Chapter One Hundred and Forty-Eight: Juren Clinic

Chapter One Hundred and Forty-Eight: Juren Clinic

Chaofu Grain Shop hadn’t opened yet, but a long line had already formed. Through the slightly open window, you could barely make out a gray-haired doctor carefully checking the grains for sale, making sure they were safe and good quality.

Chen Si’er was shocked.

The rumors were true after all!

The owner of Chaofu Grain Shop, Mr. Lu, really had impressive skill, smarts, and guts.

With that kind of skill, smarts, and guts, how could he just stand by and let Lu Dalang get into such a mess?

Lu Dalang needed to get out of this, and Cheng Zhi’s situation had to be settled.

With the Yang family and Old Lady Yang twisting the story, he, the infamous thug, was the perfect fall guy.

No, he couldn’t afford to mess this up.

Chen Si’er slipped around to the back alley of the grain shop and knocked on the small, three-foot-wide wooden door.

"Mr. Lu..."

As the door opened, Chen Si’er started to say.

But when he saw who was there, he stopped himself and asked cautiously, "Who are you?"

This young man looked like icicles after a snowstorm, shining with a cold, silvery light in the sun.

Or maybe icicles that smelled like fresh ink.

He was clearly a scholar.

Looking into his eyes, Chen Si’er felt like a dirty bug in a gutter.

Chen Si’er had dealt with scholars before—poor, frustrated ones and old scholars who’d failed the exams over and over, wasting their lives.

When they were desperate, they’d sometimes go to Yongsheng Gambling House to blow off steam.

Take Fan Xiucai from town—he’d always pick the quietest times to gamble a little and try his luck.

Bitter, cheap, and full of themselves—that’s what he thought of them.

But now, he saw what a real scholar was like—calm and graceful.

Without thinking, Chen Si’er bowed his head lower and hunched his back more.

"Lu Yao, the owner’s second brother at Chaofu Grain Shop."

"What’s your name?"

Lu Yao’s voice was calm, not happy or scornful.

But it was that calmness that made Chen Si’er feel respected and equal.

"No need for that, I..."

"I..."

"I’m Chen Si’er." Chen Si’er appeared extremely uneasy, his cheeks burning like fire, his words stumbling. What was even more embarrassing was that he didn’t even know how to address himself properly.

"Young Master Chen," Lu Yao nodded slightly. "What can I do for you?"

Young Master Chen?

Young Master Chen!

Chen Si'er felt like fireworks were going off in his head, their brilliance overwhelming.

Some called him Si'er, Little Chen, or Fourth Brother, but no one had ever called him Young Master Chen.

Chen Si'er, feeling dizzy, struggled to speak as formally as possible, "I have news about Miss Cheng Zhi from Biyu Alley in Lianhua Town, and I want to tell the owner of the Chaofu Grain Shop."

"I hope you can relay this message to the owner, Mr. Lu."

Lu Yao's eyes flickered slightly, and the corners of his mouth lifted into a faint smile. He then spoke in a calm tone, "Young Master Chen, your timing isn't great. My sister has been working tirelessly on my brother's case, leaving early and returning late every day. She got a new lead this morning and rushed out to find evidence."

Seeing Chen Si'er's anxious expression, Lu Yao shifted his tone, hinting, "However, my sister left instructions that any news should be taken straight to the county magistrate. The magistrate is fair and just."

"If the news is true and clears my brother's name, my sister will personally thank you."

"People talk, and gossip can be dangerous. What do you think, Young Master Chen?"

Chen Si'er, somewhat understanding, tentatively asked, "So, I should go straight to the county office?"

Lu Yao's expression remained unchanged. "The county magistrate said a few days ago that any information related to the case can be reported directly to him."

"After all, the whole thing with Miss Cheng has caused a lot of trouble, and it's not pretty."

Chen Si'er blinked. "Is this what the owner wants?"

Lu Yao smiled without answering.

Chen Si'er furrowed his brows, understanding the situation.

He clasped his hands and said, "Thanks for the advice, Mr. Lu. I really appreciate it."

Chen Si'er turned to leave, but after walking a short distance, he turned back and bowed to Lu Yao.

Lu Yao: ...

Is Chen Si'er really just a gambling den thug?

Lu Mingchao really didn't see Chen Si'er.

She wasn't at the Chaofu Grain Shop.

After breakfast, Lu Mingchao hired a carriage and personally went to visit Dr. Chang at the Juren Clinic in the north of Lianhua Town.

The Juren Clinic was small, its red wooden sign swaying in the cold wind.

The 'Juren' sign had faded and become mottled over time, the once vibrant colors now hard to find.

The faint scent of medicinal herbs wafted through the air.

Lu Mingchao stepped down from the carriage using a small stool and entered the Juren Clinic, which, though small, was fully equipped.

As Mrs. Wang's daughter-in-law had said, the clinic had only one person.

In the idle space of the clinic, a wide bamboo chair was placed, and a man in his fifties lounged in the chair.

The elderly man had an elegant and refined appearance, like polished jade, sitting there quietly, bringing a sense of calm.

Time had touched his brows and temples, yet it did not diminish his grace in the slightest.

He seemed less like he was running a clinic and more like he was living life with ease.

"Dr. Chang?"

Lu Mingchao greeted softly.

He seemed like a miracle worker, able to bring the dead back to life, and also like a renowned scholar with disciples everywhere.

The old man slightly raised his eyes, his voice gentle, "Your complexion is healthy, and your breathing is steady; you don’t seem ill. You seem calm, not anxious, and it doesn’t appear a relative is sick."

"Pardon my oversight, but may I ask what brings you here?"

Lu Mingchao bowed slightly, showing humility, "I’m Lu Mingchao from the Chaofu Grain Shop. I have a question and would appreciate your guidance, Dr. Chang."

Dr. Chang stood up, smiling broadly, "This is unusual, but go ahead."

"Thank you, Dr. Chang." Lu Mingchao handed over the prescription with both hands, "Is this prescription yours?"

Dr. Chang took the prescription, glanced over it, "Yes, it’s my handwriting, and the medicines and dosages match my usual practice."

"It is indeed from my hand."

Dr. Chang's eyes fell on the slightly blurred small characters at the edge of the paper, slightly surprised, "This prescription is over three years old. You still have it?"

Lu Mingchao smiled, "Do you still have records from three or four years ago?"

Dr. Chang frowned slightly, "What are you trying to find out?"

Lu Mingchao briefly explained the situation involving Cheng Zhi and Lu Lei.

After listening, Dr. Chang stood up, took out a thick book from the drawer behind the counter, flipped through it for a moment, and then said unhurriedly, "A woman in her fifties came in with a veiled young girl."

"The girl had a miscarriage, which left her in poor health."

"The Juren Clinic is small and out of the way, so I keep detailed records of every patient."

"But I can’t say for sure if she was the Cheng family’s girl."

Lu Mingchao bowed her head, "Thank you, Dr. Chang, for informing me."

Dr. Chang waved his hand, "You brought the prescription, so you must already have an idea. You’re just here to confirm."

"If I don’t cooperate, the county officers will be the ones asking next time."

"Mr. Lu of the Chaofu Grain Shop is well-known in medical circles."

"Clearing the way for others clears the way for yourself."