Gong Quanhui had originally intended to have Chen Yi beaten down regardless of any explanation.
To his surprise, however, Chen was speaking about the young master. Since it concerned his son's development and education, Old Master Gong unusually showed a moment of patience.
"Oh? This can be tied to his studies as well? Speak, then. I will give you a chance to speak."
He raised his hand to signal the guards holding the heavy sticks to wait.
Out of the corner of his eye, Chen Yi caught a glimpse of the solid wood cudgel that had been raised high and then lowered gently. He wiped away a cold sweat.
"Master, it is like this. Recently, when the young master was studying the meridians of the kidneys, he realized that the physiological structures of men and women are different. He often explained to me the principles of how medicines and acupuncture points interact within the body.
"Once, he even remarked to me, 'Little Chen, studying cannot be limited to just reading books without putting it into practice. Only by combining study with application, and applying what one learns, can one truly grasp the essentials. Otherwise, simply reading books will only turn one into a bookworm whose knowledge remains confined to the page.'"
At this point, Chen Yi paused and glanced at the old man.
He noticed that a trace of thoughtful contemplation had indeed appeared in the old man's eyes, and the master even cast an unexpected look at his youngest son. When had this rascal learned to speak such philosophical words? It sounded rather like himself.
"Mmm... combining study with application, and applying what one learns. Did you say these words?"
"Ah? Yes, yes, exactly." Gong Qingyun was somewhat bewildered. Weren't these words what Little Chen had said to him?
"Mmm, continue." Old Master Gong's expression eased slightly as he looked at Chen Yi.
Chen Yi went on:
"Right when the young master spoke of applying what he learned, I once came up with a foolish idea. I mentioned that there were maidens in Zuichun Pavilion who could assist the young master in his practical studies.
"Yet the young master shook his head immediately, saying that the family rules were severe and that if he went to such a place, the old master certainly would not understand. When the time came, the family rules would be merciless, so he must not go!
"Therefore, the young master managed to stop the matter right then and there.
"Later on, I thought to myself: our Gong Family has passed down generations of medicine and martial arts, and you, Master, are the leading luminary of medicine in the Liaodong region. Could it be that when you treat a female hero, Master, you also have to shy away from the distinction between men and women?
"Perhaps my mistake lay right there. I advised the young master: in studying medical principles, one should not separate men from women. In the eyes of a physician, there is no gender—only afflictions, meridians, and learning.
"That is why the young master pulled his personal maid, Caiyun, into the room to discuss these medical studies."
*In the eyes of a physician, there is no gender—only afflictions, meridians, and learning?*
*Mmm, that was well said. Tonight, I must tell my wife that when the old man treated that young bride for a hidden ailment the other day, it was genuinely medical, not some hanky-panky!*
Old Master Gong's thoughts drifted for a moment. Then, recalling the occasion, he suppressed the slight curve of his smile and looked back at his kneeling son:
"Yuner, is this truly how it happened?"
Gong Qingyun hurriedly nodded.
At this moment, Chen Yi spoke again: "In truth, whether the young master wanted to lose his virginity or was merely studying medicine, we can find out with a single question."
"Oh? You even have a way to confirm this? Go ahead and ask."
"Caiyun, let me ask you: when the young master pulled you into the room at night, did he only take off your clothes without removing his own?"
Chen Yi directed his question to Caiyun. He did not exchange any glances or use secret signals with her; under the watchful eyes of a Xiantian expert, any superfluous movement would only count against him.
The reason he had the confidence to ask this was that Chen Yi had noticed Caiyun's clothing was somewhat disheveled, whereas Gong Qingyun's sash and buttons were completely untouched—fastened in the exact same position as when they were together during the day.
This proved that Gong Qingyun hadn't even had the chance to reach the step of undressing himself before Zhuiyue called out to stop them.
Caiyun did not understand the underlying motive, but since that was the literal truth, she had no choice but to nod. "Yes. At the time, this maid was terribly frightened, but thinking back now, the young master only had this maid take off... take off her cloth bodice. The young master himself made no move to undress."
Caiyun feigned wiping her tears and put on a frightened expression. Yet, speaking openly in front of a large crowd about having her bodice removed was an explicit and implicit way of indicating that her purity was gone, intending to make the master's household take responsibility.
Chen Yi paid no mind to the maid's petty scheming. As long as she nodded and admitted that the young master had not undressed, that was enough.
Chen Yi hurriedly pressed on:
"See, Master? From start to finish, the young master bringing Caiyun along was purely for medical research. He had no intention of violating family rules to break his chastity.
"The young master holds himself to the strictest standards and constantly instructs us to strictly observe the family rules. How could he possibly do such a thing?"
Beside them, seeing his father's expression improve significantly, Gong Qingyun nodded his head like a rattle-drum. "That's right, that's right, exactly like that."
Old Master Gong narrowed his eyes and pondered for a moment. Suddenly, he changed his tune and sharply questioned his youngest son:
"Where is the Shenshu acupoint located, what is its function, and what kind of medication reacts with it?"
Suddenly put on the spot with an examination, Gong Qingyun gave a start and was on the verge of crying out in fear and begging for mercy. But upon second thought—*Wait! I actually seem to know this. Chen Yi taught me.*
"It's... it's... between the second and third lumbar vertebrae, one and a half inches out to each side. Regular massage has the effect of nourishing Yin and aiding desire. Combined with Cuscuta, Privet fruit, and Rubia, it can help a woman conceive... And if one adds Curculio and Epimedium..."
"Ahem, ahem, ahem!"
Hearing Chen Yi's warning cough halfway through, Gong Qingyun hastily stopped. If he kept going, the next part would be a recipe for an aphrodisiac.
Old Master Gong glanced at Chen Yi with a thoughtful expression, then continued to question Gong Qingyun on several more issues concerning meridians, acupoints, and pharmacology.
To his surprise, although Gong Qingyun was terrified of being questioned, whether by remembering on his own or with Chen Yi's prompts, he managed to answer every single one—and correctly at that.
After several questions, Gong Qingyun was still kneeling tremblingly, but Old Master Gong was already stroking his beard.
"Good! Hahaha, Yuner has been copying medical texts for five years now, and today he has finally made some progress. Your father is deeply gratified! Hahaha!
"Get up, everyone get up."
Then, after a moment of reflection, he began to wrap up the matter:
"Caiyun assisted the young master in studying medical knowledge with merit; reward her with ten liang of silver. However, she has too many scheming thoughts and is no longer suitable to serve the young master. Starting today, she is reassigned to serve in the Madam's chambers."
When Caiyun heard about the reward of ten liang of silver earlier, a wave of joy had flickered in her eyes, but upon hearing she was to be transferred to the Madam's quarters, her face suddenly turned deathly pale.
She was being demoted.
Serving the young master offered the chance to warm his bed, and in the future, become a concubine, leaping directly from a servant to a mistress and changing her fate. Even if she wasn't favored, by staying by the young master's side for long, once he took charge of the household, he wouldn't treat her poorly.
Now... it was obvious that the master saw right through her ambitious scheming and had nipped that possibility in the bud.
"It is good for Yuner to study knowledge diligently, but he must pay attention to his methods. In a few days when your sister returns, I will have her teach you some medical principles. You must study diligently; I will tell your sister to punish you severely if you slack off."
"At the same time, Chen Yi must follow along and study as well. You must properly accompany the young master in his learning."
Gong Qingyun had been overjoyed to hear he wouldn't be punished, but upon hearing he would have to study with his elder sister, he shrank his neck, and dark memories flooded his heart.
His father pampered him, but his sister actually beat people...
Beside him, Chen Yi stood up, lowered his brow and gaze, and bowed his head in assent.
"In addition, Chen Yi, you have rendered meritorious service in accompanying the young master in his studies and martial arts training during this period. Do you have any personal requests you wish to make?"
*Oh?*
*The old man figured out that I was the one teaching him, and now he wants to reward me?*
After all this commotion, wasn't it just for this exact moment? Chen Yi thought for a moment and said:
"This humble subordinate does not need any reward. It is just that I have been accompanying the young master in practicing martial arts, and because my physical foundation is too poor, I have been left far behind by the young master's progress.
"Therefore, I worry that...
"As time goes on, I fear I will no longer be able to continually accompany the young master in his martial training, nor will I be able to attend to him properly at his side, ultimately becoming a burden instead."
"Fine, fine, I know. Starting today, you will eat and lodge with the estate guards, and receive a monthly stipend of one liang of silver to condition your body. Consider this a reward for urging the young master in his studies.
"Dismissed."
Old Master Gong handed down his final verdict, then turned and walked back to the inner chambers, eager to let his wife know the truth that in the eyes of a physician, there is no distinction of gender.