Chapter 6: The First Patient

After purchasing one shi of unpolished rice, the carrying pole returned to Song Yuntang’s shoulder.

Fortunately, with only two sets of clothes and a piece of cloth, it wasn’t too heavy, especially since the grain shop was not far from where the ox cart had been parked at the town entrance.

Song Jinsheng strode ahead, carrying a bag of rice, while Song Yuntang struggled to keep up with his pace.

The two found the ox cart they had arrived on, parked under a large tree that provided some shade. The old man driving the cart was resting at a nearby tea stall.

Song Jinsheng placed the bag of rice on the cart and called toward the tea stall, “Grandpa Sun, when will the cart leave?”

“Just wait a little longer,” the old man replied.

At that moment, a coughing sound came from the direction of Cile Town.

Song Yuntang instinctively turned to look and saw a tall figure walking toward the cart.

He wore a simple dark green long robe that gave off a sense of calmness, with long, fair fingers holding together a thick stack of Xuan paper and several bags of medicinal herbs. The veins on the back of his hand were clearly visible.

If one ignored the sickly look on his face, describing him as a jade-like figure would be quite fitting.

Song Yuntang’s lips curled into a smile.

Her first patient was here!

Following her gaze, Song Jinsheng immediately stood up straight when he saw who was approaching.

“Mr. Xu…”

The man’s deep-set eyes looked at him, slightly nodding, his voice low.

“Coincidental.”

Song Jinsheng felt a bit awkward. “When did you come to town, Mr. Xu? We didn’t see you when we arrived.”

Xu Qingye replied leisurely, “I came in on a casual cart around noon. I’m taking the ox cart back now, just in time for my afternoon class.”

Song Jinsheng quickly brushed off the dust from the corner of the ox cart with his sleeve.

“Please sit here, sir.”

Xu Qingye nodded. “Thank you.”

Suddenly remembering something, Song Jinsheng hurriedly introduced Song Yuntang beside him. “Tang’er hasn’t met Mr. Xu yet, right? He’s the teacher we invited to our Rongshu Village, named Xu Qingye.” He then turned to Xu Qingye and introduced, “Mr. Xu, this is my sister, Song Yuntang.”

Xu Qingye was the only scholar from the surrounding villages in nearly a decade. His talent had been praised by the magistrate of Anyang County. If not for falling seriously ill five years ago, he would have likely passed the imperial examination by now.

Due to his health issues, he couldn’t continue his studies and agreed to the requests from several nearby villages, serving as a teacher in the private school in Rongshu Village for four years. He usually kept to himself and rarely appeared in the village.

When Xu Qingye started teaching in Rongshu Village, Song Jinsheng was already fourteen. Although he was past the age of learning, he still learned a few characters from Xu Qingye in the private school and respected him greatly.

Since Song Yuntang had followed the rules of a young lady and rarely went out except to town, it was normal that she hadn’t met someone like Xu Qingye before.

“Hello, Mr. Xu.” She nodded slightly to the man in front of her.

Xu Qingye returned a smile, but there was a hint of indifference in his expression.

Clearly, he didn’t want to engage in much conversation with Song Yuntang.

Song Yuntang bit her lip. Although she hadn’t seen Xu Qingye before, she had heard the Song family mention him. With his reputation in the area, if she cured him, it would be a living example.

Thinking this, she smiled and asked, “Where are you from, Mr. Xu? I don’t believe I’ve heard of anyone with the Xu surname in Rongshu Village.”

“I’m from Lushan Village,” Xu Qingye replied softly.

“May I ask how old you are, sir?” Song Yuntang continued.

Seeing this, Song Jinsheng hurriedly nudged Song Yuntang with his elbow, lowering his voice to warn her. “What do you need to ask Mr. Xu’s age for?”

Song Yuntang looked relaxed. “I’m just curious. If Mr. Xu doesn’t want to say, just treat it as if I never asked.”

“It’s nothing I can’t say,” Xu Qingye adjusted his sleeves and replied calmly. “I’m twenty-three this year.”

Twenty-three was indeed still young.

Song Yuntang nodded. “When did your lung illness start, Mr. Xu? What kind of medicine do you usually take? Has there been any improvement?”

Song Jinsheng was taken aback by her words, quickly pulling her behind him and cautiously looking at Xu Qingye.

“Mr. Xu, our Tang’er is young and tends to speak nonsense. Please don’t take her seriously.”

His sister was overly confident, thinking she was a divine physician. To casually speak like that could offend Xu Qingye. If he felt displeased and resigned from his teaching position in Rongshu Village, that would be a serious issue.

After all, their two younger brothers were still studying at the private school.

However, Xu Qingye merely shook his head slightly, seeming not to take Song Yuntang’s words to heart.

“It’s no trouble.”

After saying that, he closed his eyes and ignored the two of them.

Song Jinsheng sighed with relief and shot Song Yuntang a glare, signaling her to stop speaking recklessly.

The old man driving the cart saw Xu Qingye seated and quickly settled the payment, emerging from the tea stall.

“It’s getting late; we should set off.”

Seeing this, Song Jinsheng helped Song Yuntang onto the ox cart, then climbed up himself. Besides the three of them, there was also an unfamiliar outsider on the cart.

Song Yuntang sat between Xu Qingye and Song Jinsheng, trying to lean toward Song Jinsheng.

Watching her little head lean against him, a smile crept into Song Jinsheng’s eyes. Xu Qingye was indeed knowledgeable and taught well, but perhaps due to his previous illness, he had a rather cold demeanor. He had always kept a distance from others.

His delicate sister seemed timid and naturally didn’t dare to get too close to him.

Grandpa Sun untied the rope holding the ox and glanced at Song Yuntang and Song Jinsheng, who were sitting close together.

“Song family lad, that rice is heavy. You might need to pay an extra copper coin for the cart fare.”

Song Jinsheng was taken aback and exchanged a glance with Song Yuntang, only to see her turn to Grandpa Sun. “Don’t worry, Grandpa. You won’t lose out.”

“Good, you all sit tight.”

With that, he drove the ox cart away.

…

With Xu Qingye present, Song Jinsheng sat quietly beside him, not saying a word.

Xu Qingye appeared indifferent, keeping his eyes closed since getting on the ox cart.

Song Yuntang stole glances at him several times, wanting to mention treating him, but he clearly didn’t wish to engage. With others present, she suppressed that thought for now.

As they traveled, the cart hit a small bump in the road, causing a violent jolt that made Song Yuntang lurch forward, nearly falling off the cart. Startled, she instinctively reached for Song Jinsheng beside her.

Before she could touch him, a strong hand firmly grasped her arm, pulling her back.

Once she was steady, Xu Qingye released her arm with a calm expression and nodded. “My apologies.”