Chapter 123

"Not become a doctor?" Mo Zhanggeng said with a face full of anguish, "With your talent and nature, not becoming a doctor is a waste of heaven's gifts! It's... it's squandering food!"

Tuan Tuan was amused by his exaggerated demeanor and let out a Pfft laugh, her dimples deepening: "Divine Doctor Grandfather, you're really funny."

Mo Zhanggeng glared fiercely at Guo Taiyi.

Guo Taiyi, seeing this, hurriedly interjected, "Miss, perhaps you should consider it?"

"Master Ancestor's name is known throughout the world; many beg to become his disciple."

Tuan Tuan thought, the old man wants to take disciples and teach medicine; isn't that perfect!

"How about this: I won't be your disciple." She looked at the old man's instantly drooping face and quickly coaxed him, "Don't be angry, don't be angry."

"Although I won't be your disciple, you can teach the ladies in the academy!"

As she spoke, she found the idea increasingly brilliant, clapped her small hand: "Exactly! You're so skilled, you can surely train especially capable female doctors! That way, we can save more people!"

Cheng Ru'an's face showed surprise, and Mo Zhanggeng was completely stunned.

Let this Divine Doctor teach at the academy?

Seems like there's nothing wrong with it...

No matter how high one's medical skill, the number of people one can save is ultimately limited.

If a batch of women versed in medical theory can be cultivated and scattered, indeed more people can be saved.

But if I become a teacher, I won't be able to roam freely!

He glanced at Guo Taiyi beside him, his eyes brightened as if he had suddenly spotted a fragrant fried dough.

No problem, I still have my disciple-grandson! When I'm absent, I can pass it to him!

Guo Taiyi, seeing Master Ancestor's gaze, suddenly felt the same as Tuan Tuan.

The miss's words are indeed correct! Master Ancestor's demeanor truly resembles a wicked old man who tricks children into eating candy.

Mo Zhanggeng shook his head and sighed, "You little brat! So many people beg me to take them as disciples, and I turn them down, yet you refuse."

He sprang to his feet, lifted his chin toward Tuan Tuan, a sly grin on his face:

"Hmph! Let me be the teacher? Fine!"

"However, I'm not so easy to hire! You must first get that 'Nüzi Jian' up and running! If you can't open it, or handle it poorly, I won't take responsibility!"

After speaking, he lifted the jade box on the table, waved at Guo Taiyi, "Disciple-grandson, go! Accompany Master Ancestor as I go find a place to drink!"

Having said that, he walked off on his own, taking the bewildered Guo Taiyi with him.

Tuan Tuan, watching their fading backs, puffed her chest and said, "Mother, look, I've already found a teacher!"

That evening, Xiao Yuanhang returned home, and upon hearing his wife speak of their daughter's "feat" today, he didn't think it was nonsense but wore a face full of praise.

He scooped the dutifully drinking Tuan Tuan onto his lap and said, "Good! My Tuan Tuan has ambition! This Nüzi Jian is a venture that benefits the nation and the people; just hearing about it is inspiring!"

"Since we're holding it, it can't be a small affair! It must be grand and proper! Tomorrow I'll find you a good location, father."

Tuan Tuan clutched her father's neck and planted a kiss on his face: "Thank you, father! Father is the best!"

After finally coaxing the exhausted Tuan Tuan to sleep, the couple were alone, and Cheng Ru'an finally mentioned to her husband, "Today the Jinghai Marquis' mansion sent a notice; the day after tomorrow is the matriarch's sixtieth birthday."

"It says they have invited all the officials' families and noble ladies in Jingcheng to attend a banquet to celebrate the matriarch's birthday."

Xiao Yuanhang frowned, "Jinghai Marquis' mansion? I recall Tuan Tuan had a quarrel with the two wives of that family; what good relationship do we have with them?"

"That's what they say," Cheng Ru'an loosened his outer robe for him, "After all, it's the elder's longevity celebration; everyone should attend."

"In terms of propriety, if everyone else attends but our Prince's Mansion stays absent, it would invite gossip."

"Since Tuan Tuan also holds the title of Princess (Commandery), I thought we could take her there, present a birthday gift, stay a moment, fulfill the etiquette, then return."

Xiao Yuanhang snorted, "Go then, just go. If any of them are narrow-minded enough to give you any offense, I won't be polite."

"If the heavens collapse, this Prince will bear it!"

【9】 Cheng Ru'an let out a Pfft laugh, "Given Tuan Tuan's temperament, it's already fortunate if others don't provoke her; who would let her be taken advantage of? Prince, rest assured."

Cheng Ru'an let out a "pfft" laugh: "Just Tuan Tuan's nature—others not provoking her is already a blessing; who could still make her suffer a loss? Prince, just rest assured."

Two days later, the Jinghai Marquis' mansion lit lanterns and hung decorations, guests filling the doors.

Cheng Ru'an, intending to arrive late and leave early, deliberately brought Tuan Tuan in fashionably late.

The mother and daughter, led by a maid, stepped into the bustling Flower Hall; before they could offer birthday wishes, a scene nearby caught their eyes.

They saw Han Xueling leading the elegantly dressed, pitiful-looking Zhou Yuwei, standing before an elderly man in a blue cloth robe with graying hair.

The old man had his back to the table where the mother and daughter sat, his face unseen.

Han Xueling held an opened rosewood lacquered box in her hands.

Inside lay a pigeon-egg-sized, color-murky bead, lying quietly.

The bead appeared plain, but upon close inspection, countless tiny specks of light seemed to flow slowly within.

She beamed, "Old gentleman, please look, this is a serendipitous find from my household, named the 'Ten Thousand Filth Repelling Pearl'."

"Its divine effect: it can ward off all poisons under heaven. Ordinary toxins vanish upon contact, even the most potent gu poison cannot approach the body."

"For physicians, this is the supreme treasure for studying all poisons and verifying medical theory."

She paused, looking satisfied at the old man's suddenly constricted pupils,

the surrounding instantaneously filled with a suppressed sucking sound,

"Ho! The Jinghai Marquis really has great skill! To have found this 'Ten Thousand Filth Repelling Pearl'!"

"Indeed, this item could probably buy half of Jingcheng!"

"Since ancient times, medicine and poison have not been separate; for physicians, this is a sacred object that can reverse yin and yang and open a new medical path!"

Once the crowd's astonishment was sufficient, Han Xueling guided Zhou Yuwei forward, "Young Miss Yuwei, since childhood has been devoted to medicine, studying day and night, hoping to earn the master's favor and become a disciple."

"If the master would not withhold guidance, allowing my Marquis' household to produce a world-saving physician, this unparalleled treasure shall be offered as a token of apprenticeship to you!"

At these words, everyone's gaze focused on the old man.

"Ho! Your words, I hear them and they just don't sit right with me!"

"After all this fuss, this Ten Thousand Filth Repelling Pearl is just the carrot tied in front of a donkey's nose? If I don't follow your method, I won't get it?"

The old man's words were extremely impolite; Han Xueling's smile froze instantly, and Zhou Yuwei's eyes reddened, on the verge of tears.

The surroundings fell silent in an instant.

This voice is so familiar!

"Divine Doctor Grandfather!" Tuan Tuan shouted at the old man's back.

The old man stiffened.

Under everyone's astonished gaze, he quickly turned around, and the impatience and scorn on his face vanished instantly.

In an instant, he replaced it with a face brimming with surprise.

He stood up and strode toward Tuan Tuan.

All the wrinkles on his old face bloomed into a smile, that fawning smile as obsequious as could be.

"Oh dear! My good disciple, why are you here too?"