Chapter 361 - 358: Being a Hands-off Shopkeeper

Words : 1435 Updated : Oct 9th, 2025

Chapter 361: Chapter 358: Being a Hands-off Shopkeeper After prescribing the remedy, Qin Liuxi brought Lady Qiu to another Daoist Room for acupuncture and inquired about her and Landlord Qiu’s wishes. She could only allow Wang Chuan to stay by her side to observe the acupuncture treatment, leaving Teng Zhao, disguised as a man, outside. Lady Qiu, despite her advanced age, was facing Qin Liuxi, the young Daoist. Yet, Qin Liuxi’s demeanor was upright, without any hint of lechery, completely maintaining the attitude of a doctor, making Lady Qiu herself seem somewhat embarrassed. Seeing Lady Qiu’s embarrassment, Qin Liuxi thought for a moment, then said, "Lady, there is no need to feel awkward; what you have, I have as well." "What?" With a light smile, Qin Liuxi said, "I am female." Lady Qiu was so surprised she nearly fell off the couch and examined Qin Liuxi carefully: "Female, you’re a woman?" Qin Liuxi nodded with a smile, saying, "I have an androgynous appearance and have always worn a Daoist bun, indeed making it difficult for others to recognize my gender." "But Mr. Qian never mentioned that you are female." "I do not deliberately hide it, but neither do I actively disclose my gender; hence, he was unaware. It was only because I saw Lady Qiu’s embarrassment that I mentioned it," Qin Liuxi said with a light smile. "As for the male disguise, it is convenient for carrying out tasks and practicing medicine. You know as well, it’s more convenient for a man to be a doctor than for a woman, isn’t it?" No matter the endeavor, this world imposes many constraints on women, shackled by layers of rules and propriety. Though it is regrettable, it is also the ethos of this patriarchal era. Lady Qiu, however, said, "But for ladies and women, a female doctor is more comfortable and relaxing than a male one." After all, there are many matters that women are too shy to speak about, even physical examinations are inconvenient. Therefore, to accurately diagnose, it becomes difficult, leaving one to guess blindly. Qin Liuxi agreed wholeheartedly: "That is why I have taken on an apprentice." She patted Wang Chuan’s head and said, "If you can save many women in this world as a female doctor, it would be a great kindness. Thus, I truly hope you can master the medical arts of the Xuanmen Five Skills." Due to the strict separation of the sexes, even though doctors often hold a parental heart and do not distinguish between male and female, many women miss the best treatment due to shyness or embarrassment. Worse, some lose their lives because their husbands or fathers are old-fashioned and do not allow male doctors to treat them. Such incidents, she had heard plenty of during her years of practicing medicine. Wang Chuan nodded firmly, her eyes showing determined resolution: "I will definitely master it." "Watch carefully, listen carefully, remember carefully," Qin Liuxi instructed Lady Qiu to roll up her clothes. She pressed on her lower abdomen, which was cold and firm, allowing Wang Chuan to also feel it, and then taught her how to distinguish pressure points. Wang Chuan was young and might not remember well, but precisely because she was young and malleable, Qin Liuxi could repeatedly explain, teach over and over, and gradually guide her. The acupuncture Qin Liuxi performed on Lady Qiu was similar to the one she performed on Song Liu, both involving activating blood circulation to dispel stasis, driving out cold, and exorcism, so she applied the Fire Needle technique, which warms the Palace and dissipates the cold. The Fire Needle technique is not easy to master, and some doctors cannot perform it in their lifetime because it requires precise needling techniques, and pressing, kneading, and rubbing are crucial to its success. Without true transmission and diligent practice, the ability to use the Fire Needle cannot be developed. Lady Qiu was truly shocked, more and more with each occurrence. Firstly, she was astounded by Qin Liuxi’s young age; secondly, by the fact that she was a woman; thirdly, by her exquisite medical skills; and fourthly, by her ability to multitask. Indeed, Qin Liuxi was performing acupuncture while explaining the acupoints and techniques to the little girl who still ought to be nursing, regardless of whether she understood or not, her hands never hesitating in their movements. Having lived through more than forty years and seen many things, Lady Qiu still found her eyes opened wide. What a young child, already able to take an apprentice and teach, and she truly had the capability. Lady Qiu clicked her tongue in admiration, suddenly feeling a warm glow like that of a gentle fire in her lower abdomen. It was not scorching but rather a warm and comfortable sensation, prompting her to unconsciously let out a comfortable sigh. This is too comfortable. The unfamiliar sensation made Mrs. Qiu’s fingertips quiver, suddenly filled with immense anticipation. Perhaps this time, her wish could truly be fulfilled. After the acupuncture, Mrs. Qiu felt relieved all over and asked, "Master, will one session be enough?" "Come again in ten days to a shop in the alley of Red and White Street at Li City Shouxi Workshop named Feichang Dao, it belongs to me. Have another acupuncture treatment there." Mrs. Qiu’s eyes widened in surprise, "Aren’t you a monk? And yet you conduct business?" "It’s run by my family, and we provide medical treatment, exorcism, and sell Peace Talismans. Twenty percent of the profits are donated to the Daoist Temple for philanthropy." Mrs. Qiu brought her hands together in appreciation, "That’s very kind. I will definitely make it." Qin Liuxi nodded with a smile. "What about your identity as a woman?" Mrs. Qiu asked tentatively. Qin Liuxi replied, "No need to spread the word widely, but if there are women like you who are too embarrassed to talk about their conditions, they can be told." Mrs. Qiu breathed a sigh of relief—there were many women’s ailments, and with a female doctor, especially one with such medical skills, who would choose a male doctor and risk embarrassment? When the group left the Daoist Room, Landlord Qiu rushed forward to enquire urgently about Mrs. Qiu’s well-being. "I feel much better," Mrs. Qiu replied with ease and comfort in her lower abdomen. Overjoyed, Landlord Qiu generously handed Qin Liuxi a stack of silver notes, "This is a donation from my wife and me to your temple for incense oil. Once our wishes are fulfilled, we will surely return to the Grandmaster’s presence to show our gratitude." Grasping the silver notes, Qin Liuxi responded with a thankful smile, "Good people are truly kind." Landlord Qiu and his wife left jubilantly. However, Qin Liuxi had barely warmed the silver notes in her hand before Qing Yuan took them away, claiming there was a need to stock up on more grain and charcoal for the coming winter. "She must have been a bandit in her past life," Qin Liuxi complained to her disciples, adding, "It’s almost noon, and I need to go down the mountain to stop by the shop. You two listen to the Grandmaster and study the Dao well." The two disciples immediately looked dejected. Qin Liuxi then instructed Wang Chuan, "It doesn’t matter if you didn’t understand what I said earlier, just memorize the human body’s acupoints and meridian chart, as well as the Tangtou Song. Even if you don’t understand, it’s fine. Once you’ve memorized it, you will understand when I explain it later." Wang Chuan replied listlessly. Qin Liuxi took them to see Master Chi Yuan, left the disciples there, and sprinted down the mountain. Master Chi Yuan admonished, "Don’t mimic your master’s undisciplined ways. Come over here; your Grandmaster will teach you about the Dao." He was leading the two small ones when he suddenly felt something was off. This arrangement felt like he was taking care of a daughter’s children. Hey, this rebellious disciple, thinking she can just be a hands-off shopkeeper! Qin Liuxi rubbed her nose, urged Li Cheng to head down the mountain, and even stopped for a bowl of spicy and aromatic noisemaker noodles at a familiar shop before humming a tune on her way to the store. There, she saw someone squatting anxiously at the store’s stone doorstep. Upon seeing Qin Liuxi, the person scrambled over, "Master, you’re the master of this shop, right? I’m the one who got an Amulet when you first opened. Master, the talisman caught fire, and I almost died. You must save me, I’m begging you on my knees!"

Chapter 361 - 358: Being a Hands-off Shopkeeper

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