Chapter 1079: Chapter 902, Mister
Daohua had a deep impression of the Wang Clan mbers who had robbed her. Looking at the little boy she saw for the second ti, she took him into the back courtyard of the dicinal clinic.
In the back courtyard room, Wang Lifu hung his hands at his sides, constantly tugging at his clothes, his head hung low, showing a look of wanting to see Daohua yet not daring to lift his head.
Guyu and Lixia stood by, finding his behavior sowhat amusing.
Daohua sized up Wang Lifu.
The little guy looked a bit better than when she last saw him; at least he was wearing a cotton-padded coat now. Although it was a won’s style and didn’t quite fit him well, it was much better than the ragged and patched thin brown garnt he had worn before.
Seeing Wang Lifu’s face red from the cold, Daohua turned to Guyu: “Go and bring him a bowl of milk tea.”
Guyu nodded and went off.
Daohua said to Wang Lifu: “Stand in front of the charcoal basin to warm up.”
Wang Lifu glanced at Daohua, saw her gentle expression, and then shuffled over to the charcoal basin, warming his hands, which were red as carrots, over the fire.
Seeing this, Daohua sighed, “Young friend, what is your na?”
Wang Lifu folded his hands and bowed: “Replying to Madam, I am called Wang Lifu.”
Daohua, seeing that he actually knew so manners, looked sowhat surprised and continued to ask: “How old are you?” Seeing that he was about to bow again, she quickly said, “No need for formalities, just answer directly.”
Wang Lifu: “Replying to Madam, I am ten years old.”
A look of surprise flashed across Daohua’s face, but soon her expression returned to normal.
It was common for people here in Xiliang, who often couldn’t get enough to eat, to look younger than their actual age; it was not unusual for a ten-year-old to look only seven or eight years old.
“Your clan mbers haven’t continued on as bandits, have they?”
Wang Lifu quickly shook his head: “Madam, we haven’t been bandits anymore. That ti we encountered you, we really had no choice, and Wang Wu, my brother, led us down the mountain to rob reluctantly. Later, when our teacher returned, he scolded us, and we all knew we were wrong.”
Daohua raised an eyebrow: “Teacher? Your clan has a teacher?”
Wang Lifu nodded: “Madam, our teacher is very formidable and knows everything.”
Daohua smiled, not indulging in a discussion with a child about how formidable his teacher was: “Tell , how did you co to Ganzhou City? And how did you get separated from your clan mbers?”
Wang Lifu: “Our teacher ca here to et his student and was considering whether to move the clan here. I got separated from them because I heard that the clinic provides free consultations, and I wanted to get a new prescription for my mother.”
Saying this, he looked timidly at Daohua.
“Madam, could you help find my teacher and the others? My teacher’s student is an officer at the garrison, nad Zhang Da.”
Hearing Wang Lifu clearly na the person he was looking for, Daohua was surprised at the cleverness of the little guy: “If you know the na of the person you’re looking for, that makes it easier.”
At that mont, Guyu arrived with a jar of fragrant milk tea.
Daohua motioned Guyu to pour a bowl of milk tea for Wang Lifu: “Drink so milk tea to warm up. We will help find your teacher and your clan mbers shortly.”
Wang Lifu’s face lit up with joy, and he bowed again in gratitude: “Thank you, Madam.” After saying this, he carefully walked to the table, sat down, and took a sip of the milk tea.
Watching the little guy’s face reveal a look of both satisfaction and surprise, then sipping the milk tea in small gulps as if he was drinking so sort of nectar, Daohua felt a mix of amusent and a twinge of heartache.
“Tell about your clan mbers.”
Wang Lifu was a clever and articulate talker. Seeing Daohua’s interest in the clan, he did not hesitate and spilled everything about his clan.
Upon hearing that the mbers of the Wang Clan can no longer afford als, yet insist on letting the children in the clan learn to read and write, Daohua felt a bit curious about this Wang family.
Just as Daohua wanted to ask Wang Lifu about the teacher he ntioned, Guyu walked in: “Miss, the clan mbers of this child have co looking for us.”
Daohua showed surprise: “So quickly? Didn’t we just send soone out?”
Guyu replied: “It’s the child’s clan mbers who found their own way here.”
Hearing this, Wang Lifu imdiately said joyfully: “It must be the teacher who knew I wanted to change the dicine for mother, so he found his way here.”
Daohua looked towards Guyu: “Bring them in.”
At the entrance of the pharmacy, when Zhang Da heard that Wang Lifu was taken to the back yard by Daohua, he hurriedly looked at Wang Qi happily: “Teacher, it’s Madam Xiao.”
The teacher ca here this ti obviously with the intention of serving adjacent to Lord Xiao, but it’s a pity his official position is too low; he usually couldn’t et Lord Xiao at all.
He originally planned to recomnd the teacher through Dong Yuanxuan, a mutual acquaintance, but he never expected their luck to be this good, to actually encounter Madam Xiao.
Zhang Da not only dared not to belittle Madam Xiao but also admired her a great deal.
Terraced fields, honeycomb coal, all were the work of this Madam.
If the teacher could catch the eye of Madam Xiao and be referred by her to Lord Xiao, that would be the best outco.
Wang Qi was also sowhat surprised; he didn’t expect the little fellow Wang Lifu to be so fortunate. The first ti he t Madam Xiao, he earned her sympathy, and now coming to Ganzhou City, he has encountered Madam Xiao again.
At this ti, Guyu ca out smiling. Zhang Da recognized her; she and Deshou were in charge of distributing porridge last year and had co to Xiao Residence several tis, so he rembered her.
“Mr. Zhang.”
Guyu bowed to Zhang Da.
Zhang Da hurriedly returned the courtesy: “Miss, you are too kind.” In front of the Pri Minister’s residence, a Seventh-rank official, he dared not really treat the Senior Maid by Madam Xiao’s side as just a maid.
Guyu glanced at Wang Qi and the others: “Wang Lifu is in the back yard accompanied by my lady telling stories. Please co with .”
Soon, Guyu led Zhang Da and Wang Qi to the back yard.
“Miss, they have arrived.”
Daohua looked up at the two n who ca in. She recognized Zhang Da, and her gaze directly fell upon Wang Qi.
This teacher, ntioned by Wang Lifu, appeared to be in his forties, of slender build, yet standing resilient like a pine, with dark skin, still exuding an air of gentle and scholarly deanor.
“Commoner Wang Qi, pays respects to Madam Xiao.”
Daohua, seeing him act neither servile nor overbearing, nodded inwardly: “Teacher need not be overly courteous.”
Wang Qi looked surprised at Daohua, then quickly lowered his eyes: “This commoner does not deserve the title ‘Teacher’ from the madam.”
Daohua: “Those who impart teachings, educate, and resolve doubts are all teachers. Lifu told a bit about the teacher instructing the children in the clan and village, so let’s drop the modesty.”
In such a harsh environnt as Xiliang, it is truly rare to find soone willing to persist in imparting knowledge.
Wang Qi looked at Wang Lifu, saw him standing at a table with an empty bowl on it, and a charcoal brazier at his feet, forming a preliminary impression of this Madam Xiao.
This Madam truly is one who pities the weak and cherishes the poor!
Daohua smiled and looked at Wang Lifu: “Your teacher and clan mbers have arrived; you can leave with them after a while.”
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