Chapter 10: Mugwort

Zhang Jianlan made a sound in his throat, biting his lip and falling silent. He had realized his mistake, a very serious mistake, one that could destroy his good reputation and ruin his future as a medical officer in the royal palace.

How could this happen? Artemisia annua treats malaria, this is clearly written in the "Zhou Hou Fang", it is impossible, absolutely impossible

Lu Yuanzhi stepped aside, and Zhang Jianlan leaned closer to the bedside. Upon just a glance, her expression changed dramatically, as if her throat had been blocked; she struggled to speak for a long time but could not articulate a single coherent word. Finally, she stammered incoherently:

Zhang Jianlan was both angry and annoyed, and before she could retort, Qingdai continued: "Brother Zhang, the wormwood we often refer to is the fragrant wormwood, but have you forgotten that there is also a type known as the bitter wormwood?"

A group of disciples and apprentices at the medical clinic were awakened by the commotion, and upon seeing the situation, they found it quite amusing. Zhang Jianlan, being the first disciple about to graduate from the clinic, managed to suppress his laughter and, along with others, tried to persuade Niu Dali. However, Niu Dali's mother was seriously ill, and his stubborn nature flared up; his fist, as large as a sand bowl, hovered above Zhang Jianlan's head, refusing to let him go.

As for classmate Qin Lin, he has been splendidly ignored

Zhang Jianlan also received the news that the patient's condition was dire. Yawning, he came over from the school, still complaining about Bai Lian and the other apprentices: "You are all making a big fuss over nothing. One must understand that illnesses have varying degrees of severity. As the saying goes, 'When illness strikes, it comes like a mountain; when it departs, it is like pulling silk.' Even if the medicine works, it is unreasonable to expect immediate results. That foolish son of the patient is clueless; have you all not learned anything after so many years in the clinic? Waking someone up in the middle of the night..." Waking someone up in the middle of the night...

Qin Lin shook his head, insisting on his viewpoint: "There shouldn't be such a fragrance. Did the *illustration* book take the wrong medicine?"

Niu Dali shot him a glance and said in a deep, muffled voice: "That's good. If anything happens to my mother, I won't let you off easily"

Even Lu Yuanzhi, who had a good relationship with Qin Lin, could not speak on his behalf at this moment

Lu Yuanzhi and the other disciples felt that Zhang Jianlan's character was quite lacking upon hearing this. In the face of danger, Qin Lin had just bravely stood up to Niu Dali to protect Qingdai, while Zhang Jianlan shifted the responsibility onto the teacher. The contrast in their character was truly stark.

However, Niu Dali felt that Zhang Jianlan's argument was reasonable, so he let him go

Niu Dali let out a cold snort, the threat implicit: Who made you have a bad attitude? I blame you for it, so what?

Meanwhile, Qin Lin was stroking his chin in contemplation, his gaze seemingly fixed on the indigo, completely oblivious to Lu Yuanzhi, as if he were lost in another world

There were originally quite a few formulas for clearing heat and resolving exterior syndromes that could be used, but in terms of effectiveness, none compare to Qinghao. Niu Dali is being so unreasonable, and Zhang Jianlan is afraid that using something ineffective might further provoke this person, wanting to speak but hesitating to do so

However, Zhang Jianlan did not see it this way; he merely chuckled coldly. Many apprentices in the medical clinic began to discuss among themselves: "This is clearly high-quality Artemisia annua, well-known to all; how could there be a mistake?"

Niu Dali let out a cold chuckle, his fingers, which were almost like a club, cracking ominously as he squeezed them, casting a sinister gaze at Zhang Jianlan

On the wooden bed in the side room, the two cotton quilts that Ms. Niu had when she first arrived at the clinic had long been removed and replaced with a thin single layer of cloth. While she had turned pale and blue from the cold under the two quilts, her cheeks were now flushed red, her lips cracked and parched as if burned by fire, her murky eyes filled with bloodshot veins and confusion, and she was mumbling meaningless nonsense.

The lights flickered intermittently, and the complexion of Niu's face on the hospital bed grew increasingly flushed. His breathing became as rapid as that of a bellows, and the moods of Zhang Jianlan, Lu Yuanzhi, and others also grew increasingly somber

Seeing Niu Dali's ferocity erupt, Zhang Jianlan was terrified, fearing that the hammer-like fists would come crashing down at any moment. In a moment of panic, a clever idea struck her, and she shouted, "My medical skills are limited; even if you beat me to a pulp, it would be of no use. The prescription was provided by Mr. Pang, so if you have any questions, you should ask Mr. Pang!"

Niu Dali began to harbor doubts. Apart from Lu Yuanzhi, the other disciples of the medical hall looked at Qin Lin with increased suspicion. Pang Xian's medical skills were undoubtedly solid, and moreover, Qinghao was indeed a well-known remedy for treating warm malaria as recorded in the texts. Their own pharmacy never engaged in any adulteration, so the only possible point of error must lie in the process of grinding the medicine.

Junior Brother Qin is not familiar with medicinal materials, so it is possible for him to misidentify them. However, it is impossible for Senior Brother Zhang to make such a mistake. With so many pairs of eyes here, it is clear that this is indeed high-quality Artemisia annua.

Even if there are disciples of Zhang Jianlan who are shameless, at this moment they share the same animosity, looking at Qin Lin with unfriendly expressions. As a disciple, to actually doubt that his master sells counterfeit medicine is simply an act of betraying his teacher and ancestors, worse than a beast.

"Is that the wrong medicine you took?" Niu Dali laughed even more "ferociously"

As the candlelight flickered, only Qing Dai raised her bright and charming little face, her voice crisp and melodious, yet her tone was resolute: "Junior Brother Qin is right, this medicine was indeed taken incorrectly"

Zhang Jianlan, feeling helpless, saw Qin Lin and Lu Yuanzhi standing in front of the hospital bed, and an inexplicable annoyance welled up in her heart: "Hey, hey, those who are not proficient in medicine, please step aside, don't delay me from examining the patient. Hmph, if you can't even handle this minor ailment, won't you end up waking me in the middle of the night?"

Zhang Jianlan, infuriated, exclaimed: "Do you still doubt that our clinic uses counterfeit medicine? This high-quality wormwood, when crushed, emits a rich and fragrant aroma. If there is even a hint of falseness, I will be your grandson!"

Zhang Jianlan felt a chill run down her spine, her face turning pale as she trembled and said: "Mr. Pang, Mr. Pang surely cannot be mistaken. Yes, he studied medicine with my master for thirty years. Who in Qizhou would dare to call him a quack? This prescription is absolutely correct"

Lu Yuanzhi was completely baffled: These two guys, could it be that...

Before the words had left his mouth, Niu Dali had already grabbed Zhang Jianlan by the collar and lifted him up: "Impossible, impossible, all this talk is nonsense. My mother is lying in bed in this condition, could it be that she is just pretending?"

Zhang Jianlan was at a loss whether to laugh or cry, thinking to herself that the prescription was written by Mr. Pang, the medicine was prepared by Qin Lin, and Lu Yuanzhi stayed behind to observe the condition. Why is it that when there are problems, I am the one to be blamed

A sudden jolt struck Zhang Jianlan's heart as she felt that she was about to embark on her journey to become a royal physician. There was no need to engage in a battle of wills with such a rude and boorish person. If she provoked him and ended up receiving a punch from this brute, wouldn't that be a senseless misfortune?

As soon as they landed, Zhang Jianlan urged Bai Lian to hurry to the Jing Wang Mansion, or to find Pang Xian, or even to directly inform Master Li Shizhen—although this might make him appear incompetent in front of the Jing Wang, it was still better than being beaten to death by that brute Niu Dali.

Qin Lin had been deep in thought with his head bowed. At that moment, he picked up the bowl that had contained the medicinal liquid and sniffed it, suddenly raising his head and fixing his piercing gaze on Zhang Jianlan: "You say this medicinal liquid has a fragrant aroma and resembles a book? Then the medicine must be incorrect"

Zhang Jianlan could only stand on tiptoe, gazing at the ferocious and menacing Niu Dali, who seemed ready to swallow him whole. The chief disciple of the medical clinic and the future deputy lord physician of the Wang residence felt beads of sweat dripping down from his forehead. He could only watch as his eyes darted around, contemplating an escape plan. Unfortunately, the prescriptions he carried behind him were ineffective; what other options could he possibly have?

As he spoke, he glanced at Qin Lin, his eyes darting, and said, "There might be some issues with the potion preparation..."

And this error was revealed only because of Qin Lin

Lu Yuanzhi touched the patient's forehead with the back of his hand, and the chubby little round face instantly turned into a frown: "It's quite hot, it seems the condition is serious, and the effect of the medicine is not very apparent"

Suddenly, he seemed to choke on his words and hurriedly swallowed the latter half back down, for Niu Dali had turned around, his eyes, as large as copper bells, almost blazing with fury

Several disciples immediately stepped back, no longer offering their advice. Those disciples who usually had a better relationship with Zhang Jianlan showed a hint of embarrassment on their faces

He then said to the disciples and apprentices: "The Grand Master’s clinic has been established for decades, well-known throughout Qizhou City. Today, it is actually suspected by his own disciples of selling counterfeit medicine. Is this not the greatest absurdity under heaven? What can be tolerated if this cannot?"

Upon hearing these words, Niu Dali was taken aback, grasping his mother's hand and tenderly rubbing it, tears rolling down his cheeks: "Oh, my mother, having raised me all these years, I have not allowed you to enjoy a single day of happiness, and instead, I have made you worry and toil, going after birds and fish, leading to such a dire illness. I, Niu Dali, truly am not worthy..."

In later generations, the health conditions in China improved, and the incidence of malaria decreased. However, it still ravages Southeast Asia and Africa. The World Health Organization promoted the cultivation of Artemisia annua in China to produce special medicines. Qin Lin had seen large patches of this plant in the suburbs. He was not familiar with clinical medicine and did not have any particularly deep impression of Artemisia annua, but he clearly remembered that the large-scale cultivated Artemisia annua did not have any fragrance; on the contrary, when crushed, it had a somewhat unpleasant smell. Qin Lin had seen large patches of this plant in the suburbs. He was not familiar with clinical medicine and did not have any particularly deep impression of Artemisia annua, but he clearly remembered that the large-scale cultivated Artemisia annua did not have any fragrance; on the contrary, when crushed, it had a somewhat unpleasant smell.

According to what is said, Mr. Pang's prescription is indeed targeted. The "Zhou Hou Fang" states, "One handful of Qinghao, two liters of water, crush and take the juice, it has remarkable effects in treating warm malaria." This cannot be wrong. Lu Yuanzhi scratched his head and muttered to himself, then turned around and asked, "Junior sister, you are more skilled in medicine than I am, do you have any solutions?"

The medical clinic is not far from the residence of Prince Jing. Before long, Bai Lian rushed back, breathless and leaning against the door frame. Lu Yuanzhi brought him some water and fed him a sip, after which he said with a mournful expression: "Tonight, His Highness Prince Jing is in high spirits and has declared that there will be a candlelit banquet, and he will not stop drinking until he is drunk. He ordered the military officials of the Imperial Guard to guard the main gate of the prince's residence, allowing no one to enter or exit. I, I simply cannot enter the prince's residence!"

However, Qing Dai did not answer Lu Yuanzhi's question; instead, she lowered her head in contemplation, her delicate face illuminated by the flickering candlelight, casting an enchanting profile, with her elegant brows tightly furrowed.

Zhang Jianlan waved her hands in a flurry, "That's right, indeed it is top-quality wormwood. Smell the fragrance of this medicinal juice; it is refreshing, isn't it? Our pharmacy would never mix in any falsehoods. You can ask anyone in Qizhou, and they will tell you the same thing."

Zhang Jianlan quickly changed to a smiling face and confidently said: "With the prescription from Mr. Pang, I believe the patient is not in serious condition."

Among the disciples of the medical clinic, Li Qingdai's medical skills are second only to those of the chief disciple, Zhang Jianlan. In terms of theoretical knowledge, she may even surpass him, but she lacks some clinical experience. Therefore, when Lu Yuanzhi encounters difficult cases, he consults her.