Chapter 336: Visiting Chi Jinchen’s Estate
Yu Luo was eager to rush home and tell Yu Haojie about Ye Jiamei’s pregnancy, but her mother quickly stopped her.
“Look at all the patients outside. If you go tell your father now, he’ll probably barge in and force me to stop seeing patients immediately. Most of these people are refugees—they’ve endured sickness for days, hoping to see a doctor. If I turn them away now, minor illnesses might turn into severe ones, and some might even die. I can’t just stop treating them.”
“But you also need to take care of yourself! How about I find some of our brothers to help? Although they might not be able to do much, it’s clear we need at least two more doctors for the clinic.”
“Where are we going to find doctors in a place like this? Starting tomorrow, I’ll set a limit—forty patients in the morning and forty in the afternoon. I’ll take a break at noon, and that should be enough to recover my energy.”
Yu Luo knew convincing her mother to stop working was unrealistic, so she had to compromise. However, as soon as she stepped outside, she ordered recruitment notices for doctors to be posted across the city.
She had little hope of finding any, assuming no physician would willingly come to such a remote place. Yet, to her surprise, within hours of the notice being posted, two candidates arrived at the clinic.
Ye Jiamei wasn’t even aware of the hiring notices yet when the two introduced themselves. After testing their knowledge of traditional medicine with a few questions, she hired them on the spot.
“You’ll charge three copper coins per consultation. You keep all the earnings—I won’t take a cut. Additionally, I’ll pay you five taels of silver per month to start. Later, your salaries will depend on your medical skills.”
“Thank you, Doctor Ye!”
One of them was a young man in his early twenties named Du Ruo, who had fair skin and delicate features, exuding a clean and refined aura. The other was a seventeen- or eighteen-year-old girl named Tang Xueli, whose bright smile revealed dimples at the corners of her mouth.
After learning that the two were senior and junior disciples who had traveled to this remote land together, Ye Jiamei was pleased. The pair accepted the offered salary without hesitation and immediately began treating patients that same day.
At first, Ye Jiamei personally reviewed their prescriptions. While she wasn’t an expert in traditional Chinese medicine, she was knowledgeable enough to recognize the fundamentals. Her expertise lay more in surgery and Western medicine.
After reviewing several prescriptions without finding any issues, she entrusted them with full patient care.
“In this clinic, we adjust to the patients’ circumstances. For poor people, use the cheapest but effective remedies. If someone can afford it, don’t hold back. Understood?”
“Understood, Doctor Ye!”
With Tang Xueli and Du Ruo on board, Ye Jiamei was finally able to breathe a little easier.
Leaving the clinic, Yu Luo made her way to the new inn that Chi Jinchen had established, knowing he was staying there. After stating her purpose for visiting, she was immediately escorted to the reception hall without the need for an official announcement.
As she walked into the hall, it suddenly struck her—her mother had said there was an easy solution to the brothel issue, but they had been so caught up in the pregnancy news that she had forgotten to ask.
Now, standing at Chi Jinchen’s door, it was too late to turn back.
Just as she was internally panicking, Chi Jinchen emerged from an adjoining room, accompanied by his bodyguard, Xuan Qi.
“You’ve been waiting long, Miss Yu.”
His voice was as smooth as ever, and his deep, warm gaze fixed on her with a calm smile. The realization that she was about to meddle in his business made Yu Luo feel slightly embarrassed.
“Apologies for the sudden visit, Young Master Chi.”
Chi Jinchen gestured for her to sit, then took a seat across from her at the tea table. Yu Luo had prepared an entire speech beforehand, but now, faced with his composed demeanor, she found herself at a loss for words.
“May I ask what brings you here today, Miss Yu?”
Yu Luo hesitated.
“Actually, it’s nothing important. I just wanted to check if you needed any assistance settling in. Also, I came to deliver an invitation—the martial arts tournament begins tomorrow, and I’d like to invite you to attend.”
She chickened out.
Discussing the brothel issue with a man like this felt incredibly awkward. She decided it would be better to let her father handle it instead.
Luckily, she had anticipated the need for an excuse and had brought a formal invitation with her. Now, it served as the perfect cover.
Chi Jinchen accepted the invitation, a hint of surprise flickering in his warm gaze. His lips curled into a faint smile, and the corners of his mouth lifted ever so slightly.
“Very well. I was already planning to attend tomorrow. In that case, allow me to extend my congratulations in advance for Luo City’s martial arts tournament.”
“Then I’ll see you tomorrow. Excuse me.”
Yu Luo quickly stood up and excused herself, leaving in haste.
As soon as she stepped out of Chi Jinchen’s domain, she let out a deep breath, suddenly feeling as if the air on the street was much fresher.
“What was I thinking? Who exactly is that man? His presence is way too overwhelming! And how did I just wander in without thinking? I should’ve let my father handle it!”
“Xiao Luo!”
Lost in her frustration, Yu Luo turned at the sound of Ye Lu’s voice.
“Young Master Ye…”
“You okay? You look a little flushed. Is the sun too strong? I keep telling you—delicate girls like you shouldn’t be walking around in this heat…”
Meanwhile, back inside, Chi Jinchen stood by the window, watching the pair converse. He remained still, his once-warm gaze gradually turning icy.
“Master, I’ve investigated. That man is the fifth prince of Dongfeng Kingdom—an idle playboy with no ambition. He recently rented several properties in Luo City, including a stake in the Ye Family Bank.”
Chi Jinchen gave a slight nod, withdrawing his gaze from the bustling street below. Returning to his seat, he calmly picked up his cup of tea.
“I see.”
“Master, should we enter the tournament?” Xuan Qi asked.
“There’s no need. The prize is ten thousand taels of silver. If we refuse to give it away, how will future tournaments attract participants?”
Xuan Qi nodded. “But Master, if Luo City continues expanding at this rate, it will become difficult to integrate our men. The sheer number of people here will attract too much attention from the four kingdoms.”
“Winter is approaching. We’ll return in the spring.”
“Understood.”
Chi Jinchen remained silent for a moment, then suddenly spoke again.
“Do you think she came here today because she had something else to say?”
