Passing through the gardens and the inner courtyards of wealthy families, the gates served both decorative and concealing purposes.
The rooftops and walls flanking the gates were adorned with carved windows and various patterns.
The mansion was divided into three sections: central, east, and west. The central section, in sequence, contained the main gate of the Rong Mansion, the outer ceremonial gate, the south-facing hall, the inner ceremonial hall, the Rongxi Hall, the rear quarters, and Jia Zheng's official residence, all decorated in a palatial style. The east and west sections, the inner courtyards, featured Suzhou-style decorations.
The west section included the west corner gate, the hanging flower gate, a marble screen passageway, Jia Mu's flower hall, Jia Mu's main room, Rongqing Hall, and Feng Jie's courtyard.
The east section contained Wang Furen's courtyard and Jia She's courtyard.
Jia Zheng led the way, wanting to say something but unable to utter a word.
He could only silently lead the way, while Lu Ming watched unabashedly. The maids in the Jia mansion were all rather ordinary, and many were used for menial tasks.
Only the ladies-in-waiting were accompanied by beautiful maids, but he didn't have a strong desire for them. He didn't particularly desire the maids, but he was quite interested in the young ladies.
Especially Jia Yuanchun, who had married into the imperial family in Luoyang and become a concubine.
Due to his influence, Emperor Ling rarely sought out other concubines. He had quite a few concubines, but for some reason, they weren't summoned.
He had occasionally heard He Wan mention that it seemed Empress He was jealous. If a palace maid served him, she would turn a blind eye.
But if a concubine served him, she would be tortured to death. The Empress still had influence in the harem.
Lu Ming wasn't particularly interested in the secrets of the harem. He had previously only wanted to sleep with Empress Dowager Dong and Empress He; their status was high, and sleeping with them felt especially good!
Especially that old slut, Empress Dowager Dong. If he could get her pregnant, that would be even more exciting and thrilling!
Arriving at Jia She's courtyard on the east side, Lu Ming didn't see the so-called Grandmother Jia, but instead met Jia She's son, Jia Lian, and his wife, Wang Xifeng.
"Greetings, Governor," the group greeted.
Lu Ming glanced at Wang Xifeng. She was stunningly beautiful, with almond-shaped eyes, arched eyebrows, a slender figure, and a seductive air.
This was the head of the Rongguo Mansion, wielding real power. She was ruthless, shrewd, and decisive, capable of both love and hate. Her management skills and organizational abilities were evident in her governance of the Ningguo and Rongguo Mansions, making her an invaluable and capable wife.
"Yes, please come in."
He pushed open the door and entered. A putrid stench filled the room. He frowned slightly, then saw a woman of average appearance, yet dressed extravagantly, adorned with gold and silver. She was a mature woman, full-figured, with a fair and round face, possessing an auspicious air of prosperity.
Upon seeing him, the woman bowed slightly, performing a deep curtsy. "This humble servant is Xing, greetings to Your Excellency, Governor."
"Hmm," Lu Ming simply grunted, then examined Jia She's carbuncle on his back, which was already festering and oozing pus. "Are you Jia She's wife?"
"Yes, Your Excellency," Madam Xing hurriedly nodded, unsure what to do.
"Alright, Jia She's illness will take a long time to cure. I've written a prescription here. Have someone get the medicine; the ingredients must be correct, the dosage must be just right, and the cooking time and temperature must be precise. Go on, you stay here. I'll perform acupuncture on Jia She, which requires cutting flesh to mend the wound. If he screams, that's normal; there's no need to make a fuss. You're staying to help, not to watch. Don't let people think the governor is harming him. Stay as a witness; the rest of the servants, leave." Lu Ming handed over the prescription, not even glancing at her.
Madam Xing gave the prescription to Wang Xifeng, instructing her to handle the matter.
Afterwards, Wang Xifeng remained in the room, while the servants dismissed them, saying, "Then I'll leave everything to you, sir. I'll prepare hot water and food, and wait for you to finish your treatment. We can sit down, have a drink, enjoy the food, and rest our legs."
"Hmm, you're from the Wang family? Heh, interesting. Indeed, a virtuous wife. Go out. Don't come in unless I call for you. If you hear Jia She screaming, consider it slaughtering a pig." Lu Ming finished speaking and took out silver needles from his medicine box, then took a candle and heated the needles.
Jia Lian cupped his hands in thanks, "Thank you for your help, sir. We'll take our leave."
Soon, everyone left the room, while his personal guard, Lin Rong, and his men stood guard outside, acting as doormen to prevent anyone from approaching.
This kind of medical skill was practically a family heirloom; it was understandable that they didn't want others to hear about it.
Lu Ming cracked his neck, took out a small knife, and began to dig into the flesh. The surgery was swift; even Madam Xing couldn't keep up. He had already dug out the carbuncle on Jia She's back.
He took some ash from crushed red-hot charcoal and sprinkled it on the wound. Stimulated, Jia She immediately let out a tremendous scream, as if the roof were about to be ripped off!
Even the servants and Jia Lian and his wife, far from the room, were astonished. This method of treatment was probably not what one would expect.
Wang Xifeng swayed her hips, her lotus-like steps light and graceful, her laughter brimming with undisguised confidence. "Husband, you stay here and watch over him. I'll go get the medicine for Master."
"Go ahead, go ahead, I'll take care of things here." Jia Lian couldn't help but shiver. His impression of Lu Ming was absolutely profound.
He had previously thought the news from Luoyang about him treating the Minister of the Imperial Secretariat, Yuan Wei, with tuberculosis was fake. Now, it seemed this was clearly a miracle doctor!
The treatment method, however, was hardly commendable.
Lu Ming didn't choose to continue using medicine, but instead continuously cast healing spells on the heavily injured Jia She.
He was using this method to gain experience!
Each healing spell grants ten experience points, and every hundred experience points is enough to level up.
Each level requires exactly one hundred experience points.
The healing spell's acquisition is stable, and he was only doing this to deliberately torment Jia She.
If he wanted to level up quickly, he only needed to indiscriminately cast the 'Indestructible Vajra' spell on himself and his guards, applying a buff that would fluctuate by thirty to fifty experience points per cast.
After a few casts, he could level up. With Indestructible Vajra, leveling up was incredibly easy!
What he lacked was a class-change item to use for leveling up, increasing experience and combat power.
Only by becoming strong himself could he radiate influence, driving others to join his cause and forming a support network.
Madam Xing's eyelids twitched as she watched. She had never seen such a bloody and cruel scene before. For a moment, she was so frightened that her legs went weak, but she was unwilling to move. Listening to her husband's screams, she seemed to feel a little pleasure in it!