Chapter Seventy-Three: Returning the Favour

  Dr. Shi had once saved the life of Mrs. Zhang, at a time when Lian Hua was not at home; afterwards she heard about it and remembered Dr. Shi's name firmly. At this moment, she made Dr. Shi her lifesaving straw.

  Lian Shouren's eyes wavered after hearing Lian Hua'er and Gu Shi's request, then shifted to Lian Man'er's face.

  "Milk, the fire in the outer room is still burning, don't let the pot burn." Lian Hua'er said to Zhou Shi, and then rushed out of the west room.

  The fire in the outer kitchen had gone out long ago, and even the vines were no longer staying in the outer house, but returned directly to the west wing.

  "How are the flowers?" She asked as soon as she entered the door, both Shou Xīn and Zhang Shi inquired.

  Zhang still couldn't get off the kang, and Lian Shouzheng, being a man, also didn't want to stay in the upper room all the time. Just now, he took the opportunity of sending Li Langzhong away to come out of that house and return to the west wing to listen for news.

  "It didn't hurt the bone..." Lian Man'er briefly explained, "Dabo feared scarring and had someone go to town to invite a doctor. Later, Dabo and Hua'er sister let Dabo go invite Shi Taixue."

  "Is Dr. Shi coming?" Lian Shouxin and Zhang were both startled. From the last time, they all knew how difficult it was to invite Dr. Shi.

  "Dad, if Eldest Uncle comes over and asks us to go together, don't agree." Lian Man'er said to Lian Shouxin.

  "Even Guanxin found it somewhat difficult..."

  "Dad, if it's a matter of life and death, I won't stop them no matter who they are. But they want to leave without a trace... this, Dad, Mom, is that possible?"

  Lian Shouxin also took a look at Lian Hua'er's injury. Although he didn't understand medical skills, he still had common sense. Such scalding would definitely leave scars. It was impossible not to leave any marks.

  "It's highly unlikely." Lian Shou said.

  It's not just unlikely, it's absolutely impossible. Even if we go back to the previous life of Lian Yu, with advanced medical technology and skin grafting techniques, severe burns and scalds would still inevitably leave scars.

  "Even if we agree to invite him, I'm afraid it's hard to get him to come." Lian Shouxin said to himself, "This injury is probably going to be difficult for even Shi Taifu to deal with."

  Lian Man'er took a glance at Lian Shouxin, and Lian Shouren would definitely come looking for Lian Shouxin. And even if Lian Shouxin really didn't respond, he would still feel uneasy in his heart.

  Shen Xiaopang didn't say that Shi Taifu was in the provincial city and didn't know when he would return? Last time, she went to the town to buy things, but Shi Taifu still hadn't returned. However, even if she told Lian Shouren that Shi Taifu wasn't there, Lian Shouren might not believe her and would definitely go personally to confirm.

  Lian Man Er's heart skipped a beat.

  "Dad, it's okay if you agree," Lian Man'er said to Lian Shouzheng. "However, we owe Shi Taifu a favor, and this time we're asking him again, so we can't go empty-handed. Bring 50 taels of silver as a gift, and buy two jars of Jin Hua wine. A whole lamb, nothing less."

  "Man Er said it right." Lian Shou Xin nodded in agreement.

  Although Lao Yezi promised to pay the money from the public, to thank Shi Taishi. However, this money has not been seen yet, why not take this opportunity to return this favor. As the saying goes, "the river water does not wash the boat", Gu Shi and others are eager to invite Shi Taishi, this money will definitely be available.

  "There's one more thing, Father, when you go to town, take Big Uncle with you and ask for Dr. Shi directly." added Lian Man Er.

  "Alright." Lian Shou immediately agreed with a painful expression.

  Sure, here is the translation:

  As expected, after a short while, the sound of footsteps was heard outside, and then Lian Shouren and Lian Jizong lifted the door curtain and walked in.

  "Fourth brother." Lian Shouren came in and didn't beat around the bush, but directly told Lian Shouxin, "Hua'er's leg injury, I'm afraid that without Shi Taigong's help, our local doctors can't cure it. I was thinking of going with Ji Zu to invite Shi Taigong, you should go with big brother too. Since there's the matter last time, your presence will make things easier to discuss. Bring Man'er along as well."

  It was clear that he wanted to invite Shi Taifu with Lian Shouxin and Lian Man'er, but he refused to say so, as if bringing Lian Shouxin and Lian Man'er along was just a coincidence.

  Lian Shouxin is a good-tempered person, but that doesn't mean he's stupid. Normally, he might not have bothered with this kind of thing. But after everything that has happened, it's impossible for him to have no thoughts about this big brother.

  "Big brother, Master Xiucai has gone to invite people. I'm just a farmer and Mian is just a little servant girl. What's the point of us going along?" Lian Shouxin said.

  Lian Shouren's face flashed a hint of embarrassment.

  "Fourth Uncle, neither I nor my father know the details of this matter. Last time we were able to invite Dr. Shi was still thanks to you and Man Er." Lian Jizong spoke the truth and bowed to Lian Shouxin.

  "Yes, yes, Fourth Brother, this matter concerns the girl's whole life. She is your own niece..." Lian Shouren said to this point, and suddenly saw Zhang Shi sitting on the kang, feeling a bit guilty, and couldn't continue speaking.

  "Fourth Uncle, you are a kind and generous person, please save Hua'er," said Lian Jizu.

  Lian Man'er watched from the side and thought that Lian Jizong and Jiang Shi, this couple, were indeed two clever people.

  Lian Shouxin's heart softened as he looked at Lian Jizong, and thinking of what Lian Man'er had just told him, he spoke out the words.

  "...we don't have much of a relationship with them anyway, and if we go empty-handed again, how will they look at us? I don't even have the face for that."

  Lian Shouren and Lian Jizong exchanged a glance, then Lian Jizong went upstairs to discuss with Gu Shi. After a while, Lian Jizong returned, holding a package of silver in his arms.

  "That's all for now..."

  "We still need to go to the pharmacy later, is there enough money?" Lian Man'er looked inside and saw that there were about sixty or seventy taels of silver, so she said.

  "It's not...". Lian Ji Zu went out again, and came back after a while. This time, there was no silver, but two golden bracelets and a gold hairpin. "These are the two pieces of jewelry that my mother and Yue'er put together. They were pawned first, and then we'll think of another way."

  It seems that Gu's family has a lot of wealth, but they have never shown it before. Now they have no choice but to bring it out.

  The betrothal gifts were ready, and everyone was no longer delayed, so they came to the town. Entering the town, Lian Jizong went to the pawnshop to buy jewelry, preparing to buy sheep and wine. Lian Shouxin and Lian Shouren took the sealed betrothal gifts to Shi Taisheng's home.

  "We should go to Jisheng Hall first and ask Wang Xiaotai to follow us." Lian Shouren said.

  It seems that Shou Ren is not confused in his heart and knows that the key to inviting Shi Taifu last time was Wang Youheng's credit.

  "Let's go see Shi Taiyi first." Lian Shouxin said, remembering Lian Man'er's words.

  "If there was no Wang Xiaotai, this..." Lian Shouren looked at Lian Shouxin.

  "Shi Taiyi is a senior. He attaches great importance to these formalities. If we go to Jisheng Hall first, Shi Taiyi will be displeased. It's better to go to Shi Taiyi's place first... How about this: Father and Eldest Uncle can take the gifts and go first. I'll take Xiaogui to Jisheng Hall and invite Young Heng over, then meet up with Father and Eldest Uncle... Logically speaking, Eldest Uncle is still Young Heng's senior, so when Young Heng finds out that Eldest Uncle has gone, he will rush over immediately. This way, everyone will save face." said Lian Man'er.

  Lian Shouren felt that Lian Man'er's words made sense, especially the last sentence, which was very pleasing to his ears.

  "That's it."

  Lian Wan'er whispered to Lian Shou's ear, no matter whether Shi Taiyi was there or not, they had a doorman at home. The gifts and money must be left behind.

  "This goes without saying, it's a matter of courtesy." Lian Shouxin said.

  Lian Wan'er saw Lian Shou's words and felt at ease, so she brought Xiao Qi to the Jisheng Hall.

  Just arrived at the entrance of Jisheng Hall, Wang Zhuang just walked out of the store and saw Lian Man Er.

  "Long time no see, Third Sister." Wang the shopkeeper greeted with a smile on his face, but Lian Man'er noticed something was off. The smile seemed too professional and lacked the warmth of their past encounters.

  "Wang Zhanggui is well, I've come to see Young Hengge." said Lian Man'er.

  "The young master has returned to the county and hasn't come back yet. Does Third Miss have an urgent matter? Otherwise, it's better to wait two more days before coming again." said Wang Zhanggui.

  Boss Wang was clearly perfunctory. Even Lian Man didn't know how Boss Wang suddenly changed his attitude towards her.

  "I didn't have anything in particular, just came to town to buy some things. And also to see Young Heng Ge." Lian Man Er said, "Young Heng Ge hasn't come back, so I went to buy things instead."

  "Alright, Third Sister is leaving slowly." Wang Zhanggui seemed to have let out a sigh of relief.

  Lian Man'er left from the entrance of Jisheng Hall, walked all the way to the street corner, looked back and saw that there was no one at the entrance of Jisheng Hall, Wang Zhanggui had already returned to the store. She then pulled Xiao Qi, a few steps into the alley next door.

  "Sister, what's going on?" Little Seven asked in confusion.

  "Master Wang is a bit strange," said Lian Man'er with her head tilted, "he seems to not want us to see Young Heng."

  "Why? We didn't offend him." Little Qi said.

  "I also can't figure out why," Lian Man'er said, "But just because he doesn't want to see us, does that mean we really won't see him? I remember there's a small side door in the backyard of Jisheng Hall."

  Lian Man'er started looking around left and right.

  "Second sister, that corner door is in the east, but we've walked to the west now," said Little Seven.

  "Oh, yeah, I remember." Lian Man'er coughed and said. Although she was only ten years old, she had been through two lifetimes and felt a bit embarrassed to let people know that her sense of direction was not even as good as a six or seven year old kid. "I deliberately walked in this direction, just in case Wang the shopkeeper becomes suspicious."

  "Second sister is really clever." Xia Qi completely didn't know what was going on in Lian Man Er's mind, "Second sister, let's go forward from that alley, we should be able to get around."

  Xiao Qi pointed to a small alley not far ahead.

  Lian Man'er nodded.

  The sister and brother held hands, entered the alley, walked a distance, and indeed turned to the east side of the backyard of Jisheng Hall, where they saw that small corner door.

  The small gate was slightly ajar.

  "Second sister, should we knock on the door?" Little Qi asked in a low voice. It has to be said that Little Qi is indeed a clever child.

  "Let's go in directly." said Lian Man Er.

  Lian Man'er pulled Xiao Qi along, gently pushing open the door and walking in. After getting her bearings, she headed straight for Wang Youheng's usual reception room.

  "Lian San Niang." Wang Zhanggui came out of the back door of Jishengtang store and saw Lian Man'er, so he hastily shouted.

  Been discovered, Lian Mian had no choice but to stop.

  "I've told you before, the young master is not here. And what's with you, Third Miss? What are you trying to do?" Wang the shopkeeper looked somewhat angry.

  "I just want to see Brother Youheng." said Lian Man'er.

  "Little Heng brother, Little Heng brother..." Xia Qi shouted loudly.

  Xiao Qi called out several times, but didn't see Wang Youheng come out. Lian Mian'er thought that Wang Youheng really hadn't returned.

  Wang's nose was almost twisted with rage.

  "What are you two going to do?"

  "Is it Man Er?" A voice came from inside the house, "Manager Wang, let Man Er in."

  Pink 140 plus more.

  Weak Yan updated 12,000 words today, overdrawn, seeking encouragement!

  Considering the severe physical exhaustion and the severe situation of the pink list, from 140 pink onwards, it will be changed to add one more chapter for every 15 votes. Everyone should continue to support Weak Yan, Weak Yan has added a lot this month, and each addition is sufficient in quantity, relying on additions to seek pink is hard work for the kids who are fans of Xin.

  The next increase is 155 votes, then 170 votes, and 185 votes. Everyone can vote with confidence, I won't go back on my word.

  I hope tomorrow there will be opportunities for weak colors in two watches, three watches and four watches.