Chapter 7: The Important Person

Old Lady Lu died, and everyone felt immensely relieved! Some even lamented that she had died too easily.

Many patients queued in Liu Jinyi’s courtyard were also discussing the matter.

“She abducted so many children, yet in the end, she just bit her tongue and took her own life. That’s way too lenient!”

“Poor those families who lost their children!”

“Exactly! Have you heard about that child from Li Family Village?”

“How could I not? At three years old, he was already reciting Confucian classics with his scholar father, quite impressively. Everyone said he was a promising scholar. Maybe Qing Shan Town would produce a top scholar.”

“Right! The head of the Li family was so delighted that he declared the entire clan would support his education. Who would have thought, when it came time for the exam, the boy was kidnapped!”

“I heard about that too. The boy apparently scored first place! A seven-year-old top scholar—I've never heard of such a thing in all my days.”

“That Old Lady Lu caused a lot of harm!”

“Indeed! I heard that the boy’s mother couldn't bear the blow and passed away after half a year. Scholar Li is going mad searching for his son, asking everyone, ‘Have you seen my boy?’”

“What a curse! Truly a curse!”

The crowd sighed with mixed emotions.

At that moment, a young woman wearing a white mourning flower approached.

“Oh dear! Get out! Who wears mourning and barges into someone else’s home? Are you trying to curse Doctor Liu or what?”

A sharp-eyed patient immediately spoke up, shooing her away.

“Exactly! Old Lady Lu’s death was her own karma; it’s not Doctor Liu’s fault. You’re from the Lu family, so don’t make a fool of yourself!”

The young woman retreated to the courtyard’s entrance, awkwardly explaining, “You all misunderstand. I didn’t mean to barge in. I came to take Shijiu home to see her grandmother one last time.”

“Heh, if you ask me, people like Old Lady Lu deserve to be wrapped in an old mat and thrown into a deserted graveyard. Why fuss about filial piety or sending her off properly?”

“Exactly! She did so many evil deeds in life, still wanting a dignified death? Bah!”

“Whatever mistakes my grandmother made in life, the dead deserve respect. I hope you all can watch your words,” Xue said softly, biting her lip with tears welling in her eyes but not falling. “After all, we are family. As the younger generation, we must fulfill our last duty.”

Her gentle, frail voice was quiet but succeeded in silencing the crowd’s scolding.

Everyone looked at Xue with complex feelings.

Wang Mazi, a villager with yellowed old teeth, sneered maliciously, “Lu family, your grandmother must have made quite a bit of silver from abducting children over the years, right?”

At his question, the crowd’s expressions shifted subtly—some sneered, some scorned, some secretly envied.

“I don’t know about the money, but I only know that the silver we spent was honestly earned. I don’t want to argue anymore. I need to take Shijiu home early.”

Worried about further questions, Xue quickly changed the subject and called toward the courtyard, “Doctor Liu, Doctor Liu, I’m here to take Shijiu home!”

Liu Jinyi appeared, exuding a cold aura as he stepped into the courtyard. “Who’s shouting in my yard?”

Xue forced a smile. “Doctor Liu, I’m here to take Shijiu home. Her grandmother passed, so as her granddaughter, she must mourn. Thank you for taking care of her these days.”

“Taking her is fine, but you first settle the half-month’s fees she owes me. Consultation and medicine come to ten taels of silver in total. As for meals, since we’re from the same village, I won’t charge you.”

Liu Jinyi flicked invisible dust off his sleeves, casually speaking.

“Ten taels!” Xue exclaimed, her almond-shaped eyes wide with surprise. “Doctor Liu, did you feed her old mountain ginseng or deer antler? Why so much?”

Liu Jinyi sneered coldly. “You should ask your husband how hard he kicked her!”

Xue lowered her head slightly, her gaze flickering. “He was drunk and lost control of his strength, wasn’t he?”

“I don’t have time to argue. Either pay up or leave the child here to work off the debt. When the debt is cleared, I’ll release her!”

Liu Jinyi waved impatiently, shooing her away.

“Doctor Liu, everyone says you’re kind-hearted! I didn’t bring money today. Can I first take Shijiu home to see her grandmother’s last rites, then we can discuss the rest?”

“No! It must be settled today! If you don’t have money, go get it! Or leave the child here! No other options!”

Liu Jinyi’s face was cold.

“The dead deserve respect, and even servants have the right to visit their families, right? Doctor Liu, isn’t this a bit unreasonable?” Xue’s voice wavered, almost tearful.

“If you want reason, then listen closely. Your husband kicked the child so hard she was badly injured. It’s been over half a month, and your whole family ignored her. If I hadn’t kindly taken her in and treated her, would she even still be breathing?”

“This… this was a big family crisis, and no one could attend to her, right?”

“You could say that before, but I saved her life first. Now, you can’t claim you’re too busy. My medicine doesn’t grow on trees! Not to mention, I had to hire someone to cook and prepare medicine for the child!”

“Exactly! Doctor Liu saved the child and cared for her for over half a month. And now you don’t even want to pay the medicine fees? No one else takes advantage like you!”

The crowd pointed and whispered at Xue.

“Lu family, your grandmother must have made lots of money selling children, right? The old Lu said your second eldest cousin commands thousands of men and has more silver than he knows what to do with. If your family’s so rich, why are you trying to cheat Doctor Liu’s hard-earned money? In my opinion, you not only owe ten taels for medicine, but you should also give ten taels as a red envelope to thank Doctor Liu!”

For the first time, the usually disliked Wang Mazi said something that pleased the ears.

“Wang Mazi’s right! Your family’s not short of silver, yet you keep dragging your feet! No gratitude at all!”

“You…” Xue’s eyes reddened. “I never said we wouldn’t pay. It’s just that the family suffered a disaster recently. Shijiu’s father and grandfather are seriously injured, and her uncles have been unreachable. I want to take Shijiu home to mourn first. We can discuss paying or leaving her here to work off the debt later. The family’s money isn’t in my hands.”

“If you can’t decide, bring someone who can. I’m releasing her today, but who knows if you’ll pay later? Your family’s been unreasonable for a long time.”

Liu Jinyi’s patience was exhausted.

“Doctor Liu, you know my family’s in trouble, needing money everywhere, and you still demand ten taels. I’m afraid you never intended to let Shijiu go home.”

Xue’s voice trembled.

“Leave! Don’t waste my time. I’m not here to reason with you.”

Liu Jinyi flicked his sleeves and went inside.

“Hey, Doctor Liu, what kind of kind-hearted doctor are you, refusing even this little favor?”

“Go away! Don’t waste Doctor Liu’s time! When your beloved grandmother came to Liu Uncle, she said it was Liu Uncle’s own business to treat that family’s curse, and not to expect her to pay! If you’re so hard-hearted, who cares about your daughter’s life? Her parents don’t care! Now the girl’s saved and well cared for, and you still complain about paying medicine fees? Shameless! Where’s your conscience?”

Liu’s wife, who had come to deliver food, was furious.

“You all…” Xue bit her lip, a flash of fierce light crossing her eyes before vanishing.