Chapter 162: A Meeting Gift for My Madam

Chapter 162: A Visiting Gift for My Lady

Days of relentless rain had been falling, and the artisans of the East Market had long since packed up their stalls. Especially those who depended on their wares for a living. They relied on daily performances to eke out a living. When the weather was fair, and crowds gathered, they could earn as much as a hundred coins. Fewer passersby meant only a few dozen. Whether they made more or less mattered little; at least their families could put food on the table. But when the skies darkened and rain poured, not only did they abandon their stalls—they struggled to find even a dry corner to shelter. Their plight was as tragic as the idiom: "A leaky roof happens to meet a sudden downpour."

Thus, near noon, within the Humanitarian Apothecary on the edge of the East Market, several of these desperate souls had taken refuge. Some were solitary, like the fortune-teller who scattered his silk cloth, reclined upon it, murmuring, "Fewer complaints, less effort—no hunger." Others were families, grandparents and grandchildren alike, their clothes tattered and worn. Perhaps ashamed of their state, they huddled in a corner near the entrance, trying not to disturb the apothecary’s business. Some even hatched schemes. A young man in a short coat, his skin dark as burnt coal, grinned and coqueted: "Master Liu, the rain’s pouring so hard today, you and your men can’t even eat lunch—let me fetch your meals for you."

Liu Zhong glanced at him sideways, waved his hand dismissively: "Find shelter wherever it’s dry—stay out of my way." Had it not been for Chen Yi’s words about "convenience benefiting both parties," he would have chased them all out. These people still had a few coins left, enough for a bottle or two of tea. But after days of hunger, their bellies were hollow, their eyes fixed on food they couldn’t afford—let alone spend two coins on Wang Ji’s tea.

"Let them stay, let them stay—what’s the harm?" the dark-skinned youth muttered, sinking onto the fortune-teller’s mat, plopping down beside him with a groan. "When will this cursed weather ever end?"

The fortune-teller propped his head on his hands, peered at him over the rim of his sleeve, and smiled: "Shall I calculate your fortune for you?"

The youth nodded. "Free of charge."

"There’s no such thing as a free lunch—you’re mistaken if you think I’ll draw coins from old Master here."

Before the youth could reply, a hulking man with a barrel chest snorted: "Old Ji, you’re causing trouble."

"Your trade in reading faces and matching marriages—how many sons have you ever had? How can you tell me when the heavens won’t rain?"

"Ha! You look down on me, do you?"

"Today I won’t steam buns for you—I want to show you my skill."

"Let Old Ji calculate—see what he comes up with…"

As the apothecary buzzed with chatter, the sound of gongs and drums echoed from outside—loud, jubilant, yet not the tune of a wedding. Soon, the procession of musicians approached, stopping at the apothecary’s entrance.

The clamor of their noise, layered atop the apothecary’s own din, drove Liu Zhong to distraction. He slammed his ledger and abacus onto the counter, strode out, and barked: "This is a place of healing—how dare you make a racket here? If you frighten the patients, you’ll bear the blame!"

No sooner had he spoken than the music ceased. Two thin, patched robes revealed a red-cloaked bundle in their arms. A gaunt old man in ornate robes bowed: "We bring this tablet as a token for Master Ma, the Divine Physician. We apologize for our haste—please forgive us, Master Liu."

Liu Zhong blinked. "A tablet for Master Ma?"

His expression shifted from irritation to delight. "Master Ma! Come quickly—we’ve received your tablet!"

"A fine thing, a great thing!"

Ma Liangcai stepped out, squinting at the crowd behind him. "What’s all this?" he muttered, squinting at the old man. "Who are you?"

He didn’t recognize the man, nor did any of the musicians. The old man, however, smiled and bowed deeply: "The Divine Physician Ma, your humble servant, has forgotten many things."

Ma Liangcai frowned. "You once saved a child at the foot of Mount Wumeng, Master. I recall your kindness."

Mount Wumeng? His heart quickened. He knew that place too well.

In those parts, he’d survived by trickery—taking coin for feigned ailments, passing off real cures for small woes, and steering the truly ill to better physicians, pocketing fees for the referrals.

Silence stretched. Ma forced a smile. "Ma cannot remember, old sir—please forgive me."

The old man, undeterred, pressed on: "Yet you saved my grandson—surely this tablet is still owed?"

He turned to Liu Zhong. "What say you, Master? Is this not just?"

Liu Zhong, unaware of the deeper ties, saw only the value of a physician’s tablet. He stepped forward, murmured to Ma, then smiled: "Indeed, Master, a tablet is well-earned."

He moved to uncover the red cloth.

The old man stepped back, smiling.

Then, from the crowd beyond, a calm voice spoke:

"Wait a moment."

Liu Quan's hand froze mid-motion, lifting his gaze to survey the surroundings.

I saw that somewhere in the ring of oil-paper umbrellas, a section had opened in the middle, and at its end stood Chen Yi.

Liu Quan didn't hesitate, quickly approaching and bowing. "Master, why have you come?"

Chen Yi glanced at him, then pushed his oil-paper umbrella through the crowd.

He glanced at the elderly man whose smile had dimmed, then at Ma Liang, whose face bore an odd expression, and said calmly:

"Sir, your kindness is noted. Take back the plaque."

The thin elder hesitated, forcing a smile. "You must be the master of Ji Shi Pharmacy. I beg your forgiveness, I beg your forgiveness for my eyesight failing me."

"Only that my son specifically instructed me—Ma Shenyi's medical skills are unparalleled. The plaque must be delivered."

"Please, Master, accept it to fulfill my son's wish."

"Wish?"

Chen Yi's face softened into a gentle smile, lifted the corner of the plaque to peer inside, then set it down.

"Sir, go home. My pharmacy treats illness and saves lives—that is my duty, not for this 'divine doctor' plaque."

"Well then..."

Before the thin elder could speak further, Chen Yi waved Ma Liang and the others back toward the pharmacy. "Liu Quan, show the guests the way out."

Liu Quan hesitated, seeing his decision was final, and led the elderly man and his entourage away.

Though the troupe of drummers and gong-bearers seemed reluctant, seeing the pharmacy's master and physician return, they had no choice but to retreat to the capital.

In no time at all, the crowd that had gathered inside and outside the door began to disperse.

[ witnessed Ma Liang receive the divine doctor plaque. Reward: massage technique, fate +10. ]

[ Evaluation: A man of reputation, known by word of mouth, seen in the scene. Ma Liang escaped a peril by relinquishing the plaque, his actions commendable. ]

Chen Yi glanced around, understanding fully, and gestured for Ma Liang to follow him inside.

"Write."

Ma Liang nodded and wrote a few characters: "Master, he claims to be from the Wumeng Mountains, but I do not recall."

Chen Yi read it, nodded, and wrote back: "Keep a low profile these days. I will have someone investigate thoroughly."

After Ma Liang finished reading, he wiped the writing from the table and smiled. "Someone sent this plaque today. It seems like a blessing, but it will bring us pressure at the pharmacy."

"Will the divine doctor Ma not hold me responsible for this?"

Ma Liang understood, bowed, and said, "Ma, being here at Ji Shi Pharmacy, all matters are under the Master's authority."

Chen Yi patted his shoulder. "Carry on well. I'll have Liu Quan give you some silver for this month's earnings."

"Thank you, Master."

After some casual conversation, the two left the inner chamber.

Chen Yi also encouraged the others, instructed Liu Quan to distribute some silver, and left the pharmacy amid the cheers of the gathered people.

"Long time no see, Master Chen, your presence is as splendid as ever."

"Shouldn't we call him 'Master Chen'? Perhaps 'Light Vessel Scholar' would be more fitting."

"Oh yes, Light Vessel Scholar, heh—I almost forgot. He's now a scholar at Guiyun Academy, renowned far and wide."

"If those scholars hear such words, they might scold you for it..."

These remarks reached Chen Yi's ears as well.

Yet when he left the pharmacy, heading straight for where Xiao Wan and the others waited, he paid them no mind.

In truth,

When that troupe of drummers and gong-bearers arrived at the East Market, Chen Yi and Xiao Wan's party had already reached there.

But they were blocked by those beating drums and gongs, forced to follow behind.

After hearing the old man's words, Chen Yi felt uneasy and had Xiao Wan and the others sit quietly, while he went alone to the pharmacy.

As he suspected.

Ma Liang, a limping physician with little skill beyond others' conspiracies, could never have earned the divine doctor plaque.

Yet Chen Yi couldn't fathom who would orchestrate such a scheme.

Cui Qingwu and Chen Yunfan?

Unlikely.

The hidden guard?

Also impossible.

Such a tedious plot, beyond adding obstacles to the Xiao family, would not affect the pharmacy or the Xiao family.

After much thought, it seemed like a scheme by a fellow practitioner.

Chen Yi pondered these things, returned to his carriage, gave a brief explanation, and smiled. "I'm hungry."

Xiao Wan, without a second thought, led Xiao Wuhe and the others down from the carriage. Xiao Wan gently said, "That old shop is in a lane nearby."

"Have you noticed the smell? It's very fragrant."

"Yes, indeed..."

In no time at all, they entered the lane and took a seat in the restaurant.

Yet they failed to notice that another ornately decorated carriage was stationed nearby in the East Market.

The two seated inside were watching their backs.

"Brother, your plan has failed."

"Just a small courtesy for my 'Lady'—it's nothing. If it fails, it fails."

"Come on, let's go pay our respects."