Farmhouse Green Plum

Song Ying: “…”

"Dr. Fang, you flatter me. I learned a lot from our conversation yesterday. The medical field is vast, and it is only right for us to learn from each other."

Doctor Fang laughed heartily, his impression of Song Ying improved even more. He felt that not only was her medical skill superb, but more importantly, she was still humble despite her early fame.

"Dr. Song is too modest," Master Sheng said, still unwilling to give up, pointing at his third son, "My son has been weak and sickly since childhood, and I dared not force him to study hard, which is why he has no hope of passing the imperial examinations."

"Dr. Song's medical skills are exceptional. If my son could become your apprentice and learn a skill, he could open his own clinic in the future, which would be a viable way to make a living."

“Mr. Sheng, you are joking. With the wealth of your Sheng family, there is no need for your son to open a clinic to support the family.” Song Ying firmly declined. “As for his illness, you don’t need to worry. Since the diagnosis is correct, he can continue taking the medicine. Even if his condition changes later, Doctor Fang can adjust the prescription accordingly.”

Doctor Fang thought that Master Sheng was simply worried about his son's illness, so he comforted him, "Master Sheng, don't worry, I now have a good understanding of your son's condition."

A hint of unease flashed across Master Sheng's face, but he quickly revealed an extremely sincere expression: "Dr. Song, you may not know this, but as the saying goes, long illness makes one a doctor. My son has been dealing with medicine since he was a child, and through this exposure, he has learned a lot about medicinal herbs and their properties. He has long been interested in studying medicine."

Hearing about your achievements in treating various difficult and complicated diseases, I have even greater respect for you..."

Song Ying lowered her gaze slightly and raised her hand to interrupt, saying, "Please forgive me, Master Sheng, I do not accept male disciples."

Mr. Sheng was speechless. All the persuasive words he had carefully prepared were stuck in his throat, and he was completely at a loss for how to react.

The room suddenly became so quiet you could hear a pin drop. The cicadas chirping outside the window suddenly sounded particularly jarring.

Seeing this, Madam Sheng quickly tried to smooth things over for her husband: "Please don't be offended, Doctor Song. These men are always busy outside, so they are bound to be careless and forget about the proper separation between men and women."

“It’s not because of the strict separation between men and women,” Song Ying sighed softly. “Your son is a man. If he really wants to learn medicine, there are so many renowned doctors in the world who can teach him.”

But in this world, there are very few doctors willing to accept female disciples. As a woman myself, I naturally must first make way for women who want to study medicine.

Madam Sheng was taken aback, her heart filled with complex emotions. On one hand, she desperately wanted her son to become a disciple of Song Ying.

Given her son's situation, the path of taking the imperial examination was not an option. Song Ying was a highly skilled physician, and her teacher was a famous doctor in the palace. If he could become her student, entering the Imperial Hospital in the future would be a good prospect.

On the other hand, she felt a faint excitement in her heart, a excitement that comes from being a woman. She couldn't quite put her finger on what it was, but she felt something inside her wanting to come out.

She wanted to say that her daughter was a woman and ask Song Ying if she would accept her, but then she thought that her daughter was about to get married and that Song Ying's husband, Yuan Qing, was still such a handsome young man. If her daughter followed him to study medicine, it would inevitably cause some gossip.

Pei Yuexuan's eyes flickered slightly as she looked at Song Ying thoughtfully.

After marriage, although the couple lived in harmony, she always felt that there was a distance between her husband and her, and he always seemed to reject her attempts to get closer.

She thought it was because they hadn't spent enough time together and there was no affection between them, and she thought that she could take it slow and eventually win her husband's heart.

However, she inadvertently learned from the servants in the mansion that her husband had another woman he loved before their marriage.

After figuring out who it was, she felt extremely embarrassed, as if she had been slapped hard across the face. She, the daughter of a political figure, was not as good as a peasant girl in her husband's heart.

However, she could neither cause trouble for the other party nor criticize her husband, because it was her husband who was unilaterally in love with the other party, and they had thoroughly discussed the matter before their marriage.

But she felt uncomfortable.

Upon hearing that Song Ying would also be going to Chengdu, she couldn't sit still. Using the excuse of missing her parents, she begged her mother-in-law to let her go to Chengdu with her.

When I finally met Song Ying, even though it was only for less than a day, all her arrogance vanished, replaced by a sense of shame and self-deprecation.

Song Yingtai is very special.

In her presence, all the skills she was so proud of—music, chess, calligraphy, painting, and traditional virtues—felt pale and powerless.

Every move she makes exudes composure, and she shines even brighter when treating patients.

But to her surprise, she still underestimated her.

Because she was a woman, she only accepted female disciples as apprentices, leaving the opportunity to learn medicine to women.

In her presence, Pei Yuexuan felt particularly petty.

Everyone in the room was stunned by Song Ying's words. Master Sheng opened his mouth, but didn't know what to say.

Just then, a small voice suddenly said, "Dr. Song, I would like to become your apprentice."

Everyone looked over and saw it was the maid who had smashed the cup yesterday.

Facing the unanimous gazes of everyone, her face flushed red, but she still whispered and repeated, "Dr. Song, I want to become your apprentice."

Madam Sheng frowned, "You maid, why are you interrupting what your master is saying!"

Sheng Jia was also furious, feeling that her maid was too unruly and had embarrassed her.

She glared fiercely at the maid, "Get out of here!"

Ruyi seemed to only then realize that she was just a maid, and with red eyes, she curtsied: "This servant... has overstepped her bounds."

He then turned and walked outside.

Remembering her reddened palms from yesterday, Song Ying hesitated for a moment before calling out to her, "Wait a moment."

Ruyi turned her head and looked at Madam Sheng, waiting for her instructions.

Madam Song Yingchao curtsied, “My husband and I are both from farming families. Our family has only started to improve in the last two years, and we have not yet found a suitable servant.”

Normally it's fine; my husband and I are used to doing things ourselves, so we don't think much of it. But going to Chengdu alone, without a maid by my side, there are some things that are inconvenient.

I was thinking of buying it if I found a suitable one along the way, but since I didn't know the seller well and we were traveling, I was really worried.

I find this young lady quite pleasing to the eye. I wonder if Madam would be willing to part with her and allow me to take this maidservant?

As he spoke, he looked quite embarrassed, "It was indeed a bit rude, but it's alright if Madam is reluctant to accept it."

Upon hearing this, the maidservant abruptly looked up, her almond-shaped eyes brimming with tears that glistened in the candlelight. She hurriedly lowered her head again, but her slightly trembling fingertips betrayed her inner turmoil.

"This..." Madam Sheng hesitated, stroking the jade bracelet on her wrist, her gaze shifting between Song Ying and the maid.

She naturally understood that Song Ying's words were merely an agreement to Ruyi's request; she only said she wanted a maid because she didn't want to lose face for her family.

Otherwise, why bring it up now of all times, of all times, when they suddenly think they need a maid?

However, Song Ying was unwilling to take her own son as an apprentice, but was willing to take in a maid. If word got out, it would be really embarrassing for her family.

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