The old woman who helped and caused the poisoned person to defecate, along with the young man, were kept by Bai Sheng.
Seeing their dispirited appearance, it was estimated they hadn't eaten for days. Bai Sheng immediately went to a nearby street and bought over a dozen steaming meat buns, and secretly refilled their water skins, letting the old and young eat their fill.
The two did not care about the gazes of others, eating with a certain frenzy.
However, when the old woman took her first sip of water, her eyes widened in surprise. "Girl, this water of yours... is quite unusual."
Bai Sheng chuckled guiltily, "Actually... it's just... ordinary water. Grandma must be too thirsty to feel this way."
The old woman glanced at Bai Sheng, smiled, and then said no more, continuing to drink water with her head tilted back.
They were truly too thirsty; two large bowls of water were not enough. Bai Sheng gave them another bowl.
Bai Sheng initially thought they were refugees, but the old woman said she and her disciple were traveling physicians who had traveled all over the Great Xia Kingdom relying on their medical skills. Today, they had only just reached Tasha County, their last destination.
Hearing that the old woman was a traveling physician, Bai Sheng's eyes lit up. She was teaching herself medicine, but self-study could never compare to having an expert guide her. If this old woman truly possessed advanced medical skills, she would take her as a teacher, care for her in her old age, ensure her livelihood for the rest of her life, and let her live to a ripe old age.
Bai Sheng looked at the old woman and asked gently, "May I ask Grandma's name?"
The old woman smiled kindly, "Girl, you can just call me Grandma Wu, the Wu of crow. This is my disciple, Qing Feng. He should be about your age."
"Hello Grandma Wu, hello little brother Qing Feng," Bai Sheng greeted with a harmless smile. "Grandma Wu, you are skilled in medicine. Could you examine my face for me?"
Grandma Wu looked at Bai Sheng's face, and something seemed to touch her heart, her eyes filled with an unfathomable light.
She raised her wrinkled hand, touched the dark spots on Bai Sheng's face, and smiled slowly, "Girl, your facial condition is caused by poisoning. However, the person who poisoned you only intended to conceal your beauty, not to harm you maliciously."
Bai Sheng was astonished. This Grandma Wu could tell she was poisoned and even knew the reason for her poisoning just by looking, without taking her pulse. She was truly a master!
"Does Grandma know what poison I have taken? How can the toxin be removed to completely heal my face?"
Grandma Wu chuckled, "The poison you have taken is a kind of Gu poison, named Zhen Qing Man Tuo Gu."
"Zhen Qing Man Tuo Gu?" Bai Sheng was shocked in her heart. So she had taken Gu poison. Grandma Wu was truly amazing to even know about Gu poison. She absolutely had to become her disciple. "Does Grandma know how to break the Gu?"
Grandma Wu did not answer immediately but looked at Lu Ye, who was talking softly with three young men outside the courtyard gate, and asked, "Is that handsome young man your husband?"
"He is my husband. His name is Lu Ye," Bai Sheng replied with a confused nod. Grandma Wu not answering her question but asking about Lu Ye felt quite... peculiar.
Lu Ye also glanced at Bai Sheng, his eyes filled with affection.
Grandma Wu smiled meaningfully, "Girl, don't rush. The Gu poison on your face is harmless to your body. It should be removed soon."
Bai Sheng was puzzled, "Not long? How will it be removed? Will it disappear on its own?"
"Yes, when the time comes, it will disappear on its own," Grandma Wu nodded and smiled.
"That's good. As long as it doesn't disappear when I'm eighty," Bai Sheng was incredibly happy.
She looked at Grandma Wu with sincere eyes and asked, "Grandma Wu, what are your and Qing Feng's plans for the future?"
Grandma Wu and Qing Feng exchanged glances, sighing helplessly, "In the future, we really don't know where to go. I'm old and can't travel anymore. I want to find a place to settle down, but I'm penniless. Girl, do we look like beggars to you?"
Bai Sheng shook her head, "Although Grandma's clothes are tattered, her inherent confidence and profound wisdom are unmatched by many young women. Although Brother Qing Feng is thin, his refreshing demeanor has not diminished one bit. In my eyes, neither Grandma nor Brother Qing Feng are ordinary people."
Grandma Wu suddenly burst into laughter, "You girl have a sweet tongue, always able to amuse this old woman."
Qing Feng also smiled, "Miss Bai's praise is truly overwhelming."
Bai Sheng said earnestly, "What I said is the truth. If Grandma Wu and Brother Qing Feng don't mind, you can call me Xiao Sheng from now on."
"Alright, alright, Xiao Sheng," Grandma Wu chuckled.
Qing Feng also said affectionately, "Then I shall call you little sister Xiao Sheng from now on?"
"Sure!" Bai Sheng happily agreed. She paused, looked at the two of them, and suddenly knelt before Grandma Wu, respectfully kowtowing. She said earnestly, "Grandma Wu, I want to become your disciple and learn medicine. I wonder if you are willing to take me. However, regardless of whether you accept me as a disciple or not, if you and Brother Qing Feng have nowhere to go, you can come back with me to Hongshu Slope in Tianshui Town. I am willing to care for Grandma Wu in her old age and provide Brother Qing Feng with a place to stay."
It wasn't that Bai Sheng was overflowing with sympathy, but she felt an inexplicable sense of familiarity the moment she saw Grandma Wu and Qing Feng, though she couldn't explain why.
Moreover, Grandma Wu's generosity and assistance today showed that their character was not bad.
Grandma Wu and Qing Feng exchanged glances, a spark of excitement flashing in their eyes.
Grandma Wu immediately stepped forward and helped Bai Sheng up, "Sheng'er, get up quickly. Grandma is willing. With a disciple like Sheng'er, Grandma couldn't wish for more."
Bai Sheng was overjoyed and immediately bowed deeply to Grandma Wu and Qing Feng, "Bai Sheng greets Master, Senior Brother!"
Grandma Wu said with doting eyes, "Good disciple, no need for formalities."
Qing Feng smiled, "This is great, I have a junior sister."
Bai Sheng patted her chest and said with great spirit, "From now on, I, Bai Sheng, will support Master and Senior Brother!"
Grandma Wu and Qing Feng laughed heartily.
Lu Ye was also very happy for Bai Sheng upon hearing that she had taken Grandma Wu as her master and specifically came to pay his respects.
Grandma Wu examined Lu Ye carefully, growing more satisfied the more she looked.
Lu Ye said that he had some matters to attend to with his friends that evening and asked Bai Sheng to take Grandma Wu and Brother Qing Feng back to Xinghua Street to rest first.
Grandma Wu and Qing Feng indeed looked quite tired, and Bai Sheng did not intend to stay at the shop for long.
She went to the front shop and greeted Wen Zhimo, asking him to be more cautious and bring more people with him in the coming days, as the Rong Guo Gong's people would certainly not give up easily. Everything required careful consideration.
Wen Zhimo reassured her that he had it under control.
After giving her instructions, Bai Sheng rented a carriage at the shop entrance and took Grandma Wu and Qing Feng back to Xinghua Street.
There was only one room with bedding at home.
Bai Sheng asked Grandma Wu and Qing Feng to sit and rest in the room while she went to buy some things on the street.
After Bai Sheng left, Grandma Wu and Qing Feng sat in the room, stunned for a while, seemingly not daring to believe that all this was real.
Qing Feng lowered his voice, "Master, after so many years, we have finally found her. This is truly heaven helping us!"
Grandma Wu also lowered her voice, unable to hide her excitement, "Qing Feng, don't you see? The real 'she' has returned."
Qing Feng smiled, "Disciple sees it. It is indeed the real 'she'. Her way of speaking and her small gestures are exactly the same as when she was young."
Grandma Wu looked at Qing Feng and sternly admonished, "The time is not yet right. Feng'er, you must be careful and cautious from now on, and never reveal anything."
Qing Feng bowed, "Master, please rest assured, your disciple remembers."