The Martial Doctor-Chapter 120 - 113: Liuli’s Freedom

The backyard of the consultation point.

It was said to be supervised by three people, initially following the rules quite well. As time went on, apart from Cui Wanquan being on duty regularly.

Mr. Jia would send "Hui" to stand in for him when he had matters to attend to, sometimes "Hui" was sent out on errands too.

Most of the time, there was no one in the supervision room.

As a result, it was mostly Guan Biyun in charge; she lived in the backyard anyway, so it was convenient for her, but it was a burden for her female apprentice Lien Yurou.

If the master was busy, wouldn’t the apprentice step in?

Lien Yurou was narrow-minded and didn’t originally want to come to Dongshan, but since her master Guan Biyun came, she had no choice but to follow, and from the start, she targeted Lin Miao.

However, Lin Miao truly had skills that left her speechless and even got her reprimanded and punished, instantly becoming "someone else’s child".

She bore resentment, but didn’t dare to express it, as she hadn’t completed her apprenticeship, and if she angered Guan Biyun, she would certainly face consequences.

"Master, here are the medical cases delivered today for consultations."

"Hmm, put them over there, I’ll take a look later." Guan Biyun was engrossed in studying some methods of "processing" medicinal herbs mentioned by Lin Miao.

She was very captivated.

As a healer with a deep understanding of medicinal herbs, her interest lay not in diagnosing and treating, but in the processing of the herbs.

Not all medicinal herbs can be used directly; most need to be processed in some way to be therapeutic, otherwise, they’re ineffective or even toxic.

Thus, the processing of medicinal herbs is also a profound knowledge; the reason the Medicine King Sect can become a major school in the field is their expertise in processing herbs, and most herbs needing processing come from the Medicine King Sect’s factories.

This is a monopoly business.

If a healer doesn’t understand herb processing, they can’t prescribe effective prescriptions. In contrast, if they understand the process and properties of processed herbs, they can tailor prescriptions appropriately, naturally curing the ailment.

"Master, among today’s patients, there’s one without a name. The diagnosed condition is something I’ve never heard of, called ’Yin Ulcer Poisonous Joint’..."

"Yin Ulcer Poisonous Joint?" Guan Biyun lifted her head in surprise. Being a woman, she naturally had expertise in gynecology. This condition only occurs in women, and Lien Yurou, being unmarried, couldn’t have encountered it, nor had she been taught.

"Give me the medical case."

"It really is ’Yin Ulcer Poisonous Joint’." Guan Biyun was quite surprised after reviewing the diagnostic details on the medical case. The case naturally contained a detailed description of the condition.

From the description, Guan Biyun could determine that it was indeed a typical case of "Yin Ulcer Poisonous Joint" and it had reached a critical stage. If not treated immediately, it might lead to ulceration below, spreading poison throughout the body, becoming incurable.

So young, how does he know gynecology!

This is simply unbelievable.

A mole cricket? (commonly known as a mole cricket)

This prescription actually included this thing!

Guan Biyun was no longer that surprised because, in many of Lin Miao’s prescriptions, he often used insect-derived medicinal materials.

But these things were rarely or never used before because, traditionally, herbal medicine was primarily plant-based, and many people did not trust insects as treatments.

Of course, some have researched the medicinal use of insects; the "Hundred Herbs Scripture" also mentions a few entries, though very few known insects can be used medicinally.

The mole cricket is one of them.

However, most healers don’t use it since it’s mostly found in folk remedies.

This touched on another blind spot of Guan Biyun’s knowledge.

Ever since arriving in Dongshan City, Guan Biyun had spent her days in excitement. She initially thought Lin Miao needed some secret support, but it turned out to be the other way around; it was she who came to learn.

If she had known it would result in this, even if Wan Bin hadn’t asked her, she would have come. It was too rare an opportunity.

Didn’t you see Mr. Jia was also spellbound by several of Lin Miao’s prescriptions? As for Cui Wanquan, he was just idling away his time, wasting this opportunity for personal growth. It was his choice, as long as he didn’t cause trouble.

"Master, the consultation point will be closed tomorrow. I’d like to go out and buy some New Year’s supplies," Lien Yurou pleaded.

Although she harbored some resentment, she hadn’t thought of any revenge and had put away her arrogance. After all, she had witnessed Lin Miao’s skills; it would be foolish to continue any conflict.

"Ah, is the consultation point closed tomorrow?" Guan Biyun didn’t seem to realize how quickly time had passed.

"Master, you didn’t forget that tomorrow is the last day of the old year, right? On this day, all the city’s clinics close." Lien Yurou looked at her master in surprise, wondering if she had forgotten the day.

"I really forgot, it doesn’t matter. If you want to go out, just go. Do you have enough money? I can give you some to buy food; our master and apprentice shouldn’t spend the New Year too frugally." Guan Biyun said, showing concern for her apprentice.

"Thank you, Master."

...

Huaye Tower was still bustling with guests, business booming.

The night before the end of the year, at the end of the hour of the pig, Si Miaoxue sent her maid Chun’Er to call Miss Liuli, who had just come down from the stage and hadn’t had time to remove her makeup, to the attic in the backyard.

"Liuli, here is your contract of servitude with Huaye Tower. From this moment on, we will no longer have a master-servant relationship." Si Miaoxue straightened her posture and handed the contract to her from a stack of documents on the table.

"Mistress, didn’t you say I should serve Huaye Tower for another three years, and then you would give me the contract?" Liuli asked in surprise.

"Someone ordered me to return the contract to you, and I couldn’t refuse because I’m now his person," Si Miaoxue sighed softly and said in a distant tone.

"Ah?!" Liuli gasped in shock, covering her mouth. The statement carried significant information—who gave the order to Mist. Si Miaoxue, and whose person was she?

And Mr. Lin, merely mentioned he had a way to resolve it at the table, and in just one day, the mistress obediently returned her contract.

Freedom is surprisingly simple.

It must not be Mr. Lin. Mr. Lin and Sun Youwei are a perfect match, a pair made in heaven, and besides, Mr. Lin is still young, not yet of marriageable age...

Could it be something to do with someone behind Mr. Lin and the relationship with the tower master?

It must be like that!

Liuli imagined for a moment, feeling that her deduction was quite reasonable and the only possible explanation.

"Pack up your things. You’re moving over there tomorrow. He’s likely reserved a room for you." Si Miaoxue said disinterestedly.

"Thank you, tower master, for your care over the past ten years." Liuli held the sell contract, bowing deeply to Si Miaoxue.

She didn’t notice Si Miaoxue mentioning "he", evidently ignoring it automatically.

Si Miaoxue nodded slightly. Whether this sell contract was in her hands or in Lin Miao’s, it was essentially the same.

However, Liuli was different from Shi Yin. Liuli could buy back her servitude with money and restore her status as a commoner, but Shi Yin could not. Shi Yin was the daughter of a convicted official, and removing her servitude status required the court’s permission.

...

"Miss Liuli, what are you doing?" Early in the morning, Liuli placed her sell contract on Lin Miao’s desk.

"The tower master handed the sell contract back to me. From now on, I am homeless. Please, sir, take me in!" Liuli bowed deeply.

"Oh, I have plenty of rooms here. You’re welcome to stay if you wish. As for this sell contract, you’re different from Shi Yin; you can redeem your servitude at the government office to restore your status as a commoner. There’s no need to do this." Lin Miao immediately returned her sell contract, "If the money for redemption falls short, you can tell me. I can lend it to you, counting it as an advance on your salary."

Holding the sell contract, tears welled up in Liuli’s eyes instantly. She hadn’t expected that one day she could truly be free and even become a commoner.

"The government offices shouldn’t be on a break today. If you want to regain your status as a commoner, take this and hurry to handle it!" Lin Miao urged.

"Thank you, sir. Liuli will surely work diligently in the future to repay your kindness!" Liuli bowed deeply again.

"Just manage the pastry shop well for me, make it profitable, and that will suffice."

"Liuli will certainly manage it with all her heart, not failing the trust of you, sir." Liuli reverently made a deep bow.

...

"Junior Brother, why are Liuli’s eyes red?" Sun Youwei brushed past Liuli at the door and greeted her, but Liuli only lowered her head, muttered a response, and hurried off.

"She got her sell contract and is ready to redeem her status as a commoner. She’s happy."

"That’s a good reason to be happy." Sun Youwei nodded, "I came to ask, is there anything you want to buy? We can help bring it back for you."

"There’s nothing I particularly want. You all have fun and try to come back early." Lin Miao advised.

"Understood."

...

"Mr. Xie, have the New Year gifts for the three supervisors been prepared?" With the women at home out, Lin Miao walked to the front courtyard and found the busy Mr. Xie.

"They’re ready, but, boss, Cui Wanquan hasn’t helped us at all and often troubles you. Do we still prepare a gift for him?" Mr. Xie didn’t quite understand.

"Since we’re preparing New Year gifts for the three supervisors, we shouldn’t be partial. A set of New Year gifts doesn’t cost much." Lin Miao chuckled. Why make unnecessary enemies?

"Understood."

"Once they’re ready, send them over." Lin Miao thought for a moment and added, "The three supervisors can’t go home for New Year reunions because of me, so there should be some gesture."

"I don’t know what others send as gifts, but if you only send food, won’t the three supervisors disdain it?"

"Even if others give gifts, they probably send common items. If we were to send expensive gifts, it should be after the ’trial’, otherwise, if someone takes advantage of it, it would be counterproductive..."

"Mr. Xie, do you want me to give you a leave to go home for a visit?"

"I’m alone, no home."

"Everyone has a home. It’s just whether you want to go back..." Lin Miao watched Mr. Xie drive off, mumbling to himself.

Turning around, he bumped into Si Miaoxue, or rather, "Qin Yanran" as she’s now known, not knowing when she arrived.

"You’re quite bold, coming over in broad daylight!"

"Didn’t they all go out? The only ones left are you and that cook Mrs Luu?" Qin Yanran laughed charmingly, "Mrs Luu is busy in the kitchen, she won’t come out soon."

"What do you want to do? In broad daylight, I have no time to play with you." Lin Miao glanced around warily and started heading towards the study.

"I gave Liuli her sell contract. Huaye Tower lost an exceptional dancer. Shouldn’t you compensate me a bit?" Si Miaoxue pushed Lin Miao gently, moving closer to his face.

Accidentally, this enchantress pushed him against the wall, almost coming to a "kabedon".

"What are you doing?"

"What do you think..."

Lin Miao raised his hand to block her mouth, "Go to your place."

"You’re finally willing to come to my place!" Si Miaoxue cheered with joy.

"Even at your place, it’s for serious matters." Lin Miao slid aside, discreetly freeing himself, and quickly walked towards the study.

"Mr. Lin, wait for me..." Si Miaoxue covered her mouth with a laugh, swaying seductively as she followed.