Chapter 17: Origin

Su Yuxin spoke sparingly, producing a gourd directly—a casual roadside purchase.

The old man glanced over, noticing its crude craftsmanship and middling quality.

In a low tone, he remarked, "Are you treating me as a beggar?"

Su Yuxin remained silent, merely uncapping the gourd, releasing a rich aroma of wine.

The old man sniffed. Though the aroma was potent, it barely qualified as superior. Having sampled the imperial wines from the palace, this hardly caught his interest.

Su Yuxin gently shook the gourd. The previous rich wine scent dissipated, replaced by a refreshing aroma.

Once more, the gourd shook, the refreshing scent vanished, replaced by the pungency of strong liquor.

The old man's index finger twitched involuntarily, his neck leaning forward in curiosity. But just then, Su Yuxin calmly sealed the gourd's lid, calmly observing him.

As the aroma faded, the old man grew restless.

"What's in that gourd?" he inquired.

"Water," Su Yuxin replied.

"Nonsense," the old man frowned. "Water doesn't smell like wine, let alone multiple types."

"I dare not deceive you, sir. Indeed, it's water," Su Yuxin affirmed. "However, within the water, I've added an ingredient."

"An ingredient?" The old man pondered briefly, widening his eyes in surprise, smoothing out the wrinkles at the corners of his eyes. "Is it potash stone?"

"You truly possess broad knowledge, sir. I admire your insight," Su Yuxin complimented.

"Where did you obtain it?" The old man swiftly whirled around, querying Su Yuxin.

"It's a family heirloom," Su Yuxin truthfully replied. "My late mother received it as a gift during her coming-of-age ceremony. As for how my uncle obtained it, I'm unaware."

"What's your uncle's surname?" The old man asked eagerly.

"Lü, from the Lü family," Su Yuxin replied, puzzled.

"Is it Lü Qingzhou?" The old man inquired again.

"That's correct. Does sir happen to know my uncle?" Su Yuxin bit her lip, her mind racing.

Could it be that in the past life, Su Yuxiang's ability to summon Song Jie wasn't solely due to the potash stone? Could it be related to her uncle?

"That rascal lad, I remember him," the old man chuckled. "Back then, he won my potash stone in a bet."

Su Yuxin's brow twitched involuntarily.

Her uncle was over fifty this year, commanding eighty thousand cavalry in Yunnan Prefecture, a formidable figure.

To think he was referred to as a rascal lad. She wondered if her uncle would be furious upon hearing this.

"So, the potash stone originally belonged to sir. Fate has indeed brought us together," Su Yuxin remarked with a smile.

She had never imagined such a connection existed.

"Now that you know the stone's origin, won't you return it?" The old man raised an eyebrow.

Upon hearing this, Su Yuxin hugged the gourd tightly, stating, "Impossible. As sir said, my uncle won it in a bet, then gave it to my mother. After my mother's passing, it became an heirloom passed down to me. Hence, this potash stone now bears the Su family name."

The old man stared at Su Yuxin wordlessly, finally saying, "You, young lady, possess the same stubbornness as your uncle."

"It's not stubbornness. My uncle is an upright man, a majestic general," Su Yuxin straightened her back proudly.

"Oh, that rascal lad became a general?" The old man stroked his beard. "I thought he was promising and wanted to apprentice him. Instead, that rascal lad outwitted me. I lost not only an apprentice but also the potash stone."

"Do you wish to retrieve it?" Su Yuxin blinked, saying, "Sir, if you assist me in saving a life, I'll gladly hand it over immediately."

"Even if you had a dozen men, they wouldn't suffice," the old man sneered at the guards trailing Su Yuxin, displaying disdain.

Upon hearing this, Su Yuxin clutched the gourd tighter, speaking softly, "Sir, if you don't mind my uncle's future ridicule, you can seize it now. Initially, my uncle won it fair and square from you. But if you want it back through force, and from a weak woman like me…"

"Like your uncle, a smooth talker," the old man huffed, saying, "Let's go."

Chapter 18: An Interesting Person

Su Yuxin initially thought that even with the potash stone, persuading the peculiar physician to come forth would take a couple of days. She hadn't expected it to go so smoothly.

Her uncle's invisible support had inadvertently aided her. When her uncle returned to the capital for his official appointment, she vowed to express her gratitude properly.

Su Yuxin left in the early afternoon and returned to the General's residence by the late afternoon, barely four hours had passed. To summon the peculiar physician, Song Jie, within a few hours, a task that others struggled with for days, would certainly astound many.

Not just the bystanders, even Zhou Zheng and Dr. Sun, witnessing the scene, stood speechless, their admiration overwhelming.

Especially Dr. Sun. Was this domineering and arrogant person truly a fool? He appeared courageous, astute, and intelligent.

"Is this the child?" Song Jie glanced at Xia Zhi, emaciated and lying on the bed, and asked.

"Yes," Su Yuxin nodded.

"Is it worth using your mother's heirloom to save a servant?" Song Jie questioned.

No one had ever invited him to cure a servant before.

"It is worth it," Su Yuxin nodded earnestly. "If he's restored, the stone is yours."

"Simple," Song Jie said, pulling out a needle case from his robe. "Bring me a bowl of strong liquor."

Qingque immediately fetched a potent spirit.

Song Jie passed the golden needles through the flames before rudely tearing open Xia Zhi's clothes and blanket.

His fingers were deft like flowers fluttering in the wind. By the time the last needle pierced, the previous ones were still swaying.

"Bring me a pen," Song Jie rolled up his sleeves.

Zhou Zheng had already prepared the ink, presented it before Song Jie. Dr. Sun personally ground the ink.

Witnessing the peculiar physician's treatment was a lifetime blessing for Dr. Sun. He would willingly sweep the floors for such an opportunity.

Song Jie's calligraphy was magnificent, exuding power and grace on the paper.

Oddly, Su Yuxin felt a sense of familiarity.

"Are you a physician?" Song Jie finished writing and glanced at Dr. Sun, the ink preparer.

"I'm nothing but a humble doctor at Ren'an Hall," Dr. Sun immediately humbly responded.

Ren'an Hall was the largest medical center in Shengjing, and he was the highly respected chief physician there, highly sought after on regular days.

Yet, in front

 of Song Jie, he humbly behaved like a junior apprentice.

"Do you know why I used this prescription?" Song Jie asked again.

"I am ignorant. Please enlighten me, sir," Dr. Sun quickly bowed and performed a standard medical ritual, respectfully asking for guidance.

Song Jie was typically indifferent, but in a good mood today, offering a few more words than usual.

A few sentences of guidance were enough for Dr. Sun to cherish for a lifetime. Subsequently, whenever Su Yuxin faced hardships, regardless of size, Dr. Sun spared no effort.

Listening to Song Jie's teachings, Dr. Sun repeatedly expressed his gratitude, then took the prescription back to Ren'an Hall to prepare the medicine.

When Dr. Sun returned with the medicine, Song Jie removed the golden needles from Xia Zhi.

Looking at Xia Zhi, whose previously feverish face gradually regained its natural color, Su Yuxin couldn't help but worry about his legs.

"What about his legs?" Su Yuxin voiced her concern.

"What? Don't trust me?" Song Jie glanced at Su Yuxin impatiently.

"Of course not," Su Yuxin quickly reassured, "Sir, your intervention will undoubtedly be successful. I'm just worried."

"Bring it here," Song Jie stretched out his hand.

"Though young, I understand the value of a promise. I won't renege," Su Yuxin offered the potash stone back in its case, saying, "Although we're in a transaction, the most precious thing, after all, is life. I'll forever remember this favor of saving a life. In the future, if you need anything, I'll do my utmost."

"Fine, I'll remember your words," Song Jie stuffed the box into his robe, stroking his beard with a smile.

This young lady, much like her uncle, was eloquent but not repulsive, intelligent, and indeed, an interesting person.