Chapter 77: Each Person Has Their Own Responsibilities

Inside the gently swaying carriage, Wen Nuan Nuan gazed at the upright figure sitting steadily and composedly.

Warm sunlight filtered in through the carriage window, scattering in fragmented patterns that flickered across the young man’s slightly upturned, alluring phoenix eyes, his high-bridged nose, and his thin lips. Amidst the interplay of light and shadow, his true expression remained unclear.

Dressed in scholarly attire, he should have exuded an air of refined intellect, yet a gloomy, cold, and fierce aura seemed to linger between his brows and eyes—like the moon shrouded by layers of dark clouds on a pitch-black, windy night.

Setting aside her wistful emotions, Wen Nuan Nuan shifted closer to Leng Xiao. “Are you also worried about Second Brother?”

So it wasn’t just her who felt this hollow, melancholic sense of loss.

As their Eldest Brother, Leng Xiao had always taken care of and protected them. He must be the one most reluctant to part.

Leng Xiao’s sinister and indifferent eyes, like deep, unfathomable ancient pools, rested inquisitively on her small face, which was filled with reluctance.

After a long while, he replied lightly, “Not particularly worried.”

The girl’s obvious surprise and inability to respond did not bring him the relief he had anticipated. Instead, it stirred a sense of restlessness within him.

He wanted to see her clear, bright smile.

Suddenly, he felt a wave of intense self-loathing.

What he should have done was soothe her worries and reluctance, not deny or avoid them, leaving her to process these feelings of separation alone.

Leng Xiao remained silent for a moment before speaking again, his tone as detached as if discussing someone else’s affairs. “Not long after Second Brother and Little Brother were born, the Leng Family fell into misfortune. Our reputation was tarnished, our property confiscated, and our servants dismissed. Our father died, and our mother was frail and ill. We drifted for a long time before finally settling down at the foot of the mountain in Tongcheng and surviving.

Temporary gains and losses, honor and disgrace, mean nothing. Separation and parting also mean nothing. As long as one knows the path chosen is right, even if one must crawl, it should be followed to the end. Happiness or unhappiness means nothing in the face of survival.”

Wen Nuan Nuan hadn’t expected Leng Xiao to say this. She looked up at him in surprise.

The young man’s cool phoenix eyes were hidden in the shadows untouched by the light, making it impossible to discern his true emotions. Yet, an unmistakable, chilling aura radiated from him, growing unrestrained.

“He must acquire skills so that in the future, he can use what he has learned, do all he can, protect those within his reach, and fulfill his aspirations.”

Only by becoming stronger oneself can one protect oneself and have the ability to safeguard those one wishes to protect.

After all, the Leng Family members do not merely want to survive.

Now, more than ever, it is about how to protect her completely, ensuring no one dares to covet her.

Wen Nuan Nuan remained lost in thought for a long time.

The foresight and perspective of a powerful minister were indeed beyond her comparison. While she was still dwelling on the sorrow of parting and the melancholy of separation, he saw the importance of self-improvement and future strength.

Indeed, if one does not endure the hardships of learning, must one not then endure the hardships of life?

Leng Xiao could protect them, but the feeling of fighting side by side as equals must be different from the feeling of being protected.

The four of them had always been like a blazing fire when together and scattered stars when apart, each destined to become formidable in their own right.

Without the separation of the present and the endurance of its bitterness, how could there be comfortable days in the future?

Hearing Leng Xiao’s words, Wen Nuan Nuan suddenly felt her perspective broaden!

Compared to their childhood experiences, becoming an apprentice was indeed already a good opportunity.

Even if he was only nine years old.

After all, in the past, when they had no money and went hungry, even becoming an apprentice was a luxury.

Not to mention anything else—where would the money come from to cover three meals a day?

“Eldest Brother, find a nearby grocery store and stop the carriage. Let’s buy some daily necessities for Second Brother and send them over!”

Wen Nuannuan’s earlier worried expression vanished completely, her small face now radiant with a brilliant smile.

Looking at things from a different perspective, all problems ceased to be problems.

The heavy gloom and solitary chill in Leng Xiao’s phoenix-like eyes dissipated. In the sunless corner of the carriage, his gaze lingered greedily on that clear, refreshing smile, like sunlight after rain.

At the general store, they bought a pig-bristle toothbrush, green salt, an oil lamp, a wooden basin, and a fire starter. At the fabric shop, they purchased single-layer and multi-layer gauze, cotton cloth, and a veiled hat. Then, at the bookstore, they bought the same type of roughest straw paper as last time, along with two books.

Inside the carriage, Wen Nuannuan sorted everything neatly, dividing them into items to take home and those to deliver to Leng Chen.

Arriving at the entrance of Renxin Hall, Wen Nuannuan remembered the pastries she had bought from the bakery next door on her first visit. She took Leng Yun inside and picked out over ten packages of the most expensive and delicious treats!

Entering the main hall, they learned that Shopkeeper Sun and Leng Chen had just gone to the inner hall for questioning. The three of them headed toward the inner hall.

The door to the inner hall was open. As they approached, they could see the plump Shopkeeper Sun seated in the main position, Leng Chen standing and answering questions, and faint snippets of their conversation.

“Do you know how to read?”

“I know a few characters.”

Shopkeeper Sun seemed surprised, looking up in astonishment before realization dawned on his plump face. “Ah, that makes sense. Your eldest brother is a Jieyuan. Teaching you the basics would be more than enough for him.”

He then asked, “Can you recognize all the characters in the Three Character Classic*?”

“I can manage to read the Four Books and Five Classics passably.”

Shopkeeper Sun drew a sharp breath, unable to hide his satisfaction. “Excellent, excellent! Apprentices in a pharmacy are different from those in other trades or crafts. To become a skilled and accomplished physician in this field—what we call a ‘scholar-physician’—one must first study Confucian texts for several years to build a solid cultural foundation. I hadn’t expected you to already have such a foundation. This is truly commendable.”

“Of course, even with limited literacy or a modest start, many can gradually master the craft through diligent study!”

“But since you already have a foundation, in addition to daily tasks like attending to daily needs, maintaining cleanliness inside and out, and doing miscellaneous physical work, you can also take on basic tasks like sorting, winnowing, drying, cutting, pounding, rolling, and hanging herbs.”

This was the youngest apprentice he had ever taken on as a shopkeeper, yet also the most literate.

Pharmacies were unlike carpentry or masonry—illiteracy wouldn’t hinder craftsmanship there.

On the contrary, pharmacy apprentices had to undergo long periods of observation and testing. Their character, aptitude, familiarity with medicinal properties, and more were assessed before deciding whether they could be taught.

Compared to his senior brother who managed the consultation room, though they shared the same master, his senior brother was naturally gifted and had inherited their master’s true teachings, enabling him to consult, diagnose, and prescribe. He himself, being dull-witted, could only handle external treatments like bone-setting and manage trivial matters like medicinal herb procurement.

Now, could he also hope to take on a talented and bright apprentice?

Perhaps this one could even become a renowned physician in his generation!

A faint smile flickered across Leng Chen’s youthful face as he hurriedly bowed respectfully. “Thank you, Shopkeeper!”

Wen Nuannuan and Leng Yun were overjoyed to witness Leng Chen being recognized so soon after arriving.

Shopkeeper Sun, facing the three of them, noticed their expressions and stood up, his plump and prosperous figure offering a slight bow with clasped hands.

Leng Chen turned around following the shopkeeper’s gaze and saw the three of them carrying large and small packages. His eyes reddened slightly. “Sister-in-law, Eldest Brother, why have you come back?”