Three days later.
A long line stretched in front of Xianhong Medical Hall.
There were old and young, men and women.
Most of them had bitter expressions.
They had all heard about Physician Lin's affairs.
Indeed, Physician Lin's private conduct was flawed.
It was only right that Ning Que divorced her.
However, Physician Lin was decent in the greater scheme of things.
She was famous in Chang'an for being beautiful and kind-hearted.
Every day, she would provide free medical consultations and medicine to the poor.
As the saying goes, even an honest official cannot settle a family dispute.
They didn't want to dwell on these matters.
"What?"
"You're charging for consultations now?"
"Just the consultation fee is a hundred coins!"
"And that doesn't even include the cost of medicine?"
Exclamations rang out from the medical hall.
A moment later, a middle-aged man walked out.
"Everyone, disperse."
"She's started charging now."
"The consultation fee is even more expensive than the doctors in the suburbs."
"Ah?"
"What's going on?"
"I specifically rushed here early in the morning."
"How could this be?"
The patients all cried out in surprise.
Physician Lin slowly walked out of the medical hall.
Looking at the agitated patients, she felt very wronged.
She inexplicably thought of what Ning Que had said in the past.
The hardest illness to cure in this world is poverty.
She couldn't bear to see the poor suffer; she was kind-hearted.
But she could only help for a moment, not for a lifetime.
Being free all the time would make them take it for granted.
When it came time to charge, it would be over.
They would instead blame her.
Therefore, it's appropriate to charge some consultation fees, so that people don't come to join the fun whether they are sick or not, seriously ill or slightly ill. This not only wastes time but also may prevent patients in need from receiving treatment.
The medicine prescribed also couldn't be free.
At the very least, the cost had to be recovered.
If they were truly poor, then it could be free.
But Physician Lin didn't care about any of this.
She felt that Ning Que was just stingy!
He just couldn't bear to part with money!
The Prince's Mansion was so wealthy, why couldn't it benefit the common people?
Moreover, this was her dream!
Seeing patients smile brought her great satisfaction.
If he stopped her, it meant he didn't love her!
After a long while, Physician Lin finally raised her hand and bowed.
"Everyone, please listen to a few words from me."
"You've all heard about the current situation of my Lin family."
"The Prince's Mansion is being aggressive, forcing my Lin family to repay debts."
"I truly have no choice but to charge money first."
"Don't worry, our consultation fees are the cheapest in all of Chang'an. As for the medicine, I only charge for the cost. Once my Lin family overcomes this difficulty, I will continue to provide free consultations and medicine to benefit the poor people."
The crowd exchanged glances, but had nothing to say.
Chang'an was notorious for how difficult and expensive it was to see a doctor.
There were many patients and few doctors.
Any doctor with a bit of reputation charged over a hundred coins for a consultation. If they made a house call, the price often increased several times over.
Physician Lin's medical skills were still good.
After all, she was a third-rank female medical official.
A consultation only costing a hundred coins was already quite cheap.
"Alright, alright, I'll just see a doctor here."
"I didn't bring any money, so I'll leave first."
"I'll just endure it a bit longer."
"It's a full hundred coins, I don't have that much."
"Doctor Yang from our village is also pretty good."
Some stayed, some left.
Looking at them, Physician Lin only felt a sense of desolation.
Thinking of what Ning Que had said, she laughed at herself mockingly.
Forget it... there were still some sensible people.
Just as she was about to enter the door, a gong suddenly rang out.
Then came the crackling sound of firecrackers.
The door of the shop directly opposite immediately opened.
A medicine boy extended a bamboo pole and took down the red cloth hanging there.
"Baicao Pharmacy!"
"What the heck?"
"Who's so oblivious?"
"Daring to open a pharmacy directly opposite Physician Lin?!"
"Hahaha, who would go there?"
"Physician Lin is a third-rank medical official in the court!"
The common people all burst into laughter.
But Physician Lin stood rooted to the spot.
Under the scorching sun, her hands and feet were still ice cold!
Baicao Pharmacy...
Baicao?!
Chang... Baicao?
"I opened it, what about it?"
Chang Baicao walked out calmly.
He looked around, expressionless.
The originally noisy and bustling street instantly erupted in an uproar.
"Oh my god?!"
"This... this is Chang Divine Doctor?"
"Chang Divine Doctor actually opened a medical hall?"
"I remember Chang Divine Doctor rarely stayed in Chang'an these past few years, mostly traveling around. He hasn't practiced medicine for over ten years, and I didn't expect him to open a medical hall now..."
"Master... Master?"
"Miss Lin, please don't shout nonsense." Chang Baicao coldly flicked his sleeve, and said indifferently, "I am no longer your master, we have no connection whatsoever."
He opened a medical hall specifically to target Physician Lin!
His life was saved by Old Prince Ning.
He had always carried that gratitude all these years.
Ning Que, being broad-minded, could choose not to pursue the matter.
But he couldn't!
He couldn't stand by and watch Ning Que suffer injustice!
"..."
"What's going on?"
"Isn't Chang Divine Doctor her master?"
"Does that even need to be asked?" An old man shook his head and sighed, "Chang Divine Doctor received kindness from the Prince's Mansion. He only took her as a disciple out of respect for Prince Ning. But she heartlessly aborted a child to save another man, and now she's divorced. How could Chang Divine Doctor still bother with her?"
"That makes sense!"
Chang Baicao didn't say much, flicking his sleeve, he said, "You all must already know that Prince Ning has now officially been crowned and inherited the princely title. To benefit the people, he specifically instructed this old man to open a medical hall. From now on, the first thirty patients each day will have their consultation fees waived, and all others will be charged a hundred coins for a consultation. As for the cost of medicine, there's no need to worry, it will all be charged at cost."
Physician Lin's breathing became rapid.
She clutched her chest, her face filled with panic.
Now, Chang Baicao had made it clear.
This was all at Ning Que's command!
He was completely cutting off their livelihood!
Chang Baicao was recognized as the Divine Doctor of Great Feng.
No one's medical skills could surpass his.
The previous emperor had once wanted to make him the Imperial Physician.
And had offered many benefits.
However, Chang Baicao had flatly refused.
He preferred to be a wandering doctor.
He could encounter more types of illnesses.
And the previous emperor was the ruler, he didn't lack physicians.
But the common people in the countryside were different; many just endured.
Minor illnesses weren't treated, and major illnesses meant waiting for death.
Now, Chang Baicao was staying in Chang'an!
And he had opened a medical hall!
The first thirty people each day were free.
Other patients were only charged a hundred coins for a consultation.
Once this news spread, Chang'an would go crazy!
No matter how far, many people would come.
The key was that it opened directly opposite her!
Who would come to her for medical treatment in the future?
She had originally planned to earn some money to supplement her household.
Now, it was all over...
Chang Baicao returned to the room indifferently.
"Chang Divine Doctor, I'm first!"
"The first thirty people get free consultations!"
"And me, me too!"
The patients all couldn't stand still.
They swarmed towards Baicao Pharmacy.
Physician Lin suddenly felt dizzy and light-headed.
"Miss, are you alright?"
"Help me back quickly."
"Okay."
Physician Lin tried hard to stay conscious.
She hadn't expected Ning Que to be so shameless.
To get revenge on her, he even invited Chang Baicao!
He wanted her to die!
...
Far from the medical hall.
Numerous carriages slowly stopped.
A crisp female voice, like silver bells, rang out.
Judging by the accent, it clearly came from Western Liang.
"What's wrong?"
"Reporting to the princess, it seems a new medical hall has opened." The coachman slowed down and whispered, "Listening to them, it seems to be a medical hall opened by Great Feng's Chang Divine Doctor Baicao. Moreover, it was at Prince Ning's request."
"Prince Ning?!"
"Did Old Prince Ning's only son inherit the princely title?"
"It seems this negotiation will be troublesome..."