Chapter Nine, A Dose of Medicine

As he asked, his eyes scanned the surroundings and soon fixed on Ding Chengye. Among those present, apart from Ding Chengye, the youngest must be around forty, so the second young master Ding should be him

After much contemplation, Ding Chengye developed a desire to escape: "Damn it, I will first go to Xiongzhou to avoid the storm, and return once the old man has calmed down."

Ding Hao lazily remarked: "I am quite simple-minded; how would I know the intricacies of it?"

Ding Tingxun's face flushed red and then pale in response to his mocking expression, yet he could not retaliate. He took a silver ingot from his sleeve and placed it on a chair that had not yet fallen over, cupping his hands in a gesture of respect and saying, "I, Ding, have acted rashly. This silver ingot shall serve as my compensation. Farewell"

That works too, thank you, little second brother, thank you very much. Please remember, that guest's surname is Ding, Master Ding Er..." Ding Hao watched as the shop assistant swiftly entered the store with the medicine package, and he smiled slightly before turning to leave.

Li Yuchang grew increasingly fearful and agitated; his face first flushed red, then turned pale, and finally became a deep shade of blue. His breathing became heavy. Ding Tingxun also noticed the words on the medicine packet. He was a man who valued his reputation, and seeing his son behave so recklessly, causing him to lose face in front of everyone, made his face flush bright red. Upon witnessing the reactions of his old friends, Ding Tingxun became even more furious, feeling a chill in his limbs. He pointed at Ding Chengye and shouted, "You ungrateful son, you are truly driving me to my grave!" With that, he raised his hand to strike.

Li Yuchang let out a cold laugh and clasped his fists, saying: "Brother Ding, I am grateful for your generous hospitality today. I still have some personal matters to attend to, and it seems you also have some matters to handle. Therefore, I shall take my leave now"

As the two argued, several gentlemen leaned over to take a look at his medicine bag. On it was written in large characters "Ling Gui Zhan Shi https://m.hetushu.com.com", and on another prescription was written "Liu An Hua Ming". Those present who understood immediately displayed expressions of disdain and contempt, while those who did not quietly inquired among themselves. When they looked at Ding Chengye again, their gazes revealed a peculiar curiosity.

Ah, Master Zeng..." Ding Tingxun, upon seeing Zeng Fei, the owner of Baifeng Building, quickly cupped his hands in greeting and forced a smile, saying: "I apologize, I apologize. I, Ding, was so enraged by this unworthy son that I lost my composure and disturbed Master Zeng's business. Please do not take offense.

Indeed, Ding Chengye turned his head and asked irritably, "What is it?"

"Guests of the Tianzihao room?" the waiter thought to himself, "Guests of the Tianzihao room are all wealthy patrons. Delivering this medicine will surely earn me a few coins in tips." He then changed his expression to a smile and said, "Alright, alright, with your shabby appearance, you can still enter our Bai Feng Lou's elegant room? I'll take it up for you."

If Ding Chengye can remain calm, those uncles and elders may not necessarily go to see his bag of medicinal materials. But who could remain calm after seeing these two prescriptions?

The guests invited by Ding and Li regarded today merely as a gathering of old friends, paying little attention to the younger generation. Everyone chatted and laughed, enjoying the warm atmosphere, while the two hosts, Ding and Li, each harbored their own concerns, managing only to respond with difficulty. Occasionally, when no one was watching, Old Master Ding would cast a fierce glare at his son.

He had grown accustomed to being domineering at home, even raising his leg as if to kick someone. Suddenly, he remembered that many elder relatives were present; as a younger generation, he should not behave so rudely. This made him suppress the anger boiling in his heart, yet he was still so furious that his face turned red and he was breathing heavily

Li Yuchang did not invite his niece; he originally felt a twinge of guilt towards his old friend. However, upon seeing those two types of medicine, a surge of anger suddenly ignited within him

The attendant at Baifeng Building saw a poorly dressed man standing at the entrance, peering inside but hesitating to enter. He approached and shooed him away, saying: "Go on, go on, this place is not for you to loiter around. Don't block my business."

A stool crashed into the window frame, creating a large hole. At that moment, a person burst in through the doorway, wearing silk shoes and clean socks, dressed in a gentleman's robe, with a square and upright face, showing a hint of anger. It turned out that the waiter, who was waiting for a tip, had received a slap, and upon seeing them fighting fiercely in his own establishment, he hurriedly went to fetch the owner.

Ding Chengye grew increasingly fearful as he looked at the herbs, now tainted by the food and drink. His teeth clenched tightly, making a grinding sound. He understood that since the waiter had been so clear, it was not a case of mistaken delivery, but rather someone had plotted against him. However, he found it difficult to identify his enemy. He had offended many people, but few dared to confront him openly. Not to mention, many of the respectable women he had entangled with were dependent on the Ding family for their livelihoods. If any of these individuals discovered they had been cuckolded, it was highly likely they would seek revenge against him.

Ding Chengye, even if he were at fault, would not honestly accept a slap from him; moreover, he was quite indignant. In an instant, he dodged aside and, with his neck held high, said: "This medicine was not purchased by me, there is no evidence, how can you recklessly hit someone, Father?"

"You ungrateful child, do you still dare to retort!" Ding Tingxun was seething with anger, raising his hand to strike again. Li Yuchang, standing nearby, suddenly said coldly: "Brother Tingxun, if you wish to discipline your son, it would be better to do so at home. In this Baifeng Building, in front of so many friends, wouldn't it be a loss of face?"

Ding from m.hetushu.com smiled obsequiously and said: "Little Second Brother, this was left behind by a guest at our pharmacy. He mentioned he was heading to the banquet at the Tianzi Room of Baifeng Building and left in a hurry. Just as I finished packing the medicine, that guest rushed off to his carriage. The shopkeeper asked me to chase after him. What do you think, should I deliver it myself, or would it be too much trouble for you, Little Second Brother..."

Outside the building, Xue Liang sat on the cart, puzzled: "I say, Ah Dai, what is going on? Isn't the master hosting a banquet inside? Why did he leave in such a rage?"

Ding Tingxun shot a fierce glare at his son and strode out. Upon seeing his father's eyes, which were filled with suppressed rage, Ding Chengye couldn't help but feel a chill in his heart: "This time, my father is truly angry. He is currently in a fit of rage; if I go home, won't he break my legs?"

I forgot something at the pharmacy? When did I..." Ding Chengye looked down at the prescription label on the medicine bag, and his expression suddenly changed. He raised his hand and slapped the waiter hard, saying, "You scoundrel, where did you get this bag of things to embarrass your young master? You..."

There is no need to elaborate on the subsequent events. Regardless of who it is, anyone afflicted with such a shameful illness would never admit it in public. Now that the pharmacy staff has delivered the medication by name, and everyone has witnessed it, feeling guilty, he retaliates with accusations, which is a perfectly normal reaction. This reflects the direct response of everyone present.

As for Ding Tingxun, does he not even know the character of his own son? After so many years of friendship, he dares to deceive me. If I were to truly marry my niece into the Ding family, I would be weeping every day. How could I still have the face to meet anyone with the surname Tang?

"Master Ding, what are you doing? Is it possible that Chen has offended you in some way?"

Li and Tu Shuyu Chang flicked his sleeve and left without looking back, going downstairs. The gentlemen present exchanged glances, all somewhat perplexed. They all knew that Li Yuchang had the closest relationship with Ding Tingxun, yet now the second young master of the Ding family was indulging in debauchery and showing no self-respect. What was he angry about? These individuals were all seasoned players, and for the moment, they could not discern the nature of this murky situation; who would be willing to wade in? Thus, they all bowed and took their leave. ... As Ding Tingxun watched everyone depart one by one, he was so furious that his whole body trembled. He let out a roar and overturned the table, then picked up a stool and hurled it at Ding Chengye ... These individuals were all seasoned players, and for the moment, they could not discern the nature of this murky situation; who would be willing to wade in? Thus, they all bowed and took their leave. ... As Ding Tingxun watched everyone depart one by one, he was so furious that his whole body trembled. He let out a roar and overturned the table, then picked up a stool and hurled it at Ding Chengye ...

Brother Yuchang, this is all a misunderstanding, a misunderstanding...

Zeng Fei snorted and said in a sarcastic tone: "Master Ding, your gracious invitation to host a banquet at my Baifeng Tower is indeed an honor for me, but it seems rather inappropriate for you to be reprimanding your son here. If I were to bring my son to your Ding residence and beat him, scold him, and smash things, would you say I was teaching my son a lesson, or would you consider it a humiliation for you, Master Ding?"

Ding Tingxun's body stiffened, and he forced a smile, saying: "Brother Yuchang..."

The waiter, filled with grievances, said: "Young master, how can you say such things? Why are you still hitting people? That fellow clearly stated that you went to his shop to buy this medicine, and then you were thinking of attending a banquet at the restaurant. As a result, you got into the carriage and forgot the medicine. He was just trying to deliver it to you. Is there anything wrong with that, Master Ding Er from the Tianzihao establishment?"

How outrageous! At such a young age, he has resorted to taking 'Spirit Tortoise Elixir,' a substance as dangerous as poison. Could it be that this person has already been completely depleted by indulgence in wine and lust? If my niece were to truly marry him, would she not be destined to live as a widow for the rest of her life? Moreover, he has contracted such a vile disease. This Ding Er, despite appearing respectable, is truly lacking in self-discipline.

During the chaotic times, Ding Tingxun's first wife and her entire family fell victim to banditry, all perishing in the turmoil. However, one brother and a book managed to escape disaster, as he was studying at an academy in another region. Ding Chengye, this uncle, is currently serving as a magistrate in Xiongzhou. In a moment of desperation, Ding Chengye decided to seek refuge with his uncle.

"Ah, young master, this is something you left behind at the pharmacy. The attendant specially brought it to you." The waiter, holding the medicine package with both hands, bent at the waist, raised his arms, and stood on tiptoe, gracefully approaching the table. He respectfully placed the medicine package on the table, then withdrew his hands while still maintaining a half-supporting posture, feeling quite pleased and thinking: "Look at how splendidly dressed this young master is; if the reward is less, he probably won't be able to offer much."

Moreover, it is indeed true that he arrived later than his elders today. He also mentioned that the roads were congested, which delayed his journey. This corroborates the account of the young attendant, who said he was in a hurry and even forgot to take the medicine after paying the silver. Isn't that as certain as nailing it to the board?

Ding Chengye considered all possible enemies, yet he did not think of Ding Hao, who was referred to as "the fool" by everyone in the residence. Unable to come up with a solution, he began to contemplate his current situation. Although he was usually the most favored by his father, today's incident had caused his father to lose face. Upon returning to the Ding residence, a severe beating was inevitable. What was he to do?

At that moment, the young attendant hurried upstairs, gently knocked on the door, tiptoed in, and stood at the entrance with a smile, saying: "Esteemed guests present, which one of you is Master Ding Er?"

In the Baifeng Building, Room Tianzihao, Ding Chengye ascended the stairs with a gloomy demeanor. Upon encountering his father, Uncle Li, and several elder relatives, he merely stated that the heavy snow made the journey difficult, which caused him to be late. Nevertheless, he was publicly reprimanded by his father. Once he took his seat, he noticed that the young lady from the Tang family had not appeared at all, which further displeased him. He awkwardly moved to the side, and the pent-up anger was clearly visible on his face.