Doctor Liu listened, then sneered without imdiately sending the attendant to the Gu Family: "Your scheming runs deep, girl. Trying to calculate the old man and make our Liu Family Clinic your pawn to manipulate the Gu Family."
Tian Hui’er was shocked, not expecting Doctor Liu to see through her thoughts. She hurried to deny: "Doctor Liu misunderstood. Hui’er didn’t an it... It’s just that in the Prefecture, we only know the Gu Family, and now in trouble, we can only seek their help."
As she spoke, her eyes reddened, tears welled up, and she seed utterly aggrieved.
Doctor Liu was thoroughly disinterested, and said disdainfully: "What are you crying for, making it look like our clinic is trying to harm you."
And then said: "Little girl, if you want to sche against the First Place Gu, the old man won’t stop you. But your mistake lies in wanting to use our Liu Family Clinic. Haven’t you investigated? Is our Liu Family Clinic that easy to use?"
Seeing Tian Hui’er wanted to deny, he added: "Don’t rush to proclaim injustice. Old n who’ve lived half a lifeti can’t see through such tricks? More cunning ans can’t fool . You better save your energy, I won’t fall for it."
Tian Xiwang’s family was flushed with anger, pointing at Doctor Liu, saying: "You old man, what nonsense are you talking? You’re ruining Hui’er’s reputation!"
"Bah, your daughter hasn’t even gotten engaged to First Place Gu, yet you keep clamoring that he’s your son-in-law. Isn’t that ruining your daughter’s reputation?" Doctor Liu felt himself a good person, so kindly reminded them: "First Place Gu is Master Tongsheng, holding an official position in Great Chu. Without an engagent letter or tokens, you dare talk nonsense. If he reports you to the governnt office, at least you’ll be beaten, at worst banished."
The class system in Great Chu is strict; slaves cannot marry those of good register, a commoner trying to accuse an official must first endure flogging, and false accusations against an official are heavily punished.
Tian Xiwang’s family was scared witless hearing this, even Tian Hui’er was frightened. But she was indignant, thinking there’s nothing wrong with wanting to marry a promising gentleman and lead her family to a life of prosperity.
Does she really have to live a life of suffering?!
Tian Hui’er was very dissatisfied, wanting to argue but suppressing herself from speaking.
Doctor Liu watched her face filled with resentnt and unwillingness, and sneered: "I’ve said before, you can want a good life, you can sche against First Place Gu, but you must not try to use our clinic."
He continued with an implicit tone: "You only think about calculating everyone so you can live a good life. But have you ever thought about whether others are willing to be calculated by you?"
These words were more humiliating to Tian Hui’er than being slapped in public; her pretty almond eyes were filled with malice, staring at Doctor Liu.
Doctor Liu had no fear; he wasn’t wrong, so why be afraid?
Doctor Liu then ignored Tian Xiwang’s family and instructed his apprentice: "Go get Yuan Jiagui; I think he’ll pay this sum of silver."
Yuan Jiagui and Tian Xiwang’s family had once gone to court to sue Granny Gu. After the storytellers spread the tale, the whole Prefecture heard it and knew where Yuan Jiagui temporarily resided. Finding him would only take an hour.
Doctor Liu acted out of reluctance to lose silver. Though putting Tian Xiwang’s family in prison would be satisfying, he would incur a loss!
"Yes." Doctor Liu’s third apprentice imdiately left with an attendant to find soone.
Tian Hui’er was anxious, trying to block them, but was halted by attendants wielding wooden sticks.
Tian Xiwang’s wife seized upon it like a great fault of the Liu Family Clinic, shouting: "Oh, you dare stop us. You’re imprisoning us, breaking the Criminal Law!"
Having served at the Dai Family, Tian Xiwang’s wife knew the word ’imprisonnt’.
Doctor Liu replied: "You owe money unpaid; as your creditor, I have the right to confine you until the debt is settled. Get inside, once Yuan Jiagui brings silver, you can leave."
Tian Xiwang’s family was fierce, trying to break through, but after so beatings by attendants, fearing the pain, they obediently retreated inside.
However, Tian Xiwang’s son said: "Father, Mother, really having Old Man Yuan bring silver to ransom us is quite good. I heard that what’s-his-na San Lang gave him an extra sum, more money than our family got, him paying for our dicine is fitting, and we’re also profiting."
Tian Xiwang and his wife agreed imdiately, praising: "Our son is smart indeed."
But Tian Hui’er could have killed them out of rage, feeling they’re a bunch of useless layabouts only eyeing petty gains, while grabbing Gu Jin’an would an mountains of gold!
However...
"You ntioned San Lang is Qin San Lang? How much silver did he give to Old Man Yuan?" Tian Hui’er suddenly asked.
Tian Xiwang’s son scratched his head, saying: "Not sure, heard from Old Man Yuan’s grandson that it’s enough to raise him and let him marry a wife."
"Wow, that’s quite so silver, must be at least a hundred taels!" Tian Xiwang’s wife was thrilled, but angrily said: "Why don’t we get it? We all testified together, treating us so poorly, they better watch out or we’ll reveal they invited us to testify!"
Tian Hui’er however had a new thought, recalling that Qin San Lang who picked them up... He was quite handso, though overly fierce, looking intimidating. But young, already a Company Commander, shared part of Gu Family’s business, with all his family gone except a grandfather. If she marries him, no mother-in-law worries, entering the door she’ll manage the household and finances!
Tian Hui’er, having found a new target, was full of joy, all past gloom vanished, her whole being radiated contentnt.
Hmph, if the Gu Family doesn’t fancy her, she’ll just find another. Brother Qin is a military general, bound to fancy a delicate girl like her. As long as she cries a bit before him, maybe faints sowhat, she’ll surely win over the heart of this rough man, marrying into the Qin family as the Company Commanders’ Wife.
It’s undeniable Tian Hui’er was impressive, targeting every promising youth for a better life.
...
An hour later, Yuan Jiagui hurried over, seeing the Tian Family People, angrily saying: "You barely started living well and already seek death, this is the last ti I’m helping you. From now on, whether your family lives or dies, don’t co to !"
When Liu Family Clinic found him and told him about Tian Xiwang’s family’s situation, he was almost enraged to death. This Tian Family indeed had lofty aspirations, daring to target Gu Jin’an.
He’s Top of the County, a future Scholar. What is Tian Family? Recently freed servants, not yet ward the good register, and already crowning Gu Jin’an as the son-in-law; madness!
Tian Xiwang’s family was still hoping Yuan Jiagui would cover the dical expenses, but kept silent despite being scolded, only urging: "Old Yuan, please quickly save us, the Liu Family Clinic extorts us."
"Bah, shut your mouths. I know the situation; if you don’t want to end up imprisoned, stay put."
After cursing them, Yuan Jiagui apologized to Doctor Liu: "Doctor Liu, sorry for the trouble. Country people don’t understand proper behavior, please don’t be angry."
He then inquired: "How much is the total dical expense?"
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