Chapter 46: The Bearded Hero Cultivates the Dao and Departs

The medical clinic successfully secured an order from the imperial palace.

The Black-Boned Chicken and White-Phoenix Pill was designated as a tribute medicine for the royal court. Naturally, Li Shimin did not shortchange Su Chen; the pricing authority for the medicine remained firmly in Su Chen's hands.

With the prestigious title of "Master of Gynecology" now attached to his name, the clinic's business flourished even more. Many female relatives of high-ranking officials and nobility also flocked to the clinic for medical consultations. For a time, the establishment was bustling with activity.

On this particular day, Su Chen was visiting Li Jing’s residence.

After several rounds of treatments, the stasis in Li Jing’s body had been largely cleared, and the next phase called for herbs to nourish the yang.

"Uncle Li, after the acupuncture sessions and the administration of the Xuefu Zhuyu Decoction, I checked the underside of your tongue today, and the blood stasis has disappeared."

A person's tongue can reveal a multitude of health conditions, and blood stasis is primarily visible right beneath it. At the very beginning, Su Chen had asked Li Jing to curl his tongue upward, revealing two purplish-blue veins formed by accumulated stasis. After using the Xuefu Zhuyu Decoction, that stasis had been virtually cleared away.

"I can feel it myself. My body feels much better now. Whenever I woke up in the morning before, I always felt a suffocating tightness in my chest, but that has truly cleared up."

Aside from Li Jing's own recovery, the happiest person was naturally his wife. After undergoing Su Chen's acupuncture treatments several times, her ailment had indeed not flared up again. Li Jing mused inwardly that since Li Shimin himself had bestowed the title of "Master of Gynecology" upon Su Chen, the young man undoubtedly possessed genuine and formidable skills.

"Now that the stasis has been cleared, it is time for replenishment. Both qi and blood must be nourished, and yang energy must be restored as well."

As Su Chen spoke, he produced the medicines he had prepared in advance. He also handed a few additional herbs to the household staff, instructing them to stew these with mutton to be served as a dish.

The core ingredients were angelica and dried ginger combined with mutton, which would nourish the blood while simultaneously reviving the body's yang energy.

"This Angelica, Ginger, and Mutton Soup is a wonderful remedy. Uncle Li, if you take it according to my instructions, you certainly won't suffer from the lower back and knee pains this winter like you did before."

As the saying goes, medicine and food share the same origin. Taking medicine can also be achieved through dietary methods. Using such remedies to condition the body allows for a much faster recovery.

Li Jing was extremely satisfied. Su Chen had been conditioning his health over the past half-month, and the results were truly remarkable.

At that moment, Lady Zhangchu stepped out. After finishing her acupuncture session and resting for a while, she had wanted to come out and greet Su Chen.

"You two are having a fine chat, like a pair of old friends."

Lady Zhangchu emerged from behind the screen. Seeing how engrossed Li Jing and Su Chen were in their conversation, completely oblivious to anyone else around them, she couldn't help but smile.

Seeing that Lady Zhangchu had recovered, her complexion was now vastly superior to when they had first met.

"Auntie, please come here. I’ve prepared some 'Black-Boned Chicken and White-Phoenix Pills' for you. You can take them whenever you have free time in the coming days to nourish your qi and blood."

Su Chen had already taken out the prepared pills. In Chang'an City nowadays, these pills were truly precious, costing dozens of silver taels per pill. Ordinary people could hardly afford them, let alone consume them. Even the pills Su Chen supplied to the imperial palace were charged for, but this batch given to Li Jing's wife was entirely free of charge.

Lady Zhangchu accepted the Black-Boned Chicken and White-Phoenix Pills. Recently, this medicine had become immensely popular throughout Chang'an.

"I've heard people say lately that these 'Black-Boned Chicken and White-Phoenix Pills' are tribute medicines specially supplied to the imperial palace. I really feel rather embarrassed to accept such a gift." Lady Zhangchu said with a smile.

Though she claimed to be embarrassed, she accepted them immediately without a moment of hesitation.

After chatting idly for a little longer, Lady Zhangchu suddenly let out a soft sigh.

"Thinking back, I once had an elder brother. If he were to see you, he would surely fond of you. It's just that he went off God knows where to seek immortals and inquire about elixirs."

As she finished speaking, tears welled up in her eyes. Li Jing quickly patted Lady Zhangchu on the shoulder, helping her compose her emotions.

Su Chen had known from the very beginning that Li Jing's wife harbored a deep emotional knot. Her previous episodes of madness were undoubtedly triggered by some unresolved trauma in her heart.

"Speaking of which, it reminds me of when I was a child with Daoist Master Sun. People would often come to him seeking immortals and inquiring about elixirs," Su Chen remarked casually.

Hearing this, both Li Jing and Lady Zhangchu eagerly asked what kind of people they were.

Su Chen slowly began to recount, narrating it like a story—there were the wealthy and the impoverished, scholars and martial artists...

"Once, Daoist Master Sun was away, and Daoist Master Dong happened to come by and stay at my place. That day, a peculiar man came looking for Daoist Master Sun, but instead ended up conversing with Daoist Master Dong..."

As Su Chen spoke, he mentioned this eccentric character: a man with a full beard who spoke in a rough tone yet possessed the utmost courtesy.

The more Li Jing and Lady Zhangchu listened, the more astonished they became.

"Wait a moment, child. Tell me again, what did this person look like?"

Lady Zhangchu was visibly stirred now, her heart fluttering with excitement. She hurriedly questioned Su Chen.

Su Chen described the man piece by piece.

Both Li Jing and Lady Zhangchu stood up.

"Uncle Li, what is the matter? Do you perhaps know this person?" Su Chen asked with an expression of utter puzzlement.

In truth, Su Chen knew better than anyone that Lady Zhangchu's hidden illness stemmed entirely from the Barbarian-Bearded Guest. Yet, neither Li Jing nor Lady Zhangchu had ever spoken of this to outsiders, making it impossible for any ordinary physician to cure her heartache. Because of this, Su Chen had fabricated a benevolent lie.

"So that elder brother of mine went away with Daoist Master Dong. Do you know where they went afterward?" Li Jing quickly motioned for Lady Zhangchu to calm down, reminding her not to be too emotional, especially in front of a child. As long as they asked clearly, that was enough.

Su Chen shook his head.

"Later on, that strange uncle acknowledged Daoist Master Dong as his master and left with him. They probably went wandering the world together."

Naturally, Su Chen had no idea where the Barbarian-Bearded Guest had gone; he had simply made up a lie.

Yet the impact of this fabrication was profound. Su Chen noticed Lady Zhangchu turning her head away, tears clearly streaming down her face.

Seeing this, Li Jing escorted Su Chen out so that his wife could rest earlier.

Once outside, Li Jing let out a heavy sigh.

"The man you described must be our sworn brother. But it is just as well. Since he has now followed such a formidable Daoist master, I believe this is what he desired most."

Li Jing patted Su Chen on the shoulder before sending him on his way.

Waiting outside, Cheng Chumo had no inkling of what had transpired within. He had remained outside instead of entering, but seeing Li Jing's eyes reddened, he assumed the old general had been moved to tears because his wife's stubborn illness was finally nearing a cure.

Without offering any explanation, Su Chen departed with Cheng Chumo in tow.

Watching from afar as Su Chen and Cheng Chumo walked away, Li Jing wore a gratified smile and muttered, "This child is truly sensible!"