Chapter 41 of 100
Chapter 41
16 min read3,892 words
Yuan Shiqing invited Hu Xiaotian, Murong Feiyan, and Zhan Peng to sit down in a private room on the third floor of the Yan Yun Tower. As for Hu Xiaotian's eight followers, they were not qualified to sit at the same table as Hu Xiaotian and were arranged to sit on the first floor by Yuan Shiqing, where they were also treated with good wine and food.
Yi Yuan Hall and Yan Yun Tower were adjacent, and the two places had always been familiar with each other. Yuan Shiqing often came here to eat. Hu Xiaotian found that the status of doctors in ancient times was also quite high, even more respected than in modern society. Wherever they went, whenever Yuan Shiqing met acquaintances, those people would stand up and bow, their eyes full of gratitude and respect. The doctor-patient relationship was very harmonious. Thinking about his previous life as a doctor, patients mostly held a reverent fear of doctors, and few had such heartfelt respect. Some even regarded doctors as enemies, not knowing that after thousands of years of development, how could the doctor-patient relationship have deteriorated to the point of being irreconcilable? How could there be so much misunderstanding between the rescuer and the rescued? Was it society that changed people, or was it human nature? Hu Xiaotian sighed inwardly, it seemed that the development of civilization and a kind heart were not always directly proportional.
However, there were still many similarities, such as being invited to meals and receiving gifts. He didn't know if there was a custom of giving red envelopes now, but even in the past, Hu Xiaotian looked down on the behavior of accepting red envelopes. However, he thought that things like being invited to meals and receiving gifts were not a big deal. Especially when helping others solve their pain, eating and drinking, or even taking something, was not a big issue, as long as it was out of genuine gratitude.
Yuan Shiqing handed the two geese sent by Zhan Peng to the owner of Yan Yun Tower, Mr. Song. They were neighbors, and Yi Yuan Hall had always taken good care of Yan Yun Tower's business. As the saying goes, "rely on the mountains to eat the mountains, rely on the water to eat the water." More than half of Yan Yun Tower's business came from Yi Yuan Hall, so in this sense, Yi Yuan Hall was like their bread and butter. Therefore, Mr. Song was very respectful and courteous to Yuan Shiqing.
When Mr. Song left with the geese, Murong Feiyan also took a closer look at the arrow on the geese's neck. She was an expert in martial arts, and an ordinary hunter probably didn't have the skill to hit two geese with one arrow.
Hu Xiaotian said, "Hero Zhan!"
Zhan Peng replied, "Sir, I'm not a hero. You can just call me by my name!"
Hu Xiaotian smiled and said, "Hitting two geese with one arrow, if that's not a hero, what is?"
Zhan Peng then understood why he called him a hero. He laughed and said, "It was just a coincidence! I aimed at one of the geese, and unexpectedly, the arrow hit both. I've been hunting since I was thirteen, and it's been twelve years now. This is the first time I've hit two geese with one arrow." Zhan Peng was only twenty-five, but he looked much older, and Hu Xiaotian could believe he was thirty-five.
Murong Feiyan said, "I've been practicing archery for over ten years, but I've never encountered such a thing." Her implication was that she didn't believe it was just a coincidence. If it was a coincidence, why didn't it happen to her?
Hu Xiaotian said, "Everyone has their own expertise, and they learn at different times. Luck doesn't fall on everyone's head, and it's also related to one's character."
Murong Feiyan, of course, could hear the hidden insult in his words, and she was so angry that she secretly lifted her foot and stepped hard on Hu Xiaotian's left foot when no one was paying attention. Hu Xiaotian sucked in a cold breath in pain, "Ah!"
Everyone was startled by his reaction and looked in the direction of his gaze. The door opened, and Mr. Song brought in a father and daughter. The older man was in his fifties, short and thin, with a kind and friendly smile. He held the hand of a young girl. Although the girl was dressed simply, her face was quite delicate, but her large, beautiful eyes were dull and lifeless.
Hu Xiaotian judged from the girl's eyes that she was blind.
Mr. Song smiled and said, "Honored guests, I've invited this father and daughter to sing for you to liven up the atmosphere." While the dishes were being served, he wanted the guests to enjoy some tea and music, which was a special treatment for VIPs.
Yuan Shiqing smiled and said, "Great!" The father and daughter were surnamed Fang. The father was named Fang Zhitan, and the daughter was named Fang Fang. They usually sang and performed in nearby taverns for a living. They had some connection with Yuan Shiqing. The father and daughter were not originally from the area; they were from Xichuan. Fang Fang was not blind as a child, but at the age of twelve, her vision suddenly became blurry. The family sought medical help everywhere, spending a lot of money and trying countless remedies, but to no avail. Her vision only got worse. Two years ago, she could no longer see people standing a foot away. Fang Zhitan, unwilling to accept his daughter's blindness, sold their land and brought her to the capital, hoping that the renowned doctors in the capital could find a cure.
Unfortunately, fate was cruel. On their way to the capital, they encountered bandits. Although they managed to save their lives, they lost all their money. The father and daughter sang along the way to the capital. They first went to the Qingniu Hall, but the doctors there determined that Fang Fang's eyes were incurable. With a glimmer of hope, they came to Yi Yuan Hall. Yuan Shiqing, being kind-hearted, not only waived their consultation fee but also personally diagnosed them. After trying several prescriptions, there was still no improvement, and Yuan Shiqing was at a loss. Among the three major medical halls in the capital, the father and daughter had not yet visited the Xuantian Hall. However, the Xuantian Hall had a high threshold and charged a substantial consultation fee. To have the head of the Xuantian Hall personally diagnose Fang Fang, one would need to be a high-ranking noble or pay five taels of gold, which was an astronomical sum for the Fang family.
In fact, Yuan Shiqing had already told them that even if they went to the Xuantian Hall, it might not cure Fang Fang's eyes. But Fang Zhitan was extremely stubborn and had a "not until I see the Yellow River" attitude. So he stayed in the capital, singing and saving money for the consultation fee.
Yuan Shiqing felt sorry for their plight and introduced them to Yan Yun Tower to sing. He would often invite them to sing whenever he came. Because Fang Fang was delicate and had a beautiful voice, she was very popular with the guests. Mr. Song also pitied their situation and allowed them to perform in the tavern for free. Over the past year, the father and daughter had saved a considerable amount of money, and they were getting closer to their goal.
Yuan Shiqing said, "Sing 'One Plum Blossom'!"
Hu Xiaotian was taken aback. "What? 'One Plum Blossom' already exists? This is too amazing. Could there really be a song with the power to transcend time?"
Fang Fang gave a shallow bow, and the father and daughter sat down. Fang Zhitan played the lute, and the music was enchanting. Fang Fang opened her lips and sang, "The lotus fragrance lingers, the jade mat feels cold in autumn. I gently untie my silk robe and board the orchid boat alone. Who sends me a letter from the clouds? When the geese return, the moon fills the western tower. Flowers fall and water flows, one longing, two idle sorrows. This feeling cannot be dispelled, it leaves the brow but rises to the heart..." Her voice was soft and melancholic, like a lament, and for a moment, everyone was spellbound.
Hu Xiaotian stared at the blind girl, moved by her performance. After hearing Yuan Shiqing's story about the father and daughter's tragic background, he naturally felt some sympathy. But now, hearing Fang Fang's singing, he was truly moved, deeply touched by her artistry. He never expected that this blind girl could sing so emotionally and touchingly.
Hu Xiaotian had always had good artistic taste. He wouldn't say his taste was absolutely high, but it was never vulgar. What moved him often moved many others. Murong Feiyan was also moved, but she didn't think Hu Xiaotian was moved by the performance. Seeing him staring at Fang Fang in a trance, she immediately gave him a four-word evaluation: "infatuated and enchanted." She didn't think his eyes showed seriousness and focus; she thought his gaze was too obvious and lecherous. Prejudice is hard to change. Murong Feiyan thought to herself that if this playboy had any improper thoughts and dared to bully this poor blind girl, she would not let him off.
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