Perfect Match – CH 055

Chapter 55

Teng Yue, along with Kong Hui, Wang Fuxiang, and Shen Yanxing, discussed hiding General Wu’s family in a county town under the jurisdiction of Xi’an Prefecture. Firstly, Xi’an had a large population, so they would not be conspicuous; secondly, their proximity would allow for mutual support.

However, to prevent Hong Gui and Shi Zeyou’s group from finding the Wu family, Teng Yue and Kong Hui planned to create a diversion, having several groups disguise themselves as General Wu’s family to confuse their presence and make them harder to spot.

Teng Yue first returned to Xi’an and made a brief appearance, even working a day at the Military Command’s office. The next day, under the pretext of going to a local garrison, he personally escorted Old General Wu and his family, using the opportunity to create a diversion.

While he was away, Deng Ruyun was invited to Canglang Pavilion by Qingxuan.

Old Madam Lin inquired further about Teng Yue’s encounter with Shi Zeyou. Hearing that Teng Yue had not revealed his involvement to Shi Zeyou offered her no comfort; her brow was still furrowed.

However, having already considered the matter, she only inquired about the Wu family’s condition and whether Deng Ruyun had been injured. Deng Ruyun told her everything, saying she was unharmed, but the eldest son of the Wu family, Wu Ce, was seriously injured and needed careful recuperation.

Mentioning the situation of the Wu brothers, Wu Ce and Wu Sheng, Old Madam Lin’s eyes reddened slightly. After a long pause, she said, “The world is like this; it’s already difficult enough to survive. The children’s fortunes will turn around, and good times will naturally come.”

Deng Ruyun knew she was thinking of Teng Yue’s eldest brother, so she did not say much, only agreeing.

Old Madam Lin then spoke to her, “This time, both Yanxing and the Wu family owe their lives to your medicine. I really did not expect your prepared medicine to be so good. I have many good medicinal herbs in my storeroom, but when it comes to a critical moment, they might not be available immediately. I’ve already had Bai Sun from the storeroom select some raw herbs for you to process into prepared medicine; it’s better than me just keeping them in the storeroom.”

As she spoke, she took out a list from her sleeve, densely filled with the list of raw herbs Bai Sun had selected for her from the storeroom.

Deng Ruyun glanced at it briefly and quickly pushed the list back.

“This is far too much, and your medicinal herbs are all extremely valuable. I cannot accept them.”

If Old Madam Lin had only given her a quarter of the list, she would have shamelessly accepted it, since these good herbs were not so easy for her to obtain. But the amount given was simply too much.

Deng Ruyun shook her head and said to Old Madam Lin, “I appreciate your kindness, but I have not really done anything. Please keep these herbs. You can have them processed into medicine by a pharmacy like Yanchun Hall, which will be more convenient for you.”

Old Madam Lin could not help but glance at her a few more times because she did not want the herbs. Beneath her willow-leaf eyebrows, her eyes were clear and bright. Old Madam Lin knew that her shop had just opened and she was short of money, even struggling to afford the herbs. However, she had not asked either Old Madam Lin or Teng Yue for the money.

Old Madam Lin looked at the girl and thought back to the first time she met her; the girl had already agreed to the marriage arranged by the matchmaker for the blind widower.

She was only seventeen, yet she was to marry an elderly widower. The widower had conditions: he would help her care for her family, but she had to give him a son. Desperate, she agreed without a word.

Such a young girl, just to support her family, would willingly jump into a living hell. She thought to herself, “With a girl like this in the contract, she can definitely help me fulfill it.”

But while Teng Yue was not a blind widower, this contract was not exactly a good thing to be true. The contract would not last three years; she should give her more, more money…

Old Madam Lin thought for a moment, then took the document, folded it in half, and tore it open.

She pushed one half back to Deng Ruyun.

“This is not much, so please accept it.”

She pushed the slip of paper towards her again. Deng Ruyun paused slightly, then looked up to see Old Madam Lin nodding to her.

“Practicing medicine and making medicine is the duty of those who heal the sick and save lives. I’ve received kindness from others before. Consider this a token of my respect for those in the medical profession. Taking it will help you treat more people, and you will earn some money yourself, so you will not be struggling financially. Do not refuse.” She raised her hand, not allowing her to refuse again. “Accept it.”

After Old Madam Lin finished speaking, she called Bai Sun, who was waiting outside, in. “Go and fetch all the medicinal herbs from the storeroom with Madam.”

Bai Sun bowed respectfully and responded loudly.

Now that things had come to this, Deng Ruyun had no reason not to accept it.

She was indeed short of money at the moment, and good medicinal herbs were not easy to buy. Previously, Shopkeeper Qin could only procure inexpensive herbs; anything of slightly better quality was only supplied to large pharmacies.

She was just worrying about finding a suitable channel when Old Madam Lin brought it over.

Deng Ruyun, clutching the half-sheet of paperwork, solemnly thanked her, “Thank you so much. Once I’ve processed these herbs into medicine, if you do not mind, I will definitely send you a box first.”

Old Madam Lin now had great faith in her medicine and smiled, agreeing.

“Then I will be waiting.”

… …

When Deng Ruyun delivered the herbs to Yuyun Hall, Shopkeeper Qin was stunned.

“Such good medicinal herbs, you must have spent a lot of money on them! Look at the quality; some of them were even bought from the south?”

These medicines from Old Madam Lin were not only expensive, but their sources were also from various places, unlike the medicines that had been resold several times in the Xi’an market.

Deng Ruyun did not tell Shopkeeper Qin these things; she only asked him how business had been these past few days and how the pharmacists she had hired were doing with the medicines according to the prescriptions she had given him.

“Of course, it’s not as good as what you make yourself, but it’s still far better than other over-the-counter medicines of the same price in Xi’an Prefecture. Your prescription is truly effective!”

Shopkeeper Qin beamed as he spoke. When he used to help his former employer, Inspector Sun, run Cixin Hall, the business had been languishing for years. Now, Cixin Hall had become Yuyun Hall, and it was poised for a meteoric rise.

He told Deng Ruyun, “In the past, any skilled pharmacists in Xi’an Prefecture were poached by large pharmacies. Small pharmacies like ours could only rely on ordinary pills from small workshops, selling them at low prices. It was not just us; the business of all the small pharmacies has never really taken off.”

“Now that Yuyun Hall has its own over-the-counter medicine, many small pharmacies in the city have come to us wanting to buy from us. Not to mention others—just the pharmacy on the next street that saved someone for us last time has come to discuss it with me several times. But our business is booming right now, and we only have enough medicine. I need to hear your opinion first.”

Deng Ruyun was aware of what Shopkeeper Qin was saying. In Xi’an, even slightly better prepared medicines were much more expensive than elsewhere, while cheaper medicines were of mediocre quality. She had started her business making medicine, and selling medicine was more important than running her own shop.

Now, with this batch of good medicine from Old Madam Lin, she could free up some money to hire a few more pharmacists.

Deng Ruyun directly told Shopkeeper Qin, “Let’s gradually increase the quantity of medicine we produce. It’s alright if we only stock a small amount in our own shop; we can share some with the neighbors. Since they trust Yuyun Hall’s medicines, let them all make some money with us. The money cannot all go to Yuyun Hall alone; that’s not a long-term solution.”

Her words reflected Shopkeeper Qin’s thoughts, and he could not help but agree.

“You truly are an expert in medicine making and selling. With an owner like you at Yuyun Hall, things will only get better and better!”

Deng Ruyun was delighted to hear this and laughed, “Then I will accept your kind words.”

However, Shopkeeper Qin did not forget to ask her a question.

“Did you pay the consultation fee that was supposed to be sent to Master Bai?”

… …

Deng Ruyun had not had time to pay the money yet, but given the fervor surrounding that Master Bai’s door, she feared she would not be able to get in.

Besides, Deng Ruyun had another place to go.

Teng Yue had not been home for the past few days and could not attend to the seriously injured Shen Yanxing, so he could only ask her to check on Shen Yanxing when she had time.

Shen Yanxing’s injuries were severe; if he directly called for a physician, it would inevitably be discovered, implicating Teng Yue.

He temporarily used Deng Ruyun’s medicine and stayed at the Teng family’s house for two days, his injuries stabilizing slightly. Afterwards, they moved to the Shen family’s own mansion in Xi’an.

The Shen Mansion was located in a slightly remote area, but the courtyard was quite large and meticulously maintained, like the proper mansion of a son after marriage.

However, Shen Yanxing lived outside the city year-round, and the courtyard was empty and lifeless.

When Deng Ruyun arrived with the medicine, Shen Yanxing was sitting on the veranda, discussing moving back outside the city with Shen Xiu.

The spring sunlight shone on him, but also made his handsome face appear pale.

“…I am used to living outside the city, and it’s closer to take care of my aunt. Let’s go back.”

Shen Xiu became angry upon hearing this. “Is this not your mansion, brother? You are injured like this, and you are not going out. Who are you bothering? Why do you insist on going back? Your aunt does not need your care. It’s good enough if she’s not frightened by your injuries!;

The gatekeeper announced Deng Ruyun’s arrival, interrupting the brothers’ argument.

Shen Xiu turned and saw Deng Ruyun quickly approaching.

“Madam has arrived!”

Shen Yanxing also turned and saw Deng Ruyun, immediately trying to stand up, leaning on his chair.

Deng Ruyun quickly stopped him and then had Shen Xiu hold him down to keep him still.

“General Shen’s injuries have not healed yet, so please do not stand on ceremony.”

But Shen Yanxing had Shen Xiu help him up and solemnly bowed to Deng Ruyun.

“If it were not for Madam’s medicine, I am afraid I would not have survived that night.”

Deng Ruyun repeatedly said it was not necessary, wanting Shen Yanxing to sit back down, but Shen Yanxing continued. “I’ve also heard about the Wu family’s situation from Ah Xiu. It’s all thanks to Madam’s risky help that things have turned out so well today.”

After speaking, he bowed to her again.

Deng Ruyun felt quite embarrassed and asked Shen Xiu to help him sit down before continuing the conversation.

Seeing that Shen Yanxing could move but still had some difficulty, she inquired about his injuries. Hearing that they were healing, she nodded and had Xiuniang, who had accompanied her, fetch the medicine prepared for Shen Yanxing, explaining its uses to him.

Deng Ruyun also took Shen Yanxing’s pulse and found that he seemed unwell, not just because of his recent serious injuries, but probably because of something else… He already had a pre-existing health condition and also harbored deep-seated resentment.

Deng Ruyun recalled what Teng Yue had told her before: Shen Yanxing had almost been killed outside the Great Wall by the deputy commander his father had offended. Although Teng Yue had saved his life, the Shen family had nearly been wiped out and had never been able to recover. It was easy to imagine how gloomy his life had been these past few years.

But this was not something medicine could cure. Deng Ruyun could only say, “It’s good that General Shen is staying in Xi’an. Once he’s feeling better, he can stroll through the streets, soak up the sun, and enjoy the lively atmosphere.”

She smiled reassuringly at him. “The lively atmosphere is good medicine too.”

Upon hearing her words, Shen Xiu nodded repeatedly, “Brother, you see, even Madam says so. You should stay in the city. Do not go to those deserted places outside the city.” Shen Yanxing glanced at Deng Ruyun but quickly looked away respectfully.

He said, “Madam is right; I will remember.”

But then, with a gentle smile, he added, “Yu Chuan is truly blessed to have met Madam. No wonder they say he has changed; in my opinion, he seems to be getting better.”

Shen Yanxing’s words carried a hint of envy and delight for Teng Yue, but Deng Ruyun found it difficult to respond.

Just then, the gatekeeper ran over again, carrying a box.

“Sir, someone’s delivered medicine to our door again, a whole box full!”

The gatekeeper brought the box over, and Shen Xiu opened it. Sure enough, it was full of medicine.

Xiuniang also curiously glanced at it, noticing the markings on some of the medicine bottles, and whispered, “It looks like medicine from Yanchun Hall.”

Yanchun Hall’s medicines were not cheap, especially some of the prepared medicines packaged in exquisite bottles, which were quite valuable.

But this box only contained medicine; there was no note or letter. Even the gatekeeper did not know who had delivered it.

Seeing that Shen Yanxing did not say anything, only his lips were slightly pursed, and a hint of worry appeared on his brow, Deng Ruyun did not ask any further questions.

Shen Xiu, however, looked at the medicine in the box, paused for a moment, and then suddenly asked Deng Ruyun a question.

“Since it’s medicine, Madam, could you please take a look and see if it’s usable? It’s a shame to leave it unused.”

Xiuniang muttered beside her, “Yes, after all, it’s medicine from Yanchun Hall.”

Deng Ruyun glanced at Shen Yanxing, and seeing that he had no objections, she stepped forward to examine the box of prepared medicines carefully.

This entire box was filled with medicines from Yanchun Hall. Deng Ruyun recognized some; they were available in the market. However, there were several bottles whose names she could not recall, as they were completely unavailable elsewhere.

Among them was a small bottle of white powder. Deng Ruyun pinched a small amount, rubbed it, and then brought it to her nose to smell it carefully, her eyes widening in surprise.

“This medicinal powder is likely for regenerating blood and flesh. Some of the ingredients are ones I often use, but others are unusual, probably from a secret recipe. And the medicine is exceptionally well-made.”

She spoke frankly, “General Shen can use these medicines; they are far superior to what I make.”

Yanchun Hall’s position as the leading pharmacy in Xi’an Prefecture was certainly well-deserved.

However, she did not know who had gone to the trouble of obtaining these medicines and sending them to Shen Yanxing anonymously.

Shen Yanxing did not say anything about the medicines from beginning to end, but his brow seemed to furrow even more.

Deng Ruyun did not linger. After giving some instructions on the use of the medicine, she took her leave.

That night, Deng Ruyun stayed at a small courtyard in the east of the city.

She asked Changxing to fetch Dafu as well.

Dafu, initially timid in the unfamiliar place, only dared to stay close to Deng Ruyun. But after smelling the medicine from home, Aunt Juan, and then her grandmother, it barked excitedly.

Aunt Juan recognized it as the dog Deng Ruyun’s brother, Deng Ruheng, had taken away years ago, and tears welled in her eyes.

“Dafu, good boy, it’s you!”

“Woof! Woof!” Dafu responded, nuzzling against her skirt and barking incessantly.

Aunt Juan knelt down, hugged Dafu, and stroked its head, then looked at Deng Ruyun.

“Dafu’s here; will Heng’er…”

Deng Ruyun did not know either, but she nodded. “I think so; he definitely will.”

As she spoke, Linglang heard the barking and jumped down from the calligraphy table.

But when she ran into the courtyard, she saw a dog taller than her standing and barking everywhere, and she was a little scared and dared not approach.

Deng Ruyun beckoned to her, “Come here, this is Dafu.”

Little Linglang did not know who Dafu was.

Dafu also secretly observed her, slowly walking towards her.

Linglang was too nervous to move. Dafu circled her once, then suddenly pounced on her.

Linglang was startled and fell to the ground with a thud, crying out for her aunt.

Deng Ruyun rushed over, only to see that Dafu had no intention of biting her. Instead, it kept sniffing her, nuzzling its fluffy yellow head against Linglang’s chest, desperately trying to please her, its affection for her unlike that for anyone else.

“Woof—woof!”

Deng Ruyun’s and Aunt Juan’s eyes reddened instantly.

Linglang also realized that Dafu had no intention of biting her, only rubbing against her chest. She timidly reached out her little hand and stroked Dafu’s head, causing Dafu’s tail to wag vigorously.

“Auntie, whose dog is Dafu?” she asked Deng Ruyun curiously.

Deng Ruyun’s throat tightened at the question, and she stammered.

“Dafu is your father’s dog.”

Upon hearing this, little Linglang froze on the spot.

She looked at her aunt in disbelief, then at Dafu.

“I…I have a father, too? Why…why does he not come to see me?”

Deng Ruyun could not hold back any longer, and tears streamed down her face.

Aunt Juan and Xiuniang both turned their heads away, while Deng Ruyun hugged the little one tightly.

“Of course Linglang has a father, but he might be lost. Auntie will take Dafu to find him, alright?”

That night, Dafu stayed by Linglang’s side the whole time, following her every step. When Linglang kissed its head and went to bed, it lay down beside her bed.

Deng Ruyun sat beside the child and dog for a long time, gazing out the window.

If her brother was truly still alive, why did he not come home? And could she ever find him again?

*

Deng Ruyun figured Teng Yue might be returning soon. Before his return, after much deliberation, she decided to take the consultation fees and went to the Bai Mansion at the Yangxiu Workshop.

Bai Chunfu had been out in the public eye for many days, yet people kept coming and going at the gate, the gatekeeper constantly turning away those who came to inquire.

Deng Ruyun, dressed only in men’s clothing with Xiuniang, felt that under these circumstances, her chances of getting in were slim.

But since she was already there, she stepped behind the crowd. Someone even asked her, “I smell medicine on you. Are you also trying to sell your pills to Master Bai?”

The person looked her over again and, seeing that she was a stranger, shook their head immediately. “You do not look like you are from any big pharmacy. How could someone from a small shop like yours possibly meet Master Bai? You should leave now. You might as well give me your seat.”

Xiuniang glared at this, but Deng Ruyun, while not angry, did not give up her seat.

Seeing this, the man behind her could not help but utter a few sarcastic remarks.

Deng Ruyun completely ignored him, though she was naturally worried she would not be able to get into Master Bai’s house.

However, when she stepped forward, she said to the gatekeeper, “Yuyun Hall has come to deliver the consultation fee to Master Bai. May you inform him?”

Lacking confidence, remembering the gatekeeper’s dismissive attitude towards everyone, she added, “Otherwise, we can leave it here with you. We will not see Master Bai.”

Unexpectedly, upon hearing this, the gatekeeper suddenly began to scrutinize her.

“Are you the owner of Yuyun Hall?”

Deng Ruyun nodded, and the gatekeeper’s previously impatient expression instantly changed.

“You’ve finally arrived! We’ve been waiting for you for days! Please, please come in!”

The situation suddenly changed. Not only were the people at the door bewildered, but even Deng Ruyun was stunned. The man behind her, who had been so arrogant, froze, surprised to see Deng Ruyun dressed so casually. “How did you become Master Bai’s honored guest?”

At this moment, someone reminded him, “Yuyun Hall—is that not the Yuyun Hall that’s been making headlines lately? Master Bai has been seeing patients there for quite some time now.”

Upon hearing this, the man finally realized what had happened. Looking at Deng Ruyun, he felt ashamed of his loose tongue and wanted to slap himself.

But what he did was completely irrelevant to Deng Ruyun.

Deng Ruyun was politely ushered into the courtyard. Before she even reached the main hall, someone was already standing at the entrance.

He wore a silver-white brocade robe embroidered with pavilions and towers and a yellow jade belt around his waist, and his hair, no longer adorned with a simple wooden hairpin, was now adorned with a yellow jade and silver-inlaid crown.

The wind billowed his wide sleeves, and he spotted Deng Ruyun. His long eyebrows, framed by a beauty mark beneath his eye, fell softly.

Deng Ruyun heard him sigh and spoke.

“So many days have passed; have you forgotten me?”

*

At the Bai Mansion, in front of the gate.

The Yang family carriage pulled up to the roadside in front of the Bai Family Mansion.

Someone peeked out of the carriage window and frowned impatiently at the large crowd in front of the gate.

“Who are these people? They are always blocking Sixth Brother Bai’s door. He does not have time to see others.”

The “others” she was referring to was herself, Yang Youling, the second young lady of the Yang family.

Madam Yang, also in the carriage, noticed her daughter’s uneasy expression and, fearing a relapse, quickly comforted her.

“These people all own pharmacies in Xi’an Prefecture. How can we be like them? I’ve inquired and found out they are at home today. We’ve brought gifts for Her Highness the Grand Princess; we will definitely see them.”

Hearing this, Yang Youling calmed down a little.

But then she took out a piece of gold-flecked paper from her sleeve, her face showing unease again.

“Yesterday, Cousin Zhang arrived in Xi’an. She’s still in mourning and cannot go out for celebrations, so Grandmother suggested holding a flower banquet while the spring flowers are in full bloom. But this banquet is being held so hastily. Mother, do you think we can persuade Sixth Brother to come to our family’s flower banquet?”

The Yang family had not held a banquet for a long time since Old Madam Yang fell ill before the New Year.

This time, the Old Madam was clearly determined to hold a banquet at home for her granddaughter, who was in mourning, even though she was unwell, to celebrate her. This flower banquet was originally intended for the Yang family relatives and friends in Xi’an, but yesterday Madam Yang’s daughter mentioned Bai Chunfu in front of everyone, prompting her niece to ask a question.

“I’ve also heard that Sixth Young Master Bai is in Xi’an. I wonder if he will have time to come.”

Her niece’s words only fueled her daughter’s enthusiasm. Today, she was determined to go to the Bai family’s door and invite Bai Chunfu to the Yang family’s flower banquet.

Madam Yang could not dissuade her daughter, so she had to accompany her.

The mother and daughter then sent someone to deliver invitations to the Bai family’s gate.

Unexpectedly, they received a reply from the Bai family’s gatekeeper: “They say that Sixth Young Master is currently meeting with a distinguished guest whom he has been waiting for for many days. We must wait.”

A distinguished guest? Madam Yang did not know who it could be. She was curious about who Bai Chunfu’s distinguished guest could be, but she could only reassure her daughter to wait.