Chapter 1: Returning to the Town
In a distant era, there was a country where men stayed inside while women went outside, and the roles of dragons and phoenixes were reversed. Men were expected to follow the "three obediences and four virtues" in raising children, obeying their wives while alive, and following their daughters after their wives' deaths. Women, on the other hand, could have three husbands and four concubines, be granted official titles and ranks, and were the pillars of their families.
Huixiang Town was an ordinary civilian town in the current dynasty. Although it was not a large town with thousands of households, it still had seven to eight hundred families. At this time, the streets of Huixiang Town were bustling with activity. The streets were crowded with people, some walking and shopping in groups, others moving around and hawking their wares, all displaying a simple and honest atmosphere.
At this moment, a woman dressed in a moon-colored plain garment was walking on the street. Her face was as cold and pure as a snow lotus, glowing with the luster of warm jade. Her skin was delicate and fair, and her figure was tall and straight. Her dark hair was tied high with a simple hair tie, and her phoenix eyes were calm, devoid of any emotion. Her entire being exuded a sense of coldness and detachment, as if she were an immortal banished from the nine heavens, not partaking in the mortal world's affairs.
The originally lively street seemed to quiet down in an instant, and everyone's eyes couldn't help but follow that figure. Some young gentlemen even began to slowly follow her footsteps, forgetting their own propriety, their faces blushing with shyness. They seemed to want to approach her but were intimidated by the cold aura surrounding her, so they could only take small steps and follow behind, pretending to be going the same way.
Si Qingyu walked on the street, her phoenix eyes quietly observing the surrounding scenery, paying no attention to those gazes or actions. She had come to this town only to find a good location to open a medical clinic. Yes, she was a doctor, and in this era, the profession of a doctor was particularly important and… scarce.
As Si Qingyu walked, she observed the locations. Finally, she found a place slightly away from the bustling streets, where there were fewer people and it was quieter. She walked up and knocked on the door. After a while, the door opened from the inside, revealing a woman in her thirties with a slightly haggard appearance and yellowish skin. Her eyes seemed to carry a hint of confusion. When she saw Si Qingyu, her confused gaze suddenly turned into amazement. She secretly sighed, thinking that in all her years, she had never seen such a beautiful person…
Seeing the woman staring at her blankly, Si Qingyu gave her a polite smile. The woman let out a sound of surprise and seemed even more stunned. Si Qingyu acted as if she hadn't noticed and stated her purpose: "Madam, I would like to ask if you are selling this shop?"
The woman was slightly startled before realizing that this fairy-like young lady was asking her. She was delighted and quickly said, "Yes, yes, please come in, Miss!" She stepped aside and eagerly invited Si Qingyu into the house.
Si Qingyu nodded slightly and walked in. She lifted her head and quietly observed the surroundings of the house. The place was spacious and bright, and she nodded in satisfaction.
The woman led Si Qingyu to the table and sat her down, pouring her a cup of tea. She then sat opposite Si Qingyu and asked, "Miss, are you interested in buying this shop? You don't seem to be from Huixiang Town." Indeed, if she were from Huixiang Town, with such a beautiful appearance, it would be impossible for the woman not to know her.
Si Qingyu nodded lightly and said, "I just came from the capital and want to settle down here."
"So you're from the capital." No wonder, the woman thought to herself. She continued asking, "So, Miss, you want to buy this shop to open a business?"
"Of course, I want to open a shop."
The woman looked at the fairy-like woman with a cold demeanor and finally couldn't help but sigh. She said to her, "Miss, to be honest with you, no matter what business you open in this location, it won't do very well. As you saw on your way here, this place is a little distance away from the main street." She had been worried about the shop lately.
"Madam, you can rest assured. Since I asked you about it, I won't mind these things. Besides, I'm very satisfied with this location." Si Qingyu was inherently a person who enjoyed tranquility, so this location was naturally perfect for her.
The woman became even more puzzled. The location was very important when opening a shop to sell things. She asked with confusion, "May I ask what kind of shop you plan to open, Miss? What will you be selling?"
"A medical clinic," Si Qingyu replied with a calm expression.
"You're a doctor, Miss!?" The woman couldn't believe it.
"Indeed."
The woman was completely stunned. This young lady, who looked so delicate and seemed to be only in her early twenties, was actually a doctor!? It was not surprising that she found it unbelievable. In the current dynasty, doctors were already scarce. Even in large towns, there was usually only one doctor. It was said that even in the capital, there were only six doctors. In small towns like theirs, they didn't even have a single doctor. When people fell ill, they had to take a horse carriage to the city to see a doctor. Moreover, those who became doctors were usually older in age.
Coming from the capital… and being so young, a name suddenly flashed through the woman's mind. Her eyes widened, and the hand holding the teacup trembled slightly. Even her voice was shaking as she asked, "Miss, could you be… the Divine Physician Si?"
"That's just an exaggerated title given by people. Madam, you can just call me Qingyu." Si Qingyu's expression remained calm, and her voice was as clear and cold as a spring.
"Yes, yes, of course!" The woman's face was flushed with excitement, and her eyes looked at Si Qingyu with fervor. Huixiang Town was finally going to have a doctor, and not just any doctor, but the renowned Divine Physician Si. How could she not be excited and overjoyed? If the residents of Huixiang Town found out, they would surely celebrate with gongs and drums.
After chatting with the woman for a while, the shop was settled. During the conversation, the woman even wanted to give it to her for free to open the medical clinic. Si Qingyu couldn't help but smile and shake her head. After much persuasion, the woman finally agreed to accept eighty silver taels and refused to take more. In the end, Si Qingyu still got a good deal in buying the shop.