Reincarnation Is More Than Just Luck

Zhu Shian woke up in the morning and saw the little white dog curled up at the foot of her bed. She shook her head in disgust — the useless little thing, scared off by such a minor commotion.

It seemed she'd need to take it out to see more of the world, otherwise it'd run away at the first sign of a fight. That wouldn't do at all.

The little black dog, though, wasn't bad. Young but brave.

"An'an, come quickly and have breakfast. The clan members who went into town to transport fertilizer sent a message saying the elders are coming this morning. Get ready."

After washing up, Zhu Shian drifted out lazily. "Ready for what? The Medical Hall doesn't open until the day after tomorrow. They can come two days early, it's not like there's anything for them to do."

"What do you mean there's nothing? Don't the tables and chairs in the Medical Hall need another wipe-down? Don't the medicinal materials need another check? And the signboard needs to be taken out — the weather's good today, perfect for washing and drying it." Zhu Fengqin kept talking as she served Zhu Shian porridge, and Zhu Shian's ears ached from listening.

"Didn't you all wipe and clean the cabinets, tables, and chairs in the Medical Hall several times already? Why wipe again? You'll rub the paint off the chairs."

"Thanks for reminding me, I almost forgot. The signboard hasn't been hung for so many years. Shouldn't we apply a coat of clear varnish? After varnishing, it needs to dry in the shade for a few days, right?" Zhu Fengqin fretted. "Oh, how could no one mention something so important? Will we have time?"

Zhu Shian sighed. "Don't worry. Even if we need to varnish, there's time. In this heat, it'll dry in the sun."

"I heard it has to dry in the shade. Varnish dried in the sun will crack."

"There's still enough time for shade drying."

The more Zhu Shian said not to worry, the more worried Zhu Fengqin became. There was no ready-made clear varnish; they'd have to find some.

Zhu Fengqin swept off like a gust of wind, leaving Zhu Shian alone to finish breakfast slowly. After breakfast, she took a walk in the back garden, then went through the side door to the adjacent Medical Hall. It had been cleaned inside and out, spotless and tidy. Zhu Shian wondered what else Fengniang and the others could possibly want.

Zhu Shian went back after checking the Medical Hall. Zhu Fengqin had returned from outside and was looking for her.

"Stop wandering around. Go to the front hall to receive guests. Master Mingjue from Wangyun Temple is here."

Last night's Yin Soldiers Crossing had been such a big commotion, and the temple bell had rung for half the night. Zhu Shian wasn't surprised he'd come.

When Zhu Shian went to the front hall, she ran into Wu Shenpo, Zhang Hui, and a few others. Zhang Hui was carrying a small wooden bucket, and Zhu Shian couldn't tell what was in it.

"Paint thinner. Fengniang said our family's signboard should have a coat of clear varnish, so I went out to inquire. I ran into Cao Jing from the Subdistrict Office on North Street. She said they had some paint thinner left over from painting their gates a couple of days ago and asked if we wanted it, so I brought it back. This should be enough for the signboard."

Zhu Shian nodded. "Thanks for making the trip."

Zhang Hui smiled. "It's no trouble at all. You go ahead — there are still guests in the front hall."

"Hmm."

Zhu Shian went to the front hall to meet Master Mingjue. He'd arrived a while ago, and Zhu Changfang had just been pouring tea for him.

"Miss Zhu."

When Master Mingjue saw Zhu Shian enter, he quickly stood up.

"Master, you're too polite. Please, sit."

Master Mingjue sat back down and smiled. "Last night's commotion in the Mountain Valley — Miss Zhu must know about it."

"Yes. Last night the Yin Soldiers Crossing got stuck in the Mountain Valley and wouldn't leave. A Ghost General led his ghost soldiers to battle. That Ghost General had real skill; he even commanded the ghost soldiers to charge the array."

Master Mingjue couldn't help but feel alarmed. "What was the deal with the magic array lighting up twice?"

"Oh, I saw that unless the Ghost General was destroyed, the Yin Soldiers wouldn't disperse. So I charged into the array, killed the Ghost General, then came back out."

Zhu Shian's tone was casual, as if this were no big deal. But Master Mingjue was terrified, his hands and feet sweating. He said, "What if... what if the Yin Soldiers had charged out through the path you used to enter and exit the array?"

Zhu Shian smiled reassuringly. "Don't worry. They can't get out."

"Really can't get out?"

"Even if I died inside the array, I wouldn't give them a chance to break through."

Master Mingjue was silent for a moment before asking, "If you hadn't entered the array, would the Ghost General have been able to lead the ghost soldiers to break through?"

"The Three Pure Ones Taiji Magic Array is as solid as gold." Zhu Shian paused, then added: "At least a Ghost General of that rank definitely can't break through."

If it were a Ghost Marshal from the Underworld's top ten, they could break through the heavenly restraints and shatter the boundary between yin and yang, coming to the mortal world.

But old ghosts at the Ghost Marshal level are governed by the King of Hell; they can't step out of the Underworld.

Master Mingjue relaxed. "Good. As long as the array can stop them. Our Zhenshan County can't have any trouble."

With her here, Zhenshan County wouldn't have any trouble.

Only then did Master Mingjue feel slightly relieved. But seeing Zhu Shian's smile, his heart rose again. After hesitating for a moment, he advised tactfully: "I know Miss Zhu is talented and bold, but you're the sole heir of the Zhu Family. You should pay more attention to your own safety. Things like last night — it's best if they don't happen again."

"Thank you for your concern. I'll act according to my abilities."

Acting according to her abilities meant that if any Ghost General dared to lead Yin Soldiers to the Mountain Valley again, she'd use them as practice targets to improve her combat skills.

Besides, with the array blocking them, she was too familiar with the array. If she couldn't win, she could escape from any direction.

Master Mingjue didn't catch Zhu Shian's hidden meaning. He nodded with a smile. "Your cultivation deepens day by day — this is a blessing for the Xuan Sect. Your Zhu Family ancestors, if they knew, would surely be proud of you."

What Zhu Shian was thinking was that last night's fight had destroyed a small Ghost General. She wondered if this news would reach her master's ears.

If her master were promoted in the Underworld, with his combat ability, he should be an old ghost at the Ghost Marshal level.

The urge to summon her master's soul stirred in her heart again. Remembering Qiye's warning, Zhu Shian let go of the idea.

Master Mingjue hadn't come just to inquire about last night's Yin Soldiers Crossing. Today he also came to the Zhu Family to deliver a gift.

"I heard the Zhu Family Medical Hall is opening. Our Wangyun Temple doesn't have much to offer, so we'll send some of our own prepared medicinal materials. I hope Miss Zhu won't mind."

"Master, you're too kind. The materials you prepare are wild herbs dug from the mountains, aren't they? Such good things can't be bought easily. If you hadn't come to deliver them in person, I'd be embarrassed to ask for them."

Master Mingjue smiled: "You opened in a hurry, so it's understandable you couldn't gather enough medicinal materials in time. I know a few families living deep in the mountains who make their living by gathering herbs. If you need them, I can pass on a message for you."

Zhu Shian immediately said: "Then麻烦大师帮我们传句话吧，我们祝家有证件，可以自行收购药材。他们如果愿意把药材卖给我们家，要钱或是要粮食都好商量。"

Master Mingjue said: "They usually want grain when trading with our Wangyun Temple."

Zhu Shian made a mental note.

Master Mingjue drank two cups of tea and prepared to leave. Zhu Shian invited him to stay for lunch, but Master Mingjue shook his head and declined. He was going to Nanjiang County to visit an old friend.

Since that was the case, Zhu Shian didn't insist.

As she saw Master Mingjue out, Zhu Shian realized he hadn't worn his hat today — he'd come with a bare head. And he'd have to travel to Nanjiang County with his bald head.

It seemed like not only were all industries thawing and moving toward more openness, but even Buddhist temples were gradually loosening up. Otherwise, Master Mingjue wouldn't go out in public with his monk's identity so openly.

Zhu Shian genuinely felt this was a good thing.

After seeing off Master Mingjue, Zhu Shian went to find Fengniang but didn't see her. She circled around the back garden and heard noise coming from the Medical Hall next door, so she went to check.

"The young lady is here."

"Family head, come hide from the sun. Don't get sunburned."

Zhu Shian smiled and nodded to everyone, then greeted the elders: "When did you all arrive?"

Zhu Fujiang smiled: "A little after Master Mingjue. We heard you were receiving guests in the front hall, so we came to look around the Medical Hall."

Zhu Fengqin and the others had just carried the signboard over to wash it. Now they were placing it in a spot out of direct sunlight to dry. They'd apply the varnish once it was dry.

Zhu Shousin and Zhu Shouguang were also there. Zhu Shousin looked at the signboard and said: "I wonder what kind of wood this is. This signboard has been passed down for over a thousand years."

Zhu Fujiang said: "The family records note that the signboard is made of golden thread nanmu wood. But after so many generations and with the outer漆 layer, you can't see the golden thread nanmu color anymore."

"The first Zhu Family ancestor who built the family fortune was just an ordinary doctor. Where did he get such precious wood?" Zhu Changfeng was curious.

"The records say it was given by one of his old patients."

"Interesting. I've heard of doctors curing patients and receiving gold, silver, money, grain, bolts of cloth, or good medicinal materials as thanks. This is the first time I've heard of someone giving wood."

Zhu Shousin said: "That's because you're young and haven't seen much. When I was young, I treated a blacksmith. After he got better, he came to the Medical Hall to thank me and gave me a big iron pot."

Zhu Shouguang burst out laughing and nodded quickly: "It's true. That iron pot was very useful. If it weren't for those years during the Great Steel Campaign when every household had to donate iron, and everyone knew he had a big iron pot at home so it couldn't be protected — he wouldn't have wanted to donate it."

Speaking of this, Zhu Shousin couldn't help but laugh too. He'd practiced medicine and saved people his whole life — do good deeds without asking about the results. But occasionally, patients would give them something unexpected. It was still surprising and memorable.

Zhu Fujiang said to Zhu Shian: "By the way, while you were talking with Master Mingjue in the front hall, his two disciples delivered two baskets of medicinal materials. They left them and said they were a congratulatory gift from Wangyun Temple."

Zhu Shian knew: "Master Mingjue mentioned it. He also said he knows some hermits living in the mountains who gather herbs, and he wants to introduce them to us. I agreed."

Zhu Shouguang said: "I just glanced at the materials — they're all good. If the people Master Mingjue introduces all send materials like this, we'll take everything."

"Also, prepare more grain at the Medical Hall. People will exchange medicinal materials for grain, not money."

"We'll prepare for this. I'll take care of it." Zhu Changfeng said.

The staff selection for the Medical Hall was already complete. For logistics, Zhu Changfeng was the general manager of the Medical Hall, managing the accounts and medicinal material procurement.

Zhu Changzhen had studied medicine with Zhu Shouguang for seven or eight years. He wasn't great at other things, but he was especially good at identifying medicinal materials. He was in charge of the storage.

Sun Guizhen was selected because she's good at timing. She was responsible for boiling medicine for patients. Since many patients might not have time to wait at the Medical Hall while their medicine boiled, they often took it home themselves. Sun Guizhen's work wasn't heavy, and in her free time, she also helped with cleaning.

As for receiving patients in the front hall, the attending doctors would definitely be Zhu Shian, Zhu Shousin, and Zhu Shouguang. Zhu Changfang and another Zhu Family branch doctor named Zhu Zheng were responsible for dispensing medicinal materials.

In addition, the clan selected more than a dozen young apprentices to help at the Medical Hall, learning medicine while working. Zhu Kanglin and Zhu Yongwen were both on the list.

Zhu Shian didn't ask much about the staff selection. Today everyone was there, and Zhu Shian met them one by one. She realized that among the selected staff, besides Zhu Changfang who originally lived on Sanqing Lane, everyone else was either from the Zhu Family clan or a Zhu Family branch.

Beyond this distinction, Zhu Changfeng and Zhu Changzhen were key young members being cultivated by the Zhu Family clan. They'd been taken to Shanghai, and now they were placed at the Medical Hall again to be trained.

Zhu Zheng, who worked with Zhu Changfang dispensing medicinal materials, was in his forties. He'd studied medicine since childhood but wasn't proficient. After talking with him, Zhu Shian discovered one good thing about him — he had a pleasant personality and was very good at talking. Someone so worldly-wise and with some medical knowledge was probably being cultivated as a second-tier manager candidate.

If Zhu Changfeng or Zhu Changzhen were ever away, he'd likely be the one managing the Medical Hall.

Zhu Shian was clever. After a simple conversation, she could see the clan's arrangement. The elders might be old, but their thinking was active and the arrangements were very appropriate.

Zhu Fujiang introduced the people who would work at the Medical Hall to Zhu Shian because he wanted to discuss something else: "For convenience, they'll all need to live on Sanqing Lane. Their accommodations need to be arranged by you."

"That's easy. There are still many empty houses on Sanqing Lane. The keys are all with Fengniang. When you have time, go pick your houses, and you can move in today."

Zhu Fengqin smiled: "No need to wait. There are empty ones right now. Want to go look at the houses now?"

Zhu Changfeng took the lead: "Then麻烦凤孃了。"

"Not troublesome. Let's go. When we come back after looking at the houses, the signboard should be dry, and we can apply the varnish."

Most of the people around the back workshop dispersed. Only Zhu Shian, Zhu Shouguang, Zhu Shousin, and a few elders remained. They'd come today mainly to discuss Medical Hall matters with Zhu Shian.

"Our family isn't short on good prescriptions, but right now we're short on both medicinal materials and experienced people to prepare them. I think we shouldn't display pills and plasters for sale for now, unless patients need them — then we can make them. What do you think?"

Zhu Shian naturally thought this was fine: "These can all be considered later."

"There's also the pricing. Our county health department doesn't control our pricing, but they did suggest tactfully that we don't need to be as cheap as the County Hospital, but we shouldn't price too high either."

"The County Hospital's wages and medicinal materials are all covered by the public sector. We can't compare with the County Hospital."

"Our medicinal materials are all good. In that aspect, the County Hospital's materials can't compare with ours either."

The elders expressed their opinions, and Zhu Shian made the final decision: "Have Zhu Changfeng calculate the costs. We'll follow the rules."

They were discussing matters in the back workshop when a patient knocked on the door of the front hall. Zhu Changfang hadn't gone to look at houses and was at the Medical Hall. She heard the noise and went to open the door. The visitors were a well-dressed couple, around thirty years old.

"May I help you?"

"Hello. We heard the Sanqing Lane Zhu Family Medical Hall has opened. My wife and I came specifically from Nanjiang County to seek treatment. Is it convenient now?"

The man who spoke first was called Xie Ci. He was very polite and clearly a cultured person. Looking at their tanned skin, they didn't seem like office workers. But Zhu Changfang could tell from his accent that he wasn't from Nanjiang County.

Zhu Changfang hesitated: "We can treat, but we don't officially open until the eighth. We're not open yet."

Xie Ci quickly said: "We're sorry for the rush. Could you ask for us? Can we see a doctor today?"

"What are you here for?"

Xie Ci looked at his wife, Chen Qian. She quietly said: "We've been married for over three years and can't conceive."

Oh, that kind of thing. When Zhu Changfang was an apprentice under Old Master Zhu Furu, she knew the Zhu Family had some skill in this area. After more than ten years, she didn't expect people in Nanjiang County to still remember this.

Zhu Changfang looked at the man and said: "Inability to conceive isn't necessarily the woman's problem."

Xie Ci nodded: "I might have a problem too. My wife and I have seen doctors before. Those doctors couldn't find anything major wrong, and we've just been dragging along. Recently we heard about your family, so we came specifically to seek treatment. We made this trip not easily. Could you please help us?"

This couple was genuinely seeking medical help, and Zhu Changfang was willing to help. "Wait a moment. I'll go ask."

Zhu Changfang ran to the back workshop to report about the two patients. Zhu Fujiang said: "A couple of days earlier or later doesn't matter much. They know our family can treat this condition and came all this way. We can't let them make a trip for nothing."

"Should I invite them in?"

"Bring them to the back workshop, but don't open the main door. If townspeople see, they'll think we've opened early. Then if more people come for treatment, it will be hard for us to refuse."

"Uncle Fujiang, don't worry. I know."

Zhu Changfang invited Xie Ci and Chen Qian in and brought them to the back workshop. The couple saw several old men and women围着一个年轻小姑娘说话，愣了一下，不知道谁是大夫，也不知道该跟谁搭话。

Zhu Shian smiled and said: "I'm the doctor. If you don't mind, let me examine you."

"Thank you very much."

Chen Qian looked at Zhu Shian. She remembered that leaders from the Nanjiang County committee had mentioned that three people from the Zhu Family went to Shanghai to take the exam, and the one who got first place was a young woman from the Zhu Family. That must be her.

The back workshop had one room after another of acupuncture rooms, with no tables or chairs. Zhu Shian invited them to the opposite medicine preparation workshop. The medicine preparation workshop had long tables and benches for preparing medicinal materials — they'd have to make do.

When Zhu Shian took pulse and diagnosed Xie Ci and Chen Qian, the elders didn't come over. Facing Zhu Shian, a young woman, Chen Qian relaxed much more.

After taking their pulses, Zhu Shian also studied their faces and asked: "You lost a child two years ago, didn't you?"

Chen Qian was shocked. Lost a child? What did that mean?

Zhu Shian nodded affirmatively: "You really did lose a child two years ago."

Chen Qian immediately thought of that time when she was on an outside assignment, suddenly got her period in the wild, with heavy flow and severe stomach pain. She was sick and weak for two or three months before getting better. She thought it was because she got caught in the ice rain and her body couldn't handle it. Could it be that it wasn't because of that, but because she lost a child?

"I don't know if it was that, but it feels like it." Chen Qian's tears came pouring down. She wiped them hastily, but the more she wiped, the more they came.

Xie Ci quickly used his handkerchief to wipe her tears: "Don't cry. Let's hear what the doctor says."

Xie Ci and Chen Qian were both railway engineers. Their work had always revolved around railways, and they'd traveled all over the country for work.

When they were on outside assignments in the mountains, they often couldn't find any households to stay with and had to camp in the wild. There were times when they were cold, times when they were hot, and they couldn't worry about nutrition for their three meals a day — just as long as they weren't hungry. Over the long term, Chen Qian's periods had become irregular, and losing a child was mistaken for menstruation with slightly heavier flow.

"Before, we saw both Western medicine and Traditional Chinese Medicine. Western medicine said I was malnourished and told me to supplement. Traditional Chinese Medicine said I had a weak constitution and gave me medicine to regulate my body. Why didn't any doctor mention..." Chen Qian covered her stomach and couldn't stop crying.

"You both have slightly weak constitutions, but it's not a serious problem. You're still young. Just regulate it and you'll be fine. Don't worry. I guarantee you'll definitely have children — and they'll be a boy and a girl."

Both Xie Ci and Chen Qian were shocked. Being guaranteed children was one thing, but could someone really say "a boy and a girl" so directly? And so seriously?

Zhu Shian smiled: "You don't believe me?"

The couple really didn't quite believe.

Zhu Changfang brought writing materials and casually asked: "Who told you our Zhu Family could treat this?"

"A leader from the Nanjiang County committee." Xie Ci said: "We were doing railway construction planning research in Nanjiang County. When we casually mentioned the child issue, the director of the Nanjiang County committee office suggested our couple come to your family for treatment. He said your family just returned from Shanghai and got a private practice medical license."

Xie Ci asked around about this license and learned that any doctor who could pass that exam was extremely skilled. He didn't hesitate at all to ask his leader for leave. He felt he wouldn't make this trip for nothing.

Now, looking back, he really hadn't made the trip for nothing. This young female comrade was more capable than any of the older doctors they'd seen before.

Zhu Changfang smiled: "Since you listened to that director's advice and came to our family for treatment, when you go back, ask that director if our Zhu Family has any other abilities."

Zhu Shian told Zhu Changfang not to talk nonsense and handed the prescription to the couple: "This is the prescription. If you're not in a hurry, you can have the medicine boiled here after getting it from us."

"We're not in a hurry. We took three days off. We'll be staying in Zhenshan County for these three days."

Xie Ci said: "We heard your family's acupuncture is also very effective. If my wife and I take medicine plus acupuncture, both at the same time, will it be faster? We think we're still young regarding the child issue, so we can put it aside for now. I want to first cure my wife's body."

The body is the capital of revolution. Only when the body is healthy will work and life go smoothly.

As for children, the couple had just learned about the child they lost unexpectedly before. Now wasn't the time to talk about having children.

Zhu Shian understood his meaning and wrote two acupuncture prescriptions — they both needed acupuncture.

After Zhu Shian finished writing the prescriptions, Zhu Changfang was about to grab the medicine and boil it when Sun Guizhen returned.

Sun Guizhen smiled: "This is my job. Let me do it."

Zhu Changfang handed the medicine to her: "Don't mix up the couple's medicine. The young lady just gave them acupuncture. They're lying in the acupuncture room now."

"Alright. Counting the time, when they finish acupuncture and come out to rest, they'll刚好能喝上药。"

Xie Ci already believed that a doctor who could get that license must be very skilled. After Zhu Shian gave them acupuncture, he was even more certain.

After taking the medicine, Xie Ci said: "Thank you, Doctor Zhu. We'll come back tomorrow morning."

"It's only noon. Go back to the guesthouse and rest. Come to the Medical Hall again in the evening to take the medicine."

"Okay."

Xie Ci and Chen Qian thus became the Zhu Family's first patients.

After patients came seeking treatment, Zhu Fengqin became even more concerned about the signboard that had just been varnished. She was afraid it wouldn't dry in the shade. Before going to sleep, she specially went to the back workshop of the Medical Hall, moved the signboard to a windy place, and only then felt at ease enough to sleep.

After Zhu Fengqin went to sleep, Zhu Shian still wasn't asleep. Wang Erzhu, who had been honestly guarding the back garden gate, floated over to find her. Looking at its expression, it was both expectant and happy.

"What's the matter?"

Wang Erzhu nodded quickly: "I know everything. The couple who came for treatment today have good jobs, are rich, and don't have children. What do you think about me being reincarnated into their family?"

"No."

"Why not? Do you think their family isn't good enough?"

"It's not that their family isn't good enough. It's that you can't be reincarnated into their family."

Wang Erzhu wanted to cry: "Why not?"

"That couple has merit. There are many ghosts fighting to be reincarnated. It's not your turn."

Wang Erzhu cried pitifully: "Isn't reincarnation about luck? Why does it also involve merit?"

Zhu Shian couldn't be bothered with it and told Little White to drive it out.

It was driven out, but soon Zhu Shian heard it howling in the back garden. Zhu Shian sat up in bed, and Little White, lying at the foot of the bed, immediately said: "I'll go deal with it."

Zhu Shian lay back down. After a while, her ears finally had peace.

Sigh.