After being asked to leave by Madam Hu, Physician Liu walked back toward his courtyard. However, on the way, he was stopped by Qinqin.
"Physician Liu, my young lady isn't feeling well. Could you come and check on her again?" Qinqin asked.
Physician Liu furrowed his brow and asked, "Has the Second Miss taken the medicine I prescribed last night?"
Qinqin nodded. "Yes, but she still doesn't feel well."
Physician Liu glanced at the sky. It wasn't even midday yet. Based on the timing, Hu Rui'an had only taken the medicine twice—once last night and once this morning. It wasn't surprising that it hadn't taken full effect yet. However, since Hu Rui'an was the Second Miss of this household, he dared not act recklessly.
"Alright, I will examine her again." With that, he followed Qinqin.
When they arrived, Physician Liu could hear the sound of coughing coming from inside the room. As he entered, he noticed the air was filled with the strong smell of medicine.
"Physician … cough! Liu, please come in," greeted Hu Rui'an. Her face was pale, and she seemed to have difficulty speaking.
"Greeting to the Second Miss, there's no need to talk. Let me examine you first," Physician Liu replied.
Hu Rui'an nodded and extended her hand for him to check her pulse.
Physician Liu took his time examining her pulse. After he was done, he withdrew his hand and said, "Your condition remains the same, Second Miss. I won't change the prescription. Continue taking the medicine I gave you last night regularly, and you should recover within a week."
"Thank you," Hu Rui'an replied before glancing at Qinqin.
Qinqin took out a pouch of money and handed it to Physician Liu. "This is a small token of appreciation from my young lady."
Physician Liu accepted the pouch and thanked Hu Rui'an. He was about to leave when Qinqin spoke again.
"Physician Liu, did you just come back from Ronghua Pavilion? My young lady is very concerned—did something happen to Old Madam Hu?" Qinqin asked.
Hu Rui'an looked visibly worried. With her pale and weak appearance, she evoked sympathy, giving Physician Liu a good impression of her. He nodded and answered, "Madam Hu fainted out of fright. But she's fine now."
Hu Rui'an was surprised. "Fainted? Cough! Cough! Did my eldest sister Cough! Cough! cause trouble again and make Grandmother so angry?" She knew her grandmother would likely vent her frustrations on Hu Lihua today. Could it be that Hu Lihua had dared to act out so much that it caused her grandmother to faint? Hu Lihua must have done it on purpose"
Physician Liu found Hu Rui'an's words a bit odd but dismissed them. "No, General Hu mentioned that Old Madam Hu was likely frightened by seeing a worm in the vegetable dish."
Hu Rui'an frowned, finding Hu Zhangwei's explanation far-fetched. She knew her grandmother detested worms, but it wouldn't be enough to make her faint. Moreover, the meals prepared for the masters in the General Hu Residence were of the highest quality and meticulously inspected. There was no way even a grain of sand could escape their scrutiny, let alone a worm. Hu Rui'an became more convinced that Hu Zhangwei was covering up for Hu Lihua's misdeeds.
"Very well, Physician Liu, you may leave for now … cough!" Hu Rui'an started coughing again.
"Second Miss, please don't speak further. I'll take my leave." Physician Liu cupped his hands in respect and exited Hu Rui'an's room.
After walking for a while and nearing his courtyard, he was stopped again—this time by Tao'er. She asked Physician Liu to check on Song Xiuyan.
Physician Liu went to Ruyi Pavilion and examined Song Xiuyan's pulse. Song Xiuyan asked detailed questions about her condition and also inquired about Old Madam Hu and Hu Rui'an's illnesses.
Physician Liu answered honestly. He didn't find Song Xiuyan's questions strange—after all, it concerned her health, her mother-in-law, and Hu Rui'an, whom she had helped raise. It was natural for her to be concerned. After a while, Song Xiuyan finally allowed him to leave.
Tao'er approached Song Xiuyan and whispered softly, "Madam, what should we do?"
Song Xiuyan replied, "It seems Physician Liu truly has no knowledge of this poison." She paused for a moment before continuing in a low voice, "In the coming days, keep a close eye on the small kitchen. Be cautious and don't alert the snake!"
"Yes, Madam," Tao'er responded.
Meanwhile, after leaving Ruyi Pavilion, Physician Liu saw Xixi hurrying toward him.
"Greetings, Physician Liu. The First Miss has sent me to invite you to her courtyard to check her pulse," Xixi said.
Physician Liu was momentarily stunned. What was going on with the masters of this household? Why were they summoning him one after another? But he quickly collected himself and followed Xixi.
Upon arriving at Yufeng Pavilion, he saw Hu Lihua sitting at a round stone table in the garden. He approached her with some concern. "Greeting to the First Miss. First Miss, if you're feeling unwell, please go inside. Don't let the wind worsen your condition."
Hu Lihua beamed at Physician Liu and said, "Physician Liu, I'm fine! Could you help me check its pulse? When I returned earlier, I found it crawling through a dog hole, covered in wounds."
Physician Liu was stunned, staring at the creature Hu Lihua was holding. A small black puppy stared back at him warily. Was the First Miss Hu actually asking him to check the pulse … of a dog?
Physician Liu didn't know whether to laugh or cry. After a moment, he sighed and said, "First Miss, I can't do that. I only studied medicine for humans."
Seeing the disappointment on Hu Lihua's face, he quickly added, "But I can help examine its wounds."
Hu Lihua immediately smiled brightly again. "Thank you, Physician Liu!"
Physician Liu smiled back and carefully examined the puppy's wounds. "It seems to be only surface injuries. Apply this wound ointment, and remember to trim some of the fur around the wounds to maximize the medicine's effectiveness."
Hu Lihua nodded and thanked him again.
Xixi stepped forward, handed him a pouch of money, and escorted him out.
Physician Liu felt the four pouches of money in his pocket. The masters of the General Hu Residence were indeed generous. His monthly salary was ten taels of silver, but they always gave him tips whenever they summoned him. His grandson, who served as a soldier under Hu Zhangwei, was turning eighteen this year. With this extra money, he could soon find a virtuous wife for his grandson.