Chapter 50: Zhang Ziheng Pays a Visit

“However, two years ago, during a shipment, the caravan was attacked by bandits. He suffered another head injury, but this misfortune turned into a blessing, as it triggered memories of his past, allowing him to find his way back home.”

“After being injured by that man today, did any memories come back to you, Tingzhi?”

Zhen Mier and Gu Qingbai looked at Gu Tingzhi with eager anticipation after hearing this.

Gu Tingzhi closed his eyes and tried to recall, but all he felt was a throbbing pain in his head, dizziness, and nothing came back to him.

Seeing his pale face and the fine sweat forming on his forehead, Zhen Mier hurriedly said, “Husband, there’s no rush. Take your time; you can think about it slowly later.”

Gu Tingzhi nodded.

Zhang Ziheng, observing his reaction, also felt uncertain. He took his leave again, determined to visit his uncle’s house for a thorough inquiry once he returned home.

When the three of them returned to the Gu residence, chaos naturally ensued once more.

Madam Zhou, seeing the blood-stained bandage on Gu Tingzhi’s forehead, was so shocked she nearly dropped the vegetable knife she held on her foot. Fortunately, Gu Qinghe was quick and kicked the knife away.

Gu Qingbai explained the whole sequence of events, and Madam Zhou felt both fearful and relieved that the injury was not serious. Then she grew angry, “This is utterly lawless! People like that should rot in prison and never be released to harm others!”

Gu Qinghe nodded in agreement. Anyone who hurt her brother was a villain!

Zhen Mier took out thirty taels of silver from her sleeve and handed it to Madam Zhou. Earlier at the clinic, Zhang Ziheng had insisted on paying the fee, so they hadn’t spent a single copper coin.

With the silver in hand, none of the Gu family showed any joy. They urged Gu Tingzhi to rest in his room and come out for dinner later.

The exam period was drawing near; there could be no more accidents.

...

In the county magistrate’s backyard, Lin Mo, having just finished school, came over to inquire about the day's events from his father.

Lin Zhengkang was also listening to Du Jingzhong and Uncle Quan report on the matter. Hearing that Gu Tingzhi had suffered another head injury, he sighed, “Such a brilliant mind, full of courage and wisdom, yet plagued by so much misfortune.”

The two men at the desk fell silent for a moment, nodding in agreement.

Lin Zhengkang looked toward his son by the door and instructed, “Mo’er, please go fetch Doctor Wang from Renhe Hall and bring him to the Gu residence to examine Third Young Master Gu’s head.”

Lin Mo hurried off to comply, but upon arriving at Renhe Hall, he learned that Doctor Wang Boren had gone traveling and it was uncertain when he would return. It seemed Gu Tingzhi’s luck was indeed poor. In this county, the only one with even a slight chance of curing him was Doctor Wang Boren.

Lin Mo quickly returned and reported this to Lin Zhengkang, and father and son sighed again.

...

Back at the Gu residence, Gu Tingzhi had become the family’s precious charge. Zhen Mier fed him his meals, Gu Qingsong and Gu Qingbai helped with bathing and fetching water, while Madam Zhou and others scoured the market for various ingredients to prepare nourishing dishes for his recovery.

Zhen Mier had worn out the recipe book in her hands and had devised several new dishes with excellent flavors.

After nearly half a month, the bandage on Gu Tingzhi’s forehead was removed, and he had gained quite a bit of weight, looking more robust than before.

One day, Zhang Ziheng came bearing large bundles to visit Gu Tingzhi. With only a few days left before the exams, it was unusual for him to take time off from studying to come by, showing his true concern.

This time, he also brought a small pure black puppy. The puppy was plump, with sleek black fur and round eyes, paired with four short legs that gave it a clumsy, endearing appearance. Not only did Gu Tingzhi adore it, but Zhen Mier and Gu Qinghe were also utterly charmed.

They cuddled and petted the little black dog reluctantly before setting it down so Gu Tingzhi could talk with Zhang Ziheng in the main hall, while the others went to the kitchen to prepare food for their guest.

Gu Lizong stayed in the main hall for a while, asking about Zhang Ziheng’s parents and elders, then left the two young men to themselves. He took a hoe and went to the backyard to weed a plot of land.

With the weather warming, in a few days they could sow seeds in that field.

In the main hall, Gu Tingzhi and Zhang Ziheng stared at each other silently.

Gu Tingzhi ignored him completely, playing with the little black dog on his own. Being strong-handed and unaware of his own strength, Gu Tingzhi squeezed the puppy’s ears, causing it to retract its neck and tremble slightly.

Zhang Ziheng took the initiative to speak, “Have you recalled anything from before during this time?”

Gu Tingzhi pinched the puppy’s pointed ear and shook his head.

Zhang Ziheng felt disappointed. He had inquired carefully with his uncle, who hadn’t sought medical treatment or taken any special medicine at the time. After being hit on the head by the bandits, he simply woke up the next day with his memories restored, without any warning signs.

It seemed Gu Tingzhi’s condition was somewhat different from his uncle’s.

Just then, Gu Qingsong and Gu Qingbai returned home. They had been searching for a suitable shop in both the western and eastern markets and investigating sources for ingredients.

They could have continued relying on middlemen, but after their last house purchase, they realized the middlemen’s fees were quite high. So they decided to do the legwork themselves to save money.

The western market, bustling with lowly vendors, had cheaper shops. However, after surveying, they found the western market saturated with shops of all kinds, including several restaurants. The few empty shops were either the wrong size or poorly located.

They decided to open their restaurant in the eastern market, where shops were better—more spacious, well-lit, and well-positioned—but also much more expensive.

Therefore, the eastern market had fewer restaurants, with the renowned Chunfeng Restaurant dominating the center, always the first choice for banquets hosted by the county’s influential and powerful.

At noon, the brothers visited Chunfeng Restaurant and ordered two signature dishes to understand the menu and prices, gaining confidence from what they learned.

Chunfeng’s reputation was well-earned, and the dishes rivaled those made by their third sister-in-law.

But the prices were shockingly high, far beyond what ordinary folk could afford.

As they prepared to leave, they bought two dishes from each of the other two restaurants second only to Chunfeng and brought them home.

Seeing Zhang Ziheng, they hurried into the main hall to greet him.

Zhang Ziheng bowed respectfully, “Brother Gu, Brother Gu Qingbai, I apologize for coming uninvited and troubling you.”

Gu Qingbai helped him up with a smile, “Ziheng, you speak modestly. The Gu residence is here; you are always welcome to come by whenever you like.”

The group sat in the main hall chatting for a while as the dishes from the kitchen were brought out.