The Country Maiden: Fields and Leisure
Chapter 904 - 903 Exposed

Chapter 904: Chapter 903 Exposed

"Madam, what are you talking about? If Lord Du wasn’t sincere about teaching me, why would he be so strict with me? Am I that unreasonable? Although he hasn’t formally accepted me as a disciple, in my heart, I’ve already taken him as my teacher! Forget about scolding me, if he were to hit me—" Wang Yongzhu stopped here, noticing a piece of clothing peeking from the door, indicating that Imperial Doctor Du was eavesdropping.

She winked at Lady Qi, gesturing towards the door, then chuckled, "If he hits me, of course, I would run—"

Before she finished speaking, Imperial Doctor Du stormed in from the door: "It sounds insincere! You claim to take me as your teacher, yet you would run if I scold or hit you? What kind of student is that?"

Wang Yongzhu was speechless, if not for the fact that Imperial Doctor Du was elderly, she would have asked, "Imperial Doctor Du, are you out of your mind?"

Even if my own father wanted to hit me, I wouldn’t just stand there and take it, would I?

Besides, with my current reflexes, by instinct I might retaliate, and can Imperial Doctor Du’s old arms and legs withstand it?

I’m trying to save his life here, where can you find such a thoughtful and caring disciple? And yet, he doesn’t even appreciate it.

She directly asked, "Lord Du, do you accept disciples just to hit and scold them? You’re not young anymore, why are you still so fiery? This isn’t good for your health!"

Wang Yongzhu was quite suspicious, how did Imperial Doctor Du with his sharp tongue manage to survive in the palace?

Imperial Doctor Du was exasperated, "What kind of look are you giving me? Let me tell you, Heaven, Earth, Ruler, Parent, Teacher! Once a teacher, always a father..." He droned on about respecting the teacher and cherishing the ways, going on and on.

Wang Yongzhu conceded, continuously agreeing, "Yes, yes, yes, you’re right! You’re always right! Okay, okay, okay..."

Finally, she managed to appease Imperial Doctor Du.

Lady Qi, watching from the side, laughed till her stomach hurt.

She was well aware of her husband’s nature, his sharp tongue only manifested with family, a habit developed during his many years of practicing medicine in the palace.

In the palace, one must be cautious, treading on thin ice, working with one’s life in their hands daily. So, once he got home from duty, Imperial Doctor Du had this quirk, an outlet for venting, always speaking bluntly, purposely making people uncomfortable.

Even caring words came out with a tone of deep grudges.

But ultimately, he restrained this habit, speaking only this way to those close to him at home, while outside, he remained the calm, reliable, and amiable Imperial Doctor Du.

After returning to the countryside, having relaxed, it was hard for Imperial Doctor Du to change decades of habit, still carrying the demeanor of an imperial physician, relaxing only in front of her and Wang Yongzhu.

If it were the average young lady, or even the little medicine boys currently being trained by Imperial Doctor Du, they would be in awe of him, obedient without a trace of defiance.

Unlike Wang Yongzhu, whenever Imperial Doctor Du said something, she could answer back tenfold, always making sense and having the right measure, making it hard to decide whether to be angry or amused.

Lady Qi had encountered many who, upon retirement, were either downhearted or struggled to adjust.

Yet, when Imperial Doctor Du returned to his hometown, he didn’t have time to lament the past or consider the fleeting nature of time, as Wang Yongzhu constantly exasperated him, leaving him no leisure to dwell on such thoughts.

With no life-and-death pressures of the imperial palace, Imperial Doctor Du’s mental and physical condition improved considerably compared to when he was in the Capital City.

He was now full of energy, shouting and bellowing daily.

According to Lady Qi, with her husband’s current vitality, he probably has decades ahead of him.

With Wang Yongzhu around in the future, her husband should stay spry and active for quite a few years to come.

Thus, during their bickering, Lady Qi never intervened, instead, watched the spectacle with relish.

After a long bout of quarreling, Imperial Doctor Du reluctantly and indirectly admitted, despite Wang Yongzhu’s mediocre aptitude, bad temper, and the fact that she is a girl, due to his compassionate nature and considering her dedication to medicine, he grudgingly showed interest in taking her as a disciple.

Wang Yongzhu listened to Imperial Doctor Du’s roundabout way of finally getting to the main point; he intended to take her as a disciple but wanted to observe her more closely, indicating she should stay vigilant?

Wang Yongzhu didn’t mind Imperial Doctor Du’s quirks, happily agreeing, while carrying a pile of medical books he gave her as a special instruction, just about to leave.

Lady Qi couldn’t stand it any longer, pinching Imperial Doctor Du’s waist: "You should restrain yourself; only Yongzhu is tolerant of your foul temper! What kind of teacher are you, throwing such a huge pile for her to carry home?"

"She’s just a girl, how could she manage? Why not have someone help carry it?" She turned her head and instructed the maid to have the servants harness the carriage to take Wang Yongzhu home.

On regular days it’s alright, but today, having decided to accept her as a disciple, how could a teacher be so stingy?

Imperial Doctor Du’s face twisted in discomfort until Lady Qi let go, hurriedly finding an excuse to instruct Wang Yongzhu, rushing after her.

Luckily, Wang Yongzhu hadn’t gone far, standing at the door, looking into the distance.

Imperial Doctor Du walked to her side, following her gaze. What was there? Just a young woman covering her face as she passed by, nothing worth noting.

Wang Yongzhu frowned, stared at the young woman for a long time before recognizing her as Lady Fang.

She was instantly curious; wasn’t it rumored that Lady Fang was pregnant? Why wasn’t she resting at home, and instead, running around here?

Imperial Doctor Du stood next to her, so Wang Yongzhu unabashedly asked: "Lord Du, who lives across the street?"

Imperial Doctor Du had just returned and didn’t know, "Why do you ask this?"

Wang Yongzhu pointed to Lady Fang, "That’s the second daughter-in-law of the Tian Family, it’s said she’s pregnant. I heard Shopkeeper Tian mention his daughter-in-law wasn’t feeling well recently, why is she out today?"

Imperial Doctor Du squinted at Lady Fang for a while before sneering, "Who told you that woman was pregnant? Have the doctors in Jing County reduced to such incompetence these years? Can’t even tell a slippery pulse? This woman obviously is about to have her period, it’s just liver stagnation and blood stasis, how could she be pregnant?"

With one sentence, he exposed what Lady Fang desperately tried to conceal.

Wang Yongzhu nodded, no wonder, perhaps Lady Fang resorted to feigning pregnancy to protect herself?

But isn’t she worried that once exposed, the Tian Family might not spare her?

With this realization, Wang Yongzhu became more cautious. Since Lady Fang wasn’t pregnant, she should be careful when encountering her in the future to avoid any false accusations.