The Country Maiden: Fields and Leisure-Chapter 852 - 851 Just a Whetstone!

Ninth Master Lee snorted coldly, leaning half against the k’ang with rare relaxation: "You think everyone is like you, appearing mature at a young age. From the age of ten to now, that smile on your face hasn’t changed. Aren’t you tired?"

Gu Zikai kicked Ninth Master Lee, showing a rare burst of youthful energy: "Tired or not, we’ve gotten through it, haven’t we? Your earlier words, could it be there’s some upheaval in the capital?"

Ninth Master Lee leaned lazily against the k’ang table, poured himself a cup of tea, and said: "What kind of upheaval could there be? It’s nothing more than the usual. Your family is lively nowadays, fighting over a title like crows, not kin but enemies now!"

Gu Zikai heard this and sneered, showing a bit of fierceness: "Back then, people could harm their own brothers for a title. Can we expect things to get better now?"

Seeing Gu Zikai like this, Ninth Master Lee knew the topic couldn’t continue, so he muttered a few vague words: "Be careful yourself. Don’t think that hiding this far away means you’re safe. Those heartless ones might still come looking for you."

Gu Zikai didn’t want to continue the topic and just shook his head: "At least we have the old man to keep things in check. No matter how fierce the fights are, they have to maintain appearances. But you, running to the Song Family today, it mustn’t be for a small matter?"

Ninth Master Lee knew he couldn’t hide it, nor did he intend to, so he told everything.

Upon hearing this, Gu Zikai’s eyes flashed: "Don’t hide it from me. That formula must have been on your family’s mind for a long time. If Lady Wang hadn’t offered it willingly this time, wouldn’t you have found someone to talk to her about it?"

Ninth Master Lee blushed, looking a bit embarrassed: "This... It’s not something I can decide now! Isn’t it a matter of great importance? I can only try to give more things in return..."

Gu Zikai shook his head: "Consider yourself lucky. Lady Wang and Scholar Song are not calculative people. Even if they didn’t understand before, they must have figured it out this time!"

Ninth Master Lee stood up in irritation and paced around the room: "Even if I don’t agree, what difference does it make? Outsiders see me as the highly valued Ninth Young Master. The entire Qingzhou Prefecture has been handed over to me! My brothers at home want to swallow me alive out of hatred! Who knows, as long as the old man makes a decision, who can object? They say it’s to train me, to value me, to trust me, but he trusts no one! I’m just a flag he raised, a whetstone!"

At this, Ninth Master Lee’s face showed traces of pain.

Gu Zikai sighed and patted his shoulder: "Alright, let’s keep this conversation here. Once you leave, you must restrain yourself! Besides, even if you’re the flag he raised, your father has publicly declared it. You’re officially the one in charge of the Qingzhou Prefecture. While you can’t make big moves, can you not leave room for yourself privately?"

Ninth Master Lee’s eyes brightened: "You reminded me. Over the years, I’ve saved up some assets. Using my current status and position, I can always leave some room for myself, so I won’t be destitute in the future, having to depend on others!"

Seeing that Ninth Master Lee understood, Gu Zikai also breathed a sigh of relief: "Alright, it’s getting late! You should go back! Your guards are still waiting for you!"

The few smiles that had appeared on Ninth Master Lee’s face vanished immediately: "They’re my father’s spies. They follow me everywhere! Alright, I’m going back! You take care here too! These last few months may be your only respite. Once you pass the examination, you won’t be able to hide even if you want to!"

Gu Zikai pushed Ninth Master Lee out with a bad temper: "Nothing good ever comes out of your mouth. You have to irritate me a few times a day to feel good, don’t you? Go away, looking at you irritates me—"

Ninth Master Lee also put on a defiant expression: "Do you think I enjoy looking at your hypocritical face? Wang Cai, ready the horse, let’s go!"

Saying this, he strode out.

Wang Cai and the guards hurriedly followed...

The next day, after sending Song Chongjin to the academy, Wang Yongzhu, carrying some gifts, hired a carriage and traveled for about half an hour before arriving at East Main Street West Calabash Alley.

Following the alley, the second house indeed had a small plaque with "Du Residence" hanging at the entrance.

The courtyard didn’t look large, small and delicate. The two black lacquered doors were slightly ajar.

Wang Yongzhu knocked on the door, and soon footsteps were heard from inside, "Who is it?"

Wang Yongzhu quickly replied: "My surname is Wang, I’ve come to collect some pills."

The door creaked open, and a grey-haired old servant peeked out: "Who are you?"

Wang Yongzhu quickly explained, and the old servant slowly said: "Wait here, I’ll go ask." Then he closed the door and went inside.

Wang Yongzhu had no choice but to wait patiently, not finding anything amiss.

Even after retiring from the palace, an Imperial Physician carries a certain pride. With their medical techniques, even after returning home, there would still be many seeking their help.

It was normal to be dignified.

After about a cup of tea’s time, the door reopened.

The old servant gestured: "Come in!"

Wang Yongzhu entered and turned behind the screen wall, seeing a large courtyard with various herbs drying in it.

Two young children were cutting herbs nearby.

Upon seeing Wang Yongzhu, the children snuck several glances before being scolded by the old servant and lowering their heads.

Following the old servant into the main hall to sit down, a maid served some refreshments, and after several rounds of tea refills, Imperial Physician Du finally appeared gracefully.

He seemed a bit embarrassed: "Young lady, you came early! I was exhausted from the journey yesterday and slept in a bit. I’m sorry to have kept you waiting."

Wang Yongzhu quickly said: "Coming this early must have disturbed you, Imperial Physician Du!"

Imperial Physician Du waved his hand and after a brief polite exchange, he subtly inquired about the tea leaves from the previous day.

Upon returning home yesterday, he couldn’t wait to brew another pot of tea. freēnovelkiss.com

Usually, such tea would be refreshing and too much would cause sleeplessness.

But last night, he had a good sleep, dreamless until dawn.

Until Wang Yongzhu arrived and the old servant called him, he hadn’t woken up.

For the average person, this was normal, but for Imperial Physician Du, working in the palace was like walking on thin ice, one misstep could mean death.

Especially on duty in the palace, one had to sleep with one eye open, never daring to sleep deeply or speak in dreams, for even the walls had eyes and ears.

Over time, his sleep was particularly poor, waking several times a night, never sleeping deeply or soundly.

Last night was his first good sleep in decades, and he was actually woken up! Even upon waking, he felt refreshed and not the least bit uncomfortable.

Upon reflection, there were only two reasons: first, retiring and returning home, far from the emperor’s reach, he could finally let go of his anxieties.

Secondly, it was likely due to the tea leaves.

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