Rebirth: So what if my husband is a little crazy? He loves me.

Chapter 60 The Strange Divine Doctor

Shen Li and Shen Yue headed to Doctor Zou's residence, asking Steward Zhang for information along the way.

"This Doctor Zou's ancestors were all scholars. After his family fell into poverty, he was taken in as an apprentice by a Taoist priest. Later, he served as a military doctor and saved the lives of many soldiers. When the Duke saw that he was old and lonely, he took him in at the Duke's mansion."

Shen Li understood.

"Get out...all of you get out...what kind of utter nonsense is this? And you call yourself a scholar?"

Before they even got close to the courtyard, they heard a loud, forceful curse. Then, three students in blue robes, some young and some middle-aged, ran out of the courtyard.

The three men looked ashamed upon seeing Steward Zhang, and hurriedly took their leave.

"Who is this?" Shen Li stopped in her tracks, looking at the group of people dressed as scholars, and did not rush to enter.

"In recent years, Dr. Zou has been trying to compile a medical classic and pharmacopoeia, but he has medical skills but limited knowledge. So he sought out many scholars to help with the writing, but he was not satisfied with the people who came and has already driven away countless people." Steward Zhang shook his head and smiled bitterly.

Shen Yue found it strange: "Then why are all the people you find scholars? Why can't you find some people with good learning?"

“My second young lady, those who can pass the imperial examinations and become Jinshi or Juren are all going to be officials. Who would do this time-consuming and unpromising thing? Those who can come are just people who can’t pass the exams.”

A smile appeared in Shen Li's eyes as she stepped inside.

The door was open, and the old man with gray hair and beard stormed out. He was clearly surprised to see Shen Li walking towards him, but he swallowed the curse that was about to come out.

"Dr. Zou, do you still remember me?" Shen Li asked with a smile.

The old man was over sixty but still very energetic, though a bit slovenly, with his clothes and hair all messy.

"Li girl, it's only been two years, I wouldn't not recognize her. She's a good child." Old Man Zou looked Shen Li up and down and said, "She's grown into a young lady, and even more beautiful now."

"Thanks……"

"It's just that you married a bad man. You're such a talented woman, why did you have to marry a lackey of the imperial court?" The old man interrupted her, sighing, "These kinds of people are spineless scum, you know..."

"Doctor Zou, be careful what you say," Steward Zhang hurriedly said. "Why don't you apologize to Miss Zou or the Duke will tie you up and hang you up for a beating."

"Hey, you little brat, you're putting on airs in front of me. I'm going to go ask the Duke why he dared to hit me, Old Zou." The old man was even angrier.

Butler Zhang pointed at him: "You..."

“Uncle Zhang,” Shen Li said with a smile, “It’s alright. The old doctor is just being straightforward and is only doing it for my own good. I won’t mind.”

Butler Zhang sensed the gentle strength in Shen Li's eyes and unconsciously lowered his hand.

"The little one is so sensible." Old Man Zou chuckled. "I like you. Did you come to see me because you need something? Do you want me to take your pulse?"

"No, but I have a favor to ask of you," Shen Li said humbly.

Shen Yue and Butler Zhang both felt that things wouldn't go smoothly; the old man seemed very stubborn, and pleading with him wouldn't help.

“I knew it. All these years, people who have come to me for treatment have been like this.” Old Man Zou was not surprised by Shen Li’s attitude. “Tell me, who do you want me to examine? If I’m happy, I might be able to help you with that.”

“Senior, you misunderstand. I did not invite you to treat my illness, but rather I heard that you have cultivated many medicinal herbs and would like to come and observe them,” Shen Li said.

Shen Yue and Butler Zhang were both taken aback; that wasn't what they had been told when they arrived.

"Looking at medicinal herbs?" Old Man Zou was also quite surprised: "I've only heard that you're skilled in calligraphy and painting, but I've never heard that you study medicine. What do you need this for?"

"I intend to depict the appearance of medicinal herbs in paintings and compile them into a book for future generations to consult."

Old Man Zou opened his eyes wide: "You're going to compile a medical book?"

"Those who have compiled books throughout history have all been highly skilled physicians. I, a junior, dare not presume to do so; my painting is merely an act of kindness," Shen Li explained kindly, seeing the thirst for knowledge in his eyes.

"The Imperial Medical Academy Director Jiang is a renowned physician of our time. He wanted to compile a medical classic and pharmacopoeia, and I helped with the illustrations and copying."

"Pah! Pah, pah, pah!" Old Zou jumped up and down in the yard in a panic upon hearing this: "Him?! He's a famous doctor of our time? He even comes to me for treatment of his own 'thing' in his crotch.' If he's a famous doctor, people will laugh their heads off!"

"What's that thing in your crotch?" Shen Yue blinked her big eyes and asked Butler Zhang, who was standing next to her, "What kind of disease is that?"

"Uh... Second Miss... this..." Butler Zhang didn't know how to explain for a moment.

"And you, girl, everyone says your calligraphy and paintings are priceless. Are you going to write, paint, and edit a book for someone?" Old Man Zou jumped up in front of Shen Li again: "How much did he pay you?"

"Uncle Zhang, is he jealous?" Shen Yue asked again.

This time, Butler Zhang nodded and whispered, "If he had found even one scholar in the past few years who could compare to the young lady in some way, he wouldn't be dissatisfied."

“Not every painting I make is valuable, and I’m only responsible for copying the paintings and calligraphy; my husband does the editing and polishing,” Shen Li explained.

"Gu Chang'an? The top scholar who passed all three levels of the imperial examination! To be his compiler?!" Old Zou's eyes almost popped out of their sockets: "This is all the national compilation work is like? Does he even deserve it?"

If this book is truly completed, wouldn't Jiang Yuanzheng forever surpass him in reputation, making it difficult for him to gain fame in both the present and future generations?

"Tell me, how much money did he actually give you?" He then looked at Shen Li.

“Compiling medical books is a great deed, and my husband and I owe Dr. Jiang a favor, so this is just to repay him.” Shen Li said with a sigh, “You don’t know, my husband was injured years ago and did not receive timely treatment, which left him with a chronic illness. Only Dr. Jiang can treat him.”

Shen Yue was completely bewildered by what she heard. Didn't her sister always say, "Sincerity is the way of Heaven, and thinking sincerely is the way of man"?

Why isn't there a single truth to be told at this time?

"Bullshit! Utter bullshit!" Old Zou jumped up and down in anger: "What he can cure, I can cure; what he can't cure, I can cure too."

Shen Li took a half step back to avoid being bumped by the old man.

"Don't go." Old Man Zou grabbed her arm with his thin, bony hand and said impatiently, "I'll help your husband recover, and you can compile a medical book for me, how about that?"

Shen Yue and Butler Zhang exchanged a glance, both surprised and full of admiration.

Does this work too?

"This..." Shen Li looked troubled. "If you can cure my husband, compiling medical books would be a piece of cake for us, but..."

When Old Man Zou heard that he could repair books, his cloudy old eyes lit up: "But what? Just tell me."

"It's not that I don't trust you, but Chief Physician Jiang can discuss the use of medicine with the imperial physicians, which is more thorough than if you were to do it alone."

"You, you, you...you even question my medical skills! You little brat, you're infuriating me!" Old Man Zou grabbed her arm and pulled her outside. "Come on, I'll go back to your manor with you right now. I'll stay here and watch over Gu Chang'an's treatment. I'll definitely cure him!"