The Song family had sent so many gifts that Jiang Chan had not been lying about the clinic being busy. Once the three entered, there was hardly room to stand.
Dongqing and Rendong were rushed off their feet, sorting gifts with several other children. Seeing Jiang Chan, they all stopped and bowed properly.
“Greetings, Master!”
She nodded lightly. “Carry on. I have guests to entertain. Don’t disturb us.”
“Yes, Master.” They resumed their orderly work. A gleam crossed the young man’s eyes as he watched.
“Doctor Xianyue, I brought my younger brother especially to thank you today, and to apologize for his recklessness,” he explained after sitting down.
Jiang Chan raised an eyebrow. “Your younger brother? You’re his elder brother?”
Xianyue’s memories had contained no mention of Feng Feiyang having a brother. What was going on? She had never met this youth in her lifetime. Had he died early too?
“I’m Feng Feiyang’s elder brother, Feng Feishuang. Thank you for helping him when he was seriously injured. He hurried away afterward to attend to business. We should have visited sooner, but have only now found time.”
His words were agreeable, and Jiang Chan’s expression softened. Yet the name was completely unfamiliar. Xianyue had never heard it in her life.
“Of course. Since you understand courtesy, I won’t pursue it. Meeting is a matter of fate. Having two outstanding young men here brings honor to my humble clinic.” Who could not exchange polite words?
While she chatted with the brothers, their elderly companion could not sit still. He looked everywhere and kept sniffing.
She did not stop him, even when he opened the herbal cabinets. She always had more patience with old people and children.
Besides, he was famous: the Feng clan’s physician, with exceptional medical skills. An opportunity to seek his advice would be a great gain.
Sipping tea, she discreetly observed him. After circling the cabinets a few times, he came over with a smile.
“Doctor Xianyue, your medicinal ingredients are exceptionally complete and potent. We left in a hurry on business, and there are several herbs I urgently need. Could you spare some?”
“Certainly. Please take whichever ingredients you find suitable.” Jiang Chan was not stingy, and she liked this old physician.
“Then I’ll help myself.” With her permission, he hurried into action. Though thin and short, he moved nimbly before the cabinets.
Watching his selections, Jiang Chan raised an eyebrow. “Musk, nux-vomica seeds, saposhnikovia root, tiger bone, schizonepeta, aconite, tiger bone… Are you preparing Bone-Mending Ointment?”
His eyes brightened. “You know your medicine, young lady. Yes, I need to make some. It’s all this reckless brat’s fault. Is the demonic sect somewhere you can simply barge into? Their people have been causing us endless trouble. His elder brother broke his right hand protecting him.”
Jiang Chan glanced at Feng Feishuang’s right hand. Nothing seemed unusual. She had noticed nothing since he arrived.
Her curiosity stirred. “May I take your pulse?”
He had no objection. She laid her fingers on his right wrist and gently felt it. Sensing a softness unlike his own, Feng Feishuang’s expression grew quieter.
“Sir, I’ll be frank. These herbs can only produce a lesser version of Bone-Mending Ointment. It works slowly and poorly. This young master’s injury is severe. The bones inside are almost shattered. Your ointment would have little effect. He might never even hold chopsticks again.”
Feng Feiyang immediately erupted. “My brother’s injury is that serious? Is there any way to help? What can a martial artist do if he can’t hold a sword?”
The old physician sighed helplessly. “What else can I do? It’s year’s end, and the pharmacies are closed. Even if I want herbs, there has to be somewhere to buy them. Besides, we left in a hurry without much money…”
He swallowed the rest. Jiang Chan smiled knowingly. So that was why the brothers had come today. They had their eyes on her herbs.
Even the steady Feng Feishuang looked embarrassed when Old Feng exposed their circumstances. How were they any different from people coming to beg for favors?
Jiang Chan smiled and let it pass. “I like this gentleman’s temperament. Here’s what we’ll do. Take whatever herbs you need for this young master’s injury. I can provide ginseng, Tianshan snow lotus, and other ingredients. With proper Bone-Mending Ointment, Eldest Young Master Feng should recover better.”
“What are your conditions?” Feng Feishuang asked after a moment.
She spread her hands in amusement. “You’re either old or injured. What could I possibly want from you? I simply want to discuss medicine with this gentleman. I’m a doctor too. We can exchange experience.”
Feng Feiyang protested, “If my elder brother weren’t injured…”
Jiang Chan retorted, “I don’t know about his martial arts, but you lost to me. You can’t dispute that, can you? Hmph. Defeated opponent.”
“You!” he snapped. “I was injured! If I hadn’t been injured last time, do you think you could have knocked me out?”
She ignored him and began conferring with Old Feng, principally about the ointment. His medical knowledge was exceptional. At the sight of several precious medicinal ingredients she produced, his face creased with delight.
“Doctor Xianyue, true experts keep their talents hidden. Who taught you medicine? For a young girl to reach your level is remarkable.”
“A granny taught me. Unfortunately, she passed away several years ago,” Jiang Chan said lightly.
Old Feng knew better than to press. He drew her into preparing the ointment, occasionally debating medical principles. His voice was powerful, and when excited, he practically sprayed saliva. Jiang Chan argued her case just as firmly. When their discussion grew heated, neither would yield.
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