Chapter 387

When Fang Heng left all those years ago, even though his whereabouts and activities were known, his siblings still felt a sense of loss for nearly half a month.

Now that the festive atmosphere has disappeared, everyone understands that being sad is of no use, but they can't help feeling low.

For two whole days, there was no laughter in the courtyard.

Jiang Sheng didn't even touch the leftover meat from the delicious feast. Her round face became angular within two days, revealing a faintly discernible oval shape.

Zhang Xianglian returned home after three days and saw Jiang Sheng in such a heartbroken state that tears flowed from her eyes. She immediately pulled Master Kong and went to cook.

Braised pork elbow, chicken stew with mushrooms, and braised carp.

All of them were dishes she loved to eat, but when they were placed on the table, Jiang Sheng's chopsticks circled around and only picked up a mushroom, slowly swallowing it.

"Little Jiang Sheng, why aren't you eating meat?" Zhang Xianglian exclaimed in shock. "What's wrong with you?"

Which pig farmer could tolerate their little piglet not eating its food?

Jiang Sheng forced a smile and whispered, "I don't really feel like eating these greasy things. Vegetables and mushrooms are fine."

She picked up two more, swallowed them whole, finished the soup, and then put down her bowl and chopsticks.

"I'm full," Jiang Sheng stood up. "It's the end of the month, and the accounts at Jiuzhen Store need to be checked."

The children at the table took a few bites and also put down their bowls and chopsticks, each going about their own business.

This is what it's like when Little Wu is missing from the family.

Zhang Xianglian's heart ached like a knife, and she lost her appetite as well. She turned around and picked up two pieces of meat for Master Kong.

It was evident that their marital relationship had improved in these three days.

Master Kong was no longer startled by the favoritism but instead had a sense of shyness. After gulping down the food, he patted his beloved wife's shoulder.

Under Zhang Xianglian's astonished gaze, he walked over to Zheng Ruqian. "Xiao Qian, what's wrong with the girl these past two days? She doesn't even eat pork elbow?" Uncle and Aunt were not incorrect in their way of addressing them, but it was just a little bit unfamiliar. Zheng Ruqian shook off the strange feeling. "Worried about Little Wu but can't show it, so she suppressed her appetite."

Master Kong wanted to ask why but followed Zheng Ruqian's gaze and understood in a flash as he saw Xu Mo engrossed in studying.

Great joy and great sorrow surged simultaneously, and everyone almost forgot that the palace exam was just a few days away.

Unknown calculations, the Fang family and the Crown Prince, the results of the palace exam, all of them were imminent.

Xu Mo dared not lose focus and suppressed his worry for his younger brother while simulating the palace exam at home, flipping through ancient books.

The others also dared not distract Xu Mo and could only pretend as if nothing was amiss.

"But this also can't be a long-term solution. The girl has gotten thinner," Master Kong sighed. "How about taking her out for a walk and doing something else to take her mind off things?"

That's the only solution in this situation.

Zheng Ruqian put away the self-drawn map and nodded. "Then it's up to Aunt and Uncle to lend a hand at home."

Time was running out for Xu Mo, so he stayed at home to simulate the palace exam.

Fang Heng, accompanied by the household servants and guards, found a moment to practice military formations. He called for Wang Xiaosong to rein in the horse's reins and burst into the room, dragging the absentminded Jiang Sheng along.

"Second Brother, stop it," she struggled. "I still have accounts to check."

"Why are we going to Jiuzhen Store to settle accounts? Why hide here?" Zheng Ruqian forcefully pulled her into the carriage, accompanied by Wen Zhiyun, who was going to the clinic.

The three siblings sat quietly in the carriage, surrounded by a bustling crowd outside, with a clamor that filled the air.

It seemed as if all the excitement had been stripped away from them, leaving only a sense of absent-mindedness, tranquility, and loneliness.

It wasn't like this when Xiaowu was around.

Wen Zhiyun pursed his lips, his eyes welling up with crystal-clear tears.

Zheng Ruqian reacted quickly, pinching him from behind and managing to hold back his emotions.

Finally arriving at the Tian Street Corner, Wang Xiaosong's eyes darted around, and he exclaimed, "So many patients! Why is it so lively?"

All three siblings were intrigued and lifted the carriage curtain, and indeed, they saw the clinic filled with people.

Wen Zhiyun often provided free medical consultations and medications at Wen's Clinic, which mostly catered to ordinary folks. However, the people sitting inside at the moment were all well-dressed and clearly had wealth and status.

"Why are there so many wealthy people here?" Wang Xiaozhu was frightened. "What should we do, Gongzi (young master), Gongzi?"

Wen Zhiyun was at a loss, not being the type to handle such situations. He was already in a state of panic.

Fortunately, Zheng Ruqian was there, furrowing his brow and saying, "Let's go and have a look." "Yes, Fourth Brother, don't be afraid. We're all here," Jiang Sheng mustered up some courage and said, "Let's go together."

The siblings got off the carriage in order and as soon as they arrived at the entrance of Wen's Clinic, the people inside all turned their heads.

Dozens of pairs of eyes looked over, and it was somewhat intimidating.

Wen Zhiyun felt a sense of unease, but as a physician, he had compassion. If patients came to his door, he couldn't turn them away.

He put down his small medicine box and glanced at Wang Xiaozhu.

With their long-standing understanding, Wang Xiaozhu suppressed his panic and stood up to prepare paper, pen, ink, and inkstone, as well as necessary items for pulse diagnosis.

Jiang Sheng and Zheng Ruqian exchanged a glance and quietly stood in a corner.

The pulse diagnosis instrument was placed on the table, and the middle-aged man extended his wrist, allowing Wen Zhiyun to carefully feel it and inquire about his recent diet and rest.

"This gentleman..." the young assistant doctor spoke tactfully.

The middle-aged man spoke in a deep voice, "My surname is Wu."

Wen Zhiyun was momentarily stunned, but thanks to being influenced by his younger brother, he quickly recovered and said, "Master Wu, your health is quite good, but you have some symptoms of internal heat. In the future, eat more foods that can clear heat, such as green leafy vegetables, or melons and fruits that can help cool the body."

Speaking, he held a brush and ink, writing and drawing on rice paper.

Master Wu thought he was writing a prescription, but to his surprise, after finishing, Wen Zhiyun blew dry the ink marks and put them in a drawer.

"You..." he couldn't help but ask, "Aren't you going to give me a prescription?"

Wen Zhiyun was also taken aback, "What prescription? I already mentioned earlier, just eat some green leafy vegetables and cooling fruits to alleviate the internal heat."

Medicine is three parts poison, so if you can avoid taking it, you shouldn't. It was his philosophy of medical treatment.

Besides, it was just a simple symptom of internal heat.

The idea of hosting a long banquet came from the Crown Prince Keng Meng. If it were solely up to Wen Zhiyun, he wouldn't have had the courage even in his eight lifetimes.

"But..." Master Wu wanted to say something else.

The elderly man with white hair coughed twice, and he could only helplessly back off.

Now it was the turn of the young gentleman. He looked young, with particularly lively and shrewd eyes that scrutinized people while carrying a deeper meaning.

"Wrist," Wen Zhiyun felt somewhat uncomfortable, but he endured it and took the pulse.

Unexpectedly, the young man withdrew his hand into his sleeve and playfully said, "Can't you diagnose without taking the pulse? The ancients emphasized observation, listening, questioning, and pulse-taking, not solely relying on pulse diagnosis."