A multitude of thoughts welled up in Xiao Jingcheng's heart, only to finally subside into complete calm.
Regardless of whether the person behind all this was Xiao Wuchen or not, at the moment, he was nothing more than a yellow dog beside Ye Wanmian. He couldn't speak, and no one could fathom his innermost thoughts.
In any case, since the imperial uncle had promised to invite the so - called Taoist Yuanqi to perform the rite for the corpse, he would surely get to see the Taoist's true appearance.
He would know at a glance whether this was the immortal master who had caused his soul to leave his body.
Ye Wanmian and Doctor Wang left the Liuxiang Tower and were on their way to the medical clinic.
Ye Wanmian recalled what Xiao Wuchen had said earlier and couldn't help asking Doctor Wang beside her, "Master, do you believe in the existence of ghosts and gods in this world?"
Doctor Wang stroked his goatee and replied, "A doctor should first believe in his own medical skills and the silver needles in his hand. If there are ailments that cannot be cured by medicine and needles, perhaps external forces need to be sought."
"There are no absolute things in this world. Instead of believing they don't exist, it's better to keep a shred of doubt in our hearts."
This was tantamount to saying he believed.
Ye Wanmian couldn't help thinking of the stinky Taoist priest in the market who had asked her for two taels of silver.
Dahuang had indeed changed a great deal compared to before, but there was no way she would ever marry that nobleman from the east. It was evident that the stinky Taoist was a swindler.
She wondered if the Taoist Yuanqi was truly capable. If possible, she wanted to ask the Taoist to take a look at her mother's madness. Maybe there would be a solution.
Tomorrow was the day when the Prince of Mu would set off. Just thinking that Doctor Wang would be away with the prince for such a long time made Ye Wanmian feel inexplicably flustered.
In the evening, after closing the door of the medical clinic, the master and the apprentice sat down to have dinner together.
Ye Wanmian prodded the rice in her bowl with her chopsticks and said, "Master, His Highness the Prince of Mu seems to have recovered a lot, and there's Imperial Physician Jin looking after him. Can you not go? How about pretending to be ill tomorrow?"
Doctor Wang let out a snort of laughter. "Pretend to be ill?亏你想得出來 (You really have an imagination)."
Ye Wanmian sighed. "Then I'll get up early tomorrow to prepare breakfast and dry rations for you on the road."
Doctor Wang felt a warmth in his heart.
He had no sons in his life and had only taken in this one apprentice. Fortunately, she was considerate and knew how to care for her master. The tea she had offered as a sign of apprenticeship had not been in vain.
"Mian'er, you've been a widow for two years. Compared to other unmarried girls, you're a bit older. But you're diligent, capable, and have learned medical skills. It wouldn't be difficult for you to remarry. Have you ever considered finding another husband?"
Xiao Jingcheng, who was lying beside them, perked up his ears instantly, straightened his body, and looked at Doctor Wang warily.
Ye Wanmian was startled by these words and choked. She wiped the corner of her mouth with a handkerchief and looked at Doctor Wang, who had a teasing look on his face. "Master, why are you suddenly bringing this up?"
Doctor Wang said, "I just see that you're always alone. I'm worried you're lonely. When I'm away from Dongli Town, there won't be anyone to take care of you. How can I leave with peace of mind?"
"Master!" Ye Wanmian felt a bit embarrassed. She naturally didn't dare to tell Doctor Wang the excuse she had used to fend off matchmakers. She simply said, "I'm currently focused on learning medical skills, inheriting your legacy, and carrying forward the Wang family's medical techniques."
For some reason, upon hearing this, Xiao Jingcheng secretly let out a sigh of relief.
Doctor Wang was just joking. He stroked his beard and burst out laughing. He winked and said, "I hope that when I come back from the capital, you'll change your mind and ask me to make the decision for you. Let's wait and see."
Ye Wanmian didn't take Doctor Wang's words seriously at all. She said, "Let's make a bet. If you lose, you have to take me to Cangzhou City. If I lose..."
She blinked. "Then you have to prepare the best dowry for me."
Doctor Wang blew his beard in anger. "Fine! It's always my silver that's being spent. You're not contributing a single cent!"
The two looked at each other and burst into laughter. The bond between the master and the apprentice deepened imperceptibly.
That night, Ye Wanmian didn't ask Doctor Wang to teach her medical skills anymore. Instead, she carefully checked Doctor Wang's luggage. She repeatedly confirmed that all the daily necessities in the traveling bag and the medicinal materials and instruments in the medicine chest were in place before leaving and returning to her own room.
Lying in bed with her arm as a pillow, Ye Wanmian looked at the full moon in the sky through the window and couldn't help thinking of the prosperous city.
After fleeing from Xuanzhou two years ago and traveling south all the way, she had passed by many cities. None of them was as indulgent and bustling as the capital. During festivals, the capital was filled with carriages and people, a scene of great excitement.
The capital was also known as Modu. It had endured four dynasties - Xia, Wu, Chen, and Chu, and was now in its fifth generation under the Sheng Kingdom. It was truly the capital of the country.
However, no matter how prosperous and attractive it was, it was not the destination for Jiang Mian.
Perhaps it was because she would be separated from her master tomorrow that Ye Wanmian felt a sense of restlessness in her heart. She turned over and saw the yellow dog lying beside her, looking at her quietly with its eyes open.
She reached out and touched the dog's furry ears and whispered, "Dahuang, do you think Master can return safely from the capital?"
Xiao Jingcheng couldn't answer Ye Wanmian, but based on his understanding of the Prince of Mu, the prince didn't seem like a man who went back on his word.
However...
Doctor Wang's medical skills were much better than Imperial Physician Jin's. If the Prince of Mu's health continued to fluctuate, there was only one way for Doctor Wang to get away from the prince -
The Prince of Mu died of a serious illness.
Ye Wanmian herself knew that this was not an easy thing. She let out another heavy sigh and turned over.
The chirping of insects outside came in, and Ye Wanmian found it extremely annoying. She got up and was about to close the window when the yellow dog, which had been lying quietly beside her, suddenly straightened its body, jumped off the bed, and walked to the window.
Ye Wanmian said, "Dahuang?"
Xiao Jingcheng listened quietly to the commotion outside and recognized the familiar sound of Sang Biao.
Normally, Sang Biao wouldn't come to find him easily if there were no clues. His appearance meant there was new information!
Xiao Jingcheng instinctively ran towards the door. At the door, he seemed to remember something. He turned around and let out a low growl at Ye Wanmian. Ye Wanmian immediately understood. She quickly changed into a set of dark - colored clothes, found a piece of cloth to cover her face, quietly opened the door, and slipped out with the yellow dog.
At the back door of the medical clinic, Sang Biao was hiding in the shadow, waiting for a long time.
Seeing Xiao Jingcheng and Ye Wanmian, it rushed forward and whispered something to Xiao Jingcheng in a low voice. Sure enough, there was new information.
After Sang Biao finished speaking, it ran towards another direction in the town. Xiao Jingcheng looked back at Ye Wanmian, motioned for her to follow, and then disappeared into the night again.
Following the dogs and avoiding the guards in the town, under the cover of the night, Ye Wanmian was led to a large mansion in the town.