C24 Scaring Xu Fangfang

"These are just some pills I made. Why, Fangfang, do you have any questions? Or perhaps you want to try them for me? No one has taken these pills yet, and if you're willing to be the first, I'd be incredibly grateful," Xuanniang teased Fangfang.

"Xuanniang, you must be joking. If you're not sure about the effects of those pills, how can you let someone take them so casually? Are you sure they're not toxic? You wouldn't want anyone to get sick from them," Fangfang replied, clearly alarmed and hinting that Xuanniang might not know what she's doing.

Xuanniang chuckled inwardly but kept an innocent look on her face.

"Of course not! I've tried them myself, and there are no side effects. Aren't you curious to try? They taste great, with a refreshing flavor that cools you down and boosts your energy. If these pills get recognized, they'll definitely be a hit. I'm just giving you a sneak peek. Are you sure you don't want to try?"

Xuanniang pulled out a bottle of pills from her pocket, trying to hand it to Fangfang, who was too scared to take it.

"No, thank you for the offer. I have no idea what they're made of, so I can't just eat them. Be careful yourself, too. Don't keep consuming those strange herbs; you might end up poisoning yourself one day."

Seeing Fangfang's cautious demeanor, Xuanniang felt even more disgusted and decided to provoke her. She even poured out a couple of pills from the bottle, trying to push them into Fangfang's mouth.

"Sister-in-law, you're really joking. These pills are simple to make. Inside, there's mint leaves, and they're coated with a layer of sugar. They taste sweet and cool, very refreshing. Oh, do you know what mint leaves are? You probably do; they're used to repel mosquitoes. It's said that where there's mint, a bunch of cats will gather.

I figured since mint has such a peculiar smell and can repel mosquitoes, it might also help with heat, so I tried a couple. And it worked! Even the rash on my face cleared up. Sister-in-law, I see some red bumps on your forehead. You might be overheated. Are you sure you don't want to try a couple?"

Fangfang was so frightened she quickly moved aside, knocking the pills Xuanniang offered out of her hand. "Xuanniang, don't force me. I can't dare eat your homemade medicine. If it can kill bugs, it can probably kill people too. What you're doing is clearly dangerous. But don't worry, I won't tell anyone. After all, we've been family for years, and I'm on your side. Just don't make me eat them, I really can't."

I’m asking you these questions just to see if you’d like my help. I’ve noticed your business is doing well lately, so if you need a hand, just let me know. I can help organize the herbs. Even though I haven’t studied much, I can recognize a few of them. If you ever get overwhelmed, remember to call on me. After all, our whole family is relying on you right now.

Oh, aren’t you busy? You should get going. I won’t keep you any longer; I have chores to do myself.

It seemed Fangfang was really afraid of Xuanniang forcing her to take medicine. She rattled off a bunch of words and quickly left. Watching her hurried escape, Xuanniang smirked.

Sure enough, even the wicked have their fears. She’s scared the pills I make are poisonous. What an ignorant woman. She doesn’t understand medicine but knows a few herbs, and yet she dares to dismiss someone else’s work, claiming my pills are harmful.

Mosquitoes like damp and warm places, while mint absorbs moisture and cools the air, releasing a scent that repels them. A small amount like this only harms mosquitoes, not people. Medicines have dual effects; a small dose can heal, while a large dose can poison. A tiny bit of mint leaves can reduce heat, but too much can make you feel cold all over and cause unbearable stomach pain.

However, Xuanniang certainly wasn't going to reveal her medical skills. When dealing with someone who's always watching you, it's best to give them a good scare.

Who knows what Fangfang was thinking, claiming she wanted to help. It would be enough if she didn't cause trouble. Xuanniang didn't dare hope Fangfang genuinely meant it.

Thinking she'd finally scared Fangfang off, Xuanniang quickly gathered her things and headed out for her medical rounds.

Unbeknownst to Xuanniang, shortly after she left, Fangfang stood at the gate, staring coldly down the road where Xuanniang had disappeared, a mysterious expression on her face, as if plotting something.

"This is my homemade herbal remedy. Take it three times a day. Make sure to get plenty of rest, and come back for a follow-up in five days," Xuanniang instructed her patient, handing over a packet of herbs.

The elderly man in front of her was also suffering from fatigue, insomnia, and a poor appetite. He lived in the same village as an elderly woman Xuanniang had examined a few days earlier. Based on her records, Xuanniang suspected the village's water quality was poor, causing the residents, especially women and children, to fall ill easily, particularly with weak digestive systems.

Xuanniang could only use gentle remedies, encouraging the elderly to avoid spicy foods and eat more warming dishes.

"Doctor, if there's nothing else, I'll head back now. Thank you, Doctor."

While jotting down notes, Xuanniang replied without looking up, "Alright, you can go. Remember to come back for a follow-up. Next, please."

Up next was a heavyset middle-aged man, his face fleshy and skin pale, with a ruddy complexion—a clear sign of wealth. His expression made it obvious he wasn't there for medical reasons. His small eyes, filled with a lecherous gaze, were fixed on Xuanniang, making her quite uncomfortable.

Xuanniang examined his face closely and began her usual line of questioning.

"What do you eat on a daily basis?"

"Doctor, your business seems to be doing well. I'm here to see the patient you just treated. Why are you asking me all these irrelevant questions instead of checking my pulse?" The middle-aged man didn't answer and instead tried to pick a fight.

Xuanniang had encountered many like him before—people who appeared healthy but had significant underlying issues. She didn't reveal this initially. Seeing his arrogant demeanor, Xuanniang remained calm.

"I have my methods. Please answer seriously. Rest assured, if there's anything wrong, I'll diagnose it."

The middle-aged man was displeased. He wasn't there for treatment; he was upset because Xuanniang's free clinic was affecting his medicinal shop's business. Seeing the growing number of people visiting her, he couldn't sit still and came to investigate.

Listening to Xuanniang, the young lady, suggest she might have a problem, it was hard for anyone to feel cheerful. "I eat gourmet meals every day, far beyond what ordinary folks like you have ever heard of. I consume a lot of different foods daily; do I really need to report each one to you? Besides, my meals are always tested for poison. If there were any, it would have been discovered long ago. What could you possibly find?"