July 6th

  It's just past three o'clock in the morning, and the sun is shining on the golden hook of the bed curtain, reflecting a speckled gold light throughout the room.

  Gu Jin got out of bed, washed and dressed, then took her maid to pay respects to her mother and have breakfast.

  The courtyard is shaded with greenery all around, and the cicadas are chirping loudly.

  When they reached the fork in the road, Gu Jinzhi saw the little servant playing the guqin beside his grandfather hurrying towards the main courtyard where Song Panger was.

  Gu Jinzhi called out to him.

  Hua Qin was fifteen years old and did not have the lively and agile movements of those young servants by Guan Yan Zhen's side. He had a introverted and steady personality, not at all like that of a fifteen-year-old child.

  When he heard Gu Jinzhi calling him, he hastily stopped in his tracks and paid his respects to Gu.

  "What's wrong?" Gu Jinzhi saw that he was sweating and his heart tightened, secretly wondering if something had happened to his grandfather.

  Hua Qin Dao said, "Old Master is packing his trunk and says he's going to Beijing. He wants me to tell you, madam." Then he added, "He also said that he saw Seventh Miss and asked you to go over there, as Old Master has some instructions for you."

  Yesterday after school, grandfather didn't mention going to Beijing either.

  How did things change overnight?

  Grandfather is going to Beijing, it has nothing to do with Eldest Uncle's letter.

  Is it related to the last visit of Luoyang Wang and Nanchang Wang?

  "Then you go quickly. Tell Madam and I'll head over to Old Master's place first."

  The way of drawing is the way of the piano.

  Gu Jinzhi then turned and went first to Old Master's courtyard.

  The old man is ordering the maids to pack up his precious books, preparing to put them away, afraid that they will be damaged when he is not at home.

  Seeing Gu Jin arrive, he nodded slightly and let her come to the desk.

  He put several medical classics on the table and said, "I'm going to Beijing. You still treat me as if I were at home, studying every day, don't be lazy! Memorize these books first, where you don't understand, I'll explain them one by one when I come back."

  Gu Jinzhi flipped through them and found that they were all authentic works left behind by famous painters of the past 50-40 years.

  These were originally family heirlooms, not passed on to outsiders, and somehow fell into grandfather's hands.

  A copy of "Feng's Medical Talks", a copy of "Wei's Verified Cases from Shouzhou", and a copy of "Sun's Newly Proven Prescriptions" are all written based on the predecessors' medical experience.

  These people were not very famous, and these works were lost in later generations. Gu Jin also hadn't heard of the three books.

  She has some interest.

  "I will definitely take care of it," she said, "Grandfather, when are you leaving and when are you coming back?"

  She didn't ask the old man what he was doing back in Beijing either.

  "Pack up and leave." said the old man.

  But didn't tell Gu Jin when he would be back.

  Gu Jinzhi also helped the old man put away all the books.

  Song Pan'er and Gu Yanjun, a couple, arrived together in haste.

  "Father, why are you going back to Beijing?" Song Tuan'er asked anxiously, "Isn't Big Brother coming soon?"

  "I won't wait for him." The old man said, then turned to Gu Yanwen and said, "You go rent a boat, I'll pack up these things and we'll set off."

  This is a done deal and won't be changed.

  "Father, you're leaving in such a hurry, we haven't made any preparations." Gu Yanwen stood still, looking anxious, "Please slow down, let us..."

  "What are you preparing for me when I go to Beijing?" The old man's face turned stern, "I've already made all the arrangements!"

  Then he shouted back at Huaqin, "You go rent a boat."

  "Father, Third Master said that you can't go to the capital alone. Someone has to serve you along the way. Huaqin and other servants will follow, but Third Master and I are worried. Anyway, next year is the spring examination, and Third Master will also go to the capital to take the exam. Why don't you leave tomorrow and let Third Master pack up? He can go with you this time." Song Pan'er said from the side.

  Gu Yanwen nodded repeatedly: "Yes, father."

  "What's going on in the capital?" The old man's face was stern, "With people coming and going, where is there time to study? In just a year and a half it will be the spring exams, you should be studying behind closed doors. I'm not blind yet! Huaiqin serving me is more suitable than anyone else. Just pick two capable guards to follow her."

  Gu Yanwen and Song Pan'er were both speechless for a moment, unable to think of anything else to say to persuade him to stay.

  Song Pan'er even gave Gu Jinzhi a meaningful glance.

  "Still not going?" said the old man.

  The two of them then went their separate ways, one to rent a boat and the other to choose a guard.

  An hour later, Song Pan'er took the children to see off the old man in front of the Weeping Flower Gate.

  The old man returned to Beijing with his painting and two escorts, traveling lightly.

  He urged Gu Jin: "I will definitely be back before the new year, you must finish memorizing the book!" From Yanling Mansion to the capital, it would take two months even if everything went smoothly along the way.

  It will be the end of the year or early next month when I come back again.

  Whether we can make it back home for Chinese New Year depends on God's will.

  Gu's words were some auspicious phrases wishing a safe journey.

  Song Pan'er also asked Gu Xuan and Gu Huan brothers to say some nice words.

  What a pity these two are so useless, seeing the old man like a mouse avoiding a cat, unable to utter a single word.

  The old man didn't expect it and turned around to get on the carriage.

  Gu Yanwen saw him off all the way to the dock.

  "Let's go!" On the way back, Song Pan'er whispered to her mother and maid beside her, "The old man's temperament is still the same as when he was young."

  Whoever goes out, even if it's just to go to a temple outside the city to burn incense, has to prepare several days in advance.

  For something big like going to Beijing, it should be at least half a month in advance.

  Never seen anyone like this old man, whatever comes to mind he does.

  It's almost noon and the sun outside is scorching hot. Just as it started to get warm, my body wasn't used to it yet and I felt like I couldn't bear it.

  Song Paner's courtyard had frost.

  Gu Jinzhi didn't go back, holding a book in his mother's inner chamber to read.

  At dusk, after dinner, the heat gradually subsided, and she took her maid back to her own courtyard.

  The three books left by her grandfather were not particularly valuable medical cases, and the insights were also very ordinary. They had all been read by Gu Jin's ancestors before. She was uninterested and thought about reciting them again at the end of the year.

  It's easy to forget even if you memorize it now.

  Time passed slowly for over ten days.

  On July 18th, Qin Shenshi submitted a letter requesting an audience with the old master.

  Gu Jin returned the letter and mentioned his grandfather's trip to Beijing.

  The next day, Qin Shiniangzi again sent a letter requesting an audience with Gu Zhenzhi.

  Have you encountered a difficult problem?

  Gu Jinzhi thought about it and handed the letter to his father, asking him to accompany him to meet Qin Shenshi.

  Gu Yanwen was just tired of studying and wanted to take a day off, so he agreed.

  Qin Sheng arrived early in the fourth watch and was invited by his servants to the outer study.

  Then went to the inner courtyard and invited Gu Yanwen and Gu Jinzhi to come.

  Qin Sheng asked in a flurry of words when the old master would set off and also said: "It is only right that we see off our benefactor."

  "Never mind the formalities, I'm just visiting an old friend and will be back soon."

  They exchanged some pleasantries, then Qin Sheng turned to Gu Jing and said: "Miss Qi, I have a difficult situation on my hands, and I was wondering if you could offer me some guidance."

  Gu Yanwen listened with some surprise.

  Can a child guide an adult out of confusion?

  "It's an honor I don't deserve," said Gu Jin, "What brings you here, Imperial Physician Qin?"

  Her voice was soft and calm, with a hint of composure, as if nothing could ever trouble her. She received it so smoothly.

  Gu Yanzhong had another daughter.

  Qin Shenyi must have asked about medical skills, while Gu Jin always had special confidence in her medical skills.

  The old man went to Beijing, where did her confidence come from?

  "I have a guest from the south, who got seasick and lost his voice. When he first arrived at my gate seeking treatment, he had already been mute for five or six days." Qin Shen's face was filled with worry, "The Treatise on Cold Damage has records of this: when one is injured by wind, sudden hoarseness occurs due to cold invading the lungs; if the exterior of Taiyang is not resolved, and the cold evil enters the interior and reaches the Yin division, then the lungs are solidified, and with solidification comes hoarseness. Xiao Qing Long Tang can treat this. In my twenty years as a doctor, I have cured two cases of this kind of lost voice syndrome, both using this prescription. But this time... after more than ten days of medication, there is still no effect..."

  ——*——*——*——

  Thank you Na Ye 08827 for the PK vote, muah. Thank you Re Lian ^^, You Nu Yi Guang, Xiao Yuan Zi, Jian and Mei Gui for the rewards, muah!