The Martial Doctor

Chapter 329: Chapter 296: Qingtang Enters the Residence

"Mrs Wan, are you staying here?"

"Yes, I’ve tidied up the room next door. From now on, you’ll be staying next to me," Luu Wan instructed. "The household here has many rules that are different from your family’s. Don’t wander around, especially don’t go to the inner courtyard. It’s where the gentlemen and ladies of the house reside. With so many women around and your level of martial skill, if you’re caught and your identity is exposed, it will be troublesome."

"Mrs Wan, I’m at least the most talented disciple in the Dao Inquiry Sect. How could I be inferior to a few common women?" Qingtang replied, unconvinced.

"There is a pair of twins beside the young master, they are elite disciples from the Snow Mountain Sect. When they entered the household, they were already in the Lower Grade Blood Fusion Realm. Now, their martial skill is beyond my comprehension," Luu Wan said.

"Snow Mountain Sect, isn’t that a top-tier sect? Why would they send someone to protect a mere physician?"

"It’s not just any physician. The young master’s abilities are unparalleled, even within the Dao Inquiry Sect. Besides the twins, the lady of the house may seem like she doesn’t practice martial arts, but her internal energy is quite profound. Can you imagine, a year ago, she was nearly on her deathbed, and now not only is she well, but her internal strength is enviable. I’d say she’s at least above mid-grade in the Blood Fusion Realm," Luu Wan told Qingtang to prevent her from causing trouble.

Hearing this, Qingtang couldn’t help but stick out her tongue in shock, feeling a sense of fear.

"The household also has Miss Yun, she’s only slightly older than me. She is the chief stewardess and can manage affairs of the outer courtyard, but she mainly oversees the tofu workshop. The largest tofu workshop in Dongshan City is ours, holding a third of the market. She holds over half of the workshop’s shares," Luu Wan continued.

"There’s another steward in the household who hasn’t returned yet. He’s probably handling affairs in the young master’s hometown. You’ll meet him later. Just keep your distance from him. He has two people under him, one named Dong Fei, and the other Cai Xiaowei, along with a gardener, driver, and several servants who mostly operate in the outer courtyard. The inner courtyard is restricted without permission."

"Mrs Wan, can you enter the inner courtyard?"

"I’m a woman and the family’s cook, so naturally I can enter. However, the kitchen is now managed by Xiaolian, and my main work now is at the Huaye Tower, so it’s more convenient to stay in the outer courtyard," Luu Wan explained.

"When will you take me to see the inner courtyard? I’m curious how the Lin household has such strict rules," Qingtang said. "Even the General’s Mansion doesn’t have such stringent rules."

"The rules are set by them; this is their home. What does it matter to you? I’m just afraid you’ll cause trouble, which is why I’m warning you. If your identity is exposed, you’ll be the one to suffer. I can always return to the sect," Luu Wan said.

"I understand; I won’t cause any trouble. Please help speak to my father, so he doesn’t get too upset. His back ulcer flares up in the summer..." ƒгeewёbnovel.com

"You actually remember that the Marquis’ back ulcer flares up during summer, shows you’ve got some conscience," Luu Wan teased, casting a glance at her little disciple-niece, thinking if she wasn’t a likable woman, she would have sent her packing from Dongshan Prefecture long ago.

"My father initially intended for me to participate in the autumn hunt, but now that I’ve run away, he must be very upset and won’t find a suitable replacement on short notice..."

"Your father didn’t only birth you. If you don’t attend this autumn hunt, the Emperor won’t punish him. Your elder and second brothers have participated in the past, so even if they don’t this time, it doesn’t count as defying an imperial order."

"My father’s intention was for me to find a good match at the autumn hunt, but who knew that vile consort wanted me to marry her son. So I had to escape," Qingtang said, feeling wronged.

"Alright, I will notify your father about your safety, so he won’t worry and exacerbate his back ulcer," Luu Wan replied.

"Thank you, Mrs Wan." freёwebnovel.com

"There are some people in this household you should be wary of; avoid conflict with them." Luu Wan recalled Lin Mao and Ling Yu’Er, the children adopted by Lin Miao. These children are orphans and consider Lin Miao and Sun Youwei as their parents.

They are naturally the most loyal retainers and hold significant status in the Lin household. Learning from Lin Miao, they are sure to shoulder heavy responsibilities in the future.

"You don’t need to disguise yourself. Just slightly darken your skin tone..." Luu Wan advised.

"Understood."

"Living in this household means doing work, don’t regard yourself as the pampered young lady you once were..."

"I know, I’m not the kind raised in deep chambers," Qingtang said, having grown up guarding the border with her father and endured many hardships on the battlefield. In the army, she couldn’t expect special care.

She took care of herself.

"You should use the supplies provided by the household, they’re better than what you could buy outside. Some items aren’t even available outside."

...

"Young Master, the opening of Huaye Tower has been postponed time and again. At this point, delaying it further is pointless."

"Then when do you think is a good day?" Lin Miao asked. Having been back for a while, he hadn’t really paid much attention to the affairs of the Huaye Tower.

He had grown accustomed to being a carefree shopkeeper.

"The first of September would be good, the day after tomorrow. We could hold a simple ceremony to unveil our new sign," Shi Yin suggested.

"Alright, you go ahead and make the arrangements. I’ll come in the morning to cut the ribbon," Lin Miao instructed.

"Okay, everything is actually ready, but we need the young master to personally decide the list of distinguished guests to be invited for the opening," Shi Yin said, handing over a list, which included notable figures with ties to the Lin household.

Heading the list naturally is Pei Jian, the governor of Dongshan Prefecture.

Then, there are several acquaintances and officials he has interacted with, including Siwei Feng Sheng from the Arresting Department and the arresting officer Han Chunyang.

Next are the district magistrates of the South District. Regardless of past grievances, the necessary formalities must be observed. Whether you come or not is your business, but if even the governor comes, will you be able to save face?

Following that are colleagues from the medical field, officials from the Medical Bureau, and individuals from Benefit People Pharmacy, including those from the Xu Family with whom the relationship is good.

As for the Ye Family, Lin Miao certainly will not invite them. They are unrelated to the opening of this tavern. As for the district magistrate of South City District where the tavern is located, if not invited, and he wishes to cause trouble, there’s nothing one can do about his vendetta, even though Lin Miao’s rank is higher now, he still needs to salute, but county officials are less powerful than those currently in charge.

Outwardly, one must try to appear gentle and not provide others with an excuse to attack.

Of course, behind the scenes, it’s a different story; when it’s time to strike ruthlessly, there’s no need to be soft-hearted.

...

"The shaman has entered the territory. She did not hide her identity; relevant branches within Da Li have received the news." Yue Mei’Er has returned.

Returning under the guise of Si Miaoxue.

On the surface, Si Miaoxue remains one of the proprietors behind Huaye Tower, but her identity is too sensitive to risk leaving traces.

Therefore, efforts to not return were made. If returning, Yue Mei’Er would assume the identity of "Qin Yanran." After all, it’s merely to attend the opening of Huaye Tower.

But it also brought Lin Miao a piece of news.

The shaman has arrived.

"Your sect belongs to the demonic path. The righteous sects won’t be unaware of the shaman’s entrance. What is she trying to do by not concealing her identity?" Lin Miao frowned.

"It’s likely a probe into Da Li’s martial arts world’s attitude towards the Moon Worship Sect, and also to force you back to the sect to inherit the position of Saint Heir."

"If my identity is exposed, I won’t be able to stay in Da Li, is that it?" Lin Miao said, "You haven’t reported my true identity, have you?"

"No, we only mentioned finding the Saint Heir, without detailing his current circumstances or identity. If these details were reported, and someone with ulterior motives in the sect leaked the information, it would lead to the righteous martial world’s hunt, thereby harming the Saint Heir!" Yue Mei’Er explained.

"Whomever you appear around, won’t they analyze it?"

"Our and Miaoxue’s identities should not be exposed yet, and those twins by your side won’t blabber, right?"

"No, I’ve instructed them. They are now mine. If they betray, the consequence is beyond what they can bear."

"Don’t forget, they are disciples of the Snow Mountain Sect, which is also a righteous sect."

"They are, first and foremost, my women, before being disciples of the Snow Mountain Sect. If they cannot distinguish the importance, they have no right to stay by my side."

"What about that monk from Shanglin Temple, might he have noticed?"

"Don’t worry, he won’t tell anyone." Lin Miao shook his head, knowing that Fahai, the old monk, was not one to betray friends. Otherwise, years of practice in Zen and meditation would have gone to waste, a cost too significant.

"The shaman, though originating from the Wu Clan of the Moon Worship Sect, has done no actual harm. If Da Li’s righteous martial world blindly hunts her solely for her identity, how are they any different from indiscriminate demonic sects?"

"You’re absolutely right, my lord, but these people pretend to be gentlemen while being mere hypocrites!" Yue Mei’Er, raised in the Moon Worship Sect, naturally holds no goodwill towards the righteous martial world. The presence of hypocrites has indeed lowered its moral standards.

Thus becoming targets of attack.

"You were far from being a good person, had you not met me and been reined in, you would have been shunned by the righteous." Lin Miao gave a sidelong glance at Yue Mei’Er.

"Mei’Er’s heart belongs to you, my lord. Whatever you ask Mae Er to do, she will do, without considering anything else." Yue Mei’Er spoke, eyes filled with deep emotion.

"Really?"

"Of course, it’s true, Mei’Er would never deceive you, my lord."

"Don’t come to my bed tonight, give me some peace." Lin Miao smiled slightly.

"Ah..."