After the idle chat, they returned to the main topic.
Doctor Hu saw that it was getting late and took out a pen, quickly writing a prescription which he handed to Zhang Guoqing.
"Most herbal shops will have these ingredients. Prepare several doses to take to school and boil them every day for your wife to soak her feet. I’ll change the prescription when the weather warms up."
Zhang Guoqing carefully folded the prescription and placed it in his jacket pocket.
Doctor Hu pointed to a package and tapped on the table, "Bring it up."
Zhang Guoqing not only brought up the package from Doctor Hu but also opened it himself—it was filled with wooden boxes and books of various sizes, no wonder it was heavy.
Doctor Hu touched the ten or so yellowed ancient books and removed a note attached to them.
"Originally, I included this schedule in the package." Master Hu said, casting a aningful glance at his disciple, "For now, you shouldn’t worry about the books inside the package. Your health is the priority."
Zhou Jiao smiled and nodded.
Zhang Guoqing was startled upon hearing this, his hands clenching into fists.
"... Your senior brother suggested I introduce the sect rules, not because I forgot. He’s straightforward by nature and forgot that Master Ma used to be from the sa sect, so I deliberately avoided it."
Zhou Jiao asked softly, "Taoist dicine?"
Doctor Hu nodded approvingly: "We are authentic Taoist doctors, and our rules are similar to other sects. But starting from your grand master, we’ve pursued a more carefree approach."
Zhou Jiao suppressed a laugh and nodded. She understood the implication, which was not to get too bogged down by the rules. Her teacher himself was a free spirit.
"Laugh if you want to." Doctor Hu glanced at his disciple, "Once you learn about the experiences of our previous generations of grand masters, you’ll understand why. Too much fa isn’t a good thing, just like your grandmother’s family."
Zhou Jiao’s heart skipped a beat and she appeared thoughtful.
"That’s also the main reason I wanted to take you as a disciple. I’ve lived through several eras, endured nurous life-and-death situations, and am no longer naïve. Living freely is sotis essential for survival."
"Master..." Rembering how this old man helped her regain her position, Zhou Jiao looked at him with guilt.
"Hahaha, your master is doing just fine." Doctor Hu laughed heartily, winking at Zhou Jiao, "In recent years, I’ve gotten old, and my hands and eyes aren’t as steady, so I thought I’d take on a disciple to take care of in my old age."
Observing the conversation from the side, Zhou Xiaozheng put down his teacup: "Uncle Hu, are you sure living alone is alright?"
"Who said I’m alone? After the New Year, soone will co to take care of my daily life. Alright, you guys should head back earlier; I won’t keep you for dinner."
Zhou Xiaozheng didn’t insist further and checked the ti: "Then we’ll take our leave now. Xiao Wu, take your mom and them to the car first, I’ll follow shortly."
Hearing this, Zhang Guoqing looked at his father-in-law with delight and quickly pulled up his wife who wanted to speak.
Zhou Jiao helplessly glanced at her hands being held. What’s happening? Zhang Guoqing noticed sothing, but she was aware, yet her son was firmly holding her other hand, pulling her out?
"Master, I’m leaving now. We’re out of snacks at ho, I’ll have Xiao Wu bring so over, don’t go without."
"Okay. When Aunt Huo and the others co over, I’ll have them make sothing delicious for you."
Once his daughter and the others left, Zhou Xiaozheng seriously asked, "Is there sothing abnormal with Jiao Jiao’s pregnancy? Will it affect her health now?"
Doctor Hu furrowed his brows, "Are you willing to risk it? If I’m not mistaken, this is your Zhou family heir."
Zhou Xiaozheng scoffed, "Heir, my foot! If my daughter doesn’t make it, who cares about bloodline inheritance. Military General Hospital or City Hospital?"
Doctor Hu was startled. He’s certainly not good at joking!
"You’re not thinking straight..." Doctor Hu began to speak, but seeing Zhou Xiaozheng’s stern face, he quickly softened his tone, "Being an old man who’s finally got a disciple, do you think I’d let anything happen to her? You’re just letting your worries get the better of you; calm down."
Staring at the old face he found unbearably annoying, Zhou Xiaozheng wanted to punch it, drawing a deep breath, "What’s going on? I can tell what my daughter’s thinking with just a glance. Don’t think you can hide it from !"
Doctor Hu mumbled under his breath, "Why not ask your beloved daughter instead of scaring this poor old man. It’s pathetic, it really is..."
Zhou Xiaozheng caught his words and his temples twitched. He wondered if he’d made the wrong decision by finding such an unreliable master for Jiao Jiao.
Doctor Hu, feeling the cold air Zhou Xiaozheng exuded, secretly rolled his eyes. He sighed and looked up, "The mother and child are very healthy, the little girl has been well cared for over the years."
Zhou Xiaozheng looked expressionlessly at Doctor Hu; he was too familiar with doctors’ habits, waiting for him to continue with "but..."
"Earlier, when I checked her pulse, if nothing unexpected happens, it’s definitely twins. It’s a good thing, but there’s also risk as it’s prone to early delivery."
Doctor Hu saw his face growing more serious, "Don’t be tense, I’m here."
"Uncle Hu, go on."
"She seems unwilling to take a break from school, but I already have a plan. Once she’s six months along, I’ll rent a place near the school. With Xiao Wu, that silly boy, by her side to look after her, there shouldn’t be much of a problem. You should relax. If it were severe, would I not inform you and foolishly cooperate with the child?"
"Does my Jiao Jiao know?"
Doctor Hu gave a displeased sidelong glance, "Of course. Otherwise, would I have made an effort to take her as a disciple?" Then, noticing he’d misspoken, he chuckled awkwardly.
Zhou Xiaozheng didn’t pay attention to these details. He was now considering whether to prevent his daughter from going to school. Frankly, if he really forced her, she would listen, but he couldn’t bear to make her suffer and was even less comfortable with her staying ho alone.
Given Jiao Jiao’s personality of rarely going out, if Zhang Guoqing wasn’t around, wouldn’t she be burying herself in books at ho? He couldn’t keep an eye on her 24/7.
"Stop overthinking. I’ve saved so many lives, can’t I protect my own disciple? You, find more nutritious supplents, and leave the rest to ."
"Are you sure there’s no problem? Is it too late to reconsider the pregnancy now?"
Hearing this, Doctor Hu worriedly wrinkled his face. Now he understood why his disciple chose to keep it hidden; he wished he could turn back ti.
"Uncle Hu, you must be careful. Jiao Jiao has never had a good day since she was young. Once I found my child, she was nothing but skin and bones. In recent years, she’s finally gained a little weight, but she still puts in as much effort as she did back then.
You can’t understand what Jiao Jiao ans to . Having this daughter gave a ho and the motivation to strive for more."
Doctor Hu was startled by the tears in his eyes and solemnly nodded: "Child, don’t be misled by my casual deanor, I know what’s important."
Zhou Xiaozheng stood up, bowed in thanks, then composed himself and strode out—there was his daughter, and ensuring a safe delivery was now the top priority.
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