Seeing Shitou's accusatory expression, Li Jin immediately slapped him.
"How dare you speak to the Princess like that?"
"She is your master, and she even saved your life!"
"As a servant, you have no right to question what your master does."
Shitou was stunned by Li Jin's slap.
Covering his face, he lowered his head and whispered, "Yes, I understand."
Duoduo tilted her little head.
"Actually, I've already written a prescription for your grandmother!"
"But whether she listens to me or not, I don't know!"
After saying this, Duoduo skipped forward again.
Behind her, Li Jin looked thoughtful.
Shitou looked up, his face full of confusion.
"She already wrote a prescription? How come I didn't see it?"
"Could the Princess have secretly put the prescription somewhere just now?"
Shitou muttered softly.
He began to recall Duoduo's every move from earlier.
Unfortunately, after entering the house, all his attention had been on his mother and grandmother.
Shitou realized he had absolutely no idea when the Princess had written the prescription.
Li Jin, however, was very clear about it.
Duoduo hadn't written a prescription at all!
Li Jin cast a sidelong glance at Shitou. Perhaps Duoduo's words were just to trick Shitou.
Earlier, he had wanted to help Shitou's family, which was why he came up with the strategy of offering to buy Shitou.
But he also didn't want to cause trouble for the Prince.
Therefore, he felt he should make things clear to Shitou.
"Shitou, I am the one who had the Princess buy you today."
"The Princess originally wanted to help you, but given the situation today, I didn't dare let her."
"First, I didn't want the medical clinic to think we were deliberately provoking them."
"Second, the Princess is kind-hearted. If she saved you, other patients would all come running to ask her for treatment, which would put her in a difficult position."
"Third, even the clinic wasn't willing to treat your illness, and I didn't know if the Princess could cure it."
"By buying you, at least your mother gets a sum of silver to arrange for the rest of her life."
"Of course, having taken the silver, your mother cannot come causing trouble for the Princess in case you aren't cured."
"I'm telling you all this to let you know that if you have any resentment, direct it at me!"
"But the Princess saved your life, and she saved your family. You must remember her life-saving grace to you and your family!"
Li Jin's earnest words made Shitou feel deeply ashamed.
"Teacher, I know."
"The indenture contract only stated a period of one year."
"The same amount of silver could have bought a strong, able-bodied servant on a lifetime contract, which would definitely be a better deal than buying me!"
"I just haven't adapted yet. I will change quickly."
Li Jin was somewhat surprised.
"You know how to read?"
A bitter look appeared on Shitou's face as he nodded.
"I do. I've already passed the county exams to become a child scholar."
"Unfortunately, after my father passed away, my family could no longer afford the tuition."
As Shitou spoke, he lowered his head, a single teardrop hitting the ground by his feet.
"How old are you?" Li Jin was secretly amazed.
"Eight by traditional reckoning."
That meant he was only seven. Li Jin sized up Shitou's small frame.
Shitou was so thin and small that, had he not said anything, Li Jin would have thought he was only five or six.
"Teacher! Hurry up!"
Duoduo had already run to Master Zhang's side and was waving at Li Jin.
Li Jin patted Shitou on the shoulder.
"Take my advice. From today onwards, treat the Princess as someone more important than your own life!"
"You've truly fallen into a nest of good fortune. It all depends on whether you can grasp the opportunity!"
"Let's go, the Princess is calling!"
Li Jin had said all he needed to say. As for whether Shitou would take it to heart, that was up to his own destiny.
In this era, it was not easy for a family to support a scholar.
Let alone a child who had already passed the child scholar exam.
No wonder Shitou's grandmother had been so angry at her daughter-in-law for selling her grandson.
If Shitou's mother had gritted her teeth and supported Shitou's studies, she could have enjoyed future blessings.
Unfortunately, it was very difficult for a woman to support a scholar alone!
Moreover, taking the examination to become a Xiucai required a recommendation.
Given Shitou's family background, getting a recommendation would likely be a grueling process.
But spending a year as a servant in the Prince's estate was different.
Just out of respect for the Prince, many people would scramble to recommend Shitou.
However, it all depended on whether Shitou understood what he had just said.
Li Jin walked quickly toward Duoduo, while Shitou followed behind, deep in thought.
Although he didn't quite understand some of what Li Jin had said, he remembered his mother telling him to be obedient and listen well.
Furthermore, he had heard the Princess call Li Jin "Teacher."
He didn't know if this "Teacher" meant the same thing as the "Teacher" he knew.
If it did, could he perhaps ask Li Jin for guidance in his studies from now on?
With this thought in mind, Shitou etched Li Jin's words into his heart.
By the time Duoduo led Li Jin, Master Zhang, and the others to the agreed meeting place with Princess Consort Pingyang, the Princess Consort was already waiting anxiously.
Had Xu Jinxin not kept comforting her by saying that as long as Li Jin was there, Duoduo would certainly be fine, Princess Consort Pingyang would definitely have ordered people to go look for Duoduo long ago.
Now, finally seeing Duoduo's skipping figure, Princess Consort Pingyang let out a long sigh of relief.
She stepped forward quickly, catching hold of Duoduo at once and looking her up and down.
Duoduo giggled, allowing Princess Consort Pingyang to inspect her.
"Why did it take you so long to come over? Didn't you know Mother would be worried?"
"You scared Mother to death! Were you having too much fun to remember to come back?"
Princess Consort Pingyang gently pinched Duoduo's cheek.
Duoduo didn't dodge. "Mother, I saved someone today!"
Xu Jinxin walked over.
"There are too many people and prying eyes here. Let's head back to the estate first."
"It's getting late, and the Prince must be waiting anxiously at home."
"Right! Let's return to the estate first!"
Princess Consort Pingyang realized she was right and let go of Duoduo.
Duoduo waved her little hand at Princess Consort Pingyang.
"Mother, then I'll follow Teacher and the others!"
Princess Consort Pingyang nodded.
Duoduo skipped onto the carriage in front, and Li Jin and Master Zhang closely followed her.
It was then that Princess Consort Pingyang noticed a young boy following behind Duoduo.
"Who is that boy, and why is he following the Princess's carriage?"
Princess Consort Pingyang's hands tightened inside her sleeves.
"Just now, Li Jin said he is a servant Duoduo bought."
"Let's go. We'll find out once we get back to the estate and ask."
Xu Jinxin pulled Princess Consort Pingyang onto their carriage, and Yingniang obediently followed behind her mother.
"The servants in the estate are all arranged by the Prince."
"Why would Duoduo think of buying a servant? The Prince will definitely not agree."
Princess Consort Pingyang shook her head.
"It's just a young boy, surely the Prince wouldn't mind that much?"
Xu Jinxin didn't understand.
"It is precisely because he is a boy that I say the Prince won't agree."
Princess Consort Pingyang shook her head.
Xu Jinxin opened her mouth wide in surprise.
"No way, Duoduo is only four years old, and the Prince is already guarding her this strictly?"
"That child Duoduo hasn't even awakened to such things yet, has she? Is it really necessary?"
