3: Chapter 3 One wave subsides only for another to rise

After summoning a physician, Jiang Yuyan headed straight for her residence.

Meng Li followed with his attendants Zhang Shan and Li Shi, only to find it was a slum.

As far as the eye could see, everyone was dressed in rags, their faces sallow and bodies thin.

Seeing their arrival, some showed curiosity, but no one stepped forward to speak.

The so-called residence could not even be called a house; it was merely a crude shed built of thatch and wood.

Jiang Yuyan's place was located in the middle.

Meng Li walked to the entrance and took a glance; the situation inside was visible at once.

A low bed made of wooden boards and thatch, a broken wooden stool, a few coarse cloth bundles in the corner, a clay pot, and three or four coarse bowls.

Other than that, no other noteworthy items could be found.

A woman lay on the low bed, wearing patched coarse cloth clothes, her hair tied with a strip of fabric. Her features were seventy to eighty percent similar to Jiang Yuyan's. This must be Jiang Yuyan's mother. Judging by her daughter's appearance, she must have been a top-tier beauty in her youth.

However, at this moment, her face was waxen, her eyes had dark circles, her expression was haggard, and her lips were dry and white. Far from being beautiful, she looked somewhat frightening.

While Meng Li was observing the woman, she also saw him.

She was first surprised, then seemed to want to say something, but refrained because the physician was taking her pulse.

A moment later, the physician finished the pulse reading and withdrew his hand.

Jiang Yuyan hurriedly asked, "Physician, how is my mother's condition?"

The physician stroked his beard and replied, "The situation has worsened slightly compared to before."

Jiang Yuyan's expression changed slightly as she asked nervously, "Can it be cured?"

The physician shook his head. "This old man has said before, this is a chronic ailment left over from childbirth in her early years. It has been delayed for too long, so there is no way to effect a radical cure. To return to normal and be free from the torment of pain, she must first use medicine for treatment, and then spend time slowly nourishing her body through dietary supplements."

During this period, she must not overwork herself; otherwise, the illness will relapse. Not only will she be plagued by pain, but it will also shorten her lifespan."

Jiang Yuyan's eyes dimmed.

Her mother's face was full of misery.

Medical treatment, dietary supplements, no overworking...

These were conditions that the mother and daughter simply could not afford!

Soon, Jiang Yuyan snapped out of it and said to the physician, "Please write the prescription, Physician."

After saying that, she looked embarrassed.

Because there wasn't even a place to write on the premises, let alone paper and ink.

The physician perhaps knew the situation here, or had encountered many similar cases. He said nothing and skillfully took out paper and brush from the small box he carried. Then, crossing his legs, he placed the paper on his knee and began writing the prescription himself.

Before long, three prescriptions were written.

The physician put down the brush, blew on the ink, and handed them to Jiang Yuyan one by one.

"The first one is for medical treatment, the second is the dietary supplement recipe, and the last one is the specific method for decocting and taking them. This old man remembers you know some characters; you can look at the method. If there's anything you don't understand, say so, and I will explain it to you."

Jiang Yuyan carefully read the contents of the third paper and pointed out the parts she didn't understand.

The physician answered them one by one.

After Jiang Yuyan understood, she seemed to remember something and asked in a low voice, "The price..."

The physician replied, "Because the condition has worsened, the prescription for medical treatment has increased. It's about twenty-some taels."

"The dietary supplements later haven't changed, but it's a long-term expense, so..."

He didn't finish his sentence, but Jiang Yuyan understood.

She said nothing more and turned to ask about the consultation fee.

The physician waved his hand. "You helped this old man a lot before, so forget the consultation fee. Save that money to nourish your mother's body."

With that, he packed his things and got up to leave.

"Many thanks, Physician."

Jiang Yuyan thanked him gratefully and then saw him out.

When she turned back, Jiang Yuyan looked at Meng Li, hesitating to speak.

Meng Li said, "Pack your things. Bring your mother and follow me to find an Inn to stay at. After that, we'll go get the medicine for your mother."

Jiang Yuyan was stunned. "What does the Young Master mean?"

Meng Li explained, "I am not a local. I came here to handle some business. Once the business is finished, I will return home. Since you have sold yourself to me, you naturally must return to the manor with me. Your mother is weak and ill; she likely wouldn't survive without you, so of course we must bring her along."

Jiang Yuyan immediately knelt on the ground, her eyes filled with tears as she said, "Thank you for your mercy, Young Master!"

Meng Li reached out to help her up and said softly, "Pack your things."

"Yes."

Jiang Yuyan complied and began packing.

Actually, there wasn't much to pack, as the only things that could be taken were those few bundles.

Soon, Meng Li headed out, with Jiang Yuyan supporting her mother following behind.

Just as they left, someone nearby quietly moved toward another direction.

A moment later, the group arrived at the location of Meng Li's carriage, called for Wang Wu, and found an Inn to stay at together.

After settling in, Jiang Yuyan went to get the medicine.

Meng Li happened to need some medicine dispensed as well, so he went along.

Unexpectedly, just as the two returned to the Inn, trouble arose inside.

A burly man with a full beard, leading several men who looked like thugs, was standing at the door of the room where Jiang Yuyan and her mother were staying.

Wang Wu was standing guard at the door, confronting them.

Seeing this, Jiang Yuyan's face changed.

Meng Li noticed her change in expression, narrowed his eyes slightly, then walked closer and asked Wang Wu, "What's going on?"

Wang Wu replied, "Not long after you left, Young Master, these people rushed over, saying that Miss Yu Yan and her mother owe money and they've come to collect the debt."

Meng Li looked at Jiang Yuyan.

Jiang Yuyan immediately defended herself, "This servant did borrow money from them before, but it was paid off long ago. I even got the IOU back."

The bearded man sneered. "Who said that? You only paid off the principal. You still owe the interest."

Jiang Yuyan wanted to argue upon hearing this, but was stopped by Meng Li's hand.

Then, he looked at the bearded man and said calmly, "Since Your Excellency says Yu Yan's debt hasn't been paid off, do you have an IOU?"

The other party was clearly prepared. Reaching into his robes, he pulled out an IOU and waved it in front of Meng Li's eyes.

Jiang Yuyan was shocked, then said angrily, "This is a forgery!"

At this time, Jiang Yuyan's mother walked out, equally indignant. "You actually dare to forge an IOU! I'm going to the yamen to sue you!"

The bearded man said disdainfully, "It has your daughter's signature and thumbprint on it. The evidence is solid. How is it a forgery? Go ahead and sue, but if it doesn't work out, don't blame me for suing you for false accusations. You won't be able to avoid a beating with the boards then."

"With your sickly appearance, after a round of boards, I'm afraid you'll be reporting to the Gates of Hell."

Jiang Yuyan's mother immediately trembled all over with rage.

Jiang Yuyan was also extremely angry and wanted to fight it out in court, but she was afraid the situation was truly as the other party said and would implicate her mother.

Seeing this, Meng Li spoke plainly, "How much more money does Yu Yan owe you?"

Hearing this, Jiang Yuyan hurriedly said, "Young Master, this servant has already paid off the money. I don't owe him!"

"Truly!"

"Please believe this servant!"

By the end, tears were swirling in her sparkling eyes.

Meng Li glanced sideways at her. "Then where is the IOU you got back?"

Jiang Yuyan's expression froze as she lowered her head and said, "Seeing that the matter was resolved, this servant tore it up."

Meng Li: "..."