Chapter 40: Extraordinary Talent

Su Yuxin had come to seek Doctor Sun.

In both medical skills and reputation, Doctor Sun was unparalleled among the folk physicians in Shengjing.

Coincidentally, Doctor Sun had just finished diagnosing his last patient. Upon seeing Su Yuxin enter, he rose and greeted her, "Madam, what instructions do you have?"

Everyone was astonished by Doctor Sun's demeanor.

Su Yuxin was infamous in Shengjing for her arrogance and recklessness. Even common folks would often joke about her to pass the time.

Why was Doctor Sun so respectful? Was he afraid of the General's household's power?

People speculated, some even whispering among themselves. Su Yuxin disregarded it all, wearing a gentle smile as she spoke, "I dare not give orders. I simply have a matter to consult Doctor Sun about."

At Su Yuxin's words, everyone was dumbfounded.

Good heavens!

Could such words really come from an arrogant and worthless individual? There was not a hint of arrogance; it was clearly soft and courteous.

"Madam, please come inside for a chat," Doctor Sun gestured toward an inner room.

The inner chamber was quiet, save for two apothecaries by the window copying medical texts.

Doctor Sun poured the tea himself, saying, "I rarely drink tea, and seldom even prepare it. Please pardon me, Madam."

"Doctor Sun is too polite," Su Yuxin said after taking a sip. It was Longjing from the previous year, neither excellent nor poor.

"Madam has come today, mentioning something about wanting me to examine a medicine pouch?" Doctor Sun asked.

"I obtained a medicine pouch and wanted Doctor Sun to take a look," Su Yuxin said, handing the medicine pouch made by Xia Zhi to Doctor Sun.

Taking it, Doctor Sun first sniffed at it, then proceeded to open the pouch.

Instead of complete medicinal herbs, the pouch contained individual pellets, polished and rounded like pearls.

Doctor Sun emptied them onto a plate and meticulously examined them with a needle.

His expression grew increasingly solemn.

Watching this, a sense of anxiety crept into Qing Que's heart. Could there be an issue with this medicine pouch? Was Xia Zhi trying to retaliate against Madam for her earlier actions? She had recently been carrying it all along. Could it potentially affect her?

However, Su Yuxin never thought Xia Zhi would retaliate because she was well aware that apart from being intelligent, Xia Zhi was also a person of pure character.

She had come to see Doctor Sun this time to request him to accept Xia Zhi as his apprentice.

At such a young age, having made a medicine pouch solely from learning by eavesdropping and picking up a medical book—regardless of the quality of the pouch—such a keen desire to learn was rare.

If Xia Zhi possessed this innate talent, she was willing to help nurture it, a way to repay debts from her previous life.

But looking at Doctor Sun's current expression, was it possible that Xia Zhi lacked this innate talent, merely dabbling with a little understanding and getting it wrong?

Moreover, what were these pearl-like round objects? They didn't seem like medicinal herbs at all.

"How is it, Doctor Sun?" Su Yuxin watched Doctor Sun's brows furrow deeper and deeper, even to the extent of using a magnifying glass, unable to resist asking.

"Wondrous! Truly ingenious," Doctor Sun raised his head, eyes gleaming with excitement. "May I ask, Madam, was this medicine pouch crafted by the esteemed eccentric physician of old?"

Su Yuxin blinked, listening to Doctor Sun's tone...

Was he so solemn earlier because he was astounded?

Furthermore, did he actually believe this medicine pouch was made by the esteemed eccentric physician? Did she mishear?

At such a tender age and without systematic learning, how could Xia Zhi craft such a sophisticated medicine pouch?

Could it be an extraordinary talent?

"Madam, Madam..." Doctor Sun waited for Su Yuxin's response for a while but had to raise his voice with a more urgent tone.

Su Yuxin then snapped out of her thoughts, smiling apologetically. "It was not made by the esteemed eccentric physician but by a child in my residence. Doctor Sun, you have met him; he is Xia Zhi."

"That seven or eight-year-old child?" Doctor Sun couldn't help raising his voice.

Shocked, it was too shocking.

Doctor Sun's mouth hung open, his jaw unable to close for a long while, his expression even more dramatic.

All he could think was: He's actually a child.

"Yes," Su Yuxin nodded.

"I wonder who his mentor is?" Doctor Sun finally found his voice again.

He must be someone as skilled as the esteemed eccentric physician, at least. But there seemed to be no one in the world who matched that description.

Could it be an unknown expert?

"No one," Su Yuxin shook her head. "He only recognizes a few characters, glanced through a medical book, and then deduced it himself."

Upon hearing this, Doctor Sun felt as if he wanted to spout old blood. How could a child who barely recognized any characters be more skilled than himself after decades of medical study?

At the very least, he couldn't create such a medicine pouch.

"A prodigy, a true prodigy," Doctor Sun sighed. Deep down, he had to admit that the word "talent" was bestowed by the heavens. Without talent, no matter how much effort one puts in afterward, they will never compare.

"If Doctor Sun approves, may I request one thing?" Su Yuxin hurriedly asked.

"Please speak, Madam," Doctor Sun collected his thoughts and said.

"According to Doctor Sun, Xia Zhi is capable of learning this craft. However, due to his young age and lack of guidance, I wish to ask Doctor Sun to take him as a medical apprentice and provide some guidance," Su Yuxin said while taking out a

 long redwood box, pushing it in front of Doctor Sun. "This is a token of respect from Xia Zhi to you. Please grant his wish."

"I dare not. I dare not," Doctor Sun waved his hands. "This child has extraordinary talent. If I take him under my wing and mislead him, wouldn't that be my fault?"

"Even the best jade starts as rough stone; it requires craftsmanship to refine it," Su Yuxin earnestly said.

"If Madam does not mind, I can teach him how to read. But if you speak of apprenticeship, I cannot do it. I do not possess that qualification. I fear I might ruin a genius," Doctor Sun humbly declined.

"Doctor Sun is too modest," Su Yuxin pursed her lips.

"It's not modesty, it's self-awareness. Even though he can create such an ingenious medicine pouch, I suggest Madam find a renowned physician to be Xia Zhi's master. This way, it won't waste his talent, and it will be a boon for the common people in the future," Doctor Sun said.

Seeing Doctor Sun's earnest expression, Su Yuxin's thoughts couldn't help but stir.

To find a renowned physician...

Could there be anyone in the world more renowned than the esteemed eccentric physician?

He mentioned before that he wanted to take her uncle as an apprentice but didn't succeed due to fortuitous circumstances.

In other words, he could take apprentices.

With Doctor Sun's high praise for Xia Zhi's medicine pouch, could he possibly catch the esteemed eccentric physician's eye?

If Xia Zhi had the fortune to become the apprentice of the esteemed eccentric physician, his future prospects would be boundless.

Su Yuxin twisted her fingers.

Since their last parting, she had no idea where the esteemed eccentric physician had gone. The world was vast; how could she find him?

Or...

A gleam shone in Su Yuxin's eyes.

She could seek the General's assistance.