Chapter Forty-Nine: Do Not Regret

Xie Qingtang calmed herself, pondering whether she should tell Gu Xiujin about what had happened. After much consideration, she decided not to confide in him. After all, even Aben was uncertain whether the medicinal herb he saw before fainting was truly the Four-leaf Ghost Needle Grass. If Xie Qingtang informed Gu Xiujin and they ventured into the forbidden grounds only to find nothing, the disappointment would cling to Gu Xiujin like a shadow, gnawing at him.

Thus, to prevent Gu Xiujin’s condition from worsening due to the weight of disappointment, Xie Qingtang chose to keep the matter to herself.

The next day, Gu Xiujin arrived at Gu Hospital and convened a meeting with the heads of all major departments to discuss whether a Traditional Medicine department should be established within the hospital.

Initially, while recuperating at home, Gu Xiujin had only shared the idea with a few trusted physicians: the proposal to set up a Traditional Medicine department. Yet, over the years, Second Uncle Gu had been firmly in control of Gu Hospital, and his prejudice against traditional medicine had seeped into the minds of many doctors.

When the chief physicians discovered Gu Xiujin’s intention, they immediately gathered and held a meeting. A well-built nurse passing by overheard their discussion, and the news quietly spread throughout the hospital.

In reality, this was Gu Xiujin’s first official hospital-wide meeting to discuss, with department heads, the possibility of introducing a Traditional Medicine department.

“Mr. Gu, Traditional Medicine has garnered a poor reputation these days. Most patients think it’s a scam. If we open a Traditional Medicine department at Gu Hospital, it will only tarnish our reputation,” one physician remarked.

“Exactly. And across the street, the Chunshan Hall endlessly boasts of its century-old legacy, yet for years they’ve survived by selling counterfeit medicine. If patients find out we’ve invited someone who sells fake drugs into our hospital and opened a so-called Traditional Medicine department, wouldn’t Gu Hospital be lumped together with Chunshan Hall as a fraud?” another chimed in.

Most chief physicians objected to the idea of bringing Traditional Medicine into Gu Hospital. Their long-standing prejudice against it was as immovable as a mountain.

Gu Xiujin swept his gaze across the room, quieting the conference hall before speaking in a calm tone, “Traditional Medicine has been our treasure for centuries. Though its healing system differs entirely from Western medicine, it offers unique advantages, and for certain difficult ailments, it proves remarkably effective.”

Seeing their president so supportive of Traditional Medicine, the chief physicians grew restless and voiced their rebuttals. “If Traditional Medicine were truly a treasure, it wouldn’t have declined so drastically over the years, to the point where no one trusts it.”

“Survival of the fittest, as the saying goes. Traditional Medicine has been phased out by the tides of time for good reason. Its remedies act slowly, require long cycles, and the decoctions are unbearably bitter. How can they compare with Western medicine, which works quickly and efficiently—a single pill solves everything.”

This assertion immediately won the approval of many chief physicians present. Whether in efficacy or public acceptance, Western medicine held undeniable advantages over Traditional Medicine.

Witnessing their resolute opposition, Gu Xiujin’s brow furrowed slightly. Over these years of poor health, he had entrusted Gu Hospital to Gu Fang, not expecting it to end up in such a state.

While the conference room buzzed with heated debate, on the other side, Chunshan Hall received an unexpected visitor—a man dressed in luxurious attire strode in, his face bearing an unmistakable look of hostility and cold disdain.

Xie Qingtang, having just finished attending a patient, was about to rest when she looked up and saw the man. Her brows knitted slightly, for he was none other than Gu Fang, Second Uncle of Gu Xiujin, whom she had met at the Gu family villa.

“So, you’re the master of Chunshan Hall.” Gu Fang’s expression faltered for a moment upon seeing Xie Qingtang, then his gaze sharpened with undisguised animosity.

After his investigation, Gu Fang discovered that Gu Xiujin’s swift recovery had been thanks to the master of Chunshan Hall. The thought that his flawless plan had been ruined by a mere hall master infuriated him, and he stormed into Chunshan Hall, unable to restrain himself.

Xie Qingtang knew this man had come looking for trouble and harbored ill will toward Gu Xiujin. Rising to her feet, she replied coldly, “Yes, I am the master of Chunshan Hall. What guidance do you have for me?”

“A master of a fraudulent hall hardly needs any guidance, does he? You look young, yet you practice medicine to deceive others. Seems you’ve lacked proper upbringing since childhood,” Gu Fang retorted harshly, his words firing at Xie Qingtang like a barrage of arrows.

Xie Qingtang’s expression chilled further. Though she believed herself immune to all venom, Gu Fang’s accusation of lacking upbringing struck her heart like a blade.

“Why do you speak with such foulness? Did you forget to brush your teeth this morning?” Zhou Jinfan, seeing Xie Qingtang bullied, immediately stepped forward to defend her.

After all, not only was Xie Qingtang the master of Chunshan Hall, she was also Zhou Jinfan’s half-mentor, teaching him the medical arts. Standing with hands on hips, Zhou Jinfan pointed at Gu Fang with combative energy. “What brand of garbage bag are you? You sure can pack a lot in. And you dare say others lack decorum? I envy the thickness of your skin—it’s remarkably well-maintained.”

“Though this is a hall for healing, not everyone is welcome, especially those like you who look down on others so obviously. They say ‘a dog’s eyes see people low.’ Well, that seems quite fitting.”

Gu Fang, accustomed to being revered and pampered, was utterly unprepared for a mere hall assistant to rebuke him. He erupted in rage, barking, “What are you, to dare speak to me like that?”

“Of course, I’m not a thing. I’m a human being—unlike you, who hardly qualifies. You say others lack decorum? Was yours eaten by a dog?” Zhou Jinfan retorted, undaunted.

Xie Qingtang watched Zhou Jinfan spar verbally with Gu Fang, momentarily stunned, and suddenly felt that keeping this spirited assistant around had been the wisest decision she had ever made.