Chapter 61: Chapter 61

Subsequently, Bai Susu promptly instructed Chuntao and Nuansia to tidy up her clothes and jewelry, to avoid leaving a bad impression on Imperial Physician Ming.

After tidying herself up, she led the two out to personally greet Imperial Physician Ming.

Before long, an elderly man with white hair and a beard, yet surprisingly smooth skin with no wrinkles, approached.

Bai Susu immediately stepped forward to greet him, "Imperial Physician Ming, hello, thank you for your trouble this time."

Upon hearing this, Imperial Physician Ming quickly assessed Bai Susu with his gaze, then shook his head and said, "Miss Bai, you are too polite. The Crown Prince has ordered, how dare I not comply? However, learning medicine is not an easy task and not to be taken lightly; I hope you are not motivated by a mere whim."

Bai Susu listened, and promptly replied with solemnity to Imperial Physician Ming, "Please rest assured, Imperial Physician Ming, a doctor saves lives and helps the wounded. Susu would never take such matters lightly."

With these words, Imperial Physician Ming couldn’t help but slightly raise his eyebrows.

His impression of Bai Susu improved quite a bit.

It seems the granddaughter of Prime Minister Bai is indeed serious.

Nodding his head, he said, "Good, then starting today, I will come every day to teach you. However, how much you can learn depends on yourself."

"Of course." Bai Susu promptly replied.

Then she said to Imperial Physician Ming, "Mr. Ming, please come inside."

Although Imperial Physician Ming is quite elderly, Bai Susu’s boudoir certainly cannot be entered at will, so she led him to another vacant room in the courtyard.

Soon, Chuntao and Nuansia brought in tea and refreshments.

After Bai Susu served a cup of hot tea to Imperial Physician Ming, he nodded and sat down.

Then, taking a sip of tea, he asked Bai Susu, "Since you wish to study medicine, you must have read some medical books?"

"Yes." Bai Susu nodded.

"Which medical books have you read so far?" Imperial Physician Ming casually asked.

"Oh, not many, just under thirty books?" Bai Susu replied.

Upon hearing this, Imperial Physician Ming slightly nodded, presuming Bai Susu had read only the most common medical books available everywhere.

Although she might not have learned much from them, it is better than nothing!

It’s better than teaching someone starting from scratch without any knowledge.

After a moment of contemplation, Imperial Physician Ming said, "Specifically, which medical books? This way, I can know how to proceed in teaching you."

Let’s assess her level first.

Bai Susu earnestly nodded and then said, "I’ve read ’Compendium of Chinese Medicine’, ’Treatise on Materia Medica’, ’Treatise on Cold Damage’, ’Treatise on Epidemics’, ’Compendium of Herbs’, ’Great Authority on Formulas’, ’Acupuncture’, ’Inner Canon’, ’Synopsis of Golden Chamber’, ’Shen Nong’s Materia Medica’, ’Treatise on Drug Properties’..."

Before she finished speaking, Imperial Physician Ming spat out a mouthful of tea.

Bai Susu was startled.

"Mr. Ming, what happened? Did the tea burn you?"

Hearing this, Imperial Physician Ming quickly waved his hand and put down the teacup.

"You’ve even read ’Treatise on Epidemics’ and ’Shen Nong’s Materia Medica’? Where did you get these books?" Imperial Physician Ming stared at Bai Susu.

It’s important to know that even Prime Minister Bai might not have easy access to these books.

Several of the books she mentioned could only be accessed within the Imperial Hospital.

Seeing this, Bai Susu was somewhat embarrassed and said, "The Crown Prince noticed my interest in medical books and gave them to me to read."

"Oh, you’ve read all of them? Remembered them?" Imperial Physician Ming pressed further.

Bai Susu nodded, "I am somewhat gifted with an eidetic memory, retaining what I’ve read, although many things are only partially understood."

Imperial Physician Ming’s eyes widened again.

"You... have eidetic memory?" Imperial Physician Ming’s mouth twitched fiercely.

Bai Susu humbly nodded slightly.

"Then let me test you; can you tell me the characteristics and effects of Rehmannia?" Imperial Physician Ming squinted and asked.

Bai Susu heard and said unhurriedly, "Rehmannia has cool properties, sweet and bitter flavors, and is effective in nourishing yin and kidneys, enriching blood, cooling blood. Depending on processing methods, the medicinal effects vary."

"Fresh Rehmannia clears heat and generates fluids, cools blood, stops bleeding, and can be used for heat illnesses damaging yin... Raw Rehmannia clears heat, cools blood, nourishes yin and generates fluids... Processed Rehmannia enriches yin and blood, benefits essence and replenishes marrow..." Bai Susu recited the contents she had read.

Imperial Physician Ming couldn’t help but nod with satisfaction, then asked her several more complex questions, all from the books she had read.

Bai Susu answered them one by one.

Gradually, the look in Imperial Physician Ming’s eyes grew brighter as he watched her.

This little girl... previously thought she was just a woman only familiar with idle poems and songs.

Unexpectedly, she possesses such talent in medicine!

For a moment, Imperial Physician Ming couldn’t help but develop a fondness for this talent, and asked in a very gentle tone, "It seems you’ve indeed remembered everything, now can you tell me the areas you don’t understand?"

Upon hearing this, Bai Susu excitedly asked a host of questions that were on her mind.

She is naturally intelligent, but many topics have been out of reach, preventing her from comprehending them fully, hence getting stuck.

However, with Imperial Physician Ming’s explanations, she immediately understood, even drawing parallels and expanding her understanding.

With about a dozen questions answered, the look in Imperial Physician Ming’s eyes grew even brighter.

At the same time, he felt somewhat regretful.

Such a gifted seedling... if only she weren’t a girl?

Otherwise, he would certainly take her as his disciple!

Bai Susu did not know what Imperial Physician Ming was thinking at that moment.

Even if she knew, she wouldn’t mind.

After all, even in modern society, men underestimate women’s strength, let alone in ancient times when men were dominant.

To her, Imperial Physician Ming was akin to a mentor.

If he was willing to teach her freely, that would be wonderful.

If not, it didn’t matter, as anything learned was profit.

The master leads you to the door, but cultivation depends on yourself.

Once she gains experience, some things will automatically become clear without teaching. Read full story at NoveI(F)ire.net

And after an afternoon, most of Bai Susu’s confusion had been resolved.

Looking at the time, she said to Imperial Physician Ming, "It’s getting late; if you don’t mind, how about dining at the manor? Grandfather has a bottle of carved wine saved up, you can have a taste."

Initially, upon hearing her offer, Imperial Physician Ming was going to refuse.

But upon the mention of "carved wine," his intended polite refusal instantly turned into, "Sure, I’d be delighted."

He is an old wine aficionado.

Obviously, Prime Minister Bai is no better.

So the carved wine cherished by this old fellow must surely be exceptional!

Not drinking would be a waste!

Seeing that Imperial Physician Ming agreed, Bai Susu smiled slightly, "Grandfather should have returned from the cabinet by now, why don’t you first meet him in the main hall?"

"Good." Imperial Physician Ming nodded.

Then he was led away by a servant.