As soon as Lu Qing entered the house, he saw a brand-new large iron pot placed there.
Dr. Chen returned to the inner room and took out a cloth bag.
"These silver taels are from selling the Red Moon Carp. Keep them well," he said, handing the bag to Lu Qing.
Lu Qing felt the heavy weight in his hands and was surprised.
"So much, Grandpa Chen? How much did the Red Moon Carp sell for?"
"Your luck is good," Dr. Chen replied. "The noble I delivered the herbs to this time, his wife has been weak recently and needed nourishment. When he heard I had a Red Moon Carp, he bought it immediately for one hundred taels of silver."
"One hundred taels?" Lu Qing's eyes widened. "Grandpa Chen, didn't you say the Red Moon Carp was too big and its value would be lower?"
He remembered Dr. Chen mentioning that even the best Red Moon Carp was worth at most one hundred taels.
"That's why I said your luck is good," Dr. Chen said, stroking his beard. "Usually, only the best Red Moon Carp fetches one hundred taels. But this nobleman dotes on his wife. Besides being delicious, the Red Moon Carp is highly nutritious, so he bought it at the highest price."
Lu Qing couldn't help but agree with Dr. Chen. His luck was indeed good.
"I got you the full one hundred taels in silver. After deducting the ten taels for your past medical treatments, five taels for the iron pot and salt, you have eighty-five taels left."
Lu Qing opened the bag and saw the gleaming silver, which was somewhat dazzling.
There were various ingots, big ones worth ten taels each, small ones worth five taels, and some loose silver pieces.
It was clear Dr. Chen had exchanged part of it for small silver pieces for his daily use.
As for the fifteen taels spent, Lu Qing didn't mind.
Dr. Chen's fee of ten taels for treatment and medicine seemed high, but knowing Dr. Chen, he suspected it was undercharged.
As for the cost of the iron pot and salt, the iron pot being expensive was expected.
In his memory, the original owner of the body had sold an iron pot for quite a sum.
Even now, not many families in the village could afford an iron pot, showing its value.
But regardless of the cost, Lu Qing had to buy one.
After living in this world for so long, he was tired of eating boiled and stewed food all the time.
With an iron pot, he could make many more dishes.
While he could compromise on clothing, he couldn't skimp on food—a principle he always adhered to.
"I also seasoned the iron pot for you last night. You can use it right away without having to season it yourself," Dr. Chen added.
Lu Qing looked and saw the inside of the pot was already shiny, properly seasoned.
"Grandpa Chen, seasoning a pot takes a lot of oil. Let me pay you," Lu Qing said, opening the bag.
"No need," Dr. Chen waved it off. "It just took two pieces of pork fat, not worth much. I don't want to bother giving you change."
Seeing Dr. Chen insist, Lu Qing didn't push further.
He knew people in this world looked down on pork, especially the upper classes, who considered it lowly meat for the poor. Those with some wealth preferred beef or lamb.
So pork wasn't expensive compared to beef or lamb, though still not cheap for commoners who couldn't afford meat often.
Even pork was a rare treat, usually reserved for festivals or special occasions.
But Dr. Chen wasn't short on money, and two pieces of pork fat were nothing to him.
"Thank you, Grandpa Chen."
"Enough with the thanks. Lie down so I can give you acupuncture."
Lu Qing obediently took off his shirt and lay on the wooden bed.
Dr. Chen took out the silver needles.
"Today is the third and last time I'll give you acupuncture. After this, you won't need it anymore."
"Grandpa Chen, does that mean I'm fully recovered?" Lu Qing asked joyfully.
"Not completely, but your vital energy is stable. With good food and rest, you'll slowly recover. There's no need for more acupuncture."
"Thank you, Grandpa Chen."
"Relax and stay still."
Dr. Chen began inserting the needles, and soon Lu Qing fell asleep.
Dr. Chen looked at the sleeping Lu Qing with a slight frown.
Though Lu Qing had been recovering well under his care, he couldn't find the reason for Lu Qing's sudden improvement.
Despite detailed examinations during acupuncture, there was nothing abnormal in Lu Qing's body, no lingering issues, which puzzled him.
After some thought, unable to find an answer, Dr. Chen relaxed his brow.
Not finding the cause was fine as long as Lu Qing was getting better, making his efforts worthwhile.
"Grandpa Chen, is Brother asleep?" Xiao Yan asked softly.
Having seen several acupuncture sessions, the little girl was no longer as scared, though she still didn't dare watch closely.
"Yes, he's asleep. Let's not disturb him. Come outside. I bought some pastries from the city yesterday that are supposed to taste very good."
"Really? What kind of pastries?"
When Lu Qing woke up, he felt full of energy.
This time, it wasn't a mere illusion like after the first acupuncture. He was truly recovering.
All thanks to Dr. Chen.
As he thought this, he heard Xiao Yan's laughter outside.
He smiled, put on his shirt, and walked out.
Dr. Chen and Xiao Yan were sitting on stone stools, the girl holding a pastry, laughing with her feet swinging, her head thrown back in joy.
The scene was almost identical to when Lu Qing first woke up from acupuncture.
But now, he was healthier, with a hundred taels of silver, and a chance to learn medicine from Dr. Chen.
Everything had changed.