CHAPTER 58: CHAPTER 58: YES, MASTER!

"Cough!"

After an unknown amount of time, someone nearby gave a light cough, which startled Long Yue. She quickly pushed Li Qingmu away, but the action was a bit too forceful, causing the other person to let out a muffled groan.

"Ah, my lord, are you... are you okay? Did I hurt you? I didn’t mean to, really, I..."

"Cough, cough..."

Duanmu Nan realized he forgot to take something and came back, only to find this young couple being affectionate. He felt conflicted, coughing as he slowly entered.

Long Yue realized her excessive reaction and quickly rose to greet Duanmu Nan respectfully, "Mr. Duanmu."

"Hmm..."

Duanmu Nan responded, his eyes curiously searching Long Yue. Was it an illusion, or did he feel that this woman seemed a bit afraid of him?

"Am I scary?"

Duanmu Nan asked, looking surprised.

Long Yue looked confused, "No, not at all?" But she quickly understood that her respect towards Duanmu Nan made him think she was afraid of him.

She quickly said, "Mr. Duanmu misunderstood, I admire you! Look, your medical skills are so advanced, your personality so kind, your words feel like a breath of spring, just like my former master!"

Long Yue mentioned her master again, looking expectantly at Duanmu Nan.

Duanmu Nan looked at her curiously, "Master? Am I really like your master?"

"Yes! Exactly like him, just like the real thing!"

Long Yue blinked her innocent, harmless eyes, starting to weave a tale.

Duanmu Nan felt a bit puzzled, "Really like him? Just like the real thing?"

"Yes!"

"Is such a resemblance possible in this world?"

Mumbling to himself, he walked out, seemingly influenced by Long Yue’s words.

Li Qingmu’s arm still throbbed with the pain of being pulled, but looking at his sweet, adorable little wife, the aches seemed to fade.

He forced a smile, "Isn’t she pulling a fast one again?"

"No way!" Long Yue said, dissatisfied. "I’ll tell you secretly, he really is my master!"

Li Qingmu smiled without saying a word.

"Take your medicine, quickly, enough with the smirking!"

"Cough, cough, cough..."

"Hey, are you alright, sorry, I shouldn’t have been rude to you!"

"Cough grumble! Haven’t you two had enough?"

Qi Jingyu entered with a look of disdain, holding a large, heavy hat. He glanced at the two cozying up, feeling a bit gloomy, and threw the hat over.

"Take it!"

"Thanks!"

Though this little brat was sharp-tongued and had a bad attitude, his heart was good, and Long Yue accepted it with a smile.

"Mr. Duanmu said the cold is coming, and the body can’t be exposed to cold, or it will leave a lasting illness. For these months, stay in the room, don’t go out!"

"Alright!"

"Drink your medicine on time each day, don’t slack off!"

"Okay!"

In the upcoming days, Long Yue and Li Qingmu stayed at Duanmu Nan’s place, Long Yue caring for his daily needs and health while trying to get closer to Duanmu Nan.

"Mr. Duanmu, let me help you!"

Under the bright sun, Duanmu Nan was drying herbs as usual, and upon seeing this, Long Yue immediately went to help.

Duanmu Nan was laying out the herbs, seeing Long Yue coming over, he slowly stood up. He did not refuse her but quietly watched her expertly spread the herbs, her movements smooth as flowing clouds.

This woman seemed knowledgeable about herbs, yet she continued to draw near him. What was her motive?

Duanmu Nan thought, his gaze growing deep. He and his junior sister had lived in this place with no one aware of their identity, even Prince Lingjiang treated them as ordinary couples, never suspecting their identities.

And this woman...

With her dignified and elegant air, a noble aura emanating from deep within her soul, her origins undoubtedly not ordinary. So who was she? Why did she seek to approach him? Her husband was just an ordinary scholar, why would she marry him?

A string of questions puzzled Duanmu Nan, raising his guard against Long Yue.

"Mrs. Li always says I resemble your master, may I know your master’s name? What does he do? Perhaps we might know each other."

Long Yue paused slightly in spreading the herbs; she knew that her eagerness to approach him would certainly arouse suspicion, so she had already prepared her story.

Rising with a smile, she said, "My master and Mr. Duanmu are alike, both are doctors, but he was a traveling doctor, and so I followed him for a time. One day as a teacher, a lifetime as a father, though in this vast sea of people we may never meet again, I would always remember him!"

"Just a chance encounter? Mrs. Li seems to value emotions and loyalty."

Long Yue slightly lowered her eyes, smiled, and then mentioned shyly, "Actually..."

"Hmm, actually what?"

"Actually, upon seeing Mr. Duanmu, I wondered if I could follow him to learn some skills. My family also farms two acres of herbs, I’m uncertain if it could sustain us, so I hope to consult with a few masters. Plus if I could learn some healing skills, it would be even better..."

"You want to be an apprentice?"

Duanmu Nan looked at her curiously, seeing her sincere demeanor and clear eyes, knowing she was genuinely seeking to learn.

He was slightly uneasy, was he mistaken? Was she really approaching him just for knowledge?

"I don’t take apprentices."

Duanmu Nan shook his head, surprising Long Yue, he rejected her flatly? He never rejected her in the past life, did he?!

What was going on? Long Yue felt confused, could her rebirth have altered some things, affecting other matters indirectly?

"Oh no..." Long Yue felt dejected, "I truly want to learn something, at least for the future when facing danger or encountering someone injured or sick, I wouldn’t be helpless... Also, Mr. Duanmu, apart from taking care of my husband, I’m really bored here..."

She raised her eyes slightly, looking pitifully at him, her expression so forlorn it stirred compassion.

Duanmu Nan frowned, thinking that learning a bit wouldn’t be an issue, so he said, "You can learn from me, but I won’t take you as an apprentice."

"Oh... How about being a registered disciple?"

"Hmm?"

Duanmu Nan realized he underestimated her, she was quite adept at persuasion.

"As you please!" He felt a bit worn out, giving in under Long Yue’s persistent persuasion. He pointed at several sacks of herbs nearby, "Spread all these herbs over there!"

"Alright, Master!"

Duanmu Nan lightly raised an eyebrow at how smoothly she called him "Master".

Heh, what an interesting girl!

In Duanmu Nan’s eyes, Long Yue was merely a young girl!