Chapter 76: Uncommon

 Chapter 76: Uncommon

The color of the Zixue Dan was clearly more vibrant, matching the "purple" in its name. In comparison, the Zixue San made by Jishi Hall appeared much duller, almost a purple-brown shade.

Old Physician Liu looked at the Zixue Dan on the plate, his brows slightly raised. "The color of this Zixue Dan is indeed as described in ancient texts."

As he spoke, he used a silver spoon to scrape some of the powder from the Zixue Dan and tasted it. Muttering to himself, he murmured, "Cold water stone, talc, rhinoceros horn, antelope horn, costus...”

To be honest, Old Physician Liu had some doubts about Chu Qianchen's extraordinary medical skills. He wondered if his grandson had exaggerated them.

He tasted it twice, muttering again, "Apart from the sixteen ingredients commonly used in Zixue San, I can't identify any other herbs... I wonder what kind of colorless and tasteless ingredients the little divine physician added to make the Zixue Dan so vibrant."

Though Old Physician Liu didn't say it outright, his words clearly conveyed some skepticism about Chu Qianchen's methods.

In his view, the prescription for Zixue San was a time-honored formula passed down through the ages. For it to have endured for so many years, every ingredient must hold deep meaning. A young girl changing it so casually seemed to lack the necessary respect for traditional formulas.

Moreover, medicine was about efficacy. Could making the Zixue Dan so visually pleasing really cure a disease?

However, this approach did seem to align with the impulsiveness often found in young women.

Old Physician Liu shook his head slightly, thinking that his grandson was still too inexperienced. He resolved to take him out more often to broaden his horizons.

"Grandfather..." Young Physician Liu could tell that his grandfather was unconvinced by the little divine physician and wanted to explain. In his opinion, the Zixue Dan personally made by the divine physician must be far superior to the common Zixue San available on the market!

Unfortunately, before he could explain further, the noise outside interrupted him.

"Physician! I need to see a physician!"

Suddenly, the sound of an excited woman’s cry came from the street outside the medical hall.

A man, no older than thirty, dressed in a short green tunic, hurried into the medical hall while carrying a six- or seven-year-old boy in his arms. Behind him followed a plump woman.

The woman was filled with urgency, tears welling in her eyes. She hoarsely cried, "Physician, where is the physician? Please, save my Er Gou!"

The man placed the boy, whose face was pale, onto a couch in the front hall. The boy’s eyes were rolled back, his limbs twitching and convulsing. His eyes were glazed, clearly unconscious.

Old Physician Liu immediately took the boy’s pulse.

Meanwhile, the woman eagerly asked Young Physician Liu and the attendants, "Where’s the divine physician? Where is the divine physician?"

The woman’s voice became sharper with each word.

Young Physician Liu shook his head. "The divine physician is not here..."

"The divine physician is not here..." The woman looked as though her soul had been drained, and her voice faltered. "The physician from Xu’s Medical Hall said that if it's the divine physician, maybe there’s still hope..."

Old Physician Liu’s expression grew serious as he withdrew his hand from checking the boy’s pulse and said solemnly, "The illness is caused by an external evil, which has turned into internal heat, causing wind. This is an acute case of infantile convulsions. The fever is quite high."

The man responded repeatedly, "Yes, yes, that’s what the physician from Xu’s Medical Hall said too."

Infantile convulsions was a serious illness often encountered in young children and was considered a grave condition. The Dong Yi Bao Jian (Eastern Medicine Treasure Canon) mentioned that the most dangerous childhood illness was none other than convulsions.

The woman hurriedly added, "Er Gou had a stomach upset last night, vomiting and diarrhea. We thought it would get better after some rest, but by midnight, he started having a fever that only worsened. His limbs began twitching, and now he’s unconscious..."

Old Physician Liu stroked his beard. "It’s a case of internal obstruction of the stomach and intestines, with phlegm and heat trapping the heart, leading to liver wind... Ah Ming, go and bring the Zixue San."

Before Young Physician Liu could respond, the woman, in a frantic tone, interrupted, "It won’t help! Physician Xu already prescribed Zixue San. We gave it to Er Gou, but his fever got worse! He passed out completely..."

A mother’s heart ached for her child, and the woman’s tears flowed as she spoke, her voice trembling, "Physician Xu said that the most troublesome thing about infantile convulsions is that it can’t be treated easily. He said we should try finding the divine physician at Jishi Hall."

The woman seemed to have lost all strength, collapsing to the floor in despair.

Old Physician Liu had no words to refute. Ancient texts did say: "The most serious childhood illnesses are those involving shock."

Though diagnosing the illness was not difficult, the treatment was the challenge.

The child had a high fever, was delirious, and experiencing convulsions. If the heat was not cleared and the toxins removed, if the mind was not restored and the convulsions stopped, it was a matter of life or death.

At this moment, one of the attendants couldn’t help but speak up. "The Zixue San from Xu’s Medical Hall didn’t work, but that doesn’t mean the Zixue Dan from our Jishi Hall won’t!"

"Our Zixue Dan was personally made by the divine physician!"

The attendant stood tall and proudly, speaking with confidence.

Both Young Physician Liu and the attendants at Jishi Hall had witnessed Chu Qianchen’s extraordinary medical skills firsthand. They had an almost blind trust in her abilities. The Zixue Dan made by the little divine physician must be far superior to ordinary Zixue San and was undoubtedly a miracle medicine.

"The divine physician?!" The woman, who had been slumped on the floor, suddenly had a spark of hope in her eyes. "If it’s the divine physician’s medicine, it must be a magical remedy!"

As she finished speaking, Young Physician Liu had already brought over a small porcelain bottle of Zixue Dan. "The Zixue Dan is here!"

"Ah Ming, this is the freshly made new medicine. It’s untested and should not be given to a critically ill patient!" Old Physician Liu frowned, opposing his grandson’s reckless actions.

This child’s convulsions were already severe. Every step had to be taken with caution. If the wrong medicine was given and the child died, people would not remember that Xu’s Medical Hall had been unable to treat him—they would blame Jishi Hall, tarnishing its reputation.

As the ancient saying goes: "A physician is the keeper of life, like a general leading an army. One must plan before acting."

When it came to human life, any new medicine had to be tested carefully and repeatedly before it could be widely used.

The young man in the green tunic paid no heed to Old Physician Liu’s advice. Excitedly, he said, "Physician, it doesn’t matter. Quickly give Er Gou the Zixue Dan!"

"This is not right," Old Physician Liu insisted again. "Life is at stake."

The woman, hearing this, suddenly lunged forward like a wild beast, swiftly grabbing the small porcelain bottle of Zixue Dan from Young Physician Liu’s hand.

He hadn’t expected her to act so quickly, and before he could react, the bottle was gone.

He knew the other party was anxious, so he didn’t get angry. Instead, he patiently said, “Madam, don’t worry. Just give me the medicine, and I’ll feed it to your second dog.”

The woman seemed to be afraid that the young physician would snatch it away, so she tightly gripped the small porcelain bottle and looked at him warily.

The man in the green robe protected his wife behind him, saying, “No, we’ll feed him ourselves!”

The couple had figured it out: the senior physician in the clinic was hesitant to take responsibility and refused to give their son the medicine. They had heard it clearly—that the medicine was from a miraculous physician, and they couldn’t let the young physician take it back. Otherwise, the senior physician might persuade him not to administer it.

The young physician was helpless and, fearing they might feed it to the child recklessly, quickly said, “This Zixue Pill is an emergency medicine and should not be used excessively. At your son's age, three pills are enough, twice a day.”

The woman quickly handed over the fee, clutching the small bottle of Zixue Pills, and hurriedly pulled her husband to carry their son away. They walked swiftly, almost as if they feared being chased.

The senior physician watched their retreating figures, his brows furrowed even tighter. He disapproved and scolded his grandson, “A Ming, you’re being too careless. How could you just let them leave like that?”

“Wait and see, that child’s condition may worsen. They’ll definitely come back.”

Xu’s Medical Hall was known for treating children's diseases. Their ancestors had even been imperial physicians in the previous dynasty. Even the acute convulsions they couldn’t treat might only be treatable by the imperial medical institution in the capital.

The senior physician’s worry turned into a long sigh.

The weather today was rather gloomy, with thick clouds covering most of the sky, making it seem like dusk had come early.

By afternoon, it began to rain—fine, drizzling rain.

The senior physician was anxious all day, but by curfew, the couple had not returned.

The next day, they still didn’t come.

On the third day, a large crowd suddenly gathered outside Jishi Hall, blocking the entrance.

The senior physician immediately recognized the couple leading the group, and his heart skipped a beat: Oh no, the troublemakers are back!

But then—

“Is Physician Liu here? We’ve come to thank you!” The mother of the boy said, beaming with a smile.

“Jishi Hall truly saves lives. Look, my Er Gou is completely healed!”

As she spoke, an elderly woman brought over a six- or seven-year-old boy. The child’s eyes were bright, his expression lively, and he was none other than the boy, who had been on the brink of death just two days ago.

Er Gou’s mother continued, “It really is a miraculous medicine! After my Er Gou took the Zixue Pill, within just the time it takes to burn a stick of incense, the fever started to subside. After the second dose in the evening, the fever completely disappeared…”

“My Er Gou is the only son of three generations in our family. You saved him, and you’ve saved the lives of our entire family!”

The couple repeatedly thanked the young physician, looking incredibly grateful.

If the young physician hadn’t supported them, they might have knelt to thank him.

The senior physician was stunned, watching the scene.

He quietly called for his assistant and ordered, “Bring me a bottle of Zixue Pills.”

The assistant quickly fetched the medicine, and the senior physician sniffed it, tasted it, and even crushed a pill to examine it closely. Yet, he still couldn’t figure out what changes the little miraculous physician had made to the ancient formula of Zixue Powder that could even cure the acute convulsions that Xu’s Medical Hall couldn’t treat!

After expressing his thanks, the family of the Er Gou left in high spirits, just as they brushed past Hu Po.

Hu Po couldn’t help but glance at the family.

“Miss Hu Po!” The young physician greeted her with a smile, “The Zixue Pills you brought last time are truly miraculous.”

He pointed at the second dog’s family and said, “Do you see them? Their boy had acute convulsions the day before yesterday and was on the brink of death…”

The young physician recounted the events from the other day in detail, his eyes glowing with admiration for the little miraculous physician’s abilities.

Hu Po smiled slightly. She had full confidence in her mistress.

Sitting by the window, the senior physician glanced at Hu Po with some surprise.

Hu Po wore a simple willow-green robe, her hair styled in the twin bun typical of a maid, with a delicate and graceful appearance. Her aura and demeanor were so refined that even the daughters of wealthy families couldn’t compare.

One’s servant reflected their master.

The senior physician, who had been practicing medicine for many years, had seen countless people. Originally, he had guessed that the little miraculous physician might be a daughter from a prominent family of imperial physicians in the capital. But now, he had a vague feeling that he might have guessed wrong.

“Physician Liu,” Hu Po smiled and relayed Chu Qianchen’s message, “My mistress said that children's convulsions are a common ailment, and Zixue Pills are an excellent medicine to calm convulsions and open the orifices. It can also treat diseases like measles and other heat-related illnesses. From now on, Zixue Pills will only be provided to Jishi Hall.”

“Miss Hu Po, please thank your mistress for me when you return,” the young physician said with some excitement, giving a formal bow.

He probably guessed that this was the little miraculous physician’s way of responding to the recent incident where someone had caused trouble at Jishi Hall because of her.

Though the Zixue Pills might not bring in a huge profit, their efficacy far exceeded Zixue Powder, and it was enough to establish Jishi Hall’s reputation. Soon, Jishi Hall would become one of the top medical halls in the capital.

In the future, whenever the people of the capital mentioned Zixue Pills, they would think of Jishi Hall!

Just imagining it made the young physician’s blood boil with excitement as he said, “Miss Hu Po, we can’t just take your mistress's medicine for free. How about this? From now on, the profits from Zixue Pills will be split fifty-fifty with your mistress.”

Hu Po didn't dare to promise anything on behalf of Chu Qianchen; she only said she would report the matter truthfully once she returned.

Watching her grandson chat animatedly with others and securing the exclusive selling rights for the Zixue Dan, Old Physician Liu felt a little confused, still not understanding why things seemed to be developing in a direction he couldn't fathom. This young "divine physician" was so talented at such a young age, could it be that she was truly born with a special gift? Did she somehow already have a mentor who provided everything she needed?

Once her task was completed, Hu Po had the assistant gather the medicinal materials needed to prepare Zixue Dan and then left.

As she was carrying the medicinal package out, she almost bumped into someone coming in. The person, a careless man holding a baby, didn’t apologize, and rushed like the wind toward the two physicians, frantically calling, "Physician... Physician, I heard you have a miraculous medicine for treating infantile convulsions!"

Hu Po glanced at him, but she wasn’t interested in joining the commotion. Instead, she went ahead to a nearby snack shop, bought two boxes of lotus seed cakes, and returned to the Hou residence.

She reported everything that happened at Jishi Hall to Chu Qianchen, including how the boy named Er Gou had turned from near death to recovery.

Chu Qianchen, curled up on the luohan bed, was flipping through a medical book, though it was unclear how much he actually absorbed. He didn’t speak a word for a while.

Hu Po quietly served him tea as the room remained peaceful, filled only with the faint sound of wind rustling through lotus leaves outside.

This serene atmosphere didn’t last long before it was broken by a lively voice: "Chu Qianchen!"

It was the voice of a young boy, high-pitched yet full of confidence.

Chu Qianchen put down the book and smiled, a pair of shallow dimples appearing on his cheeks.

Hu Po quickly went out and personally welcomed the little troublemaker inside.

Before long, Chu Yunmu, wearing a royal blue robe embroidered with cranes, strutted in, his steps full of energy.

His legs had finally healed after a month and a half, though Chu Qianchen wouldn't allow him to run or walk too quickly or far. Despite these restrictions, to Chu Yunmu, who had been cooped up for so long, this was more than enough. He felt as if the clouds had parted and the moon was visible once more—he was free again!

"Chu Qianchen!" Chu Yunmu climbed up onto the luohan bed, grinning widely. "I brought you some snacks!"

"This rose honey cake was bought by Mother today from Baiwei Restaurant. It’s so delicious!"

He looked at Chu Qianchen, his eyes shining with a playful expectation, as if silently urging him to praise him.

Chu Qianchen, accustomed to this behavior, raised his hand to ruffle Chu Yunmu’s hair, but the boy grabbed his hand and stopped him.

"Don’t mess with my hair, boys’ hair shouldn’t be messed with! It stunts your growth!" Chu Yunmu said, sounding very serious.

Since he couldn’t ruffle his hair, Chu Qianchen gave in and flicked Chu Yunmu’s forehead, teasing him: "So many rules for someone your age."

"Spit it out. What do you want?"

Chu Qianchen could see through him immediately. This boy only showed up when he needed something.

Chu Yunmu laughed slyly, hooked his little finger around Chu Qianchen’s and shook it coquettishly, saying, "Second sister, can you take me out to see the sights in a couple of days?"

If he went with the guards, his mother wouldn’t approve, but if Chu Qianchen took him, his mother would definitely agree!

Chu Yunmu looked at Chu Qianchen with bright, eager eyes, like sparkling jewels.

Chu Qianchen: "..."

Seeing Chu Qianchen hesitate, Chu Yunmu quickly threw out his bait, trying to tempt her. "Second sister, have you heard? The Wan Shou Festival is next month, and foreign envoys are coming to the capital to pay tribute. The city is getting so lively!"

"I heard that some of those foreigners don’t look like us. Some of them even have blue or green eyes, high noses, and deep-set eyes..."

"And they’ll bring rare treasures from their lands. Have you ever seen a camel? Some tribes in the northwest even ride them!"

"I also heard that some merchants from these foreign lands will come with the tribute groups, and the markets in the city will be extremely lively!"

Chu Yunmu was talking non-stop, trying his best to tempt Chu Qianchen into taking him out.

Chu Qianchen smiled and, though she didn’t ruffle his hair, she did give in and hook his pinky in return, answering firmly, "Okay."

Chu Yunmu had originally thought he would have to put in more effort, but he was surprised at how easily Chu Qianchen agreed.

He beamed with joy, his eyes narrowing into happy slits. "Second sister, you’re the best!"

Chu Qianchen gave Hu Po a look, and Hu Po immediately opened the snacks that Chu Yunmu had brought and brewed a pot of floral tea, while instructing a maid to squeeze some pomegranate juice.

Soon, Chu Yunmu was happily eating the rose honey cakes and sipping on the pomegranate juice, thoroughly content.

"Second sister, what did you add to the pomegranate juice?" Chu Yunmu asked after finishing a cup, wanting more. It was tangy, sweet, and refreshing.

He was sure it wasn’t honey!

Chu Yunmu licked his lips, looking like a little greedy kitten.

"I added some watermelon juice," Chu Qianchen replied with a smile. "If you like it, I’ll have them prepare a whole pot in the evening, chill it in well water, and send it to you tomorrow morning. It’ll taste even better!"

Chu Yunmu’s eyes lit up even more, nodding eagerly.

He pulled a small green item from his sleeve and handed it to Chu Qianchen, then whispered in her ear, “Here, one for each of us, not even for eldest sister!”

It was a small grass-woven puppy, sitting with its head tilted up and a fluffy tail raised behind it.

Chu Qianchen took the little grass dog in her hand and examined it, casually complimenting, "It's woven very well."

The tail of the dog behind Chu Yunmu immediately lifted in pride, and he said smugly, "I made it, of course it's good!"

"This is based on my dog, Ye Ying. Doesn't it look like it?"

Ye Ying was a small black dog that Chu Yunmu had raised, a gift from the Shen family’s cousin. Ye Ying was only six months old. Before Chu Yunmu got injured, he would play every day with the little dog, chasing cats and teasing birds in the manor.

Chu Qianchen nodded in agreement, "It does look very much alike!"

“If only there were black grass, it would look even more like it!” Chu Yunmu became even prouder, “How about I make you a green parrot instead?”

During the past month and a half, Chu Yunmu had been mostly bedridden to heal his leg, and feeling bored, he had asked the maid to read to him, play with the Rubik's Cube, and learn how to weave grass crafts.

Excited, Chu Yunmu instructed the maid to bring back some rush grass, and enthusiastically made several little items for Chu Qianchen, which he placed on the desk.

Before lunch, Chu Qianchen personally sent Chu Yunmu back to the main courtyard.

As they entered the hall, they heard a soft, clear voice coming from the left room: "The body is like a Bodhi tree, the heart like a bright mirror stand. The mirror is originally clean, where would it be stained with dust?"

Chu Yunmu tugged at Chu Qianchen's sleeve, and she stopped, looking down at him.

He tilted his little face up, raised his hand, and waved at her. Chu Qianchen bent down to listen as he whispered in her ear, “Recently, Mother asked Eldest Sister to return to stay, and every day she makes her read and copy Buddhist scriptures.”

Chu Yunmu’s face showed a trace of sympathy. If it were him reading those scriptures, he’d definitely fall asleep in no time.

He patted his chest, secretly relieved that during his leg recovery, he had been obedient, so his mother hadn’t been as strict with him.

The maid in front of them drew the Xiangfei curtain for the siblings, and Chu Yunmu and Chu Qianchen walked into the east room.

Chu Qianhuang sat upright at a redwood desk by the window, reading a Buddhist scripture, her hand twirling a string of incense beads. Beside her, there was a three-legged incense burner, and the fragrant sandalwood smoke curled up and spread in the air.

“Mu Ge’er, Chen Jie’er, come here!” Shen Shi, sitting on the Luohan bed, waved at them.

After they sat down, Shen Shi asked about Chu Yunmu's lessons, "Mu Ge’er, did you finish your homework today?"

In the manor, boys started their studies at the age of five, attending the clan school, and Chu Yunmu was no exception. Despite his leg injury, he hadn’t neglected his lessons, as Shen Shi had taught him and checked his homework daily. Half a month ago, when he was able to use crutches, he returned to the clan school to resume his studies.

Chu Yunmu: "..."

Chu Yunmu hesitated, his eyes betraying a guilty look.

Today, he had heard the news of foreign tributes coming to the capital at the clan school, and as soon as classes were over, he hurried to find Chu Qianchen, hoping to persuade her to take him out to see the excitement, forgetting all about his homework.

Chu Qianchen saw through his hesitation and smiled, diverting the conversation, "Mother, the clan school will have a break the day after tomorrow. I'd like to take Mu Ge’er out to have some fun. I heard that foreign envoys are coming to the capital, and it's quite lively."

Chu Yunmu quickly added, "Mother, I will definitely listen to Second Sister. Let us go and see the excitement!"

Chu Yunmu looked at Shen Shi with wide, bright eyes, not blinking.

At this moment, Chu Qianhuang stopped reading, her left hand still twisting the beads, while her right hand turned the page of the scripture. As she flipped it, she shot a quick glance at Chu Qianchen and Chu Yunmu, and a flicker of something unusual flashed in her eyes before she continued reading, "The nature of all beings is originally pure, and all laws exist in their true nature..."

Shen Shi, of course, knew that Chu Qianchen was helping Chu Yunmu divert the conversation and found it amusing.

She played along, pretending not to know, and deliberately asked Chu Yunmu, "Will you listen to Second Sister?"

"Of course!" Chu Yunmu nodded vigorously, "I always listen to Second Sister! If she says go east, I won't go west."

Chu Yunmu said this with complete sincerity. He really did listen to Chu Qianchen. During the past month and a half, whenever she told him to do something, he did it.

Shen Shi smiled slightly and rubbed her son’s head, saying, "Then you’ve made a promise."

This implied her approval.

"Mother, don’t worry!" Chu Yunmu was overjoyed, not even minding that she had rubbed his head.

Chu Qianchen couldn’t help but smile.

The atmosphere was warm and harmonious.

Only Chu Qianhuang, with her head slightly lowered, dug her thumb’s nail deeply into the soft skin of her palm, leaving a blood-red mark.

(End of Chapter)