eurekapd Chapter 75 075 The Examination
Chapter 75 075 The Examination
Chapter 75 075 Examination
Northern Martial Prince's Mansion
"After leaving the Marquis's residence, the maid wandered around the city for a long time before finally arriving at a brothel called 'Red Lotus Pavilion' in the West Market." Ye Cangqiong knelt on one knee, carefully reporting his findings to Chunyu Yang. "After entering the brothel, the maid showed the manager a token and whispered, 'Wealth and honor are preordained, a lifetime of glory.' I think that should be the code for contacting 'Ronghua Tower'."
“Ronghua Tower?” Chunyu Yang frowned deeply. As Shu Wenda had instructed, he had people investigate in the martial arts world and found some sects and organizations that used spiders as their symbol. However, none of these organizations had the name “Ronghua Tower” in them.
"Did you see the mark engraved on that token clearly?"
“It is an intricate nine-petaled lotus,” Ye Cangqiong said.
This doesn't match what Shu Wenda meant by "spider." Chunyu Yang then asked, "How did the shopkeeper respond after hearing the slogan?"
The shopkeeper seemed not to understand what the maid was saying, and only asked if she wanted to buy rouge and perfume. But the maid insisted that she had been here before, and that her young mistress had been poisoned by Ronghua Tower and had come to ask for the antidote. The shopkeeper denied it from beginning to end, and even took the maid on a tour of the shop. After looking inside, the maid found that it was indeed a perfume shop with no other secrets, and returned to the Marquis of Anshi's mansion in disappointment.
Chunyu Yang asked, "What do you think of that shopkeeper?"
Ye Cangqiong said, "His steps are unsteady and his breathing is heavy; he doesn't seem like a martial artist."
Chunyu Yang's brow did not relax in the slightest: "That's not right."
“I also think this matter is very strange,” Ye Cangqiong said. “This matter concerns Ye Bijun’s life, and the maid would never have mistaken the person or the place. The only explanation is that the Red Lotus Pavilion has been replaced by a new group of people, and those who originally belonged to the Ronghua Tower must have already left.”
"Have you ever heard of this 'Ronghua Tower'? What exactly do they do?" Chunyu Yang asked.
"Never heard of it. It must be an organization that has just emerged in the martial arts world in recent years."
Chunyu Yang said in a deep voice, "Continue to keep a close eye on this matter. If you find any more clues related to 'Ronghua Tower', inform me immediately."
"Yes!"
After Ye Cangqiong left, Chunyu Yang pondered for a while, then got up and had a horse prepared, and galloped out of the city.
——※※※——
After resting at the Marquis's residence for a few days after the Mid-Autumn Festival, the time for Ye Pianran to meet Liu Luluo again arrived. After tidying up the medical books given to her by Liu Luluo, Ye Pianran took Lingyi and rode in a carriage to the Jishi Medical Clinic.
Perhaps due to Liu Lulu's instructions, this time when Ye Pianran arrived at the Jishi Medical Clinic, the apprentice didn't ask any questions and directly led her to the Xuanji Pavilion in the backyard. Liu Lulu was already sitting in the Xuanji Pavilion, preparing tea and waiting for her.
After many days, Ye Pianran felt an unusual sense of warmth upon seeing Liu Luluo again. She stepped forward and respectfully bowed, saying, "Disciple greets Master."
"Okay, have a seat." Liu Lulu nodded and pointed to the seat next to her.
Ye Pianran sat down next to her and gestured to Lingyi behind her. Lingyi then stepped forward with a food box and took out the pastries and candied fruits inside one by one.
"Master, these are pastries that I made myself. They are very delicious, and I brought them here for you to try today," Ye Pianran said with a smile.
"Oh, you've learned to be respectful to your master so quickly." Liu Lulu raised her eyebrows and casually picked up a peony pastry and put it in her mouth. She thought it was just an ordinary pastry, but the peony pastry melted in her mouth. She couldn't taste the bitterness of the peony on her tongue. Instead, her mouth was filled with a rich fragrance. Her drowsy spirit was lifted, and she felt lighter without realizing it.
Unable to resist, she ate a few more. Liu Lulu's eyes lit up as she asked, "Did you really make these yourself? The taste is very unique, and they can even dispel fatigue. What ingredients did you use?"
"It's just made with petals and fruits I grow myself, plus some spring water. If you like it, Master, I'll bring you more every time I come," Ye Pianran said with a smile.
Pastries made from flowers and fruits grown in the spiritual realm can not only sweep away all illness from a person's body, but also improve health and appearance, making them the most precious and rare things in the world. Having become Liu Luluo's disciple, Ye Pianran already regarded her as her closest relative, and would never be stingy in this regard. She only hoped that Liu Luluo could live a long and healthy life, free from illness and worry, to the age of one hundred.
"She is indeed a kind and filial child. I made a good choice in taking her as my disciple." Liu Luluo liked Ye Pianran more and more as she looked at her, and teased her with a smile.
"These are just rumors circulating outside, Master, please don't take them seriously." Ye Pianran's ears burned and her cheeks turned completely red when she didn't expect Liu Lulu to tease her with rumors.
"Is it true that the rumors circulating outside say your mother is much better?" Liu Lulu asked solemnly.
Ye Pianran didn't want to hide this matter, so she nodded and said, "Mother's poison has been cured, and she is much better now."
"Who solved it?" Liu Lulu's eyes gleamed with fervor. "What's that person's name? Is he still in the capital?"
Ye Pianran said, "It was this disciple who solved it."
"You?" Liu Lulu was stunned, looking at her incredulously. "You've only just started learning medicine, how did you manage to cure that poison?" She couldn't help but think to herself: Could she have taken on a disciple with extraordinary talent?
Her cheeks flushed even more. Ye Pianran coughed lightly twice and said, "Actually, before I became your disciple, I had already found a way to detoxify. However, this method is too strange and can be described as earth-shattering. I'm afraid I can't tell you about it, Master. I hope you can understand my predicament."
After scrutinizing her from head to toe for a while, Liu Luluo finally said, "Alright, enough of the talk. I'll now test what you've learned recently to see if you truly intend to practice medicine."
Having prepared for so long, this was the day. Ye Pianran's heart began to race, and she quietly clenched her fists, saying, "Please enlighten me, Master."
Liu Lulu suppressed her surprise and asked very seriously, "How many types of medicinal herbs are recorded in the Shennong Classic, and how are they classified?"
"It records 360 kinds of medicinal substances, divided into three grades: superior, medium, and inferior. Each grade is further divided into ten categories: jade and stone, herbs, wood, human products, beasts, birds, fruits, insects and fish, grains, and vegetables." Suddenly, Ye Pianran calmed down and answered with composure:
"Among them, there are 120 kinds of superior medicines, which mainly nourish life to correspond with Heaven, are non-toxic, and will not harm people even if taken in large quantities or for a long time; there are 120 kinds of medium-grade medicines, which mainly nourish nature to correspond with people, and some of them have slight toxicity, so they should be used according to the patient's condition; there are 125 kinds of inferior medicines, which are used as adjuvants to treat diseases to correspond with Earth, and are mostly toxic. Excessive dosage may endanger life, so they should be used with caution."
Liu Lulu asked, "What kind of product is the immature bitter orange (枳实)? What kind of illness is it used for, and what are its effects?"
"Fructus Aurantii Immaturus is a medium-grade herb belonging to the wood element. It is bitter and cold in nature and has the effects of clearing, purging, and breaking up hard masses. It is mostly used in diseases of the spleen, stomach, abdomen, and intestines."
Liu Lulu was very satisfied with her intelligence and nodded, saying, "You've learned very well. Not only have you mastered the contents of this 'Shennong's Materia Medica,' but you've also integrated the knowledge from other medical books. To achieve this in such a short time is truly remarkable. Let me test you again..."
Not letting Ye Pianran off the hook so easily, Liu Luluo picked out a series of questions to test her. From the *Suwen* to the *Zhenjing*, and even ancient prescriptions, her questions were mostly tricky and strange. Ye Pianran could handle them at first, but the more she thought about them, the more time she had to spend, until she could no longer answer. Finally, blushing, Ye Pianran said:
"This disciple really can't answer that. I will definitely study those medical books again when I get back."
“Silly apprentice, the question I asked isn’t from a medical book, it’s from my experience practicing medicine many years ago.” Liu Lulu tapped her forehead and said, “You’ve remembered so much and memorized it so well, it’s already a great surprise to me.”
Ye Pianran was surprised but also very happy. Her bright, sparkling eyes shone with delight: "Really?"
"Don't be too happy yet. These medical books are just an introductory test. I have another set of medical books to give you today," Liu Lulu said with a smile. She clapped her hands, and two apprentice doctors emerged shakily from behind the screen, each carrying a dozen books that were half a person's height.
Seeing this, Lingyi quickly went to help the young apprentice move the books. Looking at the thick, towering stacks of books, Ye Pianran suddenly felt a considerable weight on her shoulders. So many books—when would she ever be able to understand them all? It seemed that practicing medicine was truly not as simple as she had imagined…
But the thought of the mentally challenged Ye Yankang hardened her heart. No matter how difficult the road ahead, she would not back down! One day, she would make sure Kang'er could speak normally!
"Thank you for the books, Master. I will study them carefully and will not let you down!" Ye Pianran said firmly after giving Liu Lulu a deep bow.
"There are many books, but there's no need to rush. Just read them slowly. Medical skills cannot be mastered in a day; they require continuous learning and improvement during the practice of medicine." Liu Lulu saw her intention and reminded her, "Next time you come, I won't test your knowledge of medical books anymore. Instead, I will start teaching you how to diagnose pulses and identify acupoints."
Unable to contain her excitement, Ye Pianran replied firmly, "Yes, Master!"
——※※※——
Chunyu Yang rode his horse at breakneck speed out of the city and arrived at the foot of a mountain in the Ziyun Mountain area. He then strode into a large house hidden in the lush greenery.
A rich aroma of herbs filled the house, and the young apprentice Zhu Wen was drying herbs in the courtyard. Hearing footsteps, he turned around and saw Chunyu Yang approaching with a cold, stern expression. Rolling his eyes, he said irritably:
"You debt collector, what are you doing here again! The medicine master has already prepared it for you, what do you want this time?"
Chunyu Yang was already used to his disrespectful attitude and asked, "Zhu Wen, is the master here?"
"He's not here!" Zhu Wen snorted coldly. "You can leave now!"
“I have important business to discuss with you, sir. This matter is of utmost importance,” Chunyu Yang said.
Zhu Wen stamped her foot and said, "I'm telling the truth. The master really isn't here. She went to the clinic early this morning, saying she wanted to see her apprentice."
Chunyu Yang was taken aback, then remembered that today was indeed the day Liu Luluo and Ye Pianran had agreed to meet. Ye Pianran… Without saying a word, Chunyu Yang immediately turned and walked out of the Incense Burning Courtyard.
Zhu Wen waved goodbye in high spirits: "Take care, and don't come back!"
The Incense Burning Temple was located in a remote area, and the round trip had already taken a lot of time. By the time Chunyu Yang arrived at the Jishi Medical Hall, Ye Pianran had already returned to the Marquis of Anshi's residence with her thick and heavy medical books.
Liu Lulu was sitting on the couch, beaming as she ate the pastries Ye Pianran had brought her, when she saw Chunyu Yang appear in the Xuanji Pavilion. Her eyebrows furrowed immediately, and she said angrily, "Why are you here again! I told you that the antidote would take some time to develop. Can't you give me a peaceful day?!"
Chunyu Yang was quite helpless, but he couldn't really argue with Liu Luluo, so he could only say, "I really didn't come here to ask for medicine this time."
Liu Lulu rolled her eyes just like Zhu Wen: "Oh, so what brings you here?"
Do you know what kind of poison 'Puppet Master' is?