Chapter Sixteen: Bringing Gifts to the Door

Wei Renshi returned home, and as soon as he reached the gate, he saw several men who looked like servants standing outside, waiting with a large pile of items. He entered directly. Inside, Jiao Haiqing spotted him at once and tried to rise, but his body was so corpulent that several attempts failed to get him up. The steward hurried over to help, but by the time Wei Renshi had already walked into the room, Jiao Haiqing still hadn't managed to stand, persisting with effort.

“Jiao, please remain seated! Your illness cannot withstand sudden exertion. Whatever you do, you must avoid straining yourself. Even when rising, lying down, or relieving yourself, you must use only gentle strength,” Wei Renshi quickly stopped him and offered a word of caution.

He was clearly suffering from high blood pressure; if he exerted himself too much, he might suffer a cerebral hemorrhage, and if that happened in Wei Renshi's home, it would be disastrous.

“Forgive my discourtesy!” Jiao Haiqing, hearing Wei Renshi's words, abandoned his attempt to stand, and instead raised his hand in salute from his seat. “Jiao Haiqing greets his benefactor!”

“You're too kind, Jiao. It was but a small gesture, not worth mentioning.” Wei Renshi shook his head, took a seat opposite him, and then asked, “How did you find my home, Jiao?”

“I made inquiries,” Jiao Haiqing replied. “There aren’t many families named Wei in Fuchang, and only the Wei clan in Changgu has produced several generations of scholars renowned for their talent. Yesterday, seeing your calm and generous demeanor, I guessed you were no ordinary man. So I came. If it weren’t for your intervention, I fear I would have lost my life yesterday. Since you had an engagement and could not accept my thanks at the time, my heart was uneasy. So I took the liberty to find your residence, to express my gratitude for saving my life!”

“You exaggerate, Jiao,” Wei Renshi said with a smile. “I merely happened to be there; fortune favors the virtuous. Even without me, you would have escaped calamity. Please, do not call me your benefactor—just use my name.”

Jiao Haiqing managed a bitter smile. “I have no other hobby but eating, and especially love meat. Three meals a day, and I cannot go without it. I have fainted before, but never as severely as this time. I’ve tried many medicines, with mixed results. Yesterday, from your words, I learned the root cause. Ah—yes—”

He paused, as if suddenly recalling something, and turned to shout outside, “Bring in the gifts quickly!”

The waiting servants immediately carried all the items into the courtyard, stacking them into a massive pile.

“That is far too generous!” Wei Renshi protested when he saw the heap. “If you truly wish to thank me, a meal would suffice. Such abundance, I am unworthy.”

Jiao Haiqing gestured to the steward, who immediately called two more servants. Together, the three helped Jiao Haiqing to his feet. Once standing, he saluted Wei Renshi, saying, “Please, do not refuse! To be candid, I came not only to thank you for saving my life, but also to ask for your help with another matter! Since you could rescue me yesterday, I believe you can cure this illness. I beg you to help me overcome it!”

Wei Renshi was taken aback and quickly shook his head. “I am not a physician; yesterday's remedy was something I heard by chance. I truly do not know how to treat illnesses.”

“Please, Wei Renshi, do not decline! The Jiao family will never forget your kindness and will repay it for generations!” Jiao Haiqing seemed convinced that Wei Renshi could help him, and refused to believe otherwise, bowing repeatedly.

Watching his repeated bows, Wei Renshi felt anxious, fearing he might again suffer a stroke from his high blood pressure.

“Jiao, it’s not that I won’t help, but I really don’t know how to treat illnesses!” Wei Renshi repeated, shaking his head.

“Save me, please!” Jiao Haiqing pleaded, refusing to listen, and kept bowing.

“Then stop for a moment, sit and listen to me!” Wei Renshi pulled him back. “Don’t keep bending over, or you’ll faint again.”

Hearing this, Jiao Haiqing finally calmed down, sat back, and caught his breath.

Wei Renshi said, “Jiao, I am not a physician, and dare not treat you recklessly. At most, I have some methods that can help you lose weight without harming your body, but these methods are extremely painful for you. Even if you become thinner, whether your illness will improve is uncertain. Instead of wasting time with me, you should seek out renowned physicians for proper diagnosis and treatment.”

“Finding a famous doctor is not so easy—it could take a great deal of time,” Jiao Haiqing sighed. “Rather than delay, I’d prefer you help me! Please, lend me your hand, and you shall not be unrewarded!”

Wei Renshi considered for a moment. “Let me ask you a few questions. Do your family members know you came to see me?”

Jiao Haiqing nodded. “My mother already knows about yesterday, and said that if my father weren’t away, he would have come with me to thank you.”

“Good. Since that’s settled, let me speak plainly in front of your steward and all these servants,” Wei Renshi said. “First, I am not a doctor, only have a few methods to help you lose some weight. Whether they work, I cannot guarantee—we can only try. Second, these methods may be painful for you; you must obey me, do exactly as I say, without resistance, anger, or pretense. If you understand and accept these two points, I will help you.”

“I understand!” Jiao Haiqing nodded. “As long as you’re willing to help, I will not object.”

Wei Renshi nodded. “In that case, Jiao—”

“Though I am a few years older, wisdom comes first. Please, just call me Haiqing,” Jiao Haiqing interjected.

“Very well,” Wei Renshi agreed. “Haiqing, have your servants dismantle the sedan chair outside. From now on, wherever you go in Fuchang, you must walk on your own. If you can’t walk fast, walk slowly, rest as needed, but you mustn’t let anyone carry you or rely on any aids.”

“Ah?!” Jiao Haiqing was startled, then recalling their earlier conversation, hesitantly turned to the steward, “Let’s do as Wei Renshi says!”

Wei Renshi continued, “Also, tomorrow morning, you may only have a bowl of plain porridge and a single egg. Then, bring your family’s cook to Changgu to find me. You can rest along the way, but must arrive before midday.”

“Agreed!” Jiao Haiqing nodded.

“That will do for now,” Wei Renshi said. “This will take a long time, and cannot be rushed.”

The two talked a while longer, and Wei Renshi explained what he remembered about precautions and warnings for high blood pressure, knowledge learned from his own father’s struggles with “three highs” in later years.

After some time, Jiao Haiqing took his leave.

Wei Renshi escorted him outside and watched as he waddled away, his stout body swaying as he walked farther and farther.

“Pfft—” As Jiao Haiqing disappeared down the road, a burst of laughter came from nearby.

Wei Renshi turned to see Xi’er covering her mouth, giggling. “Master, doesn’t he look just like a big winter melon as he walks away?”

“Don’t make fun of others,” Wei Renshi said, ruffling Xi’er’s hair with a smile.

When he returned to the courtyard, Xi’er immediately ran to the pile of gifts, her eyes shining.

The Lady Matriarch emerged from a side room, her brows slightly furrowed.