"Why was that so stressful?" Shang Guan Tao whispered as I smiled at him. It was very funny as I saw his expression. "Now you know," I mumbled whilst pouring myself some wine I stole from the wine cellar. Shang Guan Tao noticed the smell and asked me to hand it to him. I laughed and poured some into his cup. Shang Guan Tao took some and mumbled, "Brilliant!"
"Please can Wei Xian, Yan Jing, Ju Long, and Feng Jiu step forward," asked Yu Xuan as they stepped forward onto the stage. Underneath the stage, two lines were already formed by the two branches' inner disciples. Apart from Ah Qi and Ke Xing everyone was already called. They looked so confused but I had other plans for them.
"From now on you four will have the same surname as the third master Shang Guan Yue. As you all know the third master will only teach people medicine. Knowing this will you four still become the third master's disciple?" Yu Xuan asked as they all nodded. Brilliant. I'm glad they know and understand.
"Shang Guan Wei Xian please step forward and serve the tea," Yu Xuan announced as he stepped forward and handed Shang Guan Yue the tea. "This book is filled with simple methods on how to cure some illnesses," announced Shang Guan Yue as he handed Wei Xian the book. Wei Xian stood backwards and opened the book to study it.
"Next can Shang Guan Ju Long step forward?" asked Yu Xuan. Ju Long took the tea from the tray held by Shang Gu. Ju Long knelt down on the mat and gave Yue didi some tea. Ju Long got some rare medicine from Shang Guan Yue. Ju Long took the medicine that was held in an extension bag and stood backwards.
"Shang Guan Yan Jing please come forward," mumbled Yu Xuan. Yan Jing stood forward and gave Yue didi some tea. As a present Yue didi handed her some needles that were inserted with poison as a defence mechanism. Feng Jiu got this present as well.
"Next is Shang Guan Feng Jiu," announced Yu Xuan. Feng Jiu stepped forward and handed tea towards Shang Guan Yue. Feng Jiu was the youngest out of the 15 students. She was only 10 yet she won against people older than her. I wanted to have her but she only wanted to study medicine so I couldn't do anything.
"Feng Jiu come here," I ordered when she was done with Shang Guan Yue. Everyone was very confused but Feng Jiu still did as she was asked. "Here this is my present to you as you are the youngest outer disciple the Moon Valley received. This ring can protect you from everything/ everyone under level 7," I explained whilst handing her the ring. She thanked me and headed off the stage.
"Shifu you are so biased," joked Mei Xiang as I smiled. "Alright, I will send some to you after," I mumbled whilst looking at her lovingly. Ah, she is so cute. Like my daughter. God, I feel old. "Shifu what about me?" XIu Ying asked laughing as I nodded. "Of course, I cannot forget about you," I teased. We were all laughing. However, the ceremony wasn't finished yet.
"My Lord, what about us?" asked Ah Qi and Ke Xing. Right, I forgot about that. I gestured for a maid to take the tray of Shang Gu and Yu Xuan. My junior brothers already know about this part of the apprenticeship ceremony. The maids also brought two other chairs whilst placing a mat in front of the chairs.
"Shang Gu and Yu Xuan sit down," I muttered as they did so. They looked so confused. Oh, this is gonna be hilarious. I haven't felt this happy in so long. I wonder what changed. Shang Gu is not gonna be happy now, is she? Definitely not.