Chapter Fifty-Six: The Request

Doctor Cen’s expression suddenly turned cold, leaving Xu Ruojin somewhat perplexed.

Was she not humble enough?

Or had she just said something wrong?

She carefully retraced the conversation in her mind but found nothing amiss. Then why did Doctor Cen’s eyes hold such disdainful ridicule?

Ridicule?

Xu Ruojin was startled. Glancing at the prescription tossed aside, a faint understanding dawned.

Doctor Cen rose to leave, but Xu Ruojin hurriedly stopped him. “Please wait, Doctor Cen. Would you tell me what is amiss with my prescription?”

“Miss Xu, some things are better left unsaid. Why must you insist?” Doctor Cen’s brows furrowed tightly. “I have practiced medicine in Zhonglin County for many years, relying solely on my modest skills to feed my family, never meddling in profit-driven rivalries. Though I am slow-witted, I am not a fool. You are young, Miss Xu—you must weigh your actions carefully. Take care of yourself.”

“I truly do not understand, Doctor Cen. There is no need for politeness—please speak plainly,” Xu Ruojin pressed, unwavering, which only stoked Doctor Cen’s anger further.

“Very well, let me ask you, then!”

He strode over to retrieve the prescription and began, “The first formula: through-bone grass, rhubarb, angelica, peony, moutan bark, and raw rehmannia. If you were to add safflower, what effect would that have?”

“Safflower promotes blood circulation and disperses stasis with considerable efficacy. But these medicinal wines are meant for my father and brother, mainly to strengthen their bodies. They do not suffer from serious ailments, hence I did not include the safflower.”

Xu Ruojin answered, then gazed at Doctor Cen, waiting for his next question.

He studied her for a moment and continued, “What if you added mole cricket?”

“That is an insect, difficult to catch and costly. Thus, it was not included.”

“And if you added Siegesbeckia, would it not be even better?”

His question made Xu Ruojin’s heart skip a beat.

Her earliest prescription did indeed contain that herb, and she had planned to feign its omission so Doctor Cen could point it out, giving Chun Cao a reason to leave the house. She had never expected Doctor Cen would doubt her skill—let alone her character.

Her mind had been overheated, not anticipating trouble would arise here.

Yet, perhaps it was better the problem surfaced now, lest it become a hidden danger.

Taking the matter head-on, she decided to follow Doctor Cen’s line of questioning, to prove she harbored no deceitful intent.

“Doctor Cen is correct. Siegesbeckia treats bone pain and weakness in the knees, dispelling wind in the liver and kidneys. Adding it indeed perfects the formula—it is the finishing touch!”

As Xu Ruojin explained Siegesbeckia’s properties, Doctor Cen’s gaze lingered on her, his expression gradually softening.

She could name the medicinal effects of all three ingredients he mentioned, as well as explain why she had omitted them. If she were merely feigning knowledge to seek praise, she could not have answered so.

Clearly, she was not ignorant but had studied earnestly.

Still, Doctor Cen’s suspicions were not entirely dispelled. He pressed further:

“If someone had suffered a bone fracture, plagued by chronic wind and cold, with icy pain in the bones, what prescription would you suggest? Miss Xu, could you write one now for me to see?”

Setting aside the three prescriptions, Doctor Cen posed a new question. Xu Ruojin bit her lip gently, quietly pondering.

Dipping her brush in ink, she began to write. Though her calligraphy was not yet truly accomplished, it was presentable.

“Eight qian of dragon’s blood resin, eight qian of notoginseng, two qian of camphor, four qian of mint, six qian of safflower, and one jin of wine.”

After reviewing her work, Xu Ruojin handed the prescription to Doctor Cen. “If the patient’s family can afford it, a little musk could also be added…”

Doctor Cen’s eyes widened in astonishment.

Such a prescription, produced so swiftly, could only come from someone with years of study. Yet he had watched with his own eyes as a young girl, only recently begun her medical studies, wrote it out by hand…

He turned toward the well-worn medical text in the corner of the desk, unable to resist picking it up.

The book was nearly frayed to pieces—a testament to how frequently it had been read.

A sense of guilt rose in Doctor Cen’s heart.

He had misunderstood Miss Xu, believing her to be feigning knowledge for the sake of his praise. But she was, in truth, a gifted and diligent student of medicine.

It was a pity she was confined to the inner quarters, with little chance to practice medicine in the world.

“Allow me to offer my apologies, Miss Xu,” said Doctor Cen, now in his fifties, bowing deeply with hands clasped. Xu Ruojin hurried forward to help him up. “Please, Doctor Cen, there’s no need for that. I truly sought your guidance. Your advice just now was an encouragement. Please, rise.”

“No, no—it was I who was narrow-minded,” Doctor Cen replied. He gathered the prescriptions, straightened them, and added a few annotations in his own hand. “These formulas are sound, but different people will need different adjustments. Miss Xu, do review them carefully.”

“Thank you, Doctor Cen!”

Xu Ruojin smiled as she collected the prescriptions. She only awaited an opportunity for Chun Cao to go out to purchase the herbs—and to visit He Miao as well.

Doctor Cen stroked his beard, his gaze upon Xu Ruojin now full of admiration.

Xu Ruojin summoned Hong Xing to help Doctor Cen pack up his medicine chest, personally escorting him to the door.

“There is one thing I must ask of you,” Xu Ruojin suddenly said. Doctor Cen, as if expecting this, smiled. “You wish for me to spread word of your talent?”

“No, no,” Xu Ruojin quickly waved her hand. “That is precisely what I want to avoid. I ask only that you keep this matter secret and tell no one.”

“But why?” Doctor Cen was deeply astonished.

Though his suspicions had been unfounded, he had always thought Xu Ruojin’s intent was to make her skill known, to clear her name after the trouble with Li Zhonglin.

Though that affair had faded, few truly believed Xu Ruojin possessed such ability—they assumed she had merely rattled off a few medicines to muddle through.

Xu Ruojin understood now why Doctor Cen’s demeanor had changed so abruptly earlier.

He had thought she sought fame…

“As I said before, I truly sought your advice, nothing more. Besides, you know my situation—I am confined to the inner chambers and already betrothed. At this time, if word spreads, it will only arouse suspicion and invite criticism.”

With a wry smile, her voice tinged with awkwardness, Xu Ruojin continued, “I do not want to become idle gossip for others. That, to me, would be the greatest humiliation. I beg this favor of you, Doctor Cen.”

She bowed respectfully, and Doctor Cen regarded her with deep admiration, solemnly agreeing.

After seeing Doctor Cen out, Xu Ruojin quickly produced the two herbs he had written, instructing Chun Cao, “Go to the purchasing steward and draw some silver. If you cannot buy the herbs, that is fine, but you must find He Miao. Give her the silver hairpin, and tell her—no matter what, she is always in my thoughts…”