Doctor Jin laughed heartily, "I never expected there to be such a reason behind it."
Madam Cheng smiled and said, "As they say, truth is stranger than fiction. My friend actually has such a fated connection with you, Elder Jin."
Doctor Jin glanced at Chen Yuezhi with a smile, "One can only say that she is destined to be my final disciple."
As soon as the words "final disciple" were uttered, the young physician's face changed drastically, "Mr. Jin, she is so old, how can she be worthy of being your final disciple?"
Doctor Jin swept him a casual glance, "Do I need anyone's permission to take on a disciple?"
The young physician quickly replied, "This student dares not. I merely feel that she is too old and may not be able to learn much, potentially tarnishing Mr. Jin's reputation."
Jiang Wan, indignant, retorted, "On what grounds do you assume my mother will tarnish Gong Shi's reputation? Just because she's a bit older than you, you think she's incapable? Have you forgotten who almost cost that old lady her life just now?"
The young physician huffed, "Eight or nine out of ten drowning victims cannot be saved, that's common knowledge!"
Jiang Wan scoffed, "Then how did my mother save her? With this skill alone, my mother would never ruin Gong Shi's reputation! Moreover, my mother is naturally intelligent and excels at learning anything!"
Chen Yuezhi felt her face flush. Being praised so highly by her daughter, especially in front of Doctor Jin, made her feel quite embarrassed.
However, her daughter was defending her, so she couldn't show any weakness.
Doctor Jin nodded with a smile, "Well said. Your mother is intelligent and a natural healer. I have high hopes for her, and I believe she will inherit her master's legacy, just like your senior martial uncles."
Chen Yuezhi quickly bowed to Doctor Jin, "Master, your disciple will certainly strive to study medicine and will not disappoint your expectations."
The young physician's face turned ashen. He dared not say anything more and quietly retreated to the side.
Doctor Jin beckoned to Jiang Wan, "Little girl, come here."
Jiang Wan scurried over happily, "Gong Shi, what is it?"
Doctor Jin asked in a low voice, "What was your mother's name again?"
In his excitement after accepting a disciple, he had gotten carried away and forgotten her name.
He couldn't ask in front of so many people, so he could only quietly inquire from his young grand-disciple.
He figured this little girl, who looked about four or five years old, wouldn't laugh at him.
Jiang Wan struggled to maintain her composure, "Gong Shi, my mother's name is Chen Yuezhi."
Doctor Jin muttered softly, "The name is acceptable. If it were something like Chun Hua or Da Niu, I would have had to put effort into changing her name."
Jiang Wan thought her seemingly dignified Gong Shi was actually a mischievous old man.
As Doctor Jin had other matters to attend to that day, he asked Chen Yuezhi to return home first and come back to find him tomorrow.
Thus, the three of them bid farewell to Doctor Jin and began their descent down the mountain.
Along the way, many villagers smiled and congratulated Chen Yuezhi, "Congratulations, Goddess Physician, on successfully becoming a disciple."
Chen Yuezhi thanked everyone repeatedly.
Back in the carriage, Chen Yuezhi finally regained her senses, pressing her chest and saying, "Why does it feel like I'm dreaming?"
Madam Cheng also remarked, "Let alone you, even I feel like I'm dreaming. Sister Jiang, do you know what it means to be accepted as a disciple by Elder Jin?"
Chen Yuezhi and Jiang Wan both shook their heads.
Being unfamiliar with the place and having never heard of Elder Jin before, they wouldn't know anything related to him.
Madam Cheng then explained, "The Jin family has been physicians for generations, and their disciples are spread throughout the land. Any renowned physician you can name has an inseparable connection with the Jin family."
"However, there is a vast difference between a disciple and a personal disciple. As long as a disciple studies medicine and has aptitude, the Jin family will accept them and teach them medical skills. But the number of personal disciples is extremely small."
"Doctor Jin is over eighty years old and has only taken five personal disciples in his lifetime, each of whom is now a famous physician in their own right."
"There were rumors that Doctor Jin was advanced in age and unlikely to take any more disciples. Many who came to seek apprenticeship were unable to catch his eye. I never expected him to accept you today, which is why that young physician was so surprised."
Chen Yuezhi and Jiang Wan were both stunned.
Mother and daughter exchanged glances, finding the entire affair rather surreal.
Madam Cheng continued, "If we had followed my original plan today, you would have at most been able to enter the medical quarters and learn some medical skills. But after you saved that old lady and publicly shared the method, you moved Doctor Jin."
Chen Yuezhi was overcome with emotion and pulled Jiang Wan into a hug.
She knew very well that the opportunity she had today was entirely due to Jiang Wan.
If Jiang Wan hadn't taught her the life-saving method at the last moment and asked her to publicize it, how could she have possibly caught Doctor Jin's attention?
Suddenly, the carriage jolted to a halt.
The coachman announced, "Madam, someone is blocking the way ahead."
Madam Cheng's maid lifted the carriage curtain to see, "It's the old lady whom Madam Chen saved."
"Thank you, Goddess Physician, for saving my mother's life."
The voice of the woman from before called out from outside the carriage.
Chen Yuezhi lifted the carriage curtain and saw the woman and the old lady kneeling in the middle of the road. Beside them was a little boy, about five or six years old, who was also drenched.
She quickly alighted from the carriage to help the three of them up.
However, the three insisted on kowtowing to her.
"Please don't do this. It was merely a small gesture, nothing to warrant such a display."
The woman replied, "Goddess Physician, you saved my mother-in-law, which is equivalent to saving our entire family. You deserve this bow."
Chen Yuezhi couldn't stop them and quickly moved aside to avoid the kowtow.
After the three had finished their bows, she quickly helped them up, "Auntie, you are still weak after that ordeal. You must rest well. Also, during the rescue, your chest might have been injured. You must take good care of yourself at home and avoid strenuous activities for the next two to three months."
The old woman nodded repeatedly, "Thank you, Goddess Physician. I will never forget your great kindness."
Seeing the disheveled state of the three, Madam Cheng inquired, "Do you live nearby?"
The woman replied, "Our home is in Yangliu Village. We were setting up our stall here and saw Madam Chen and the Madam leaving, so we came to pay our respects to the Goddess Physician."
Madam Cheng said, "Yangliu Village? That's not far from the small mountain village. Seeing your condition, you should forgo business today and let us give you a ride home in our carriage."
The mother-in-law and daughter-in-law were reluctant to get into the carriage, not wanting to dirty it with their damp clothes.
But Madam Cheng insisted, and Chen Yuezhi also persuaded them. Finally, they were helped into the carriage.