It turns out that Zhang Chuntao just isn’t fated to be with the Golden Leaf! It’s not her fault!
But seeing Zhang Chuntao today, isn’t she just a country woman? Why is she dressed better than herself? And how did she get to the county town?
Zhang Qiuju’s mind was in turmoil, and naturally she found everything unpleasant.
When her two daughters-in-law saw her return, they hurried up to greet her, but she was in a bad mood and scolded them harshly.
The daughters-in-law were extremely aggrieved but did not dare to say anything.
In this household, the mother-in-law’s word was law. Since the family hadn’t split up yet, all the money and silver were in her hands. They had to please her, hoping she might be more generous in the future.
Because Zhang Qiuju was unhappy, no one dared to speak. When the peddler and her sons returned from the shop, they sensed something was off at home.
After dinner, back in their room, the peddler couldn’t be bothered to ask. His wife had a big temper, changing from one day to another, and he was used to it.
But Zhang Qiuju couldn’t hold back and grabbed the peddler, starting to speak: "Husband, I met someone on the street today!"
The peddler impatiently shook off Zhang Qiuju’s hand: "I meet people on the street every day; what’s so special about meeting someone? Meeting a ghost would be special!"
Zhang Qiuju urgently said: "It’s not just anyone! It’s my elder sister, the one adopted by my family back then—"
The peddler was taken aback: "What about your elder sister from your family? If you met her, so what—it’s your elder sister?"
The two looked at each other and both felt a bit guilty.
The peddler, who used to roam from village to village, knew all about the Zhang Family’s matters.
He married Zhang Qiuju back then just because she was young and a good deal, not having much money or prospects himself.
So he knew very well where the Golden Leaf that Zhang Qiuju brought from her family came from.
The Zhang Family had no wealth and never had any. It must have been brought by that stolen daughter.
Their family’s rise was all due to that Golden Leaf, so hearing its owner came to the county made him feel uneasy.
But after years in business, his skin had thickened, and he was much calmer now.
After pondering, he said: "So be it! This county isn’t ours alone. Maybe she’s just here to visit. Besides, regarding that Golden Leaf, with my parents gone, as long as we don’t mention it, no one will know. What’s to fear?"
Zhang Qiuju felt somewhat reassured by her husband’s words and said: "That’s true. Besides us, no one knows about the Golden Leaf. She naturally wouldn’t know. It’s only that, after all these years, seeing her suddenly made me panic!"
The peddler comforted her briefly and then turned over to sleep.
Though Zhang Qiuju felt slightly calmer, she still dreamed all night.
In the dream, a shadow with an indistinct face was chasing her, shouting: "Return my Golden Leaf, it belongs to Zhang Chuntao, not you! You are thieves! Your whole family are thieves! Your parents stole a child, and you stole the gold—"
Awakening from the dream, Zhang Qiuju was covered in cold sweat, heart pounding.
In the morning, her face naturally didn’t look good, and her daughters-in-law didn’t dare to ask, serving her cautiously.
On Wang Yongzhu’s side, the next morning, Shopkeeper Wu indeed came early, saying he had passed the message to Ninth Young Master Lee, who replied he would personally visit in a couple of days.
Unexpectedly, by the afternoon, Ninth Young Master Lee’s carriage had already stopped outside the Song Family Courtyard.
Shopkeeper Wu knocked, and when Wang Yongzhu came out, she saw Ninth Young Master Lee and an old man with graying hair and beard standing in the courtyard.
Seeing Wang Yongzhu, Ninth Young Master Lee introduced: "This is Imperial Doctor Du, who has just retired. I heard your aunt was ill recently. Since I happened to meet Imperial Doctor Du on my way back, I invited him to check on her."
Imperial Doctor Du stroked his beard, wanting to roll his eyes. Met on the road? Clearly, this little overlord of the Lee Family had snatched him!
He had retired and hadn’t even returned home before being pulled into this courtyard, told to thoroughly examine a patient. There was no arguing with them.
Wang Yongzhu paused and immediately understood: this was one of Ninth Young Master Lee’s returns.
This return gift was exactly what she wanted. She couldn’t help but smile sincerely: "Thank you!"
She invited Ninth Young Master Lee and Imperial Doctor Du to sit, while Old Madam Ding had already boiled water to make tea.
Seeing Ninth Young Master Lee’s tact, Wang Yongzhu didn’t want to be stingy. Though she fetched what seemed like a simple tea brewer, she actually took out some ordinary tea leaves from a storage box.
Ninth Young Master Lee’s eyes lit up upon seeing the tea leaves.
He waved Old Madam Ding aside and brewed the tea himself, proudly saying to Imperial Doctor Du: "You won’t regret coming today; try this tea. Today, you’re in luck, such a rare treat!"
Imperial Doctor Du wanted to roll his eyes again. A respected doctor, used to treating nobles and officials, he was never slighted.
Many influential people invited him cautiously for consultations.
And now, examining a common person was luck?
Who fell for such nonsense?
Having spent years in the palace, Imperial Doctor Du had his sharp instincts. One glance revealed this was just an ordinary household.
But why was Ninth Young Master Lee being so attentive?
These thoughts vanished as soon as the boiling water was poured over the tea leaves.
The tea aroma filled his mind entirely.
After one sip, Imperial Doctor Du was speechless.
Though he was a doctor, his greatest love was tea, known in the Capital City as a tea enthusiast.
In the palace, he preferred tea over silver and treasures.
He had sampled all the famous teas in the palace and the Capital City, but this tea surpassed them all. How could such quality be unknown in the capital?
Seeing Imperial Doctor Du’s reaction, Ninth Young Master Lee smiled. They were on track!
No matter how much Imperial Doctor Du inquired, Ninth Young Master Lee feigned ignorance, leaving the doctor’s curiosity unsatisfied.
Finally, Wang Yongzhu helped Old Granny Zhang out to greet Imperial Doctor Du.
Imperial Doctor Du, professional as ever, put away his frustration, and seriously checked Old Granny Zhang’s pulse.
After a long while, he examined her tongue coating and asked a few questions about her condition, then said: "This old madam’s health was compromised when young, but with some recuperation later, and being young, there’s no immediate danger."