At noon, the clinic prepared some food for Huo Shu. The clinic was bustling with people, with only Huang Yinsheng as the attending physician. Outside, there was an elder pharmacist and a young boy to attend to patients.
Huang Yinsheng was busy with consultations and prescriptions and couldn’t spare a hand, and also had to look after Ji Taoyu. So Huo Shu ate alone first.
The dishes were placed on a square table by the window in the guest room, served in seven or eight small, hand-sized porcelain plates with painted patterns. They were all blue, clearly a matching set.
Compared to the large ceramic pots and bowls from the Northwest, the plates seemed a bit modest. But despite their small size, they were numerous, filling the square table at a glance, looking very sumptuous.
Huo Shu had seen similar painted bowls and plates in the Northern Border, but only in the tents of lieutenants or generals. They were not used daily, and only brought out when civil officials visited the camp.
These utensils were fragile and expensive in the Northern Border, so not many people used them.
However, Jiangnan produced these items in abundance, and the price of finely crafted painted bowls and plates made in Tongzhou was not high.
The medicine boy pushed open the guest room window, and the table immediately became brighter. Outside was a small courtyard, where a few small white chrysanthemums had bloomed early.
The light fell on the table, making the food look even more appetizing.
This was Huo Shu’s first meal since arriving in Tongzhou.
The table was set with three meat dishes: a plate with a whole fish two or three inches long, a bowl of roasted lamb, and a bowl of duck offal; there were also two seasonal side dishes, diced lotus root and crisp bamboo shoots, and a pot of soup of unknown name.
He saw that the food box was brought from outside, and thought Huang Yinsheng had specifically ordered it from a restaurant.
After the medicine boy served the dishes, he left. Huo Shu didn’t stand on ceremony and picked up his chopsticks to eat the Jiangnan small dishes that generals in military camps would only have the treatment to eat.
After clearing his plate like a whirlwind, Huo Shu felt that he had come to the right place.
Jiangnan cuisine was rich and refined, refreshing and appetizing. He, who was used to rough food, felt like he was chewing on peonies.
In the afternoon, after resting in the room for a while, Huo Shu couldn’t sit still.
There was water everywhere, so he fetched some and went to the clinic’s stable to wash his horse.
There was only one donkey in the stable, which Huang Yinsheng used to transport medicinal materials. Unless it was a wealthy family, ordinary people couldn’t afford to keep many large livestock; they were expensive and required meticulous care.
With nothing else to do, he washed his black horse until it was clean and shiny, and then incidentally washed the donkey.
Tongzhou had flowing water, streams that never stopped, and time seemed to slow down.
After washing the horse, Huo Shu went out for a stroll, hearing the townspeople eagerly discussing who had passed the imperial examinations, calling them fortunate.
The streets were lively at all times of the day.
He wandered around and returned to Huang Ji Clinic as the sun began to set.
After a busy day, the medicine boy finally hung the closing sign and was closing the wooden doors one by one.
Huang Yinsheng, with a furrowed brow, stood at the entrance with the pharmacist.
“Was the message delivered?”
“I’ve already asked the master who drives the ox cart in the village to take the message back, saying that Brother Taoge came to the clinic to help, got tired, and will rest for a night and go back tomorrow morning.”
Huang Yinsheng nodded with his hands behind his back, “Good, this way we don’t have to worry about his parents being anxious and worried, and coming to the city late at night. With the autumn harvest season coming, there are countless things to do in the village, and the village head has to oversee everything.”
The pharmacist responded.
“I just checked on Brother Taoge. His fever has subsided, but he still says he’s uncomfortable.”
Huang Yinsheng remembered the boy, who had been burning with fever, huddled in bed. He felt a pang of anxiety and said with a grim face, “He’s such a big boy, and he’s still so playful, going to the river. How dangerous! What if something happened to him.”
The pharmacist chuckled, “Today is the day the autumn imperial examination results are posted. Brother Taoge naturally wants to see the list. It’s not about being playful. Brother’s disposition is the best, don’t you know?”
Speaking of this, Huang Yinsheng seemed to suddenly remember something, “I was so busy that I forgot about this.”
He sighed, “Whether one passes or not was already decided in the imperial examination hall. Why the rush to know the results?”
“That child from the You family is indeed talented, but he’s solely focused on his studies, and not necessarily good at other things. I always feel that child has complicated thoughts, but unfortunately, Little Taozi’s parents favor him greatly.”
“Not to mention the village head and Manqing, but throughout the entire Li Dynasty, who doesn’t value scholars? You are worried because you dote on Brother Taoge, but our village head has sharp judgment, and the second son of the You family passed on his first attempt!”
The pharmacist was overjoyed, “From now on, he will be a scholar, and although Brother Taoge is weak, he is lucky.”
Huang Yinsheng’s expression changed from worry to surprise, “Really?”
“Huang Qi went to see the list. It’s written in black ink on red paper, it’s not wrong!”
“Since the second son of the You family has this ability, then I have nothing more to say.”
Just as he finished speaking, Huang Yinsheng saw someone approaching. He stopped talking and changed the subject, “Huo Yishi is back. I was just about to prepare dinner.”
Huo Shu didn’t know what they were talking about, but seeing that Huang Yinsheng seemed to be in a good mood, he nodded slightly and entered the door as instructed.
At this time, the stove in the backyard was already lit, and smoke was curling upwards, suggesting that they were preparing their own dinner.
Those who went out in the evening all returned, usually the time when the whole family was together. Therefore, dinner had become the most lavish meal of the day.
The shop had closed, and there was time to cook.
“Brother Huang Qi, I really want to eat Dong’an chicken.”
“Your body is so weak now, you can’t eat such spicy food. I’ve already cooked porridge for you. We can eat it next time when you’re feeling better.”
“I don’t often stay overnight at Grandpa Zu’s place. When can I eat it next time?”
Just as Huo Shu reached the door, he heard voices from the kitchen. He glanced over and recognized the voice as belonging to the young boy.
He softly stepped forward a few steps.
The kitchen was filled with steam from the stove, and the fire was roaring.
The medicine boy who delivered the food today was chopping vegetables at the stove, and a fluffy figure was curled up on a low stool under the stove.
His head was covered by a hooded cloak, so his expression couldn’t be seen, only a pair of fair hands were extended, with his elbows resting on his knees and his palms warming by the fire.
“Next time you come, I’ll cook lunch.”
“The clinic is busy during the day, where would there be time to cook?”
“My dear, if I gave you chicken today, Dr. Huang would kick me out.”
It was indeed not as warm as during the day after sunset, but not so cold that one needed to warm oneself by the fire.
Huo Shu raised an eyebrow. It seemed he was really quite ill, but his appetite was good, and he even knew how to pester people for Dong’an chicken.
Without disturbing them, he turned and went back to his room.
Huo Shu tidied his belongings in the room, preparing to set off early every day.
As he was half-folding and half-stuffing the clothes he had changed out of into his bag, there was a knock on the door.
His brow twitched. He got up and opened the door, looking straight ahead, and at first couldn’t see anyone.
Lowering his gaze, he saw a fluffy hooded cloak standing at the door.
“This, the cloak, for Yishi.”
The neatly folded cloak was presented to him. Huo Shu remained expressionless, lowering his gaze to the young boy, who was slightly bowing his head, too shy to look at him.
Seeing that he didn’t take it, the boy gently raised it a little higher and handed it over.
Huo Shu noticed a small box, about half the size of his palm, on the cloak and asked, “What is this?”
“Thank you, Yishi, for saving my life today and for not sparing any effort to send me back. As a humble young boy, I have no way to repay you. This is some homemade topical ointment and medicinal water for bruises and sprains. I wish to express my gratitude for your noble deed.”
According to the etiquette he had been taught since childhood, he should not have further contact with strangers he didn’t know. However, out of gratitude, he had saved him and brought him back, so he should personally thank him.
For this reason, when he heard that the person had not left and was still staying in the courtyard, he got out of bed, tidied himself up, and organized his plain cloak, waiting for the person to return it.
“I hope Yishi will not find it objectionable.”
Huo Shu lowered his gaze and looked at the young boy in front of him, who was wearing an enamel-colored windbreaker over a normally thin autumn shirt, and also a fur-lined cloak used in winter.
He was completely covered, with only a small face peeking out, as if he were preparing for winter.
His face also had some unnatural redness, likely from the fever earlier, which had not completely subsided. He looked as if he was flushed all over.
His voice was also not as clear as during the day, but considerably hoarse.
The soft white bun had suddenly turned into a peach.
“Dr. Huang has already thanked you. You don’t need to thank me further.”
Huo Shu reached out and took the plain cloak. He said this, but still accepted the box along with it.
He did need these topical medications, and they were somewhat heartwarming.
He asked, perhaps not out of concern, but out of habit of making conversation: “Are you alright?”
Ji Taoyu felt that this person had an aura of indifference to the lives and deaths of others. The fact that he had saved him and asked such a question was enough to surprise him.
He answered earnestly, “I came back and had a fever for a while. After taking medicine and sleeping for so long, I’m much better.”
Huo Shu saw that he didn’t look much better, and could imagine how uncomfortable he had been earlier.
Seeing the person suffering like this, a trace of regret surfaced in his heart. If he had known he had a weak constitution, he would have immediately pulled him out of the water when he saw him fall in.
Ji Taoyu saw that Huo Shu hadn’t spoken and gathered his cloak, saying softly, “Then I won’t disturb you.”
With that, Taoyu shrank back into his cloak, preparing to slip away. Just as he reached the door, a voice suddenly called out from behind him.
“By the way, what’s your name?”
Ji Taoyu stopped in his tracks. He hesitated for a moment and was about to answer, but then he thought of the second son of the You family.
He hadn’t seen the exam results today and had almost lost his life. In his embarrassed state at the time, regardless of whether the second son You passed or not, it would be inconvenient to go and congratulate or comfort him.
However, after his fever subsided, when his mind was clearer, Huang Qi told him that the second son You had not only passed but also achieved a good ranking. Although he was unwell, he was still happy.
His marriage to the second son You was not a secret. Since he was old enough to understand, his mother and father had told him about it. Moreover, the second son You treated him well, occasionally sending him books and small trinkets. Although they couldn’t be said to be passionately in love, they both had an understanding of their marriage.
Now that they were both of marriageable age, and his father had long been planning to arrange this marriage once the second son You passed the exam, scholarly families valued etiquette the most. It was already inappropriate to publicize the fact that he had been rescued from the water by a stranger, and it was even worse to let people know his name.
Ji Taoyu turned around politely, but still bowed his head, “Little brother has thin fortune, and it’s not a good name. I’m afraid Yishi will laugh. The name of the recipient of kindness is insignificant. I should know Yishi’s esteemed name.”
Huo Shu stood at the door frame, quietly watching Ji Taoyu. He looked like a frail person, but he was quite eloquent.
He said no more, turned, and went straight back into the room.
Ji Taoyu heard the door close with a bang. He looked up at the closed door and was stunned.
Is he, is he angry?
He clutched the corner of his clothes. Then, what should he do?
