Chapter 20

Passing through the front hall and along the corridor, they walked for about half the time it takes to burn an incense stick.

This vast mansion could be described as exquisitely carved and jade-like, with its horizontal beams and pillars, blue bricks, and red walls, all exuding a dignified air without appearing luxurious.

The one leading the way was an old butler.

Rushing through the courtyard, Qin Xianyu didn't have time to take a closer look, but he could smell the fragrance of flowers and hear the sound of flowing water. As he passed by, he caught a glimpse of green grass, red flowers, artificial hills, and streams, all very elegant and charming.

"Master Qin, the small building ahead is where Miss's chamber is located. The few doctors who haven't left are discussing in the courtyard."

The old butler led Qin Xianyu into the courtyard.

As soon as Qin Xianyu entered, he saw four or five people gathered around a stone table in the courtyard. Although he wasn't very familiar with them, he knew they were renowned physicians from far and wide.

Beside them was an elderly man in his seventies or eighties, dressed in a shabby gray robe, sitting on the ground and leaning against a wooden railing. His eyes were slightly closed, as if he were dozing, but he was humming a tune softly.

Qin Xianyu thought to himself, "Is that Lord Gan?"

"Esteemed doctors," the old butler bowed slightly and said, "This young Master Qin is a physician invited by Commander Lu to discuss the treatment with all of you."

Upon hearing this, the few doctors who were discussing the condition put down their pens and paper and all turned to look at Qin Xianyu.

Just a young boy who still smells of milk?

A slightly plump doctor angrily said, "Who is this kid? He hasn't even shed his baby hair and he's here to treat people?"

Another one laughed, "You look like a teenager of sixteen or seventeen. Can you even read all the characters? How many medical books have you read?"

"Butler, although our medical skills are limited and we couldn't save Miss Liu, it's too much to insult us by sending such a child!"

A doctor holding a medical book put down the book, his words filled with anger. If this were any other place, they would have left in a huff, but in the mansion of the state governor, they didn't dare to be too disrespectful.

The doctors couldn't save Miss Liu, and they had been discussing medical treatments day and night, but to no avail. It was understandable that the Liu family would seek out better doctors, such as Lord Gan, who was a famous doctor invited a few days ago and had a high reputation.

But how skilled could a young Taoist be?

If they couldn't cure the illness, could a young man like him really cure it?

If they had invited someone over fifty or with a high reputation, it would have been fine. But this young man, who was still so young and had no medical fame, was insulting to their reputation as famous doctors.

The doctor who had put down the medical book didn't wait for the old butler to answer. He turned to Qin Xianyu and shouted, "Little Taoist, how old are you? Which temple did you come from? Why don't you go read your Taoist scriptures instead of meddling in medicine?"

Qin Xianyu recognized this person, who seemed to be surnamed Yan, a famous doctor in Fengxing Prefecture. Hearing the question, Qin Xianyu wasn't angry but smiled faintly and said, "I am Qin Xianyu, and I haven't taken the vows. My late master was a Taoist, so I wear Taoist robes. I have studied medicine since childhood and have read more medical books than Taoist scriptures. As for medicine, does saving lives depend on one's identity and age?"

"So you're a fake Taoist."

"Hmph, what does it matter if you don't consider identity and age?" the slightly plump doctor said, "If doctors can't cure the illness, can a Taoist? We have all practiced medicine for decades and have seen countless difficult cases and read countless medical books. You, a teenager of sixteen or seventeen, may not even know all the characters, let alone how many medical books you've read."

"Doctor Li, you are mistaken," Qin Xianyu smiled slightly. "Your medical skills are naturally superior to mine, as you have saved many lives. However, you have achieved your skills over decades and may not have read many medical books in recent years. I have been reading medical books since childhood, every day without fail. If we were to compare, the number of medical books I have read might not be less than yours."

The faces of the doctors turned red. Over the years, they had been busy treating patients, but even more so running their clinics and collecting fees. They had stopped reading medical books once they had achieved their skills. After decades of practice, they had forgotten much of the content of the medical books and relied more on their own skills and knowledge rather than what was written.

Doctor Li's face turned red with anger. "How do you know I haven't read medical books? As the saying goes, one learns every day until the end of one's life. I read books every day, those..."

Qin Xianyu smiled inwardly but knew it wasn't wise to argue further. He was here to treat the patient, not to engage in verbal sparring.

At this moment, the lazy Lord Gan said, "Why don't you recite a couple of passages for us to hear?"

Doctor Li became even angrier, clenching his teeth.

Lord Gan had once served as an imperial physician in the capital and had a high reputation. Although he had retired and spent his days drinking, his medical skills and fame were still highly respected.

"Hmph," after a moment's thought, Doctor Li waved his sleeve and said, "Don't talk nonsense. Even you, Lord Gan, couldn't cure the illness."

"If I can't cure it, then I can't," Lord Gan stretched, "Life is only a few decades long, and everyone will die eventually. Dying a little earlier might even be a relief. But this young lady, born into a wealthy family, with no worries about food and clothing, is much better off than the poor and the servants. Look at the maids and servants in this mansion, who work every day except for eating and sleeping. What fun do they have?"

"Moreover, in this murky world, even ministers and emperors, what fun do they have?"

The last sentence was considered highly disrespectful.

Everyone, including the old butler, changed their expressions.

"Actually... not necessarily."

A faint voice sounded.

Everyone looked, and it was Qin Xianyu who had spoken.

Since receiving the inheritance from Guan Xu, Qin Xianyu often thought about the concept of immortality. Hearing Lord Gan's words, he pondered for a moment and sighed softly, "The pursuit of immortality is elusive and difficult to find. Perhaps Lord Gan feels that this world is like a prison, and the decades of human life are like a sentence. But from the perspective of ordinary people, it may not be so."

"Look at this vast mansion, with countless servants. Although they work tirelessly every day, they may not be entirely unhappy. For example, a gardener who plants a fine flower may feel happy. The old butler, who helps his master, may also feel happy."

"There are four words in this world: finding joy in hardship."

"I know a woodcutter who works hard every day, but when he returns home to his wife and children, he laughs heartily. When his daughter was poisoned, he was very worried, but when she recovered, he was very happy."

"Pausing for a moment, Qin Xianyu continued, "For example, as doctors, when we see patients recover, and they are happy and grateful, don't we also feel happy?"

Everyone was silent.

Lord Gan recalled the countless patients he had treated over the years, their joy and happiness upon recovery, and the happiness he had felt at the time. He was momentarily stunned.

Qin Xianyu said softly, "Life has its joys and sorrows, and it is only a few decades long. But if one's heart is untroubled, content, and satisfied, that is enough."

Although there were many more things he wanted to say, Qin Xianyu felt he had said enough. The rest of his thoughts were along the same lines. If these words didn't enlighten Lord Gan, saying more would be useless.

Moreover, Qin Xianyu felt he was still young and inexperienced. Although he had read some books and thought about some things, he was not yet ready to discuss the great truths of life with these elders who had lived for decades. He had spoken because he had been thinking a lot lately and needed to vent his frustrations.

After speaking his mind, Qin Xianyu felt much better. In the future, he would focus on cultivating and refining his qi, and not dwell too much on these philosophical questions.

"Somewhat... reasonable."

Lord Gan muttered to himself, "These words, when thought about, are simple and easy to understand. But I was trapped by that man's words and couldn't see clearly. Perhaps you are right..."

Qin Xianyu smiled and made a gesture inviting the old butler to lead the way.

"Master Qin's words have truly enlightened me. I have lived for so many years, and there are still things I can't understand," the old butler chuckled and led the way.

Everyone was still in deep thought and let him go.

When they came to their senses, Qin Xianyu had already been led into the small building by the old butler.

"Nonsense," Doctor Li angrily waved his sleeve and said, "Talking nonsense, a mere child, what does he know?"

Doctor Yan shook his head and sighed, "Brother Li, although he is young, what he said is not necessarily wrong."

Doctor Li was quite indignant and was about to retort, "I... Hey, how did that kid know my surname?"

Everyone looked at each other. The young Taoist had clearly called him Doctor Li.

At this moment, a figure appeared on the second floor of the small building. Qin Xianyu smiled and said, "I am Qin Xianyu, son of Qin Mingjin. All of you are famous doctors in Fengxing Prefecture and often discussed medical principles with my father. I have accompanied him a few times."

"Son of Qin Mingjin?"

Everyone looked surprised.

A hint of surprise flashed in Lord Gan's eyes, and after a long moment, he sighed, "Qin Mingjin has a good son."

Doctor Li sneered, "We are all elders, and he has never shown us any respect. How can a disrespectful brat be considered a good son? He must be relying on Qin Mingjin's reputation. I think he is a tiger father with a dog son. Pfft, his father died of illness, what skills did he have?"

Doctor Li glanced at the small building and said with emphasis, "I want to see how he ruins the last bit of the Qin family's reputation!"

"Why should he show you respect when you are disrespectful?" Lord Gan said. "As for the illness, if we can't cure it, then we can't. How can he ruin the reputation? We couldn't cure it either, so why should the reputation be ruined?"

Doctor Li's face turned red, and he grunted, picking up a medical book.

The old butler, coming out of the small building, heard Doctor Li's last words. He bowed slightly and said, "You have been treating Miss Liu for many days and may not know that Master Qin once cured the venom of the Blood Trace Snake. His reputation is now almost as high as that of the late Master Qin."

"Blood Trace Snake?"

Everyone's faces changed, and even Lord Gan was moved.

Doctor Li's body stiffened, and his hand holding the book rested on the stone table.

At this moment, everyone noticed that in his confusion, he had held the medical book upside down.

PS: Thank you, 'Wet River,' for your generous donation. I am very happy. This is a new book in a new world, and it needs your support through recommendations, collections, and donations. O(∩_∩)O Haha~

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