Eagle-eyed and wolf-watching

Chapter 1746 Arranged Marriage!

Following on from the previous lesson, Pei Zhixiu used pulse diagnosis to analyze menstrual irregularities and dysmenorrhea for the female students in this lesson.

The class lasted for about an hour, with a 15-minute break in the middle. After class, Bae Ji-soo allowed the female students to ask questions freely. Those who had questions could ask her in the classroom, and those who had no questions could leave get out of class immediately.

After receiving instructions from Bae Ji-soo, several female students, including Han Rui, came to Bae Ji-soo to ask questions, but most of the female students left the classroom.

Fifteen minutes later, the other female students had all left after getting their answers, leaving only Han Rui in the classroom. After Pei Zhixiu patiently answered her questions, Han Rui politely thanked Pei Zhixiu and prepared to leave the classroom.

But at that moment, Bae Ji-soo called out to her and asked:

"Han Rui, is something wrong?"

Upon hearing this, Han Rui was stunned, while Pei Zhixiu watched her quietly. She had noticed during class that Han Rui was somewhat distracted. Pei Zhixiu was quite surprised when she first noticed this, since Han Rui had always been fully focused in class and had never relaxed at all.

My initial reaction was still one of apparent abnormality, which caught Bae Ji-soo's attention. Upon closer observation, she noticed a faint sadness hidden beneath the girl's calm face. Although she didn't know what had happened to her, Bae Ji-soo couldn't help but want to show her concern, given her admiration for Han Rui's attitude towards learning…
Under Pei Zhixiu's gaze, Han Rui's expression changed from initial surprise to embarrassment, and finally she simply lowered her head. Seeing this, Pei Zhixiu felt even more pity for the girl and immediately pressed her for an answer:
"Are you having any problems in your life? Can you talk to your teacher about it?"

Faced with Bae Ji-soo's concern, Han Rui couldn't help but say:
"Mr. Pei, my father wants to swap me with someone else in a marriage!"

Upon hearing this, Bae Ji-soo said with some confusion:
What does "marriage exchange" mean?

Upon hearing this, Han Rui hesitated for a moment before beginning her story with some embarrassment.

Female students who can attend medical school generally do not come from wealthy families. After all, in this era, the prevailing belief was that a woman's virtue lay in her lack of talent, and daughters of high-ranking families were expected to remain unmarried and stay at home.

Therefore, under such traditional views, families that allow their daughters to go out into the world and study at medical school are generally not well-off.

Among these people, Han Rui's family was relatively well-off. Her father was a carpenter, and she also had an older brother, Han Dayong, who was his father's apprentice. Because of their skills, the father and son did not lack work in the big city of Yijing. The father and son often earned more than ten taels of silver a year as a team.

Although they couldn't compare to the wealthy, their family's circumstances were quite good among ordinary people. With the care of her father and brothers, Han Rui's life in Yijing had been relatively happy. However, fate is unpredictable; a few months ago, Han Rui's father contracted tuberculosis. At first, the old man tried to tough it out, but he soon succumbed and fell ill, bedridden…

Because of his illness, Old Han lost his ability to work, and the family's savings were used up to pay for his medical treatment. Now, only Han Rui's older brother, Han Dayong, is left to earn money.

However, although Han Dayong was young and strong, he was not as good at carpentry as his father. He could not complete the carpentry work by himself and could only work as an apprentice. Therefore, he could not earn much money in Yijing, and his family's life became very difficult.

Seeing that he hadn't gotten better despite taking medicine for so many days, Han Rui's father, realizing that his days were numbered, didn't want to waste any more money on medicine and treatment. He just wanted to see his eldest son get married and start a family before he closed his eyes.

Han Dayong also has a girlfriend named Wang Yan in Yijing. The two have reached the point of discussing marriage. However, they had some disagreements about the bride price before. But now, because Han Rui's father is sick, the family's savings have been used for his treatment, so they can no longer afford the bride price.

So, seeing that Han Rui's family couldn't afford the bride price, Wang Yan's family also didn't want to continue negotiating with Han Dayong. They wanted to break up the couple and sever all ties between them...

"Han Dayong was naturally unwilling, so he tried his best to talk to the Wang family. When the Wang family saw how persistent Han Dayong was, they softened their stance. The Wang family said that the reason they wanted a bride price was actually to prepare for their son Wang Le's marriage. Their family's savings were used to help Wang Le get a job as a clerk in the government office!"

"So now their family is counting on the dowry they receive from their daughter Wang Yan's wedding to prepare for their son Wang Le's wedding!"

"Therefore, if Han Rui marries Wang Le and Wang Yan marries Han Dayong, both sides can avoid paying bride price. This is what is called a marriage exchange, where both sides become brothers-in-law!"

Han Rui's father and elder brother both thought the suggestion was good. After all, Han Rui would eventually get married, and marrying Wang Le would help her elder brother, Han Dayong, find a wife. Moreover, Wang Le was a clerk in the government office. Although he was just a minor official, he still had a secure job with a guaranteed income.

So both of them advised Han Rui to marry Wang Le. However, Han Rui herself was extremely resistant to this. She had never even met Wang Le and didn't know anything about his character, so she didn't want to marry him so blindly.

The disagreement between the two parties led to a big argument. Han's father angrily stated that men should marry when they are of age and women should marry when they are of age. Since ancient times, marriage has been a matter of parents' orders and matchmakers' words. How can you be so presumptuous? Han Rui, on the other hand, believes that she is a living person, not an object or a toy. She can have her own thoughts!
Han's father was even more furious, saying that Han Rui was an unfilial daughter and that if he had known she would learn such disobedient words at medical school, he would never have let her go to medical school. Han Rui left home in tears and moved into the medical school dormitory.

After hearing the whole story, Bae Ji-soo was also greatly shocked. She never imagined that sisters could be swapped for the sake of marriage, which made her feel even more sorry for Han Rui...
After a moment of contemplation, Bae Jisoo finally spoke:
How much dowry does the Wang family want?

Han Rui lowered her head and said:
"Thirty taels of silver!"

Upon hearing this, Pei Zhixiu took out three ten-tael silver notes from her purse without saying a word and handed them over.

Seeing the silver notes so close at hand, Han Rui was somewhat startled and quickly said:
"Mr. Pei, I cannot accept your money!"

"Consider this money a loan! You're a good student, and I don't want these things to affect you!"

Hearing Bae Ji-soo say that, Han Rui was somewhat tempted. After hesitating for a moment, she raised her head, looked at Bae Ji-soo, and cautiously mustered up her courage to say:
"Mr. Pei, I don't know when I'll be able to repay you!"

Seeing that this little girl really wanted to return her money, Pei Zhixiu smiled and said:

"You can pay me back whenever you have the money!"

Han Rui's eyes welled up with tears upon hearing this, deeply moved. Pei Zhixiu gently comforted her, telling her to study medicine diligently and dedicate herself to healing the sick in the future, which would be the best way to repay her.

After the little incident with Han Rui, Bae Ji-soo also left the classroom, preparing to take a carriage back to the palace.

However, not long after leaving the classroom, Pei Zhixiu ran into an acquaintance, Xu Hetu, who was carrying a vegetable basket.

Upon seeing Xu Hetu approaching, Pei Zhixiu stopped and asked:

How is your mother?

Xu Hetu said gratefully upon hearing this:
"My mother's condition has improved a lot after taking the medicine you prescribed, Mr. Pei. Thank you so much, Mr. Pei..."

After speaking, Xu Hetu put down his vegetable basket and bowed deeply to Pei Zhixiu.

Bae Ji-soo nodded slightly upon seeing this and said:
"Don't let your mother overwork! This illness is aggravated by overexertion; just make sure she gets regular checkups!"

After saying that, Pei Zhixiu prepared to leave, as she needed to go home to cook for her two children. However, at that moment, Xu Hetu handed her the vegetable basket he was carrying and said:
"Mr. Pei, these are vegetables grown by my mother. If you don't mind, please take them home! Thank you so much!" Hearing Xu Hetu's words, Pei Zhixiu looked at the basket full of vegetables in his hand. Pei Zhixiu knew that these homegrown vegetables were grown using their own farmyard manure, so she was somewhat hesitant. However, seeing Xu Hetu's sincerity, she couldn't refuse him. After hesitating for a moment, she took the basket and said:

"Go back and thank your mother for me!"

After saying that, Bae Ji-soo turned and left. At the same time, she made up her mind to give the basket of vegetables to the coachman who had come to take her back to the palace.

Unaware of Pei Zhixiu's thoughts, Xu Hetu watched her gradually disappear into the distance, her figure turning into a small black dot. He felt somewhat lost and forlorn. Just then, a familiar voice came from behind him.

"Ms. Pei is as graceful as a fairy, and possesses such a compassionate heart. I wonder what kind of man could possibly spend the rest of his life with her..."

Upon hearing this, Xu Hetu immediately looked behind him and saw his friend Liu Yiran looking at him with a mischievous expression.

Feeling his friend's gaze, Xu Hetu felt as if his innermost thoughts had been read, and his expression momentarily flustered, but he still forced himself to remain calm and said:
"Yiran! Watch your words! Mr. Pei is a teacher at the academy, our mentor. How can you speak so frivolously?"

Seeing her friend blaming her, Liu Yiran said nonchalantly:

"My dad gave me money for food today, let's go grab a drink!"

Xu Hetu was somewhat tempted by the words, but outwardly refused:
"No money! I'm not going!"

"I have the money, I'll treat you! The tavern has just gotten some new Jiangnan Daughter's Red wine, Hetu, don't you want to try it!"

Upon hearing this, Xu Hetu became even more interested, and finally, persuaded by Liu Yiran, he reluctantly followed her to the tavern.

After several rounds of drinks and several dishes, Liu Yiran, seeing that the atmosphere was just right, spoke up:

"He Tu, have you ever heard of Changshan Medical Clinic?"

Xu Hetu nodded and said:

"I've been in Yijing for a while now, so I've naturally heard of Changshan Medical Clinic. I've heard that the doctors at Changshan Medical Clinic are not only highly skilled, but they also only charge the cost of the medicines they need, making them truly benevolent doctors!"

Upon hearing this, Liu Yiran raised his wine glass and drank it all in one gulp. Then, looking at Xu Hetu, he asked solemnly:

"Do you know who owns Changshan Medical Clinic?"

"who is it?"

"Mr. Pei!"

"Mr. Pei?"

"That's right! It's her!"

Xu Hetu was somewhat incredulous upon hearing the answer, but seeing his friend's serious expression, he understood that his friend was not joking with him!

Seeing that Xu Hetu was gradually becoming serious, Liu Yiran slowly spoke up:

"During that period, many clinics in Yijing suffered from the impact of Changshan Clinic's presence on their business, and many doctors complained bitterly. Among them, there were even those who wanted to sabotage Changshan Clinic..."

Upon hearing this, Xu Hetu also became nervous and said:
Did they succeed?

Liu Yiran said with a bitter expression:

"They were all wiped out before they could even make a move!"

"They were all dealt with? Who did it?"

Faced with his friend's question, Liu Yiran shook his head and said:

"I don't know who it was! But from then on, no one dared to mess with Changshan Medical Clinic anymore. Later, Changshan Medical Clinic stopped accepting male patients, and everyone's business improved a bit. Otherwise, the consultation fees of the entire Yijing Medical Clinic would have been suppressed because of Changshan Medical Clinic!"

Hearing Liu Yiran say this, Xu Hetu asked again:
"Yiran, why are you telling me all this?"

Liu Yiran didn't answer her friend's question, but continued to ask herself:

"What do you think of Dean Li and his group's attitude towards Mr. Pei?"

Although he didn't know why his friend suddenly brought up Dean Li and his group, Xu Hetu answered without hesitation:

"Dean Li and the others have great respect for Mr. Pei!"

Upon hearing this, Liu Yiran sneered:
You think that's respect?

Seeing his friend like this, Xu Hetu became even more puzzled, and he immediately said:
"Yiran, what exactly are you trying to say?"

Meeting his friend's gaze, Liu Yiran spoke in a deep voice:
"Don't you think Dean Li and the others were extremely respectful and obsequious towards Mr. Pei?"

Upon hearing the words "respectful and flattering," Xu Hetu was stunned. Liu Yiran continued:

"He Tu, with your medical skills, your future is bound to be limitless, so I advise you to focus all your energy on medicine..."