Chapter 116
Yu Ying's clinic had already set a date for its opening, and she personally wrote the invitations.
The Yu family, unable to leave the county town freely, couldn't attend, but Yu Ying still sent them a letter, some silver, grain, and fabric.
The wife of the county magistrate, Madam Qian, and several doctors from other clinics were all invited.
Additionally, Fu Wei's colleagues, the Chen family, and the He family were also on the guest list.
Song Sanlang, being far away in the county seat, couldn't attend, which was unavoidable.
She also sent invitations to the ladies of the gentry and merchant families who were mentioned on the merit stele.
Even if they didn't come, they were all potential clients.
The clinic catered to both male and female clients; hence, the ground floor was designated for male guests, while the upper floor was reserved for female clients.
Yu Ying had some interactions with the ladies from a few noble and merchant families in Yu County. Although they weren’t extremely rich or noble, their pride was strikingly similar.
Yu Ying, considering herself pragmatic, saw no reason to turn away from money. To appeal to female clients, she decided to turn the upper floor into a tea salon, similar to what she remembered from television dramas.
She drew detailed plans and had the carpenter create exquisite shelves for displaying pastries, planning to make some herself.
She ground dried flower petals into powder, mixing them with various medicinal powders. Incense made from these blends was lit throughout the house and at the stairway entrance, emitting a gentle, pleasant fragrance.
With both partitions open and additional seating outside, eight small round tables could accommodate up to twenty female guests.
The day before the opening, Luo and Wen Xing got up before dawn to arrange the layout and prepare the snacks.
Although Luo had been the wife of a Prefect and had tasted many exquisite pastries, she had never actually made them herself, so her repertoire was limited to rice cakes and bean cakes.
Rice and bean cakes were a must, but they needed more refined delicacies.
Fortunately, Yu Ying knew a few recipes, so there was no need to order pastries from a restaurant. Plus, those were common treats for ladies and nothing extraordinary.
Making homemade cream required physical strength, so Fu Wei’s elder brother was recruited for the task.
The cream used milk, which cost Yu Ying a hundred coins for just two bowls' worth.
There were two types: plain cream and another mixed with matcha powder, presenting an appealing and unusual color combination.
Wen Xing tried a bit with chopsticks and exclaimed in surprise, "This cream is so smooth and sweet!"
Yu Ying smiled, "Try it with the pastries later, sister-in-law."
The cream was limited in quantity, so it was used only for decoration.
Egg white cream was used to make cakes, which were thinly frosted with cream on top and garnished with steamed osmanthus flowers, creating a look that was both delicate and novel.
Aside from the homemade cakes, both the rice cakes and bean cakes were topped with a bit of cream, making them much more appealing.
Additionally, some fruits were sliced and arranged on plates, and Yu Ying had also prepared grass jelly.
Earlier, she had saved the seeds of the pitahaya fruit, sparing her the effort of finding more fruit.
It was mid-April, warm but not yet the rainy season, making a small bowl of sweetened ice jelly just perfect.
Ten jin of sun-dried melon seeds were seasoned with spices after being brought home, resulting in a flavor distinct from store-bought seeds. They were crunchier, and the kernels were more fragrant.
Yu Ying gave two handfuls to Fu An and Fu Ning. After finishing, they looked eager for more, clearly not yet satisfied.
Fu An, wanting more but having learned medicine from his aunt, restrained his desire and lectured his sister, "These are fried with spices and shouldn't be eaten in excess. Too much can cause heat in the body, leading to tooth and mouth pain, and you won't be able to eat properly."
Seeing him earnestly instructing his sister, Yu Ying couldn't help but smile, then handed them each a small cake to enjoy on the side.
After the food was prepared, it was placed in large steamers, covered with bamboo sieves, and then transported to the clinic in two trips by her elder brother.
Fu Wei lifted the curtain of the kitchen and asked, "Do you need any help?"
Yu Ying smiled, "No need, just go and clean up for work. Come to the feast after your shift."
Fu Wei had stayed up late the previous night helping Yu Ying with "promotional flyers," so he woke up a bit late.
Looking over her shoulder and seeing no need for further assistance, he turned and left.
The papers that Yu Ying had asked Fu Wei to copy the night before were price lists.
She wrote the prices on paper, which was expensive, so she only distributed them to the guests coming today.
Not knowing how many people would come, she prepared a hundred copies. Any leftovers could be used in the future.
Her pricing ranged from affordable to expensive.
The lowest price for a massage was thirty wen for a quarter of an hour.
The highest was two hundred wen for half an hour.
Back massages and herbal skin treatments were the most expensive, costing five hundred wen per session.
Naturally, the lower prices were to accommodate common folk, while the higher ones were self-explanatory – underpricing might not be appreciated by wealthier clients.
The last item, aimed at the affluent and prestigious, might only attract one client in several days. Yu Ying listed it to elevate the clinic's status.
The therapy sessions also included medical consultations, with no difference in treatment for common folk compared to other clinics.
The clinic primarily catered to female patients; male patients, unless in urgent need, were advised to seek other clinics.
Fu Wei and Fu Zhen had duties at the office and could only visit the clinic after their shift ended at noon.
After preparing the food, Yu Ying, her sister-in-law, and Luo Shi changed into new clothes and did their hair.
Yu Ying wore the copper hairpin given by Fu Wei. In recent days, she had deliberately lightened the spots on her face, gradually removing the "dark patches" and claiming it was the result of using medicinal treatments.
Being a doctor, having dark patches on her face might affect patients' confidence in her therapeutic treatments.
After getting ready, Yu Ying headed to the clinic.
Upon arriving at the clinic, He Auntie, who came to help, saw her and expressed surprise, "Sixth Lady, the spots on your face seem to be fading. Are they almost cured?"
Yu Ying had prepared her response, saying, "Previously, I was too busy with daily struggles to pay attention to them. Now that life is getting better, I've started figuring out how to remove these spots."
Aunt He carefully examined Yu Ying's face and said, "Going there is good for you. You have such beautiful features, Six Lady. If you could get rid of those spots, you'd be an absolutely stunning beauty that no one could walk past without admiring!"
Yu Ying smiled helplessly, "Aunt He, don't tease me. Getting rid of spots isn’t the same as getting a new face."
After chatting with Aunt He for a bit, Yu Ying went upstairs to arrange the pastries.
The invitation stated the event would start at the hour of Si (9-11 AM), with the unveiling of the signboard at the third quarter of the hour of Wu (around 1 PM).
By that time, Fu Wei would be off duty and able to attend the unveiling of the signboard.
The signboard was written by Fu Wei himself. Yu Ying had seen the finished product; his calligraphy was robust and powerful yet also imbued with a gentle warmth, a style she couldn't replicate.
Regarding the number of guests, not a single invitation Yu Ying sent out was wasted; everyone invited had come.
But Yu Ying was aware that many were not there for her sake, but out of respect for the wife of the county magistrate.
The wife of the county magistrate had mentioned to them earlier that if Madam Yu's Yongxi Hall opened, she would definitely attend.
In a place as prominent as Yu County, these ladies from noble families always had to consider the county magistrate’s wife's opinion.
Since the county magistrate’s wife had not yet arrived, the female guests were waiting on the ground floor, while the male guests were talking and drinking tea in the main hall, and the women were chatting in the backyard.
While attending to the guests, Yu Ying overheard a young lady muttering, "Such a small, shabby place, far inferior to the medical halls in the prefecture. I wonder what’s so special about it that the county magistrate’s wife would come here."
The ground floor was meant for treatment, so naturally, Yu Ying hadn’t decorated it lavishly. Firstly, she felt it unnecessary, and secondly, such decor would make ordinary people feel unwelcome.
Luxurious decorations immediately suggest high prices, deterring ordinary people.
Yu Ying turned to look and heard someone whispering to her, "That girl is from the Li family. Probably here to pick a fight because you previously refused Old Madam Li’s request."
The speaker was none other than Madam Chen, who loved eating crabs.
Recently, Madam Chen had been dieting and, with Yu Ying's treatment, her waist pain had mostly subsided. It only occasionally hurt when she sat for long periods.
Yu Ying frowned slightly, then heard Madam Chen lower her voice, "But it's good you refused at that time. The Li family is the wealthiest in Yu County, and their temperament is quite peculiar. They also tend to look down on others. If you had gone there for treatment, who knows how they might have insulted you."
Yu Ying quietly said, "The magistrate's wife will also be here. With her presence, the Li family's ladies should not dare to cause too much trouble."
Chen, the lady of the Chen family, nodded, "True, Sixth Lady Yu has real skills, why should she fear them!"
As they spoke, the critical remarks from the other side were loud and clear, "I only came today because the magistrate's wife is attending. I wouldn’t bother coming to such a place again."
Being the daughter of the wealthy Li family, she had her supporters who echoed, "Right, I heard there's only one female doctor here, and the others dispensing medicine are barely fifteen. I wouldn't dare seek treatment here, afraid it might turn out badly."
Chen could no longer bear it and spoke up, "Today is the grand opening of Sixth Lady Yu's clinic, and even the magistrate's wife graces the occasion. Instead of offering congratulations, you speak such ill-fated words. What are your intentions?"
With Chen's voice ringing out, the clinic suddenly fell silent.
As the matriarch of the Chen family and an elder to these young ladies, her words silenced those agreeing with the Li family's daughter, but the Li girl herself was not easily intimidated.
She snorted coldly and sized up Yu Ying, "They say there’s a capable female doctor in Yuxian." Her gaze lingered on the dark spots on Yu Ying’s face, and she scoffed lightly, "Seems to me, just an overrated mediocrity."
Yu Ying's brow furrowed, about to respond, when a calm voice interjected, "If you've come to celebrate, stay quietly; if you're here to cause trouble, you may leave."
Hearing this, the Li family's daughter was about to retort angrily but fell silent upon seeing the magistrate's wife entering the courtyard.
The magistrate's wife glanced at her, her gentle voice carrying a hint of authority, "Miss Li, if you can't speak nicely, better not to speak at all. No one will mistake you for a mute."
Clearly, the magistrate's wife was backing Yu Ying with her statement.
The magistrate's wife then turned to Yu Ying with a soft smile, "Lady Yu, I'm sorry for being late."
Yu Ying quickly replied, "Not at all, Madam, you’ve arrived just in time."
She continued, "I've arranged snacks and tea on the second floor, please, Madam and the other ladies, let’s move upstairs."
After the magistrate's wife's stern words, no one dared to speak ill again.
Led by Yu Ying, everyone ascended to the second floor, including the Li family's daughter, though with a slightly sullen face.
A gentle fragrance of flowers welcomed them, with beautiful paintings adorning the walls. Each table, covered with plain tablecloths, was elegantly set with vases of flowers. Besides tea, there were aesthetically pleasing racks holding delicate pastries, unlike any seen in restaurants.
The guests were pleasantly surprised by the second floor’s arrangement, their eyes lighting up.
The guests inwardly questioned how anyone could call this clinic rundown.
Even the private rooms in restaurants and tea houses weren't as well arranged as this!
Chapter 116
Yu Ying's clinic had already set a date for its opening, and she personally wrote the invitations.
The Yu family, unable to leave the county town freely, couldn't attend, but Yu Ying still sent them a letter, some silver, grain, and fabric.
The wife of the county magistrate, Madam Qian, and several doctors from other clinics were all invited.
Additionally, Fu Wei's colleagues, the Chen family, and the He family were also on the guest list.
Song Sanlang, being far away in the county seat, couldn't attend, which was unavoidable.
She also sent invitations to the ladies of the gentry and merchant families who were mentioned on the merit stele.
Even if they didn't come, they were all potential clients.
The clinic catered to both male and female clients; hence, the ground floor was designated for male guests, while the upper floor was reserved for female clients.
Yu Ying had some interactions with the ladies from a few noble and merchant families in Yu County. Although they weren’t extremely rich or noble, their pride was strikingly similar.
Yu Ying, considering herself pragmatic, saw no reason to turn away from money. To appeal to female clients, she decided to turn the upper floor into a tea salon, similar to what she remembered from television dramas.
She drew detailed plans and had the carpenter create exquisite shelves for displaying pastries, planning to make some herself.
She ground dried flower petals into powder, mixing them with various medicinal powders. Incense made from these blends was lit throughout the house and at the stairway entrance, emitting a gentle, pleasant fragrance.
With both partitions open and additional seating outside, eight small round tables could accommodate up to twenty female guests.
The day before the opening, Luo and Wen Xing got up before dawn to arrange the layout and prepare the snacks.
Although Luo had been the wife of a Prefect and had tasted many exquisite pastries, she had never actually made them herself, so her repertoire was limited to rice cakes and bean cakes.
Rice and bean cakes were a must, but they needed more refined delicacies.
Fortunately, Yu Ying knew a few recipes, so there was no need to order pastries from a restaurant. Plus, those were common treats for ladies and nothing extraordinary.
Making homemade cream required physical strength, so Fu Wei’s elder brother was recruited for the task.
The cream used milk, which cost Yu Ying a hundred coins for just two bowls' worth.
There were two types: plain cream and another mixed with matcha powder, presenting an appealing and unusual color combination.
Wen Xing tried a bit with chopsticks and exclaimed in surprise, "This cream is so smooth and sweet!"
Yu Ying smiled, "Try it with the pastries later, sister-in-law."
The cream was limited in quantity, so it was used only for decoration.
Egg white cream was used to make cakes, which were thinly frosted with cream on top and garnished with steamed osmanthus flowers, creating a look that was both delicate and novel.
Aside from the homemade cakes, both the rice cakes and bean cakes were topped with a bit of cream, making them much more appealing.
Additionally, some fruits were sliced and arranged on plates, and Yu Ying had also prepared grass jelly.
Earlier, she had saved the seeds of the pitahaya fruit, sparing her the effort of finding more fruit.
It was mid-April, warm but not yet the rainy season, making a small bowl of sweetened ice jelly just perfect.
Ten jin of sun-dried melon seeds were seasoned with spices after being brought home, resulting in a flavor distinct from store-bought seeds. They were crunchier, and the kernels were more fragrant.
Yu Ying gave two handfuls to Fu An and Fu Ning. After finishing, they looked eager for more, clearly not yet satisfied.
Fu An, wanting more but having learned medicine from his aunt, restrained his desire and lectured his sister, "These are fried with spices and shouldn't be eaten in excess. Too much can cause heat in the body, leading to tooth and mouth pain, and you won't be able to eat properly."
Seeing him earnestly instructing his sister, Yu Ying couldn't help but smile, then handed them each a small cake to enjoy on the side.
After the food was prepared, it was placed in large steamers, covered with bamboo sieves, and then transported to the clinic in two trips by her elder brother.
Fu Wei lifted the curtain of the kitchen and asked, "Do you need any help?"
Yu Ying smiled, "No need, just go and clean up for work. Come to the feast after your shift."
Fu Wei had stayed up late the previous night helping Yu Ying with "promotional flyers," so he woke up a bit late.
Looking over her shoulder and seeing no need for further assistance, he turned and left.
The papers that Yu Ying had asked Fu Wei to copy the night before were price lists.
She wrote the prices on paper, which was expensive, so she only distributed them to the guests coming today.
Not knowing how many people would come, she prepared a hundred copies. Any leftovers could be used in the future.
Her pricing ranged from affordable to expensive.
The lowest price for a massage was thirty wen for a quarter of an hour.
The highest was two hundred wen for half an hour.
Back massages and herbal skin treatments were the most expensive, costing five hundred wen per session.
Naturally, the lower prices were to accommodate common folk, while the higher ones were self-explanatory – underpricing might not be appreciated by wealthier clients.
The last item, aimed at the affluent and prestigious, might only attract one client in several days. Yu Ying listed it to elevate the clinic's status.
The therapy sessions also included medical consultations, with no difference in treatment for common folk compared to other clinics.
The clinic primarily catered to female patients; male patients, unless in urgent need, were advised to seek other clinics.
Fu Wei and Fu Zhen had duties at the office and could only visit the clinic after their shift ended at noon.
After preparing the food, Yu Ying, her sister-in-law, and Luo Shi changed into new clothes and did their hair.
Yu Ying wore the copper hairpin given by Fu Wei. In recent days, she had deliberately lightened the spots on her face, gradually removing the "dark patches" and claiming it was the result of using medicinal treatments.
Being a doctor, having dark patches on her face might affect patients' confidence in her therapeutic treatments.
After getting ready, Yu Ying headed to the clinic.
Upon arriving at the clinic, He Auntie, who came to help, saw her and expressed surprise, "Sixth Lady, the spots on your face seem to be fading. Are they almost cured?"
Yu Ying had prepared her response, saying, "Previously, I was too busy with daily struggles to pay attention to them. Now that life is getting better, I've started figuring out how to remove these spots."
Aunt He carefully examined Yu Ying's face and said, "Going there is good for you. You have such beautiful features, Six Lady. If you could get rid of those spots, you'd be an absolutely stunning beauty that no one could walk past without admiring!"
Yu Ying smiled helplessly, "Aunt He, don't tease me. Getting rid of spots isn’t the same as getting a new face."
After chatting with Aunt He for a bit, Yu Ying went upstairs to arrange the pastries.
The invitation stated the event would start at the hour of Si (9-11 AM), with the unveiling of the signboard at the third quarter of the hour of Wu (around 1 PM).
By that time, Fu Wei would be off duty and able to attend the unveiling of the signboard.
The signboard was written by Fu Wei himself. Yu Ying had seen the finished product; his calligraphy was robust and powerful yet also imbued with a gentle warmth, a style she couldn't replicate.
Regarding the number of guests, not a single invitation Yu Ying sent out was wasted; everyone invited had come.
But Yu Ying was aware that many were not there for her sake, but out of respect for the wife of the county magistrate.
The wife of the county magistrate had mentioned to them earlier that if Madam Yu's Yongxi Hall opened, she would definitely attend.
In a place as prominent as Yu County, these ladies from noble families always had to consider the county magistrate’s wife's opinion.
Since the county magistrate’s wife had not yet arrived, the female guests were waiting on the ground floor, while the male guests were talking and drinking tea in the main hall, and the women were chatting in the backyard.
While attending to the guests, Yu Ying overheard a young lady muttering, "Such a small, shabby place, far inferior to the medical halls in the prefecture. I wonder what’s so special about it that the county magistrate’s wife would come here."
The ground floor was meant for treatment, so naturally, Yu Ying hadn’t decorated it lavishly. Firstly, she felt it unnecessary, and secondly, such decor would make ordinary people feel unwelcome.
Luxurious decorations immediately suggest high prices, deterring ordinary people.
Yu Ying turned to look and heard someone whispering to her, "That girl is from the Li family. Probably here to pick a fight because you previously refused Old Madam Li’s request."
The speaker was none other than Madam Chen, who loved eating crabs.
Recently, Madam Chen had been dieting and, with Yu Ying's treatment, her waist pain had mostly subsided. It only occasionally hurt when she sat for long periods.
Yu Ying frowned slightly, then heard Madam Chen lower her voice, "But it's good you refused at that time. The Li family is the wealthiest in Yu County, and their temperament is quite peculiar. They also tend to look down on others. If you had gone there for treatment, who knows how they might have insulted you."
Yu Ying quietly said, "The magistrate's wife will also be here. With her presence, the Li family's ladies should not dare to cause too much trouble."
Chen, the lady of the Chen family, nodded, "True, Sixth Lady Yu has real skills, why should she fear them!"
As they spoke, the critical remarks from the other side were loud and clear, "I only came today because the magistrate's wife is attending. I wouldn’t bother coming to such a place again."
Being the daughter of the wealthy Li family, she had her supporters who echoed, "Right, I heard there's only one female doctor here, and the others dispensing medicine are barely fifteen. I wouldn't dare seek treatment here, afraid it might turn out badly."
Chen could no longer bear it and spoke up, "Today is the grand opening of Sixth Lady Yu's clinic, and even the magistrate's wife graces the occasion. Instead of offering congratulations, you speak such ill-fated words. What are your intentions?"
With Chen's voice ringing out, the clinic suddenly fell silent.
As the matriarch of the Chen family and an elder to these young ladies, her words silenced those agreeing with the Li family's daughter, but the Li girl herself was not easily intimidated.
She snorted coldly and sized up Yu Ying, "They say there’s a capable female doctor in Yuxian." Her gaze lingered on the dark spots on Yu Ying’s face, and she scoffed lightly, "Seems to me, just an overrated mediocrity."
Yu Ying's brow furrowed, about to respond, when a calm voice interjected, "If you've come to celebrate, stay quietly; if you're here to cause trouble, you may leave."
Hearing this, the Li family's daughter was about to retort angrily but fell silent upon seeing the magistrate's wife entering the courtyard.
The magistrate's wife glanced at her, her gentle voice carrying a hint of authority, "Miss Li, if you can't speak nicely, better not to speak at all. No one will mistake you for a mute."
Clearly, the magistrate's wife was backing Yu Ying with her statement.
The magistrate's wife then turned to Yu Ying with a soft smile, "Lady Yu, I'm sorry for being late."
Yu Ying quickly replied, "Not at all, Madam, you’ve arrived just in time."
She continued, "I've arranged snacks and tea on the second floor, please, Madam and the other ladies, let’s move upstairs."
After the magistrate's wife's stern words, no one dared to speak ill again.
Led by Yu Ying, everyone ascended to the second floor, including the Li family's daughter, though with a slightly sullen face.
A gentle fragrance of flowers welcomed them, with beautiful paintings adorning the walls. Each table, covered with plain tablecloths, was elegantly set with vases of flowers. Besides tea, there were aesthetically pleasing racks holding delicate pastries, unlike any seen in restaurants.
The guests were pleasantly surprised by the second floor’s arrangement, their eyes lighting up.
The guests inwardly questioned how anyone could call this clinic rundown.
Even the private rooms in restaurants and tea houses weren't as well arranged as this!
