Chapter 17: Comparisons Are Odious

Xie Wannian smiled half in jest as she replied to Doctor Chen, “Perhaps it’s just innate?”

Having retained memories from her previous life, the knowledge she acquired then truly felt like second nature in this one.

Yet Doctor Chen responded without hesitation with a look of disbelief that clearly said, “I don’t buy it.”

Xie Wannian appeared innocent. “You see, if I were to outright claim I have a special talent, no one would believe me.”

That was why she needed a publicly recognized master in medicine.

“I won’t let you bear this reputation in vain. My mind is filled with extensive medical knowledge,” she said, tapping her temple. “If we exchange ideas, you’re sure to uncover pharmacological principles and prescriptions that interest you.”

After her transmigration, she had followed the path of her foster father, reading numerous medical texts. Within those pages, she discovered many secrets lost to modern times, yet there were also remedies and theories unknown to this era.

Though she had never practiced medicine firsthand, her depth of medical knowledge far surpassed that of Doctor Chen. If he was willing to be her scapegoat, she would repay him by sharing insights that piqued his curiosity.

Doctor Chen’s gaze grew complicated. In this era, prescriptions were treasured like family heirlooms, passed down through generations as lifelines.

This young woman casually offered up what others guarded as their very lifeblood. Was she naive and innocent—or so extravagantly wealthy that she simply did not care? Had Jiang Yuan never warned her about this?

At that thought, Doctor Chen glanced at Jiang Yuan, who sat silently nearby.

Their eyes met—his full of doubt, hers equally puzzled and clear.

Doctor Chen sighed heavily. He suspected this child was just as foolishly naive as Xie Wannian.

The old man heaved a sigh. “These prescriptions are the lifeblood of a healer. How can you promise them away so easily?”

If it weren’t for his former master enduring years without an heir, only to have a son who was utterly clueless, he himself might never have had the chance to apprentice and become a proper physician.

Still, even then, he never learned all of his master’s secrets.

From age seven to fifty-three, he had endured decades of toil, contributing countless deeds to the clinic. Yet his master jealously guarded the truly precious prescriptions, refusing to entrust them even to his most obedient disciple.

Unable to deceive Xie Wannian about the value of these prescriptions, Doctor Chen painfully explained their worth and significance in painstaking detail.

Xie Wannian listened with a gentle smile as he recounted real stories, illustrating how powerful prescriptions were like hens laying golden eggs—never to be carelessly shared.

Only after his long discourse did she nod with a smile. “I understand all you’ve said, but I still want to make this deal.”

She had no intention of publicizing the medical texts her foster father lent her in this era. The knowledge she brought from the modern world alone was enough for their exchange.

Though Doctor Chen could not comprehend her resolve, he lacked the heart to refuse again.

To sincerely advise Xie Wannian once more was all that remained of his conscience. Now, within his frail body, only the fierce curiosity of a physician for medical art burned bright.

They happily struck their bargain. In passing, Doctor Chen observed how she handled medicinal herbs.

This time, Xie Wannian worked with anemarrhena, pinellia, Japanese knotweed, barbed skullcap, and honeysuckle. The honeysuckle was no surprise; he had already seen the dried specimens she had Jiang Yuan deliver to his home. His focus was on how she treated the other four.

Seated on a bench Jiang Yuan brought, Doctor Chen’s keen old eyes fixed on her nimble hands as she manipulated the herbs. The longer he watched, the more complex his feelings grew.

This girl, so young, handled herbs with a skill that surpassed even the experienced apothecary apprentices who had long performed such labor.

If she were not born into a family of healers and raised under the guidance of enlightened elders, then she truly must be gifted.

As for being “innately skilled,” Doctor Chen was wholly skeptical—such a thing existed only in myth.

He had encountered a few prodigies who mastered a craft at a glance, but those were rare exceptions.

Composing himself, he suddenly tested her theoretical knowledge. “Have you memorized the Huangdi Neijing?”

Xie Wannian nodded instinctively. “Yes.”

“Recite it, then.”

She paused her work and began fluently, articulately reciting:

“Su Wen, Treatise on the Origin of Vitality: In ancient times, the Yellow Emperor was born divine, spoke while weak, matured quickly, and ascended to heaven. He inquired of the celestial masters...”

Her clear, pure voice rose and fell with measured cadence, captivating not only Doctor Chen but also Jiang Yuan, who was cutting fish nearby. The sounds drew his full attention.

He laid down his knife and looked swiftly but precisely toward Xie Wannian.

Unaware, she concentrated fully on the Huangdi Neijing she recited.

Thanks to a tedious infantile phase, she had memorized all the medical texts from her past life repeatedly.

This relentless repetition prevented her from relinquishing the knowledge back to books or teachers after transmigrating.

“Enough, that will do,” Doctor Chen interrupted after about fifteen minutes. “You’ve memorized the Treatise on Cold Damage and Miscellaneous Diseases as well?”

Xie Wannian nodded. Before he could ask, she conscientiously began reciting it too.

Doctor Chen stroked his beard, silently awarding her the highest praise for being a teachable child.

As before, if she were not from a lineage of physicians or guided by enlightened elders, she truly was gifted beyond measure.

Even his eldest grandson, who inherited his talent, paled in comparison.

As for his two sons, both as dense as blocks of elm wood—he mentally swatted away their infuriatingly foolish faces.

The tale continued.