The Lucky Farmgirl
Chapter 636 - 625: What a Pity

Chapter 636: Chapter 625: What a Pity

Shopkeeper Zheng and Doctor Ji felt somewhat embarrassed when facing Manbao and his disciple, even though Manbao had already smoothed things over for them in front of County Magistrate Tang.

Sending someone to follow others does bring a secret delight when undiscovered, especially upon obtaining the desired information; but once found out, the embarrassment is all too clear.

Nevertheless, Manbao wasn’t the least bit embarrassed and heartily greeted them as soon as he saw them, then said, "Shopkeeper Zheng, Doctor Ji, my teacher says he wants to treat you to a meal."

Shopkeeper Zheng immediately said, "How could we, how could we, it should be us treating you."

With these words, the awkwardness on Shopkeeper Zheng’s face disappeared instantly, and he finally felt back in his element as a shopkeeper, smiling obsequiously at Mr. Zhuang and suggesting, "Mr. Zhuang, after you, how about we head to Ganxiang Pavilion?"

Mr. Zhuang nodded and left with them for Ganxiang Pavilion.

Seeing Mr. Zhuang agree to go to the restaurant and even let them do the inviting, Shopkeeper Zheng breathed a sigh of relief.

At Ganxiang Pavilion, Shopkeeper Zheng ordered a pot of fine wine and personally poured it for Mr. Zhuang as a way of offering an apology, acknowledging that they had indeed been in the wrong.

Mr. Zhuang smiled lightly, drank their wine, then pointed at Manbao and laughed, "I’m not particularly troubled, but you gave this child a fright. Last night she couldn’t sleep for half the night and even had nightmares."

Shopkeeper Zheng: ...Who is he kidding? He had asked earlier, and this young lady led them straight to the County Governmental Office. While being captured, he could still hear her excited cheers.

However, Shopkeeper Zheng swiftly changed to a teapot and poured a cup of tea for Manbao, who immediately stood up to yield her seat.

Shopkeeper Zheng pressed her to sit, saying, "It’s only right, only right; I should have considered this better yesterday, should have spoken to you first, perhaps escorted you back myself, or at least asked you directly..."

Mainly because every time he asked her teacher, all she did was smile at him, leading him to believe that asking for more details would be even less likely to elicit a response.

Suppressing his inner thoughts, Shopkeeper Zheng sincerely apologized to Manbao.

Manbao sneakily glanced at her teacher before accepting the tea and bowing slightly before drinking it.

Only after she was seated did Mr. Zhuang pick up the wine pot and pour a cup for both Shopkeeper Zheng and Doctor Ji, saying, "My student is a bit mischievous, rushing to Jishi Hall without consideration, and causing both of you trouble."

"Not at all, not at all," Shopkeeper Zheng promptly said, "Manbao is very clever and learns incredibly quickly. The two of us old folk have also learned much from her."

Standing up and bowing, he accepted the wine Mr. Zhuang poured, saying, "Actually, we both have been longing for a chance to meet with you and discuss medical skills, but the opportunity never arose. Today’s encounter is serendipitous."

Mr. Zhuang glanced at Manbao, knowing she once again flaunted his nonexistent influence, and laughed, "I dare not discuss medical skills with Doctor Ji. My insignificant skills are such that I can’t even teach Manbao anymore, let alone discuss them."

"Mr. Zhuang is too modest..."

But Mr. Zhuang shook his head and chuckled, "It’s not modesty, it’s the truth."

He pointed at Manbao and laughed, "This disciple of mine is very clever, more intelligent than others when she started reading and memorizing, and quick to learn by heart. What’s truly important is that she has an innate talent for medicine; I could only teach her in the first few years, but now, she teaches herself."

Manbao laughed bashfully, keeping her head down. She certainly couldn’t say that it was Teacher Mo, who didn’t exist in this world, who taught her, could she?

Shopkeeper Zheng was stunned and exchanged a look with Doctor Ji, a bit uncertain, and asked, "Then these prescriptions Manbao has brought during this time...?"

Manbao immediately said, "I wrote them."

Copied them.

Shopkeeper Zheng’s eyes widened, he felt like clutching his chest.

This, this, this... His mind flashed with thoughts until a nudge from Doctor Ji brought him back to his senses. He couldn’t help but swallow his saliva and asked Manbao, looking at her, "Manbao, since you don’t have a teacher in medicine, would you consider becoming Doctor Ji’s disciple?"

Doctor Ji eagerly nodded in agreement.

But Manbao directly shook her head and whispered, "I’ve already accepted a teacher."

Shopkeeper Zheng looked at Mr. Zhuang with a dilemma, asking, "Does the teacher also instruct her in medicine?"

Like other professions, the medical field also values heritage. One can’t serve two masters; the term ’master’ here refers to formally accepted teachers. Eventually, a disciple is not only expected to care for and serve their teacher but also to inherit and enhance their teacher’s school of thought.

This relationship is almost as close as that of a son.

So it’s a matter of concern.

Mr. Zhuang understood this and looked at Manbao, seeing that she really had no intention of accepting another teacher, he smiled and nodded, "I’ve taught her a little."

Shopkeeper Zheng took this as an act of modesty and said with some regret, "That’s a pity."

Mr. Zhuang just laughed, "Although Manbao cannot become Doctor Ji’s student, we are fortunate to have met. In this period, she has benefited from Doctor Ji’s guidance. Manbao, later on, take your medical book and have a thorough discussion with Doctor Ji."

Saying it was a discussion meant that it was actually intended as a gift for Doctor Ji, a sort of compensation.

But neither Shopkeeper Zheng nor Doctor Ji showed much joy on their faces, for to them now, the important thing was not the medical book but the person Manbao herself.

Seeing their gloom, Mr. Zhuang gave Manbao a look and said, "Doctor Ji has been a gracious mentor to you, and even though you haven’t formally taken him as your teacher, you must still treat him with the respect due to a teacher. From now on, serve him with deference."

Manbao promptly stood up and, with quick understanding, gave Doctor Ji a deep bow, calling out, "Mr. Ji!"

"Very good, very good," Mr. Ji, helping her back up, joyfully said, "Having you call me ’teacher’ is quite an honor."

Mr. Zhuang then seized the moment and said, "Mr. Ji, please sit down. I think it’s only fitting that Manbao, as the student, should pick up the tab for this meal. We will have to trouble Doctor Ji for further guidance in the future. I thank you in advance on her behalf."

"Mr. Zhuang is too courteous. Having the chance to instruct such an outstanding student is my good fortune," replied Mr. Ji.

After exchanging pleasantries, they began to order food and eat. They feasted in high spirits, with Shopkeeper Zheng’s smile not fading even as they left Ganxiang Pavilion.

After sending off Mr. Zhuang and his disciple as they got into their carriage, Shopkeeper Zheng’s smile gradually faded. Supporting Doctor Ji as they got into the carriage sent to pick them up, he sighed deeply, "This is simply a case of trying to steal a chicken only to end up losing the rice."

Doctor Ji nodded and stroked his beard, "After such an affair, it’s going to be hard not to give my all when teaching that child from now on."

Shopkeeper Zheng: "And we can’t even take her as a disciple, we can only watch with envy, ah. If we had known this would happen, we wouldn’t have made such a foolish move yesterday."

"That boy usually seems very clever, how on earth did Manbao discover him?" Doctor Ji was utterly perplexed.

But Shopkeeper Zheng sighed, "No matter how clever he is, is he as clever as that child? If what Mr. Zhuang said is true, that Manbao learned all this on her own and the prescriptions she brought were written by herself, then that’s..."

"Too much of a prodigy," Doctor Ji cut in, "such a waste."

Shopkeeper Zheng also sighed, "Such a waste indeed."