A Daoist Physician's True Skill

After Xie Ci and Chen Qian left Zhenshan County, at night, ghost crying sounded again in the Zhu Family's back garden. The sound was faint, like crickets in the grass.

Since Zhu Shian couldn't hear it, she paid it no attention. Zhu Shian didn't wake until eight in the morning. Opening the window, she saw the sky was overcast—it would probably rain soon.

Rain would make going out inconvenient, and perhaps there would be far fewer patients at the Medical Hall today. Yesterday was the first day of opening, and there had been too many patients.

Zhu Shian was so busy she ate lunch right at the Medical Hall. After lunch she continued seeing patients and didn't finish the last one until seven in the evening.

"If it rains today, I can have a relaxing day, right?" Little White said, "If you're free, want to go to the Mountain Valley?

Last night Yin Soldiers were lingering in the valley, and they didn't leave until dawn." "Oh, was the fighting fierce?" "Fierce."

"Let's see tonight. If the Yin Soldiers come again, I'll go then." Little White urged Zhu Shian: "Take Wang Erzhu along.

Throw it into Reincarnation, so it stops whining every night—it's annoying." "You go ask it. If it agrees, I'll send it to Reincarnation."

"I'm going right now." Little White was very proactive. Little White slipped out of the room and ran to the back garden, its tail wrapping around the edge of the water tank to climb up.

Then half its body draped over the edge, its tail dipping into the water to fish out Wang Erzhu. Wang Erzhu refused to get up, clutching the lotus stem: "Let go, or I'll go complain to Master Zhu."

"Go ahead. It's cloudy today, no sunlight—you won't die from going outside." "If you keep bullying me, I'll get angry." Wang Erzhu's ghost eyes turned slightly red.

Little White got scared and immediately loosened its tail. Wang Erzhu dove into the water and didn't surface again. Little White poked its head into the water tank and saw Wang Erzhu shrunk inside a tiny lotus node, disdainfully pursing its lips.

"Wang Erzhu, go to Reincarnation. Reincarnate into a good family and you won't have to guard the gate here anymore." "You think I don't want to?

I can't Reincarnate, that's the problem." Wang Erzhu poked its head out of the lotus node, looking like a pumpkin growing out of a lotus node.

He wanted to reincarnate into Xie Ci and Chen Qian's family, but Master Zhu had shattered his dream with a single word. His heart had been broken for two days.

Yesterday he'd been eavesdropping on the Medical Hall next door. There were three couples who couldn't have children and came for treatment.

Two were from villages, one was from the county town but had a large family and lived a mediocre life—he didn't think much of them. "Don't choose anymore.

Hurry to the Underworld to queue for Reincarnation. If you go late, you might wait for years and still not get Reincarnated."

"Why wouldn't I get Reincarnated?" Little White lectured it with justification: "You're stupid. How many people died in the war?

Those who died for the country and the people have many people commemorating them—don't they have more merit than you? Can you compare to those people?"

"Waaaaah~" Wang Erzhu despairingly shrunk back into the lotus node and cried again. "Wang Erzhu, hurry up and say it—do you want to go to the Underworld for Reincarnation?"

Little White whipped its tail, splashing water everywhere: "Wang Erzhu, come out." Wang Erzhu didn't want to come out. Now it just wanted to hide and cry softly.

Why was wanting a good life so hard? Little White couldn't convince Wang Erzhu and ran to find Zhu Shian: "Master, Wang Erzhu is so useless."

Zhu Shian was eating breakfast. She said: "You say others are useless—what about you?" Little White guiltily lay on the table and didn't speak.

"It's an ordinary ghost, and you're an ordinary snake—neither of you has any right to criticize the other." "It's annoying."

Little White's soul floated out from its body,撒娇ing to Zhu Shian: "I'm cute." Zhu Shian poked its forehead and smiled: "I told you not to bully it.

If you really anger the ghost, are you prepared to fight it?" Little White whined without speaking, turned its head and ran off.

Zhu Shian had just finished breakfast when the overcast sky started raining—drizzle, endless drizzle. Zhu Fengqin brought Zhu Shian an umbrella while saying: "This rain probably won't stop for a while.

I'll bring you lunch at the Medical Hall at noon—don't come back." "I'll come back for lunch. I can also take a nap." "That's fine too.

What do you want to eat at noon?" "Fish, sour and spicy." "Make pickled pepper fish slices?" "Sure." "Alright, I'll go buy a fish later, and buy some tofu to pan-fry and cook in the fish soup.

The fried tofu will soak up the fish juice—will definitely be delicious." Zhu Shian was already looking forward to lunch, so when she went out she didn't mind the wet, drizzly weather—her mood was quite good.

As Zhu Shian predicted, there were few patients at the Medical Hall on rainy days. When Zhu Shian arrived, only two or three patients were waiting.

Shouguang-ye and Shouxin-ye were treating patients. Zhu Shian didn't go over. She wrote a prescription for Nine Treasures Elixir and handed it to Zhu Zheng.

"Zhu Changming received a child with a cold, Wind-Cold, and cough at the County Hospital yesterday. The child wouldn't take bitter medicine, so Zhu Changming prescribed this formula made into Pills.

The County Hospital can't make it, so he told the patient to come to our Medical Hall to buy the medicine. While we have free time, you can prepare the medicine and make the Pills."

"Got it." "Remember to use honey to mix the medicine powder. The Pills should be made into the smallest granules." Children—Zhu Zheng understood.

"Ask me if you have any questions." "Okay." Zhu Zheng went to the back workshop's pharmaceutical workshop to prepare the medicine, and several apprentice assistants followed.

Zhu Shian saw Zhu Kanglin was at the Medical Hall today and asked him: "You came yesterday, again today?" Zhu Kanglin smiled: "I thought the Medical Hall would be very busy opening, so I took three days off.

Today is only the second day." "Did Zhu Yongwen also take three days off?" "He only took one day. Today the senior two class has a placement exam, so he can't come."

"You're in senior one, right? Besides holidays, don't come to the Medical Hall either. Study hard to get into college—don't let coming to the Medical Hall delay you."

Zhu Kanglin smiled: "You've never studied a single day, yet you keep urging us to study?" "Kid, if you had my superb medical skills, would studying matter?

But do you have it?" Zhu Shian left with those轻飘飘 words. Zhu Kanglin's face flushed with anger and he stamped his foot. That sentence really hit him like a heavy hammer.

Zhu Xilan, a disciple brought by Zhu Shouguang, came over with a sneaky smile: "Kanglin-shixiong, do you have it?" Zhu Kanglin was about to hit her.

Zhu Xilan wasn't a bit afraid: "If you hit me, I'll tell your master, and tell your parents—tell them you're being shameless, a high school student bullying me, a primary school student." Zhu Xilan was only eight this year.

At six, she was sent to the Zhu family to study medicine. She had an excellent memory and was particularly good at memorizing medical books, which caught Zhu Shouguang's eye and became his disciple.

Zhu Shouguang adored this little disciple very much and valued her greatly. Plus, Zhu Xilan was the only daughter of her parents, doted on since childhood.

So although she was a girl, her spoiled courage was bigger than ordinary boys, and she was a bit mischievous. "Even if you tell, I'll tell too.

I'll tell them you have no respect for elders, not seriously studying medicine." Zhu Kanglin glared at her. Zhu Xilan wasn't scared by him at all: "I study medicine very seriously.

My master said that among all the disciples he's taught, I'm the best at memorizing books." Zhu Kanglin smiled: "Let this shixiong teach you one thing—being good at memorizing books doesn't mean you can diagnose, doesn't mean you can write prescriptions, understood?"

Zhu Xilan naturally knew: "My master said I'm still young, not in a hurry to learn prescription-writing. Read more medical books, learn more medicinal herbs, build a solid foundation, then learn prescriptions."

Zhu Kanglin also started learning medicine as a child, and went through the same process as Zhu Xilan. Zhu Xilan left him speechless, so he could only shake his head and walk away.

How did this girl's mouth get so sharp? After Zhu Kanglin walked away, Zhu Xilan went over again and handed him half a cookie, smiling as she pressed it into his hand: "Kanglin-shixiong, sorry—I shouldn't have laughed at you just now.

Here's a cookie for you." "I don't want it, take it away." "Eat it. This is a green onion rice cracker, salty flavor—it's really good."

"Not eating." "Are you angry?" "No." There were still patients in the front hall, so they didn't dare make noise. They quietly tugged and played in the corner chair.

At that moment, more patients came in—three adults and a child, all wearing rain capes. The older pair who looked like a couple, although elderly, were both tall.

The old man was holding a child in his rain cape—the child's face was the only part visible, pale and thin, eyes half-closed, lips bloodless. The younger woman, Zhu Kanglin recognized—she was the county magistrate's wife, Lu Wen.

He'd seen her twice. Zhu Kanglin recognized Lu Wen. Zhu Changfang, who was idly wiping the Medicine Cabinet with a basin of water, also recognized her.

Zhu Changfang quickly greeted: "You're here." Lu Wen was taking off her rain cape while urgently asking: "Is your eldest daughter in?

My husband talked to you yesterday—she's supposed to see us today." "She's here. Wait a moment, I'll go call her from the back workshop."

The old couple also took off their rain capes. The child in the old man's arms was revealed—the child was wearing long sleeves and pants, but the exposed ankles and wrists were so thin, as if there was no extra flesh, just bone.

The child turned its dazed head—a thin neck supporting a big head, looking even more frightening. Peng Division Commander held the child and looked around the Medical Hall.

There were two old doctors in the consulting room treating patients; besides that, there were no other patients in the hall. Zhu Kanglin stepped forward: "Consulting room one is our eldest daughter's.

This way, please." Peng Division Commander held the child in one arm and gently patted the child's back with the other, but didn't move.

Lu Wen stood awkwardly on the spot, not knowing what to say. This grandson of Peng Division Commander was already weak. His eldest sister persuaded Mrs.

Peng—Dong Dajie—to agree to bring the child to Zhenshan County for treatment. She said if the child got better, they would definitely owe them a favor.

Everything had developed as Lu Wen expected—except yesterday afternoon when the Peng family elder couple brought their grandson to Zhenshan County, this morning the child's condition suddenly worsened. He was coughing and vomiting, so weak he couldn't function.

He ate two mouthfuls of congee for breakfast, then vomited again on the way here. Although Peng Division Commander didn't say a single harsh word, Lu Wen knew in her heart that he was angry with her.

Dong Dajie patted her grandson's back comfortingly and said to her husband: "Since we're here, let's have the doctor take a look. What do you think?"

Peng Division Commander and Dong Dajie didn't trust Lu Wen for no reason—they didn't just believe whatever she said. They also asked around about the Zhu family and knew that the Zhu family's young lady was capable.

That's why they came. Peng Division Commander listened to the advice and took his grandson to the consulting room. Zhu Shouguang's patient finished—the patient took the prescription to get medicine.

He came out of the consulting room and saw Lu Wen, then saw Peng Division Commander and his wife. Zhu Shouguang guessed who this couple was.

Just by looking at the thin, weak child, Zhu Shouguang felt the matter would be difficult. Bureaucrat families didn't lack food, clothing, or doctors.

With such good conditions, if they still raised the child like this, the child's illness must be hard to treat. Zhu Shian came over.

Zhu Shouguang gave her a meaningful nod. She slightly nodded back. Zhu Shian entered the consulting room, and Zhu Shouguang followed to observe the situation.

Lu Wen saw Zhu Shian and quickly greeted her, then turned to introduce Zhu Shian to Peng Division Commander and his wife: "Peng Division Commander, Dong Dajie, this is Doctor Zhu, Zhu Shian." Zhu Shian calmly nodded and sat down, asking: "It's this child for treatment, right?"

Dong Dajie was first surprised at Zhu Shian's youth. She held her grandson's hand and said to Zhu Shian: "This is my grandson Chuan Chuan.

Please examine him." "Let me feel his pulse first." Looking at the child's thin form, Zhu Shian guessed the child had spleen and stomach problems.

Feeling his pulse, she found it floating and weak. His tongue had a white, slippery coating. Looking at his listless spirit, always looking like he wanted to sleep, Zhu Shian had a clear picture.

"Does the child often feel bloating in the upper abdomen, can't eat, nausea and vomiting, dizziness and heart palpitations? At the slightest discomfort he easily coughs, can cough up phlegm, white phlegm?"

Dong Dajie's eyes immediately lit up. She quickly said: "Yes, yes, exactly that. My child can't eat—eats a little and feels uncomfortable.

At the slightest discomfort he easily vomits and coughs." Peng Division Commander's expression brightened. He proactively asked: "Doctor, what's wrong with my grandson?"

"Simply put, your grandson has spleen and stomach problems. The spleen doesn't transport moisture, which condenses into phlegm—that's what caused this condition."

Peng Division Commander said: "Previous doctors also said my grandson had spleen and stomach problems, but treatment after treatment showed no improvement." "Oh, perhaps they didn't treat the root cause."

Zhu Shian's words were too direct, yet Peng Division Commander actually nodded: "Knowing where the enemy is but using the wrong troops—meaning?" Zhu Shian said: "Children can't endure as well as adults.

Plus your child is weak—the doctor's prescription was conservative and had no effect. A slightly stronger prescription and the child's body couldn't handle it.

Whatever went in came right back out—no medicine worked. In short, children's illnesses are hard to treat; it's very difficult to find the right balance."

Peng Division Commander asked bluntly: "Can you find the right balance?" "I think I can. Do you want to try? If you want to try, I'll write the prescription right now."

Zhu Shian was very confident. This confidence passed to Peng Division Commander and Dong Dajie. In the end, the elder couple agreed to try.

Zhu Shian picked up her pen to write the prescription. Zhu Shouguang walked over to look—tangerine peel, pinellia, poria, prepared licorice, white atractylodes...

This prescription followed the approach of regulating qi and harmonizing the middle, drying dampness and transforming phlegm. At that moment there were no other patients.

Zhu Shian had free time and showed them the prescription: "The main medicine in this prescription is tangerine peel. Tangerine peel awakens the spleen and assists pinellia in drying dampness and activating the spleen.

Once spleen yang operates, damp-phlegm naturally decreases. Tangerine peel also smooths qi. When qi flows smoothly, coughing and vomiting can be relieved—this is called phlegm dispersing, qi smoothing, coughing calming."

Dong Dajie seemed to understand but not fully. She said: "I heard that good tangerine peel is 'one liang of tangerine peel, one liang of gold.' Since this prescription values tangerine peel so much, do we need to find good tangerine peel to match?"

Zhu Shouguang smiled: "Our Medical Hall just opened yesterday. Many good herbs are hard to gather all at once. But as for tangerine peel, our family really has quite a stored."

Tangerine peel, as long as it's stored properly, can be kept for decades—it's very durable. After the Zhu Medical Hall closed more than ten years ago, many herbs that were hard to store were dispersed.

Herbs like tangerine peel that get better with age weren't dispersed; they were kept by the family. Dong Dajie knew the Zhu family's situation.

She quickly agreed: "You can sweep two liang of gold powder from a gold shop's corner. Your ancestors ran a pharmacy, so of course they stored many good herbs.

Our Chuan Chuan really has good luck." Zhu Shian handed the prescription to Zhu Zheng standing nearby. She said to Dong Dajie: "If you live not far, after getting the medicine, why not boil and take it right here at the Medical Hall?"

Dong Dajie naturally agreed. She was also afraid that if she boiled it herself at home, she might do it wrong and lose the medicinal properties.

Seeing Dong Dajie agree, Zhu Shian instructed Zhu Zheng again: "Tell Fengniang to bring a bucket of water to boil the medicine." Zhu Zheng said okay.

The prescription was written—nothing else to do. Zhu Shouguang walked out with his hands behind his back. Lu Wen, who hadn't spoken much, quietly asked: "Master Zhu, there's nothing else on this child, right?"

The term Master Zhu made both Peng Division Commander and Dong Dajie alert. Since Peng Division Commander had asked about the Zhu family, he naturally knew that when the Zhu family went to Shanghai for the exam, the people who helped them register were from the National Security department.

At his level, even if he hadn't had contact, he knew about the existence of that special Action Team within the National Security department. What kind of person this Zhu family's eldest daughter was, connected to the Action Team—he could guess one or two things.

Zhu Shian said there was nothing: "The child is just weak. You adults shouldn't think too much." Peng Division Commander pressed: "Really no unclean things?"

"No." Zhu Shian looked at Peng Division Commander and said: "You have heavy killing aura. With your protection, those things can't approach the child at all."

Only then was Peng Division Commander at ease. Zhu Shian stood up: "You should let the child eat something first, then it's easier to take the medicine.

After he takes the medicine, I'll give him Acupuncture." Dong Dajie worried: "We also want the child to eat more, but he just can't eat—eats and vomits.

We can't help it." Zhu Shian thought for a moment and called Zhu Changfang over: "Yesterday your eldest brother sent several jin of Eight Treasures Cake for the children.

I remember there was half a plate left after dividing it among the children. Please go to the main house and ask Fengniang if there's any left.

If there is, bring it over for this child." Zhu Changfang responded promptly: "I'm going right now." Zhu Shian said to Peng Division Commander and his wife: "Our family's Eight Treasures Cake is made according to the ancient formula.

It contains codonsopsis, poria, white atractylodes, euryale, Chinese yam, and other warm-tonic medicines—not cold, not hot—most suitable for weak people with spleen-stomach damage." Lu Wen was surprised: "I thought Eight Treasures Cake was made from lablab beans, coix seeds, and rice flour.

I didn't know there were so many medicinal herbs in it." "The ancient formula's Eight Treasures Cake also adds lablab beans and coix seeds, properly proportioned with the warm-tonic medicines.

What sells outside isn't so particular." "Eldest daughter, do you sell your Eight Treasures Cake?" Lu Wen wanted to buy some to take back for her own child.

Zhu Shian refused, smiling: "Isn't individual trading not allowed now? Our Zhu family follows the rules most—we don't sell pastries."

"But you just said Eight Treasures Cake contains warm-tonic medicines. Don't sell it as pastry—sell it as medicine, can you?"

Dong Dajie also followed Lu Wen's lead: "Doctor Zhu, since you said our Chuan Chuan is suitable to eat this Eight Treasures Cake, you can't just ignore us." "Try it first.

Your child may not like it." Zhu Changfang ran fast. In no time she came back holding an umbrella and carrying half a plate of Eight Treasures Cake.

She smiled at Zhu Shian: "Fengniang wanted to save it for you to eat in the afternoon." "Hmm, let the child try it." Dong Dajie put a piece of Eight Treasures Cake at her grandson's mouth and pinched his cheek: "Chuan Chuan, try this—it's delicious."

The child unenthusiastically opened his eyes. His lips moved—the expression clearly showed resistance. The child had vomited the two mouthfuls of congee this morning.

His stomach was empty now. Dong Dajie urged him again, so he tentatively took a bite, chewed a few times—his tongue and mouth seemed to come alive.

"Delicious." The child only said two words. Dong Dajie's eyes grew moist with excitement. Her hand holding the Eight Treasures Cake was trembling: "If it's delicious, eat more bites.

Chuan Chuan, be good—you need to eat to have strength." "Okay." Peng Division Commander also couldn't help but feel emotional, watching the child eat three pieces of Eight Treasures Cake one bite at a time.

He immediately said to Zhu Shian: "Doctor Zhu,麻烦您给开个八珍糕的方，就当药卖给我们吧。" Zhu Shian couldn't decide, since she didn't make the Eight Treasures Cake. "Doctor Zhu,麻烦您了。" Dong Dajie's eyes carried a plea.

Zhu Shian's heart softened. She turned to ask Zhu Changfang: "Can your eldest brother make Eight Treasures Cake?" "Of course he can.

What's not possible? These days the village work isn't busy. He's at home with nothing to do. Why not call my brother to the Medical Hall to make Eight Treasures Cake for a few days?"

Zhu Changfang immediately agreed for her brother. "Alright, call your eldest brother for a few days then." Zhu Changfang was overjoyed: "Then I'll go call my brother from the village right now.

If we hurry, we can steam a batch this afternoon." "It's still raining outside. It's troublesome to go back and forth by boat.

Don't go—send Zhu Changfeng." Zhu Changfang smiled: "Don't worry about me. This small matter doesn't need our big shopkeeper.

I'll go personally to call my brother." Saying that, Zhu Changfang took her umbrella and left in a hurry. Seeing Zhu Changfang run so fast, Zhu Changfeng said to Zhu Changzhen: "I think she's just eager to go back and tell her eldest brother the good news.

Having me pass on the message isn't as satisfying as her going herself to make her happy?" Zhu Changzhen smiled: "Eldest Brother Changkun's pastry skills are really good."

Zhu Changfeng went to the back workshop: "Since Eldest Daughter gave the okay, let's prepare the Eight Treasures Cake ingredients for him first. The herbs that need to be ground into powder should be ground; the ones that need soaking should be soaked."

"There are several large pots for steaming medicine in the pharmaceutical workshop. They're all empty now—the pots and steamers are ready, just need washing before use."

Zhu Changzhen followed Zhu Changfeng to the pharmaceutical workshop. Without waiting for Zhu Shian's instructions, Zhu Changfeng and Zhu Changzhen started preparing.

After Chuan Chuan ate the Eight Treasures Cake and waited half an hour without vomiting, Zhu Shian told him to take the medicine. "This medicine isn't hard to drink.

Take small sips. If you feel like vomiting, rest a bit then continue drinking." Although the child was young and in poor health, he was obedient.

He didn't cry or make a fuss, and drank more than half a bowl of medicine, sip by sip. "Full—I can't drink anymore." He held his stomach.

Zhu Shian didn't force him: "If you can't drink more, don't. Rest a bit first. I'll come back in ten minutes for your Acupuncture."

Zhu Zheng called her over to ask about Nine Treasures Elixir production. She went to check. Lu Wen saw the consultation was going smoothly and didn't need to stay.

She said to Dong Dajie: "I'll go home first to cook. Once lunch is ready, I'll bring it to you. It's still raining outside—you don't need to rush around outside with the child."

Dong Dajie held Lu Wen's hand in thanks: "Little Lu, thanks to you and your eldest sister thinking of us and introducing Doctor Zhu to us, we probably wouldn't have found such a good doctor. Don't worry about lunch—麻烦你帮我带句话回去，让小王做了饭给我们送来就行了。" Little Wang was a relative from Dong Dajie's hometown.

Dong Dajie was so focused on caring for her grandson that she couldn't manage household affairs, so she found a diligent, good-at-cooking relative to help at home. This time they also brought Little Wang to Zhenshan County.

The inn they stayed at had few people, and the inn agreed to let them use the kitchen. Lu Wen said: "Alright, but Little Wang just came to Zhenshan County and isn't familiar with the area.

I'll take her to the Grain Station and Food Supply Station to look around." Dong Dajie thanked her again. After a while, Chuan Chuan gently tugged his grandfather's sleeve and said quietly he wanted to pee.

Peng Division Commander stood up holding him and asked: "Where's the toilet?" Zhu Kanglin, who was reading by the Medicine Cabinet, pointed to the back workshop: "There's a toilet on the right side of the back workshop—go right in."

It was still raining outside, but the back workshop had a covered walkway so they wouldn't get wet. After Peng Division Commander took his grandson to the toilet and came out, he had leisure to observe the back workshop.

Not to mention the Acupuncture room, storage, pharmaceutical workshop and other rooms—the back workshop's courtyard was large enough to run laps around. Truly spacious.

The Zhu ancestors could set up such a large property, and their descendants actually managed to keep it—not just three generations passed down. Seriously speaking, Peng Division Commander's family started rising when his grandfather went to work in Shanghai during the Republic era, then started studying and becoming literate.

Peng Division Commander's father was the second generation—literary, worked as a school teacher his whole life. Peng Division Commander joined the revolution—that's the third generation.

The fourth generation—the eldest son and daughter-in-law died in battle, leaving only this grandson. Peng Division Commander sighed.

The eldest son was gone, the second son was mediocre with no prospects. This beloved grandson was smart but had poor health.

If this child couldn't be kept, Peng family wouldn't just maintain their current position. Once he died, things would cool down—Peng family would have nothing left.

"Poor for three generations, rich for three generations"—the seemingly unreasonable old saying could precisely hit many families' pain points. Why was this Zhu family so different?

Zhu Shian finished her work and came back. Seeing them grandfather and grandson standing in the corridor, she said: "The child was already in poor health.

Don't let him catch wind." Peng Division Commander came back to his senses and quickly carried his grandson inside. Zhu Shian stopped him again: "Go to the Acupuncture room.

I'll give the child needling." Peng Division Commander carried the child and followed Zhu Shian into the Acupuncture room.

Dong Dajie in the front hall heard the movement and followed over. Zhu Shian took out the Golden Needle from her medicine box.

The child stared at the Golden Needle, eyes wide. Zhu Shian smiled: "Don't worry—needling doesn't hurt." She had the child undress and lie down.

On the thin body, the bones were clearly visible. The child kept his eyes on Zhu Shian, not looking away—as if he wanted to see how she needled him.

Zhu Shian kneaded his acupuncture points. She pressed hard. When she released her hand, the Golden Needle was already inserted into the point.

"Does it hurt?" The child shook his head—no feeling. Zhu Shian repeated the technique, inserting several points in a few moves.

She gently flicked the needle. The Golden Needle started oscillating regularly, making the child dizzy. The more he watched, the more his eyes closed.

"You stay here and guard. I'll come back to remove the needles." After Zhu Shian said this to the Peng elder couple, she left.

In the Acupuncture room were only the three of them—grandfather, grandmother, and grandson. Dong Dajie looked at her grandson, then at her husband, and suddenly smiled.

This child was the worry of the old couple. They'd been worried for years, thinking it would always be like this. Unexpectedly, today they found a turning point—truly blessed by heaven.

Dong Dajie quietly said: "We must thank the Lu and He families." Peng Division Commander lightly hummed. Once the grandson's illness was better, he would thank everyone who needed thanking.

After a while, Zhu Shian came in to remove the needles. The child was still sleeping. The Peng elder couple didn't want to disturb the child's sleep and sat beside him continuing to guard.

It was almost noon. With the rain, no other patients came. Zhu Shian went back through the back garden to have lunch at home.

Zhu Shouxin and Zhu Shouguang were idle and teaching disciples in the consulting room. When they came out and heard Zhu Changfeng say the eldest daughter went home, Zhu Shouxin snorted: "Her grandfather, her father—both diligent people.

How did she become like this? She's young and should be working hard to improve. All day she just wants to be lazy." Zhu Shouguang told him not to be angry: "Eldest Daughter doesn't only have advancing in medical skills.

She's busy with her own things. The Medical Hall has us holding down the fort." "If she went home to do real work, I wouldn't say anything as an old man.

But do you think she went home to do real work? I don't think so." The clan elders all said the most important thing for the eldest daughter wasn't medical skills, but inheriting the family business.

The Zhu family didn't lack good doctors—she didn't need to support the Medical Hall. But Zhu Shouxin believed from his heart that the eldest daughter's medical skills were top among the younger generation—comparable to the two old men.

The eldest daughter could definitely excel at both, later inheriting the family business and becoming a Traditional Chinese Medicine master—why not? As for Dao Cultivation, Zhu Shouxin didn't understand.

In his view, the eldest daughter was a bit lazy in Traditional Chinese Medicine—not progressive enough. "You, too—always wanting the grass on the other side to be greener, wanting better after getting good.

Although the eldest daughter is young, she has her own arrangements for her own matters. Don't worry for her." Zhu Shian didn't know Shouxin-ye was talking about her behind her back.

Even if she knew, she wouldn't care. How can a person work hard all day without rest? That life would be too hard—what fun would there be in life?

People need rest. Whenever it rained and they didn't have to work in the fields, the village became lively. Either gathering to chat and laugh, or sleeping at home, or making good food to reward the whole family—what happy days.

Zhu Changfang returned to her maiden home at noon under an umbrella. Zhu Changfang's parents and older brother were shocked—thinking something big had happened to make her come through the rain.

Zhu Changfang hung her umbrella on the door and said excitedly: "It's not our family that has something big happen—it's great news." "What great news requires you to come back by boat on a rainy day?

No rush—are you hungry? Let's eat first." Zhu Changfang said loudly: "My dear sister-in-law, don't pull me. Let me finish first."

Zhu Changfang's eldest brother Zhu Changkun smiled at his wife: "Don't pull Fangfang. Let her speak. If this impatient one doesn't finish speaking, we won't be able to eat lunch."

"Eldest Brother, don't say it—actually, you really will rely on your own skills to eat." "What do you mean?" "Yesterday the Medical Hall opened, didn't you make Eight Treasures Cake to celebrate?

Today the Medical Hall had a little patient who couldn't eat. There was half a plate of the Eight Treasures Cake you sent yesterday.

Eldest Daughter asked me to give it to that child, and the child ate it happily." "The child likes it—that's good." Zhu Changkun was happy.

Zhu Changfang almost died of anxiety from her brother's slowness: "Eldest Brother, that's not the key point. The key point is that the child's paternal grandparents are rich.

They immediately said they wanted to buy Eight Treasures Cake. Eldest Daughter said our family follows the rules and doesn't sell pastries.

That family said Eight Treasures Cake is made with medicine—asked Eldest Daughter to write the Eight Treasures Cake prescription, and they'll pay as if it's medicine. Eldest Daughter asked me, can you come to the Medical Hall to work for a few days?

I immediately agreed for you. As a younger sister, I'm generous enough, right?" Zhu Changkun understood his sister. He smiled: "Just asking me to make pastries for a few days—not like I got a permanent job in the city.

Why are you so excited?" "Eldest Brother, as long as this starts, there's a first time就会有第二个。说不准你在医馆就长久留下来了呢。" Zhu Changfang turned to seek recognition from her parents and sister-in-law: "Right?"

Zhu Changfang's mother shared her daughter's view: "I think what Fangfang said is right. Eldest, you go to the Medical Hall and work hard.

If you make a name for yourself, more people will come to buy pastries from you—then you won't lack work." "Father, won't you say something?"

Zhu Changfang asked her father. Zhu Changfang's father seriously nodded: "Listen to your mother." "Sister-in-law, what do you say?"

Zhu Dasao smiled: "Of course I hope Changkun can work in the city and earn more money—our family will get better and better." "Eldest Brother, what about you?"

Zhu Changkun had no choice: "Don't get the whole family to convince me. I'll work hard." Zhu Changfang was satisfied: "Since the whole family agrees, let's go now."

"Wait—eat lunch first." "Aiyo, the patient is still waiting at the Medical Hall—no time." Zhu Changfang's mother said: "If no time, take a few buns to eat on the boat.

I steamed a basket of buns today since I had free time—leek and egg filling. You must like it." "There are buns? Mother, give me a few more."

While this was happening, Zhu Changfang said: "Eldest Brother, don't stand there—hurry and pack a change of clothes. You'll stay at my house these few days."

Without waiting for Zhu Changkun to move himself, Zhu Dasao quickly packed a bundle and handed it to Zhu Changkun. Taking the bundle and buns, the siblings left under their umbrellas.

Zhu Changfang's mother was sharp-minded. She said: "Honey, your father—say, if someone who makes pastries is in demand, will medicinal meals, medicinal wine, medicinal tea one day all be invited too?"

"Hmm, possible." Zhu Changfang's mother sighed: "Eldest Daughter and the clan elders think far ahead. We only have one Medical Hall opened, but the whole clan will benefit."

Zhu Dasao said: "Er Gupo took several selected young people from the clan to other places to purchase medicine a few days ago. As long as the Medical Hall keeps getting better, things like this will only increase—won't the whole clan benefit?"

"Yesterday I heard the old woman from the eastern house say that the Medical Hall doesn't need to use such good medicine—whatever the County Hospital uses, we use. Can't go wrong either way."

Zhu Changfang's mother lightly snorted: "Can't go wrong, but also not much good. Eldest Daughter led us to put in so much effort to get the Medical Hall's sign hung up.

If we ourselves ruin the clan's reputation, the whole clan won't have a good end." "Mother, you're right—you have vision.

If anyone talks about medicine again, I'll go scold them." "A young wife like you arguing with those old women? Let me go—I'll tear those shallow-minded people apart."

"Okay, all listen to mother." Zhu Changfang's maiden family had more women than men—the women were all more capable, while the men were all honest people who only knew working diligently.

Honest people had their benefits too. When Zhu Changkun arrived at the Medical Hall, without a word he went to the pharmaceutical workshop to make Eight Treasures Cake.

He also wouldn't cut corners just because patients were waiting outside. He learned craftsmanship from his grandfather since childhood.

His grandfather taught him—the most important thing for making food is sincerity. Zhu Changkun understood clearly. People don't want just any pastry—they want health-preserving pastry.

Since it's health-preserving pastry, it must have effect. In the afternoon, the rain stopped. The Eight Treasures Cake was put in the steamer.

A big fire burned beneath the pot. After half an hour, the unique fragrance of Eight Treasures Cake drifted from the back workshop to the front hall.

After the rain stopped, patients who came to the Medical Hall all sniffed—what's that smell? The Peng family elder couple naturally knew what it was and didn't say much.

Peng Division Commander carried his grandson to wait in the back workshop. Seeing Zhu Changfeng, he said: "Shopkeeper, we agreed the first pot of Eight Treasures Cake is ours—you can't share it with others."

Zhu Changfeng smiled: "Only yours—no one else ordered." Peng Division Commander thought—that might not be certain. Chuan Chuan was very spirited now.

He looked up toward the pharmaceutical workshop: "Grandpa, go in." Zhu Changfeng pulled over a chair for them to sit. He said to the child: "It's very hot inside—don't go in.

I'll bring it out once it's steamed." The child had much better energy this morning after taking medicine and needling at the Medical Hall.

At noon, their family relative brought lunch—he only ate two mouthfuls and refused to eat more. Finally, after coaxing and coaxing, he ate half an egg, and nothing more.

They had no choice—the old couple were waiting for the Eight Treasures Cake that hadn't come out of the pot yet. This cake was made with various spleen-strengthening medicinal herbs and rice flour.

If the child was willing to eat more, that would be good. The first pot of Eight Treasures Cake was steamed. Zhu Changkun lifted the steamer lid.

The steam carried the Eight Treasures Cake's fragrance out—the smell was even richer. Chuan Chuan kept looking inside, anticipating.

He covered his stomach: "Chuan Chuan wants to eat." Dong Dajie said happily: "Wanting to eat is good—Chuan Chuan can eat as much as you want."

Zhu Changkun picked up a plate of Eight Treasures Cake and placed it on the table: "Just out of the steamer—it's hot. Let it cool before eating."

"Okay, thanks. Having you work in the kitchen in this heat, over a hot stove." Zhu Changkun wiped his sweat and smiled: "Making pastries in summer is like this.

I learned from my grandfather since I was used to it. You all eat slowly—call me when you're done for more." "Okay." In the few sentences of small talk, Zhu Changkun had just left when the child reached for the Eight Treasures Cake but was stopped by his grandfather.

"Wait a bit more—the heat hasn't dispersed yet." The child's eyes almost stuck to the Eight Treasures Cake. After waiting a few more minutes, Dong Dajie took a piece of Eight Treasures Cake, broke it in half, tasted it herself—it wasn't hot.

Then she gave it to her grandson: "Fresh from the steamer is delicious—eat more pieces." The child cupped the Eight Treasures Cake in both hands and took a big bite—delicious!

Then, one bite after another, one piece after another. Seeing the child eat four or five pieces in a while, Dong Dajie quickly stopped him.

"Grandma, Chuan Chuan wants to eat~" Dong Dajie held his little hand and touched his stomach: "See? We told you to eat more before but you wouldn't—your stomach has shrunk from hunger.

Now you get full after eating a little—can't blame us." Peng Division Commander followed his wife's words to coax his grandson: "Chuan Chuan must eat more rice in the future.

Once your body is nurtured, you can eat this pastry freely." "Okay." Zhu Changfang came over to check the situation. Hearing the Peng family grandfather-grandmother-grandson three talking, she advised: "I know you dote on the child, but don't carry him in and out.

Once the child is full, let him move around—food digests better that way." That was reasonable. The old couple did nurture this grandson carefully—never letting him out of their hands.

Peng Division Commander put his grandson on the ground and held his hand: "Chuan Chuan, walk with Grandpa." "Okay." After the rain stopped, the sun came out.

There was still some water pooled on the bluestone ground in the Medical Hall's back workshop. The child walked steadily step by step, holding his grandfather's hand.

Once his energy slightly improved, the child's mischievous nature came out. He specifically stepped on the stones with puddles, splashing water everywhere.

"Chuan Chuan wet Grandpa's pant cuffs—naughty. Grandpa will spank your little bottom." The child laughed and stepped even harder.

Seeing this, Dong Dajie couldn't help but redden her eyes. God—she never dreamed Chuan Chuan could play like other children.

Zhu Shian had just finished seeing a patient and came in to wash her hands. Seeing this, she said: "The child can't be immobile, but don't let him move too much.

His body is weak—take it step by step." "Okay, we know. Thanks, Doctor Zhu." As Zhu Shian said, the child's energy was very limited.

After walking one round, his energy was used up. He didn't want to move when held by his grandfather, so he was picked up.

At this point, Peng Division Commander was extremely satisfied. On the first day, they could get the child to eat, and the medicine he drank didn't come back up—proving Zhu Shian really had a way to treat this child.

The Peng elder couple were relieved. He Zaiming and his wife were also relieved. They didn't understand Traditional Chinese Medicine—they only saw the surface phenomena.

Zhu Shouguang and Zhu Shouxin were the ones who understood. Both had felt the Peng family's child's pulse and knew how ruined the child's constitution was.

Eldest Daughter could work miracles—medicine was one aspect, but the most powerful and appropriate was her superb Acupuncture, mobilizing and activating all the yang energy in the child's body. Daoist Physician, Daoist Physician—medicine originates from the Dao, and the Dao promotes medicine.

The two cycle and generate each other—truly a heaven-given skill. Ancient Wu physicians were the same. In recent centuries, Wu physicians declined, and Daoist Physicians gradually became prominent.

The Zhu family's Daoist Physician tradition passed down for how many generations—they never made a big name for themselves on this Daoist Physician path. Ultimately, there hadn't been descendants who excelled at both Dao Cultivation and medicine.

The Peng family elder couple stayed in Zhenshan County. Every day they brought the child to the Medical Hall to take medicine, receive Acupuncture, eat pastries—Eight Treasures Cake, Poria Cake, Euryale Cake, Yam Cake—these spleen-strengthening pastries the child ate all of.

The child's body improved day by day—appetite growing, strength increasing. After half a month, he could not only walk holding an adult's hand, but also run a few steps on his own.

The child's body still looked relatively weak, but he was no longer the child from half a month ago who looked like he would be hard to keep alive. While Peng Division Commander's grandson's body was improving, Zhu Changkun's pastry business was also improving.

No matter how good the Peng family three's appetite was, they couldn't finish one steamer of pastries a day. Besides what was for the Peng family, the remaining pastries were all bought by patients who came to the Medical Hall.

Every day when the pastries were steamed and the fragrance drifted out, a group of retired, slightly wealthy, idle old people would suddenly develop ailments—one claiming no appetite, another saying they couldn't eat in the hot weather, asking the doctor for spleen-strengthening prescriptions.

They said they wouldn't drink medicine, wouldn't receive Acupuncture—they just wanted food therapy. Zhu Shian certainly wouldn't bother writing such prescriptions.

After Zhu Shouxin and Zhu Shouguang cooperated writing prescriptions for a few days, they also got tired. This task was transferred to Zhu Changfang, who could only cooperate with these pastry-craving elderly people in a performance.

This Thursday, Zhu Yongwen rushed to Sanqing Lane right after school. Zhu Kanglin arrived earlier and stuffed him a piece of Poria Cake: "I only grabbed two—saved one for you.

Generous, right?" Zhu Yongwen thanked him, ate the Poria Cake, poured himself a cup of cold tea, and kept looking toward Eldest Daughter's consulting room.

Zhu Kanglin said: "I tried to go in just now, but the patient chased me out. Let's wait for the next one." "What patient?"

"A female comrade. I caught a bit—she seems to have some kind of rash somewhere." "Let's wait then. The next patient is a male comrade—we can go in and listen.

They probably won't object." Eldest Daughter only worked at the Medical Hall four days a week. Tomorrow she would rest. Zhu Kanglin and Zhu Yongwen rushed back after school, wanting to catch some learning time with Eldest Daughter before she got off work.

Zhu Kanglin said in a voice only they could hear: "Eldest Daughter has some divine treatment methods we can't learn even if we want to. But every time we see Eldest Daughter's immediate cures, we feel especially refreshed—sigh, is this not good for down-to-earth medical study?"

Zhu Yongwen smiled—coincidentally, he thought the same as Zhu Kanglin. Before, they only heard clan members and masters say the Zhu family was Daoist Physician lineage.

Now, seeing what a true Daoist Physician was from Eldest Daughter, his desire to learn was raised to an unprecedented height. Zhu Xilan, Zhu Shouguang's disciple, lifted the curtain corner and entered Consulting Room One.

Zhu Kanglin envied—if he were a girl, couldn't he go in whenever he wanted? After a while, Zhu Zheng's daughter Zhu Qiu also entered Consulting Room One.

A worry flashed through Zhu Kanglin's heart. He whispered to Zhu Yongwen: "Eldest Daughter hasn't taken any disciples. It's always been the two of us learning.

A few days ago Zhu Zheng's daughter came to our Medical Hall as an apprentice—she's a primary school student, so if she skips class she can skip. But as long as Eldest Daughter works, she goes to Eldest Daughter—isn't she taking our spot?"

"Relax—Eldest Daughter is definitely very picky about disciples. Not just anyone can be her disciple. Her treatment methods are注定了一般人也当不了她的弟子。再者说，就算大姑娘收了徒弟也没关系，咱们都是祝家人，跟着大姑娘学医，大姑娘难道还会赶我们走?"

The female patient in Consulting Room One came out with her prescription. Zhu Qiu lifted the curtain and called the next one.

The waiting patient quickly stood and walked in. Zhu Kanglin and Zhu Yongwen hurried into the consulting room to listen to the lecture.

Half a month passed. The Zhu Medical Hall gradually got on track. The Medical Hall's opening hours and the doctors' work hours became routine.

Patients all knew Eldest Daughter would rest tomorrow, so those urgent to see a doctor all crowded in today in the afternoon. Compared to male patients, more female patients came to see Zhu Shian.

After seeing this male patient, the next was also a female patient. Zhu Kanglin and Zhu Yongwen withdrew on their own. Zhu Kanglin sighed again—when he was at the County Hospital learning from his master, he'd never seen so many female patients.可见不是女病人少，是女大夫少。Thinking from the perspective of relieving patients' pain, if girls like Zhu Xilan and Zhu Qiu could learn a few skills from Eldest Daughter and become independent doctors in the future, that would also be a great thing.

Today the Medical Hall was busy until seven-thirty before finishing all patients. Zhu Shian was going home. "Doctor Zhu, please wait."

Zhu Shian turned around. She saw the Peng family elder couple holding their grandson's hand: "Oh, I forgot this little one."

Chuan Chuan smiled at Zhu Shian and obediently extended his arm for her to feel his pulse. After feeling his pulse, Zhu Shian said: "The previous prescription can be stopped.

No need for Acupuncture either. Continue eating spleen-strengthening stomach-nourishing pastries—three meals a day, eat well."

"Is our Chuan Chuan better now?" "Well, you could say that. His body's yang energy has been corrected, and his spleen-stomach is normal now.

But his body is still weaker than children his age—you need to take good care of him." Zhu Shian asked them: "Are you leaving Zhenshan County?"

Dong Dajie smiled: "Not in a hurry. We want to stay another half a month—to further nurture Chuan Chuan's body." If they left Zhenshan County, if something went wrong on the way back, they wouldn't find a reliable doctor like Doctor Zhu again.

The old couple were both retired—with no work to do back home, better to wait. "Staying a while longer is also good. Wait until autumn when it's completely cool before leaving."

Zhu Shian touched the child's little head: "It's late. Go back." Chuan Chuan waved at Zhu Shian: "Doctor Zhu, Chuan Chuan is leaving."

"See you next week." Watching the Peng family three leave, Zhu Changfang, who came to close the door, smiled at Zhu Shian: "Seeing the child you treated getting healthier and healthier—are you happy?"

Zhu Shian smiled and nodded—yes, quite happy. Compared to the scheming in the dark, this work of treating the sick and saving lives was like the summer sun—drying up the dark, damp气息 all at once.

At night, after all the houses in Sanqing Lane turned off their lights and slept, Zhu Shian carried her Peach Wood Sword and went out. A puppy and a snake followed her—one dog, one snake.

They went toward the Mountain Valley together. The puppy had grown a lot—already reaching Zhu Shian's knees. Its dog胆 also grew bigger.

When Zhu Shian carried her sword into the Three Pure Ones Taiji Magic Array to fight, it followed without hesitation. Little White wrapped tightly around Dahei like a pendant.

She opened her eyes—ya, a Yin Soldier died in its mouth. Opened again—another victim under its mouth. Ah, scared死本仙啦! Fighting until dawn.

The Yin Soldiers in the Mountain Valley retreated. Zhu Shian called to Dahei: "Go!" The Three Pure Ones Taiji Magic Array tore open.

Dahei leaped out nimbly. The array instantly closed—not a thread of Yin Qi escaped. The terrified Little White raised its head and asked: "Master, it's been half a month since the Ghost Festival.

Why are there still Yin Soldiers in the Mountain Valley?" "I want to know too." That old ghost Bai Youqin took her favor during the Ghost Festival and hasn't appeared since.

She wanted to find an old ghost to ask but had nowhere to find out.