Chapter 45: Receiving Praise

Tan Erqian lowered his head in modesty and said, “Master, you’re overpraising me. It’s just a natural thing for anyone to do.”

“Good natural behavior!” Shopkeeper Bai pointed inside the room and said, “Come, let’s talk inside. The weather is hot, and you must be tired from your journey.”

Tan Erqian and Old Tan nodded and responded, “Thank you, Master.”

“Thank you, Shopkeeper Bai,” they both said.

The two of them then followed Shopkeeper Bai into the herbal medicine shop.

Although Yao Wan Tang wasn’t large, it was the only herb shop in Pingyang County. Several local medical clinics sourced their herbs from this shop, making it the dominant supplier in the area.

When Tan Erqian and Old Tan entered, they saw a tall and thin young man. This was Aunt Chen’s eldest son, Chen Shi’an.

It was a name that sounded educated.

Although Chen Shi’an had heard for some time that Shopkeeper Bai was taking on apprentices, he hadn’t realized that it was Tan’s second son. Upon seeing his youthful appearance, he was startled. “Erqian, is it really you?”

Tan Erqian politely nodded towards Chen Shi’an. “Brother Chen.”

Chen Shi’an had heard from Aunt Chen earlier that the second son of the Tan family was no longer a fool, so he wasn’t surprised by Tan Erqian’s maturity.

What surprised him was how Shopkeeper Bai had taken on such a young apprentice.

Chen Shi’an still felt somewhat resentful deep down.

He had been here for quite some time and was still just an apprentice to the shop’s assistants, not yet formally under Shopkeeper Bai’s tutelage.

In comparison, Tan Erqian’s position at the herbal shop seemed even higher than his.

Shopkeeper Bai walked over and smiled. “Little Chen, so you two already know each other?”

Chen Shi’an quickly snapped out of his thoughts and responded, “Yes, we’re both from Fengping Village, and we live right next door to each other.”

Shopkeeper Bai stroked his beard and nodded with a smile. “What a coincidence. From now on, you two can look out for each other.”

He then turned to ask Chen Shi’an, “Little Chen, are you still staying at Old Sun’s place?”

Old Sun was the shop’s longtime assistant, and also Chen Shi’an’s master and father-in-law.

Chen Shi’an nodded and said, “That’s right.”

Shopkeeper Bai thought for a moment and then said, “Old Sun’s house isn’t very big, so Erqian might not be able to stay there. How about this, Erqian—”

He turned to look at Tan Erqian, “From now on, you can stay at the Bai residence.”

Tan Erqian was taken aback with surprise. Who wouldn’t know that the Bai family was the wealthiest in all of Pingyang County? Their estate was far grander than Magistrate Cao’s.

Being offered to stay at the Bai residence was like a wild chicken suddenly finding itself in a golden nest.

“Master, there’s no need, really, I’m fine staying at the shop.”

Shopkeeper Bai shook his head. “No, it’s not safe for someone your age to stay at the shop. Come live at the Bai residence with me. Our house is big, one more won’t make a difference.”

Tan Erqian couldn’t refuse any longer and bowed respectfully. “Yes, Master.”

“Good, then I’ll have someone send your belongings over later,” Shopkeeper Bai smiled.

As they spoke about belongings, Old Tan suddenly remembered the pickled vegetables and quickly took out the two jars. “Shopkeeper Bai, these are some homemade pickled vegetables. They taste quite good, so I’ve brought them for you to try.”

Shopkeeper Bai took them in his hands, “Thank you. I’ll take them home and give them a taste.”

Old Tan then handed the other jar to Chen Shi’an. “Nephew Chen, this is for your family. Please pass my regards to your mother.”

“Mm.” Chen Shi’an accepted the pickled vegetables with a cold face, clearly displeased. He only took them out of respect for Shopkeeper Bai.

Aunt Chen had told him about the chicken-stealing incident and had also informed him that his father old man chen was planning to give the land deed to the Tan family. Therefore, he wasn’t in the best mood towards the Tan family. If it hadn’t been for his persistent efforts to stop his confused father, the land deed would have probably ended up with the Tan family.

He had always felt that the Tan family was poor but clever in a scheming way, so he didn’t think much of them.

Shopkeeper Bai observed all of this.

Old Tan, however, didn’t mind at all. He hadn’t expected to get along too well with Chen Shi’an—he had just sent the gift out of courtesy.

Shopkeeper Bai smiled and said, “Old Tan, why don’t you come with me to the Bai residence and have lunch with us?”