Chapter 52: Wild Fantasies

At that brief pause, Xiaolinzi had already run over from the alley entrance, greeting the aunties and middle-aged women out buying groceries along the way. He used to work in the dental trade and often came and went through Pear Blossom Alley, so the residents were well acquainted with him. It wasn’t surprising to learn he was now employed by An Chunfeng; it was common for the dental trade to hire outsiders, even if it meant working for a widow, though it only drew a few whispered remarks behind their backs.

Seeing Xiaolinzi approach, Qiu Rong’s infatuated gaze suddenly darkened with jealousy and hatred, but he quickly lowered his head and walked away. Once seated on the donkey cart, An Chunfeng noticed Xiaolinzi was also wearing a padded jacket. The faded blue-gray garment was patched here and there, the stitches neat and precise—clearly made by a skillful and meticulous hand.

“Xiaolinzi, is your mother good at embroidery or sewing?” An Chunfeng asked casually, recalling the fabric shop was still short of a seamstress. But Xiaolinzi’s expression changed abruptly, and he stammered, “This jacket was made by my sister. I have no mother!”

An Chunfeng blinked, surprised. Xiaolinzi had mentioned siblings soon after arriving in Pear Blossom Alley but had never spoken of his parents—perhaps he had simply forgotten. Since the girl was unmarried, it wouldn’t be appropriate for her to work at Qiushui Fabric Shop.

The Shen Family’s Rejuvenation Medical Clinic was as crowded as ever, filled with groans, quiet sobbing, and the silent stillness of human suffering. An Chunfeng paid another three qian of silver as the consultation fee before entering Doctor Shen’s consultation room. Shen Langzhong glanced up at her but did not immediately check her pulse. Instead, he took a sip from his tea cup before instructing the disciples on either side of the consultation table, “Xiujin, Zhongshen, you two attend to the patient. I will go check on others outside.”

There were other disciples seeing patients outside, and he intended to oversee their work. The round-faced disciple Shen Xiujin and the ever-pen-holding Shen Zhongshen understood they were to take over the consultation and quickly responded, “Yes, Master!”

This was the customary practice in the master-disciple tradition: disciples first diagnose and prescribe treatment for returning patients, then the master would review and approve.

Shen Zhongshen was the first to speak. “An Shi, place your hand on the pulse pillow and tell us if you have improved these past few days.” An Chunfeng calmly rested her wrist on the small pulse pillow Shen Xiujin pushed over and said, “I finished the last ten doses of medicine. Now I can sleep for an hour…”

“Only an hour? Impossible!” Shen Zhongshen exclaimed, eyes wide in disbelief. “So before you took the medicine, you never slept at all! Madam, you must be truthful—lying to the doctor won’t help you.”

An Chunfeng frowned. “That is exactly the truth.”

“I don’t believe you! If you want to cause trouble, don’t come here!” Shen Zhongshen’s face clouded with displeasure as he withdrew his hand from her pulse and smirked, turning away.

An Chunfeng’s mood soured as well, her expression hardening as she coldly regarded the two young doctors. Physicians’ hopes for their patients’ recovery were unquestionable, but they must also accept when the medicine’s effects were less than ideal. Given the current results, she was already content and would not blindly boast.

At that moment, Shen Xiujin smiled gently and spoke in a soothing tone, “Madam’s insomnia stems from liver qi stagnation, causing irritability and restlessness. You must also cultivate peace of mind alongside the medicine for it to take full effect.”

His words were well-chosen, both explaining the less-than-ideal efficacy of the medicine and gently reproving An Chunfeng’s irritable temperament. His kind smile was non-threatening, and since she had come seeking medical help, she bore it patiently.

Next, following protocol, Shen Xiujin adjusted the prescription on his own initiative, adding night-blooming cereus vine and dragon bone to calm the spirit, along with polygala root and sour jujube seed to steady the mind.

Shen Zhongshen remained stern-faced. When his cousin finished the prescription, he snatched it and sneered, “Any change in the prescription, even one herb, is unacceptable. I will take it to Fifth Uncle for review.”

After Shen Zhongshen left, only An Chunfeng and Shen Xiujin remained in the consultation room. An Chunfeng waited calmly, but Shen Xiujin suddenly grew awkward. He put down his brush and ink, tidied the desk, then carefully smoothed the edges of the pulse pillow before finally speaking.

“Madam… you also need to ease your mind. The dead cannot be brought back.”

“Huh?” An Chunfeng was momentarily stunned; what was this talk about life and death?

Shen Xiujin continued, “In life, disappointments outnumber joys. That means your bond with your husband was shallow. The deceased is gone; you must live well for yourself.”

An Chunfeng understood: he was telling her her melancholy was due to longing for her “late husband.” She couldn’t help but laugh bitterly. What was this “late husband” Tang Yushu? She had long since forgotten him. But since this young doctor was trying to comfort his patient, she ought to accept his words.

She lowered her head slightly and forced a mournful expression. “Thank you for your concern, young doctor. I will remember that.”

Being called “young doctor,” Shen Xiujin straightened his back a little and lowered his head to grind ink. At that moment, Shen Zhongshen returned and sat down, spreading the prescription on the table. He fixed An Chunfeng with a serious gaze.

“You are a woman who cannot sleep at night. If you do more washing and cooking during the day and tend to your family’s needs, your body will tire and you will sleep better. Endless daydreaming and nonsense—no matter if you remarry, you must observe three years of mourning…”

An Chunfeng frowned. What did he mean by “endless daydreaming”? She didn’t want to hear such fatherly lectures. Snatching the prescription, she said sharply, “Thank you for your concern. I know the dead cannot be brought back, so I don’t waste my energy. Also, you, as a doctor, guessing wildly without knowing the facts and assuming the patient wants to remarry—it’s clear you’re still inexperienced!”

Shen Zhongshen’s face flushed red as he stood abruptly. “What is that supposed to mean? Inexperienced or experienced!”

He was only about eighteen or nineteen, most sensitive about being called young. Being rebuked by this ‘widow’ longing for love left him utterly embarrassed.

Seeing his cousin about to argue with the patient again, Shen Xiujin quickly intervened, “Fifth Uncle will be back soon. Stop arguing!”

Shen Zhongshen pushed him away disdainfully. “My cousin is already eighteen. Your aunt hasn’t arranged your engagement. Can’t you resist? Even such a woman deserves some pity!”

Shen Xiujin was mortified. “This is a clinic, Shen Zhongshen; watch your words!”

An Chunfeng sighed repeatedly and turned to leave the consultation room. What on earth was going on here?

But as soon as she stepped out, she froze. Outside, a dense crowd had gathered at the clinic’s entrance. Xiaolinzi, who had been waiting outside, was now hopping excitedly while looking out.

“Xiaolinzi! Xiaolinzi!” She called twice before he came over.

“What’s happening?” An Chunfeng handed him the prescription and told him to fetch the medicine.

Xiaolinzi took the prescription but kept glancing anxiously toward the crowd. “Outside, there’s a wealthy lady gravely ill, and Doctor Shen refuses to see her!”

“Oh! You fetch the medicine. I’ll go see what’s happening.” An Chunfeng sent Xiaolinzi off and moved closer to the commotion.

Doctor Shen wasn’t that inexperienced apprentice inside who would refuse treatment casually, so there must be a reason.

At the clinic’s entrance stood a wooden sedan chair. Seated inside was a woman with a veil over her face and a pale pink silk flower in her hair. Two other veiled women stood beside her, both middle-aged judging by their bearing and clothing.

They were all from the entertainment district!