Xiao Wu is afraid of pain, very, very afraid.

"Although we can't save your father," Doctor Gu explained gently to the little girl, "we can prevent some people from losing their fathers like Xiao Wu did."

"ah?"

Xiao Wu is conflicted.

She didn't have a father and envied her older sisters who did.

Unexpectedly, her sisters are just like her.

"Grandpa, Xiao Wu is a very good boy," she stammered, "Could you...please don't hit Xiao Wu?"

The older sisters are important, but Xiao Wu doesn't want to be beaten even more.

If I'm in pain, my sister-in-law and mother will cry.

"Hit you?" The old doctor paused, "I never hit people."

He's a doctor, and he values ​​self-cultivation above all else. Why would he suddenly hit someone?

If an apprentice makes a mistake, it's simple: copy the medical manual twice, or if that doesn't work, go to the mountains to gather herbs. After a few times, he'll learn his lesson.

Besides, how heartless must someone be to do this to such a young girl?

"Really?" Xiao Wu asked in surprise, "Grandpa really won't hit me?"

"Yes, I won't hit anyone."

"What's going on?" Old Mrs. Huang was completely bewildered. "Is someone in the family beating up Xiao Wu?"

How come she didn't see it?

But if not, why is Xiao Wu so scared?

That trembling little look in his eyes almost broke her heart.

“Mother,” Jiang Nuan said helplessly, “the whole family dotes on her, how could anyone hit her?”

As for what Jiang had done in the past, she was unaware.

However, Jiang Nuan was certain that she had healed her daughter's psychological trauma.

"What happened? Why did she suddenly feel like someone hit her?"

“It must have been Xiao Si who caused this trouble,” Jiang Nuan said somewhat awkwardly. “That child is just as lazy at school as he is at home, and he has been punished by the teacher quite a bit. Xiao Wu is close to him and knows a lot of things.”

"So it's because of Xiao Si," Grandma Jiang asked in a low voice, "What happened? Is the teacher targeting our Xiao Si?"

“No,” Jiang Nuan explained, “Xiao Si’s personality does need to be tempered. He has excellent grades, but his teacher feels that his personality is too smooth and not substantial enough. Because he loves him so much, he is strict with him, which is why he disciplines him more.”

Jiang Nuan would never admit that she had specially prepared a red envelope containing two taels of silver so that her husband could teach her son a lesson.

She dared to say that the entire school combined did not receive as much discipline as her two sons.

"The teacher is very kind. Boys are tough, so it's good for them to learn a lesson," Grandma Huang said understandingly. "It's just a pity for Xiao Wu, she was quite frightened."

An ordinary girl wouldn't think so much, which shows that the granddaughter is also very intelligent.

Like her mother, she has great fortune.

Thinking about this, Grandma Huang was no longer so opposed to becoming an apprentice.

Of course, she knew that it was no use for her to be unwilling. They had already separated their households. Even if she was her mother-in-law, she could only offer some opinions. After all, she had lived there for several years and had more experience. The one who really made the decisions was her daughter-in-law.

While they were talking, Doctor Gu had his apprentice bring out several kinds of medicine, taught them once, and then asked Xiao Wu to identify them.

Following the example of Doctor Gu, Xiao Wu sniffed, touched, and tapped, and said with a shake of his head, "These pieces are Angelica dahurica, the ones that look like ginger are Bletilla striata, the two sticks are Dioscorea nipponica and Dioscorea cirrhosa, the ugly one is Dioscorea nipponica, and the wrinkled one is Angelica dahurica."

They're all correct!

Although there were only five, he only explained them once. Moreover, these medicinal herbs were somewhat similar, showing that the little girl had a good talent.

However, we need to test it again.

"Little Wu is so amazing, Master will teach you a few more lines of the soup rhyme."

Xiao Jian Zhong Tang contains more peony root, and is combined with cinnamon, ginger, licorice, and jujube.

It is even more nourishing to the internal organs with maltose, and can cure weakness and abdominal coldness.

Adding Astragalus membranaceus to this formula is also effective for treating body aches and pains caused by deficiency of the exterior.

There is also the Jianzhong Fourteen Flavors, which can cure chronic illnesses caused by overwork and fatigue.

"A complete tonic with aconite, and carefully selected Ophiopogon japonicus, Cistanche deserticola, and other herbs."

He repeated himself, looking at the girl expectantly.

He hoped that his apprentice had enough talent.

Xiao Wu did not disappoint him. Although he stumbled and his pronunciation was not very clear, he eventually memorized it.

“Madam Jiang,” Doctor Gu said happily, “you’ve seen it yourself. Only by following me will Xiao Wu’s talents not be wasted.”

He only had to recite this herbal formula twice for the little girl to be able to repeat it. With such a memory, it would be a pity if she didn't memorize medical books.

"Okay, but I have one condition."

"Please speak, Madam Jiang."

“We can send her to the pharmacy every day for you to teach her, but boarding is out of the question. I won’t let her leave home before she turns ten.”

Those who study medicine must learn from a master in person.

But Xiao Wu is too young, a seven-year-old girl who doesn't understand anything and has no way to take care of herself.

She remembers being thirteen years old when she boarded at school in junior high, and it took her a long time to adjust.

Xiao Wu was so young, she couldn't bear to leave the girl alone outside.

“That’s fine,” Doctor Gu said somewhat awkwardly. “To be honest, Madam Jiang, neither of us is very good at taking care of children.”

They can't even take care of themselves, and adding a little baby on top of that is just making things worse.

“Yes,” Yu Zhu’s fair face flushed slightly, “My master and I just get by on a daily basis.”

God knows how difficult it is to adapt to life now.

Back in the capital, although I was under close surveillance and spent my days memorizing medical books and practicing acupuncture, I was always taken care of in terms of food, clothing, and lodging, so I didn't have to worry about anything.

Here, you wash your own clothes, cook your own meals, and sweep your own floors...

For two years, he still couldn't understand why other people's rice was white, but his rice was black.

“That’s fine,” Jiang Nuan smiled. “I’ll visit you with a gift when we pick an auspicious day.”

Upon hearing this, Doctor Gu counted on his fingers for a moment, then said casually, "Tomorrow is the sixth day of the month, an auspicious day, let's make it tomorrow."

That's way too hasty!

Jiang Nuan simply didn't know what to say.

Completely unprepared.

He just went out for a short trip, and ended up bringing back a master for his daughter. Absolutely unexpected.

Upon hearing this, Grandma Jiang's eyes lit up. "That's fine. Don't worry, Master Xiao Wu. We'll definitely prepare a perfect apprenticeship gift for you tomorrow, so you won't lose face."

"These are all superficial, just formalities," the old doctor said nonchalantly. "I've never paid much attention to these things; it's enough to have the intention."

These words pained Yu Zhu deeply.

When has my own master not paid attention to these things? He can't even be a little slow in paying his respects to his father, but he can be casual about anything with his little master's wife.

Sure enough, rules are meant to be broken, and face is meant to be torn off and used as a shield when needed.

"That's wonderful," Grandma Jiang said warmly. "Master Xiao Wu, it's almost noon. Please stay for a simple meal. There are many of us, so we can cook quickly. Please wait a moment, it will be ready soon."

As he spoke, he immediately gave Jiang Nuan a meaningful look.

The doctor really likes his granddaughter. If they put in a little more effort to get closer to her and build a relationship, they won't have to worry about him not enjoying his granddaughter's company.

Jiang Nuan could guess what her mother meant without even thinking.

Regardless of whether guests come to your door and are genuinely or not, you should at least offer them a meal as a token of appreciation.