Chapter 111 Awakening, Gift of Medicine
Shengyuan Restaurant closes for holidays and does not receive guests, but the patient next door still needs to have three meals a day.
The next morning, Sheng An personally brought freshly cooked rice porridge to the neighbor's yard.
Song Wanjun did not return to Jinling, fearing that Ning Sihan's condition would worsen and that he would be unable to help her from Jinling.
Upon learning that Sheng An had arrived, he personally came to greet him: "Thank you for your trouble, Boss Sheng."
Seeing a rare hint of relaxation on Song Wanjun's usually serious face, Sheng An couldn't help but guess that Ning Sihan's condition had improved.
Sheng An didn't ask any questions. After exchanging a few pleasantries with Song Wanjun, they went together to the room where Ning Sihan was.
The room was still warm and cozy. As soon as Sheng An stepped inside, Physician Wang and Physician Hu greeted him warmly, their attitudes unusually enthusiastic: "This must be Boss Sheng! It's an honor to meet you!"
Sheng An subconsciously took two steps back, keeping his distance from the two old men who were practically glued to him: "Greetings, gentlemen."
Seeing that she was frightened, Song Wanjun quickly stepped forward to block Wang and Hu, saying, "Boss Sheng is here to visit Sihan. If you two doctors have something to say, we can talk about it later."
Wang and Hu accompanied Ning Sihan to Qingzhou, and out of caution, Song Wanjun did not publicize their identities.
Sheng An pretended not to know and walked to the bedside to observe Ning Sihan's complexion.
Compared to her near-death state seven days ago, Ning Sihan's complexion was noticeably better. Although her lips were still bloodless and her face remained dull and lifeless, she looked like a healthy, living person.
Sheng An secretly breathed a sigh of relief; the rooster rice soup she had been making for seven consecutive days had finally worked.
Just as she was about to look away and remind Song Wanjun to feed Ning Sihan the rice soup while it was still hot, the person on the bed suddenly opened her eyes and met her gaze before she could look away.
Sheng An was stunned for a moment. Her first reaction was that these eyes were really beautiful, combining the charm of fox eyes with the deep and lively look of peach blossom eyes.
Such eyes on a man's face add a touch of femininity.
Sheng Anchong nodded slightly to Ning Sihan, then turned his gaze away and asked Song Wanjun, "When did Young Master Ning wake up?"
Song Wanjun also noticed that his nephew had woken up, and a smile appeared on his face: "He suddenly woke up last night, and two doctors took his pulse together and said that Sihan's condition has improved."
Sheng An nodded, his expression becoming more relaxed: "Now that Young Master Ning has awakened, the menu should be adjusted. I will send someone to deliver soup at noon."
Song Wanjun was extremely excited and solemnly bowed to Sheng An to express his gratitude: "Thank you for your trouble."
After only a few days of drinking rice porridge, Sihan's condition began to improve. Now that she can eat solid food, Sihan will surely get better day by day.
Sheng An didn't linger. After watching Ning Sihan drink the rice soup, he picked up the food box and prepared to leave.
Physician Hu hurriedly spoke up: "Boss Sheng, we have two questions to ask you. Could you spare a moment?"
Physician Wang nodded eagerly, fearing that Sheng An would shake his head and refuse.
Sheng An knew what they wanted to ask, and after thinking for a moment, he stopped and said, "Just two questions, please ask them."
Upon hearing this, Physician Hu almost slapped himself twice.
Doctor Wang was also filled with regret, feeling that his old partner was unreliable. He was the first to ask the question that had been on his mind for many days: "Boss Sheng's cooking skills are superb, and the food he cooks seems to have the effect of nourishing food. I wonder how Boss Sheng does it."
During this time, they repeatedly studied the rice porridge sent by Shengyuan.
But after all their research, it turned out to be just ordinary rooster rice soup, with no trace of herbs at all, which made them even more curious about Sheng An's abilities.
"The effects of dietary supplements? Is it that difficult to achieve? Isn't it something anyone can do?"
Sheng An pretended to be stupid, looking at Wang and Hu with a blank expression: "When a person is so hungry that they are dizzy, a bowl of rice porridge can restore them to normal. It's such a simple thing."
Imperial Physician Wang: "..."
Physician Hu: "..."
That makes sense, but something just doesn't feel right.
Sheng An continued his fabricated story with seemingly plausible arguments: "My cooking skills are better than the average person's, and my dishes are more in line with the public's taste, so my guests like the food I make. When they enjoy their meals, they feel good, and when they feel good, their health naturally improves."
This statement has a scientific basis; many human ailments are influenced by emotions.
For example, breast nodules, which are common in women, are caused by prolonged emotional depression.
For example, some cancer patients, unaware of their condition, can often live for another year or two.
Once they realize their illness is incurable, the depression often lasts for several months.
Physician Wang and Physician Hu looked at each other, wanting to refute but not knowing what to say, and could only remain silent for a time.
Sheng An urged, "Next question."
This time, Physician Hu was the first to react, blurting out, "Will Young Master Ning's illness get better?"
Sheng An was speechless. He pointed to himself and then to the two of them: "I'm a cook, all I know is how to cook. You're the ones who treat patients and save lives. You should ask yourselves that question."
Physician Hu: "..."
He couldn't hold back any longer and slapped himself.
Physician Wang looked helplessly at his colleague, then cupped his hands in a gesture of respect to Sheng An: “What Boss Sheng says is absolutely right. I have a suggestion, I wonder if Boss Sheng would be willing to listen to it.”
Sheng An became interested: "Go ahead."
Without hesitation, Physician Wang revealed what he had been pondering for several days:
"I've heard that Mr. Sheng is skilled at making an Eight Treasures Black Chicken Soup. This soup contains eight medicinal herbs that can replenish qi and blood. I wonder if Mr. Sheng would be interested in trying a few more similar medicinal dishes?"
Sheng An hadn't expected that Physician Wang would ask her to make medicinal cuisine. After thinking for a moment, she politely declined, saying, "I know nothing about pharmacology. If there's a problem with the medicinal cuisine I make, I won't be able to explain it to my guests."
She doesn't have the energy to study pharmacology now, but she can study it properly when she has more free time in a few years or a decade.
Perhaps we can discover some secrets and compile a complete guide to medicinal cuisine to pass down as a family heirloom to our descendants.
Seeing that Sheng An was not interested in medicinal cuisine, Physician Wang was very disappointed, but he did not show it on his face: "It doesn't matter if you don't understand pharmacology. I have a collection of medicines to give to Boss Sheng, as a way to make a good connection."
After saying that, without waiting for Sheng An to refuse, he instructed the medicine boy outside the door to go to his room to fetch the medicine collection.
"Doctor Wang, I cannot accept this medicine without having done the right thing!"
Sheng An was surprised by Physician Wang's generosity and felt embarrassed to accept such valuable books from him.
In this era, information was not readily available, and medical books and similar collections were mostly family heirlooms, impossible to find on the market; even with money, you couldn't buy them.
"It's just a collection of medicines, Mr. Sheng, you don't need to be so polite."
Physician Wang stroked his beard and smiled, his gaze towards Sheng An exceptionally gentle: "If the medicine can play its proper role in the hands of Boss Sheng, then it will not be a waste of its potential."
Sheng An could not refuse this gift and earnestly thanked Physician Wang: "I will study it carefully and live up to your kindness."
The imperial physician was even more pleased. He took the medicine collection presented by the apprentice and personally handed it to Sheng An, saying, "Take your time reading it. If you don't understand anything, come and ask me anytime."
Physician Hu hurriedly said, "Me too! I'm also willing to answer Mr. Sheng's questions!"
Sheng An was deeply moved and bowed again to express his gratitude.
Witnessing this scene, Song Wanjun understood that the two imperial physicians, Wang and Hu, valued Sheng An's abilities, and felt even more regretful for not coming to Qingzhou sooner.
Lying on the bed, Ning Sihan watched Sheng An leave, the savory aroma of rice soup lingering on her lips.
Song Wanjun noticed his nephew's gaze and sat down by the bed to explain to him, "This is Boss Sheng, whom I mentioned to you last night. She's the one who made the rice soup that temporarily restored your sense of consciousness and smell."
Ning Sihan did not truly regain his sense of taste and smell. He could only taste the umami and saltiness when he drank the old rooster rice soup cooked by Sheng An.
"She...is very capable."
Ning Sihan's pronunciation wasn't very clear, but a glimmer of light flashed in her originally dim eyes.
"Yes, she is indeed very capable. Your condition has improved largely thanks to her."
Song Wanjun tucked the blanket around his nephew and comforted him in an unusually gentle tone:
"With Boss Sheng and the two imperial physicians here, you will definitely get better. Just as Boss Sheng said, a cheerful mood leads to good health, so you should relax."
Ning Sihan managed a weak smile: "Third Uncle, I will."
Having lingered on for twenty-three years, he was utterly exhausted, both physically and mentally.
But as long as there is a glimmer of hope, he will never give up easily.
Moreover, those who care about him want him to live.
When Sheng An returned to the small building, Granny Sun and Li Daya were cleaning the house and washing the quilt and sheets on the bed.
The weather is nice today; the sunshine feels especially warm on the skin, perfect for washing and drying clothes.
Sheng An instructed Li Daya: "The quilts and mattresses should also be taken out to air. From now on, they should be aired out every two weeks, whenever it is sunny."
Li Daya quickly replied, "Yes, Master."
Sheng An nodded and was about to go up to the second floor.
At this moment, Li Daya spoke up: "Master, I heard that Baolan and the others have received their monthly allowances. I wonder when my and Granny Sun's allowances will be issued?"
Sheng An turned to look at Li Daya, then glanced at Granny Sun. Seeing Granny Sun shaking her head silently in fright, she looked back at Li Daya: "Your monthly allowances are paid on the last day of each month, have you forgotten?"
Li Daya secretly glanced at Sheng An, and seeing that she looked calm and not angry, she immediately became bolder:
“My lady, I haven’t forgotten. It’s just that the New Year is coming soon, and I want to receive my monthly allowance in advance so that I can buy some things for the New Year before the shops close.”
After saying that, he didn't forget to pull Granny Sun along: "Granny Sun, are you also going to the market to buy things?"
Grandma Sun remained silent, continuing to clean.
Li Daya was furious. From an angle where Sheng An couldn't see her, she glared fiercely at Granny Sun.
Sheng An didn't make things difficult for Li Daya. Paying her wages a few days early wasn't a big deal: "Since you need to prepare for the New Year, your monthly salary for the twelfth lunar month will be paid ten days in advance every year."
After saying that, she went upstairs and brought back four taels of silver, giving each person two taels: "The New Year is coming soon, so I'll give you an extra tael."
Granny Sun and Li Daya each received one tael of silver per month. Granny Sun was responsible for tailoring clothes, and Sheng An would give her an extra sum of money each time she finished.
Upon receiving the two taels of silver, a clear look of disappointment flashed across Li Daya's face.
Granny Sun, however, held the silver and bowed repeatedly, saying, "Thank you, Master! Thank you, Master!"
Sheng An nodded to her, glanced at Li Daya, and went upstairs without saying anything.
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