Chapter 76: Leng Chen Becomes an Apprentice
“Alright.”
This meant he wanted to see the goods. Wen Nuan Nuan eagerly stood up, took out the top-grade ginseng wrapped in red cloth from her small bamboo basket, and handed it over.
Leng Xiao stepped forward, taking it from her hands first before passing it to Shopkeeper Sun, who was stretching out his hand eagerly.
Wen Nuan Nuan thought to herself, Leng Xiao was quite particular!
That nine-liang-one-qian ginseng had cost a full three thousand taels. The price of two thousand three hundred taels for their seven-liang-nine-qian ginseng was indeed very high.
Compared to the first price offered, it was almost double. It must have been quoted according to the prices in the capital.
No wonder Leng Xiao agreed.
Shopkeeper Sun wished he could press his face against the ginseng, exclaiming repeatedly as he examined it: “The iron-thread patterns are dense and numerous, the color is deep, the roots are thick, with no broken ones. The shape is indeed excellent!”
A hundred-year-old top-grade ginseng was becoming rarer with each sighting. He didn’t know how many years it would be before he saw another one.
Of course, he wanted to close this deal.
Renxin Hall pharmacies were spread all over. If his peers found out he had acquired a top-grade ginseng, it would be something to boast about for the rest of his life!
After a long while, he finally straightened up and asked, “I only have the authority to add five hundred taels. What do you think?”
“Given your past kindness, it should naturally be the same this time.”
Scholars really spoke with such refinement, Wen Nuan Nuan thought to herself. It was better where she came from, where everything was straightforward and spoken openly.
Well, not entirely.
And Leng Xiao would face many more occasions of speaking in such veiled terms in the future. If he were the type to blurt out everything, his grave would likely be overgrown with weeds in no time!
Shopkeeper Sun’s plump, fair face immediately lit up with joy. “Please wait a moment, everyone. I’ll go fetch the silver notes. To be honest, our shop doesn’t have enough silver on hand. The main branch had already informed the bank in advance, so we can withdraw the money as soon as the deal is settled.”
Then he turned and asked, “Do you have any specific requirements for the silver?”
Leng Xiao pondered briefly. “Two thousand taels in gold bars, three hundred taels in gold leaf and gold thread.”
Shopkeeper Sun worked with remarkable efficiency. In no time, he returned with gold bars tucked in his arms.
Wen Nuan Nuan glanced over. The two thousand three hundred taels of gold bars were flat and not very conspicuous.
Shopkeeper Sun wiped his sweat, panting as he explained, “Don’t worry, I didn’t tell anyone. The people at the bank only thought the pharmacy needed a large amount of silver for purchasing medicinal herbs. Besides, Renxin Hall has always had large transactions with the bank, and their manager is extremely tight-lipped.”
Wen Nuan Nuan deeply understood the bank’s attitude toward confidentiality. Then she saw Leng Xiao glance at the three of them, his voice low and cool: “I’ll keep the silver at the Academy. Come to the Academy to find me when you need it.”
The two younger ones nodded, and Wen Nuan Nuan nodded along.
Although she wanted to say it would be safer in the storage room, seeing Shopkeeper Sun’s expression of agreement made her realize that, in this dynasty, large sums of silver should probably be managed by the head of the household.
Since Leng Xiao earned it, it was only natural for him to keep it.
With a sudden family income of two thousand three hundred taels, except for Leng Xiao, whose face showed no emotion, the other three were all visibly overjoyed.
Wen Nuan Nuan and Leng Yun were especially obvious. There was no helping it—this amount far exceeded their expectations!
Suddenly, they felt incredibly wealthy.
“Shopkeeper Sun, I’d like to become an apprentice at your pharmacy,” Leng Chen suddenly looked up and pleaded with Shopkeeper Sun.
Wen Nuan Nuan was completely stunned.
Shopkeeper Sun also took a moment to react. Instead of answering Leng Chen directly, he looked up at Leng Xiao.
Leng Xiao’s phoenix eyes swept over his younger brother, already understanding the situation.
“Shopkeeper Sun, does this seem suitable?” Leng Xiao asked politely and courteously.
“Your brother’s age is indeed appropriate, but this matter is rather sudden. I haven’t yet asked whether you’ve considered it thoroughly?”
“Learning medicine provides a specialized skill, which suits him perfectly,” Leng Xiao replied, skillfully avoiding the main issue.
Shopkeeper Sun hesitated for a long while. He was well aware of the Leng Family’s circumstances. Over the years, supporting a scholar through hunting and gathering herbs and ginseng had been extremely difficult. Now, with this sum of silver, learning a trade seemed the best path forward. He finally agreed, “Alright. However, learning medicine is unlike other trades. It requires not only endurance and diligence but also talent and comprehension. Let’s not formalize a master-disciple relationship for now. He can start as a miscellaneous apprentice, and after observing for a year or two, if suitable, we can proceed with the formal apprenticeship. How does that sound?”
“Agreed,” this time it was Leng Chen who answered himself.
Before next July, he would have ample time to understand the human body’s meridians, acupoints, functions, and the basic principles of medicine.
Moreover, in a few months, they would have already left Tongcheng, so not formalizing the apprenticeship was most appropriate. Later, he could also study medical texts on his own. As long as he didn’t show off, no one would know he understood medical principles.
When the three of them left Renxin Hall and found Leng Tian, Wen Nuan Nuan still felt as if she were floating in the clouds, unable to believe it was real.
Was Second Brother really staying behind to become an apprentice at the medicine shop?
Leng Tian asked anxiously, “Where’s Second Brother?”
“He’s staying at Renxin Hall as an apprentice.”
“Really? That’s wonderful! Second Brother is truly amazing.”
Wen Nuan Nuan felt an indescribable emotion, her heart feeling hollow.
Sitting in the carriage, she even forgot to take the package Leng Xiao handed to her.
Leng Yun looked at his dazed sister-in-law and reminded her, “Sister-in-law, take it quickly.”
“What?” Wen Nuan Nuan looked at Leng Xiao, puzzled.
“The silver from selling the ginseng.”
“Didn’t you say you would keep it? We were supposed to ask you for it at the Academy when we needed it.” Why was he giving it to her now? Besides, she already had over eight hundred taels stored in the storage room, which was enough.
“Sister-in-law, that’s just the usual excuse Eldest Brother and we have always used. In the past, when we sold valuable medicinal herbs for more silver, Eldest Brother would tell outsiders that he was keeping it safe and that we should go to the Academy to get it from him. Now, of course, the family’s silver should be kept by you!” Leng Yun said matter-of-factly.
Wen Nuan Nuan slowly realized that Leng Xiao had been afraid of loose tongues outside, and saying that was just a way to draw danger onto himself alone.
Leng Xiao’s gaze fell on her listless little face, which looked like frostbitten cabbage. He felt nothing about Leng Chen staying at the medicine shop as an apprentice, but seeing her so dispirited now made him uncomfortable. “Don’t worry, he’s going to learn knowledge that will benefit him for a lifetime.”
Wen Nuan Nuan replied softly, “Mm, I know.”
Becoming an apprentice at a medicine shop was a very good thing, as could be seen from Eldest Brother and the others’ reactions. Besides, Second Brother was already nine years old, an age when he should have started school even if he weren’t an apprentice.
He was learning skills and knowledge.
And learning medicine was excellent—treating illnesses, saving lives, and healing the wounded.
But why did she still feel such intense reluctance?
Especially since Shopkeeper Sun’s words kept echoing in her ears.
During the apprenticeship, there would be no wages, but he would be provided with a Kang bed to sleep on. Meals were not included.
Being an apprentice wasn’t necessarily exhausting, but it was indeed very hard. Diligence was a basic requirement. He had to wake up early every morning to tidy himself up, fetch water for everyone to wash, clean, and do all sorts of miscellaneous tasks.
Although there was no formal apprenticeship, if a master beat or scolded a disciple and accidentally went too far, there would be no compensation for the loss of life.
…
Bound by various rules and restrictions, could Leng Chen, not yet ten years old, adapt to it all?
She wasn’t overly worried.
Just a little bit, that’s all.