The meal wasn't actually that bad. Although the apprentice had cooked the rice into porridge, they still ate it with relish, even though it was just rice.
"You should have done this in the morning, then we wouldn't have gotten diarrhea."
On a rainy day, when the chill seeps into your body, a bowl of porridge warms you up, and the addition of spicy and sour kimchi makes it even more comforting.
“I want to too,” the young apprentice said, feeling wronged, “but my abilities won’t allow it.”
He himself wasn't sure if the next meal would be this good.
"Rotten wood, just do it the same way as at noon."
The more the doctor looked at his apprentice, the more disappointed he became. It was such a small thing, yet he couldn't do it well.
Fortunately, studying medicine prevents this from happening, otherwise he would have been so angry he'd be in his coffin.
"I made the same meal as this morning, but it still didn't work."
His breakfast turned into crispy rice crust in the morning, but by noon it had become thin porridge. Who could he complain to? Luckily, it was cooked through, so his stomach didn't have to suffer.
"Forget it, I knew I couldn't count on you. It's okay, just hang in there for one more day, someone will bring us food tomorrow."
"There must be meat. I haven't had meat for two meals and I really miss it."
"You've got guts!"
The two chatted and ate together, their conversation simple yet warm, without any of the rigid formality of a doctor's visit or prescription.
Suddenly, a horse neighed. The young apprentice put down his chopsticks and said, "Master, you continue eating. I'll go take a look."
In a dilapidated town, few people can afford to keep horses, so the newcomer must be no ordinary person.
Stepping out of the courtyard gate, the young apprentice was immediately surprised to see who it was. "Father, what brings you here?"
Shouldn't Dad be performing ancestral rites? Why did he travel from Beijing to southern Henan?
"Come and get the horse, let's go inside and talk," Liu Zhiyuan dismounted and walked into the courtyard. "Find me some clean clothes and make me a bowl of ginger soup."
“Okay,” the young apprentice nodded subconsciously, then tentatively asked, “They’re eating inside, Father, why don’t you have something to eat first?”
The apprentice was just being polite.
His father was very particular about food, nitpicking in every way. He insisted on using silver chopsticks, only eating medicinal cuisine, eating at the appointed time (after noon), and never eating leftovers...
The young apprentice used to think that eating should be done this way. But when he went to the countryside with his master to see a doctor, he saw that many families didn't have enough earthenware bowls to eat from, and realized how wrong he was.
It was only then that I realized that eating doesn't need to be so particular; as long as you fill your stomach, you've achieved your goal.
"Hmm!" Liu Zhiyuan nodded aloofly. "You prepare your clothes, I'll pay my respects to your master first."
When Doctor Gu saw his apprentice, his eyes widened in surprise. "What brings you here?"
“Master,” Liu Zhiyuan said respectfully to Doctor Gu, “I have come here today to invite you to return to the capital to oversee things.”
"Is this your reason for rushing over during Qingming Festival?" Doctor Gu was unusually angry. "I'm not dead yet, can't you choose another day?"
If he weren't his apprentice, a single dose of medicine would have sent him to his death.
He had so many things left undone and so many things left unlearned, hoping to live a couple more years, but his eldest disciple rushed over during the Qingming Festival.
Is it because they're afraid he won't die fast enough?
“Master,” Liu Zhiyuan said helplessly, “I had no choice but to do this.”
If there was nothing major going on, how could he possibly delay even his own family's ancestral worship?
It was truly a last resort.
“I said back then that I would never set foot in the capital again in this life,” Doctor Gu shook his head. “You can go now, I will not go back.”
Going back to the capital? Never in this lifetime!
“Master,” Liu Zhiyuan earnestly persuaded, “now is not the time to be stubborn, so please come back with me.”
Wanting to live in peace in a remote corner? It's not that easy.
Even if you don't go looking for trouble, trouble will come knocking on your door, and you just can't refuse it.
This is why Liu Zhiyuan rushed over to persuade people.
"No need for further words," Doctor Gu said calmly. "I keep my word and will never set foot in the capital in my lifetime."
"It's fine if we don't go to the capital," Liu Zhiyuan said, sensing his master's insistence. He decided to compromise and suggested, "Master, find a place to hide, but don't stay in southern Henan for the time being."
"Dad, I've found the clothes. Come in and change."
Before Doctor Gu could even ask a question, he heard his grand-disciple shout and immediately waved his hand, "Go change your clothes first, we'll talk about this later."
He was very puzzled. What exactly had happened?
Since settling in Ping'an County, life has been simple and frugal, but unlike the cutthroat competition and constant walking on thin ice of the past.
He had grown accustomed to this peaceful and stable life and did not want any changes.
Even if we take a step back, he's not the kind of person who runs away from trouble.
Thinking of this, Doctor Gu felt a slight dislike for his eldest apprentice.
It's one thing for Qingming to come looking for me, but to want me to return to the capital is just embarrassing myself.
Sure enough, when it comes to thoughtfulness, the youngest apprentice is the best.
She's well-behaved and sensible, has a sweet tongue, and is also talented—far ahead of her eldest apprentice!
After Liu Zhiyuan came out, he felt his master's displeased gaze and said bitterly, "Master, this time please listen to your disciple's advice and let's lay low for a while."
“What happened?” Doctor Gu pointed to the chair. “Sit down and tell me slowly.”
“Master, His Majesty has come to southern Henan. He said he was traveling incognito, but I think he came for you.”
“Impossible,” Doctor Gu waved his hand. “The person His Majesty least wants to see in his life is me. Even if he comes to southern Henan, it’s impossible that he’s here specifically for me.”
Why he was dismissed—others may not know, but surely the Emperor does. There's absolutely no way he'd come looking for him.
“Why not?” Liu Zhiyuan said anxiously. “What in southern Henan is worth His Majesty going to such lengths to make this trip? Apart from Master! Others may not know, but even the Imperial Physician is aware that His Majesty’s health is becoming increasingly frail.”
A young man in his twenties is in the prime of his life, but the current emperor's body is like a wrecked ship riddled with holes, no amount of remedies can help, and his complexion is getting worse year by year.
Furthermore, the lack of a male heir meant the foundation of the state was not established, and the court was unstable.
The court officials were unaware of the emperor's illness and were only urging him to have children, which provided a temporary respite from the chaos.
But this illusion won't last long.
It will take anywhere from three to five years to cause ripples in the water!
“No need to worry,” Doctor Gu shook his head. “His Majesty has his own plans, the secrets of which are beyond our comprehension. In short, it has nothing to do with me.”
The doctor couldn't explain the specific reasons to his apprentice, but he was very confident in his judgment.
Knowing such a secret, the Emperor didn't kill him to silence him only because of his decades of living in fear and trembling. He would never want to see him again in this lifetime.
“Master, we must always plan ahead,” Liu Zhiyuan said anxiously. “Why are you so stubborn? This place is just a place to stay anywhere. Why insist on guarding it? A doctor’s home is wherever he is. Where is not a place to save lives?”
His master was extremely stubborn, but the current emperor also disliked disobeying others. If the two were to clash, Liu Zhiyuan was really unsure whether his master would have the luck to escape with his life!
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