Jiang Nuan herself was not knowledgeable in medicine, so she could only seek help from Doctor Gu.
Upon learning Jiang Nuan's purpose for coming, even the usually composed Doctor Gu showed shock on his face.
"Madam Jiang, do you want an old man in his fifties to have a child?"
“No, that’s not right either,” Jiang Nuan said awkwardly, touching her nose. “I just wanted to give it a try, anyway, the result couldn’t be worse than it is now.”
“That’s true,” Doctor Gu nodded gently, “However, I am powerless to do such a thing as defying fate.”
If he truly possessed such abilities, he wouldn't be a miracle doctor, but a deity!
"Is it even possible to maintain health with medicinal wine?"
“Yes,” Doctor Gu nodded slowly. “Madam Jiang, I know you mean well, but it’s unnecessary. Failure will only lead to greater disappointment, and even if it succeeds, it will bring endless trouble. It’s better to maintain the current situation.”
“I understand, but,” Jiang Nuan spread her hands helplessly, “the whole Great Zhou thinks I am a banished immortal. If I don’t even have a single thing to show for myself, it will really not convince the public.”
Although the previous tricks were somewhat effective, few people knew about them and they were too fantastical, so not many people would believe them if they were spread around.
As for future troubles, there are none.
She simply won't give anyone a chance to come to her. Today someone asks to have a child, tomorrow someone asks to extend their life; she really doesn't have that ability.
"It's really no use," Doctor Gu explained helplessly, "Aging is fate, something human power cannot change, unless..."
"Unless what?"
"Unless we can process medicinal materials like wine, which are potent yet gentle and do not harm the body."
What kind of medicinal herbs do you need?
"Can Lady Jiang really concoct this?"
"I don't know, but let's give it a try!"
Jiang Nuan definitely won't tell the truth.
"If Lady Jiang can really prepare this medicine," Doctor Gu said excitedly, "the people of the world will be blessed!"
"We'll talk about it later. I'm not sure if I can even make it."
"It's alright, I'll help too."
After saying that, Doctor Gu quickly went back to his room to pack his bags.
He decided that he would live on the mountain until he could prepare this medicine.
As for this small pharmacy, even if it did have business, he could still tell which was more important.
Jiang Nuan watched helplessly as the usually unhurried Doctor Gu disappeared from her side like a gust of wind.
She seems to have gotten herself into a lot of trouble.
In the days that followed, while the others were leisurely and carefree, Jiang Nuan was extremely busy.
In the morning, he was busy tending to his own land in the backyard. In the afternoon, he followed Doctor Gu to learn how to process medicinal herbs. In his spare time, he would also go to the kitchen to prepare various medicinal meals for Liu An to nourish his body. In the evening, he would practice formations.
Four days later, Jiang Nuan felt resentful.
"Liu An, how are you feeling? Are you feeling any better?"
"Reporting to Madam, my health has improved a lot. When I washed my face this morning, I noticed that my hair was even a bit darker than before."
Liu An's enthusiasm for the banished immortal stemmed not only from his offspring but also from his childhood adventures; he firmly believed that extraordinary people and events truly existed in the world.
His body had been severely depleted in his early years, and his internal organs were in great decline. He always felt that he would reach his end in a few years, so he came here to give it a try.
Unexpectedly, the condition began to improve in just a few days.
Every day when I wake up, I feel that my body, which was like rotten wood, is stronger and more powerful than yesterday, and I often have the illusion of returning to my youth.
But in reality, it was just an illusion; he still couldn't lift a single brick.
However, he was still very grateful to Jiang Nuan.
"Oh," Jiang Nuan felt a pang of sadness upon hearing this. "Grand Secretary Liu, five days have passed now. Shouldn't you return to court to report back?"
Upon hearing this, Liu An paused for a moment, then became conflicted.
He couldn't bear to leave.
There's plenty to eat and drink here, and plenty of leisure time. The Huang family's children are also clever and lovable. They spend their days teaching, playing chess, appreciating flowers, and watching the moon. Life is wonderful.
On the other hand, the imperial court is plagued by countless troubles.
Moreover, once I return, without the nourishment of immortal energy, my body, which I have painstakingly cultivated, might soon collapse.
“Madam,” he asked tentatively, “what do you think of me?”
"What do you mean, 'how is he'? Is it his character or his moral qualities?"
"Teach!" Liu An went all out. "This old man may not be talented, but he was indeed the top scholar during the Shengwen era. What do you think, Madam? How about I teach my nephews?"
Jiang Nuan wanted nothing more than to applaud Liu An.
She likes people who are smart and tactful; they bring it up before she even has a chance to.
“This isn’t a good idea,” he said, flicking his hair and pretending to be hesitant. “You are a Grand Secretary of the Great Zhou Dynasty.”
"That's not a problem. I'm getting old and should have retired long ago. The Great Zhou is full of talented people and doesn't need another one like me."
The more Liu An thought about it, the more he felt he should stay.
The Grand Secretary, though seemingly holding a high position of power, actually faces numerous constraints.
As for ambitions, as long as Grand Secretaries An and Zhong are alive, it won't be his turn.
If that's the case, why stay in this position and endure it?
He has no children of his own, and holding a high position would only benefit outsiders, even if that person is his nominal son.
“It still won’t work,” Jiang Nuan shook her head. “Teaching alone is too much of a waste of her talents.”
Liu An failed to grasp the implied meaning in Jiang Nuan's words. Upon hearing this, he immediately and eagerly assured her, "It's not beneath my talents, I don't think so."
"If Grand Secretary Liu doesn't think it's useless, then His Majesty has to think so. Besides, there's no shortage of teachers here."
"What do you lack?" Liu An asked cautiously. "Although I am not very talented, I have some knowledge in all aspects."
"Farming? Does Grand Secretary Liu know how?"
Upon hearing this, Liu An's face flushed bright red.
He really doesn't understand this!
Although the Liu family was not a prominent clan, they were not a small or insignificant household either. Even without servants to wait on them, they did not need to work in the fields.
Even after he entered officialdom, he remained a man of noble birth and never dabbled in this field.
"To my shame," Liu An lowered his head in embarrassment, "I am not good at farming. I only accompanied His Majesty when he personally plowed the fields and casually hoeed a few times."
He had read many agricultural books and knew the seasons for various crops, but that was about it.
After all, he had never actually farmed before, so he didn't know how to do any kind of farm work, and he didn't even know how to use the hoe, which he was most familiar with.
Jiang Nuan was not surprised by these words.
“That’s a real pity,” she said, her eyes brimming with laughter, feigning regret. “I had high hopes for Grand Secretary Liu.”
Liu An, who was looking down, did not see this scene. He only felt that he was increasingly letting Jiang Nuan down. "If Madam does not mind my stupidity, I am willing to learn to farm."
"This won't do. Farming is too much of a disservice to the Grand Secretary."
"I'm not wronged," Liu An said, determined to stay. "My lady is a celestial being, so the things she grows will definitely be extraordinary. Maybe even my farming will make me famous in history."
He had been working diligently for decades, all for the sake of a good reputation after death. If he could really benefit from the immortal's fame and leave a single word in the history books, he would be laughing in his dreams.
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