Chapter 34: The Consultation Fee Must Be Paid

It was quite strange when you think about it.

At first, Fu Cheng could no longer control himself, the pain making him want to pound his own head violently. Yet, with just a gentle tap from Lu Zhaoling, his movements froze instantly.

Before the Fu family members could even react, his raised hand lowered, his entire body relaxed, and the tense muscles visibly softened and straightened.

The Fu family’s eyes nearly popped out of their sockets.

Fu Shun dared not take a single step forward, fearing he might truly disturb Lu Zhaoling.

The Old Madam Fu also nervously stepped closer, clasping her son’s arm tightly.

Seeing this, it was clear that Miss Lu truly possessed some kind of ability!

Regardless of anything else, if she could ease their child’s suffering even a little, that was a blessing.

Fu Cheng had been in so much pain he wished he were dead; he never imagined a headache could be so terrifying.

But when someone suddenly tapped his chest, it felt as if a fresh breeze swept away the mire covering his heart. In an instant, he felt much lighter, and the headache eased considerably.

His consciousness cleared somewhat, and he fixed his gaze on the scene before him.

There, he saw Lu Zhaoling: a graceful young maiden, her eyes calm and clear.

Yet the tone in which she told him to behave was reminiscent of his grandmother coaxing him helplessly in childhood.

“Grandfather…”

Fu Cheng spotted Doctor Fu standing nearby and wanted to ask who she was, but as soon as he opened his mouth, Lu Zhaoling shushed him.

“Don’t speak yet.”

He immediately closed his mouth tight, not understanding why he obeyed so readily.

Lu Zhaoling pinched her knuckles, and a faint golden glow circled her palm.

She reached toward Fu Cheng’s head and made a few elegant gestures with her hand, movements so light and graceful, like a dance of fingers, that everyone watched in rapt attention.

The dark energy swirled around her fingers like a vortex.

“Spirit of Heaven and Earth, life emerges, death’s breath ceases, bind.”

Lu Zhaoling suddenly clenched her hand and then moved it to the jade pillow.

“Sleep.”

The deathly energy, swirling like a whirlpool, was quickly drawn into the jade pillow.

Though the Fu family couldn’t see the dark energy themselves, they saw the jade pillow, once shiny and lustrous, slowly darken.

Its gleam vanished completely, leaving it dull and gray, looking like an ordinary worthless stone.

Their eyes widened to new heights.

What was happening?

The deathly energy that had hovered over Fu Cheng’s head was all drawn into the jade pillow, yet faint wisps still slowly dissipated from the acupoint on his crown.

***

Lu Zhaoling continued to absorb the energy until it was completely cleansed.

When the last trace of deathly energy was gone, Fu Cheng instantly felt his headache vanish entirely, though he grew very sleepy.

He struggled to keep his eyelids open, wanting to see what Lu Zhaoling would do next.

Lu Zhaoling turned to Fu Shun.

“You, come here.”

Fu Shun didn’t know what he was supposed to do but didn’t hesitate, stepping forward immediately.

“Gently carry this jade pillow outside and place it where it can be bathed in sunlight.”

“Yes.”

Fu Shun obeyed instinctively.

“Be careful, and move quickly.”

He carefully held the jade pillow and hurried to the door, placing it in a sunlit spot on the ground.

“Step back,” Lu Zhaoling’s voice came, and he immediately retreated a few steps.

The moment he moved away, there was a loud bang — the jade pillow shattered instantly.

It broke into countless jade fragments.

“This…”

The Fu family was shocked.

Doctor Fu, however, sighed in relief, feeling as though this was exactly how it should be.

Just like last time.

Though last time he had only used a jade pendant, this time it was a jade pillow.

Perhaps it was because Cheng had been exposed to the carved figurine longer, accumulating more deathly energy.

“Miss Lu, is this enough?” Fu Shun asked.

Lu Zhaoling nodded.

“Fu Cheng will be weak for a while. These next few days, have him exposed to the midday sun more often, eat well, and rest. In a few days, he’ll be fine.”

Yao Lin hurried to Fu Cheng’s bedside.

“Cheng’er, how do you feel?”

Fu Cheng looked at Lu Zhaoling weakly.

“Mother, my head doesn’t hurt anymore, just very sleepy…”

This young maiden could really heal him…

He wanted to speak more to Lu Zhaoling but succumbed to sleep instantly.

“Cheng’er?” Yao Lin worriedly asked.

“He’s fine, just asleep. Let him rest,” Lu Zhaoling said.

Doctor Fu also checked his pulse and confirmed there was nothing wrong.

He breathed a deep sigh of relief and bowed deeply to Lu Zhaoling.

“Miss Lu, your great kindness, the Fu family has no way to repay…”

***

“How can you say no way to repay? This is part of my medical service, and I must charge a consultation fee,” Lu Zhaoling said.

Doctor Fu was taken aback.

“You don’t mean you expect me to help for free?”

That wouldn’t do.

She was very poor now, and earning money was crucial!

Of course, Doctor Fu had never intended for her to help without payment; he had planned to give her some expensive gifts, but hadn’t expected Lu Zhaoling to insist on charging.

What surprised him most was that Lu Zhaoling considered this a professional visit requiring payment.

“Of course!” Old Madam Fu stepped forward, pushing aside her husband, inwardly scolding him for being clueless at such a moment.

“Miss Lu saved our grandson; she has done a kindness to our entire family!”

She reached to adjust the jade bracelets on her wrist.

“Miss Lu said these bracelets aren’t so bad, so consider them a welcoming gift…”

Lu Zhaoling stopped her.

“Madam, these bracelets are indeed fine, but I cannot accept them. You’ve worn them for years, haven’t you? These bracelets help cultivate your qi and benefit your health. You should continue wearing them.”

Upon hearing this, Old Madam Fu was momentarily stunned but didn’t change her mind.

“Since they’re good for your health, you must accept them.”

She now felt a touch of pity for Lu Zhaoling—injured and so frail…

If these bracelets could help her cultivate qi, wouldn’t that be wonderful?

Lu Zhaoling hadn’t expected that after praising the bracelets, Old Madam Fu would still be willing to give them. It made her feel a little fondness toward the lady.

She gently held Old Madam Fu’s hand.

“Jade bracelets recognize their wearer after a long time. Madam, just give me one hundred taels of silver.”

Yao Lin was surprised.

“Only one hundred taels?”

“A Lin, go fetch three thousand taels,” Old Madam Fu said.

“Yes, daughter-in-law will go immediately,” Yao Lin hurried off to retrieve the money.

She returned with three thousand taels: two thousand in silver notes and one thousand in silver ingots, all in a neat box.

“Miss Lu, since you won’t take the bracelets, please personally select a pair,” Old Madam Fu insisted, pressing her to accept the three thousand taels.

Lu Zhaoling had initially only planned to charge one hundred for the consultation, but since the Fu family insisted, she no longer refused.

Qingbao hugged the wooden box tightly.

Miss is amazing! A single trip earned three thousand taels!