I am the stepmother of my son, and the little villain has changed into a little cotton-padded jacket

Xiao Yizhuo had already fed the horses with fodder in advance, and the family first went to Qingshui Town to say goodbye to the two old gentlemen Xue Ming and Zhao Sixian.

Zhao Sixian was not surprised when he heard that Xiao Ze was going to the capital. Instead, he smiled and told him to go to the capital to meet more scholars and broaden his horizons.

"Aze, on your way to the capital, you should take a good look at the scenery along the way. The knowledge in books is not as good as the paintings under your feet. This saying is always true. When you come back, I believe that you will have different experiences in your heart. By then, let me see your growth."

Xiao Ze nodded and solemnly bowed to Zhao Sixian, bidding farewell to his mentor.

"Yes, I will follow your teachings, be humble and studious, review my lessons, and never forget your instructions."

Zhao Sixian smiled and nodded: "Well, good child, go ahead, and remember to keep the jade pendant that your master gave you. It will come in handy when you arrive in the capital."

"Yes, I've made note of it." Xiao Ze bowed and saluted.

Then he left Mingde Academy, the place where he was enlightened.

Zhao Sixian stood at the door and watched Xiao Ze go away. The smile on his face gradually faded, replaced by a look of reluctance.

There are not many children like Xiao Ze who are willing to work hard and have talent. It takes several years to meet such a person. Now that he knows that Xiao Ze is leaving, it would be a lie for Zhao Sixian to say that he is relieved.

After being together for so long, he has long regarded Xiao Ze as his own child.

As a teacher, he was naturally worried about his child's going on a long journey.

But this is also something every child must experience on the road to growth. How can they grow up without leaving their familiar environment and going out to explore the world?

Zhao Sixian sighed silently and prayed secretly for Xiao Ze in his heart, hoping that his growth path would not be so bumpy.

Wen Shutang took Xiao Wan to Jishidiang. Xue Ming was busy at the door with Afu and Ayi. Xue Ming was very happy to see Xiao Wan coming and waved to her quickly.

"Wan'er, come here. I'll show you how the medicine garden has grown in recent days. Those herbs have sprouted."

Ah Fu and Ah Yi also looked at Xiao Wan with a smile.

Xiao Wan looked up at Wen Shutang, her eyes full of sadness.

When she saw the warm gazes from her master and brothers, her farewell words suddenly got stuck in her throat and she couldn't utter them.

Wen Shutang understood what the little girl was thinking, but separation is the first lesson in human growth, and everyone who wants to grow up must experience some separation.

If you want to grow up, you have to step out of your comfort zone.

Wen Shutang reached out and touched the top of her head, and said softly, "Go, Wan'er, I'll wait for you here. Say goodbye properly."

Xiao Wan bit her lip and nodded, suppressing the sadness in her heart. She put a smile on her face and walked towards Xue Ming and the others.

Wen Shutang looked at Xiao Wan's small back and felt a little uncomfortable.

Xiao Wan walked to Xue Ming's side, and Xue Ming naturally reached out and held her hand and took her to the inner hall to see the medicine garden.

Xiao Wan accompanied Xue Ming for a walk in the medicine garden. When Xue Ming saw the herbs sprouting, his old face was full of excitement, just like a child who got the candy he wanted.

He took Xiao Wan aside and taught her carefully how to identify each medicinal herb.

Xiao Wan didn't want to say anything to make her master sad when he was happiest, so she listened carefully to his last lesson.

After Xue Ming explained all the herbs in the medicine garden in one breath, he realized that his little disciple didn't seem to be in a very good mood today.

"Wan'er, what's wrong with you? You look unhappy."

Xiao Wan pursed her lips, was silent for a moment and then said, "Master, I have something I want to tell you."

"what happened?"

Seeing her so serious, Xue Ming also became serious.

"Master, I am going to the capital. Today I am here to say goodbye to you and my fellow brothers. I don't know when I will be able to come back from this trip to the capital."

Xiao Wan's voice was low, but Xue Ming heard every word.

"What? We are going to the capital today? Why is it so sudden? This, this..."

Xue Ming, who had remained calm in the face of numerous difficult and complicated diseases, showed a hint of panic on his old face when he heard Xiao Wan say that she was leaving.

Xue Ming stared at Xiao Wan closely, as if trying to confirm the authenticity of the matter.

Only after seeing the serious look on Xiao Wan's face did Xue Ming finally believe it.

He sighed, a hint of reluctance flashed in his eyes, and then he suddenly laughed. He reached out and patted Xiao Wan's shoulder.

"It's quite sudden, but it's good. The capital is different from here. There are more rare herbs there, and there are also many herbs you have never seen. It's a good opportunity to go there to learn more about herbs and improve your medical skills. It's good."

After hearing what he said, Xiao Wan felt her nose sore and uncomfortable.

Noticing Xiao Wan's sad expression, Xue Ming seemed to have recovered at this moment. He smiled and said easily, "It's okay, Wan'er, don't be sad. Life is a process of constantly getting to know others, parting, and then getting to know others again. You have to learn to adapt to separation. Besides, it doesn't mean we will never see each other again after separation. When you come back, I will give you the most precious herbs in the medicine garden."

Xiao Wan sniffed and looked up at Xue Ming: "Master, you must take good care of yourself. I will come to you to learn medicine when Wan'er comes back."

"Good boy, don't worry, I will definitely wait for you." Xue Ming responded with a smile.

"Yes, wait a moment."

Suddenly, as if he remembered something, he turned around and went back to his room.

A moment later, Xue Ming walked out of the room with an exquisite little wooden box in his hand.

"This is a heart-strengthening pill that I made when I was young. It can save lives in critical moments. Because the medicinal materials are too precious, I only made a few of them. I prepared one for each of you three. I originally wanted to give it to you as a gift after you come of age, but now it seems I have to give it to you in advance." Xue Ming handed the small wooden box to Xiao Wan and said as if jokingly.

Looking at the wooden box in his hand, Xiao Wan's sadness reached its peak at this moment.

"Master..."

"Child, take good care of this heart-strengthening pill. It is the last thing I can give you. Be sure to protect yourself outside and don't get hurt." Xue Ming looked at Xiao Wan with gentle eyes, as if he was looking at his own daughter.

Xiao Wan held the wooden box in both hands, knelt down in front of Xue Ming and kowtowed heavily.

"Thank you, Master. Wan'er has made note of it."

"Get up, get up, good girl, there's no need to be like this." Xue Ming stretched out his hand to help Xiao Wan up, wiped away the tears that slipped from the corners of her eyes, and smiled kindly.

After saying goodbye to Xue Ming, Xiao Wan left Jishidiang, looking back every few steps.

At this moment, she didn't know that this would be the last time they would see each other as master and disciple.