Farmhouse Green Plum

Chapter 572 Etiquette

Song Ying came out of the house, pretending not to notice the subtle expressions of Qian and the others. He smiled and asked Yang, "Second Aunt, where is the sweet rice wine and rice?"

"It's locked in my bedroom. I'll get it for you." Yang also smiled, without any resentment.

After making sure that the incense table and utensils were ready, Song Ying went into the room where she and Li lived, combed her hair into a double bun and waited.

Soon, she heard the sound of a carriage rumbling over the bluestone slabs in front of the door. She looked over and saw a carriage covered with a blue cloth parked at the door. The curtain was opened, and Aunt Song got out first, greeted them with a smile, and turned to support Doctor Lin.

"Doctor Lin, we are so happy to have you here. Come inside and sit down. Be careful. It rained a few days ago and the road is still a little slippery." Yang hurried forward and supported Doctor Lin while speaking.

Doctor Lin bowed slightly and said gently, "Excuse me for bothering you."

"Why are you bothering me? You are a noble lady. It is our great honor to have you come to our house. Song Ying has caused you a lot of trouble. We have always wanted to thank you, but we never had the chance." Yang's smile never faded. Her words were humble and sincere, and she seemed very grateful and respectful to Doctor Lin.

The villagers looked at Doctor Lin curiously and secretly. Although they had heard of Doctor Lin countless times from Song Ying and others, this was the first time they actually saw this imperial physician.

When Doctor Lin looked over, some people turned their heads away embarrassedly, some greeted them openly, and some pretended to look at Song Ergu and pulled her aside to chat.

Song Ying hurriedly stood up to greet him, but his sleeve got caught on the broken wooden cabinet at the door. With a crackling sound, a big hole appeared in his sleeve.

She frowned and threw it away. She would have to change the children's clothes soon anyway.

"Master, Second Aunt," she took two steps forward, "I calculated the distance and thought it would take you some time to arrive."

Aunt Song smiled with a pair of deep dimples when she heard this. "I also said that the mountain road is winding and we should go slowly, but your master was afraid of missing the auspicious time, so he urged the driver several times along the way."

Doctor Lin felt a little embarrassed by Second Aunt Song's subtle teasing. Song Ying knew her master's temperament very well. She changed the subject at the right moment and looked into the carriage, "Where are my uncle and brother? Why didn't they come with us?"

"They are men from outside the family, after all. It's not proper for them to come to your coming-of-age ceremony."

As he was speaking, Li came out of the main hall carrying a baking basket. Hearing this, she said, "We farmers don't have to be so particular. It's all thanks to you and Doctor Ma for teaching Yingwa the medical skills over the years. Otherwise, she wouldn't be what she is today. In our hearts, we've long been family."

Song Ying naturally knew that what Li said was just a polite remark, but in her heart, she really thought so. The years of getting along with her master and uncle, and the respectful teachings of her master and uncle, and the protection of her senior brother, all made her feel the warmth of family.

She felt a little sorry that they didn't come.

Doctor Lin seemed to sense her disappointment and took out three wooden boxes from his sleeve and handed them to her. "Although they didn't come, they are thinking of you."

Song Ying's eyes fell on the red sandalwood needle case with the words 'Benevolent Heart to Save the World' engraved on it, and he asked in surprise, "Master, isn't this the gift given to you by our master as a disciple?"

Doctor Lin is different from Song Ying and others. She did not become a disciple of Doctor Jiang before learning medicine.

As a rich lady, her family never thought of letting her study medicine. She was interested in it when she was young. She often sat in when Imperial Physician Jiang taught Jiang Yuanfeng and others, and read medical books on her own. Gradually, she learned some knowledge.

Once, Imperial Physician Jiang was testing his grandsons in the herb garden to identify medicinal herbs. When it was the third grandson, Jiang Yuanlei's turn, he scratched his head and could not answer. Doctor Lin became anxious and could not help but say:

"These are mulberry leaves that have been frosted. They are sweet, bitter, and cold, and can dispel wind and heat. After being frosted, they become even cooler and more moisturizing, making them the best treatment for red and blurred vision. The "Compendium of Materia Medica" states that a decoction of frosted mulberry leaves for washing the eyes is ten times more effective than those picked in summer."

At that time, she had never been imprisoned and was still in her prime. Her voice was still clear and startled the sparrows on the branches, making them flutter and fly away. It also startled Doctor Jiang.

He originally thought she came to the herb garden to play, but unexpectedly she was actually here to learn. He couldn't help but test her, and found that she was better than his second and third grandsons in both medical knowledge and herbal identification, and was on par with his most proud eldest grandson Jiang Yuanfeng.

No, it should be that she is more capable than his most proud grandson. Yuanfeng was carefully taught by him, but she learned everything entirely by herself through exploration and eavesdropping.

Doctor Jiang felt sorry that she was a girl. After thinking about it all night, he couldn't bear to miss such a good seedling, so he went to visit the Lin family the next day and wanted to take her as his apprentice.

The Lin family initially disapproved of the young lady studying medicine, fearing that it would ruin her reputation. But then they thought that since she was already engaged to Jiang Yuanfeng, her future in-laws wouldn't mind, so they agreed.

During the formal apprenticeship, Imperial Physician Jiang specially selected this rosewood needle box as a gift for her. He personally engraved the four characters "Benevolent Heart and Assisting the World" on the surface of the box. The inside of the box is divided into nine compartments, corresponding to the nine needles in the Yellow Emperor's Classic of Internal Medicine.

Doctor Lin gently stroked the inscription "Benevolence and Assistance" on the red sandalwood needle box, a look of nostalgia on his face. "When your master gave me this needle box, he wanted me to inherit his acupuncture skills. You have inherited my true acupuncture skills, so this nine-needle box is the most suitable one to be passed down to you."

Inheritance...

Song Ying pondered the words, and suddenly felt the needle box in her hand become heavy. She bent her fingers and gripped the needle box tightly. She nodded solemnly, "Master, I understand."

Doctor Lin was relieved, "It's almost the auspicious time, go in and get ready."

Song Ying nodded and went in carrying three wooden boxes. In addition to the nine-needle box, there were two other wooden boxes, one containing a pine soot ink ingot and the other a copper-based enamel pillow.

Needless to say, the pine soot ink stick must have been given by his senior brother, and the copper-based enamel pillow belonged to Doctor Ma. Song Ying had been coveting it for a long time.

This listening pillow is very delicately crafted, with reflective enamel that can enhance the appearance of qi and blood on the face, making it helpful for observing the patient's complexion; the grooves on the wrist pillow fit perfectly with the Cun, Guan, and Chi points, making it convenient for taking the patient's pulse; and the hollow copper cavity inside can amplify sounds inside the human body, helping to hear the lungs and intestinal sounds clearly. If you go out, you can also place medicinal materials there.

In the past, Song Ying and Lin Wenxuan were very envious and asked Doctor Ma to borrow it many times, but Doctor Ma was very precious and only let them use it in the clinic. He never let Song Ying take it to see patients. He also said that the ladies in the inner court were very particular and Song Ying could just use their own small pillows.

Song Ying touched the nine-needle box and the copper-based enamel pillow, and carefully placed them in her small basket.

There was already a delicate bronze mirror placed there. It was a coming-of-age gift given to her by Yuan Qing. It was given to her by her mother Fang, and then to Yang after she came back yesterday.

This is a gift for a clear path.

PS: I was too tired after coming back and missed my appointment yesterday. I will make up for it all today.