Since I know Xue Mingtang won't agree, it's better not to say anything. Let's talk about sothing else instead.
"Actually, there's nothing much. It's just that after I beca famous, I fell into a state of inner turmoil and unease. There are many things I can't figure out, and the pressure is imnse.
At this point, Chen Qian said he had a friend who was once a highly admired genius in investnt and finance, but chose to retire at the peak of his success, which piqued my curiosity.
I can't imagine what kind of person would choose to retire at the peak of their success, so I wanted to co and see for myself."
Xue Mingtang glanced at Ling Zhenfei, slightly surprised, then said, "I'm really sorry because my purpose for living here is to stay away from phones and the internet. So, I really don't know who you are or what achievents you've made."
Ling Zhenfei said, "I can certainly understand that. Even if I have a bit of a reputation, it can't compare to yours."
Xue Mingtang said, "I'm really sorry. It seems I'm too out of touch with the news, but you can tell about it. Maybe I can provide so answers for you."
Ling Zhenfei shook his head and said, "No need, you've already given so answers. I think I've begun to understand so things."
Xue Mingtang said in surprise, "But I really haven't said anything."
Ling Zhenfei said, "Just seeing you is enough."
Xue Mingtang said, "Then you must think my current lifestyle is the best life?"
"Isn't it tough?"
Xue Mingtang said, "Life here is indeed free and easy with no worries, but in the world, there are always so many dissatisfactions."
Ling Zhenfei nodded and said, "That's right. There are always so many dissatisfactions in the world. I wonder, Mr. Xue, is there anything more dissatisfying than this for you?"
Xue Mingtang nodded and said, "If there's anything dissatisfying, it would be my wife. Originally, the one who should have been sitting under the pavilion playing chess and drinking tea was my wife, but since her illness, such things have beco a luxury."
Ling Zhenfei laughed, "If your wife's illness could be cured, would there be no regrets then?"
Xue Mingtang was about to speak but suddenly paused, then said, "I suppose there would be no regrets, it's just that my wife's illness is peculiar and seems not so easily cured."
Ling Zhenfei said, "I think you love your wife very much, so after she got sick, you must have brought many doctors to see her, right?"
Xue Mingtang nodded, "That's right. I invited well-known doctors from nearby counties and cities. They all ca to see her, but their answers were the sa."
Ling Zhenfei said, "I have also studied so dical Arts. If you don't mind, can you let examine your wife's illness? Maybe I can offer a different perspective."
Xue Mingtang said, "Oh, I didn't expect, Brother Ling, that you're also a doctor. However, I'm really not holding any hope now."
Ling Zhenfei said, "I think at this point, even a little hope should be tried. Don't you think?"
Xue Mingtang nodded, "You seem very interested in my wife."
Ling Zhenfei said, "That's right. She's a talented woman to have designed such houses. If possible, I'd really like to help out."
Xue Mingtang stood up, deeply bowed to Ling Zhenfei, and said, "Then I'll trouble you, sir."
Ling Zhenfei also stood up and said, "Take to see your wife."
Xue Mingtang took Ling Zhenfei away to the distant back yard till they reached the pavilion below.
Then he led Ling Zhenfei to the second floor. The structure was all made of wood, and as they walked up, the creaky sounds reminded Ling Zhenfei how special this building was.
Ling Zhenfei stood outside the door on the second floor waiting, while Xue Mingtang went inside on his own.
After a while, Xue Mingtang ca out and said, "Brother Ling, please co in."
Ling Zhenfei followed Xue Mingtang inside.
Inside the room, there were a few other rooms, and in view was a living room with a table by the window.
On the table, there were writing brushes, ink sticks, paper, and inkstones, with the sll of rice paper and thick ink lingering in the air.
On the walls hung so calligraphy and paintings, mostly depicting landscapes and plum blossoms, written in small regular script.
Not far away, there was a couch with a woman reclining on it.
This woman looked to be about thirty years old, but her eyes lacked energy, and her face was sowhat sallow, indicative of a long illness.
Before her illness, she must have been a charming beauty, wearing clothes of a simple and elegant style, very pretty.
In that mont, Ling Zhenfei seed to understand what kind of person Mrs. Xue was: soone like Lu Huanong, an unworldly Fairy.
Ling Zhenfei realized that this was indeed Mrs. Xue and hurriedly greeted her.
"Hello, Mrs. Xue."
Mrs. Xue lifted her head to look at Ling Zhenfei and nodded, saying, "It's not that I don't want to get up; it's just that it's difficult for to stand."
Beside Mrs. Xue stood a young girl, seemingly around seventeen or eighteen years old, also dressed in a similarly simple and elegant style.
It was as if they really lived in ancient tis, like a romantic tale of a talented scholar and his beautiful lady.
"Mrs. Xue, there's no need to get up. I heard you've been ill for a while. I have studied so dical Arts, so I thought I would co and see if I might diagnose your illness and find a treatnt thod."
At this point, the maid beside her said, "Our Mada's illness has been seen by countless famous doctors nearby, but none could do anything. Can soone like you really cure her?"
Next to her, Xue Mingtang said, "Xiao Xi, how can you speak like that? Mr. Ling is trying to help."
At this point, Mrs. Xue said, "Then I'll trouble you, sir."
Ling Zhenfei nodded and then walked over to Mrs. Xue to check her pulse.
Mrs. Xue's pulse was consistently beating, but it was slightly weak.
After about ten minutes, Ling Zhenfei released Mrs. Xue's wrist.
"How is it, Mr. Ling?" Xue Mingtang asked.
Xiao Xi jeered from the side, "I bet it's no use. He's probably just like those others, coming to deceive us for money."
Ling Zhenfei didn't respond, stood up, and said to Mrs. Xue, "Mrs. Xue, I heard this courtyard was designed by you?"
Mrs. Xue nodded, "Yes, it's based on where I lived during my childhood."
Ling Zhenfei said, "And I heard you love weather with continuous rainfall, so you deliberately chose a place beside a waterfall."
Mrs. Xue nodded, "That's right."
Ling Zhenfei took a long breath and then glanced around, saying, "The design of this house is indeed very clever. Upon entering this room, I can hear the sound of the waterfall from the distance."
User Comments
0 comments from readers