Denghuaxiao

Chapter 251 Final Chapter
In early September, Cold Dew has passed for three days.

A month has passed since Lu Tong got married.

The beginning of a wedding is always extremely busy.

You have to pay respects to elders, visit your parents-in-law, and hold meetings. After a month until the "full moon", the number of rituals can be reduced.

Lu Tong was a person who was impatient with etiquette, and Pei Yunying would not take the initiative to make her unhappy, so she casually mentioned that the bride should save all the procedures after the wedding. The emperor specially allowed a few days of rest, and they either watered the hibiscus flowers in the mansion or took a car to the Danfeng Terrace to appreciate the new red maple leaves. The couple was very chic for a few days.

However, after the ten-day break, everyone becomes busy with their own things.

After Yuan Lang ascended the throne, he changed the "Xia Xiao" back to the "Autumn Hunt" of the previous emperor. At that time, light chariots, cavalry, and crossbows would come and go, and each class would be reviewed. Pei Yunying was in the martial arts field every day, and sometimes he would not return until late at night.

Lu Tong is also very busy.

As autumn passed and the weather got colder, more and more patients came to Renxin Clinic to pick up medicine. And perhaps because Lu Tong had won the first place in the imperial medical examination and had worked in the Medical Officers' Institute for a period of time, when Lu Tong was in charge of the clinic, there were many more patients than when Miao Liangfang was in charge of the clinic - the reputation of the Imperial Medical Officers' Institute was always useful.

The Medical Bureau was bustling with activity early in the morning.

Lin Danqing was half lying on the table, arguing with Ji Xun about a medicinal ingredient.

"Bupleurum, Scutellaria, Radix Rehmanniae, Cornus officinalis, Cortex Moutan, White Peony Root..." Lin Danqing pointed to the prescription on the table, "Adding this herb Prunella Vulgaris is superfluous, no, remove it!"

Across from her, Ji Xun frowned slightly, and said calmly and firmly: "It would be better if you add Prunella Vulgaris."

Lin Danqing did not retreat at all: "This is a headache caused by menstruation. During menstruation, the Yin blood gathers downward, the Chong Qi is too strong, and the Chong Qi and liver Qi go up against the flow... Doctor Ji, I am a woman and I know gynecology best, so of course I can't add it!"

Ji Xun pressed his forehead.

Since the establishment of the Medical Prescription Bureau, quarrels like this have been happening every day, and it's not just Ji Xun and Lin Danqing. Everyone worked together to compile medical books, and it was not limited to ordinary doctors or imperial doctors. Each doctor had different medical practices and prescribed different prescriptions. Sometimes when they had different opinions, it was common to argue until their faces turned red and their necks became thick. Occasionally, passers-by would think that the people inside were fighting.

As soon as Lu Tong entered the room, he saw Ji Xun and Lin Danqing confronting each other.

Seeing her come in, Lin Danqing's eyes lit up, and he took two steps at a time and took Lu Tong's arm: "Sister Lu, come and see, is this prescription better as I said without the Prunella Vulgaris?"

Lu Chen: "..."

This is not choosing a prescription, this is clearly being a judge.

She looked at the two prescriptions and said carefully, "Actually, both are fine. They each have their own benefits."

Hearing this, Lin Danqing was a little dissatisfied. Ji Xun breathed a sigh of relief and gave her a grateful glance.

He's really not very good at quarreling.

"Forget it, let's not talk about this." Lin Danqing didn't dwell on it, and only asked Lu Tong: "Why are you here today? Didn't you say you would be a doctor at Renxin Clinic in the next few days?"

Lu Tong said, "Mr. Miao, I heard that the Medical Prescription Bureau is compiling a medical book, so he sorted out some old prescriptions and asked me to send them over." After that, he put down the medical box, took out a document from the box and handed it over.

Ji Xun took it and said, "Thank you."

"The master asked me to tell you that this will benefit the medical profession all over the world. It is a great act of kindness, and there is no need to thank me."

Ji Xun nodded and looked at Lu Tong.

After Lu Tong got married, the medical bureau came less often. He was on duty in the palace many times and missed them. This was the first time they met after Lu Tong got married.

Compared to when she was in the Medical Officers' Institute, Lu Tong's complexion was rosier and she no longer looked as pale as before. She was wearing a Tianshui green silk skirt, her hair was as black as clouds, her eyes were bright and her teeth were white. She looked completely different from the past.

He suddenly remembered that he once gave Lu Tong a willow-leaf-colored dress in southern Jiangsu. Unfortunately, although the dress was bright in color, she had a hard life. Now that she was wearing a similar color, she finally felt as vibrant as a new willow in early spring.

Ji Xun lowered his eyes for a moment and said, "Let me feel your pulse."

Lu Tong stretched out her hand and let him touch her pulse with his fingertips.

After a moment, Ji Xun withdrew his hand and looked at Lu Tong with some surprise: "The pulse is much better than before, and more stable."

In fact, Lu Tong had fallen ill twice in the six months since he returned to Shengjing from southern Jiangsu.

But these two attacks were not as frightening as the previous one in southern Jiangsu. Although the patient suffered some pain, his life was not in danger. Ji Xun had seen it and thought that the poison from his early years was slowly being excreted from his body, and the process might be more difficult.

In the days ahead, Lu Tong might get sick again, but when she gets sick again, it’s not a sign of despair, but another sign of hope. It means her body is gradually recovering.

It always hurts to have the scars heal, but she smiles a lot more now.

Lin Danqing said, "Sister Lu, there will be a celebration banquet at the Medical Officers' Institute later to celebrate this year's selection of imperial physicians. Let's go together."

Chang Jin did not lie. The medical officer who went to southern Jiangsu to fight the epidemic was indeed promoted three levels in the clerk assessment. Chang Jin has added Lin Danqing's name to the list of candidates for imperial physicians. If he passes the assessment at the end of this year, Lin Danqing can become an imperial physician.

For a new medical officer, this was a meteoric promotion.

Lin Danqing was also very satisfied with himself. He showed his plan to Lu Tong. He aimed to become an imperial physician in one year, become the chief physician in two years, and then surpass Chang Jin and become the director of the hospital in three years.

Lu Tong expressed his support without hesitation.

"Dr. Chang told me yesterday that he hadn't seen you for a long time. Let's go together. I can also ask him to get some good herbs from the Imperial Pharmacy."

Lu Tong shook his head and said, "Not today. Mr. Miao is leaving and I have to see him off."

"Mr. Miao is leaving?" Ji Xun and Lin Danqing were both surprised: "When did it happen?"

"It has been decided before. He didn't let me tell you, nor did he want you to send him off." Lu Tong smiled, "Mr. has his own considerations, so I didn't mention it."

Ji Xun and Lin Danqing felt somewhat disappointed when they heard this.

After all, they had attended the clinic's celebration banquet together, and the old doctor was very insightful in medical theory.

As he was speaking, the sound of horse hooves was heard outside the Medical Bureau. A carriage with red wheels stopped at the door. Then, the curtain was lifted and someone sitting in the carriage saw Lu Tong looking at him and waved his hand slightly.

Pei Yunying is here.

"Hey, Pei Dianshuai is here to pick you up again?" Lin Danqing came closer. "I heard from someone that whenever he doesn't have to be on duty, he goes to West Street every evening to pick you up. You were once the commander of the Palace Front Division, but now you've become a free patrolman on West Street. But I heard that the public security on West Street has improved a lot, and no one has to lock their doors at night anymore."

She said it teasingly. Lu Tong was speechless. He just picked up the medical box and put it on his back. He hurriedly said a few words to Lin Danqing, and finally said, "I'm going to send Mr. Miao off first. I'll talk to you about the medical prescription next time."

Lin Danqing waved his hand and said, "Go ahead, and say bon voyage to Mr. Miao for me."

Ji Xun looked outside the door and saw the woman's back happily jogging towards the carriage. When she was almost in front of the carriage, the man reached out and held her arm, pulling her into the carriage. She looked up and nodded slightly to him as a greeting, and then lowered the curtain.

Ji Xun lowered his eyes.

They seem very affectionate and loving.

……

Lu Tong sat steadily in the carriage and Pei Yunying handed her a cup of tea.

Lu Tong took a sip of the tea and asked, "Why are you here so early?"

This was a little earlier than when she had talked to Pei Yunying before.

"There is no need for martial arts training today. There is nothing to do in the government office. Besides, if you see Lao Miao earlier, you can talk to him more."

Speaking of Lao Miao, Lu Tong let out a long sigh in his heart.

Miao Liangfang decided to return to Miao Village.

Half a year ago, when Lu Tong just returned to Shengjing and resigned from her position as a medical officer in the Medical Academy, Miao Liangfang was hesitant to talk to her.

Later, when the marriage with Pei Yunying was settled, Lao Miao hesitantly told Lu Tong about his plan one afternoon in a medical clinic.

"Xiao Lu, I haven't been back to Yunling for more than 20 years. I don't know what Miao Village looks like now."

He tapped his stump and said, "I stayed in Shengjing because I had resentment in my heart. I was unwilling and too embarrassed to go back. Now that I think about it, I was a coward."

"Now that the past is over and the right and wrong have been settled, I also want to go back and see how my family is doing. They must be worried after not hearing from me for so many years. I plan to open another clinic in Miaojia Village. Miaojia Village is not like Shengjing, there are countless talented doctors there. I want to bring back the medical skills I learned in Shengjing over the years to Yunling, so that the barefoot doctors in Yunling can also save lives like the doctors in Shengjing."

"Xiao Lu," he looked at Lu Tong, "I didn't mention this before, because the clinic couldn't be without a chief doctor. But now you are no longer a doctor at the Imperial Academy of Medical Officers, and I see that you are also devoted to practicing medicine, so I can rest assured."

Lu Tong wanted to keep him, but she didn't know how. Miao Liangfang had been away from home for more than 20 years, and she knew better than anyone how a traveler wanted to go home, so there was really no reason to stop him.

But no matter when, she always finds it difficult to prepare for separation.

This depressed look fell into the eyes of the people around her. Pei Yunying put his arm around her shoulders and comforted her gently: "Don't be sad, it's not like we won't see each other in the future."

Lu Tong: "Yunling is far from Shengjing. I think Mr. Miao has made up his mind not to come back. I don't know if we will ever see each other again."

"What's the difficulty?" He raised his lips, "If you want to see him, we can go to Yunling in the future. It's a good opportunity to have fun along the way."

Lu Tong sneered at the words and said, "In the future? With the heavy workload of the Palace Marshal every day, I'm afraid I'll have to wait another 40 to 50 years."

Pei Yunying groaned, raised his eyelids slightly, and said in a frivolous tone, "Are you complaining that I've been too busy lately and have neglected you?"

Lu Tong had a blank expression on his face: "You are being sentimental."

He nodded and said slowly: "Okay, after all, I'm not a doctor. I can only be sentimental, nothing else." He said it seriously, but his tone was extremely ambiguous, as if hinting at something.

Lu Chen: "..."

She didn't need to talk to this person anymore.

……

Jiulin River, in front of the ferry.

Yin Zheng and Du Changqing handed several full bags to Miao Liangfang.

Miao Liangfang was about to say goodbye, and his eyes were still misty with tears. But when he saw the heavy bags, he held back his tears and stared blankly, saying, "Are you crazy? I have to walk dozens of miles of mountain roads to go back to Miao Village in Yunling. My legs are not in good condition to begin with. Do you want me to break my other leg as well?"

"They are all worthless herbs." Du Changqing said unhappily, "I know you are weak, so I picked the lightest ones. Don't take advantage of me."

Ah Cheng stuffed an oil-paper bag into Miao Liangfang's hand and said, "Uncle Miao, I went to Guanxiang early this morning to grab some cured chicken. It's still warm. Take it and eat it on the way. The food on this boat is very expensive, and it's not as fresh as what we have in Shengjing."

Miao Liangfang said hello several times, patted Ah Cheng's head, and said with a smile: "Follow your master well, read more books and learn to read, and I will take care of your master in his old age and see him to the end of his life."

Du Changqing frowned and said, "You're cursing me? I will marry and have children in the future. Do you want this tiger egg to take care of me in my old age?"

Miao Liangfang narrowed his eyes and said meaningfully, "Oh, then when do you plan to get married? Do you have someone in your heart?"

Du Changqing: "..."

Yin Zheng pretended not to notice Miao Liangfang's expression, turned around and looked behind her, her eyes lit up: "The girl is here!"

Everyone looked back and saw a carriage with red wheels stopped in front of the ferry. The curtain was lifted and a woman jumped out of the carriage. She didn't care about the people behind her and trotted towards them. It was Lu Tong.

She trotted to the front of the crowd and stood still, looking at Miao Liangfang: "Mr. Miao."

"I've been waiting for you," Miao Liangfang said cheerfully, "Why did you bring Little Master Pei along as well?"

Pei Yunying, who followed Lu Tong, raised his eyebrows when he heard this: "You don't sound very welcome?"

"No, no, you are just being suspicious, General." Miao Liangfang said, "You are now the son-in-law of West Street."

Pei Yunying: "..."

The title of "Son-in-law of West Street" is said to have come from the mouths of Widow Sun and Mrs. Song. This was because Pei Yunying's daily visit to pick up Lu Tong was too conspicuous, so the women with daughters gave him the title of "Son-in-law of West Street" and said that when they chose a husband for their daughters in the future, they would look for someone like him who was handsome, kind, and worked in the palace.

This is certainly not easy.

Looking at Pei Yunying's frozen face, Miao Liangfang's smile became more relaxed.

He was once very afraid of this young commander, always feeling that there was something malicious hidden under his warm smile. However, after Lu Tong and Pei Yunying got married, this fear gradually dissipated, because Pei Yunying always compromised with Lu Tong, and everyone in the clinic also relied on Lu Tong to be fearless.

It is much easier to deal with a man who has a weak spot.

As Miao Liangfang was thinking this, he saw Lu Tong open the medical box on his back, take out a few books from the box and hand them to Miao Liangfang.

"This is……"

"Sir, you are going back to Yunling. I don't have anything to give you. I am afraid that bad guys will covet your money on the road. Too much money is unsafe."

Lu Tong said, "I asked Doctor Chang before and asked him for a few medical books from the Medical Officers' Institute. They are the ones that the teachers of the Imperial Medical Bureau have been teaching in the past ten years. I don't know if they will be useful to Mr. Miao, so I sent them here as well."

"Xiao Lu..."

Miao Liangfang clenched several medical books in his hands, looking a little shocked.

He had also worked as a medical officer in the Medical Officers' Office, so he naturally knew how precious these medical books in the Imperial Medical Bureau were. They were hidden in the medical library of the Medical Officers' Office, and no medical practitioner in Shengjing could get them. That was why the few "Explanations" he had casually thrown in the West Street study were particularly precious.

"Xiao Lu, thank you." Miao Liangfang bowed solemnly to Lu Tong.

"Sir, there is no need to thank me." Lu Tong said, "Perhaps one day in the future, medical knowledge will be universal, and Shengjing's medical books will be spread to Yunling, and Yunling's medical prescriptions will also be spread to Shengjing. By then, ordinary medical books will no longer be as 'precious' as before, and there will be more people in the world who help the world in times of crisis."

Miao Liangfang was stunned. Pei Yunying turned his head to glance at Lu Tong. The woman's eyebrows were gentle and her tone was calm, as if she was talking about the reality that would happen soon.

Miao Liangfang laughed heartily: "What a great idea! 'Medical knowledge is universal'. If that day really comes, it will be a blessing for all people in the world!"

Lu Tong smiled: "I definitely will."

He wanted to say a few more words when someone shouted twice from the ferry. Yin Zheng said, "The boatman is urging us to get on board, Mr. Miao..."

It is always hard to leave. Miao Liangfang looked at Pei Yunying, pulled Lu Tong aside, and said, "Xiao Lu, the clinic will be in your care in the future. Xiao Du is a soft-hearted person with a hard mouth, and is easy to be deceived. I feel relieved to have you watching over me, your husband..."

He glanced at Pei Yunying and warned in a low voice: "After all, he is a servant in the imperial city and he is also good-looking. You are so young to marry him, so don't let yourself down. Just like you said in the clinic before, if you change your mind in the future, you can divorce him. If he changes his mind, you can poison him to death. Do it cleanly so that no one can find evidence..."

Pei Yunying, who heard everything, said: "..."

He sneered, "You might as well speak louder."

Miao Liangfang coughed lightly, took two steps back, looked at everyone and said, "Anyway, I've repeated my instructions over and over again, and I think you're tired of it. I won't say any more."

"After sending you a thousand miles, we must finally say goodbye. All good things must come to an end. Let's stop here."

He turned around, dragged his luggage onto the passenger ship, and waved to everyone.

"Let's go back."

There was no wind on the river. When the owner of the passenger boat saw the last guest going ashore, the boatman paddled and rowed the boat to the far bank of the river. Some birds were flying around, and the boat turned into ducks on the river. Then, the mountains on the river bank were seen high and low, until there was only a vague dot that gradually disappeared.

Acheng rubbed his eyes.

We spent the winter and summer together in Renxin Medical Clinic. Although West Street was not prosperous enough, it had its own worldly life. It is always sad when a family member leaves.

"Cheer up," Du Changqing glanced at the depressed people, "Don't look so sad, are you still going to make ends meet? Are you still going to make money? The doctor will come to check tomorrow, and I have to go back to sort out the medicine cabinet account books today. Don't want to be lazy, just go back..."

He led everyone back, took one last look at the river, and left without looking back.

Lu Tong and Pei Yunying followed behind, and did not take the carriage when they went back.

There were vendors selling calligraphy and painting books along the river. When they passed by, the vendor sitting on the ground enthusiastically picked up a few books and gave them to Lu Tong: "Girl, these are new booklets on the market. Do you want to buy a few to take home and read? They are so beautiful!"

Lu Tong shook his head and sighed.

Pei Yunying asked: "Why are you sighing?"

"I remembered a storybook I read last night."

"Oh? What's it about?"

“It’s about a pair of lovers who have gone through hardships together.”

"Isn't it good?" Pei Yunying smiled and said, "A happy reunion."

"But I want to see more." Lu Tong walked forward with his hand in his, and said slowly: "I want to see how life will be simple in the future, maybe having children, and then having many grandchildren in the future, or even a hundred years later... I always feel that it is not enough. Why does the ending end here?"

He laughed.

"Tongtong," Pei Yunying corrected, "Only a storybook has an ending, not a story."

She raised her eyes and saw the person in front of her looking down at her with a smile in his eyes and a lovely dimple at the corners of his lips.

She was stunned for a moment, repeated it to herself several times, and gradually felt relieved.

Life has its ups and downs, its ups and downs, and no one knows the ending until it comes to an end. Even if you are reluctant to leave, you must always look forward.

The story is not over yet. She still doesn't like parting, but she is not as afraid as before.

Pei Yunying said, "It's still early. Let's go to Guanxiang to buy some food before going back to the clinic. I heard that there are new flower cakes this year. Pick one you like."

“There are so many, I don’t know what I like.”

"It doesn't matter. It takes a long time. We can look for it slowly."

She squeezed his hand: "Okay."

The leaves on the river bank are half green and half yellow, the west wind dispels the heat, by the ferry pier, in the slowly spreading autumn light, the departing people and their friends recite poems to bid farewell, and in the distance, the bustling hawking of people in the official alley can be faintly heard.

Shengjing seemed to have changed, yet it seemed as if nothing had changed.

The man and woman holding each other's hands tightly, gradually disappeared in the bustling crowd.

It was the eighth day of the ninth month in the forty-first year of Yongchang, a golden autumn day with a high sky, a clear breeze and white dew.

It’s a good time in life.

End of text

The final words are in the related content of the work, please remember to click in~ The chapter words are too crowded~