Another Attempt at Sponsorship

The good news that the Zhu Family Medical Hall might reopen spread quickly through Sanqing Lane. Zhu Changfeng took a boat across the river to deliver the news to the clan. Before dark, the clan elders arrived, bringing two senior doctors from the Zhu Family—both in their sixties or seventies.

"They say they're allowing experienced Traditional Chinese Medicine practitioners to take the certification exam. We already have two perfect candidates: Grandpa Shouguang and Grandpa Shouxin. They studied medicine together with your grandfather. Though they're older now, they still practice medicine and treat patients. Their medical skills haven't declined—they're ideal for the exam."

"When Grandpa Shouguang and Grandpa Shouxin were young, they worked as doctors in our family's pharmacy. Later, they even went to the battlefield to save lives. Because of that, even if the authorities check our family background, we'll pass."

"Grandpa Shouguang can treat everything—warm diseases, heat diseases, anything. His acupuncture is also excellent. No exam can stop him."

"Grandpa Shouxin is also remarkable. He's skilled at pulse diagnosis, and after returning from the battlefield, he became proficient in orthopedics and trauma."

Among the Zhu Family doctors, Zhu Shouguang and Zhu Shouxin were both highly skilled and respected. The Zhu Family had no shortage of doctors—after Zhu Changming's generation rose to prominence, they retired to the background. Unexpectedly, in their old age, their age became an advantage, and they could contribute to the family's medical hall. Both were delighted.

Zhu Changfeng and the others chattered on about their merits, and after hearing this, the two old men were eager to take whatever exams were required and light firecrackers tomorrow to reopen the Zhu Medical Hall.

"Head of the family, what do you say?"

Everyone in the room looked at Zhu Shian, their eyes bright with excitement, all ready to make a big effort.

Zhu Shian shook her head. "Actually, for our Zhu Family, the exam would be the easiest part. The most important thing now is whether we can get the Individual Medical Practice License. If we can, when will it be held, and how do we register? Those are the current priorities."

Zhu Changfeng thought about it and said, "The young lady is right. From the letter, it seems this matter is still uncertain. We can't celebrate too early."

"Right. Even if it passes, such an important matter definitely won't be held in our small place—it'll be in a big city. If we get the information late and miss the registration, we're finished."

Someone suggested, "People in the Medical System will know about reforms first. Zhu Changming works at the hospital—he might be able to find out information."

"Our Zhenshan County is too remote. By the time the news reaches here, it'll be too late."

"Then let's ask Director Li to help inquire. He's a director after all, often goes to the city to report work and order medicinal materials. His information must be more up-to-date than ours."

"I think that's workable. Director Li also keeps the signboard of the Li Family Medical Hall hidden. Once he knows about this, even if his own medical skills aren't enough, he'll definitely recommend someone else from the Li family to try for the certification."

"The Li family isn't as good as ours. The best doctor in the Li family is their eldest son, who can barely compare to Zhu Changming. The others are no good."

"Where is that Li family eldest son now?"

"That year, to keep the Li family afloat, he volunteered to support the border regions, heading to the northwest. Whether he's still there, nobody knows."

The Li family was also a prominent family in Zhenshan County. When it came to Li family matters, everyone listened intently.

Zhu Shian had to steer the conversation back: "Everyone, relying on the Li family alone won't work. We need to think of other methods."

Zhu Fujiang pulled out a piece of paper from his chest—written on it were Zhu family members doing well in the city. Zhu Fujiang said: "Write to them and ask them to keep an eye out. Once they hear any news, inform us immediately."

"Uncle Fujiang's idea is workable."

Zhu Shian mentioned casually: "As for having good information channels, I think Song Weiguo's news is even more up-to-date than our Zhu Family."

Zhu Fujiang sighed helplessly: "Alas, our Zhu family isn't as good as the Song family at managing connections. Indeed, we're not as good."

Last time when Song Weiguo came to the Zhu family to deliver congratulatory gifts, he mentioned that policy winds were changing. The Song family not only had broad connections but also excellent judgment.

Zhu Fujiang looked at Zhu Shian and smiled. Although their Zhu family had shortcomings compared to the Song family, they had the young lady. In the future, they would certainly not be worse than the Song family.

Zhu Changfeng said: "Then I'll write to the Song family tonight and mail it tomorrow."

Zhu Shian nodded: "The sooner the better."

Besides asking relatives and friends to gather information, Zhu Shian actually had a backup plan. She planned to ask Mingjue Grand Master to make some inquiries.

After all, the Action Team was a national organization. If they asked internally, it would be better than the Zhu family members running themselves ragged.

As for the fact that she had refused to join the Action Team but was now asking the Action Team for help—she didn't need to worry about it. They were all from the Xuan Sect. There would be opportunities to repay the favor.

Just as the whole family was discussing matters, Zhu Changming returned from work. He entered excitedly asking: "I just heard from my wife that our medical hall can reopen?"

Zhu Fujiang told him to sit down and said: "It's still unclear. We were just about to ask you to gather some information."

"What information can a county hospital doctor like me find out?" Zhu Changming sat down, staring at Uncle Fujiang.

"Changfeng, you explain."

So Zhu Changfeng repeated the letter the young lady had received that afternoon, and also mentioned the plans they had just discussed.

Zhu Changming immediately said: "I'll go see the director first thing tomorrow. He'll definitely help."

Just looking at Director Li's usual inclinations in the hospital showed he strongly favored Traditional Chinese Medicine.

The county hospital had Western medicine doctors and used Western drugs, but Director Li had privately said that Western medicine's approach of treating the head when there's a head problem and the foot when there's a foot problem was too narrow. He also said many Western drugs were like fierce medicines—killing the enemy while damaging oneself a thousandfold—and placed too great a burden on patients' bodies. He asked the doctors to think carefully when prescribing.

Zhu Changming pressed Zhu Shian: "Is it true that the Traditional Chinese Medicine hospital that trains TCM doctors is being rebuilt and recruiting students?"

"It's true," Zhu Shian gave him a definite answer.

Zhu Changming rejoiced: "Good. I knew this day would come. Tell Director Li this news tomorrow—he'll definitely be happy."

"That said, since the TCM hospital is recruiting, should our Zhu family children take the Traditional Chinese Medicine University entrance exam in the future?"

The Zhu family's medical skills were passed down through the family. Teaching medicine had always been an old-teaches-new model—they had never sought education outside.

Zhu Changming felt this didn't need discussion: "Let the children decide for themselves when the time comes. If they want to take the TCM university exam, they can go. The university will certainly have famous teachers. Learning widely and broadening their horizons is a good thing. We shouldn't stop them."

Zhu Kanglin is only in second year this year, still far from the College Entrance Exam. Zhu Yongwen is different—he's in first year this year, and in second year he'll face the university entrance exam.

Zhu Yongwen lowered his head in thought. Should he take the TCM university exam?

For the Zhu family's better tomorrow, the group discussed until dark before dispersing. Zhu Shian returned to her courtyard, took out Jian Yi's letter and read it again. She was reading the pages she hadn't shown to Auntie Feng and Zhu Changfeng—Jian Yi's private little secrets.

Jian Yi was very happy after returning home. Her family doted on her, and she had many compatible classmates at school. The only thing upsetting her was Dai Qing.

Judging by current moral standards, Jian Yi was a bad element in matters of love—a lecherous tramp.

In the countryside, Jian Yi had surveyed the available men and finally set her sights on Dai Qing, also from Beijing. She pursued him and they started dating. After she passed the university entrance exam, she cleanly dumped Dai Qing and left.

Jian Yi wrote angrily in her letter: Love is mutual—it's not like she forced him to date. Why does he disagree when she wants to break up? Disagreeing is one thing, but what about Dai Qing bringing cigarettes and wine to her house to propose marriage?

She disagreed, and Dai Qing's eyes turned red. Even her mother, who loved her most, gently advised her not to be a hooligan—it was bad for her reputation.

Heaven, she had nowhere to reason with anyone.

She had given him warning before they started dating, and he had agreed himself. She didn't expect him to be unable to handle it.

The thing was, not only were both she and Dai Qing from Beijing, they now both studied in Beijing. Moreover, the Dai family wasn't ordinary—Dai Qing's grandfather actually knew her grandfather. She couldn't tear up the friendship. Now she and Dai Qing were in this situation where she ran and he pursued.

At the end of her letter, Jian Yi said that when she was dating Dai Qing, she thought he was a quiet handsome man. Who knew he would turn out to be a ruthless guy who didn't talk much.

Zhu Shian couldn't help laughing at this. She thought silently, don't judge each other—you're both as bad as each other.

Zhu Shian had once calculated Jian Yi's Eight Characters. Her fate was very good—complete fortune, prosperity, and longevity. It was just that her love life wouldn't be too smooth. With such a fate combined with Jian Yi's love for handsome men, it was destined that she would find it hard to marry and have children like ordinary people.

In Zhu Shian's view, marriage and children weren't very important, especially for someone as full of vitality and fond of making waves as Jian Yi.

Such people had lives too broad, too rich—a lifetime wasn't enough for them to explore new things. What need did they have for marriage and children to consume their spare time and energy?

It was like her in the past. She died young, but she didn't regret her brief yet brilliant life at all.

Zhu Shian put away the letter. With a glance, she noticed there was a ghost in the room—a robust soul housed in a beautiful Paper Figurine, walking in a way that nearly tore the figurine apart.

"Bai Youqian, shouldn't you be hooking souls at this hour? What are you doing at my place?"

The big-headed ghost Bai Youqian opened his mouth to praise: "Master Zhu, it's been a while and you've gotten even more powerful. A Master as powerful as you should go out to slay demons and eliminate evil, to make a name for yourself!"

"If you have something to say, say it. If not, I'm resting."

Bai Youqian grinned and came closer, placing a contract on the table: "Take a look—what's this?"

Zhu Shian put the letter away in the cabinet. Glancing at the Yin Contract on the table, she smiled and asked: "What, did your Qiye finally realize that empty words don't work? This time he sent you with a Living无常 contract?"

Bai Youqian couldn't answer this. He laughed vaguely and passed it off, winking and hinting at Zhu Shian: "Master Zhu, you know—after a Living无常's soul leaves the body, they can go to the Underworld. No one will stop you."

Zhu Shian didn't take the bait, saying confidently: "I went to the Underworld before. Did anyone dare stop me?"

Bai Youqian's words cut even deeper than last time: "Master Zhu, with respect, times have changed. You're far from what you used to be, and the Underworld today isn't the Underworld you knew a thousand years ago."

Bai Youqian pushed the Yin Contract toward Zhu Shian: "Think about it. We're old acquaintances. Qiye certainly won't cheat you."

"Then I'll consider it."

Bai Youqian's face lit up with joy at her words, thinking he had finally worn her down. He would complete the task Qiye assigned him. He was so happy his paper-mache face nearly tore apart.

Before Bai Youqian could finish laughing, Zhu Shian didn't sign the contract but actually put the Yin Contract away in the cabinet.

The smile vanished from Bai Youqian's face. The torn paper seam was leaking Yin Qi.

Zhu Shian smiled and asked: "Where did you get this Paper Figurine? The quality isn't very good. Next time during Ghost Festival, come find me and I'll burn you a better one."

Bai Youqian snorted: "How long will you consider?"

"We'll see," Zhu Shian wouldn't give him a clear answer. She changed the subject and asked him: "A while ago, I personally performed a nine-day ritual for the entire Taiyi Sect. Did they receive the gold and silver mountains I burned for them?"

"They should have received them, probably."

"What do you mean, probably?"

Bai Youqian said unhappily: "I, a mere ghost clerk, have no knowledge of internal matters. But I saw several Ghost Generals rewarding their subordinate ghosts with gold that had your seal on it."

In the past, Zhu Shian had treated Bai Youqian well. She knew he had no descendants to offer him incense. Every Ghost Festival during the road sacrifices, she would specifically burn things for him—food, daily necessities, gold and silver.

Zhu Shian had the habit of marking her offerings with her seal. Bai Youqian had seen it many times before. A few days ago, when a ghost clerk took out an ingot, he naturally recognized it.

After hearing what Bai Youqian said, Zhu Shian knew in her heart that her offerings had reached the Underworld. Whether her master and the others actually received them was still uncertain.

"Master Zhu! Master! That Yin Contract—"

Zhu Shian interrupted him: "I've been very busy lately. I have endless matters in the mortal world. How would I have free time to help you do work? When I have some leisure later, we'll talk about it."

"You mean it? You're not refusing because you hold a grudge against the Underworld?"

Zhu Shian laughed coldly: "As you said, times have changed. How would I dare hold a grudge against the Underworld? Right?"

Bai Youqian didn't dare answer. Making an excuse that he had work to do, he slipped away.

"Wait a moment."

"Does Master Zhu have other matters?"

"Do you have any acquaintances in Xiong Mountain, Hubei? What's happening over there?"

"I don't know any ghosts there. If you're curious, I can help inquire?"

"Good, thank you. Take care."

Bai Youqian left huffily. This Master Zhu— she's only polite when she needs him.

Zhu Shian asked casually. If there was no news, so be it. After all, the Action Team had gathered many Xuan Sect members. Even if something happened, they could handle it.

Zhu Fengqin came to knock on the door: "An'an, go to sleep. Aren't you going to Wangyun Temple early tomorrow?"

"Okay, got it."

The lights in the room went out. The Zhu family old mansion grew quiet. Wang Erzhu, the water ghost hiding in the water jar in the back garden, popped his head out, wearing a lotus leaf no bigger than his palm, looking left and right.

Perfect. The Soul-Hooking Ghost was gone, the Zhu family was asleep, and that little white snake who liked to bully him wasn't around. Finally, it was Wang Erzhu's time to move around.