Chapter 142: 107 Jealousy (First Update)

The topic from before was shelved by Xiao Jingkong’s interruption.

Seven days later, Gu Jiao went to the medical hall again.

The medical hall was once again emptied out.

Gu Jiao furrowed her brows, forgetting to mention last time that she wouldn’t allow the disruption of the medical hall’s business.

The man from last time hadn’t arrived yet. Instead, it was the young guard who had been kicked into a tree by Gu Jiao who arrived first, leading the others in clearing out the hall.

Gu Jiao was slightly annoyed.

Huichun Hall was the only medical hall in town. There were numerous patients who came every day; sending them all away would disrupt their treatment.

The man didn’t keep Gu Jiao waiting long before he arrived, donning a large bamboo hat.

The hat was lined with a veil that effectively obscured his head.

He could see outside, but no one could see his face.

“Miss,” he greeted her cordially, his tone lighter than last time. “The medicine you gave me really is miraculous; my condition hasn’t worsened.”

It had even improved a bit, but he didn’t mention that fearing it might be his imagination.

Gu Jiao didn’t rush to examine him. Instead, she said, “You can’t monopolize the medical hall anymore. The medical hall isn’t your private territory. You don’t have the right to evict other patients.”

The young guard snapped back, “What do you know? Do you have any idea who my master is?”

“Silence!” The man ordered the young guard.

The young guard realized he had almost spoken out of turn and reluctantly clamped his mouth shut.

Gu Jiao calmly said, “I don’t care who you are. All patients here are equal. We don’t discriminate based on status, but on the urgency of the illness.”

Slapping his hand on the table, the man passionately praised, “Such fairness, treating all patients equally! If all the doctors of Zhan Country were like you, we wouldn’t have problems treating the common folk! For a woman, you have such profound understanding…”

“Take off your pants!” Gu Jiao interrupted him.

“…”

The man’s lips twitched. Couldn’t she have let him finish praising her?

Gu Jiao began to examine him.

All the servants had left, leaving only the doctor and patient. Despite this, the man’s face still turned red.

Gu Jiao, on the other hand, was remarkably calm.

Finally, he couldn’t take it anymore and asked with a red face, “Miss, how do you manage to stay so composed?”

Gu Jiao merely said, “Just used to it.”

The man: “…!!”

What an offensive statement!!!

“I’m giving you the second injection today.” Gu Jiao took out the penicillin.

Struck with fear of being injected, the man panicked, “Wait, can I…ugh—”

The man stiffened, biting on the quilt.

—

The timing of the provincial examination in this dynasty was similar to the previous one, held in August. However, some examinees from remote regions set out as early as June to find accommodation in the provincial city.

Xiao Liulang was escorted by the Lin Family’s fast carriage, so there was no need to hurry, but they couldn’t delay too long either.

The two men were making breakfast in the kitchen.

Gu Jiao asked Xiao Liulang, “When do you plan to leave?”

“Three days from now,” Xiao Liulang said.

“Is Fen Lin going too?”

“Yes, he is.”

“That’s good. You can take care of each other on the road.” Gu Jiao was confident in Fen Lin’s abilities. He might not take the most care of himself, but he would definitely take good care of Xiao Liulang.

Thinking of something, Gu Jiao then asked, “Will you pass Song County?”

Song County was Fen Lin’s hometown, where Xiao Liulang, his mother and brother had once lived.

Xiao Liulang shook his head, “No, it’s not on the way. If we were going to the capital city via waterway, we could’ve passed it.”

Song County had a canal. One of the two major salt farming routes of the dynasty passed through this county.

Gu Jiao simply responded with an “Oh.”

On New Year’s Eve, Fen Lin had shed many tears due to homesickness. A visit home would be comforting.

Gu Jiao said, “Then I wish him success in the provincial examination, so he can go to the Capital City for the imperial examination next year and visit home.”

After saying this, she immediately felt something was off. She had forgotten that Principal Li had told her Xiao Liulang didn’t want to participate in the imperial examination.

She had never pushed him.

He had his own life and choices.

The three days passed as quickly as a white horse crosses a chasm, and it was soon the day for Xiao Liulang to set off to the provincial city.

Manager Zhou had the carriage brought to the village early in the morning. Knowing that they needed to load their luggage, he directly parked the carriage at Gu Jiao and Xiao Liulang’s front door.

The Lin Family was the wealthiest in the provincial city, dominating the salt trade. Their carriage was even more luxurious than the Marquis Residence’s, drawn by four majestic mares, each taller than an adult man.