Chapter 7: Foot Washing

Girl, do you also understand the principles of Zen?

The so-called Zen principles are... they sound as if they are words spoken by the Buddha, making one feel enlightened, expressing thoughts that ordinary people cannot articulate, do you understand

Continuing, Old Lady Gao took out the pot containing the thin rice porridge and poured it into a bowl, preparing to feed her daughter. Beside her, her husband and two concubines hurriedly came over to take over, saying they would handle it. Gao Miss's mother, the third concubine, even more plaintively said: "Master, this is plain rice porridge, with nothing in it. Our daughter dislikes this kind of food the most. How about I go to the kitchen and make a bowl of ginseng porridge instead"

Lu Jinping said, "First take this medicine, and when the sun is about to set, I will bring you more medicine. Remember what I just said." After saying this, Lu Jinping left with Ye Qingqing.

By evening, Old Master Gao noticed that his daughter seemed to be in better spirits, able to slightly open her eyes to look at them and even exchange a few words. This brought great comfort to Old Master Gao, filling him with joy. Anticipating the arrival of Lu Jinping, he hurriedly went to the door to wait for this miraculous doctor to deliver the medicine.

"You still say that? Aren't you just as cold as anything else!" Lu Jinping also held her hand and rubbed it.

Lu Jinping did not ask for much, as doing so at this time would raise the other party's suspicions and complicate matters. He needed to proceed slowly. If the book could indeed cure his daughter’s illness, he should be able to leverage the power of this official from the capital to help fulfill his wishes, which would be a long-term solution. It was important not to give the other party the impression of being greedy. Therefore, the amount he requested was not substantial.

In the dimness of the night, the faint chirping of one or two autumn insects gradually faded away.

That poem actually speaks more about the feelings between men and women. However, Ye Qingqing is only thirteen or fourteen years old, and has not yet experienced romantic relationships, especially the torment of love. Naturally, she cannot have such feelings. The only emotions she can think of are familial love and the memories of her deceased parents.

Ye Qingqing nodded slightly: "Yes, I often think of my deceased parents. Every time I think of them, I feel a deep pain in my heart. Although I can no longer remember their faces..."

The foot bath water, enriched with hot furnace ash, has a slippery sensation. Coupled with the delicate and graceful touch of Ye Qingqing's nimble hands as they knead and caress, Lu Jinping finds it immensely enjoyable, far more so than the foot baths in modern society.

The three wives and concubines of Old Master Gao, along with the maids and servants, did not understand why such a demand was made, but they could only comply, not daring to defy Old Master Gao's orders

Old Master Gao was filled with hope, holding a jar of medicine in one hand and a jar of thin porridge in the other. He did not allow the servants to come and take them from him, personally carrying them all the way to his daughter's room in the inner courtyard

Lu Jinping shook his head and said, "The so-called efficacy does not require a change in the prescription; since the medicine is effective, there is no need to alter the prescription."

Lu Jinping noticed that Ye Qingqing was feeling sad, so she deliberately diverted her attention and said, "The beef noodles today are really fragrant! Let's go eat them again tomorrow!"

She supported one of Lu Jinping's feet with her hand and placed it in the wooden basin, but did not submerge it in the water; she merely allowed the rising steam to warm it. After a moment, she switched to the other foot. When the water temperature had cooled slightly, she reached into the water to scoop some up and poured it over Lu Jinping's little foot, gently massaging it.

Lu Jinping could not help but laugh and said, "I do not know if the Buddha ever spoke such words while washing his feet, but what you just said reminds me of a very Zen-like poem: 'From love arises sorrow, from love arises fear; if one is free from love, there is neither sorrow nor fear.' — One should not have emotions, for having emotions leads to suffering.

When the water temperature was about right, Ye Qingqing carefully cradled his feet with both hands and slowly placed them into the water: "Please don't move at all; if you do, it will feel very hot. If you stay still, it won't feel hot."

Ye Qingqing was indeed distracted, and she laughed, saying: "Yes, if the lord can really cure Miss Gao's illness, then we can have a bit of money to eat better."

Ye Qingqing cautiously reached in and tested the water temperature, saying: "Alright, Your Grace, quickly put your foot in. I will help you wash your feet. Be careful, don't put it all in at once. Otherwise, it will be too hot."

At sunset, Lu Jinping and Ye Qingqing arrived again, still carrying two jars. One jar contained traditional Chinese medicine, while the other held half a jar of rice porridge.

Ye Qingqing felt embarrassed as he rubbed his hands, quickly withdrawing her hand. She took out a brass key to unlock the brass lock. The two entered the courtyard and arrived at the inner residence. Ye Qingqing first lit the oil lamp and then said: "After being blown by the wind all the way, I fear you might catch a cold. You stay put while I boil some water for you to soak your feet, warming your body before you sleep"

Old Master Gao quickly instructed the steward to fetch thirty wen to give to Lu Jinping. He then said to Lu Jinping: "Will the divine doctor go in to re-examine my daughter? Let us see if the prescription needs adjustment"

It has been half a year since the time travel, and Lu Jinping has grown accustomed to the service of the maid Ye Qingqing. When he first arrived in this new world, he was not used to it and insisted on washing his own feet. As a result, Ye Qingqing cried all night, merely saying that the noble lord found her service unsatisfactory. From that point on, Lu Jinping no longer dared to be willful and allowed her to attend to him.

After taking the medicine, Old Master Gao personally fed his daughter the thin porridge, spoonful by spoonful, slowly. It was also given in several portions, and this time she did not vomit. Then, Old Master Gao and his wives sat quietly, filled with hope, waiting for an improvement in her condition

Since it is effective, that is good. Sir, please give me the money for the medicine and meals for tomorrow, which is still thirty wen. I will bring the medicine and congee again tomorrow

That relationship is good

It is already late autumn; as soon as the sun sets, the temperature drops sharply. There is still a distance to walk from the Gao family's home to the Lu family's old residence. By the time they return to the old house, both of them have their noses reddened from the cold.

Today, I finally seized an opportunity; I hope this opportunity marks a good beginning, Lu Jinping thought to herself

What is Zen philosophy

It was already dark when I was walking home

He held a spoon to feed his daughter medicine. The medicine was very bitter, but the daughter understood that it was something that could save her life, so she gritted her teeth and managed to drink the entire dose, of course in several sips to avoid nausea and vomiting

After Lu Jinping finished washing her feet, Ye Qingqing carried the basin to pour out the water. Lu Jinping shuffled in her slippers to sit down at the bedside. This bed was merely a simple structure made of a few wooden planks placed on two long benches, which, compared to this old house rich in historical traces, truly felt like a straw sandal paired with a suit.

Of course it can be cured! Rest assured, I am confident.

Ye Qingqing, seemingly understanding yet not fully, asked: "Did the Buddha also say something like 'when the foot-washing water is hot, do not move your foot when putting it in'?"

Ye Qingqing went to the kitchen to boil some water. Soon, she brought a bowl of hot water for him to drink. Afterward, she filled a wooden basin with hot water and placed it at Lu Jinping's feet, helping him take off his boots to test the water temperature. She said, "Don't wash yet; the water is a bit hot. I will go get some mother ash to add to the water to help warm you up."

Ye Qingqing first assisted Lu Jinping in lying down, then laid out a mat on the floor beside the bed, extinguished the oil lamp, and finally removed her clothing until she was left with only her undergarments before slipping under the covers

Ye Qingqing returned from the kitchen, using a small iron spoon to scoop a small handful of ash with sparks from the stove. With a whoosh, she poured it into the foot basin, and a hissing sound was heard as a plume of white smoke rose, filling the room with a rustic aroma

Old Master Gao nodded repeatedly and said: "I feel much more energetic now, I can speak even better than in the morning. The medicine from the divine doctor is truly miraculous, and his medical skills are remarkable. My daughter is fortunate to have encountered such a divine doctor; I am immensely grateful."

Lu Jinping asked: "How is it? Has your daughter's illness improved?"

Upon reaching the entrance of the courtyard, Lu Jinping exhaled with both hands and stamped her feet. Ye Qingqing quickly reached out to hold Lu Jinping's hands, saying: "Oh dear, your hands are as cold as ice! Let me warm them up for you!" As she spoke, she began to rub them.

Speak, the third concubine turned to go to the kitchen to prepare millet and ginseng porridge, but Old Master Gao called her back. He simultaneously ordered his wives, concubines, and all the servants to the courtyard, where he sternly announced that from now on, all meals for Miss Gao would be delivered by that physician, and no one was allowed to send anything to Miss Gao. Otherwise, they would face the family rules.