No one was aware of Yu Shikui’s malicious intentions, nor did anyone care, because the master-disciple ceremony was about to begin.
This was probably the first ti the villagers of Wangshan Town were not overwheld with trepidation by the presence of high-ranking officials like the Prefect, Prefectural Governor, or even an imperial envoy.
They kept only one thing in mind: Doctor Xia was going to beco a disciple!
Doctor Xia was a benefactor to the entire Wangshan Town!
At this mont, Shang Jingwang had already glanced at Huangfu Jingchen several tis.
The agreed ti for the ceremony to start was nearly upon them, the Undying Poison Doctor had already arrived, so what was Doctor Xia busy with that she hadn’t appeared yet?
Missing the ti for the ceremony would be a great disrespect to the master.
This Undying Poison Doctor, with his transcendent status, was sure to be upset.
When he looked at Huangfu Jingchen for the fourth ti, his gaze was filled with urgency; the ti was almost up, and if Doctor Xia didn’t co, could this ceremony even proceed?
Shang Jingwang wanted to send soone to the quarantine area to see if Doctor Xia had gotten busy and forgotten.
This was a significant event.
Having an apex doctor like the Undying Poison Doctor as a master was a dream co true for many; Doctor Xia couldn’t miss this opportunity, but there was no one around him at the mont.
Huangfu Jingchen received Shang Jingwang’s anxious look and smiled, "Lord Shang, we can begin!"
Shang Jingwang was a bit tongue-tied, "We... we’re starting now?"
The master was in place, the tea was prepared, the kneeling cushions were set, the witnesses were ready, and many townsfolk had co to watch, but wasn’t the disciple still missing?
No matter, he raised his voice a bit; the quarantine area wasn’t that large, Doctor Xia would hear and co swiftly, they might still make it in ti.
Thinking of this, Shang Jingwang called out loudly, "Today marks the sacred occasion of Doctor Xia taking a master! Welco, all the neighbors who ca to witness! You all know Doctor Xia, her na is Xia Wenjin. Though young, her dical expertise is exceptional, and she has the heart of a healer. Learning of the outbreak in our Wangshan Town, she resolutely stayed, both spending money and exerting effort. To better research a cure, she even allowed herself to contract the illness, nearly sacrificing her life. Now that everyone is safe, Doctor Xia holds the highest rit!"
The villagers echoed one after another, "What you said is true, Doctor Xia is our benefactor!"
"Long live Doctor Xia!"
"Doctor Xia is a kind person, and will surely be rich and prosperous!"
"Doctor Xia is a good person; we people of Wangshan Town will always rember her great kindness and virtue!"
...
In truth, Shang Jingwang’s words strayed from the topic, diverting the master-disciple ceremony to the matter of saving lives. But Shang Jingwang was anxious, needing to say more, to buy so ti for Doctor Xia to make it to the ceremony.
The grateful voices of the villagers resonated all around, and Shang Jingwang gestured for them to quiet down. Though he wanted to hear more and to gain more ti for Doctor Xia, he could not go overboard, as it would anger the Undying Poison Doctor.
With Shang Jingwang’s gesture, the villagers quieted down, yet their eyes remained filled with gratitude.
Shang Jingwang continued, "The master Doctor Xia is to apprentice under is known in the Jianghu as the Undying Poison Doctor, whose esteed na is Lin Que, Senior Lin! His expertise in dicine is unparalleled, and in accepting disciples, he follows a principle as his na suggests: rather have none than less than excellent. Therefore, Doctor Xia is Senior Lin’s first disciple!"
The crowd didn’t know who the Undying Poison Doctor was, and naturally had no feelings about the na Lin Que. But since this was Doctor Xia’s chosen master, he was certainly more remarkable than Doctor Xia.
Yu Shikui snorted on the side; was Shang Jingwang a fool? He, the Prefectural Governor, sat right here, and Shang Jingwang only knew to welco those commoners to witness. Those insignificant people, less valuable than him as the Prefectural Governor, and yet not a word about him, he would rember this!
And as for the so-called Undying Poison Doctor, such a grand title, speaking of what ’rather have none than less than excellent,’ what exceptional dical expertise, only that ignorant crowd would believe it.
No matter how good the dical skill, was it better than the Imperial Physician?
First, due to age, second, due to being a ranked Scholar of the third level, with no chance to enter the Wenbo Academy, of course, he couldn’t have known the previous reputation of the Undying Poison Doctor.
At this mont, he was rely burning with the anger of being ignored.
He shouldn’t have co, but it wasn’t a complete waste, that Xia Wenjin, just a doctor, who knew what ans she had used to gain such esteem from this ignorant crowd; he would find a chance to seize Xia Wenjin later. If she could be of use to him, he’d spare her life; if not, he had many ways to deal with ordinary people!
The Undying Poison Doctor cast a sidelong glance at Shang Jingwang, his voice cool, "Shang lad, are you intentionally stalling for ti?"
Shang Jingwang was also nearing fifty, yet being called a ’lad’ left him without a shred of temper, almost causing the sweat on his forehead to pour down; why was Doctor Xia not here yet? He couldn’t hold on any longer! Well, he could only help this far.
Thinking this, he gritted his teeth and continued, "Now, let the master-disciple ceremony comnce!"
It wasn’t just Shang Jingwang; many villagers were also looking around, searching for Doctor Xia, the ceremony was for Doctor Xia, where was she?
Shang Jingwang’s voice grew louder, almost reaching every corner, "The first step in the ceremony: present the master-disciple letter!"
After calling out this, Shang Jingwang resigned himself to the situation.
Because he hadn’t seen anyone on the field striding quickly to step forward. It was over, Doctor Xia really forgot.
In that mont of his daze, the demure young woman in light blue standing beside the Undying Poison Doctor stepped forward, took out a letter from her sleeve, bowed, and handed it to the Undying Poison Doctor.
Shang Jingwang was montarily stunned, wasn’t it supposed to be Doctor Xia’s ceremony; why was there a young woman?
The Undying Poison Doctor accepted the letter.
Accepting the letter signified an agreent to the master-disciple bond, to accept this disciple.
At this point, Shang Jingwang was dumbfounded.
The Undying Poison Doctor was displeased, glaring at him, "Shang lad, do you resent for taking an obedient disciple?"
Shang Jingwang felt difficult, what should he say? Could it be that the Undying Poison Doctor intended to take two disciples today, which was why Doctor Xia arrived later on purpose? If that were the case, then it was he as the presider of the ceremony who had failed in his protocol.
Amid his hesitation, the young lady who had passed the letter turned and, in front of the crowd, lifted the light veil covering her face, smiling softly at Shang Jingwang, "Lord Shang, I am Xia Wenjin!"
It wasn’t that she intentionally donned a veil for mystery, it was because, having worn n’s clothing for so long, everyone had accepted her as a male in their hearts. Suddenly donning won’s attire left her sowhat unaccustod, using the light veil as a buffer.
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