uncle Hu usually arrived dusty and travel-worn like a horse escort, this time he had changed into a new light-blue outfit, his hair freshly groomed; if not for the old knife at his waist, he truly looked like a steward of a wealthy household.

"Yunzhou, I'm going out for a bit."

Translation: "Yunzhou, I'm going out for a bit."

Jiang Yunzhou gave him a once-over and joked:

Translation: Jiang Yunzhou gave him a once-over and joked:

"Uncle Hu, you're dressed so handsomely—are you going to meet an old lover? You'd better be careful; don't let the other party's children catch you during your tryst."

Translation: "Uncle Hu, you're so spiffy—are you meeting an old lover? You'd better be careful, lest their children catch you in the act."

"A dog's mouth can't spit out ivory; I'm just going to see an old friend."

Translation: "A dog's mouth can't spit out ivory; I'm going to see an old friend."

Jiang Yunzhou feigned confusion and said:

Translation: Jiang Yunzhou feigned confusion:

"You're going to see them—why bother coming specially to tell me?"

Translation: "If you're going to see them, why bother specially coming to tell me?"

Seeing that Jiang Yunzhou seemed not to grasp his meaning, Uncle Hu's expression turned slightly embarrassed, but seeing Jiang Yunzhou cover his mouth and snicker, he still snapped:

Translation: Seeing Jiang Yunzhou seemingly not grasping his meaning, Uncle Hu felt a bit embarrassed, but seeing him cover his mouth and chuckle, he still snapped:

"You little brat, are you pretending to be stupid with me? I'm just here to borrow money, alright?"

Translation: "You brat, are you pretending to be stupid with me? I'm here to borrow money, alright?"

Back when he was in Muzhou, Jiang Yunzhou would occasionally earn extra consultation fees from treating patients.

Translation: Back when he was in Mist Prefecture, Jiang Yunzhou occasionally earned extra consultation fees from treating patients.

Aside from buying good food and drink to honor his master, he really didn't have much else to spend on, and he often lent some of it to Uncle Hu for drinking money.

Translation: Aside from buying good food and drink to honor his master, he really had few expenses; much of it he lent to Uncle Hu for liquor money.

Of course, since his master forbade him from learning martial arts, the security work at Jian'an Hall was mainly handled by Uncle Hu.

Translation: Of course, since his master forbade him from studying martial arts, the security work at Ji'an Hall was mainly handled by Uncle Hu.

Although Uncle Hu says he's dropped to seventh rank, which sounds like bragging, in my impression, with Uncle Hu guarding Muzhou, no one dared to cause trouble.

Translation: Although Uncle Hu claimed he had dropped to seventh rank, sounding like bragging, in his impression, with Uncle Hu guarding Mist Prefecture, no one dared to cause trouble.

Everyone needs to borrow money from me; today he's dressed so formally—if he had no money in his pocket, wouldn't that be embarrassing?

Translation: He has to borrow money for liquor; dressing so formally today with no cash in his pocket would be quite embarrassing.

Jiang Yunzhou laughed and complained:

Translation: Jiang Yunzhou laughed and complained:

"This is the first time I've seen someone borrow money so brazenly."

Translation: "First time seeing someone borrow money so arrogantly."

Although he complained with his mouth, Jiang Yunzhou still untied the sachet that Qingu sister had given him from his waist and poured out all ten taels of silver onto the table.

Translation: Although he complained verbally, Jiang Yunzhou still untied the pouch Shen Qingu gave him from his waist and poured out all ten taels of silver onto the table.

"Here, is this enough for Uncle Hu to keep up appearances?"

Translation: "Here, is this enough for Uncle Hu to keep up appearances?"

Uncle Hu also didn't expect Jiang Yunzhou to be so generous as to pull out ten taels of silver directly; while he lifted the corner of his mouth to put it into his own money bag, he refused, saying:

Translation: Hu Wei also didn't expect Jiang Yunzhou to be so generous, pulling out ten taels of silver outright; while curling his lip and stuffing it into his own money bag, he refused:

"I don't need that much, I don't need that much."

Translation: "I don't need that much, I don't need that much."

Jiang Yunzhou certainly loves money, but he knows exactly who his money should be spent on.

Translation: Jiang Yunzhou certainly loved money, but he knew whose hands it should be spent in.

Uncle Hu is already this old; seeing an old friend, he wants to keep up appearances, and I certainly can't let him down.

Translation: Uncle Hu is already this old; seeing an old friend, he wants to keep up appearances—I certainly won't let him down.

Besides, I still have a hundred gold stored at Prince Rong's place; at the rate of ten silver to one gold, that's a thousand taels of silver.

Translation: Besides, I still have a hundred gold stored with Prince Rong; at a rate of ten silver to one gold, that's a thousand taels of silver.

"Uncle Hu meeting an old lover—how could he lose face, right?"

Translation: "Uncle Hu meeting an old lover—how could he lose face, right?"

"You're absolutely right, you're absolutely right... Hey! I said it's not an old lover!"

Translation: "You're right, you're right... Hey! I said it's not an old lover!"

"For someone like you, who can turn two jars of liquor with an old buddy into drinks that last all night, I don't believe you're dressed so formally just to meet a man."

Translation: "For a guy like you who can dilute two jugs of liquor with water and drink all night when meeting old brothers, I don't believe you're dressed so formally to see a man."

"You little brat!"

Translation: "You brat!"

As the old and young were joking, Bai Zhi lifted her skirt and ran again to the side courtyard, saying:

Translation: As the old and young were joking, Bai Zhi lifted her skirt hem and ran again to the side courtyard, saying:

"Young master! Someone is looking for you at the Cang Medical Clinic."

Translation: "Young master! Someone is looking for you at the Vast Medical Hall."

"Looking for me?"

Translation: "Looking for me?"

"Yes, he calls himself the chief escort of the Dart Agency, Yu Tieying, and he's come with a county magistrate and a few constables, but this time they didn't cause a big scene."

Translation: "Yes, he claims to be the Escort Chief of the Far-reaching Escort Agency, Yu Tieying, and he came with a county magistrate and several constables, though they didn't make a scene this time."

"The county magistrate is leading the constables in conducting an official inspection of the Cang Medical Clinic, worried about fraud, so he has the young lady bring her assistants along; meanwhile, Yu Tieying went alone to the rear hall to say he wants to see the young master."

Translation: "The county magistrate brought constables to inspect the Vast Medical Hall for official duties, fearing fraud; they had the young lady bring an attendant along, while Yu Tieying alone went to the rear hall saying he wanted to see the young master."

Qingu sister had told me that the Dart Agency is the lackey of the Huashou Pavilion, and they usually step in to violently resolve issues for Huashou Pavilion.

Translation: Shen Qingu had told him that the Far-reaching Escort Agency was the lackey of Splendid Longevity Pavilion, always sent to violently resolve issues for them.

The county magistrate nominally handles local security, equivalent to a public security bureau chief of that era; coming to do some inspections is indeed within his duties.

Translation: On the surface, the county magistrate handles local security; he's like the police bureau chief of his era, so coming for an inspection is indeed within his duties.

"Come on, let's go check it out."

Translation: "Come on, let's go see."

"Isn't Uncle Hu supposed to go see a friend?"

Translation: "Isn't Uncle Hu supposed to go see a friend?"

"I'll help you keep things under control; the money can't be taken for nothing."

Translation: "I'll help you keep things under control; the money can't be taken for nothing."

The three of them arrived at the rear hall, only to see a dark-skinned, sturdy man with a full beard sitting in the guest seat, drinking tea.

Translation: The three arrived at the rear hall, only to see a dark-skinned, beard-stroking sturdy man seated in the guest seat, drinking tea.

"I don't know what Chief Escort Yu wants with me."

Translation: "I don't know what Chief Escort Yu wants with me."

Yu Tieying set down his teacup, smiled, and rose to speak:

Translation: Yu Tieying set down his teacup, smiled, and rose to speak:

"You must be Master Jiang Yunzhou; indeed, you have an extraordinary bearing, and I've heard that Minister Wei of the Imperial Medical Office also said you're young yet profoundly skilled in medicine."

Translation: "Your Excellency must be Jiang Yunzhou, sir; indeed you have an extraordinary bearing, and I heard Wei, Sir of the Imperial Medical Bureau, say you're young yet profound in medical skill."

Jiang Yunzhou thought to himself that since everyone is smart, there's no need for these pleasantries, and he spoke frankly:

Translation: Jiang Yunzhou thought everyone was smart, so no need for these pleasantries, and spoke plainly:

"Chief Escort Yu, if you have something to say, just speak plainly."

Translation: "Chief Escort Yu, speak plainly if you have something to say."

"I've come to offer you an opportunity, Master Jiang."

Translation: "I've come to offer you an opportunity, sir."

"What opportunity?"

Translation: "What opportunity?"

"The opportunity to join the Huashou Pavilion."

Translation: "The opportunity to join Splendid Longevity Pavilion."

Jiang Yunzhou furrowed his brows slightly, thinking, "Big brother, your Dart Agency just got connected? Your information is way too outdated."

Translation: Jiang Yunzhou furrowed his brow, thinking, "Big brother, your Far-reaching Escort Agency just got the news? Your information is way too outdated."

"I even refused the Prince Rong's exclusive medical officer and the Imperial Medical Office's officer yesterday; now this guy is trying to lure me with a Huashou Pavilion physician—has he lost his mind?"

Translation: "I yesterday refused both the Prince Rong's mansion's exclusive medical officer and the Imperial Medical Bureau's physician; now this guy tries to lure me with a physician from Splendid Longevity Pavilion—has he taken leave of his senses?"

It seems that yesterday, Imperial Medical Order Zhou Dan didn't tell his subordinates that I had cured Princess Ning Le's eyes.

Translation: "It seems yesterday Imperial Medical Chief Zhou Dan didn't tell his subordinates that I had cured the princess's eyes."

Indeed, as Jiang Yunzhou had guessed, the day before yesterday Zhou Dan learned from Wei Zongluo that the Cang Medical Clinic had a skilled young doctor, and so he had the Dart Agency poach him.

Translation: "Indeed, as Jiang Yunzhou guessed, the day before yesterday Zhou Dan learned from Wei Zongluo that a skilled young physician had come to the Vast Medical Hall, and then had the Far-reaching Escort Agency recruit him."

But I didn't expect that yesterday Zhou Dan himself had already run into Jiang Yunzhou, and I also didn't have time to tell the Zhiyuan Escort Agency folks not to come and embarrass themselves.

Seeing Jiang Yunzhou look at him with a doubtful expression, Yu Tieying thought he was curious about the treatment, and immediately coughed lightly and said:

"Young Master Jiang, feel free to mention the treatment; I think there's no place in Shangyang City that could offer a higher price than Huashou Pavilion, so why bury your medical talent in this tiny clinic?"

"Coming to someone else's turf and openly recruiting people—this can't be called poaching; it's more like blowing up the city wall."

"With Shen Qingu absent, Bai Zhi, as a member of the Cang Medical Hall, could no longer listen; she plucked up her courage, pursed her lips, and spoke bluntly:"

"You come straight to the Cang Medical Hall to openly poach our young master for Huashou Pavilion—Chief Escort Head Yu, your cheek is too thick!"

"Seeing the servant interrupt, Yu Tieying glared at Bai Zhi with his tiger-like eyes in disgust; seeing her shrink back in fear, he then replied:"

"Under heaven, talent goes to the highest bidder—what's the problem?"

"Jiang Yunzhou nodded in agreement and said:"

"Chief Escort Head Yu makes sense."

"So you're saying Young Master Jiang agrees to join Huashou Pavilion?"

"No, I choose the Cang Medical Hall, because they offer a higher price."

"Yu Tieying's expression changed slightly:"

"Young Master Jiang, you're joking—I don't believe this tiny Cang Medical Hall could offer any price."

"Nothing could compare to the twenty years of nurturing and guidance from my master, Jiang Enji—but Jiang Yunzhou naturally wouldn't reveal his connection to the Cang Medical Hall."

"It's naturally a price Huashou Pavilion can't afford."

"Thinking Jiang Yunzhou was intending to mock him, Yu Tieying felt he had been too polite; he sat in the chair, turned, lifted his right foot, and lightly tapped the floor."

"Hah!"

"In an instant, Jiang Yunzhou felt the surrounding air flow suddenly condense."

"Even Bai Zhi behind him felt as if she had been thrown into water, her breathing becoming unsteady."

"Jiang Yunzhou immediately understood: this person could influence the qi of heaven and earth, his strength definitely above the seventh rank."

"Seeing Jiang Yunzhou's brow slightly furrowed, Yu Tieying thought his intimidation had succeeded."

"Just as he was about to speak, he suddenly felt a chilling killing intent emanating from somewhere, as if a blade pierced his brow, making him shudder involuntarily."

"He gulped, hastily turned his head, and saw the blue-robed old man following behind Jiang Yunzhou narrowing his eyes at him."