The Dramatic Crown Princess Wants to Poison Me!

Chapter 338: Chapter 338: Ceremony Observed

Shang Jingwang’s delay and the villagers’ confusion were heard and seen by Xia Wenjin. She felt a wave of warmth in her heart. To dispel everyone’s doubts, she simply decided to publicly reveal her identity as a woman.

Shang Jingwang gulped; his eyes almost popped out of their sockets. What? This girl is Doctor Xia?

He took a closer look, and indeed, familiar eyebrows, the familiar smile, and those clear, bright eyes. Wasn’t that Doctor Xia?

No wonder he felt she looked familiar before. However, she was a woman and had her face covered, so he couldn’t look closely. Plus, he was worried Doctor Xia wouldn’t make it to the apprentice ceremony, so he wasn’t paying attention to others.

Turns out Doctor Xia didn’t miss it; she was already here!

Doctor Xia is a woman?

Aside from the Undying Poison Doctor and Huangfu Jingchen, who were in the know, many people were astonished.

The young doctor who wasn’t afraid of dirt, fatigue, or danger, and spent time with patients suffering from the severe epidemic, was actually a young lady?

These people hadn’t failed to notice Xia Wenjin standing by the Undying Poison Doctor’s side.

However, seeing her in those beautiful clothes of a kind they’d never seen in their lifetime, like a fairy from heaven, how could they associate such an ethereal fairy with the hardworking Doctor Xia, who was constantly treating and preparing medicine for patients in the epidemic area?

Doctor Yan was so shocked that he almost stumbled. After a long pause, he squeezed out, ”Truly... truly, women change greatly at eighteen!”

Realizing his words were inappropriate, he added, ”Doctor Xia is a young girl, yet she possesses the heart of a saintly doctor, truly admirable!”

The group of doctors standing together nodded in agreement with Doctor Yan’s words.

Yu Shikui also stood dazed. He had heard of Xia Wenjin and the recognition of Doctor Xia many times. He had assumed it to be a young, scrawny boy, not expecting a celestial-like young lady.

Just an ordinary medical girl, Yu Shikui squinted, pondering internally.

Huangfu Jinxuan, however, chuckled. His gaze swept over Xia Wenjin and then Huangfu Jingchen, but he quickly withdrew when met with Jingchen’s chilly eyes.

However, he was curious. Doctor Xia’s medical skills were exceptional; the villagers admired her. Still, she’s just a doctor, while his cousin is the legitimate imperial grandson and Prince Cheng’s Heir. The statuses were clearly not equal, so it seemed like the Young Master was just having fun.

Indeed, a fairy-like beauty with such medical skills; it’s entirely normal for the Young Master to be interested in her.

Suppressing his shock, Shang Jingwang hurriedly said, ”Second step of the apprentice ceremony: the apprentice bows three times!”

Xia Wenjin knelt and performed the three formal bows!

At this moment, the audience was silent, quietly observing the young lady paying her respectful obeisance.

Shang Jingwang’s voice sounded again, ”Third step of the apprentice ceremony: Master gives instructions!”

The Undying Poison Doctor, seeing Shang Jingwang finally acting less hesitantly, was quite satisfied. He glanced at Xia Wenjin and said, ”Learn well, don’t disgrace me!”

Shang Jingwang: ”...”

How can a master speak so bluntly and simply? Well, he is an eccentric expert; eccentric experts do things their own way. He’s just presiding over the ceremony!

Xia Wenjin: ”...”

This old man said the exact same thing when she apprenticed in her past life!

Warmth filled her heart, and her lips curved slightly. She respectfully replied, ”Don’t worry, Master, I will learn diligently and not bring shame upon you, sir!”

The Undying Poison Doctor glared, ”Who’s old? Who’s old?”

Oops, in her warm moment, she unconsciously used honorifics, which hit the old man’s sensitive spot. Xia Wenjin quickly smiled and coaxed, ”I’m old, I’m old; Master, you are still young, in your prime!”

Shang Jingwang: ”...”

This is an apprentice ceremony; could the two of you not be so... unconventional? So willful!

He hurriedly interrupted, ”Fourth step of the apprentice ceremony: the apprentice serves tea to the master!”

The tea had been prepared long beforehand.

Huangfu Jingchen handed a cup of hot tea to Xia Wenjin, with a slight smile conveying congratulations and joy.

Xia Wenjin took the tea, knelt, and served it, saying, ”Master, please have some tea!”

The Undying Poison Doctor took it and sipped. He casually took out a small bottle from his sleeve and tossed it over, saying, ”For you!”

This was his gift for their first meeting.

However, he threw it so nonchalantly, and the little bottle wasn’t anything special.

Xia Wenjin took it, opened it, and saw there was only one pill inside, red and lustrous, with a faint medicinal fragrance. She consumed it and said, ”Thank you, Master!”

The epidemic had nearly harmed her profoundly. She would need at least half a year to recover, but this pill from her Master specifically targeted the damage from the epidemic. After consuming it, she would recover to her previous state in three to five days.

The Undying Poison Doctor initially had some probing intent in giving her this pill. Seeing she recognized its value, he felt quite content and simply replied, ”Hmm!”

Xia Wenjin said, ”Master, I also have a gift for you!”

The Undying Poison Doctor squinted and said, ”Oh?”

The pupil wanted to give him a gift? Somewhat expectant!

Xia Wenjin took out a small, child-fist-sized square box from her sleeve and handed it over with both hands.

The Undying Poison Doctor accepted it. Though it looked small, could his little pupil also be giving him a pill?

He opened the box just a crack and quickly closed it.

No one knew what was inside, not even Huangfu Jingchen, who was nearby; he only saw a flash of green.

The Undying Poison Doctor chuckled, ”Not bad, not bad. Just what I like. As expected of my good pupil!”

Shang Jingwang quickly seized the moment to say, ”Ceremony complete! Congratulations to the Poison Doctor, congratulations, Miss Xia!”

After their initial shock, the villagers also loudly exclaimed, ”Congratulations, Miss Xia!”

”Miss Xia has apprenticed; her medical skills will surely improve!”

”Miss Xia is really beautiful!”

”Miss Xia is like a fairy, truly beautiful inside and out!”

...

Huangfu Jinxuan stood up, walked over, and said with a mischievous smile, ”Congratulations, Miss Xia!”

Xia Wenjin looked up to see his carefree smile. It bore no sincerity and even had a hint of mischief. Xia Wenjin rolled her eyes and said, ”Lord Imperial Envoy, your status is noble, yet you also come to offer congratulations. I’m truly overwhelmed and cannot bear it!”

Huangfu Jinxuan: ”...”

He hadn’t offended her, had he? Why did a single sentence provoke her retort? And she even rolled her eyes at him?

Hm, he wouldn’t hold grudges. Huangfu Jinxuan sidled up to Huangfu Jingchen, waggling his eyebrows and said, ”Young Master, what is your relationship?”