Chapter 711: A Sense of Familiarity

Pei Jian advised Lin Miao to recover well and not worry about the “numbness plague” situation, then took his leave.

“Master?”

“It’s nothing. I’ll be fine after resting a bit longer.” Lin Miao waved his hand; after killing Shen Yidao, his injuries were more severe than he had imagined.

If not for the miraculous powers of dual cultivation, his Dantian might have already collapsed.

While he could still maintain, a full recovery might take some time; killing a Grandmaster of Tianyuan is indeed no easy task.

In a way, this time he plans to rest at home, focusing on teaching Xia Zhu and the others medical texts, and writing books.

Although the number of infected individuals by the numbness plague is decreasing, the quarantined districts are gradually lifting restrictions and reopening, gradually restoring vitality to Dongshan Prefecture’s streets.

With more people on the streets, business becomes easier to conduct.

Although it’s not back to how it was before the numbness plague, it’s better than the entire city wearing mourning clothes; at least most families are still intact now.

…

“Are you Ruan Qingyao?” Sun Youwei felt an urge to protect the makeup-less woman she saw at first glance.

Not only beautiful, but especially with such a pitiful appearance, it was hard not to feel an inkling of affection; such is the feeling even for a woman, let alone men?

A woman like this is certainly at the level of being a “beauty that brings disaster,” so why would she come to my medical hall seeking employment without demanding high returns?

For a woman like her, if willing, many men would wish to take her home and lavish her in luxury and wealth.

“Yes.”

“Qingyao, this is the owner of Yongning Medical Hall, Mrs. Sun from the Lin family,” Xu Qixi introduced.

“Qingyao greets Mrs. Lin.”

“Rise.” Sun Youwei slightly frowned; Qingyao’s manner of greeting felt oddly akin to a concubine serving tea upon entering the household.

“Thank you, Mrs. Lin.”

“Have a seat and let’s talk. I heard from Little Seven that your skills in identifying and distinguishing herbs rival hers. For this reason, she’s thinking about promoting you despite breaking custom. Our Yongning Hall isn’t strictly rigid; if you have the talent that warrants breaking rules, then broken rules will remain broken,” said Sun Youwei.

“Does the lady wish to assess Qingyao’s abilities?”

“That’s the thought. I wonder, is Qingyao willing to accept?”

“Thanks to Miss Seven’s recommendation, Qingyao is willing to accept the lady’s examination if it means promotion,” said Ruan Qingyao with bowed head.

“Alright, first we’ll start with identifying herbs, then distinguishing them. If you pass, I’ll promote you without constraints,” Sun Youwei nodded in agreement, “Little Seven, go get ready.”

“Yes, Youwei.”

…

“This is rhinoceros horn powder…”

“Dog treasures?”

Recognizing all of this, Xu Qixi’s eyes widened; when she was tested with “dog treasures,” she was bewildered, never having seen it before.

“This is dried human bezoar!”

…

These are questions not commonly seen in herbal examinations, the materials are rare and obscure.

“What’s this, Lingzhi slices, doesn’t look like it, seems like some animal’s horn slices, is it musk, doesn’t seem so, seems like deer, could it be deer antler slices…”

After a careful examination of the slices followed by a gentle sniff, Ruan Qingyao replied, “It appears to be deer antler slices; but is this medicine? What’s its use?”

“Correct, these are deer antler slices, known as deer velvet, used for invigorating the kidney and strengthening yang, enhancing essence and benefiting blood, considered a tonic for men. It is understandable if Qingyao does not know since it’s documented by my husband in our herbal pharmacopoeia.” Sun Youwei smiled faintly, explaining, “Nonetheless, Qingyao certainly exhibits remarkable insight, recognizing even this, thus passing the identifying herbs test.”

“Thank you, Mrs. Lin.”

“Next is the distinguishing herbs test; I have a sachet gifted by my husband with calming effects. If you can identify its ingredients, you will pass the distinguishing herbs test,” Sun Youwei said while removing the sachet from her waist.

This task isn’t particularly difficult; usual sachets contain around six to seven herbs; too many don’t enhance effects.

Having frequent contact with various herbs, Sun Youwei’s sachet inevitably contains traces of other herbal scents.

Over time, these scents mix, making precise identification difficult.

Ruan Qingyao slightly frowned, realizing the task’s difficulty; if it were a normal person’s sachet, it wouldn’t be a problem.

However, from the moment she entered, she scented Sun Youwei’s lingering herbal aroma, indicating long-term exposure to herbs.

The essence of those scents has seeped into her flesh and bones, requiring much time to fade even after ceasing contact with herbs.

Hence, her personal sachet has undoubtedly absorbed such scents.

Distinguishing the herbs within the sachet clearly presents significant challenge; yet, who is Ruan Qingyao?

This hardly troubles her.

Although, in doing so, her capability will be exposed.

Exposure is better than facing dismissal.

“Thank you, Mrs. Lin; Qingyao is willing to try.” Ruan Qingyao bowed before taking the sachet in her hands.

“You will have sixty breaths,” Sun Youwei smiled faintly; a limit is necessary to avoid endless trial.

“Not needed, ten breaths will suffice,” Ruan Qingyao replied in certainty.

Sun Youwei nodded; for common people, time isn’t a benefit in distinguishing herbs, but for an expert, judgment occurs within several breaths; even uncertainty won’t occupy long, while guessing doesn’t constitute skill.

“Hehuan bark, cinnamon, mint…” Within a handful of breaths, Ruan Qingyao returned the sachet, specifying each herb inside.

“Impressive, completely accurate. Miss Ruan, congratulations on becoming a formal herbalist at Yongning Hall!” Sun Youwei, startled briefly, promptly kept her promise, promoting Ruan Qingyao.

This beautiful woman’s medicinal talent and skill rival her own; though unaware of her origins now, keeping her nearby makes monitoring easier, whereas sending her away might incite contrary actions, pushing potential adversaries into obscurity.

With her under my eyes, it becomes easier.

Besides, there’s a constant familiar feeling towards this Ruan Qingyao, although why remains unexpressed.

In fact, such feeling equally applies for Ruan Qingyao.

She senses a mysterious familiarity with Sun Youwei, yet can’t articulate why.