Chapter 884: Chapter 757: Ping’an Consultation

After chatting for a while, Old Ma and Elder Dong left first due to work, and soon the three senior brothers also left because they had urgent matters in the afternoon.

Before leaving, Master Zhu Ling from the Military General Hospital carefully took down the portrait of the founding master and ceremonial items like the incense burner, and carefully packed them into two boxes.

After tidying up, he awkwardly saluted Zhou Xiaozheng in silence. It was only after Zhou Xiaozheng returned the salute that he relaxed a bit and bid everyone farewell.

Old Hu, who was watching from the side, just shook his head. Both of them were old men of similar age, yet this silly boy didn’t have any discernment, as if he had lived his life in vain.

Zhou Xiaozheng explained knowingly, "It’s not his fault, it’s the way things are."

"When my senior brother adopted him, the child was already ten, his personality was set. Apart from being timid, he’s still considered honest."

For someone his daughter would interact with in the future, Zhou Xiaozheng couldn’t not investigate. He knew the background clearly. Calling him honest was an overstatement; with a bit of savvy, with his medical skills, the network of his mentor and brothers, plus having crossed the great prairie, he wouldn’t be stuck at the deputy director position.

However, he didn’t voice this. Who likes outsiders belittling their own family? "He’s good. My subordinates like going to Doctor Zhu for consultations."

Speaking of consultations, Doctor Hu beckoned Zhou Jiao over and took out a pulse pillow: "How’s your diet these days? How’s your sleep? Do you feel anything unusual?"

Zhou Jiao sat down and placed her hand on the pulse pillow: "Master, everything is as usual."

After ten minutes, Doctor Hu withdrew his hand, looked up at her, and was about to speak when he saw his disciple blink vigorously at him while facing away from the others.

Doctor Hu was momentarily stunned, then smiled and said, "Everything seems fine, but you should still take care of yourself. Girl, are you still not planning to take a break from school?"

Upon hearing this, Zhang Guoqing frowned slightly, feeling something was off. He moved a few steps, subtly observing the master and disciple.

"Master, I feel fit and fine. Don’t worry, if I feel unwell, I’ll definitely take leave and come home."

Doctor Hu was silent for a moment, then nodded with a smile: "Alright. I’ll find some time to visit and guide your studies."

The master and disciple were speaking in riddles. On the side, Zhou Xiaozheng glanced at his son-in-law with a meaningful look and remained silent.

"Alright, since your whole family is here, let me give you all a check-up for peace. Who’s first?" Doctor Hu glanced at the silent Zhou Xiaozheng and smiled.

Zhou Jiao had long wanted her master to check Lin Lishan’s pulse. She was worried that the medicine Gu Ruyi gave might still have hidden dangers but didn’t dare mention it, fearing her mother would worry.

Zhou Jiao smilingly pulled her mother to sit down: "Master, please check my mom."

After checking the pulse, Doctor Hu said after a while, "I’ve seen this kind of medicine before. If it had been within three years of the incident, there might have been a chance with acupuncture, but now..."

Lin Lishan had long since given up on having more children. She smiled and comforted Doctor Hu: "It’s okay, I’ve long since come to terms with it."

Doctor Hu liked patients who cooperated and disliked those who lamented. He laughed and said, "However, this medicine does have an advantage."

Since discovering what medicine her mom took, Zhou Jiao had researched extensively. She had found vague clues suggesting some women who gained favor through their beauty might have taken it.

"After taking it, one doesn’t age easily! This medicine was originally developed at the command of favored concubines in the palace to prevent aging. It was banned after a righteous Imperial Physician reported its harm. It leaked to the public after several dynastic changes."

Lin Lishan didn’t care who invented it. Upon hearing the part about not aging easily, she was overjoyed. If not for fearing Zhou Xiaozheng would misunderstand, she would have laughed out loud.

Having an outstanding husband who looks ten years younger posed pressure, especially now when many were still eyeing her husband.

If not for having an equally beautiful daughter as backup, Lin Lishan would worry about women barging in.

Zhou Jiao, having received confirmation, asked the question she couldn’t investigate: "Master, are there any side effects? Any harm to the organs?"

Doctor Hu shook his head, regretfully tapping the table: "I only saw the pill once. Sadly, when I finally gathered money to buy it, it was already gone. Otherwise, it would have been great to get the formula for you."

Zhang Guoqing looked at the carefree Old Hu speechlessly. He wondered if his wife would be taught wrongly. Why bring back this ghost of a recipe?

Oh, wait! It could be used for future family planning; half of the women nationwide might go crazy for it.

"Very expensive?"

"Of course." Old Hu said, then shook his head, "Compared to the rewards from patrons, it wasn’t much. At that time, it was ten taels of gold per pill."

Zhang Guoqing quickly calculated with his merchant’s mind, comparing it to future beauty salons. He looked at Doctor Hu sympathetically, no wonder he tapped the table!

Zhou Xiaozheng, noticing Old Hu’s inappropriate remarks, cleared his throat, giving him a look to hint at the setting and the attentive Ping’an.

"Uh, let’s continue."

Zhang Guoqing looked at his father-in-law, "Dad, you go first."

"No need, the gentleman checked my pulse before."

"He’s in great shape."

Zhang Guoqing smiled, picked up his son and placed him in front, putting his hand on the pulse pillow and looking eagerly at him.

Doctor Hu gave him a sidelong glance, grasping both father and son’s hands for a pulse reading.

Zhou Jiao watched, eyes sparkling, admiring the new master. This was impressive, truly a master.

"Jiao Jiao, don’t learn this old man’s antics. This is only me, nowhere is pulse reading done like this? I still have..."

Old Hu quickly tapped Zhang Guoqing’s forehead, then placed his hand on his wrist pulse: "You little brat know nothing."

Zhang Guoqing pointed his mouth at Zhou Jiao, indicating her to watch Old Hu. See! Gets flustered and slips up, where’s the expert demeanor?

After a while, Old Hu suspiciously looked at Zhang Guoqing: "Stronger than an ox, perfect for fieldwork, why attend college?"

Everyone burst into laughter.

After joking, Doctor Hu ceased his smile, and earnestly said, "Your vitality is abundant, excess energy, run a few more laps, no more supplements."

"Thank you, sir."

Doctor Hu turned away from the robust young man, carefully observing the little apprentice grandson, "Stick out your tongue for grandmaster to see."

Ping’an did as told.

"Good boy, I’ll ask you a question, you must answer honestly."

Ping’an, his eyes full of doubt, obediently nodded.

"Little one, you don’t like eating vegetables, do you?"

Ping’an’s big, bright eyes rolled, "Grandmaster, I’ll definitely correct my bad habit of being picky with food."

"Poor thing! Everyday it’s not cabbage, it’s radish. Good boy, endure it for now, but grandmaster will send some fruit to you as a treat later."

"Thank you, grandmaster."

"When you grow a bit older, grandmaster will take you to the South. The weather there is nice, everything is good, this ghost place is unpredictable..."