Chapter 109: bumped into him again

Chapter 109: bumped into him again

 Chapter 109 I bumped into him again

Lu Zhen is not aware of this turmoil among the ministers of Taifu Temple.

The weather is getting colder and colder, and the branches of the plum tree in front of the window in the courtyard have gradually sprouted buds. I think it will not be long before the plum tree will bloom.

There had been a snowfall, and the West Street was covered with frost and snow. Acheng swept the snow together at the entrance of the medical clinic and made a snow lion.

The snow lion was piled roughly, with all its limbs and a big head stuffed with two black dates as eyeballs. It was lying at the door of the medical center with its teeth and claws spread out.

Hu Yuanwai had poor eyesight, so he didn't see clearly when he entered the door, and he fell flat on his face. Du Changqing was so frightened that he helped him sit down in the hospital, fearing that the old man would fall out.

Yin Zheng came out of the shop with a fruit plate, handed Hu Yuanwai a frozen pear, and asked with a smile: "Why are you here, Mr. Hu?"

 Frozen pears are fresh. Yin Zheng froze the pears in an ice bucket in the yard at night. A layer of ice would form on them early the next morning. Then they took them out for four to five hours and then froze them again. Repeated for several days until the pears peeled off. It's ready to eat when it turns jet black.

Frozen pears taste cold, sweet and full of juice. Acheng can eat several at a time.

Hu Yuanwai took out his handkerchief, wiped the skin of the frozen pear, took a sip, and shivered due to the coldness. After a while, he said: "It's nothing serious, I just came to see you."

Renxin Medical Center is now much different than before. The monthly income is not low. As a regular customer, he does not have to come every now and then to take care of the business of his old friend's son. Although he is slightly disappointed, he is more relieved.

Du Changqing can be considered to be able to support himself.

Hu Yuanwai took a few mouthfuls of pears, remembered something, and said to Du Changqing: "By the way, Youcai is not on West Street now. He lives in the owner's house outside the city. The room in the Fresh Fish Shop is entrusted to me to sublet to others. You leave The fish is close, so go take a look when you have free time, and don't let anyone mess up the talented house."

 Wu Youcai has not appeared on West Street since that meeting after the Mid-Autumn Festival. Lu Zhuo came out with the medicine jar in his arms and happened to hear Hu Hu exhorting Du Changqing, so he asked, "Is he okay now?"

Hu Yuanwai wiped the pear juice from his beard and said: "It's very good. The family who asked him to be a teacher was generous, gave him a lot of money, and treated him kindly. I saw him once last month, and he looked very energetic." "

Lu Zhen nodded: "That's good."

 It sounds like Wu Xiucai is doing well.

As he was talking, the sound of a carriage came from outside.

 West Street is narrow and mostly houses ordinary people's shops. Except for Hu Yuan, who has inconvenient legs and feet and must ride a carriage, there are rarely carriages coming on weekdays.

The carriage stopped in front of the plum tree. Several women got out of the carriage and walked towards the hospital.

The leading woman was dressed in a bright silk long jacket, her hair was combed like a woman, her hands and feet were neat, and she looked a bit powerful. She stopped when she reached the door of the hospital and called "Doctor Lu" outside.

Lu Zhen raised his eyes and asked: "Mother Wang?"

 The visitor is Mother Wang from the Qing's Mansion in Taifu Temple.

　　Mrs. Dong asked Mother Wang to take Lu Zhuo back to West Street several times before. Mother Wang is smart and capable, and is Mrs. Dong's right-hand man. Lu Zhuo has dealt with her several times, and Mother Wang is always polite every time.

There seems to be something different today.

Mother Wang stood at the door, followed by several big-bodied women, looking like they were raising an army to accuse them. The battle was not small, and the carriage of the Taifu Temple Minister was too conspicuous. For a while, people near West Street were listless due to morning wake-up. The stall owners were all refreshed and looked towards this end with burning eyes.

 Lu Zhen walked up to Mother Wang and said softly: "Why is Mother Wang here?"

 Grandma Wang looked at the person in front of her.

After the heavy snowfall, the long street looked like jade. Lu Yan stood under the crimson eaves. He was wearing a dark blue plain coat and a milky white velvet skirt. He had a frosty white silk flower on his temples. He had not applied any powder, which made his black hair look like clouds, and his eyebrows even more. Beautiful. In this ice and snow, like a cold plum blossom blooming alone, it is particularly touching.

Mrs. Wang secretly thought to herself, no wonder she was able to catch Pei Yunying's eyes before, and then she was so fascinated by her young master that she was so beautiful. Among all the noble ladies in Shengjing, Lu Zhuo really stood out.

It's a pity that the heart is as high as the sky and the fate is as thin as paper. A medical woman who works in a hospital also wants to fly up a branch and become a phoenix.

Putting aside her disdain, Mrs. Wang looked at Lu Huan and said with a smile on her face but not on her face: "I am here today to bring a message to Doctor Lu on the order of my wife."

 “Mother Wang, please speak.”

Mrs. Wang paused and raised her voice deliberately: "Doctor Lu previously asked my young master to recommend to the medical bank for the spring examination this year. I'm afraid it won't work."

 Lu Zhuo was startled.

Du Changqing was confused: "Spring test? What spring test?"

Nearby shopkeepers also craned their necks.

Mr. Wang smiled, as if she was afraid that the onlookers around her wouldn't understand, and explained slowly.

“Doctor Lu asked my young master to ask for a favor from the medical clinic and allow him to take part in the spring examination this year. My young master is simple-minded and the most kind-hearted, so he agreed.”

"When my wife found out, she said that this matter was inappropriate. The young master doesn't understand this. The medical practice recommends its own candidates every year. We, the minister of Taifu Temple, rashly intervened. If word spreads outside, we won't be accused of abusing our official power."

"Doctor Lu," Mrs. Wang sighed, her tone was very difficult, "You also know what happened at this year's tribute ceremony. At this juncture, who dares to help others privately? So Madam asked the old slave to come over and explain something to Dr. Lu. , lest Doctor Lu expect this in vain."

 She spoke sincerely and extremely carefully, and people around her gradually understood.

Hu Yuanwai looked at Lu Huo with confusion: "Doctor Lu, are you going to take part in the Spring Examination of the Imperial Medical Bureau?"

Every year, the Spring Examination of the Imperial Medical Bureau only involves students from the Imperial Medical Bureau. There are only a few old doctors recommended by ordinary medical practices who can pass the spring examination and become medical officers in recent years.

Lu Yan stood at the door of the medical center, his eyes scanning the mess in front of the medical center.

This group of women came with great force and trampled the already scrawled snow lions into a mess. Only two dark dates were left stuck in the snow, and the original shape could not be distinguished.

Lu Zhen raised his eyes and said calmly: "I see, I understand."

The reason why she didn't ask Mrs. Dong to help at first, but approached Dong Lin instead, was because Mrs. Dong was a shrewd person. She inexplicably proposed that she wanted to take the spring exam. With Mrs. Dong's caution, there might be complications.

But I never thought that Dong Lin would be discovered by Mrs. Dong.

It’s not that Lu Chen has never thought about Mrs. Dong’s displeasure when she learned about this matter. But she didn't expect Mrs. Dong to be so aggressive that she would instigate Mrs. Wang to cause trouble in front of the hospital.

 Even for Pei Yunying's sake, he shouldn't...

 After all, Mrs. Dong always thought that she and Pei Yunying had already had a secret affair.

I don’t know why I am so embarrassed now.

Lu Xuewu was deep in thought, and this cold expression became a senseless provocation in the eyes of Mother Wang.

 Mother Wang’s face looked a little unattractive.

You must know that after Mrs. Dong had an argument with Dong Lin yesterday, she was so angry that her usually obedient son almost fainted due to his rebellious behavior, and then became bedridden. Why could Lu Zhen be so calm? Wasn't it because he believed that his young master would definitely fall out with his family because of her?

Mother Wang raised the corners of her lips, her tone a little mocking.

"Speaking of which, it's a good thing that Doctor Lu has lofty ambitions, but people, sometimes you have to look down at your feet instead of looking up at the sky. Those who can pass the spring examination are all students from the Imperial Medical Bureau, so why would Doctor Lu bother to join in the fun? "

Before Lu Zhuo could speak, Du Changqing on the side frowned: "What do you mean?"

Mrs. Wang said with a smile but not a smile: "What I mean is, whoever does what kind of thing must know their identity."

Du Changqing had been patient for a long time. When he heard this, it was like adding fuel to the fire. He immediately rushed forward and cursed: "Who do you want to know your identity?" Yin Zheng stopped him.

Mrs. Wang ignored Du Changqing who was jumping up and down with anger. She only looked at Lu Huan and said with a smile: "Speaking of which, don't blame the old woman for talking too much. Miss Lu had better not talk to my young master in private in the future. Miss Lu's parents died young, and some The rules are still a bit short. There are differences between men and women. If this spreads out, it will not be good for a girl’s reputation."

As soon as these words came out, Yin Zheng's expression changed.

The underlying meaning of these words is clearly that Lu Zhen lacked the upbringing of his parents and shamelessly pounced on Dong Lin. You must know that there are so many people in front of the medical clinic today. People in the world have strict requirements for women. Lu Yan is practicing medicine and running a clinic outside. If this basin of dirty water is poured on him, how will the neighbors and outsiders on West Street think of Lu Yan in the future?

 Mother-in-law Wang is deliberately trying to ruin her reputation!

Lu Zhen looked at the person in front of him coldly.

She actually doesn’t care about reputation or fame.

 But she just mentioned her parents...

She took a step forward and was about to fight back when she suddenly heard a voice from the crowd: "Master Dong? Who is that? Have I seen it?"

 Widow Sun was holding a handful of melon seeds and enjoying them among the crowd watching.

Sister-in-law Song responded enthusiastically: "The young master from the palace of Taifu Temple, I pointed it out to you when I came back to the hospital last time. He is not tall, a little fat, and has a good temper."

 Widow Sun thought about it and her eyes lit up: "So it's that guy!" Then she looked at Lu Zhuo in confusion, "That guy is not handsome, what does Doctor Lu want to do with him?"

The pretty widow was wearing a bright aqua dress, gorgeous gold ornaments, and spoke in a soft voice. For a while, many people looked at her.

Seeing everyone looking at her, Widow Sun paused while eating melon seeds and said innocently, "What's wrong? Where did I say something wrong? Dr. Lu has never seen any handsome men in the medical clinic, and Master Dong is not as good-looking as my Sanlang He is handsome, not to mention the handsome Mr. Pei, no matter how bad he is, Shopkeeper Du is also pretty good."

Du Changqing: “…”

"Doctor Lu is beautiful and has good medical skills. How could he like that Young Master Dong? You must be lying."

 Wang Pozi said angrily: "You!"

 Widow Sun stroked her hair as if nothing had happened and pretended not to see the cannibalistic look of the woman in front of her.

 She always looks at people based on their appearance, and that Young Master Dong is far worse than Mr. Pei. She can't even look down on a widow, let alone the young Doctor Lu?

Furthermore, although her husband died early, she was not stupid, and she was not ignorant of the twists and turns in the house. This old lady ran to the door of the medical clinic early in the morning and sang like this, clearly intending to ruin Lu Zhuo's reputation.

As a neighbor, Lu Zhen used to help Dai Sanlang become a "pork panan" because of his "slimness". Later, he had a handsome young friend like Pei Yunying. Even if it was for the sake of her own eyesight, she had to help Lu Zhen. ?

 Widow Sun sighed: "What's the big deal about having a noble status? When a woman chooses a husband, of course she must first choose a handsome man. In the future, she will give birth to a son and a half daughters who are equally handsome, and she will feel comfortable watching that."

“If you give birth to an ugly child, oh, it will ruin the lives of your descendants!”

“Yes, yes,” Sister-in-law Song took over at the right time, “It’s not okay if a man is not tall...”

 Listening to the chatter and insinuations of the group of women in front of her, Mrs. Wang's face turned pale.

She originally just wanted to show off her face in front of the medical clinic so that she could vent her anger on her wife's behalf, but she didn't expect that a group of people on West Street would be so insular.

　　　What is the identity of my young master? In the mouths of these crazy women, he has become a despised party. She wanted to say a few more words, but she was worried that quarreling with these talkative women would cause her to lose her status as the minister of the Taifu Temple.

If Madam knew what I said today, I'm afraid she would be even more angry and sick.

Mr. Wang glared at the group of speakers fiercely, suppressed the anger in her heart, and looked at Lu Huo.

"Miss Lu is very popular. There are so many people who can speak for you that I can't compete with you. I have already brought you everything you need to say, so Miss Lu can take care of herself." She did not forget to sarcastically say, "As for the Spring Examination, Miss Lu, please hire someone else." , with girls’ methods, it’s only a matter of time to pass the spring exam.”

“Old slave, I would like to say congratulations to the girl in advance.”

After saying that, Leng Bingbing turned around and called the women behind him to get on the carriage: "Let's go!"

Du Changqing cursed behind his back: "These bastards..."

The carriage drove through the snow and left the hospital, leaving a layer of long ruts on the snow.

 The people watching the excitement outside the door have not yet dispersed. Widow Sun and Sister-in-law Song squeezed forward, and Sister-in-law Song patted Lu Zhu on the shoulder: "You are just a minister of the Taifu Temple. Why should you look down on others? Miss Lu, don't be afraid. You young girl is thin-skinned and can't speak easily. I This old woman is easy to talk to."

"Yes," Widow Sun said with relief, "I have seen this kind of people a lot. Just because they have some wealth, they think that everyone in the world is vying for their son, and they don't even look at whether our West Street is short of handsome men or something. . So what if the young master of Taifu Temple Minister is suppressed by his own mother and is like this? He is useless at a glance and is not as heroic as Saburo!"

Du Changqing stood at the door angrily and pushed the person out: "Have you said enough? This is a medical clinic, not a teahouse. Come on, don't delay our business!"

Hu Yuanwai looked at the crowd gradually dispersing at the door and asked Lu Huan, "Doctor Lu really want to take the spring exam?"

 Lu Zhuo nodded.

 Old Confucian thought for a while: "I do know someone who is in the medical practice..."

Lu Zhen's expression changed: "Mr. Hu, do you have any idea?"

Hu Yuanwai waved his hand and said: "I dare not say enough, but if Dr. Lu really wants to participate, I can try my best to help, but..." He glanced behind Lu Zhu and coughed lightly, "Let's wait until Dr. Lu thinks about it. . It’s getting late, Zhuo Jing is still waiting for me at home, it’s time for me to go back.”

 After saying that, he cupped his hands to Lu Tonggong and left the hospital as if he was running away.

Hu Yuanwai left, and Lu Yan stood at the door. When he turned around, he met Du Changqing's questioning eyes.

Yin Zheng and Acheng stood in the corner, not daring to express their anger.

 After a pause, Lu Zhuo walked around Du Changqing and walked into the inner shop. Du Changqing followed her reluctantly: "Come on, when did you go behind my back to find Dong Lin?"

The anger in his eyes and the resentment in his tone were like those of a resentful husband who was suddenly cuckolded.

Seeing that Lu Zhen didn't answer, he raised his voice again and asked loudly: "Why are you secretly looking for someone to participate in this year's spring exam?"

 “Because I want to enter the Imperial Medical College.” Lu Huo said.

Du Changqing was stunned.

Lu Zhuo turned around and spoke to him calmly: "Didn't you say that you should have a bigger picture and make money from the rich people? I thought about it, it's hard to get ahead if I sit in a restaurant on West Street all the time. Wait until I come in I went to the Imperial Medical College and became a medical officer, and the people I serve are all high-ranking officials. If I can save one or two, I might be able to prosper."

This is said in a very ruthless and callous way.

"You're bluffing." Du Changqing smiled scornfully, "In order to get ahead, I entered Hanlin Medical College. Do you think I will believe it?"

He stared at Lu Huo closely, his usually lazy eyes showing a bit of sharpness.

“Tell me, why do you have to go to Hanlin Medical Hospital?”

 Lu Yan was silent.

Yin Zheng came over with a smile to smooth things over, "Shopkeeper Du also knows that my girl came to Beijing to find her fiancé." She made up a few random sentences, "My girl's fiancé is working in the palace. You only have a chance if you enter the palace!" "

Du Changqing ignored her and still stared at Lu Chen. Lu Chen looked at him calmly. After a while, she said: "I..."

"Forget it!" Du Changqing suddenly spoke, interrupting her, with annoyance on his face, "You and I are just the relationship between the shopkeeper and the doctor. What does it have to do with this young master whether you are looking for a fiancé or a successful career? I don't want to hear it! "

He flicked his sleeves, turned around and walked out, "I'm so unlucky early in the morning, let's go!"

When Ah Cheng saw him leaving the hospital, he quickly glanced at Lu Zhu and Yin Zheng, then chased after him, shouting: "Master, wait for me—"

Yin Zheng walked up to Lu Zong and looked at the two people's retreating figures. A trace of worry flashed in her eyes, "Girl, Shopkeeper Du is angry."

Lu Zong lowered his eyes and remained silent.

She came to Shengjing in the spring at the beginning of the year. She met Du Changqing when she first arrived in Shengjing, and has been sitting at Renxin Medical Center on West Street ever since. I have seen with my own eyes that Renxin Medical Center has grown from a dilapidated small medical center to one that is now able to maintain all expenses.

 People always have a sense of unparalleled friendship for those who share the same suffering.

What's more, Du Changqing always treated her with a bit of a fledgling complex.

If she really passes the spring examination, Renxin Medical Center will no longer have a doctor, and Du Changqing will have no place to live for a while. Even if a new doctor is found to take her place, in Du Changqing's eyes, her move is tantamount to betrayal.

 So he was angry.

Yin Zheng asked: "Is the girl determined to take part in the spring exam?"

 After a long time, Lu Zhen said softly "Hmm".

The Grand Master's Mansion was inaccessible, as dense as an iron barrel, and the small medical clinic on West Street was not enough to provide her with stairs to get close to those powerful people.

Hanlin Medical Official Hospital is different.

Those medical officers treated various officials in the court, including the Ministry of Household Affairs, the Ministry of War, and the Privy Council... There was always a time when it was her turn to get close to the other party. As long as she can get close to the other party, she can find an opportunity to take action.

 This is the most direct way.

Lu Zhen raised his hand and slowly brushed his fingertips over his heart, where a vague legacy seemed to gradually spread from it.

 You cannot wait passively forever.

 She doesn't have much time to waste.

 …

Du Changqing did not return to the medical clinic for a whole day.

This news brought back by the Minister of Taifu Temple seemed to make him really angry this time, and even Acheng was not allowed to go back to the medical clinic to bring a message.

Lu Zong and Yin Zheng finished their busy day and after the hospital closed, it started to snow at night.

 The snow is getting thicker in the small courtyard, and the shoes rustle on the ground. The lanterns hanging under the eaves illuminated the snow reddish, and Yin Zheng placed the orange lanterns that Acheng asked her to make on the window eaves.

The finished orange lanterns are arranged in a row. The orange peels are round, and the shells are dotted with anointing oil. Each one shines brightly in the snowy night, the jade lotus is burning, and the gold grains contain crystals. Finally, they add warmth to the cold winter night. A bit vivid.

Lu Zhen stood in front of the window, raising his eyes and looking into the distance.

 The snow was falling in the courtyard, and the early wind was sharp. White catkins swirled down from the sky, and one or two pieces floated into the house. Before they could reach the fingertips, they turned into clumps of dew and disappeared into thin air.

 Lu Zong retracted his palm.

Yin Zheng came in from outside the door, shook the snow particles on his body, and said with a smile: "It snows really hard in the capital. It is rare for us in southern Jiangsu to see snow all year round. I remember the last time it snowed in southern Jiangsu, it was many years ago."

Lu Zhen also smiled.

Sunan is located in the south, and it really doesn’t snow much. However, it was different on Luomei Peak. The terrain on the mountain is high. In winter, the mountains are covered with white jade. After a night, when you open the door in the morning, you will only see a vast expanse of white.

“I don’t know if Shopkeeper Du will come to the hospital tomorrow morning.” Yin Zheng sighed, “I hope he won’t be angry for too long. In the next two days, there will be a day to get money.”

 Lu Zhen's smile faded.

 In fact, when she first found Renxin Medical Center, she never thought about staying here for a long time. It's just a bridge on the road to revenge. It can be Renxin Medical Center or Xinglin Hall. As long as it can reach the destination, it doesn't matter which bridge it is.

Unexpectedly, she had stayed in West Street for too long without her knowing it. Now that she suddenly left, Du Changqing would be angry and Acheng would feel regretful.

The fate between people is always wonderful, but sometimes, the bond is a burden.

 And she doesn't need to be a burden.

Yin Zheng closed the window, Lu Zhu picked up the oil lamp on the table and was about to go to the couch. As soon as he started to move, he suddenly heard a sound coming from outside.

　　Bang bang!

 Someone is knocking on the door of the hospital.

Yin Zheng was stunned for a moment, and looked at Lu Zhuo, her expression gradually becoming nervous: "It's so late, who would come over suddenly?"

Ever since the last time Meng Xiyan sent someone to assassinate Lu Zhuo, Yin Zheng has always had lingering fears. After all, the two women live alone. Although there are troops patrolling the streets, they are still weak.

“Could it be Shopkeeper Du?” Yin Zheng speculated.

Du Changqing ran away in a fit of rage during the day. Could it be that he figured it out now, or maybe he couldn't figure it out, so he went to the medical clinic in the middle of the night to go crazy?

Lu Yan reached out, picked up a hairpin on the dressing table, and walked towards the door.

"I gonna go see."

Yin Zheng subconsciously grabbed the corner of her clothes, and Lu Zhu shook his head at her: "It's okay."

The two of them walked carefully to the door of the medical clinic, and the knocking on the door suddenly stopped. Yin Zheng raised her voice and asked outside the door: "Who is it?"

 No one answered.

Lu Zong paused, clenching the hairpin in his palm with one hand, and opening the door a crack with the other hand.

In an instant, the cold wind rushed in carrying snow particles.

 The new wind is flying, and the long streets are covered with snow. A row of bright-colored lanterns under the vermilion eaves were swaying in the wind and snow, and the weak warmth was almost frozen.

 There was no one outside the door, only the sound of the north wind blowing branches.

Yin Zheng glanced outside and wondered, "Well, why is there no one?"

Lu Zhen frowned and closed the door again with his backhand.

There is no one outside, but the knock on the door just now was not an illusion...

Just as she was thinking about it, she suddenly felt a tap on her shoulder. Yin Zheng beside her screamed in surprise. Lu Zhuo's heart sank. Without thinking, he stabbed the hairpin in his hand behind him without hesitation!

 A "hiss-" sound.

 The next moment, someone grabbed her hand and held her arm down from behind, making her unable to move.

　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　int

 A familiar voice sounded in my ears.

 “Don’t move, it’s me.”

 (End of this chapter)