Jane Ning was caught off guard by the gift being stuffed into her arms. Her hands were covered in mud, and the cloth was stained with mud. It was difficult to refuse, so she had to accept it. She thought about buying some gifts to visit Doctor Yang another day. After all, she couldn't just accept something for free, so she also wanted to thank him for inviting her to his clinic.
Tian, Chang, Ding Yang and Ding Jian were all full of admiration for Jian Ning at this moment. Doctor Yang from Pu Ren Tang wanted to invite her to sit in the clinic. Thinking that they could help such a great person, they all worked more enthusiastically.
"Fourth sister-in-law," Ding Yang said, "These three stoves require a lot of firewood. My brother and I won't have much to do after the autumn harvest. How about we rent the firewood for the three stoves? You don't have to pay for it. You can just give us the secret water. Is that okay?"
Jian Ning said, "No problem. When winter comes and there are fewer prey, I'll pay you for the firewood you bring me."
Ding Yang and Ding Jian were very happy when they heard this. All the three stoves needed was firewood. They trusted Fourth Sister-in-law as a person and knew that she would never let them down if they worked for her.
After the stove was built, it was almost time for dinner. Jian Ning invited the brothers to have dinner, but they were having deer meat tonight, so they refused to stay. That night, the aroma of meat filled the air not only from their home but also from many other homes in the village.
Jian Ning gave Tian and Chang each two hundred coins, and the extra twenty coins were for their children, who had worked hard all day, helping to collect firewood and mix mud.
The two of them only asked for 180 coins and refused to take any more. Chang even returned 80 coins, saying that she only needed to be paid 100 coins a day until the medical fees and medicine costs were deducted.
Jian Ning had no intention of charging her for medical consultation and medicine. The medicine was taken from the medical warehouse and it didn't cost her money. She just treated Ding Pingshun as a person with medical insurance. What's more, Chang asked Ding Sheng to bring a basket of radishes, so she forced eighty cents on Chang.
"We agreed on 180 wen. If you don't take it, I won't hire you. If you work for me, I'll treat your husband for free. Consider it a lucky charm. From now on, I'll treat everyone who works for me, not only yourself but also your family, for free. Of course, I hope we're all healthy, without even the occasional headache or fever."
She took another half piece of rabbit meat and gave it to Chang, asking if she wanted the secret water. Chang shook her head, saying that she didn't have the time to set traps in the mountains, and her servant Ding Sheng didn't have the skills either, so it was better not to waste the secret water.
"I can teach Ding Sheng, and I can also help him dig traps." Ma Xiaomai said. He and Ding Sheng became good friends during the day.
There was also an expectant light in Ding Sheng's eyes, so Jian Ning smiled and said, "Okay, I'll give it to you tomorrow morning, and you can ask Ding Sheng to help you dig the trap."
Because there were guests at Jian Ning's house, Chang took the initiative to stay and help her cook. She sent Ding Sheng to take the rabbit meat given by Jian Ning back. Her husband Ding Pingshun was able to cook a meal.
With her helping with the cooking, Ding Youtian had to go and entertain the guests. Since the four little ones were there, and Yang Jinyu loved children, even though Ding Youtian and Yang Jinyu were unfamiliar with each other, the atmosphere wasn't awkward. As they chatted, they actually got along better and better. Last time, Ding Youtian's every move had impressed Yang Jinyu as someone more than just a farmer, and this time, after a few more words, she realized he was quite insightful, clearly someone with a good education. She couldn't help but wonder how Ding Youtian could possibly have achieved anything without any accomplishments.
"Brother Ding, do you have no plans to enter the officialdom?" he couldn't help but ask.
Every scholar in the world studied for the purpose of becoming an official, and Ding Youtian was no exception at first. Passing the imperial examination would not only change his fate but also bring honor to his family. But later, he became fascinated by the art of wisdom, and after listening to Blind Liu's historical stories of loyal officials betrayed by villains, he realized that without the necessary wisdom, becoming an official was a dangerous profession.
What really made him give up on his career was his first attempt at the county juvenile examination. One moment, the county magistrate was the chief examiner, and the next, he was imprisoned for corruption and bribery, awaiting execution in the autumn. All the women in his family were sold off.
The reason the County Magistrate had become corrupt and bribed was because his parents were extremely greedy, which gave those who wanted to bribe him the opportunity. He thought that if he became an official, given the temperament of his parents and his family, he would be even worse than the County Magistrate's parents, and his wife and daughter might even be sold into slavery or prostitution. So he simply answered a few questions randomly and ended his career path.
But this is a different time. Now he has cut off contact with his parents. Although his wife loves money after she wakes up, she gets it in a proper way. Blind Liu finally accepts him as his apprentice, so he naturally has to make other considerations.
However, there was no need for him to tell Yang Jinyu what his plans were, so he smiled faintly and said ambiguously: "I didn't have any before, and I don't know what will happen in the future. Everything depends on my heart."
"Oh, if Brother Ding is interested in becoming an official, I can do my best to help him." Yang Jinyu was once the prince's companion. If Ding Youtian took the imperial examination, he could get the test questions in advance through the prince.
Ding Youtian knew that the grandson of Doctor Yang of Pu Ren Tang in the town was an official in the court. What he didn't know was that Yang Jinyu was the prince's companion. He thought that Yang Jinyu wanted to use his father's connections in the capital to help him, but he disdained to accept such help.
"Although I am not talented, if I want to enter the government, I will not rely on others. Thank you for your kindness, Brother Yang."
"No, no, I was abrupt and thoughtless. Please don't blame me, Brother Ding."
Yang Jinyu wanted to study medicine with Jian Ning and improve his medical skills, so he naturally wanted to please Ding Youtian. After hearing what he said, he realized that what he said before was indeed inappropriate. He couldn't help but feel ashamed, and he had more respect for Ding Youtian in his heart.
Ding Youtian knew that he meant well, so he didn't blame him.
After the meal was ready, Chang refused to stay for dinner as there were guests. Jian Ning did not force her to stay and sent Da Niu to invite Blind Liu. Da Niu came back and said that her master asked her to stay for dinner and that she would come later as she had something else to do.
During the meal, the waiter refused to sit at the table, saying that he was just a waiter and it was not customary to sit at the same table with the young master. Jian Ning laughed angrily, "I don't care about other places, but in my family, we are all the same, there is no distinction between high and low. Hurry and sit down, and don't let me say any more."
Ding Youtian also asked him to sit down and not to make his wife angry.
Yang Jinyu was secretly surprised. This was the first time he heard that people were not divided by status. However, the guest should follow the host's wishes. He also said, "Xiao Si, Madam Jian asked you to sit down, so please sit down quickly. Why are you talking so much?"
"Why, are you also the fourth child in your family?" Ding Youtian asked.
Xiao Si said: "Yes, I have three older sisters and two younger brothers."
Jian Ning asked him, "How many years have you been a waiter at Puren Hall? Are you eighteen?"
Xiao Si smiled and said, "Just eighteen, and I've been an apprentice for two years."
Speaking of apprentices, Yang Jinyu took the opportunity to speak, bowed deeply and said, "Madam Jian's medical skills are superb, and I really admire her. If you don't mind, I would like to take Madam Jian as my master. I will devote myself to my studies and will not bring disgrace to your school. I hope Madam Jian will agree to this."
Ding Youtian thought Jian Ning would refuse outright, but unexpectedly she said, "Let's eat first. I'll think about it and give you an answer in three days."
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