Chapter 3: Reunion After Many Years

Red House, backyard.

"Uncle, that kid An Jing gave us the money obediently."

Wang Zhiping sat down triumphantly.

Wang He frowned upon hearing this and slowly put down his teacup, "What's there to be happy about? He gave the money, but he still won't sell the land deed. Isn't everything we've done a waste of effort? We need the land deed, the land deed."

The reason Wang He raised the price of herbs was simply to force An Jing to surrender and get the land deed from his hands.

Wang Zhiping's smile faded, "Uncle, what do we do now? That An guy has no family..."

"I don't believe his resolve is that strong!"

Wang He took a deep breath and said, "Find a way for me, no matter what it is. You must get the land deed from his hands within half a month. Only with the land deed in hand can my business be stabilized. By then, I'll have a chance to ask the leader for Origin Opening Pill and further my cultivation to Fifth Grade."

"Alright, I understand."

Wang Zhiping squinted his eyes into slits and said slowly, "Uncle, don't worry. Within half a month, I'll definitely make that kid An Jing obediently hand over the land deed."

Wang Zhiping knew that everything he had now was because of his uncle. If his uncle's position was secure, then he would naturally rise with the tide.

So, he must get this land deed.

.......

The next day, the breeze was gentle, and the weather was clear.

A carriage slowly approached the entrance of Jishi Hall.

"Miss Zhao, we've arrived at the tea house," Uncle Niu glanced at the tea house and spoke to the woman inside the carriage.

With the curtain lifted, Tan Yun slowly helped a woman down from the carriage. This woman was none other than the lady from the boat canopy yesterday, Zhao Qingmei.

Zhao Qingmei slightly raised her head, looking at the signboard with the four characters: Datong Tea House.

The place where the two were meeting was none other than the tea house next to Jishi Hall.

"Young Doctor An is the most reputable and talented young doctor in Yu State City. His clinic is right next door. You wait inside for a while. I'll go call him now," Uncle Niu said with a sheepish smile.

Others might not know, but Niu Fu knew that this lady seemed to come from a noble family in Yujing City. It seemed that her family had fallen on hard times, forcing her to escape to Yu State City.

This person was not only as beautiful as a flower but also from a wealthy and affluent family. Now that she had reached the age of marriage, she sought a reliable partner. The only strange thing was that she wasn't interested in gentry sons but had a special fondness for the doctor at Jishi Hall.

Young Doctor An, don't be foolish. Don't miss the most important opportunity of your life.

Niu Fu silently prayed in his heart.

"Look, a beautiful woman just arrived."

"Really? Move aside, let me see."

"Such a beautiful woman! She's much more beautiful than the Oiran from the Red House!"

"Isn't that Niu Fu? Doesn't seem like they're here for a consultation."

"Huh, they went into the tea house?"

.......

Everyone at the adjacent tea house started whispering when they saw Zhao Qingmei stepping down from the carriage.

Tan Yun's face darkened, and he started rubbing his left hand's index and middle fingers instinctively.

So cold!

Everyone felt like they had gone from the scorching summer straight into a chilling winter. They wrapped their sleeves tightly around themselves and instinctively stepped aside.

Zhao Qingmei's face remained calm as she walked gracefully into the tea house.

Tan Yun recoiled his aura and lowered his head, standing aside like an inexperienced maid.

Under everyone's gaze, the two slowly made their way to a private room on the second floor.

"Uncle Niu, this lady is so beautiful. Which family's young miss is she? Is she betrothed?" someone couldn't resist asking.

"You rascal, get lost. This is the maiden I found for Young Doctor An," Niu Fu said irritably.

"Young Doctor An!?"

Everyone looked at each other in amazement before showing looks of envy.

Young Doctor An was a very famous doctor in Yu State City, especially with an excellent reputation, highly respected in the city.

Niu Fu ignored the crowd and ran towards the clinic next door.

"Young Doctor An! Young Doctor An!"

Niu Fu called out a few times towards the backyard.

"Coming!"

Not long after, An Jing walked out from the back hall.

Niu Fu urged him, "Miss Zhao has arrived. Quickly, she's in the tea house next door at the private room."

"Oh? I'll go right away."

Hearing this, An Jing didn't want to keep a lady waiting too long. He quickly tidied himself up and walked over to the tea house.

.....

Datong Tea House, private room on the second floor.

Outside the private room, a crowd had gathered, craning their necks to catch a glimpse of the lady's appearance.

"Young Doctor An is here, make way, make way."

Uncle Niu led An Jing through the crowd and into the room.

There, a woman in a plain blue dress sat gracefully at a small table, her clear eyes shining like autumn water, with a faint blush on her cheeks.

With delicate jade-like features, she exuded a quiet elegance and the air of a noble lady.

For some reason, looking at the woman before him, An Jing felt a sense of déjà vu. Was it because she was too beautiful?

Uncle Niu quickly introduced, "Young Doctor An, this is Miss Zhao Qingmei, whom I mentioned to you yesterday."

"Nice to meet you, Young Doctor An." Zhao Qingmei stood up, placing her hands together at her waist and slightly bowing, with a faint blush on her face.

Zhao Qingmei's voice was soft and melodious, drastically different from her cold demeanor yesterday.

"No need to be so formal. Please, Miss Zhao, have a seat." An Jing smiled slightly.

Uncle Niu chuckled and gave Tan Yun a look, and they both left.

"Wait a moment!"

As they were leaving the room, Tan Yun grabbed Uncle Niu.

"Miss Tan Yun, what is it?" Uncle Niu asked, puzzled.

"We'll wait here by the door to prevent anyone from disturbing them," said Tan Yun calmly.

Though her voice was calm, it carried an undeniable authority.

"Alright... okay then."

Uncle Niu chuckled awkwardly and agreed.

......

Inside the tea house's private room.

"Datong Tea House is the most famous tea house in Yu State City. Drinking tea is good for your health. In this hot summer, it can cool you down and drive away dampness," said An Jing, pouring a cup of tea for Zhao Qingmei.

Zhao Qingmei took a sip from the cup and her eyes lit up, "The fragrance lingers, and the aftertaste is endless. Good tea."

Her words came from the heart.

"I didn't expect Miss Zhao also to love tea," An Jing said with a light laugh.

"You're flattering me, Young Doctor An. I only learned a bit from drinking it with my father for a few years," she said gracefully.

Her mannerisms were impeccable, elegant, and dignified.

Her tea-drinking posture was quite exquisite, making An Jing more and more pleased with her.

"I heard that Miss Zhao moved here with your family. May I ask where you came from?"

Zhao Qingmei gently set down her teacup, her expression turning sorrowful as she said softly, "My parents both passed away from illness. I found myself all alone, so I sold our belongings and returned to my ancestral home..."

From her words, she came from a scholarly family. Her grandfather and father both held official positions in Yujing City. However, her family gradually declined, and her mother suddenly passed away from illness. Following her mother's dying wish, she returned to Jiangnan Dao.

In these trying times, without the support of siblings, she sold all her family's possessions and, taking a young maid, traveled thousands of miles to Jiangnan Dao. This would be extremely difficult for any adult man, let alone a defenseless woman.

They chatted over tea for a while, getting to know each other better.

During the conversation, An Jing asked about Zhao Qingmei's birth date, finding out that she was two years younger than him.

He was thoroughly pleased with Zhao Qingmei.

She was a noble lady, graceful and gentle—exactly his ideal of a wife...

An Jing looked at Zhao Qingmei, "Miss Zhao, is there anything you wish to know?"

"There's nothing specific I want to ask."

Zhao Qingmei hesitated, then shook her head slightly, sighing inwardly: Some things are hard to say.

"It seems Uncle Niu already told Miss Zhao everything," An Jing thought, feeling a bit disappointed. It seemed that this fortuitous opportunity was slipping away.

Zhao Qingmei didn't want to ask, which clearly meant she wasn't interested in him, a mere doctor.