CHAPTER 1332: CHAPTER 680: FORCED MEDICINE

The third watch, seeking pink.

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Old Master Lian received Doctor Li’s gaze, and immediately felt a bit flustered, almost instinctively lowering his eyelids to avoid Doctor Li’s gaze.

"Ah," Doctor Li sighed deeply, tapping his finger lightly on the edge of the bed, then revealing a bitter smile.

When did he become a regular at the Lian Family Old Mansion? In the surrounding villages and towns, aside from the doctor stationed at Jisheng Hall in Qingyang Town, he’s the sole country doctor. Despite this, he’s not particularly busy. The reason is simple; tenant farmers live on simple food and don’t care for their bodies like the wealthy families in the city. Even if they have minor illnesses, most endure them; if they can’t, they use traditional home remedies passed down through generations to treat themselves.

Tenant farmers, unless it’s something serious, generally don’t hire a doctor or purchase medicine. It’s partly to save money and partly out of habit.

Of course, there are those families that frequently need him. But the situation at the Lian Family Old Mansion is truly rare!

Old Master Lian genuinely falls ill each time, but it’s fortunate he has a wealthy son who provides excellent medicinal materials as if they cost nothing. If it were an ordinary family, not just one estate, even several would be exhausted. Not to mention the additional supplements and fine foods consumed beyond the medicine.

But as for Lady Zhou, Doctor Li’s gaze fell again on Lady Zhou, feeling a bit amused. Previously she was feigning illness, but this time is even more extreme, pretending to be mentally impaired.

Doctor Li, wandering from house to house, is more informed than most tenant farmers. He knows Lady Zhou’s reputation and the stories of the Lian Family Old Mansion. Moreover, because whenever something happens at the mansion, he’s the first to be called. Doctor Li has firsthand experience, giving him more insight than hearsay.

Having lived to such an age, constantly indulged by her offspring, yet still playing the victim and unable to recognize kindness, Doctor Li doesn’t regard people like this highly. Again and again, and over again, despite his good temper, as a principled man, some words he has held for too long must be spoken.

"Miss Manman, every time your family sends for me." Doctor Li turned to speak to Lian Manman.

"Yes, always trouble you, sir." Lian Manman replied with a smile, then asked, "Sir, how do you see my grandmother’s illness?"

"In the past two years, your family has earned quite a bit of money. But that money was earned through hard work, you’re not finding places to spend excess wealth, are you?" Doctor Li snorted, not answering Lian Manman’s question but speaking with a tone of reproach.

"What else is there that you don’t know, sir?" Lian Manman’s face showed a bitter smile. She crouched down and bowed to Doctor Li, "I still ask, sir, that you treat my grandmother’s illness well."

Doctor Li glanced at Lian Manman and shook his head sympathetically. He well understands Lady Zhou’s skill in creating trouble; what can be done, this is the family they’ve been dealt.

"Old Master," Doctor Li addressed Old Master Lian again, "The old lady is like this; I’m not very confident. I’d like to hear what Old Master thinks."

"The old lady’s age is advanced; she is just like this. Whatever medicine, it’s futile. Just leave it be, would you mind another trip. I’ve been holding back; it’s Manman being considerate, insisting someone must treat her grandmother’s illness," Old Master Lian said.

If Old Master Lian said Lady Zhou wasn’t sick, there’d be no problem. But Old Master’s words clearly imply Lady Zhou is sick but shouldn’t be treated. Although Old Master Lian says this, as long as Lady Zhou is ill, Lian Manman’s family must call a doctor. If they can’t afford it, that’s another matter, but her family not only can afford but has surplus funds.

They certainly can’t leave people thinking that despite their wealth, they wouldn’t call a doctor when her mother is sick.

Doctor Li heard Old Master Lian’s words and was already clear on the situation, preparing to pack up and leave when Lian Lanlan quickly stopped him.

"Please don’t rush off, sir. My grandfather said that out of concern for us, worried about us spending money," Lian Manman sincerely said to Doctor Li, "If it’s not an illness, then forget it. But this... it clearly is an illness, my grandfather also said it’s an illness, so it must be treated."