Wei Ran was not a person who valued money so much; it was only when he truly encountered difficulties that he made requests again and again.
"I think he's just greedy and wants more than he deserves," Cai Qing grumbled.
Feng Jin chuckled, "You speak so eloquently now. You've made quite some progress."
"This is all thanks to the young madam's excellent guidance, enabling this servant to improve so rapidly."
"You little girl are becoming more glib by the day. As for Wei Ran, he does possess some true skill. However, whether his love for money stems from a specific reason or is his inherent nature, we must investigate thoroughly."
This matter was best left to Lu Shi, as he was well accustomed to such tasks.
Before Feng Jin could speak, Cai Qing eagerly blurted out, "Then let Lu Shi investigate him."
Feng Jin smiled faintly, "Go tell Lu Shi."
"Yes, Young Madam." With Feng Jin's permission, Cai Qing hurried out.
Feng Jin shook her head and sighed. Indeed, a woman's heart could not be hidden, and as she grew older, she could not be kept at home.
In the vast medical hall, Feng Jin was the only one left, busily working.
It was only as dusk began to fall that Cai Qing and Lu Shi entered together.
"Your subordinate pays respects to the Young Madam."
"How did Guard Lu's investigation go?" Feng Jin asked, setting down what she was holding.
"Reporting to the Young Madam, Wei Ran's family is poor, and he has a mother who has been ill for years and requires care. The daily cost of medicine is not a small sum. All the money Wei Ran earns is used to buy medicine for his mother."
Feng Jin's brows furrowed slightly. As expected, there was a hidden reason. "Have you discovered from whom Wei Ran learned his medical skills?"
In this era, medical practitioners would never pass on their entire skill set. Moreover, Wei Ran already possessed medical knowledge while working at the Hall of Returning Spring, which could only mean he learned his skills much earlier.
"Your subordinate discovered that Wei Ran's father was the renowned physician Wei Guangchu. It is likely that his medical skills were learned from his father."
"Do you know anything about Wei Guangchu's background?"
"Young Madam, I know this. Wei Guangchu was a famous physician in the surrounding villages. The Wei family was once quite prominent. Wei Guangchu was always charitable and benevolent, treating the poor for free. He only dispensed medicine. Unfortunately, fifteen years ago, the Wei family suddenly met with disaster, offending a powerful noble. Wei Guangchu was arrested and beheaded, and all of the Wei family's assets were confiscated, leading to their decline."
Feng Jin lowered her gaze. It seemed there was indeed a history behind it. The fall of the Wei family left the mother and son in destitution.
"Cai Qing, how do you know all this?" Feng Jin asked curiously. Cai Qing was born in the Ling household since childhood; how would she know these things?
"Young Madam, my mother once received a favor from Doctor Wei. When Doctor Wei was accused, my mother told me about it, and I even went to pay respects."
Lu Shi frowned, as if recalling something. "Now that you mention it, I do remember. The numerous petitions from the populace caused quite a stir back then. The authorities dispatched troops to suppress it, and it took a long time for the matter to be quelled."
"With such popular support, how could Wei Guangchu have committed a crime punishable by beheading? There must be considerable hidden circumstances."
In ancient times, miscarriages of justice were all too common. Wei Guangchu was likely framed.
"Young Madam, please be cautious. Wei Guangchu's case was exposed by the Empress, and the Emperor himself ordered his execution. To discuss this case arbitrarily is a grave offense. If it reaches the Emperor's ears, the entire Ling family could be implicated."
Lu Shi broke out in a cold sweat and quickly warned her.
"I understand. I won't speak of it again," Feng Jin replied with a helpless expression. In this era, one could not even speak carelessly. A single wrong word could lead to eternal damnation. Living was indeed too exhausting.
"Let's return to the manor first."
After putting things away, Feng Jin and the others returned to the Ling manor.
During dinner, Feng Jin sat beside Ling Mo Han. Opposite them sat Gu Bei Chen and Ling Mu Zhu in succession. Feng Jin immediately lost her appetite; the two of them were truly an eyesore.
"This dish is delicious!"
Gu Bei Chen showed no signs of being an unwanted guest; instead, he ate with gusto, almost picking up the plate to eat directly.
"Do not speak while eating, and do not talk while sleeping," Ling Mo Han commanded sternly.
"I'm just talking to aid digestion. What do you know?"
Gu Bei Chen retorted unceremoniously and continued his feasting. He had to admit, the cooks here were excellent, their food even more delicious than that served in Emperor Xuan Wen's imperial kitchen.
Compared to this, the meals he had eaten before were not even worthy of being called food.
As for Ling Mu Zhu, after being whipped by Feng Jin for these past few days, she had become considerably more obedient.
Now, only Gu Bei Chen was annoying.
After eating his fill, Gu Bei Chen let out a satisfied burp and patted his round belly, feeling utterly content.
"Where did you find your cook? I want to find one too, to improve the dining at Zhennan Prince's manor."
Having eaten his fill, Gu Bei Chen, with nothing else to do, started chatting with Ling Mo Han, asking him questions.
However, he was met with several dismissive glances from Ling Mo Han.
"How boring." Feeling repeatedly ignored, Gu Bei Chen instantly lost interest and turned his attention to Cai Qing.
"Little girl, tell this prince, where did you find your cook? Help this prince find one too."
If all else failed, he'd be happy to just have the cook. He had no objections.
"The culinary skills of our manor's cook were personally taught by the Young Madam. Prince, you won't be able to find one."
Cai Qing replied, her face filled with pride as she spoke. Her Young Madam was so outstanding, something others could only envy.
Gu Bei Chen's expression shifted to one of surprise, and he looked at Feng Jin with disbelief. Could a country girl possess such ability? He suspected this little girl might be deliberately deceiving him.
"Her? How is that possible?"
Feng Jin let out a cold laugh, not bothering to argue with Gu Bei Chen. She could understand the envy and jealousy of those who were incapable.
After all, her excellence often made some people feel inferior.
"Cai Qing, do you remember all the dishes that Young Master Gu just ate?"
"Replying to the Young Madam, this servant has remembered them all."
Feng Jin nodded with a smile, "Good, tell Young Master Gu one by one, and have him settle the bill."
"Yes, Young Madam." Cai Qing acknowledged and stepped forward, saying, "Young Master Gu just ate two bowls of rice, one bowl of seaweed and bird's nest soup, half a plate of Mapo Tofu, six bites of stir-fried shrimp... totaling twenty-three taels and four qian."
"Young Master Gu will likely be staying here for some time. All expenses will be recorded in the ledger, and we will collect the payment when Young Master Gu departs."
She was no philanthropist. Taking in Ling Mu Zhu was unavoidable, but that didn't mean she would let Gu Bei Chen eat and drink for free here. Not a single penny would be waived.
"Yes, Young Madam." Cai Qing took out her ledger and meticulously recorded everything.
Gu Bei Chen instantly panicked and snatched the ledger from Cai Qing's hand.