Chapter 54: The Formal Apprenticeship Ceremony
After the meal, no one brought the matter up again, but all of them made a mental note of Wen Yao’s excellent cooking skills.
Once lunch was done, the siblings informed Doctor Jin that Wen Xiuyi would personally be bringing them over the day after tomorrow for the official apprenticeship ceremony.
Doctor Jin casually waved his hand. “These formalities—I’ve never cared much for them. What I value is Xiao Jun’s persistence and talent. The rest is secondary.”
Wen Jun bowed. “Master, rites must not be neglected. This is what a disciple ought to do.”
Seeing their insistence, Doctor Jin agreed. “Alright then. On that day, let’s have Old Qiu serve as a witness. It’s just that in my household, it’s only me, my grandson, and a couple of old servants. I’m afraid we won’t be able to host you properly.”
As he said this, Doctor Jin seemed to glance at Wen Yao.
Wen Yao had already learned about Doctor Jin’s family situation from Hong Hai.
Though the Jin family had many side branches, Doctor Jin only had one son of his own, who had no interest in medicine. That son had stayed in the capital to become an official, engrossed in scholarly pursuits.
However, the grandson showed great promise in medicine, so Doctor Jin kept him close for training.
From Hong Hai, Wen Yao had confirmed that the grandson’s name was indeed Jin Xiuyi. If he really was the same person as the Jin Divine Physician from the original novel, they absolutely had to go take a look.
How could she not pick up on the implied meaning in Doctor Jin’s words? She covered her mouth and let out a soft laugh. “No worries. Isn’t that what I’m here for?”
Doctor Jin laughed heartily. “Then I’ll have to trouble you. The food the servants make wouldn’t do you justice, and if we went to a restaurant—Old Qiu’s monthly stipend wouldn’t even cover a single dish.”
Wen Yao didn’t believe for a second that this old man had no money. He was a former imperial physician! Just treating a noble in the palace would bring enough rewards to live comfortably for a year.
He just liked her cooking. That was fine. As long as he liked it—that’s what mattered. The only worry would be if he didn’t.
She’d already harvested almost all the achievement points she could for now, so that afternoon, Wen Yao took her leave from the clinic and headed to the docks to find Wen Xiuyi. There, she watched Wen Nong and Liuzi get scolded while she waited for Wen Jun to “get off work.”
The next day, Wen Xiuyi didn’t prepare too many ingredients. By midday, he’d sold most of what he had, and once the rest was gone in the afternoon, he hung up a “Closed for Rest” sign. They wouldn’t open for the next three days.
He even asked Liuzi to help explain things for any customers who couldn’t read—especially since after the apprenticeship ceremony, they would head straight to Xiao Luo-shi’s wedding. As her cousin, Wen Xiuyi needed to help out, and Wen Yao, after all, was the designated head chef for the Jiao family banquet.
On the third day, early in the morning, Wen Xiuyi changed into the new clothes Wen Yao had bought. The entire family of four was neatly dressed, carrying their prepared gifts, ready to depart.
In addition to the glass tea set they’d picked out earlier, Wen Yao had prepared six types of pastries to take the place of the traditional six ceremonial offerings.
When Granny Luo arrived, she found the whole family already fully dressed, each of them tidy and well put together—especially in their new clothes.
For some reason, Granny Luo suddenly felt that the bundle she was holding in her hands was a bit redundant.
“Granny, what brings you here? Huh? What’s that?” Wen Yao hurried up to take her arm, eyes curious as she reached for the bundle.
Granny Luo dodged, wearing a disdainful expression as she gently pushed Wen Yao’s hand away. “Nothing. You’re all ready, so hurry up and get going. Don’t be late and keep Doctor Jin waiting.”
With that, she walked off carrying the bundle.
Once she was gone, Wen Yao leaned in toward her father and brother, eyes twinkling. “I saw it. Granny’s carrying a bundle of clothes. I bet she was afraid we didn’t have anything decent to wear for the ceremony.”
From afar, Wen Xiuyi looked at his mother’s slightly stooped figure. His eyes reddened slightly, and he sighed. “Your granny’s been proud and strong all her life. She’s got a tough mouth but a soft heart. If it weren’t for me being such a disappointment before, she wouldn’t have aged so fast. Once we’re doing well again, we must never forget to be filial to your grandparents.”
His parents had worried for him their whole lives, even in this one. Wen Xiuyi wondered what good fortune he’d accumulated to be blessed with such parents in two lifetimes.
In his past life, they’d passed away early, leaving him no chance to repay them. In this life, he was determined to be a good son and make it up to them.
The siblings obediently agreed, and even little Datuo tugged on his sleeve and solemnly nodded.
Wen Xiuyi patted each of his children’s heads, then waved his hand. “Let’s go. Time to formally acknowledge a master!”
The family of four walked through the village in their new clothes, inevitably attracting attention.
Everyone had seen the changes in the Wen family’s main branch these past weeks. Especially those who regularly sold eggs to them—many had benefited from the dealings.
Sure, they could get the same prices selling in the city themselves, but how much trouble did it save them having the Wen family do it?
Fewer and fewer people had negative things to say. But curiosity was still rampant—where was this family of four off to, dressed so nicely?
Due to Granny Luo’s repeated reminders, no one in the Wen family had leaked the news that Wen Jun was studying medicine under Doctor Jin. Not even Old Man Wen, who’d been dying to boast about it, had let it slip—afraid it might ruin things.
But now that the formal ceremony was happening—with bows made to Heaven, Earth, Sovereign, Parents, and Teacher—everything was official. They no longer had to keep it secret.
To welcome the Wen family, Jishi Hall had closed for the day. Shopkeeper Qiu and Hong Hai had arrived early at Doctor Jin’s home to await them.
When the Wen family of four arrived, everyone was already present.
The Jin household wasn’t large, just a small three-section courtyard. The door was opened by an older maidservant who served the grandfather and grandson, with chatty Hong Hai tagging along.
In the front hall, Doctor Jin and Shopkeeper Qiu were seated in the place of honor. Next to Doctor Jin sat a five- or six-year-old boy—delicate features, refined bearing, and even at such a young age, an air of cultured elegance. He watched the arriving family curiously.
Wen Yao stole a glance at him. So this was Jin Xiuyi as a child—future Divine Physician.
“Doctor Jin, Shopkeeper Qiu, I am Wen Xiuyi. I hope my son hasn’t caused too much trouble these past days,” Wen Xiuyi said respectfully as he stepped forward and cupped his fists.
Doctor Jin and Shopkeeper Qiu both stood to return the gesture and, one on each side, invited him to sit.
“No rush, no rush.”
Wen Xiuyi turned and called to Wen Yao and Wen Jun to bring the gifts forward and place them on the table. Then he addressed Doctor Jin again. “Grateful that you would take my son as your apprentice. These are some small tokens of appreciation. Please don’t look down on them.”
On the table sat four wooden gift boxes. They didn’t appear extravagant, yet inside were seven items.
Doctor Jin hadn’t expected Wen Jun to present anything too lavish. He understood the family’s circumstances, and preparing these seven items must have already taken great thought and effort.
But when Wen Yao and Wen Jun opened the boxes, both Doctor Jin and Shopkeeper Qiu were stunned.
