Chapter 50: Celebration

When the family learned that Doctor Jin from the Hall of Benevolence had truly accepted Wen Jun as his apprentice, the elderly couple was overjoyed. They knew Doctor Jin well—he was the most skilled physician in their area. Who could have imagined that these siblings would actually convince him to take Wen Jun under his wing?

Amid their happiness, Madam Luo spoke up directly, “Then could we have Da Tou brought to Doctor Jin for a look?”

The three who knew the truth could only respond vaguely.

Wen Xiuyi said, “Let Xiao Jun study with Doctor Jin for a while first, and then we’ll find a good opportunity to take Da Tou. If we bring him now, right after being accepted as an apprentice, people might say we only had ulterior motives, and Doctor Jin might not teach Xiao Jun wholeheartedly.”

Madam Luo nodded, “You’re right. We’ve waited so many years, a few more days won’t make a difference. We mustn’t let this delay Xiao Jun’s studies.”

Old Man Wen was truly delighted today.

“Our Wen family will have a doctor in the house from now on, heh heh.” These days, doctors were few and far between. Even folk healers in the countryside were sought after, and if there was a real doctor in the area, they’d be revered. Old Man Wen felt as confident and proud as when his eldest son first passed the scholar’s exam.

Madam Luo saw right through him, and with a slap said, “Behave yourself. If you dare flaunt this everywhere and ruin Xiao Jun’s future, see if I don’t deal with you myself.”

Caught out, Old Man Wen felt a bit guilty, but with so many children around, he couldn’t lose face.

“You old woman, when did I say I was going to show off? I’m just happy, can’t I be happy?”

Madam Luo snorted, “You’d better be.”

Then she looked at all the children and grandchildren, “The same goes for all of you. Xiao Jun finally got himself a good teacher. If any of you mess this up, I’ll make sure you regret it.”

Everyone shrank their necks and replied in unison, “Mother, we understand. / Grandma, we understand.”

Only then was Madam Luo satisfied. She pulled Wen Jun close and said, “You’ve always been the most sensible one in the family. Now that you have a teacher, be filial, study hard, and don’t let your teacher down. And above all, never bring shame upon your master or your school—such things are punishable by heaven.”

Wen Jun nodded firmly, “Grandma, I understand. I will study diligently with my teacher.”

Finally, Madam Luo nodded, relieved. If the candlelight hadn’t been so dim, someone would have noticed her eyes had grown a little red.

To shift attention, she called out, “Second family, is dinner ready?”

Madam Li hurried in, grinning from ear to ear, “It’s ready, Mother, just about! Shall we set the table now?”

Madam Luo waved her hand grandly, “Set it up! Second son, third son, get the tables. Wen Di, turn up the oil lamp. Tonight, we’re celebrating, so let’s have a bright and lively meal.”

Everyone moved quickly on her orders. Wen Di adjusted the oil lamp until it glowed brightly, filling the house with warmth. Soon, Madam Li and Madam Cai brought in Wen Yao, each carrying dish after dish, with Da Tou trailing behind like a little shadow.

Whenever Wen Yao was home, Da Tou followed her everywhere.

The table was full of dishes, almost like New Year's at the Wen household—perhaps even better than usual. Even during the New Year, there was rarely more than one meat dish, yet today, Wen Yao had made sweet and sour pork and a fish. The other dishes had been prepared earlier by Madam Li and Madam Cai, while Wen Yao was responsible for these two and a bowl of egg drop soup that made everyone’s mouth water.

No matter their age or status, everyone in the family swallowed hungrily at the aroma wafting from the table.

Tonight, Old Man Wen was specially allowed to have some wine, and the jug Wen Yao had given him earlier was brought out and poured into cups for the four men.

Under the table, Madam Luo gave Old Man Wen a discreet kick, prompting him to sit up straight and announce solemnly, “Today is Wen Jun’s day of great joy.”

Wen Yao almost burst out laughing. Anyone who didn’t know better would think her brother was getting married.

She held back her laughter, waiting for the old man’s next words.

Old Man Wen raised his cup, determined to have a sip before the meal began. After days of only smelling the wine through the cupboard, with the key always in his wife’s hand, he finally had his chance. A smile spread across his wrinkled face.

“Xiao Jun, your grandfather never went to school and can’t say fancy words, but let me give you this: Study hard, and bring honor to our Wen family.”

Madam Luo couldn’t help but roll her eyes. “What kind of speech is that?”

Old Man Wen pretended not to hear. Wen Jun immediately stood up with his water cup, bowed respectfully to both elders, and declared, “Grandfather, Grandmother, please rest assured—I will work hard and not let down the family’s hopes.”

Both elders’ faces lit up with pride. After a moment, they both glared at Wen Xiuyi.

Wen Xiuyi, wrongly accused, could only sigh in silence.

To spare her father from embarrassment, Wen Yao raised her cup. “Grandfather, Grandmother, let’s all wish my brother success in his studies, that he may become a renowned doctor, heal the sick, and bring health to the world.”

Madam Luo nodded approvingly, shooting Old Man Wen another look. “See? Now that’s how you say it.”

Old Man Wen could only fall silent.

Wen Xiuyi nearly laughed out loud. Truly, it was hard to be a father or a son in this family.

The younger ones all chimed in after Wen Yao:

“Bring health to the world!”

“Heal the sick and save lives!”

“Big brother will be the best doctor ever!”

Seizing the moment, Old Man Wen quickly took a sip of his wine, the taste bursting through his mouth, nose, throat, and into his mind. At last, he had finally tasted it.

“Let’s eat!” he announced.

At his command, everyone dug in, faces beaming with joy. Even Madam Li, who had once disapproved of the main branch, was all smiles and kept serving Wen Jun and Wen Yao.

The meal was lively and bustling, and in the commotion, Old Man Wen and his three sons ‘accidentally’ finished off the whole jug of wine, then rambled and joked, half drunk, until Madam Luo’s angry shout sent everyone scurrying to their rooms.

Wen Xiuyi was escorted out by Wen Jun and Wen Yao. The cold night air sobered him up almost instantly.

Rubbing his temples, he complained to Wen Yao, “This wine is really something else—nothing like the ones in the future.”

Wen Yao hadn’t tasted it herself, so she just joked, “Then someday we’ll open our own winery and make some good wine for ourselves.”

Now that Wen Xiuyi had a new body, he could drink as he pleased, as long as they kept an eye on him.