The Yuan family mansion was incredibly luxurious, occupying a vast area. The front courtyard alone covered two hundred square meters. In Luoyang, where land was extremely valuable, only powerful clans could afford such a place. Only the Yang family and the imperial palace could rival the Yuan family's grandeur.
Besides Yuan Shu, three other men, all around his age, came to greet him. "This is my elder brother, Yuan Ji, Marquis of Anguo, currently the Magistrate of Jingzhao."
"I am Lu Ming, and I greet the Marquis," Lu Ming said, bowing. The Yuan family was full of talented people; even the current head of the Yang family, Yang Biao, had a wife from the Yuan family.
The two brothers, Yuan Shao and Yuan Shu, were the most famous, but the other members of the Yuan family were as numerous as the stars in the sky.
Yuan Ji, not recognizing Lu Ming clearly, respectfully clasped his hands and said, "It's troubled to trouble you, General Yuan, with your visit. Please forgive my impropriety."
"It's nothing," Lu Ming replied. "Brother Gonglu and I hit it off immediately, like old friends. I consider him a confidant as well." Lu Ming was naturally willing to associate with Yuan Shu, though their interactions became infrequent afterward.
There wasn't much conflict between them. Whether Yuan Shu occupied Runan or later Yangzhou, it didn't conflict with his strategy of controlling Guanzhong and the southern regions of Shu Han.
"Brother Anmin, you flatter me. These are my uncle's two sons, Yuan Kan, courtesy name Yida, and Yuan Wang, courtesy name Zhongda. Our uncle is inside. Please, Brother Anmin." After introducing them, Yuan Shu made another inviting gesture.
This shows that he didn't have a deep relationship with Yuan Kui's two sons.
The fact was that the Yuan family was about to split, with one group supporting Yuan Shu and the other supporting Yuan Shao.
Yuan Shao, as the eldest son, had a far more impressive official position and resume than Yuan Shu.
Most people chose Yuan Shao, including the two brothers before him, so Yuan Shu didn't tolerate them.
Yuan Shu's abilities were far inferior to Yuan Shao's; he was originally the eldest son of the legitimate wife, but after Yuan Shao was adopted, he was ranked ahead of him.
All of this, coupled with Yuan Kui's stated intention to groom Yuan Shao, meant that Yuan Shu was merely vying for more power, at least to secure a better future.
However, he still wanted to fight for the right of succession. Inviting Lu Ming to treat Yuan Kui was his proactive move.
It was beneficial for both Lu Ming and Yuan Shu, and they quickly reached an agreement.
No conflict, beneficial to both sides—why not?
After passing through the front courtyard, corridors, and gardens, winding through the streets, they finally arrived at the back courtyard and Yuan Kui's bedroom. A woman with a pretty face and a few wrinkles around her eyes, appearing plump and fair-skinned due to her pampered upbringing, stood out.
This was Yuan Wei's wife, the daughter of the renowned scholar Ma Rong, and a cultured woman who had received an education.
Upon seeing Lu Ming, Yuan Wei's wife nodded slightly. "Thank you for coming, General. Your miraculous healing skills are truly remarkable! Please save my husband! I will be eternally grateful!"
She didn't look very old, at most around fifty, yet she referred to herself as "this old woman."
This was somewhat of an attempt to intimidate him with her age, and Lu Ming wasn't buying it.
"Don't worry, Madam," a man behind her said passionately, seemingly anxious. Her father was already seriously ill; if her mother were to suffer as well, things would truly be over! Lu Ming scoffed, "Some illnesses are simply caused by neglect; when they flare up, they strike like a landslide!"
"If it's convenient, Brother Anmin, please also examine my aunt," Yuan Shu said, bowing impeccably—this was his intention.
His aunt, Ma Lun, came from a prominent family in Fufeng, a lineage dating back to the Warring States period. They reached their peak during the reign of Emperor Guangwu of the Eastern Han Dynasty, and although they later declined, they remained a powerful clan.
Rumor had it that Ma Teng, who rebelled, was a member of the Ma family, but no one claimed it.
That would inevitably implicate the Yuan family, so no matter how Ma Teng claimed to be, no one would acknowledge him—it was taboo.
"Reciprocity is key," Lu Ming agreed with a smile. There was no illness he couldn't cure; it was just a matter of whether he wanted to treat it.
Especially when treating important figures, he always charged exorbitant fees.
Now, Lu Ming is the General of the Western Garden, the Prefect of Longxi Commandery, the Emperor's son-in-law, and the Imperial Son-in-Law.
He can indeed stand on equal footing with the Yuan family, having transformed from a pawn into a player. He can negotiate terms, instead of using medical treatment as a means of currying favor.
Only with equal status and position can dialogue continue!
It's simple: if you want medical treatment, then pay! And not just ordinary consultation fees; this involves offering something of value. As for what to offer, that's for the Yuan family to propose.
"My health is not important; curing the Minister of the Imperial Secretariat is the most important matter. The Minister of the Imperial Secretariat bears the weight of the people's fate on his shoulders and cannot be unarmed," Ma Lun shook her head and left, supported by her maid.
This was a reminder to Lu Ming not to be too arrogant.
The Yuan family, that's someone who manages the entire Han Dynasty.
In the past, that would have been the position of Prime Minister, truly second only to the Emperor!
These days, the Three Dukes' power has been reduced to a pitiful state, more of a title and a facade than a real authority!
If it were before, when he was penniless and hadn't become the commander of the Emperor's personal guard, the husband of the Eldest Princess, and the husband of Emperor Ling, Lu Ming might have needed to be wary.
Now, he possesses a considerable status and position, and has also tied himself to Zhao Hou and the Ten Attendants through his medical skills, novel inventions, and commercial interests.
He completely disregarded Ma Lun's threat, even finding it somewhat amusing!
"Threatening me? Hmph! Wait until I put my cock in your mouth, then you won't say that!" Lu Ming originally didn't want to touch Ma Lun, but he hated being threatened and looked down upon.
Ma Lun had no idea that his usual tricks had angered Lu Ming, nor what he was about to suffer.
He first feigned a pulse diagnosis on Yuan Kui, trying all four methods of examination: observation, auscultation, inquiry, and palpation.
He even specifically inquired about the timing and rhythm of Yuan Wei's illness, down to the smallest detail, some of which even the maids and servants couldn't answer.
At this point, Lu Ming would point out some flaws, shake his head, and continue asking questions, making Yuan Wei's two sons somewhat terrified. They didn't want their father to die so quickly. With Yuan Wei around, they could still live a life of comfort and security. Even if they couldn't become the heirs of the Yuan family and acquire its vast resources, at least they could rest easy!