“This way,” Chang Yancheng urged his horse past as he watched the carriage turn.

“My rented lodging is over there,” Qi Yue said with a smile, lifting the curtain and pointing a finger.

Zhou Maochun also peered out from inside the carriage.

“Right, right,” he echoed in agreement.

Chang Yancheng took a deep breath.

“Yue Niang, let’s still go to the official residence,” he said.

“No, it’ll be more convenient at my own place,” Qi Yue chuckled.

“Right, right,” Zhou Maochun affirmed again.

Because he stopped, the entire entourage halted, looking over with puzzled curiosity, momentarily blocking the main gate street.

“You go ahead first, arrange things, and then come join us for dinner,” Qi Yue said with a faint smile.

Chang Yancheng sighed in resignation and glanced at Zhou Maochun.

Zhou Maochun looked back fiercely, chin held high.

“I’ll come by later,” Chang Yancheng conceded.

Qi Yue nodded with a gentle smile.

Learning that they would not be staying at the official residence, the various officers, including the (Canjiang), had no choice but to come and invite them, naturally focusing their efforts on Zhou Maochun.

“Don’t bother me; you all go about your business,” Zhou Maochun dismissed them briskly and efficiently.

Qi Yue’s carriage, along with the disciples of the Qianjin Hall, split off and headed in the other direction.

“Madam Qi, I am truly pleased that you heeded what I said,” Zhou Maochun declared with an expression of satisfaction. “This brat, this family—they drove you out before, and now they expect you to return just because they say a few sweet words? Good words are the cheapest and most worthless things in this world!”

Qi Yue offered him a smile, nodded, and sincerely expressed her thanks.

“You have no parents or siblings either, but don’t be afraid, I’ve got your back,” Zhou Maochun boasted, slapping his chest.

Qi Yue smiled and thanked him again.

“Then, about my request for you to take me as your disciple—have you agreed?” Zhou Maochun nudged forward to ask.

Qi Yue hastily waved her hand.

“Lord Zhou, please don’t embarrass me,” she laughed.

This old lord had insisted the entire journey about accepting him as a disciple. Accept what disciple status? She knew perfectly well what her own capabilities were. Asking a senior from a thousand years ago to become her apprentice would surely shorten her lifespan.

Zhou Maochun leaned back sulkily, his eyes darting around, before letting out a sigh.

“Speaking of which, we are people of the same kind,” he mused.

Qi Yue looked at him, confused.

“I dare not compare myself to you,” she quickly said.

“You are comparable to me. I also lost my parents when I was young. When I was nearly starving to death, I met my Master, and only then was I saved and given a life. As I grew up, though I was handsome and dashing, I was too devoted to medicine to concern myself with marriage. By the time I desired to marry, my intended wife had already run off with someone else. I am old now, childless, and without a single apprentice…” Zhou Maochun recounted.

Qi Yue initially wanted to laugh, but as she listened to the end, a pang of sadness struck her heart.

“Madam Qi, I see that we are both solitary individuals, and both of us are rare intelligent people in this world…” Zhou Maochun continued.

Qi Yue couldn’t help but let out a sudden burst of laughter.

This was clearly a sad matter, yet when the old lord spoke of it, she found herself wanting to laugh.

“Madam Qi, if I become your disciple, we become family. That’s what I mean—having someone to rely on. It’s not that I insist on learning your medical skills,” Zhou Maochun explained with a wronged expression.

Qi Yue smiled.

“Then I shall become your disciple,” she offered. “I truly am not worthy of being your Master.”

Zhou Maochun quickly waved his hands.

“With the divine skill you possess, I am certainly not worthy either,” he insisted.

This made matters difficult.

Qi Yue tilted her head, observing Zhou Maochun’s salt-and-pepper hair and wrinkled face.

This old man must be seventy or eighty years old.

No children, no apprentices…

He claimed the Emperor summoned him, but perhaps he had sought that out himself.

Although the old man refused to elaborate on the specific details, he had traveled many wrong roads just to find her. At his age, that was truly not easy.

Even if his motive was purely rooted in her unprecedented medical skills, wasn't such an obsession with one's craft worthy of profound respect?

Her medical skills were astonishing, causing doubt in anyone who witnessed them. Yet, this old man harbored no suspicion; instead, he praised them highly. The saying goes that scholars disparage each other, but wasn't this true in any field?

When one studies something deeply enough, they become hesitant to believe anything easily.

To face never-before-seen medical skills with the humility of a child was extremely rare.

An elder like this deserved reverence.

“Lord Zhou, if you don’t mind, perhaps you could accept me as your adopted daughter,” Qi Yue proposed.

Hu San, with his characteristic quick-wittedness, had already rented the adjacent courtyard by the time Liu Pucheng and the others arrived. Thus, when they arrived, they could move in immediately without the hassle of finding new lodgings.

“Senior Brother, your medicine-making and healing might be lacking, but you’re quite adept at arranging things like this,” the disciples teased Hu San.

Hu San grinned widely. The helplessness he felt a few days ago had been crushing, and hearing these familiar jokes now finally allowed him to breathe easily.

“Don’t think this remote city is poor; I tell you, it has everything it should, and even things it shouldn’t,” he said proudly, gesturing for the disciples to inspect the rooms.

Although Zhou Maochun refused the official residence, the various officials from the government office dared not truly abandon him. They sent servants, maids, cooks, arranging everything meticulously: cleaning, setting up, boiling water, cooking, and attending to their needs. The small residence was suddenly bustling.

Three tables were set up inside the room, and everyone settled down cheerfully.

“Yue Niang, since you refuse to return now, what exactly do you plan to do here?” Zhou Maochun asked, unable to contain his impatience as he sat down.

Liu Pucheng and the others also looked over.

“Hu San mentioned preparing medicine? Is it penicillin? We brought quite a bit,” Zhang Tong noted.

Qi Yue shook her head and then nodded.

“Medicine is part of it, but the more important thing is people. The first aid I mentioned to everyone before will finally be put to good use this time,” she stated.

The disciples murmured among themselves in realization.

Zhou Maochun looked somewhat disappointed; having witnessed throat-slitting and chest-opening, he figured this first aid couldn't be very interesting.

“Come, come, let’s not talk about that today. Everyone enjoy the meal and rest up,” Qi Yue laughed, raising her wine cup.

“Yes, yes, try the excellent local wine here,” Hu San chimed in.

As soon as he spoke, there was a commotion outside the door, and Chang Yancheng walked in.

The moment Zhou Maochun saw him, his spirits immediately lifted.

“Right, right, we won’t talk about that today; I have something important to announce,” he called out quickly.

Those who were about to welcome Chang Yancheng turned their gaze back to Zhou Maochun.

Chang Yancheng, entering, removed his heavy cloak and looked toward Zhou Maochun, who was watching him, baring his teeth in a grin.

When everyone was looking at him, the lively room quieted down. Zhou Maochun cleared his throat with satisfaction.

“I have a daughter now,” he announced loudly.

The room remained quiet, everyone staring at him wide-eyed.

“My Lord, you are truly amazing!” Hu San couldn't help but exclaim. “To still be able to father a child at your age…”

A few suppressed snorts turned into audible sprays of wine.

The previously solemn atmosphere instantly became comical.

“No, no!” Zhou Maochun shouted, glaring. “I mean I have a daughter, not that I fathered a daughter.”

Everyone stared blankly.

Poor things, happy or otherwise, they were all stunned…

“It’s me—I have accepted Lord Zhou as my adoptive father,” Qi Yue said, stifling her laughter.

Everyone finally understood, and the atmosphere immediately became lively.

“This is excellent news, truly excellent news,” Liu Pucheng repeated repeatedly.

Chang Yancheng frowned. This development might not be good for him.

This woman refused to go to the official residence after riding in the carriage with Zhou Maochun for just one journey. If she were now to adopt him as a father…

Chang Yancheng took a deep breath.

He should have insisted on riding in the same carriage!

Because everyone’s attention was fixed on this matter, no one even noticed him or offered him a seat. Chang Yancheng saw that Qi Yue was already surrounded by people, and those individuals lacked the awareness to move aside.

He had no choice but to walk forward himself and cough heavily.

Hu San, assuming the role of the eldest disciple, was smiling so broadly that his face looked like a blooming flower, completely oblivious.

It wasn't until Ah Ru kicked him from behind that Hu San noticed Chang Yancheng and quickly stood up to offer his seat.

Before Chang Yancheng could sit down, Zhou Maochun spoke up with a beaming smile.

“Esteemed Young Lord, come, come, how can you sit there? Come take the seat of honor,” he said pleasantly, pointing to the place beside himself.

Liu Pucheng immediately vacated the spot, and the seats shifted in sequence.

“I’ll sit here,” Chang Yancheng stated, pulling up his robe and sitting down.

Zhou Maochun wasn’t in a hurry; he looked towards Qi Yue.

“Daughter, this is the first time our father and daughter have met…” he began, his expression emotional.

Hu San couldn't suppress a chuckle.

“The first time meeting as father and daughter!” Zhou Maochun repeated, glaring at Hu San.

“Grand Master, your wine,” Hu San quickly presented the wine jug and poured a measure for Zhou Maochun.

This address—Grand Master!—made the other disciples’ eyes widen.

Hu San really knew how to climb the ladder quickly!

Who was this Zhou Maochun? If they had been uncertain at first, the status of this old man, as witnessed on the journey, was clear enough for them to understand completely.

A Divine Physician, capable of saving lives.

A trusted confidant of the Son of Heaven, capable of saving fortune.

One’s life and one’s fortune—what else did people seek in this world? And this unassuming old man could influence both! One could imagine his standing!

Grand Master!

Having such a person as their Grand Master…

“What are you waiting for?” Hu San called out to the others, holding up the wine jug. “Quickly, toast your Grand Master!”

That was right—since she was their Master, she was naturally their Grand Master too!

All the disciples stood up in a chaotic group, their hands shaking as they raised their wine cups, shouting “Grand Master!” in a jumble.

My actual Grand Master! To have such a Grand Master—how would they conduct themselves when they went out now? Walking sideways or upright?

The chorus of ‘Grand Master’ made Zhou Maochun roar with laughter, raising his cup and draining it in one gulp.

“Come, Daughter, sit over here beside your father,” he then instructed, gesturing to the seat Liu Pucheng had vacated beside him.

The original seating arrangement had Qi Yue and Hu San on the left, and Liu Pucheng and Zhang Tong on the right. Now, it was Qi Yue and Chang Yancheng, leaving a gap, followed by Liu Pucheng and Zhang Tong.

Wasn't the seating arrangement the same?

“It is the same, but your father wants you to sit here,” Zhou Maochun declared plainly.

He wore an expression that suggested, I am her father, I make the decisions, what can any of you do about it?

Qi Yue understood and couldn't help but purse her lips in a smile.

Chang Yancheng, however, gripped his wine cup, his face grim.

Indeed, this old man’s every move was directed at him.

Qi Yue moved to the designated spot as requested.

Zhou Maochun was deeply gratified.

His initial intention in wanting to become a disciple was to aim for the purpose of becoming a father figure through the master-disciple bond. Once he became a disciple, he, as the student, would naturally look out for his Master, managing anything that might be detrimental to her. Now, that was even clearer—he hadn't become a disciple but had directly become her adoptive father, leaving no room for argument.

“Father,” Qi Yue said, raising her wine cup toward Zhou Maochun.

The word Father—how intimate, yet how distant.

She never thought she would have the chance to utter that title again.

“I have a father now, I have a family now. I toast you, Father,” she said, her nose stinging slightly, and drank it all down.

Sensing the shift in the woman’s emotion, the atmosphere became subdued.

Everyone knew that a woman who was an orphan and beggar, who never knew the warmth of parental affection, yearned for it the most.

Zhou Maochun’s smug expression vanished. Looking at Qi Yue, his previously playful notion suddenly felt like perhaps the most worthwhile decision of his life.

“Good. I have a daughter now too; I have a family now,” he stated, drinking his wine in one go.

Chang Yancheng’s somber expression had long since dissipated, replaced by a gentle air. His gaze swept over Zhou Maochun and Qi Yue, and a slight smile touched his lips.

In the end, this was beneficial for both of them, even if it was intentionally targeted at him. This was a good thing.