Reborn as a Landlord-Chapter 96 - 53 Treating Disease_1

Chapter 96: Chapter 53 Treating Disease_1
In the Upper Room, Lady Zhou lay on the kang, continuously moaning in pain. Lian Xiuxiu sat beside Lady Zhou, holding her hand. Old Master Lian, clad in his clothes, sat at the head of the kang, silently puffing on his dry pipe.
People had already filled the space below. Lian Shouren from the Main Wife, along with Lian Jizu and his son, as well as Lady Chiang holding Niuniu stood by Lian Jizu’s side, Lian Shouyi and his wife from the Second Branch, Lian Yaya, and their children from the eldest to the sixth, and Lian Shouli and his wife from the Third Branch with Lian Yeye.
When Lian Shouxin, with Lian Manman and the others, entered the room, Lady Zhou’s moans on the kang grew even louder. People stepped aside to let Lian Shouxin come forward.
"Mother, what’s wrong?" Lian Shouxin asked.
"Mother’s old complaint has flared up again, she has a pain in her chest," Lian Shouren replied.
"Mother, how do you feel?" Lian Shouxin stepped up to Lady Zhou and asked.
"Why didn’t you wait for me to die before coming back?" Lady Zhou cursed, and then switched to a crying tone, "I can’t live anymore, there’s a blockage in my heart, like it’s weighed down by a stone... What’s the point of me still living, when any little wench could overpower me..."
Lian Manman listened as Lady Zhou’s words, mixed with crying and singing, gradually began to point toward her. She knew that Lady Zhou’s illness was a ruse, a scheme to manipulate Lian Shouxin. In such a situation, it was better to strike first and seize the initiative.
"Why has Grandma fallen so severely ill, why hasn’t her chronic ailment been cured after all these years?" Lian Manman spoke up.
"What kind of occasion is this, Manman, you’re just a child, is this a place for you to speak?" Lian Shouren scolded with a stern face, "Old Fourth, I don’t mean to criticize you as your elder brother, but you’ve spoiled your child too much. It’s just like this incident..."
Had Lian Shouren actually spoken up? Does that mean that Lady Zhou’s falling ill at this time had already garnered support from the Main Household?
Her, Lian Manman’s actions, had not only shaken Lady Zhou’s position of authority but also "infringed" upon the interests of the Main Household. It was clear that the polished rice, white flour, eggs, and chicken, which were the exclusive privileges of the Main Household, were now suddenly being enjoyed by them, the Fourth Household—usually the most honest and considered the lowest within the Lian Family. Naturally, this was unbearable for them.
Lian Shouxin may be naive, but when someone mentioned his children, he would not stand for it.
"Eldest brother, thanks to Manman running to the town the other day and fetching a competent doctor, her mother’s life was saved," Lian Shouxin interjected before Lian Shouren could continue.
"Old Fourth, what you’re saying isn’t right," Lian Shouren shook his head, "How much credibility could a little girl like Manman have? Young Master Youheng from the Wang Family and Imperial Doctor Shi agreed to come because they respect me, a Scholar, as well as the face of our father in Thirty Mile Camp."
"Uncle is right," Lian Manman quickly nodded, "Since Grandma’s illness is so severe this time, we might as well invite Imperial Doctor Shi. I’ve heard that when he was in the palace, he even treated the Emperor’s mother and cured her of ailments she’d suffered from for decades. If we invite Imperial Doctor Shi, I’m sure he can cure Grandma’s illness, and she won’t have to suffer anymore."
Lian Shouren started to panic. He had spoken too certainly before, and if Lian Manman suggested that he invite Imperial Doctor Shi, that would be troublesome.
"I think that’s a good idea, eldest brother, what do you say?" Lian Shouxin asked Lian Shouren.
"We’ve already invited one for my mother, how could we not invite one for my grandma," said Lian Manman, "Last time the doctor came to our home, saved a life, and left without even drinking a sip of tea. I’ve heard that Imperial Doctor Shi doesn’t easily treat anyone, and even those notable families who offer seven or eight hundred silver pieces fail to engage him."
"I’ve heard that those Imperial Physicians from the palace, they charge in gold for just one visit," Lian Shouyi interjected to show that he was also learned.
"...We didn’t pay the consultation fee last time, and there’s also the cost of the medicine which the Young Master of the Wang Family fronted. They saved a life in our family; we can’t remain indebted without paying back. We’ll go invite Imperial Doctor Shi for mother right away, and take the opportunity to deliver the consultation and medicine fees to them." Lian Shouxin said to Old Master Lian and Lady Zhou.
Old Master Lian put down his dry pipe, "Old Fourth is right, we’ve incurred a favor and can’t owe money on top of that. We’ll send whatever is due."
"Father and eldest brother have seen, just for the life-saving medicine, the cost of the medicine alone would be five taels of silver. Including the carriage fee and Doctor Lu from Jisheng Hall, it would cost at least ten taels of silver. As for Imperial Doctor Shi, if we really offered what he usually charges, we would go broke trying to pay him. Let’s thicken our faces and initially offer a gift of fifty taels, plus buy two jars of wine and a whole sheep. It might be less than appropriate, but it shows our sincerity. When we’re more well-off in the future, we’ll make up for it." Lian Shouxin candidly suggested.