Chapter 173: A Glance Decides Life and Death

me paper talismans for him and forced him to drink the ash water. After that, they wouldn't let him go up the mountain again!"We both felt that the child was telling the truth. He wanted to go up the...As members of scholarly families, Master Liu and Mr. Guo, even the late University Scholar Cui, all knew each other. Now that they are reunited here, it is naturally quite lively and intimate. 。Mr. Guo especially thanked Mrs. Cui and practically gave her a manor at half price. 。Mr. Liu spoke up for Mrs. Cui, saying to Guo, “Brother Guo, you are too kind to us juniors. When the Grand Scholar was still alive, he held you in high regard as well.” 。You founded Taihua Academy, known throughout Kyoto and even beyond. It's a prestigious institution where countless scholars respectfully address you as "Academy Master." 。It's also fate that Jinerou can now be your neighbor. 。"After this, it's inconvenient for me to come over to the city. You guys live next door though, I'll need you to look after Jiner a bit more." 。"This child's life is so hard!"

Mr. Guo quickly nodded in agreement. Before buying the Zhuangzi, he had also inquired about it, and vaguely heard some 。At this point, he promised, "Close neighbors are better than distant relatives. Let's visit each other more often." 。If Miss Jin has anything to attend to, just have someone tell her at the estate. 。Mrs. Cui quickly got up to thank him, and then introduced Mr. Wen, Old Li Si, Liu Biaotou, and the others to his old man. 。Mr. Wen was a high disciple of Master Cui, and Mr. Guo had also met him, vaguely still having some impression. 。But when it was Li Lao Si and Liu Biatou's turn, he became a little puzzled. 。Because they didn't look like scholars at all, it was the young man standing behind them, holding a little girl, whose eyes held a quiet scholarly air. 。As for Doctor Zhang, as soon as he entered the room, he started to doze off and ignored everyone. 。However, Mrs. Cui did not treat Li Lao Si and the others at all poorly. She carefully told Mr. Guo about 。"Mountain Master, I was delayed on my southward journey due to unforeseen circumstances. The road was fraught with peril, but fortunately, I encountered kind souls who came to my rescue, allowing me to safely arrive in the south." 。Li Jia brothers and Liu Biāotou, as well as Zhang Shenyi, are all my lifesavers. 。Mr. Guo's face was complex, and he sighed with emotion, "You are lucky. During that time, having someone help you is truly rare." 。Mr. Wen was about to speak when Mrs. Cui interrupted, "Master Shan, Uncle Liu, let's have dinner first and chat while we eat." 。“Okay, let’s talk while we eat.” 。"Mr. Liu nodded and greeted Mr. Guo, "It's been years since we last saw each other, let's have a drink or two"

"Okay, let's have a drink or two." 。Mr. Guo reluctantly perked up and smiled, "I'm just recovering from a serious illness, so I can't drink too much. Just two cups will do." 。When I am well-settled, I will visit your mansion and we shall drink until we are tipsy. 。"

Good 。Mr. Liu chuckled and replied. 。Soon, the banquet was set up. 。Mrs. Cui was the hostess, but as a woman, she had many inconveniences and could only have Mr. Liu receive guests. 。Mr. Liu sat at the head of the table, with Mr. Guo to his left, Mr. Wen to his right, Liu Zhiheng, Guo Qing (Mr. Guo's nephew), Dr. Zhang, Old Li Si and Liu, the leader of the鏢局, seated in order. 。At another table, Cui's wife brought along her son Jiaren and Guo family's grandson Wenhao, plus one more person named Jiayin. 。Mrs. Cui took back her dowry and wasn't short of money at all, the banquet was prepared very lavishly. 。Gia Yin ignored everyone else and first made herself a big, round dumpling to eat. 。Jiarren picked out the fish bones for his little sister, and then went to take care of Guo Wenhao, but Guo Wenhao wouldn't eat anything. In the end, half a bowl of fish meat ended up in Jia Yin's stomach. 。Mrs. Cui thought for a moment, then asked Qiao's maidservant to bring some snacks... 。As expected, Wenhao held a butterfly pastry and finally started to eat it. 。After finishing her meal and a half bowl of chicken soup, Jia Yin looked at Guo Wenhao with a hint of envy in her eyes. 。This child must not have experienced hardship and famine, otherwise they definitely wouldn't be so picky. 。Occasionally, Mr. Guo would glance over from his main table and let out a sigh. 。"My grandson has always been a picky eater. When will he be able to eat like the little chubby girl next to him, just taking big bites" 。"

Master Zhang, renowned for his medical skills, was “battling” a whole chicken when he heard this. He said, "The fire in the womb, spleen and stomach imbalance, with careful adjustment for a year or so will be almost enough.” 。Mr. Guo was taken aback and turned to look at Mr. Wen and the others. 。Mr. Wen then said, “This is Doctor Zhang, a skilled physician. We travelled all the way from the north, crossing nearly a thousand miles of mountains and forests, relying on his expertise to keep us alive.” 。"Really" Mr. Guo was surprised, he quickly got up and bowed, asking Zhang Shenyi to help diagnose his grandson. 。A flicker of hesitation crossed Guo Qing's eyes, but she held her tongue in the end. 。Then, Old Doctor Zhang, having finished his meal, directly started working. He examined the patient thoroughly, using observation, listening, questioning, and palpation, and then wrote out a prescription. 。"This medicine, one dose per day, for half a month, and then come back to see me for a new prescription." 。As expected, I'll take the new prescription every five days from now on, and I should be all better in a year. I'll be able to eat, sleep, and grow again. 。Mr. Guo quickly thanked him, but Guo Qing suddenly interjected, “Is this prescription effective We've consulted with dozens of doctors for half a year, and there hasn't been any improvement.” 。"That's questioning Old Divine Physician Zhang's medical skills, isn't it The old divine physician gave him a cold glance and sneered, “Didn't those dozen or so doctors have imperial physicians When I was training imperial physicians like my grandson, you weren't even born yet.” 。“ I'm not convinced," Guo Qing retorted, but Zhang Laoshengyi (the venerable physician Zhang) continued, “And to preserve your life, you must abstain from sex, alcohol, and meat." 。Otherwise, if you indulge in pleasures and sensuality, after a year you will become unable to perform, and after three years you will surely die. 。The house fell silent, and Guo Qing's face turned purple like an eggplant as he snarled, "I don't understand what you're talking about!"Everyone dared not let the two argue any further and quickly chimed in to persuade... 。"Come, have a drink!" 。"Yeah, the weather is nice. In a few days when spring warms and flowers bloom, let's go for a walk in the countryside." 。The atmosphere finally improved, but Guo Qing no longer said a word. Old Zhang also left his seat and found a chair to sit on, unwilling to get involved in the drinking session. 。Jiayin climbed down from the chair and onto her grandfather's lap, smiling as she put a piece of osmanthus sugar in his mouth, making him grin with delight. 。"Our little Funiu is still so obedient, such a good girl!" 。After such an interruption, Mrs. Cui and Mr. Wen were afraid that Dr. Zhang would leave in a huff, so they hastily ate a few bites and cleared the wine table, replacing it with tea and refreshments. 。Mr. Guo also felt that his nephew was reckless today and lost face, so he wanted to say goodbye early. 。But Mr. Liu suddenly changed the subject, "Guo brother, I heard that your grandchildren are still scattered in Jiangbei. Is there any news now" Mr. Guo's face suddenly became downcast, shaking his head and sighing. 。

"With no news at all, the Wu people are right next door but I can't send anyone to look for them. My heart aches with worry every day, like being fried in oil, which is why I got sick before."

If I didn't have a little grandson to raise, I'm afraid I wouldn't be able to keep going. 。“Uncle, please don't worry. As soon as the barbarian army retreats, I will immediately lead people across the river to search for my elder brother and their whereabouts.” 。Mr. Guo listened with satisfaction and nodded in agreement, "We'll talk about it later. You're not a martial artist anyway. When you really go to Jiangbei, I'll still be thinking of you." 。Mrs. Cui and Mr. Wen looked at each other, and Mr. Wen said, "Master Shan, please take a look at this jade pendant, do you recognize it" He took a jade pendant from his sleeve and handed it over. 。Mr. Guo took the jade pendant with a puzzled face, and after taking a closer look, he stood up excitedly. 。"Where did you find this This is my son's lucky jade pendant, his most beloved one!" He even went so far as to argue with the senior ministers.And, afterward, the Relief Agency's monthly stipend became one hundred piculs of grain and one hundred taels of silver. The Medical Bureau al...