Farmhouse Green Plum

The Sheng family has a history of producing scholars who passed the imperial examinations. They are a proper scholarly family with strict rules and regulations. Today, with guests present, they have arranged separate tables for men and women.

As soon as he stepped through the hanging flower gate, a maid wearing a pea-green vest came up to him, curtsied, and said, "Doctor Fang, this way please. Master and the other gentlemen are already waiting in the front hall."

Before she could finish speaking, another maid in an apricot-colored vest stepped forward and bowed gracefully to Song Ying, saying, "Please follow me this way, Physician Song."

Song Ying turned around and nodded goodbye to Doctor Fang, then thanked the maid who had led the way before following the maid in her apricot-colored vest through the courtyard and into the flower hall.

Although it was only dusk, the candles in the flower hall were already lit, illuminating the entire room.

An elderly lady with kind eyes sat in the main seat, surrounded by several women on either side, and three unmarried young ladies.

Upon seeing Song Ying enter, the old lady extended her hand: "Dr. Song has arrived! Quickly, please have Dr. Song take a seat!"

The women sitting around the side quickly made way for Song Ying, their gazes falling on her with a mixture of curiosity and respect. The old lady took her hand and patted it gently: "We really owe you a lot today! Over the years, the whole family has been overwhelmed with worry because of my little grandson's illness, but now we can finally see the light at the end of the tunnel."

Song Ying said politely, "Madam, you flatter me. It is a doctor's duty, and I do not deserve your thanks."

The others also praised Song Ying, especially the mother of the third young master of the Sheng family. She held Song Ying's hand and thanked her profusely until her eyes reddened, showing how much she had worried about her son's illness over the years.

As Song Ying was gently comforting her, she suddenly felt a gaze fall upon her. Unlike the simple respect or curiosity of others, that gaze seemed to contain a hint of scrutiny.

She looked up and saw a young woman in her early twenties, wearing a light purple brocade horse-face skirt, with a kingfisher feather butterfly hairpin in her hair, her eyes smiling, and her demeanor gentle and graceful.

When their eyes met, the woman's lips curled up slightly, and her voice was soft: "I've often heard Sister Liu mention my younger sister, and today I'm finally able to meet her."

younger sister?

Song Ying blinked, looking at her suspiciously. She didn't recognize her. And who was Sister Liu?

"Your niece-in-law has never met Doctor Song?" A middle-aged woman in a crimson vest asked in surprise.

Her gaze shifted between the two men. "Aren't Shen Jing's nephew and that Scholar Yuan classmates and good friends? How come you women don't have any contact with each other?"

It turns out she is Shen Jing's wife.

Song Ying suddenly realized and hurriedly bowed, saying, "So it's Sister Pei. My husband and I were away on business when you and Young Master Shen got married, and we were unable to attend your wedding. We feel really bad about it."

Pei Yuexuan reached out to help her up, "Sister, please don't stand on ceremony. Although you haven't arrived in person, you've certainly shown your respect. To be honest, I should have come to thank you in person long ago, but I was afraid of interfering with your work of healing the sick."

Upon hearing this, Madam Sheng gently turned the sandalwood prayer beads in her hand and said with a smile, "There's no need to bring up the past. Since we've met by chance today, you should visit each other more often in the future."

“Of course,” Pei Yuexuan said with a smile. “I’ve heard that not only is your medical skill superb, but you also have beautiful handwriting, with elegant strokes and remarkable strength.”

When I was young, I studied the *Lingfei Jing* with my father for a few years, but I never really mastered it. I'll definitely ask my younger sister for some pointers another day.

"Sister, you flatter me. My handwriting is merely a copy, barely legible. How could I dare compare it to your elegant calligraphy?" Song Ying said modestly, but she was quite confident in her own words.

She learned to read with great difficulty, so no matter how busy she was with studying medicine every day, she would always find time to practice calligraphy. Over the years, her handwriting in clerical script has become dignified and elegant, and she is quite presentable!

They were chatting animatedly when suddenly, with a "bang," a teacup shattered on the floor, spilling clear tea onto the brocade carpet and leaving a dark water stain.

Song Ying turned her head and saw the maid who had been standing behind a young lady from the Sheng family kneeling down in a panic: "Miss, please forgive me, Madam, please forgive me, this servant..."

In front of her stood a maid carrying a tea tray and another maid holding a cup lid, her face full of astonishment.

"You little hussy who's asking for trouble!" The young lady from the Sheng family suddenly stood up, her eyebrows raised in anger. "This is my favorite dress!"

Upon hearing this, Song Ying noticed that the young lady's skirt was also stained with tea.

"Jia'er!" the old lady scolded sternly.

Sheng Jia immediately shut her mouth, but still glared fiercely at the maid.

The maid who was holding the cup lid said, "It's my fault. I didn't notice that Sister Ruyi let go before she could hold it properly."

Seeing this, Madam Sheng quickly said, "May the child be safe and sound!" While gesturing for someone to clean up, she smiled and tried to smooth things over, "This child didn't mean to; just get a new cup."

Then he said to the maid on the ground, "Ruyi, why don't you help your young lady back to change her clothes?"

"Yes," the maid named Ruyi replied, kowtowed, got up from the ground, and reached out to help Sheng Jia up.

When she stretched out her hand, Song Ying clearly saw that her right palm was red.

She paused slightly, looking at the water stains spreading on the carpet. Was the teacup too hot?

As a servant, she would naturally not misjudge the temperature of the tea. She couldn't help but look at the maid holding the tea lid, and then at the maid named Ruyi.

Both of them had their heads down, so Song Ying couldn't see their expressions.

Sheng Jia shook off Ruyi's hand and strode out.

Upon seeing this, Madam Sheng's face immediately darkened.

It's fine on ordinary days, but today we have guests, and the little girl is throwing a tantrum. She's getting more and more out of line!

No matter how angry she was, with Song Ying, an outsider, present, she could only suppress her anger and said helplessly, "This little girl is ignorant and has made Doctor Song laugh at her."

Song Ying smiled, "Miss Sheng has a straightforward personality..."

By the next morning, the third young master of the Sheng family had taken three doses of medicine, and his spirits and appetite had improved significantly. The purple spots had also decreased. Seeing this, the Sheng family sincerely admired Song Ying's medical skills.

Since the medicine was effective, Song Ying and the others did not intend to stay any longer and bid farewell to the Sheng family.

Master Sheng tried his best to persuade Song Ying to stay, asking her to wait until her son was completely cured before leaving.

Song Ying naturally disagreed. They had already wasted a lot of time, and if they didn't leave now, they might not make it in time.

Having no other choice, Master Sheng thought for a moment and then asked, "Since Physician Song's medical skills are so superb, I wonder if he has any intention of taking on a disciple?"

"Take on apprentices?" Song Ying was taken aback. "I am still young and inexperienced. My medical skills still need improvement. How can I take on apprentices?"

Before Master Sheng could speak, Doctor Fang interjected, "Dr. Song is too modest. If even your medical skills are insufficient, then we have no face to treat patients anymore."

He stroked his beard and said, "If it weren't for my advanced age and the need to save face for my family, I would want to become your apprentice and learn medicine from you again."

Song Ying: "Spread"