Chapter 3: Reunion After Many Years

Red House, the back courtyard.

"Uncle, An Jing that lad has honestly given us the money,"

Wang Zhiping sat down with satisfaction.

Upon hearing this, Wang He furrowed his brows and slowly put down his tea cup, "What's there to be happy about? He gave us money but still refuses to sell the land deed. Isn't everything we did in vain? What we want is the land deed, the land deed."

The reason Wang He had raised the price of the medicinal herbs was merely to force An Jing to submit and give up the land deed in his possession.

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

"I don't believe his backbone is that firm!"

Wang He took a deep breath and said, "Go and figure out a way, any way, to get the land deed from his hands within half a month. Only by obtaining his land deed can my operations be stabilized. Then, when I and the helmsman ask for the 'Origin Opening Pill,' shall we have a sliver of a chance to advance further and reach the Fifth Grade Cultivation."

"Alright, I understand."

Wang Zhiping's eyes narrowed into slits as he slowly spoke, "Uncle, don't worry, I'll surely make that lad An Jing obediently hand over the land deed within half a month."

Wang Zhiping knew in his heart that everything now depended on his uncle; if his uncle's position was stable, then naturally, he too could rise.

Thus, he must take possession of this land deed.

...

The next day, a gentle breeze was blowing, and the sky was clear.

In front of Jishi Hall, a carriage slowly made its way.

"Miss Zhao, the teahouse has arrived," Uncle Niu glanced at the teahouse and spoke to the lady in the carriage.

As the curtain was lifted, Tan Yun slowly helped a lady step down, the same woman who was on the boat the day before, Zhao Qingmei.

Zhao Qingmei slightly lifted her head, looking at the large placard of the teahouse.

The meeting place for the two was none other than the teahouse next to Jishi Hall.

"Little Doctor An is the most famous and accomplished young doctor in Yu State City; his medical hall is just next door. You go in and wait for a moment, I'll go and call him now," Uncle Niu said apologetically.

Others were unaware, but Niu Fu knew that the young lady seemed to be from an illustrious family in Yujing City, apparently having faced troubles at home before fleeing to Yu State City.

This woman was not only stunningly beautiful but also came from a wealthy family. Now being of age, she was looking for a dependable person to marry. Oddly enough, she was not interested in scholarly gentlemen but had her heart set on the doctor of Jishi Hall.

Little Doctor An, don't be foolish, you might miss the most important opportunity in your life.

Niu Fu silently prayed in his heart.

"Look quickly, a great beauty has arrived."

"Really? Move aside, let me see."

"Such a beautiful person, she's even prettier than the Oiran of Red House!"

"Isn't that Niu Fu? Doesn't look like he's here for a doctor's visit."

"Huh, she went into the teahouse?"

...

As Zhao Qingmei got off the carriage and walked into the teahouse, quiet murmurs began to circulate among the onlookers.

Tan Yun's face darkened, and his left hand's index and middle fingers began rubbing together subconsciously.

So cold!

Everyone felt as though they had moved directly from the heat of summer into the dead of winter; the chill was biting, and they involuntarily wrapped their robes tighter and instinctively moved aside.

Zhao Qingmei's expression remained as calm as water, her movements graceful as she walked into the teahouse.

Tan Yun's spirit sharpened, and he quickly reined in his aura, standing aside with his head bowed, just like an inexperienced maid.

The two, under the gaze of the crowd, slowly made their way to the private room on the second floor.

"Uncle Niu, this lady is very handsome, which family's daughter is she? Is she betrothed?" someone impatiently came forward to inquire.

"Go slide away; she's a bride I found for Little Doctor An," Niu Fu said irritably.

"Little Doctor An!?"

Upon hearing this, everyone exchanged glances and then showed expressions of envy.

Little Doctor An was a very famous doctor in Yu State City, especially praised among the people, and was very respected in Yu State City.

Niu Fu paid no attention to the crowd and ran towards the nearby medical hall.

"Little Doctor An! Little Doctor An!"

Niu Fu called out several times towards the back courtyard.

"Coming."

Soon after, An Jing walked out from the back hall.

Niu Fu urged, "Miss Zhao from the Zhao Family has arrived. Hurry, she is in the private room of the teahouse next door."

"Oh? I shall go right now."

Upon hearing this, An Jing felt it improper to keep a lady waiting too long, so he quickly got himself together and walked towards the teahouse.

Daitong Teahouse, second-floor private room.

Outside the private room, a crowd had gathered; all craned their necks, eager to glimpse the lady's countenance.

"Doctor An Jing has arrived; make way, make way."

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

The lady in a green gown sat beside the desk, graceful and composed, her eyes shimmering like autumn water, her cheeks tinged with a hint of red.

Her radiant, jade-like face was calm and elegantly shy, portraying the demeanor of a well-bred young lady.

For some reason, looking at the lady in front of him, An Jing had a feeling of déjà vu. Could it be because this lady was too beautiful?

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

"Pleased to meet you, Doctor An," Zhao Qingmei stood up, hands clasped at her waist as she bowed slightly, her cheeks flushing a deeper shade of red.

Her voice was gentle and melodious, a stark contrast to her chilly demeanor from yesterday.

"Please, Miss Zhao, have a seat," An Jing said with a slight smile.

Uncle Niu chuckled and shot a glance at Tan Yun beside him, and the two of them quietly left.

"Wait a minute!"

As they left the private room, Tan Yun quickly stopped Niu Fu, who was ready to leave.

"Mister Tan Yun, what is it?" Uncle Niu asked, confused.

"We'll stand guard at this door to prevent anyone from disturbing them," Tan Yun said coolly.

Though her voice was calm, it carried an authoritative tone.

"Alright…okay."

Uncle Niu chuckled dryly and reluctantly agreed.

Inside the private room of the teahouse.

"This Daitong Teahouse is the most famous in Yu State City; having tea is good for your health, especially now during the hot summer, as it can cool the body and expel dampness," An Jing stated.

He poured a cup of tea for Zhao Qingmei.

Zhao Qingmei took a small sip and her eyes brightened, "This tea leaves a lingering fragrance and an endless aftertaste; it's excellent."

Her comment was heartfelt.

"I didn't know Miss Zhao also enjoyed drinking tea," An Jing said with a light laugh.

"You jest, Doctor An. I have only followed my father in drinking tea for a few years and learned just a little," she replied modestly.

Graceful and composed in her actions.

Her tea-drinking gestures were meticulous; it was evident that this well-bred lady was the genuine article, and An Jing was increasingly satisfied.

"I heard that Miss Zhao's family recently relocated. May I ask where you moved from?"

Zhao Qingmei slowly put down her teacup, her expression slightly sorrowful, and she spoke in a low voice: "After my parents died one after another, I was left alone, so I sold our belongings and returned to our ancestral land..."

From her words, it was evident she came from a scholarly family; both her grandfather and father had been officials in Yujing City. However, as their family fortunes declined and her mother suddenly passed away, she had followed her mother's dying wishes and moved back to Jiangnan Dao.

In these difficult times, with no siblings to rely on, selling all her possessions and even then journeying thousands of miles to Jiangnan Dao with just a maid was extremely challenging even for a grown man, let alone a defenseless woman.

They chatted casually for the duration of another cup of tea, getting to know one another briefly.

During this time, An Jing also inquired about Zhao Qingmei's birthdays, learning she was two years his junior.

For the Zhao Qingmei before him, his heart was quite content.

A well-bred lady with proper manners, gentle and mild—this was his ideal wife...

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

"I have nothing in particular to ask."

Zhao Qingmei hesitated and then shook her head slightly with a sigh: Some words are always hard to say.

"It seems Uncle Niu, and Miss Zhao have already talked," An Jing thought, feeling a twinge of disappointment. It seemed that this chance meeting might not lead to anything after all.

Zhao Qingmei's lack of questions was a clear indication; she might not hold a high opinion of a doctor from a medical hall.