One hundred taels for a diagnosis fee!
Even the old doctor who had been ready to flee in disgrace, let alone the onlooking commoners, all gasped in astonishment. That was, simply put, far too expensive!
Look at this young man. He felt the pulse, inserted a needle, prescribed some medicine, and all within less a time than it takes to drink a cup of tea – and then he had the gall to ask for a hundred taels.
This, this is downright daylight robbery!
Even in the city, the most expensive doctors from Shengyuan Hall don't charge this much. Yet, this young man dares to ask for so much.
Landlord Qian was also alarmed. He had amassed his wealth through hard work in business, not by a stroke of luck. Was this young man deliberately trying to extort him?
But it was he who had promised a generous reward. As a businessman who valued integrity above all else, Landlord Qian felt he was being taken advantage of, but he wouldn't lose his reputation over a hundred taels.
Moreover, he had some other concerns he wanted to ask about.
Landlord Qian took out a silver note worth a hundred taels from his wallet and handed it to Qin Liuxi, saying, "Young Master saved my mother, and this diagnosis fee is well deserved. But as the saying goes, 'Don't trouble two masters with one issue.' My mother's condition needs further care, could you please examine her more closely?"
Qin Liuxi took the silver note without even looking at it and handed it directly to Chen Pi, saying, "Landlord Qian, you are straightforward, and so this is easy to discuss. But your worries aren't just about Old Mrs. Qian's health, are they?"
Landlord Qian's heart skipped a beat as he remembered the casual question he had asked earlier. Seeing that his mother's complexion had noticeably improved, he pursed his lips, feeling somewhat heavy-hearted, "To speak honestly, my wife is currently pregnant and has been feeling unwell lately. After consulting doctors for a month without improvement, we thought to add some incense oil at the Daoist Temple and ask for a peace charm for her well-being. Little did we expect this incident to happen."
"You did come to the right place, having met me by chance. Your Lady surely cannot rest comfortably," said the old lady whose pulse indicated she had been through the bloom of youth and widowhood, old age with numerous sicknesses, a lost daughter-in-law, and a frail young grandson. Suffering hardships from a young age, if she could get past this ordeal, her descendants' lives would also change for the better.
Landlord Qian's eyes widened, "How do you know?" Not waiting for Qin Liuxi to reply, he anxiously asked, "May I ask if you could visit and diagnose my wife at home?"
"This..." Qin Liuxi rubbed his thumb and index finger together.
Landlord Qian, sensing the implied request, eagerly said, "If Young Master can cure my wife's ailment, not to mention a hundred, I, Mr. Qian, am willing to pay a thousand taels for the diagnosis fee."
Having longed for this child for many years, he couldn't afford the slightest mistake. A thousand taels was an understatement; if both mother and child were safe, he would willingly spend all his wealth.
Qin Liuxi's lips curled into a smile, "And where is your estate?"
Landlord Qian quickly gave his address.
Qin Liuxi nodded, remembering it, and said, "I will visit your home tomorrow at the hour of the dragon."
Upon hearing this, Landlord Qian hurriedly bowed deeply and said, "I shall personally await your arrival."
Qin Liuxi waved her hand dismissively, "Old Lady shouldn't stay out for too long. Have the medicine soup and head back to the city."
Landlord Qian bowed again and saw her off.
With the crowd pointing the way, Qin Liuxi turned and headed for the carriage.
Before she reached the carriage, suddenly someone collapsed heavily in front of her, raising a cloud of dust that made her nose itch.
The person began to raise his hand, "Doctor, please save..."
Qin Liuxi stepped over his hand without a glance, not giving him a second look.
What an actor, a complete waste of her time!
What happened to the heart of a doctor being akin to a parent's?
"May I ask, Young Master, are you Daoist Doctor Buqiu?"
Just as Qin Liuxi was about to get on the carriage, she heard a question from beside her and turned her head to see a pair of profound and deep eyes.