Resplendent – Chapter 457

Chapter 457 — Arrangements

“Disciple Lin Nuo pays respects to Master!” Lin Nuo quickly knelt down and respectfully knocked his head on the ground three times before Gu Ye.

Gu Ye felt embarrassed and touched her forehead, then stepped forward to help him up with a smile. “Let me have someone arrange a place for you in the outer courtyard first. I’ve only just arrived in the capital myself, and many of my plans are still in their early stages. For now, stay in the residence. If you need any medicinal ingredients, go to Jimin Pharmacy and take them and put them on my account. As for any questions you have, it’s best to organize them. I’ll answer them when I have time. Uh… is there anything else?”

“…” Lin Nuo was silent for a moment, looking at her hesitantly, unsure whether he should make the request. But he truly couldn’t bring himself to live comfortably in a noble household while his mother suffered in a shabby hut.

Seeing this, Yue Yuan hurriedly said, “Whatever you need, just tell our young lady directly. Our lady is kind-hearted. If she can help you, she absolutely won’t stand by.”

“That… This disciple has relied on my mother since childhood. Her health has been poor for the past two years. When coming to the capital this time, I couldn’t bear to leave her alone back home, so I brought her along and settled her in the southern part of the city.  Disciple…” Lin Nuo stopped halfway, too embarrassed to continue. After all, who brings their mother along when becoming someone’s apprentice?

Gu Ye thought for a moment and said, “How about this. My grandfather has an unused courtyard nearby. You can stay there with your mother for now. Yue Yuan, take Lin Nuo to the Gu residence so he can recognize the place, and explain things to Uncle Fu and Aunt Fu.”

“Thank you, Master!” Lin Nuo knew that no words could fully express his gratitude toward Miss Gu. He would carve it into his heart and repay her through his actions.

Yue Yuan rented a carriage and accompanied Lin Nuo to the southern part of the city to fetch his mother. To support his participation in this convention, Madam Lin had nearly sold all their belongings and traveled to the capital while scrimping and saving along the way.

As a Level 3 Apothecary, Lin Nuo was allowed to stay in a shared dormitory at the Apothecary Inn free of charge. The inn also offered lodging for the families of apothecaries, but it cost five copper coins per day.

Madam Lin, unwilling to waste money, went out to find her own place to live. In the shantytown of the southern district, she found a makeshift shelter that could at least block the wind and rain—ten days for just five copper coins. To avoid eating through their savings, she also found work washing clothes, which required walking two hours round-trip every day. All of this—she hid from her son!

When Lin Nuo jumped off the carriage in the most dilapidated part of the shantytown, he told Yue Yuan, “Please wait a moment,” then bent down and threaded through a row of crude shelters until he found the one his mother lived in. 

The shelter was empty. After asking an elderly woman nearby, he learned that his mother left each morning to work and didn’t return until evening. Many days, she came back so exhausted that she collapsed straight into sleep, not even taking a sip of water.

Lin Nuo’s fists tightened as he forced back the tears. He truly was unfilial. In his pursuit of progress in pharmaceutics, he had buried himself in practice and ignored his family’s financial struggles.

His mother was in poor health, yet she still forced herself to work through illness to support their household and find ways to sustain his dream. In another family, a child his age would have long since taken up the burden of providing for the home. He had been far too selfish…

After learning where his mother went, he crawled back out of the shanty.

Yue Yuan stood beside the carriage, completely out of place in these surroundings. Around her, from a distance, stood hunched elderly people and ragged children. They looked enviously at the carriage by her side and the clothes she wore.

An elderly woman, pulling along a thin, frail little girl, finally mustered the courage to approach and asked timidly, “Miss, are you buying maidservants? My granddaughter is very sensible and hardworking. Only five hundred copper coins!”

Yue Yuan slowly shook her head. “I am just a maid myself. I cannot make such decisions. I am truly sorry.”

When Lin Nuo came out, an old man tugged at him and whispered, “Little Apothecary, have you struck it rich? You’re riding in a carriage now and ordering maids around.  Tsk-tsk, look at that maid’s clothes—fine cotton, embroidered too! And that silver hairpin on her head must be worth several taels of silver.  With her bearing, you could say she’s a young lady from a wealthy family and people would believe it!”

Lin Nuo gave a wry smile. “Uncle, you think too highly of me. I just found a small job. My employer is kind and sent this maidservant to help me fetch a few things.”

“That’s good too! Judging from that maid’s clothes and complexion, it’s clear your employer treats their servants well. Little Apothecary, you’re blessed,” the old man said enviously.

“Uncle, I’m in a hurry to pick up my mother, so I’ll take my leave.” Lin Nuo had already packed all the belongings his mother kept in the shanty and was preparing to take her straight to the Gu residence in the West District.

Madam Lin, who was helping a household wash clothes, heard from a little girl that her son had come looking for her. Thinking something terrible had happened, she quickly wiped her hands and ran out.

Seeing his thin, small mother with her temples already frosted with white and her eyes narrowed from years of needlework just to see clearly, Lin Nuo’s nose stung. He hurried forward and choked out, “Mother, I found an employer. They’re kind and allow family members to come along. I’m here to bring you with me.” 

Madam Lin froze. After a long moment, she cautiously asked, “Then what about the alchemy you’ve devoted years to? Are you giving it up just like that? Didn’t you say you had a good chance of becoming an intermediate apothecary this year? It would be such a pity to abandon it! Don’t worry about money. I’ll find a way. I don’t want you to give up now and regret it later!”

“Mother, I’m not giving up on learning to make medicine. My employer is a very skilled apothecary. I’ll be working as her apprentice. Not only will I have food and lodging, but I’ll also be able to learn more advanced pharmaceutical techniques. Oh, and the materials for practicing are all provided for free!” Lin Nuo supported his mother by the arm and guided her toward the carriage.

Behind them, a burly, fierce-looking old woman shouted in a harsh voice, “Lin! If you dawdle any longer, you won’t get a single copper for today! You’re always slow and dragging your feet. I should never have hired you!” 

Lin Nuo frowned and shot her a cold glare. “We don’t want the wages anymore, and we won’t be coming back! Hire whoever you want!”

Madam Lin still felt reluctant about the day’s pay. She had washed clothes for half a day, so she could have earned two or three copper coins. But with her son beside her, she had to consider his feelings, so she said nothing and obediently followed him into the carriage.

The carriage sped along. Half an hour later, they arrived at the Gu residence in the West District. The residence had been granted by imperial decree. Though not enormous, it was far from small.  A three-courtyard compound, with five rooms each on the east and west wings, and a spacious yard.

No master lived there; only Uncle and Aunt Fu stayed to guard the gate and tend the grounds. Uncle Fu had once been a soldier under Gu Xiao. His leg had been injured, so he walked with a slight limp, but his skills were still sharp. He had even chased off thieves who tried to climb over the wall.