Chapter 19: Return

  From Nanzhuang back to the city, the horse carriage traveled for an hour and arrived at the last watch of three.

  The warm sunlight of late April afternoon, golden and soft, like ripples, spills over the fields, treetops, and rooftops. The gentle warmth of the golden sunbeams, shining through the car window, also warms up the narrow space inside the carriage.

  Chen Jiong was drowsy and dozed off all along the way.

  Chen Qi was invigorated.

  When I arrived at the entrance of Wenyun Building, it was still early in the evening and there were no customers, so it looked deserted.

  The turtle servant who welcomed guests saw that it was Chen Qi, and his attitude didn't change much, still being somewhat cold and detached.

  "We're looking for Wan Niang..." Chen Qi said to the maid after entering.

  The maid said yes and went upstairs to inform them.

  In a moment, Wan Niang's figure appeared at the bend of the stairs, smiling and saying: "The two Chen young masters have arrived? I was just waiting for you." Then her bright and charming eyes circled around Chen Jing, "This Chen young master is the one who left without returning..."

  "It's really troublesome, don't blame me, Auntie." Chen Jing gave her a courtesy.

  "It's nothing, it's nothing!" Yuanniang was just joking. "You are the great benefactor of the entire Yuankun Pavilion. Today, Xiweng has finished taking her medicine, and from what I see, she is completely cured. But after all, we need Master Chen to personally re-examine her before we can be at ease."

  "It should be so." Chen Jiong said.

  After a few words of courtesy, Madame Wan led Chen Jing and his brother to the Qionglan Residence in the backyard.

  From a distance, you can see the arched gate and white courtyard walls of Qionglan Residence.

  The wall is covered with vines. The deep green and lush vines sway in the wind, full of spring charm.

  From time to time, the sound of a guqin comes over. The sound of the guqin is gentle and lingering, drifting and long.

  It is Wen who is playing the zither.

  Wan Niang led Chen Qi and Chen Jing in, at which point the music stopped abruptly.

  They went upstairs.

  In an instant, a deep purple figure emerged. The beauty's slender figure was elegant, her pink cheeks were smiling, and she gave everyone a gentle courtesy.

  "Miss Wen." Chen Jing and Chen Qi returned the courtesy.

  Chen Jiong raised his eyes to look at her: still this delicate and small face, but the expression has changed a lot. Her eyebrows were tinged with a few shades of joy, her almond-shaped eyes sparkled, and her lip color was moist and tender pink. A deep purple dress, charming and seductive, also made her eyes sparkle with a few shades of charm.

  He looked at Wen Xi, and Wen Xi also looked back at him. The two of them openly sized each other up from head to toe.

  The two of them exchanged a glance, but Wen did not show any embarrassment, instead he smiled lightly.

  She smiled and Chen Jing also responded with a smile.

  Just like two old friends.

  After sizing up Chen Xuan, Xi Wen invited everyone to sit down, and the maid served tea.

  "....Looking at the girl's complexion, the illness has already been cured. To be on the safe side, I want to take her pulse." Chen Jing spoke first.

  It's a pity to waste good words.

  She placed her slender wrist, as white as snow, on the tea table made of pear wood, like a bright pearl standing out against black velvet, dazzling Chen Jing's eyes.

  That wrist as white as snow, skin delicate and cool to the touch.

  Chen Jie's fingers were warm and dry. His fingers rested on Xi Wen's smooth skin, and Xi Wen felt as if he had been scalded, a wave of warmth spreading slowly from his wrist, causing ripples in his heart.

  She was a famous courtesan, very familiar with men, and others might have thought she knew everything about the emotional arena. In fact, due to her high status, no one dared to be rude to her. Her understanding of men and women came from Yu Niang's teachings, and she herself was also confused. She had remained a virgin, and no man had ever touched her skin.

  "A man's hand, it feels like this..." Wen Xi thought to herself with a tilted head.

  Chen Jiong felt the pulse, and Wen's gaze fell on his hand.

  His fingers are long and slender, clean and lean, with distinct joints, warm and dry. From these hands, it can be seen that the owner is a noble person who values reading.

  He's so young, how did he become a doctor?

  Why is medicine so good?

  Regrettably, Wen's eyes flashed slightly as she stared at Chen Jing's face for a while, trying to figure out the reason.

  Chen Jing's expression was serious and solemn, concentrating on taking the pulse, letting Xi Wen watch.

  "Cough, cough!" Yuanniang let out a gentle cough.

  Xiawen suddenly came back to herself, realizing that she had been staring at someone for a bit too long and looked foolish. Xiawen was talented and exceptional, but when it came to her nature, she was a bit dull-witted. Whenever she encountered something she didn't quite understand, she would become distracted and lost in thought for a while.

  When she was distracted, she completely lost her usual cleverness, and became silly and stupid. Although it was cute, it didn't have the charm that a famous courtesan should have, and Wan Niang warned her repeatedly.

  After Wen Hui returned to her senses, Chong Wenna stuck out her tongue, like a daughter teasing her mother.

  Wan Niang couldn't help it and shook her head with a smile.

  It was Chen Qi who was watching from the side, his heart racing like a deer.

  Unfortunately, Wen Yan's reputation is well-known outside, everyone says she has a beautiful face like ice and snow, unparalleled in the world; everyone says she is skilled in music, chess, calligraphy and painting, already a master; everyone says she is proud and cold, not easily smiling.

  The last few times Chen Qi saw Xi Wen, he thought she was quite gentle.

  At least she has smiled before.

  This time, she not only smiled but also stuck out her tongue, looking lovely and adorable. Such a sweet gesture is a hundred times more beautiful than that cold rumor.

  Chen Qi was thinking in a mess when he heard Chen Jing say: "...... The illness has been cured. However, there is still some qi deficiency."

  Wan Niang and Xi Wen heard this and let out a sigh of relief.

  Chen Qi was also delighted.

  "Use some more medicine, and please ask Master Chen to write a prescription." said Wen Niang.

  Chen Jing said: "The medicine doesn't need to be taken anymore. Who eats medicine every day? Good people are all ruined by it."

  I have a recipe: take 2 qian of longan pulp and 2 qian of scrophularia, stew them into a tea cup. Eating one cup every day can tonify Qi and nourish the heart blood. Longan is hot in nature, while scrophularia is cool, they counterbalance each other. If you like it, eating it for a long time will bring benefits without harm, and keep your complexion rosy and fair; if you are impatient, eating it for one month is enough.

  This is a recipe for dietary therapy, mainly for nourishing the righteous qi.

  Wan Niang took note of it and thanked her again.

  Chen Jiong stood up and bid farewell.

  Chen Qi glared at him and was reluctant to leave.

  "I've just composed a new tune today and I'm practicing it. If the two gentlemen have nothing to do, why not help me review it?" Xiwen's eyes were slightly sly as she detained Chen Qi and Chen Xuan.

  Chen Jing looked at her expression and smiled in her heart, thinking that this girl was clever and not as cold as the rumors outside.

  "It's an honor to be under your command." Chen Qi hastily replied.

  "I don't understand the zither. Since Seventh Brother understands, let's leave it to help Wen Xiangjun." Chen Jing smiled and declined, "Besides, I still have a few words to say to Aunt Yu, next time I'll appreciate your elegant music again."

  Xīwén's little nose wrinkled slightly, like a small animal, looking adorable.

  "It's all right." said Xi Wen Dao.

  She didn't insist on keeping Chen Jing, seeing Chen Jing's refusal, she made a silly face and then smiled generously, bowing to Chen Jing. She kept Chen Qi behind.

  Chen Qi's mind was completely blank.

  He wants to stay here alone and listen to the piano.

  This was something he had been dreaming of for more than a year, and now that it has come so easily, he is at a loss.

  Qiong Lanju had two martially skilled guards, and Wan Niang was not afraid of Chen Qi's light treatment of Xi Wen. She led Chen Jing out of Qiong Lanju to the front yard.

  The easternmost room on the third floor of the front courtyard was where Wan Niang usually received guests.

  She knew what Chen Jing wanted to say and had already thought of a response, so she calmly and warmly asked Chen Jing to take a seat.

  The maid served tea.

  "Mr. Chen, my daughter's illness, thank you for your wonderful skills in bringing her back to life." Madame Wan spoke directly and first thanked Chen Xuan.

  "Madam, Chen Jiong is not yet twenty years old. At such a young age, even if he has the talent to reach the sky, it would be difficult for him to make use of it. You trust Chen Jiong, and only then can his heroism be put to good use. This is your kindness towards Chen Jiong."

  Wan Niang's beautiful eyes were quietly still for a moment.

  Chen Jing's words made her extremely surprised.

  Young people are not arrogant, so humble, and the medical skills are also excellent. Wan Niang also looked at Chen Jing with a new gaze.

  "...it was indeed Mr. Chen who saved the young girl's life. Madame Wan has always been clear about distinguishing between kindness and grudges, if someone is kind to her, she will repay that kindness." Madame Wan said with a smile.

  She paused, got up, took out a purple sandalwood box from the cabinet in the northeast corner, placed it on the tea table, and said to Chen Jing, "There are three thousand taels of silver tickets here, which is the thank-you capital given by Yuankun Pavilion to Master Chen."

  30 kilograms!

  Chen Jing thought that his family's 300 mu of sacrificial fields could only sell for 150 taels, which showed that the purchasing power of these 3,000 taels should be very strong.

  This is Juan's severance pay and also a hush money.

  Wan Niang, this is a case of courtesy before arms. If you bring up promises or marrying Xi Wen again, that would be tactless. If you're tactless, it's likely to make things difficult afterwards.

  Chen Jiong's purpose was to get the money. Having achieved it, he pulled the box towards himself with a satisfied expression and thanked her: "Thank you, Aunt Wen, for your generosity."

  Then, in front of Wan Niang, he opened the box and took out the silver tickets to count them.

  A thousand two one ticket head, just three, at a glance.

  Chen Jing counted clearly and put the silver tickets away again.

  Wan Niang's eyebrows were slightly raised, with a hint of satisfaction.

  From Chen Jiong's actions, Wan Niang knew that Chen Jiong understood her meaning. It was more relaxing to deal with clever people. Wan Niang also didn't like to tear her face and show her ferocity.

  Harmonious and peaceful, both sides are elegant and refined, I am gentle and quiet, everyone saves face!

  "Madam Wan, you are well-traveled and have many acquaintances all over the world. Can I ask for your help with something?" Chen Jing said.

  Wan Niang had some reservations in her heart.

  She didn't give a direct answer, but smiled and asked: "What's the matter, Master Chen? Wan Niang is just a weak woman, if she can be of any help, she will naturally do her best to assist."

  "Do you know of a reliable dentist who specializes in buying and selling land?" asked Chen Jing.

  Wan Niang understood, Chen Jing was going to buy land.

  Young people who get money don't think about eating, drinking and having fun, but instead set up a business. Wan Niang is quite admiring. These three thousand taels of silver can buy a lot of land.

  Just don't know if there is suitable land to buy now.

  "The people in the dental profession are familiar with a few of them." Yuanniang said, "Does Master Chen want to buy land?"

  Chen Jiong hesitated for a moment.

  Later, I thought of entrusting someone to handle things. One has to tell the truth to others; otherwise, how can they help? Since one has asked for their help, one must use people without suspicion.

  Moreover, since Madam Wan was able to successfully open a brothel in Wangxian County, she must be a very discreet person and wouldn't speak recklessly.

  "That's not it," said Chen Jiu, "My sister-in-law sold several acres of good land at home. I want to secretly buy them back. The only thing is, I don't know where the good land in our family is located, and I have no idea where to start buying. If Aunt Wen has a friend who is good at keeping secrets in the pawnshop, she can help me find out about this matter and secretly buy it back. I will be eternally grateful."

  Chen Jiong's words were relatively implicit.

  What hasn't Ke Wen's mother seen?

  She heard this and knew that Chen Jing's sister-in-law had secretly sold the sacrificial field!

  Selling ancestral land is a great sin!

  If the clan found out, Chen Jing's elder sister-in-law would be either expelled from the family or reported to the authorities and punished.

  This matter is very serious, Chen Jing was afraid there was no one else to entrust, so he told Wen Niang.

  Wan Niang thought that he had just saved Xi Wen's life, which was equivalent to saving the future of Wan Jun Ge and her own future. Moreover, he didn't mention anything about marrying Xi Wen, so this kindness couldn't be repaid with 3,000 taels of silver.

  Wan Niang must repay this favor to him.

  "Mr. Chen, rest assured, you are the benefactor of our humble abode, and since you've spoken up, I'll take care of this matter for you." Wen Niang said with a serious expression, "My friends are all reliable and understand what's at stake. I'll investigate this matter for you, and within three days, without anyone noticing, I'll help you buy it back, so please don't worry, sir."

  Chen Jiong revealed a smile.

  It's really easy to get along with clever people.

  Wan Niang understood and grasped the key points of what Chen Jing wanted to express.

  "There's something else," Chen Jing said, "My sister-in-law doesn't like me studying medicine. If word gets out that I cured Xiwen, it won't be good. Please keep this a secret for now."

  The rules of a big family, Wan Niang also knows.

  She agreed.

  Chen Jiong took out a thousand taels of silver notes and handed them to Wanniang: "The money for buying the land, I don't dare ask Wanniang to pay on my behalf."

  "It doesn't matter, now the land price is cheap, it won't cost much money. This is a thank you gift for Master En, there's no way to take it back." Yuanniang smiled and didn't accept it.

  Chen Jie pushed it away again and said: "If there are other good fields for sale, buy them all for me together, and pay 1,000 taels for this one!"

  Wan Niang was taken aback.

  Then she lost her smile.

  She smiled and took over Chen Jing's one thousand two silver tickets, sighed and said: "You're really good, you're a great person."

  She no longer called Chen Gongzi, but shouted Chen Jing's word.

  She regarded Chen Jing as a friend.