Chapter 54: Nonsense

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Hearing An Chunfeng’s nonsense, Shen Zhongshen was so furious that he nearly jumped in rage, shouting a triple denial: “I am not! I didn’t! You’re talking nonsense!”

In the middle of such an argument, these words were basically meaningless.

In front of everyone, Shen Zhongshen broke out in a cold sweat on his forehead.

When a patient sees a doctor, they must undress and openly reveal their condition; many secrets are exposed.

If the doctor were a gossip who couldn’t keep things to himself and spread rumors everywhere, no one would dare come for treatment.

“How could you say nothing was said? You just said it. You even said that the lady there has stopped her Qiushui treatment and cannot have children.” An Chunfeng casually pointed at an elderly woman stepping out of the clinic, dressed in cloud brocade and floral satin, with golden hairpins and dangling ornaments.

“Oh heavens, the old lady is already fifty-eight years old, of course she can’t have children! Shen young doctor actually uses this as an example?”

The elderly woman was both angry and annoyed. She came for treatment because of bloating, indigestion, nausea, and vomiting, not pregnancy or childbirth.

The finely dressed maid beside the old woman also frowned, pursing her lips and glaring at Shen Zhongshen. “Young doctor Shen, you can’t just make things up about my family’s matriarch. I’ll go back and tell master immediately.”

Shen Zhongshen’s face darkened with anger as he hurriedly explained, “Madam Xu, the young doctor dared not say it was you!”

This woman was the matriarch of the Xu family from the front street, whose family owned half the shops along the street. The Xu family was large and influential, purchasing bird’s nest, ginseng, and various tonics from Shen’s Huichuntang every year, spending at least several hundred taels of silver.

Offending Madam Xu would mean losing a major client for Huichuntang.

Before Shen Zhongshen could clarify further, An Chunfeng pointed at another person...

Before An Chunfeng could speak, Shen Zhongshen’s sweat was already streaming down his cheeks.

That person was an elderly retired imperial censor who had recently taken a concubine.

Though old in years, his spirit was still youthful. Yet after two nights of overindulgence, he suffered from back and waist pain, and even wet the bed in the middle of the night, only to be kicked out of bed by his eighteen-year-old concubine.

But unwilling to lose face, he planned to ask Master Shen to prescribe some medicines to replenish his health, regain his vigor, and discipline the young concubine so she would no longer be so presumptuous.

This matter must never be revealed!

Seeing the old censor’s face turning as red as the sun overhead...

Shen Zhongshen panicked, leapt down the steps, spreading his hands wide to block the old censor’s front, as if this could stop An Chunfeng’s pointing: “You’re lying, you’re talking nonsense! Everyone, don’t believe a word she says. I haven’t spoken about anyone’s condition today!”

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“If not today, then you must have said it on other days!”

An Chunfeng sneered coldly.

When arguing, one should not try to reason to change the other’s mind but instead throw out nonsense.

Rather than suffer oneself, it’s better to drive the other mad.

Disrupt their rhythm, turn the passive into the active, and bring them onto your familiar ground. Once the opponent starts rebutting and loses their composure, they are already defeated.

This is the unbeatable art of quarrels among older women.

Just moments ago, everyone had been mocking the dirty ailments of the Jade Guanyin and others, but now, stirred up by An Chunfeng’s meddling, everyone felt insecure.

Each person wondered how many knew about their illness and what shameful things were being whispered.

Would anyone know that their heartache was because they were worried about their daughter-in-law’s dowry shop, or about Mrs. Wang selling tofu in the eastern neighborhood?

Outside the clinic, the atmosphere was strange; Shen Zhongshen’s complexion shifted repeatedly between white, red, purple, and black like a revolving lantern.

If he did not clarify why he mentioned An Chunfeng’s sleepless nights today, and if the accusation that doctors cannot keep professional secrets was taken as fact, the reputation of Huichuntang would be ruined.

At that moment, Master Shen appeared, striding out with several doctors.

Seeing him, Shen Zhongshen almost cried out: “Fifth Uncle, this... we never said anything. This woman is trying to ruin the reputation of Huichuntang!”

“Zhongshen, step back!”

Master Shen shot him a sharp look. This nephew was clever but spoiled by family indulgence, headstrong, and lacked composure in a crisis.

Such a simple matter was made messy by a single woman.

In this situation, any explanation would be seen as a cover-up; with rumors swirling and no way to refute them, if someone deliberately twisted the words, the fault would multiply.

Shen Zhongshen lowered his head and retreated.

Master Shen then addressed the gathered crowd and the patients' relatives who had followed him out in a loud voice: “I have been practicing medicine at Huichuntang for over fifty years. Medicine knows no rank or age; there is no deceit towards young or old. We see the illness, not the person. What is said in consultation is spoken from your mouth and heard by me, and no one else. There are no rumors or gossip. Everyone, please think carefully—is this not the truth I speak?”

Outside the clinic were many long-time clients of Huichuntang, whose trust had naturally been built over the years, but An Chunfeng’s words had just caused them to recall their own private matters, shaking their confidence.

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Now, with Master Shen’s reminder, they realized: Indeed! Huichuntang had been here for decades; if the doctors leaked secrets to each other, it would be livelier than the biggest teahouse on the front street, with daily disputes and confrontations.

Thus, the crowd relaxed their expressions. “Master Shen, rest assured, we absolutely trust Huichuntang.”

Master Shen smiled and then turned his gaze sharply toward An Chunfeng. “But some people come here to stir trouble with malicious intent. It is no more than resentment caused by Huichuntang’s decades of healing, which has offended many. They deliberately seek to disgrace and humiliate me!”

An Chunfeng knew this was about her, but she was not a paid troublemaker, so she ignored the glare.

With a clear conscience and no shame, she looked around as if nothing had happened, then stepped back to show innocence.

Seeing her shameless audacity, Master Shen’s smile stiffened, then he continued: “The matter today ultimately arose from seeking medicine for these lowly people. Our clinic has a long history of doing good deeds; this is not the first time. So, we will provide another prescription.”

Experience makes one sharper. His words made An Chunfeng appear as a troublemaker sent by another faction.

Huichuntang escaped smoothly and even gained some reputation. Indeed, the crowd praised the clinic, admiring its superb medical skills and compassionate care for the suffering.

Those who should praise praised; those moved by envy and compassion were near tears.

At the right moment, Shen Xiujin, following Master Shen, stepped forward holding a packet of medicine and approached Madam Yu. “This medicine reduces fever and clears toxins. Take small doses frequently. Avoid spicy and greasy foods while taking it, and do not drink alcohol. After the fever subsides, it’s best to drink plain congee for a few days to nourish the stomach.”

Madam Yu and the others, reluctant even to waste the dusty medicine before, were now deeply grateful to see the clinic offering medicine again. They quickly bowed to Master Shen and thanked him: “It was this lowly woman’s impatience that disturbed your esteemed clinic’s reputation. It has nothing to do with that lady.”

The scattered silver coins An Chunfeng had dropped lay glaringly by young doctor Shen’s feet.

Madam Yu walked over, bowed respectfully, and picked them up with her palm.

She then took out a silver ingot from her bosom and handed it to Shen Xiujin: “This is to fund future charitable deeds. The lowly woman dares not take advantage of Huichuntang’s resources. Please accept it, Master Shen, for future relief and good works.”

This silver was meant to gather funds for charity in the future. Huichuntang accepted it graciously in front of everyone, smiling as they took the ten-tael ingot.

Madam Yu held the scattered coins and turned around, only to find the lady who had spoken for her was gone. Fortunately, she recognized Xiao Lin, the young servant standing beside that lady.

An Chunfeng did not foolishly wait to endure more disdain. Her goal of stirring up trouble was achieved, so she strode away, quietly claiming credit for her deed.

As Shen Xiujin handed out the medicine and Huichuntang basked in praise, An Chunfeng slipped through the crowd with Xiao Lin and left.