Chapter 1573 - 1420: Fake Commandery Princess 30
Zhang Qijun’s eyes immediately lit up. He felt that Ye Shuangshuang assigning him homework was surely a sign of her acknowledging him, preparing to take him as an apprentice.
Zhang Qijun is the kind of person who could climb upward even without support. Now that Ye Shuangshuang provided support, Zhang Qijun promptly knelt down and directly called out: "Master!"
Ye Shuangshuang was speechless. She expected this and helplessly said, "Don’t rush to call me Master. If you don’t have the talent for studying medicine, even taking me as a teacher would be pointless."
Zhang Qijun, however, was very confident: "Master, rest assured, your disciple here, my biggest strength since childhood has been intelligence. Once I go back and familiarize myself with the books, you can test me, and I promise not to disappoint you!"
After speaking, Zhang Qijun happily took the medical books given by Ye Shuangshuang and walked away, but he didn’t go far. Just after stepping out of the door, he returned, half-holding onto the doorframe, looking at Ye Shuangshuang.
Seeing Zhang Qijun’s face reappear, Ye Shuangshuang was quite helpless: "You’re not going back, what do you want now?"
Zhang Qijun blinked, uncharacteristically awkward, "Master, since I am to be your apprentice, we can’t muddle through hastily. When will the apprenticeship ceremony be held?"
Ye Shuangshuang, annoyed yet amused by his boldness, said, "Go home quickly and read the medical books. If next time I test you and you don’t pass, don’t even think about entering my door again in this lifetime, let alone apprenticing."
"Master, please be at ease. You will certainly accept this disciple of yours," Zhang Qijun said finally and left, his steps light and his back exuberant.
Ye Shuangshuang couldn’t help but smile and shake her head, turning to the pharmacy. Recently, because of Zhang Jingguo, Ye Shuangshuang’s reputation for curing the epidemic had spread quickly.
In Nanzhao, so many people suffer from malaria. Every household is terrified by its mention. Regardless of whether they have sick members or not, upon hearing the news, they all came to Ye Shuangshuang to buy medicine.
No one knows when they might contract malaria, so having medicine at home is comforting. Thus, many came to buy, and within an hour, Ye Shuangshuang’s medicine was sold out.
Ye Shuangshuang, concerned that someone might sell the medicine for profit, had limited each person to buying only two pills as a result.
After the medicine sold out, Ye Shuangshuang prepared to make more to prevent a shortage, ensuring those suffering from malaria could get what they needed.
After Zhang Qijun left, Ye Shuangshuang enjoyed a rare quiet for two days. She was used to it, but the rest of the Ye Family was not. Ye Jingyi and Ye Jingfei were particularly keen, often asking when Brother Qi Jun would come.
Before Zhang Qijun could seek Ye Shuangshuang, Zhang Jingguo personally visited Ye Shuangshuang’s clinic, arriving discreetly, bringing only a steward and dressed plainly.
At the time, Ye Shuangshuang was immersed in preparing medicine and didn’t realize a VIP had entered her clinic. It wasn’t until Zhang Jingguo stood before her that she noticed something was amiss and looked up to see Zhang Jingguo.
Ye Shuangshuang immediately got up from behind the medicine cabinet and bowed: "This humble woman greets the governor!"
Zhang Jingguo smiled kindly, looking very amiable: "No need to be formal, Doctor Ye. You are, in fact, my savior, and I am deeply grateful.
Now, Doctor Ye will become the master of my untalented little grandson, which means our families will have some connection.
I humbly address you as Miss Shuangshuang if you don’t mind, Miss Shuangshuang, call me Uncle."
Ye Shuangshuang’s mouth twitched. Clearly of an age to be her grandfather, yet insisting she call him Uncle. Is he here to secure his grandson’s apprenticeship status? Truly doting on his grandson.
However, Ye Shuangshuang had already planned to take Zhang Qijun as a disciple, and by seniority, calling Zhang Jingguo Uncle was indeed appropriate. Therefore, Ye Shuangshuang went along without fuss.
"Since Uncle says so, I will bravely acknowledge you as Uncle. Having an Uncle like you is a great benefit for me."
Zhang Jingguo was amused by Ye Shuangshuang’s words, "Being able to be Miss Shuangshuang’s Uncle is my honor.
Miss Shuangshuang has a noble demeanor, skillful in medicine, and with respectable medical ethics. My grandson is fortunate to have you personally take him as a disciple; I can be at ease."
As the master-to-be of his beloved little grandson, how could Zhang Jingguo not investigate Ye Shuangshuang’s family background and character?
Investigating the identity of the Ye Family was incredibly easy; being exiled to Nanzhao is not unusual, many people are exiled there every year.
The unusual part was, after being exiled, not only did they avoid hard labor, but they also immediately regained their freedom, bought a residence, opened a clinic, and lived prosperously, drawing attention easily.
After further investigation, the identities of Ye Shuangshuang and her family became clear. Zhang Jingguo, having governed Nanzhao for years, acting like its local Emperor with keen political insight and sensitivity, saw the materials and concluded the Ye Family shouldn’t be provoked. They were clearly backed by the Emperor.
However, it was Ye Shuangshuang herself who particularly warmed Zhang Jingguo’s affections. Sacrificing princely luxury, choosing to endure exile with her biological parents, while still adhering to virtuous medical principles and offering aid during the epidemic without asking for gratitude - how many on this earth possess this character?
For Zhang Jingguo, who had just suffered a near-fatal illness and an eldest son eager for his death to gain inheritance, Ye Shuangshuang’s demonstrated filial piety was particularly endearing.
Zhang Jingguo’s admiration for her filial piety greatly surpassed that for her medical skills and compassionate values.
Zhang Jingguo, willing to have Zhang Qijun learn medicine from Ye Shuangshuang, also had thoughts that it would keep Zhang Qijun on a good path, unlike his eldest son.
Zhang Jingguo’s visit to Ye Shuangshuang was not only about his grandson but also to have her examine his health again. After a serious illness, he clearly felt a decline in vitality compared to before.
He didn’t want to summon Ye Shuangshuang to Zhang Mansion, avoiding any potential confrontation by his eldest daughter-in-law, which might cause unhappiness, as his wife had informed him of the previous incident.
Ye Shuangshuang, after all, had been a Commandery Princess for many years. Though she may seem easygoing, tolerating hardship for the sake of family.
That doesn’t mean she lacks the backbone to face bullies. On the contrary, she is far more resilient.
Especially when his eldest daughter-in-law had hit a sore spot, questioning her esteemed medical skills, which would anger anyone. To avoid trouble, Zhang Jingguo simply chose not to have Ye Shuangshuang visit Zhang Mansion.