Song Fengsui fetched several cooling medicinal herbs, ground them into powder, and mixed in a little water to make a paste. Scooping it into a small dish, he prepared to apply it to Duan Yan’s sore.
Duan Yan had been lost in thought. Only when he saw Song Fengsui’s fingertip, smeared with medicine, about to touch the corner of his mouth did he snap back to himself. He hurriedly said, “I’ll do it myself. I will!”
Song Fengsui stopped and looked at the flustered man. “When other people are ill or injured, a physician may touch and examine them. Yet your body alone is so precious that even a physician is not allowed to lay a hand on you?”
“If I am not to apply the medicine, then so be it. You can let the heat sores grow until they burn your whole mouth to pieces. What sort of strange temperament is this? You will not even heed a doctor’s advice.”
As he spoke, he moved to fetch a towel and wipe his hands.
Seeing this, Duan Yan surrendered. “...Then I’ll trouble you.”
Song Fengsui gave a soft snort, yet still did not apply the medicine. “You are capable enough, after all. Surely there is no need to trouble me with applying this ointment for you.”
Duan Yan hastily stopped him and pleaded, “There is no mirror here, so I cannot see clearly enough to apply it. This medicine is strictly for external use—I do not know whether it can be taken internally. If I accidentally get some into my mouth, would that be serious?”
Song Fengsui shot him a glance. “Then sit still and behave yourself. If you say another word, find someone else to wait on you.”
Duan Yan obediently shut his mouth and sat upright, his gaze fixed upon the floor as he let Song Fengsui apply the medicine.
The heat sore at the corner of his mouth had been rather itchy. Earlier, when he had carelessly scratched it, it had begun to sting fiercely. It was not terribly troublesome, but it was uncomfortable all the same.
The moment the cool ointment touched the corner of his mouth, Duan Yan’s back went rigid. Even his breathing fell out of rhythm, as though he feared that the breath he exhaled might brush against Song Fengsui’s fingertips.
He knew they were very close now. If he only lifted his eyes a little, Song Fengsui’s flawless face would surely fill his view.
Duan Yan did not quite dare to look up. His gaze searched for somewhere to hide.
And yet, at precisely that moment, Song Fengsui said, “Lift your chin a little. With your head bowed like that, I have to bend at the waist like a bow.”
Duan Yan gave a dry cough and raised his head with feigned composure. “Will this do?”
As he spoke, his eyes unexpectedly collided with Song Fengsui’s face.
One standing, one seated—only a palm’s breadth apart.
Duan Yan had never denied Song Fengsui’s beauty. Even though he had seen him countless times, seeing him from so close still made his heart skip a beat.
His nose was small, delicately lifted, and perfectly suited to that jade-carved face. Now that he was so close, Duan Yan discovered that there was a tiny, faintly colored mole on the left side of Song Fengsui’s nose bridge.
It lent that breathtakingly beautiful, flawless face a touch of playfulness—made him seem a little more real, a little more alive.
“Is there something dirty on my face?”
At the sound of his voice, Duan Yan hurriedly withdrew his gaze. “...No.”
Song Fengsui did not pursue the matter or tease him. He merely dipped his finger into the medicine again.
Out of the corner of his eye, Duan Yan watched Song Fengsui gently dab the ointment onto him. His brows and eyes were intent, without the slightest superfluous emotion, as though Duan Yan were simply one patient among thousands.
That ought to have put him at ease...
Yet, faintly, he felt that Song Fengsui seemed somewhat different from before, though he could not be sure.
In the past, they had always kept a proper distance between them. But now, it seemed Song Fengsui had begun to cross that boundary.
Perhaps... he had thought things through and had come to regard him as an elder brother. That was why he no longer needed to be as cautious around him as he had been before.
Without realizing it, Duan Yan’s pounding nervousness shifted into a melancholy mood.
In any case, after several days of quarrelling and fussing, the two had made up again.
After sharing a little breakfast with Duan Yan at the estate, Song Fengsui went with him to Little Wild Goose Village to examine Old Man Duan’s leg. Over the past few days, Duan Yan had already taken Herbalist Ye to inspect the land, and the fields for growing medicinal herbs had been marked out. This time, tenants had been arranged to loosen the soil and raise furrows according to the requirements for cultivating the herbs.
Herbalist Ye did not have enough seedlings on hand, so they would likely have to send people elsewhere to purchase seeds and young plants.
Duan Yan was pondering whether to make the trip himself or assign one of his men to handle it.
When the two arrived at the estate, Old Madam Duan saw that Song Fengsui—who had not come by for several days—had finally arrived with Duan Yan again. Delighted, she immediately pulled him into the house to eat some fruit.
“I was just saying that when Eldest Son came to the estate today, I would send someone to invite you over. What a coincidence—you have come along with him, so there is no need for all that fuss.”
Seeing that Old Madam Duan was even warmer than she had been on his previous visits, Song Fengsui could not help asking, “Has Old Man Duan’s leg been troubling him again?”
“It is doing very well. Every day, he practices according to the method you taught him. Folks in the village say that his limp has improved a great deal compared with before. It is marvelous! Some have even privately asked through friends and acquaintances whether they might invite you to look at their chronic ailments.”
Song Fengsui’s eyes brightened. He was naturally more than willing to treat people.
There was no income at home now. They had only five meager mu of land to live off, and those few fields had not yet yielded any grain. Though they still had enough rice and provisions not to go hungry, most of it had been sent by Duan Yan under one pretext or another.
Ever since the village head had given them land and exempted them from doing other grueling work, the household had gained much more time of its own—but no longer received a free measure of coarse rice from that side, either.
At present, they were simply eating away at what they had. Only occasionally would villagers come seeking someone to write letters for them. They would bring paper and brushes to the house and ask his father or second uncle to compose a letter. Some would pay two copper coins; others might bring a vegetable, or a couple of eggs.
But that was not something that happened every day. It was already good if one person came every three or five days.
Although Duan Yan supported them often, the truth was that they were neither kin nor family. They could not simply cling to his help like parasites without thinking of any way to support themselves.
If he could earn some income himself, not only would their food and daily needs become less strained, but they could also save a little money for seeds and seedlings for the fields, as well as lamp oil, bedding, and other household necessities.
He promptly said, “I would be glad to help.”
Old Madam Duan said, “Then I’ll have the tenants spread the word and tell them to come to our estate. You can see them here, rather than having to go to their homes and tire yourself out.”
“From now on, anyone in the Little Wild Goose Village area who wants you to examine them can come to the estate for treatment. We cannot have a young ge’er like you going to those mud-legged peasants’ houses and catching their attention.”
Old Madam Duan continued, “As long as you are willing to treat people, whichever of our estates is closest, have them come there for care. That way, people will know you are the estate’s physician. Those fellows will not dare entertain improper thoughts; they will have to think carefully about whether they can afford to provoke you.”
Hearing Old Madam Duan’s considerate arrangements, Song Fengsui was deeply grateful. He immediately understood the intent and said, “Thank you for taking such trouble and keeping my affairs in mind. Since I would be relying on the estate’s protection in this way, from every patient I see in the future, I shall give thirty percent of my earnings to the estate. I cannot simply...”
Before Song Fengsui could finish speaking, Old Madam Duan waved her hands repeatedly. “How could we take a cut of your earnings? You and Old Man Duan cured his lame leg—that’s a blessing as great as the heavens! Don’t be fooled by that old fellow always saying he doesn’t care about his limp. Truth is, it pains him terribly. Only after you treated him did he begin to perk up again.”
“Even setting that aside, having you see patients at the estate may look as though you’re borrowing the estate’s protection, but aren’t we the ones receiving a favor from you?”
Old Madam Duan’s words left Song Fengsui at a loss for what else to say. If he kept refusing, he might truly disappoint her good intentions. After all, someone capable of building up an estate always possessed a wisdom beyond that of ordinary people.
“Since Madam has considered things so thoroughly, if I continue to refuse, I would only be slighting your kindness. Then I shall gratefully accept.”
Seeing Song Fengsui agree, Old Madam Duan broke into a delighted smile. Using a handkerchief to cover her hand, she picked up a bayberry and offered it to Song Fengsui.
Seeing that Song Fengsui had plenty of people to look after him here, Duan Yan felt more at ease. He told him, “I’m going to check on the fields. Stay properly at the estate. If you’ve finished seeing patients and want to go back before I return, just tell the gatekeeper to send someone to call me from the fields.”
Song Fengsui nodded obediently. “I know. You’ve said the same thing no fewer than five times since we left Liuzhuang. I already promised you—I definitely won’t run around. Go do what you need to do.”
Duan Yan touched his nose. He likely had not realized he had repeated himself so many times. Was he really getting old?
“Wait.”
Song Fengsui watched him head out to work somewhat sheepishly, then called after him. He stepped forward and slipped something into Duan Yan’s palm before turning and jogging back inside.
Holding the round plum in his hand, Duan Yan’s heart stirred. He looked up at Song Fengsui’s retreating figure as he entered the house, the corners of his lips lifting faintly. He tucked the plum into his robes, fetched a straw hat, and went out.
Song Fengsui followed Old Madam Duan inside to wait for patients. Under her guidance, he discovered that a separate room on this side of the estate had been set aside as a consultation room, and all the medicinal herbs stored at the estate had been moved there.
Old Madam Duan told him they had only finished arranging it over the past few days. Old Man Duan had said that, since the estate would be growing medicinal herbs in the future, it was only fitting to set up a dispensary. In any case, there was no shortage of rooms at the estate.
Moreover, since Song Fengsui was willing to see patients there, anyone he prescribed medicine for could obtain it directly from the estate. This would save patients another trip into town, while also giving their own herbs an outlet for sale.
Old Madam Duan spoke candidly and sincerely about all of this. She simply did not want Song Fengsui to stop coming to the estate so often once Old Man Duan’s leg had recovered.
Over the past few days, the old couple had painstakingly worked out these arrangements. Though their foolish son refused to admit it aloud, neither of them believed him.
Finding a husband was not something for their silly boy to handle alone. As his parents, surely they ought to lend him a little help.
Sure enough, Song Fengsui was greatly pleased with the arrangement, and intended to discuss it with his own parents when he returned.
Once Song Fengsui buried himself in the dispensary, nothing else could distract him. He busied himself sorting and arranging the herbs, thoroughly enjoying the work.
More than half an hour later, a middle-aged husband finally came in, somewhat embarrassed.
Duan Yan, meanwhile, had not been idle outside. After supervising the work in the medicinal fields, he went with Old Man Duan to the rapeseed fields. The rapeseed planted in June was ripe—more than ripe, in fact—and the tenant farmers were hurrying to harvest it.
“This year’s rapeseed has grown well. There are plenty of seeds, and they’re nice and full. We needn’t rush to sell it to the merchants in town. Once a little more time has passed and trading caravans from outside come through to buy grain, we can sell it then. Their prices are higher than those offered in our town. I asked around this year, and they’ll definitely be coming.”
“Is the estate short of money for expenses?” Duan Yan asked.
“No.”
Old Man Duan said, “Why do you ask?”
“If we aren’t short of money, then don’t sell any of this year’s harvest. Keep it all for ourselves.”
“What would we keep it for? We harvest so much grain. If we don’t sell it and just store it away, we can’t possibly eat it all. Year after year, wouldn’t it simply grow moldy and spoil?”
Old Man Duan continued, “Besides, though money isn’t tight, your mother and I were thinking of saving more for your wedding. Now that you hold an official post, shouldn’t we make a grand occasion of it when the time comes?”
Duan Yan was moved by this. It was not easy for Old Man Duan and Old Madam Duan to plan so carefully for him.
“There’s no telling when that matter will happen. There’s no need to worry about it for the next few years.”
Recently, he had also considered that if he simply had the estate hoard grain without explanation, everyone would likely find it strange and question his judgment. That would inevitably lead to trouble.
He needed a reasonable pretext, something that would silence people’s tongues.
“I’ve been thinking. Our family has three estates, and our annual grain yield is substantial. We might as well open a grain shop ourselves.”
Old Man Duan raised his brows. “This little town already has more than ten rice and grain shops. If we open one now, can we really steal business from those old hands?”
Duan Yan was not concerned with whether the business did well. It was merely a pretext; in fact, poor business would be even better. Then they would have a legitimate reason to store as much grain as they wished and purchase as much more from outside as they liked.
“What is there to fear, Father? Everything needs a beginning. Now is the best time. If we keep looking ahead and behind, worrying over everything, how will we ever accomplish anything?”
Those words actually persuaded the ever-cautious and conservative Old Man Duan somewhat.
He thought that since his son was currently enjoying favor and success, this was precisely the time to establish businesses. Even if he lost his position someday, he would still have property to rely on.
“All right, then. We’ll do as you say. But I’ll only keep an eye on matters at the estate. You have more connections in town, so you handle the shopfront and all that yourself.”
“Fine. I’ll take care of that side.”
Father and son inspected the rapeseed fields, then went to look at the wheat that would soon be ripe.
People in their area did not particularly favor growing wheat. Their family only had ample land, so they had experimented with planting two mu. Rare goods commanded higher prices, and sometimes it sold quite well.
The two of them wandered through the countryside and along the field ridges in companionable harmony, unaware that a pair of eyes was watching from afar. The observer snorted so loudly that it nearly rivaled a horse exhausted from running.
The epidemic had been dealt with, and Duan Yan, as a patrol officer, had no particular official duties at present. The Qian family's Third Son, merely a low-ranking assistant, had even less public work to do. Both were unofficial personnel, and both were enjoying a rare spell of leisure.
With no official business to attend to, they naturally turned to their own businesses and estates. Third Son Qian was likewise handling affairs at his family’s country estate.
His father was the village head and had to oversee the autumn harvest. Zhou Zhan could not spare the time to manage the miscellaneous affairs of the family estate, so he called Third Son Qian back.
He also wanted his son to help bolster the family’s presence.
“Look at that Old Man Duan. He truly refuses to admit he’s old. That lame leg of his is actually about to be cured, and lately I’ve heard their family is planning to grow medicinal herbs. He’s brimming with energy.
“From the look of him, if he makes a full recovery, I’m afraid he’ll come and contend with your old man here for the right to call the shots in this village.”
Old Man Qian spoke in a sour, sarcastic tone to his son for quite some time.
“What’s there for Dad to be afraid of? With me here, do you think I’d let them have their way, that old Duan family? Duan the Elder has only just secured the post of patrol inspector—how impressive can that be? If he can hold on to it securely for the long term, then that would count as real ability.
The last man who got the patrol inspector’s post is still sitting in prison. I heard he was sentenced to be beheaded just the other day. That Chen fellow used to serve under Duan the Elder, yet Duan the Elder was quick enough to wash his hands of him and cast him aside.”
Third Son Qian said, “I’ve found out that Duan the Elder has lately been keeping very close company with a family of disgraced officials exiled here by the authorities. He has no sense of propriety at all. I ought to teach him a lesson!”
Hearing this, Old Man Qian felt considerably better.
With his hands clasped behind his back, he turned and headed into his own fields, not caring in the least to watch that display of paternal and filial affection.
