Chapter 34: Taking a Master
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Ji’an Hall.
A long line had already formed outside early in the morning.
Jiang Lihua went inside and explained her purpose to the shop assistant, who courteously led her to Physician Huang.
Physician Huang was attending to a patient at the time.
Jiang Lihua sat quietly to one side, making no attempt to interrupt.
Only after finishing the consultation and writing out the patient’s prescription did Physician Huang turn his gaze toward Jiang Lihua. There was a trace of arrogance in his eyes.
“So you’re the girl Li Wenyao pestered me about for half the day, insisting that I take you on as an apprentice?”
Jiang Lihua rose and bowed. “Yes, Physician Huang.”
“Leave. You have no talent. I only agreed to see you because Li Wenyao wouldn’t stop pestering me.”
“Farewell!”
With that, Jiang Lihua turned and walked away.
There was nothing to say to someone like him. He might look down on her today, but one day she would become someone he could never hope to reach.
She had not studied medicine in her modern life, but she was a master’s graduate all the same!
That proved her intelligence was certainly not lacking.
If her intelligence was sound, then she refused to believe that she could not make something of herself after beginning medical studies at the age of ten!
Jiang Lihua’s utterly decisive departure infuriated Physician Huang.
She walked out of the clinic and into the bustling street.
How was she supposed to explain this to Scholar Li when she went back?
“Lihua!”
Hearing Gu Qingran’s voice, Jiang Lihua turned around.
“Brother Gu, what are you doing out here?”
“I was just about to go find my mother. What’s wrong? Why do you look so troubled?”
Jiang Lihua frowned and sighed before telling Gu Qingran what had happened.
“I see!”
“Ah, Scholar Li cares terribly about his reputation. If he finds out, he’ll probably sink into another depression.”
Gu Qingran reached out and patted Jiang Lihua on the head.
She raised her head, a sly glimmer flashing through her glasslike eyes.
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“Brother Gu, do you know any elderly physician who has grown weary of worldly splendor and wishes to return to a life in the mountains?”
Gu Qingran burst out laughing when he heard this. What a clever little imp.
“I don’t! But…”
Seeing him deliberately keep her in suspense, Jiang Lihua knew he must have a solution. She lifted the gifts she had prepared for Physician Huang.
“If Brother Gu finds me a master, I’ll give these gifts to you!”
With his status and all his years of traveling far and wide, what had he not seen? Still, the girl’s mysterious air stirred his curiosity.
He reached out and tapped her lightly on the forehead.
“Come on. I’ll take you there.”
Jiang Lihua followed Gu Qingran back to Ji’an Hall.
When Physician Huang saw her return, he looked at her contemptuously.
“Hmph. What an uncultured girl. Why have you come back?”
Gu Qingran shot him a cold glance, and Physician Huang shuddered all over.
Then Gu Qingran shouted toward the rear courtyard of the clinic, “Old Bai, get out here!”
Before long, an old man with a white beard emerged, his hair a wild, tangled mess.
At a glance, Jiang Lihua could tell that he looked exactly like one of those reclusive masters from beyond the mortal world. This time, she absolutely had to cling to his coattails.
The old man asked in a booming voice, “Gu Qingran, you little brat, what do you want with me so early in the morning?”
“Of course I have something to discuss with you!”
“If you have something to say, come inside. Why are you shouting out here?”
With that, he walked ahead on his own, while Gu Qingran took Jiang Lihua by the hand and followed.
“Old Bai, would you be interested in taking on a young apprentice?”
Bai Qiushan sipped his tea and said irritably, “This old man has no energy to teach an apprentice.”
As he spoke, he cast a quick glance at Jiang Lihua beside Gu Qingran.
Gu Qingran gave him a sidelong look. “Old Bai, don’t you want an apprentice to inherit your life’s work and look after you in your old age?”
“Since you already know I’m looking for an apprentice, why bother beating around the bush? Is it this girl?”
“Yes, it’s her. What do you think?”
As he spoke, Gu Qingran secretly gave Jiang Lihua a meaningful look.
Understanding at once, Jiang Lihua walked up to Old Bai, knelt before him, and formally bowed. In a clear voice, she said, “Greetings, Master.”
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Old Bai spat out his tea.
“I haven’t even agreed yet! How can you already be calling me Master?”
This girl was just like that little rascal Gu Qingran—both of them were shameless tricksters.
Jiang Lihua presented the gifts with both hands. “Master, these are my gifts for the apprenticeship ceremony.”
Look at that—the apprenticeship gifts were already prepared! Wasn’t this plainly forcing him to agree?
Hmph. The old man would at least see what sort of gift it was.
He reached out, took the package, and opened it.
Wine!
Old Bai put on an air of arrogance. “Ordinary wine won’t suit my palate.”
Jiang Lihua smiled. In truth, she had not prepared wine earlier. The moment Old Bai appeared, she had caught the strong scent of liquor clinging to him.
Only then had she secretly entered her personal space and exchanged the gifts for two bottles of spirits.
The ancient methods of brewing liquor were still underdeveloped, and the wine was impure.
Any two bottles of modern distilled spirits would be far superior to what was available here.
“Master, why not pour yourself a cup and have a taste?”
Seeing how confident Jiang Lihua sounded, Old Bai eagerly poured himself a cup.
As soon as the aroma spread through the room, he knew the liquor was extraordinary.
Sure enough, the moment it touched his lips, its rich aftertaste delighted him.
It was purer than every wine he had ever tasted before.
“Apprentice, I’ll accept this wine!”
When Gu Qingran saw how readily Old Bai had agreed after drinking a single cup, he reached out, intending to pour himself one as well.
Old Bai slapped his hand away.
“If you want a drink, buy your own. This was given to me by my apprentice.”
Gu Qingran looked at him with disdain.
“Master, when do I begin my studies?” Jiang Lihua asked.
Old Bai tossed her a medical text.
“Memorize this book thoroughly, then come back and find me.”