Chapter 291: Chapter 291: Going to the Mountain to See a Doctor
291. Going Up the Mountain for a Consultation
Ding Xiang shyly ran up to Qiao Muchen, her head lowered to look at her own toes, the tips of her ears slightly red. She whispered hesitantly, "It’s nothing much, really. It’s just that you saved me today, and I was so startled back then that I didn’t get a chance to thank you properly."
She fiddled with the sachet in her hands before summoning the courage to present it to him. "I don’t have much to offer. So, I... I’ve embroidered this sachet as a token of my gratitude."
However, Qiao Muchen didn’t reach out for the sachet. Instead, he took a small step back, creating distance between them, and said politely, "Miss Ding, there’s no need for this. I just happened to meet Tongtong and went with her. She was the one who actually saved you. You should thank Tongtong."
Seeing Qiao Muchen’s distant and polite demeanor, Ding Xiang looked crestfallen. She bit her lip and said softly, "But Young Master Qiao, you saved me too. It’s only right that I thank you."
"Or... or do you dislike my sachet because of my poor embroidery skills?"
Qiao Muchen’s thin lips pressed lightly. Though he appeared gentle and handsome, there was a hint of indifference in his expression. "Miss Ding, please take it back. I’ve never been fond of wearing things like sachets."
Ding Xiang was momentarily at a loss. After a long pause, she stiffly lowered her hand and stammered, somewhat startled, "I... I’m sorry. I didn’t know you disliked wearing such things."
"If it had been Miss Zhao, she is so clever and discerning. She would have known your preferences. Unlike me, always so dull and incapable," Ding Xiang said, growing upset. She continued, "Miss Zhao is so smart and beautiful, and a talented doctor. Unlike me, who can’t do anything or offer anything."
Qiao Muchen frowned, his expression growing colder. He spoke in an indifferent tone, "Miss Ding, there’s no need to compare yourself to Tongtong. Tongtong is indeed the cleverest girl I know. Anyone comparing themselves to her would only hurt their self-esteem."
At his words, Ding Xiang’s expression froze. Is he implying I lack self-awareness?
"Miss Ding, if there’s nothing urgent, I must leave. I have duties at the academy," Qiao Muchen stated before turning to leave.
Embarrassed, Ding Xiang put the sachet away and returned to the medical clinic with her head lowered. There, she saw Zhao Zhitong finishing a diagnosis for a patient.
After some thought, she approached Zhao Zhitong and said admiringly, "Miss Zhao, you’re truly amazing! Your medical skills are so advanced, and you’re so intelligent. I’m so envious of you. If only I could be like you."
Zhao Zhitong looked at Ding Xiang, puzzled by her words. She said seriously, "Miss Ding, that way of thinking is incorrect. Our Teacher always says, ’There are no two identical leaves in the world; their uniqueness is what makes the world beautiful.’ Similarly, every person is a unique existence and has their own special qualities."
"You also have many strengths that others might envy. So, you absolutely mustn’t wish to become someone else and lose your unique self. You should strive to become better and be the most unique version of yourself."
Ding Xiang nodded fervently at Zhao Zhitong’s words, then said in admiration, "Miss Zhao, you’re so knowledgeable and amazing!"
She then pleaded, "Miss Zhao, can I call you Tongtong? I want to be friends with you."
Zhao Zhitong replied, "Of course! We’re already friends."
Seeing Zhao Zhitong nod in agreement, Ding Xiang’s face brightened. She exclaimed, "Then, Tongtong, you can call me Xiang Xiang."
She then asked cautiously, "Tongtong, can... can you teach me medicine?"
Zhao Zhitong was taken aback. "You want to learn medicine?"
Ding Xiang nodded and explained, "I’ve been helping out at the medical clinic for a while now and have gradually learned about many medicinal herbs. I often see you and your grandfather treating patients and saving lives. I find it so noble, and I also want to be a useful person."
"So, Tongtong, can you teach me?" she pleaded, her eyes brimming with anticipation as she looked at Zhao Zhitong.
Zhao Zhitong sighed at her eager gaze. She thought about how Ding Xiang was now alone and without support; if she had a skill, she could make a living. So, she said, "Learning medicine is an arduous process. If you are interested and eager to learn, then you should spend more time observing and learning from my grandfather at the clinic. If he perceives that you have a talent for it, he might even take you on as his apprentice."
Thrilled, Ding Xiang nodded and said, "Thank you, Tongtong."
"You’re welcome. Just keep working hard," Zhao Zhitong encouraged softly with a smile. Just then, another patient came in, clutching his belly and groaning in pain.
Seeing Zhao Zhitong get busy, Ding Xiang quietly withdrew, not daring to disturb her further. Then, she took a deep breath, pulled herself together, and started helping guide patients while listening intently as Zhao Zhitong diagnosed them.
"Xiang Xiang, Xiang Xiang!"
At that moment, Sun Xiaoxue called out from the entrance to the backyard, "Xiang Xiang, come quickly! Brother said the panax notoginseng, Thunberg fritillary bulb, corydalis rhizome, and cremastra bulb powder in the medicine box are almost out. He wants us to go pound more herbs quickly."
"Okay. I’m coming!" After responding cheerfully, Ding Xiang hitched up her skirt and raced over.
Sun Xiaoxue smiled and wrapped an arm around Ding Xiang’s, and both of them headed to the backyard.
There were three mortars for pounding herbs in the backyard. The three girls each took one and began working while chatting.
After a while, Ding Xiang suddenly asked, "Xiaoxue, could you get me a book to read? I thought maybe I could read while I pound herbs."
Ding Xiang always seemed well-read and sensible. Her fondness for reading was well-known to everyone in the family.
So, Sun Xiaoxue didn’t find it strange when Ding Xiang asked for a book. She pondered for a moment and said, "But, most of the books in our home are medical books. Do you still want to read them?"
Ding Xiang nodded. "Just now, Tongtong said I could study and learn. I was thinking that if I could learn more about medicinal herbs, I’d be able to help out more at the medical clinic."
Hearing this, both Sun Xiaoxue and Sun Xiaoyu felt their hearts go out to Ding Xiang.
They figured Ding Xiang felt awkward about living and eating with the Sun Family and wanted to work more to make up for it.
Sun Xiaoxue then said with a smile, "Alright, wait for me here. I’ll go get you a book."
She then ran to her room and, after a short while, came back with a compendium of medicinal herbs. She handed it to Ding Xiang, saying, "This book is about medicinal herbs. It’s the notebook Grandfather used to teach us how to recognize them. Take a look; it can help you learn."
"Thank you so much," said Ding Xiang with gratitude, accepting the book.
From then onwards, Ding Xiang spent her free time reading. Like a sponge, she absorbed knowledge thirstily. Whenever she came across parts she didn’t understand, she would ask questions. She even forgot to eat or sleep while reading, such was her enthusiasm.
Everyone witnessed her dedication.
Having made an appointment with Headmaster Yuan for the following day, Zhao Zhitong didn’t stay at the medical clinic for too long and went home early.
The next day, upon returning from Scholar Meng’s place, she immediately headed to the county town.
Her meeting with the dean was scheduled for Shen time in the afternoon, so she wasn’t in a rush. However, she wanted to go to the academy earlier to hang out with a couple of friends.
Sun Youli escorted Zhao Zhitong to the foot of the mountain. There, they encountered Qiao Muchen and Zhao Yue, who were coming down from the mountain.
Zhao Zhitong turned and waved her small hand. "Goodbye, Uncle! You should head back now. Be careful on your way!"
Sun Youli chuckled good-naturedly. "Alright, I’ll head back then. You all be careful on the road too. I’ll come back to pick you up later."