Chapter 849: Chapter 848: Great, it’s him!
Ninth Master Lee raised his eyebrows but didn’t speak. He picked up the box, took out a piece of paper, scanned it quickly, then closed the box and tucked it into his chest.
“I just heard Lady Wang say she was going to the Provincial Capital. Perfect timing, my Lee Family has a few boats on the Jing River with several guest rooms. If you want to go to the Provincial Capital, just board our boat. Besides, safety is guaranteed.”
Having collected the courtyard and the estate, taking a boat was just a trivial matter. Wang Yongzhu knew this was Ninth Master Lee showing goodwill.
Whether or not she would take the Lee Family’s boat in the future was uncertain, but Wang Yongzhu responded unreservedly, “If the ti cos, I will trouble you!”
Ninth Master Lee showed his first smile since entering the courtyard, satisfied that Wang Yongzhu didn’t reject his goodwill. It seed she at least considered him a friend and not an outsider.
Thinking this, Ninth Master Lee picked up a cup of tea, drank a couple of sips, and got interested in so idle chit-chat, “Lady Wang, what do you plan to do after you stop doing business?”
He felt sowhat regretful; such a woman retreating to the ho to live a life revolving around the stove and children was a waste.
He couldn’t help but think, if Wang Yongzhu were to marry him, he certainly wouldn’t confine her to the house. He would encourage her to do business; she had the talent and only with their Lee Family could she freely realize her potential.
Marrying a scholar like Song Chongjin, scholars were often rigid and dull, what a pity!
Thinking of this, Ninth Master Lee showed a fleeting expression of regret.
Of course, Wang Yongzhu couldn’t read minds, and naturally didn’t know what Ninth Master Lee was regretting. She just smiled, “I haven’t planned anything yet. For now, I just want to help my mother recover—”
Speaking of which, she suddenly rembered that she wanted to learn dical techniques. But learning them suddenly like that would give away sothing fishy.
She was previously worried about how to learn dicine openly; at least she needed a legitimate cover.
But wasn’t Ninth Master Lee sending Imperial Doctor Du right to her door?
He was simply the perfect candidate.
Her eyes brightened, staring at Ninth Master Lee without blinking, “Ninth Master, is Imperial Doctor Du’s dical skills top-notch in the Capital City’s palace?”
Ninth Master Lee felt his ears burning under Yongzhu’s direct gaze and was sowhat uncomfortable. He forced himself to sit upright, showing no trace of his discomfort, and replied nonchalantly, “Indeed! Although Imperial Doctor Du is rather cunning, his dical skills are genuinely excellent. If you’re worried about your mother’s health, rest assured. With this old chap at work, your mother can live healthily and safely to eighty years old!”
Wang Yongzhu clapped her hands; perfect, it’s settled!
Hopeful, she looked at Ninth Master Lee, “Ninth Master, do you think if I ask Imperial Doctor Du to teach so practical dical skills to take care of my mother, or to prepare nourishing dicinal als, would he agree?”
Ninth Master Lee was about to say “Don’t daydream”, but seeing Yongzhu’s expectant glinting eyes, he just couldn’t bear to crush her hopes.
After hesitating a bit, he gently remarked, “Imperial Doctor Du retired to his hotown to spend his twilight years. Over the years, he has trained many apprentices in the Capital City, not to ntion his eldest apprentice, who succeeded him at the Imperial dical Bureau, is also his eldest son. It’s a family tradition, rarely shared with outsiders. Additionally, there’s no precedence of won learning dicine—”
In other words, it’s impossible; don’t daydream.
Wang Yongzhu was undeterred, “I don’t intend to learn his family’s secret recipes, rely to pick up basic care techniques for elderly people like my mother, and to know how to prevent and treat common diseases—”
But realizing this might be difficult for Ninth Master Lee, she quickly stopped herself, “Ninth Master is right, it’s my oversight. I truly apologize!”
Seeing Wang Yongzhu apologizing, Ninth Master Lee grew unhappy again.
Didn’t I say I wouldn’t help her? Just a few words, and she’s acting distant?
Wang Yongzhu didn’t think like Ninth Master Lee; she felt this matter shouldn’t trouble him.
Ninth Master Lee had almost forcefully invited Imperial Doctor Du to her house to treat Old Granny Zhang; it was already a huge favor.
She shouldn’t overstep and ask for more!
Moreover, she noticed Imperial Doctor Du liked tea. The primary-level tea he had earlier already amazed him.
Worst case, she could give him a couple of pounds of tea made with the interdiate-level tea machine, and it might impress him.
Having made up her mind, Wang Yongzhu decided not to bring it up again.
anwhile, Ninth Master Lee kept trying to steer the conversation back, hoping Wang Yongzhu would ntion it again. He then feigned difficulty before reluctantly agreeing.
Then he’d tie up Imperial Doctor Du and bring him straight to Wang Yongzhu!
Yet Wang Yongzhu, not wanting to trouble Ninth Master Lee, diligently changed the topic, right up until Song Chongjin returned, not steering back.
Ninth Master Lee was both frustrated and sowhat reluctant; they chatted through the afternoon. Though Wang Yongzhu’s language was sotis too blunt, sowhat rough, her thoughts were quick, her insights and vision no less than a man’s.
If Wang Yongzhu were a man, undoubtedly, he’d imdiately make a brotherly pact, share a bed, and talk endlessly.
When Song Chongjin returned, he wasn’t alone; he was accompanied by Gu Zikai.
Both were surprised to see Ninth Master Lee as soon as they entered the courtyard.
Gu Zikai spoke first, “Why are you here again?”
Ninth Master Lee’s face turned dark, “You can co; why can’t I?”
Whenever they t, there was an air of hostility; they found each other infuriating.
Even Gu Zikai’s usually gentle smile cracked, “Brother Song and I are classmates and neighbors. Today, after school, we ca back together to visit Auntie. But you, aren’t you busy with business in Qingzhou Prefecture? What are you doing in Jing County?”
Ninth Master Lee’s face darkened further, and he rolled his eyes impatiently, “Do I need your permission to be wherever I want? I’ll be in Jing County today, in the Provincial Capital tomorrow, and back here later. Gotta problem? Instead of fretting, bookworm, read more books. Don’t fail the exams embarrassingly!”
“Your Gu Family treats you like a precious egg, spreading word that you’ll surely pass the imperial exam this year. If you fail, it’ll be quite a spectacle! Your Gu Family’s reputation will be totally ruined!”
Gu Zikai’s face darkened at these words.
Song Chongjin felt their words were heavy with hostility yet oddly offbeat.
But now wasn’t the ti for deep thoughts; as the host, having guests argue in his ho was his fault.
He quickly stepped forward to diate.
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