As soon as Master Zhong mentioned the test, Yun Chu's face turned ashen. She wondered if Master Zhong's frequent nodding had given her an overly friendly impression, causing her to relax her guard and become so arrogant. She clearly hadn't read many medical books and knew little about herbs, so how dare she?
Yunling pricked up her ears, thinking she could offer some advice later, but how could her little schemes escape the notice of others? With a small movement, the back of her collar was immediately lifted and she was pulled out of the room.
"You scoundrel, put me down right now."
"You're the scoundrel! Don't think I don't know what you're up to. You just want to help your sister cheat."
"What nonsense are you spouting?!"
Yunling, her thoughts exposed, struggled to break free from Pei Lin's grasp, straightened her clothes, and raised her chin to retort:
“I have no such wicked thoughts. My elder sister is already very capable, so I don’t need to remind her. Don’t judge me by my own petty standards.”
Pei Lin poked Yun Ling's forehead with one finger and replied with only two words, "Noisy."
Yunling was about to retort when she heard Old Zhong's words from inside the room, "Not bad, the handwriting is quite good." She was pleased and even found Pei Lin beside her more agreeable.
"Hey, do you think there's a good chance my older sister will be taken in as Old Man Zhong's apprentice?"
"It's Elder Zhong, not Old Man Zhong. That's rude." Pei Lin flicked Yun Ling on the forehead and continued, "The chances are slim."
Yunling rolled her eyes at him and argued, "Nonsense! My elder sister can read, knows about herbs, and has read medical books. Besides, the old man invited her to meet him and was very satisfied. How could the chances be slim?"
“Two young men came to visit Master Zhong a couple of days ago, also wanting to become his disciples. Their medical skills are better than your sister’s. If Master Zhong were to make an exception and accept your sister as his disciple, how would that convince people? Would he use her status as a woman as an excuse?”
Yunling felt a surge of anger welling up inside her. She had originally wanted to say, "Isn't it precisely because you don't understand medicine that you need to become an apprentice to learn?" But Pei Lin's words were truly infuriating.
Seeing that Yun Ling was unusually silent, Pei Lin finished speaking.
"There's another crucial point, which you yourself are aware of."
"What do I know?"
"you,"
Before Pei Lin could finish speaking, Old Zhong's voice came from inside the room.
"You should go back. You're not suited to be a female doctor."
These words were like a bolt from the blue for Yu Yun Chu; it felt as if she had been struck by lightning.
It seems her journey has been far too smooth. First, Yunling guided her, helping her learn by trial and error, gathering herbs and studying medical books. Then, Elder Yu offered her much guidance and praise. Now, Elder Zhong has extended an invitation. It all feels like a dream.
But Zhong's words were like a bucket of cold water, or a sharp awl, hitting her on the head and making her very sober.
Shen Changliu, naturally unwilling to witness this scene, asked:
"Young lady, just now you answered all the questions your master asked, and your master was very satisfied. Why is that?"
"What I just asked was common sense, which is very simple. You know in your heart how it compares to when you first started learning. Besides, to become a female doctor, it's not enough to just know how to read, flip through a couple of pages of a medical book, and shout that you have to be better than men."
Her words were sharp and cutting, each one like a knife piercing Yun Chu's heart. Yun Chu's face felt burning hot, and her lips felt like they were covered in the stickiest rice paste, making it impossible for her to utter a sound.
In the past, if she had been lectured like this, she would have argued her case, but this time she had no grounds to stand on, so she was speechless.
Old Zhong shook his head and waved his hand in acknowledgment.
"Go back, this path is not suitable for you."
Yun Chu nodded and ran out. Seeing this, Yun Ling quickly followed and ran out of Ren'an Hall.
As they emerged from Shengfu Restaurant, Yun Ruoxia, who had been waiting at Ren'antang, saw Yun Chu and Yun Ling. Her lips instantly curved into a smile, but upon noticing Yun Chu's expression, her lips slowly fell back down. This was quite different from what she had imagined.
But Yun Ruoxia didn't want to invite trouble. Instead of joking around as usual, she took the two of them and drove the donkey cart home.
The sweeter the wind blows into the city, the saltier the wind blows back into the village.
Yun Chu's tears welled up in her eyes several times, but she held them back by tilting her head back. At this moment, she didn't want to hear anything or read anything; she just wanted to stare blankly at a point in the distance.
Upon returning home, Zhang and Granny Yun, sensing the awkward atmosphere, quickly swallowed their greetings and compliments, focusing instead on fluffing the cotton pads.
Yun Chu did not share dinner with anyone; she confined herself to her room and did not even light a single candle.
Yunling brought the millet porridge into the room and immediately saw Yun Chu hiding in the corner. This person had obviously been crying, and there were still many tear stains on her face. It was easy to imagine how heavy Zhong Lao's words were.
Yunling returned to the kitchen, lit a candle, and said with a smile:
"Sister, try this plum blossom porridge, it's so delicious."
"Where did these plum blossoms come from at this time of year?"
"Look, isn't this plum blossom in front of me about to bloom despite the cold?"
Yunling sat down next to Yun Chu and continued:
"Sister, don't blame Old Zhong. What he said makes sense."
Yun Chu immediately raised her head to look at Yun Ling, her lips trembling, but she couldn't bring herself to say what was in her heart.
"What Elder Zhong said makes me feel bad. What if someone else said that, or even pointed at your nose and yelled at you to get out? Would you do the same thing as today, running away without even seeing a doctor?"
Yun Chu bit her lower lip, and her gaze toward Yun Ling became more focused.
"Sister, don't forget that you're going to be a female doctor. You'll be facing more than just medical skills. You'll also have to gain people's trust and stand up to those young men. You need to have a strong heart, not be afraid of rumors, and only follow your heart."
"The plum blossoms emerge from the cold after struggling, leading all other flowers and bringing spring to the world. My sister is currently just going through a period of struggle. Once you get through this, everything will become clear."
If Yun Chu's heart wasn't moved, that would be a lie. Now, when she recalls what Elder Zhong said today, it's not as harsh as she imagined. Perhaps her emotions were due to overthinking. Maybe if she had been more resolute back then, she could have stayed.
Hope rekindled in Yun Chu's heart, and her stomach began to rumble.
"Lingniang, I want to eat plum blossom porridge."
Here you go.
Yun Chu took a bite, then another, and soon finished the porridge in the bowl. It was the best "plum blossom porridge" she had ever eaten.
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com
