A flicker of surprise passed through Song Jinzhao's eyes. Inside the box was a five-hundred-tael silver note.
She took the box and said, "The precautions I've noted down have already been given to the maid serving the old madam. I will return in four days."
Meng Xiaozhe saw Song Jinzhao to the gate.
The horse she had ridden from home that night was being held by a Meng family servant waiting below the steps. Its coat was glossy and sleek, and it even looked a bit sturdier.
Arriving home, Song Shixue, hearing the commotion, turned and saw Song Jinzhao. She dashed out of the house, leaving Song Anhao behind.
"Elder Sister, you're back."
During these past few days staying at the Meng residence, Song Jinzhao would return home to check during the day, but not spending the nights at home left Song Shixue feeling an empty, unsettled unease.
Song Jinzhao tied the reins to a post and led Song Shixue inside. "I came back once the wound stopped festering."
As they walked, Song Shixue looked up, talking to Song Jinzhao.
"The patient who had stitches in his head a few days ago is healing very well. He came to the clinic yesterday afternoon, and I already removed the stitches for him."
Yesterday was the seventh day, the last day. Song Shixue had opened the door, having calculated the time.
Song Jinzhao covered her mouth with her hand, yawning. Home truly gave a sense of belonging. No matter how nice the room was at someone else's house, she just couldn't sleep well.
"We'll open the clinic tomorrow. I need to sleep first."
Song Shixue nodded. Having cared for the patient tirelessly through the night, Elder Sister must be exhausted now.
Song Anhao, holding onto the doorframe with his right hand, threw himself at Song Jinzhao.
After wrapping his arms around her neck, his soft, tender little lips planted a kiss on her cheek. "Eldest Sister, Eldest Sister, Anhao missed you."
"I don't think you missed me at all. You've even gained weight."
Song Jinzhao couldn't help but gently pinch his chubby little cheek. She wondered who he'd learned to act so coquettishly from; his words were incredibly sweet.
Constantly missing you, loving you, the clinging and hugging seemed almost innate.
Song Anhao rested his head on Song Jinzhao's shoulder and wriggled. "Not fat. Pretty."
After bathing, she collapsed onto the bed. When she woke up, it was already dark outside.
Qingshuang, who was practicing martial arts in the courtyard, saw Song Jinzhao come out and immediately stopped, stepping forward to ask, "Young Miss, would you like something to eat?"
Song Jinzhao looked up at the golden full moon hanging in the sky. "Wontons. Something light."
After eating, Song Jinzhao sat in the courtyard enjoying the cool breeze. Qingshuang glanced towards the woodshed and whispered to Song Jinzhao, "These past few days, while practicing, I often noticed Lanxi watching by the window. He seems very interested."
Song Jinzhao looked towards the woodshed window; it was closed now.
Fourteen was just the right age. He should learn more easily than Qingshuang did.
The next day when the clinic opened, the first to arrive weren't patients, but an excited Liu Xuanqing, and Gu Zhongheng helping Mu Songnian over.
Liu Xuanqing rushed up to Song Jinzhao, his hands trembling.
"Physician Song, I heard Old Madam Meng's condition has greatly improved. The wound didn't become infected? Her life is saved?"
Song Jinzhao nodded in confirmation. "Yes. In a few more days, the stitches can be removed."
Before Mu Songnian could speak, Liu Xuanqing suddenly knelt before Song Jinzhao. "Physician Song, I wish to become your disciple and study medicine. I beg you to accept me as your student."
A woman who had just stepped over the threshold froze in place, rubbing her eyes, wondering if she had misheard or misseen.
Physician Liu from Huiming Hall wants to become Physician Song's disciple?
A young girl in her teens.
His age could be her grandfather.
Seeing the woman enter, Song Shixue left the awkward scene to go attend to her.
She had come a few days before; she was the mother of the little girl who had caught a cold with a high fever.
The woman rested her hand on the counter and said slowly, "The medicine prescribed before is finished. My daughter still has a slight cough. I'd like to get two more doses."
"How does she cough? Is it a throat discomfort, coughing a couple of times then stopping, or continuous coughing? At night or during the day?"
The woman replied, "Just a couple of coughs then stops. Her nose is still a bit stuffy."
Song Shixue said, "It's not a big issue. I'll write a new prescription for recuperation. Three days of this should clear it up."
The woman nodded, her eyes constantly darting to the side.
Song Jinzhao remained silent. Liu Xuanqing was still kneeling on the ground, not having risen.
Gu Zhongheng stood gaping, mouth agape. Having lived over sixty years, he had never seen anything so absurd, and it was happening to Liu Xuanqing.
Song Jinzhao watched Liu Xuanqing's lips part and close. "Becoming a disciple is unnecessary. If you wish to study medicine, you can take a few medical texts I've written back to read."
Liu Xuanqing's gaze was firm, firmly locking onto Song Jinzhao.
"A teacher transmits the way, imparts knowledge, and resolves doubts. Although I am a bit older, my health is good. I can still live for decades. It's not too late to learn now. I beg Miss Song to accept me as your disciple."
Merely reading medical texts couldn't compare to the efficiency of hands-on teaching. Moreover, some medical techniques couldn't be learned from books alone.
Like yesterday's appendectomy surgery. Even if it were written in a book, without guidance, he would never learn it.
Mu Songnian pushed away Gu Zhongheng's supporting hand and walked up to Song Jinzhao. "To be frank, this old man has also come today to become a disciple."
The medicine package in the woman's hand fell to the ground. Everyone turned to look. She hurriedly picked up the package from the floor and fled without looking back.
That man looked at least ninety if not a hundred. Not just a grandfather, more like a great-grandfather.
With one foot practically in the grave, how could he still want to become the disciple of a teenage girl? Were they mad, out of their minds?
Faced with a ninety-year-old's request to become a disciple, Song Jinzhao shook her head even more swiftly.
"Old Master Mu, you should forget it. Performing surgery requires good eyesight. Your physical condition is no longer quite up to it."
Forget the lack of magnifying lenses; even with them, no hospital had a ninety-year-old surgeon as the lead operating physician. Their stamina simply couldn't keep up. At most, they could stand by and offer guidance.
Seeing Song Jinzhao refuse so quickly, Mu Songnian felt immensely disappointed.
Born at the wrong time, ironically decades too old.
He turned to stare at Gu Zhongheng, who got goosebumps under the gaze.
Gu Zhongheng realized his master's intention and quickly shook his head. "Master, perhaps we should just take a few medical texts back to study? Becoming a disciple... I think we should forget it."
Mu Songnian's eyelids drooped, giving him a clear look of disdain.
Not seizing such a good opportunity! How could the disciple he taught be so foolish, lacking even half of Liu Xuanqing's cleverness and wit.
In the end, Song Jinzhao still refused Liu Xuanqing's request to become her disciple.
First, she had no time to take on another disciple.
Second, Liu Xuanqing's age was truly rather advanced, even a few years older than her own father, Song Laodie.
As he left, Liu Xuanqing's gaze lingered on Song Shixue for a moment.
She was Song Jinzhao's younger sister and also her disciple. She must receive very dedicated teaching normally.
Since he couldn't become the master's disciple, then becoming the master's master's disciple would achieve the same effect.
He was absolutely determined to learn this medicine. Otherwise, it would be the greatest regret of his life. Liu Xuanqing was utterly convinced of this.
