The next day, when Ye Wanmian woke up, she found that the yellow dog, which had been so valiant the previous night, was listless again and not very affectionate towards her. She couldn't help but mutter to herself.
It seemed that Dahuang's mood had fluctuated greatly these days. It was almost as moody as a woman during her menstrual period.
Taking advantage of the yellow dog's inattention, she hugged it tightly, stroked its ears and nose, and then pried open its mouth to look at its tongue.
—Yesterday, she had asked her master at Huichuntang. Her master said that to determine whether a dog was sick, one only needed to touch its ears and nose, and then check its spirit and appetite.
The ears were cool, and the nose was moist and cold, which meant it wasn't sick.
Ye Wanmian thought that perhaps the sudden visit of Xiao Yixuan and his men for a search the previous night had reminded it of the experience of being hurt by Bu Hua, so it was a bit frightened?
With some doubts, after having breakfast, she slung her self - made small schoolbag over her back, called the yellow dog, and went out to report to the medical clinic.
From then on, she had finally found a proper job and didn't have to go up the mountain to gather herbs anymore.
This was her first day at the medical clinic as an apprentice. She mustn't be late and disappoint her master.
She walked quite fast, almost striding forward. She thought the yellow dog would lag behind because of its bad mood. However, out of the corner of her eye, she caught a glimpse of a yellow figure. A warm body was pressing closely against her. Ye Wanmian lifted the corners of her lips and smiled.
Although she didn't know what capricious thing Dahuang was up to suddenly, as long as it was healthy and liked to be close to her, she would be satisfied.
Perhaps because something had been lost at Liuxiang Tower the previous day, and it was an item closely related to the Crown Prince, the security in Dongli Town had become much stricter than before.
In the past, one would only see a patrol team of soldiers after walking two streets. Now, after walking just a few hundred meters, one could see soldiers in soft armor. There were also far fewer pedestrians on the road. It was as quiet as a dead city.
She only glanced at them briefly and then lowered her head, concentrating on her own way.
Although her identity had been recognized by Xiao Yixuan, she still hadn't removed the fake scar on her face and covered her face with a handkerchief.
The journey was peaceful, and she arrived at the medical clinic smoothly.
It was still early at that time, and the medical clinic hadn't opened yet. So she stood outside for a while.
Before long, there was a sound from the closed door panels, and Qi Wen's figure appeared in front of her. Ye Wanmian showed a smiling face and stepped onto the steps to say hello.
"Good morning, Qi Wen."
Qi Wen was also surprised. "Madam Jiang, you're here so early?"
Ye Wanmian nodded and helped him put away the door panels to open the door and welcome patients.
"Is master up?" Ye Wanmian asked.
Qi Wen shook his head and seemed hesitant to speak. Ye Wanmian then mentioned the visit of the soldiers the previous night. Qi Wen immediately gritted his teeth and said,
"Those rascally soldiers came to our place last night too. First, they searched our medical clinic and master's room. Then they asked about your address. Master was worried all night and didn't fall asleep until almost dawn."
Ye Wanmian felt a warm feeling in her heart.
Her master still cared about her.
Doctor Wang hadn't woken up yet. Ye Wanmian and Qi Wen tidied up the medical clinic, which had been rummaged through by the soldiers the previous night. It was almost the end of Chenshi (around 9 a.m.) when Doctor Wang's figure finally appeared in the medical clinic.
Ye Wanmian immediately stepped forward and said eagerly, "Master, you're up."
Doctor Wang had looked rather tired at first, but when he saw Ye Wanmian, he instantly perked up. He lowered his eyes and carefully examined her. After confirming that she was safe and sound, he finally felt relieved. However, he still asked,
"Did they give you any trouble last night?"
Ye Wanmian shook her head and said with a smile, "Don't worry, master. I'm not the kind of person who would let myself be bullied. Instead of giving me trouble, His Highness the Prince of Xuan even compensated me with a lot of silver."
Doctor Wang was completely relieved and let out a hearty laugh. "Only you would dare to do this. Good, good. You're really worthy of being my chosen apprentice!"
Soon, patients came to the medical clinic. Doctor Wang started to feel the patients' pulses and treat them. As his apprentice, Ye Wanmian also watched the diagnosis beside him and began to get busy.
Xiao Jingcheng lay on the platform outside the medical clinic, looking at the busy figure through the door and window. His gaze followed her movements.
This day passed peacefully without any major incidents. Ye Wanmian assisted Doctor Wang in the medical clinic for a whole day, while Xiao Jingcheng lay outside and watched for a whole day.
He felt as if he was sick. Whenever she glanced at him occasionally during her busy work, his mood would soar for a moment, and his tail behind him would slap the ground loudly.
But when she didn't have time to pay attention to him, he would feel empty and listless.
It was summer now, and it got dark later than usual. Ye Wanmian originally wanted to help Doctor Wang until the medical clinic closed before leaving. However, Doctor Wang sent her away at the third quarter of Youshi (around 6:30 p.m.).
Seeing that Doctor Wang was insistent, Ye Wanmian had no choice but to call the yellow dog, which had been lying outside all the time, and go home.
When she got home, Ye Wanmian took out a piece of salted meat, cut off a small piece, and stir - fried two dishes. She divided half of it for the yellow dog, and then held a bowl and reviewed what she had learned in the medical clinic that day while eating.
She read quietly, and Xiao Jingcheng ate quietly. After he was full, he walked to her side, found an empty space, and lay down.
When Ye Wanmian finished reviewing what she had learned that day and came back to her senses, the yellow dog was curled up beside her, sleeping soundly while pressing closely against her.
Ye Wanmian looked at the yellow dog with steady breathing, reached out and stroked its fur, and felt a moment of peace in her heart.
The next day, Ye Wanmian still went out early with the yellow dog. When she arrived at the medical clinic, the door was already wide open, and Doctor Wang was already seeing patients inside.
Without much conversation, the master and apprentice worked in perfect harmony, checking the medicinal materials in the store and organizing the recent medical records until the first patient came.
At the end of Chenshi, approaching Sishi (around 10 a.m.), someone came from Liuxiang Tower to invite Doctor Wang to take the safety pulse for the Prince of Mu.
Ye Wanmian had already discussed this with Doctor Wang, so this time Doctor Wang went alone, while she stayed in the medical clinic and watched the store with Qi Wen.
After Doctor Wang left, Qi Wen leaned over to Ye Wanmian and asked curiously, "You went with master that day. Did you see those princes at Liuxiang Tower?"
Qi Wen had only heard the names of the Prince of Mu and the others but had never seen their real faces. He was as curious as a cat scratching at his heart.
Ye Wanmian said, "Of course I saw them."
Qi Wen's face was full of curiosity. "You saw the missing Crown Prince before. Tell me the truth. Among the Crown Prince and those princes, who is more handsome?"
Ye Wanmian was a bit thirsty and was about to drink from a cup. Hearing this, she spat out the water with a "puff".
"Why are you so curious about this?"
Xiao Jingcheng, who had been a bit drowsy outside the door, instantly perked up and propped himself up to look at Ye Wanmian in the room.