mtl008 Chapter 349 I need your help with one thing
Chapter 349 I need your help with one thing
Liu Xiang's body stiffened. She got up with Lu Yangyang's help, but she still didn't dare to lift her eyes.
Lu Yangyang pulled her to sit down at the table.
Liu Xiang knelt on the prayer mat in fear, her head bowed: "This concubine dares not."
Lu Yangyang pointed at Wen Qingqing and said to her, "She will cure your illness."
Liu Xiang looked up in surprise, paused for a moment, and then quickly looked down again.
Jiang Zhiyi handed her a cup of tea: "Have a sip of tea to calm down, don't be afraid."
Liu Xiang dared not accept the cup of tea, and kowtowed to Jiang Zhiyi in fear: "Miss Jiang, it really wasn't me, I swear, I haven't taken any other customers since I started offering my services. All the money that Young Master Yang gave me went to my mother, and the silver notes that Young Master Yang casually gave me, I only used some for daily expenses. Young Master Yang's illness really has nothing to do with me. I thought that because Young Master Yang was generous, he had some sincerity, so I thought I could become a concubine, rather than be sold again..."
Jiang Zhiyi stopped her: "I had my brother investigate you, and I believe you."
Liu Xiang then raised her head through teary eyes, looked at Jiang Zhiyi with guilt, and timidly said, "Thank you, Miss Jiang, thank you, Miss Jiang..."
Facing Jiang Zhiyi, she felt truly conflicted. Jiang Zhiyi was almost her mistress, but she knew that Jiang Zhiyi would never like a concubine like her. Someone of her background couldn't even be a respectable concubine; at best, she could only be the lowest of the low, hoping to have a child so she would have someone to rely on in the future.
Jiang Zhiyi gently comforted her: "Your willingness to tell me about Yang Chengfeng has already helped me a lot. You had no choice in what happened before, so I don't blame you. Even without you, Yang Chengfeng and I wouldn't have been able to continue. It's his problem, not mine or yours, so don't be afraid. I won't hold a grudge against you."
Jiang Zhiyi was never one to wallow in self-pity. Thinking back to the day she tried to jump into the river but was saved by the gang leader, her hesitation stemmed from a deep-seated resentment towards dying. However, the circumstances at the time had driven her to desperation; she couldn't grasp at even a straw. But when Lu Yangyang avenged her that day, it was as if she awoke from a fog, reborn from her cocoon. She would no longer hesitate or fear. She would also never doubt herself; doing so would only embolden those who tried to smear her.
Liu Xiang's tears fell even more fiercely.
Jiang Zhiyi took Liu Xiang's hand and said to her, "These two are Miss Wen and Miss Lu. Miss Wen is the famous Little Fairy Doctor. With her help, she will definitely be able to cure your illness."
"Really? Really?" Liu Xiang looked up at Wen Qingqing in disbelief.
Wen Qingqing felt a little guilty and turned to look at Lu Yangyang. She didn't understand why Lu Yangyang insisted on pushing this matter onto her, since it was clearly Lu Yangyang who told her the way to treat venereal disease!
But if she didn't agree, Lu Yangyang wouldn't tell her how to do it, so she had no choice but to bite the bullet and accept the credit.
She coughed lightly and nodded to Liu Xiang: "Of course, extend your hand, I'll take your pulse and prescribe some medicine to regulate your body. You can start treatment in a few days."
Liu Xiang kowtowed repeatedly with excitement: "Thank you, Little Fairy Doctor, thank you, Miss Lu, thank you, Miss Jiang, thank you all, thank you... I have nothing to offer in return, and I am willing to serve as your servant in the future to repay your kindness."
Wen Qingqing disliked this whole kneeling ritual and quickly grabbed her hand to take her pulse: "You people are really annoying, always kneeling back and forth, isn't that troublesome? Our Medicine God Valley never allows people to kneel randomly, it's a waste of time."
Liu Xiang froze, stammering, "I, I..."
"Alright, alright, I wasn't talking about you." Wen Qingqing focused on taking her pulse.
After taking her pulse, Wen Qingqing went to write the prescription. Jiang Zhiyi asked Liu Xiang, "Miss Liu, you've been with Yang Chengfeng for several years. Have you ever heard where his money comes from?"
Lu Yangyang also looked at Liu Xiang.
Liu Xiang paused, somewhat conflicted, and nervously glanced towards the door.
Jiang Zhiyi said softly, "I have already had the private room guarded, so no one will hear our conversation. You can rest assured. You will stay with me these days. After your illness is cured, if you wish, I will arrange for someone to send you away from Jiangnan. If you stay here, the Yang family may try to harm you."
Liu Xiang was surprised that Jiang Zhiyi had even arranged this for her. She looked at Jiang Zhiyi gratefully and then whispered, "Young Master Yang hasn't told me much, but he likes to entertain his friends at Hongxiu Pavilion. So when he's drunk, I've overheard some things from his conversation. It's... the salt mines. I heard that the Yang family controls the salt mines in Ning County, so they have a steady stream of money. The old Master Yang used to be in charge of this."
Jiang Zhiyi frowned instantly: "The saltworks? They..."
As if she had guessed something, Jiang Zhiyi stopped talking in time and asked Liu Xiang, "Do you know anything else?"
Liu Xiang shook her head: "Young Master Yang is very cautious and never talks about this much. He only says that with his talent, he will definitely be able to pass the imperial examination with top honors. However, he does not want to go to the capital. He finds it very annoying to be controlled by others. Jiangnan is better, where he can do whatever he wants."
Jiang Zhiyi gave a cold laugh.
Liu Xiang asked hesitantly, "Miss Jiang, Miss Lu, I wonder, how much will it cost to treat this illness?"
"Consultation fee?" Jiang Zhiyi was taken aback and turned to look at Lu Yangyang.
Lu Yangyang said, "Ten taels of silver."
"Huh?" Liu Xiang was dumbfounded: "Ten, ten taels? You, you're not mistaken?"
Lu Yangyang said firmly, "You're right, it's ten taels."
Liu Xiang's breathing became rapid, and her face, which had been pale and bloodless due to illness, flushed with excitement. Her lips trembled as she asked incredulously, "Really, really?"
“Really,” Lu Yangyang said firmly.
Liu Xiang bit her lip, looking at Lu Yangyang with a mixture of anticipation and hesitation. "Miss Lu, I... I can... please... please do me a favor."
"You said."
"Could you... could you let Miss Wen help others get treatment too? I know this request is a bit excessive. I can offer more money, really, I'll give you all the money I have on me. Can you help them?" Liu Xiang looked at Lu Yangyang with a mixture of shame and expectation.
"Them?" Lu Yangyang asked, "You mean your sisters in the brothel?"
Liu Xiang nodded and said with a bitter smile, "I know we are of lowly status. Brothels are the places where venereal diseases are most prevalent. Among my sisters, few who contracted the disease died a natural death. It would be best if they could go out and die quietly, but the worst thing would be being sent to the mines, specifically the salt mines. Those are not places for humans to stay. There are people who specifically take the sick girls there. They call it... sending plague chickens."