"Big brother, you're too courteous. I insist on paying for these two buns."
(Big brother here does not really mean his biological brother but as a polite greeting when you do not know the other person's name.)
Dong Fang Tang took out some small pieces of silver* from his chest pocket but the hawker took a step backward. He waved his two hands repeatedly in the air and refused to accept.
(In ancient times, silver, gold and copper were used as money.)
"Doctor Dong Fang, I can't accept your money. If I do, my mother will reproach me."
"That's correct, Doctor Dong Fang, you're so kind to treat poor people like us free of charge. In this Gang Ling City, who will dare to collect your money?"
"Doctor Dong Fang, this chicken is very fat. Later I will send it to you at Long Feng Restaurant for you to nourish your body."
Initially, the hawker selling chicken had wanted to give the chicken to him directly but on seeing his elegant temperament and the very delicate girl beside him, the hawker changed his mind. He decided he would personally send the chicken over later.
"Doctor Dong Fang, these freshly baked pastries are for you."
"Doctor Dong Fang, these vegetables and tofu......."
"Doctor Dong Fang........."
No matter how much he refused, the hawkers were very passionate and endlessly gave a lot of things to him. Seeing that his hands were full and he could not carry all the things, the hawkers turned and gave some of the things to Ruan Xiang Yin. After the two people had walked down the street, it turned out to be a really very fruitful trip.
"Wa! Third Brother, you are once again inundated by people's enthusiasm!"
When Zhang Zhen and Wang Qin saw them, they quickly stepped forward to help. It is no wonder Third Brother did not like to walk on the streets. He could not refuse the people's kind gestures and he also did not want to take advantage of others. After a while, Third Brother did not like to go out but there were still patients who brought food or something to thank him.
After Ruan Xiang Yin realized her hands were empty, she threw a glance at Dong Fang Tang who was standing beside her. She finally knew the level of this man's popularity. According to what she had seen, it was afraid, even if the Emperor goes on his rounds, he would not be as well received as this man.
"Miss Ruan, I'm sorry. Initially, I wanted to accompany you on your walk outside but in the end, I've made you tired helping me to carry all these things back here. I've also spoiled your day." Dong Fang Tang apologized.
All along the way, he only saw her with a cold expression on her pretty face without saying a word. He guessed she must be very angry with him.
"It's alright. I'm returning to my bedchamber for a rest."
She did not look at him and walked away to return to the guest chamber which she was temporarily staying in.
"Wang Qin, arrange for lunch to be sent to Miss Ruan. I'm going to look at Grandmother Sun's injury and I'll be back later."
Watching her retreating back view, Dong Fang Tang instructed Wang Qin who was standing beside him and immediately after, he walked out of Long Feng Restaurant.
"It seems Third Brother is very concerned about Miss Ruan." Zhang Sheng glanced over at the guest chamber and then turned his gaze towards Dong Fang Tang's retreating back view.
"Don't talk nonsense. Third Brother has always treated people very well, not to mention, Miss Ruan had also saved Third Brother."
Zhang Zhen did not think too much about this matter and patted his younger brother's head. He had directly rejected the views of his brother.
"Don't stay here to gossip unnecessarily. Quick, it's time we should go and finish our work."
Wang Qin gave the two brothers a glance. This was their Master's business and it was not for the servants to gossip. Even if those two brothers were favored by their Third and Fourth Young Masters, they were also not allowed to talk behind their Masters' backs.
"Zhang Zhen, didn't you hear Third Young Master's order? Quickly send lunch to Miss Ruan."
"Yes, I'm going right away."
The two brothers quickly went separate ways to continue with their work.
***#*#*#*#*#*#*#*#*#*#***
After finishing the lunch brought by Zhang Zhen, Ruan Xiang Yin leaned against the window to look down on the main street bustling with an endless stream of horses and carriages and felt an inexplicable irritated feeling in her chest.
It has been half a month since she had left Le Mountain and she missed the quietness there. She had never like to mix with people and staying in this Long Feng Restaurant, where people were constantly moving around, she felt very uncomfortable.
She thought of the incident on the street just now ~~ She saw the love of the people for Dong Fang Tang and also his sincerity and kindness towards them. His attitude of treating others without the thought of returns, she and him were like from two different worlds.
He is like a warm sun, shining on everyone while she is like the icy snow, aloof and cold.
No wonder Dong Fang Tang is so popular among the people. He is a humble gentleman and possessing high medical skills is indeed a blessing for the people.
However, she is extremely unadaptable to this place and perhaps it is time to leave. After staying here for half a month, she did not see her father returning again and it seems he would not be coming to harm Dong Fang Tang again.
So it is time for her to leave.
After making up her mind, she decided to go downstairs to inform Dong Fang Tang. She plans to leave first thing in the morning to return to Le Mountain. She opened the door and walked down the stairs. Immediately, she saw the chaotic situation downstairs.
"Dong Mei, what is the matter?"
Wang Qin's face was pale and he was supporting his wife who had a big belly. Before Wang Qin could say more than a few words, his wife suddenly broke out in cold sweat and shouted loudly in pain with both hands on her stomach.
"Oh No! Is Sister Dong Mei going to give birth?" Zhang Zhen asked anxiously.
"What should we do now? Third Brother is not here!" Zhang Sheng instinctively thought of Dong Fang Tang.
"Stupid! Third Brother is a doctor, he is not a midwife. I'll go and get her now!"
Zhang Zhen knocked his younger brother's forehead and after saying he was going to look for the midwife, he quickly rushed out of Long Feng House.
"Stop!" Ruan Xiang Yin slowly walked down the last step of the stairs and called after Zhang Zhen. Then she said to Wang Qin. "Let me be responsible for the delivery."
Zhang Zhen and his younger brother were surprised and looked at her with suspicion. Were they mistaken in their hearing? This Miss Ruan willingly offered to help in delivery?
However, Wang Qin was the first person to regain his senses and quickly picked up his wife who was groaning in pain. He hurriedly rushed to the bedchamber where they were staying and Ruan Xiang Yin quickly followed behind.
After Wang Qin put down his wife on the bed, Ruan Xiang Yin instructed him to prepare hot water and clean cloth towels. After sterilizing a sharp pair of scissors and ensuring everything was in order, she ordered everyone out of the bedchamber.
As time slowly passed, everyone waited outside ~~ including a few curious regular guests of Long Feng Restaurant who all waited nervously outside.
From time to time, Dong Mei's painful cries could be heard outside the bedchamber. That sound of heart-wrenching screams made Wang Qin's face become even whiter. Anxiously, he walked back and forth, clasped his hands together and prayed for God's blessing.
"Shopkeeper Wang, who is the girl just now? She is so young, does she know how to deliver babies? Will something bad happen?"
One of the regular customers walked over with curiosity and heard the painful cries coming from inside the bedchamber. He asked with worry.
"That's right! I've never seen that girl before, who is she?"
The second regular guest also asked about the origins of Ruan Xiang Yin in curiosity.
"Miss Ruan......she should be able to......."
Wang Qin was also not sure himself but the matter was urgent. It was not up to him to think so much about this and his intuition told him, he should believe in her. After all, his Third Young Master also believed in her ability.
"What had happened here?"
A gentle voice sounded and a slender figure appeared at the same time. When everyone saw it was him, they automatically moved aside to give way to him.
"Third Brother, you are back! Sister Dong Mei is inside giving birth."
Zhang Sheng grabbed his big hand and hurriedly told him about the latest situation.
"Third Young Master, Miss Ruan is inside helping Dong Mei to deliver."
Wang Qin looked anxious as he heard the painful screams coming from inside the bedchamber and every sound was tearing at his heart. If Third Young Master was not a male, he really wanted to invite Third Young Master to go into the bedchamber to have a look.
"Don't worry. Miss Ruan is in there, nothing will happen."
Dong Fang Tang smiled in a comforting manner, he clasped his hands behind his back and waited outside with everyone.
"Third Brother, does Miss Ruan really know how to deliver a baby?"
Zhang Zhen looked at Wang Qin's anxious expression, could not help but ask the question that was in everyone's heart. After all, Miss Ruan is so young and it is not wrong for people to have doubts.
"She should be able to do it. Is she not doing it now?"
He believed she would not attempt to do anything that she was not sure of, after all, this involved a person's life. Without any confidence, he believed she would not intervene to help with this. Compared to everyone doubting her ability instead he was more surprised she had willingly taken the initiative to help.
What?! What did Third Young Master mean when he said those words? Could it be, he was also uncertain of her abilities?
This time, Wang Qin's face became even whiter. Inside the bedchamber, the screams gradually became weaker which made his chest tightened and his mind became muddled.
One hour later, in the midst of the crowd's anxiety and Dong Fang Tang's smiles, a baby's cry finally sounded from the bedchamber. The crowd felt a weight had been lifted off their hearts and let out a big breath of relief.
The door was opened from the inside and Ruan Xiang Yin came out carrying the baby. After handing the baby over to Wang Qin whose hands were trembling, a pair of clear bright eyes met a pair of deeply serene, warm eyes.
"Thanks for your hard work."
Dong Fang Tang removed a handkerchief from his chest and in front of everyone, he brazenly wiped off the thin layer of sweat on her forehead.
"I've something to tell you. I'll be leaving tomorrow......."
Ruan Xiang Yin had only spoken a few words when weak shouts could be heard from behind her.
"Miss Ruan, thank very much. If you had not helped me, I'm afraid I would not be able to give birth to this child successfully." Dong Mei said gratefully.
***#*#*#*#*#*#*#*#*#*#***
The crowd of people waiting outside could only hear her cries of pain but they did not know that halfway through, she had fainted and it was Miss Ruan who had saved her. All the while Miss Ruan whispered into her ear to encourage her and pacify her so that she could safely deliver this baby.
"Miss Ruan, thank you very, very much."
Wang Qin holding the baby in his arms, repeatedly thanked her. Just now, his wife had told him what happened in the bedchamber, only then he knew the dangerous situation in the bedchamber. When he thought of the doubts he had for Miss Ruan, he felt ashamed.
"You don't have to be so courteous. I just happen to be here, so I helped."
Not accustomed to receiving thanks from other people, Ruan Xiang Yin retreated a step and crashed into a broad chest. When she turned around to look, Dong Fang Tang was standing behind her and she did not know when he had come to stand near her. She saw he had a strange unique smile on his face. With both hands, he pushed her to sit on the side of the bed.
"Miss Ruan, all this while I don't know your name. Can you tell me?"
Dong Mei took the initiative to clasp Ruan Xiang Yin's hand. Ever since Miss Ruan had appeared in Long Feng Restaurant, she only showed a cold icy expression. Her whole body had an air of alienation which made people afraid to approach her and dare not get close to her. But after today's matter, she realized that this Miss Ruan is actually a warm-hearted person.
"Xiang Yin."
While she was answering, she angrily glanced at the man who had his arms folded across his chest, who once again decided for her, that man who was now smiling at her.
"In future, I will call you Xiang Yin. Since I'm a few years older than you, you can call me Sister Dong Mei."
Dong Mei did not miss the angry look Ruan Xiang Yin gave Dong Fang Tang. The corners of her mouth lifted and her expression displayed goodwill. She hoped to get closer to her.
Ruan Xiang Yin did not reply. There would not be any future since she would be leaving first thing in the morning.
"Xiang Yin, I have a presumptuous request. I hope you will promise me."
"What is it?"
"All this while, my health has not been good. After this birth, I hope you can help me with my post-natal care to improve my health. Although Third Young Master is a doctor, he is, after all, a man. Since we are women, there are some words that are best said between us. Xiang Yin, are you willing to help me?" Dong Mei looked at her tenderly and pleadingly.
Ruan Xiang Yin wrinkled her eyebrows and felt a bit awkward. If she were to agree, would that not mean she had to stay for another month? But she wanted to leave early in the morning.
"Yes, Miss Ruan, can you please help us?"
Wang Qin took the hint from his wife. Although he did not understand why his wife insisted on Miss Ruan's help but after thinking what his wife said was also correct, he quickly followed up with his plea.
"Xiang Yin, just promise her. After all, it was you who helped to deliver Dong Mei's baby. Just consider it as helping someone till the end." Dong Fang Tang came to stand near her and said softly, hoping she would agree.
Her bright eyes gave him a glance and then realized that he had suddenly called her by her name. Her eyes swept past the hopeful faces of the three people but why does she have a feeling like she was being pushed into this situation?
"Alright."
Under the three people's expectant gazes, she resignedly agreed and nodded her head.