Two signs hung on the boat’s front eaves. The left sign featured “Hanging Pot to Save the World” with a gourd beneath it, while the right sign read “Consultation Fee: Twenty Taels.”
The surroundings were noisy and bustling, but this boat was quietly moored on the river, seeming out of place with the mundane world.
Ning Wanwan felt curious. She had seen many traveling doctors before, but they always set up clinics. This was the first time she’d encountered a medical practice on a moving boat.
This unique approach caught her attention, and even if there was just a glimmer of hope, she wanted to try. Without hesitation, she turned and strode towards the boat.
Fuyi was busy selecting fruits when she realized Ning Wanwan had disappeared. Anxiously, she put down the fruits and began searching.
Ning Wanwan reached the riverbank, jumped onto the boat’s gangplank, and called out, “Is anyone inside?”
After a moment, a lazy voice replied, “This old man is here.”
The canopy door suddenly pushed open, but no one appeared.
Curious, Ning Wanwan entered the canopy. Inside, a long narrow table held an incense burner, writing materials, and a pulse-taking pillow.
Behind the table lay a reclining figure, facing away, with graying hair and wearing only a blue robe, seemingly unbothered by the winter chill.
Hearing her enter, he said lazily, “Consultation fee is twenty taels, pay first before diagnosis. The fee is non-refundable.”
Regardless of his diagnostic accuracy, the consultation fee would not be returned, likely deterring ordinary people from seeking his services.
Such an arrogant and shameless traveling physician explained his cold and deserted business.
“I’m not here to see a doctor,” Ning Wanwan said.
“Then what are you doing in my boat?” the man asked as he turned to look at her.
Ning Wanwan was shocked by his appearance; despite his white hair, he had a youthful, jade-like face.
Perhaps the physician had some skills, she thought, and pulled out a copied medical record, placing it on the long table. “Look at this,” she urged.
The physician merely glanced at the record, saying, “I only look at living beings,” and attempted to lie down again.
Ning Wanwan then pulled out a gold ingot from her pouch and slapped it onto the medical record.
