Chapter 23: Make an Offer

Despite the disparity in their clothing, a certain temperament was strikingly similar: their gazes were cold and distant, with a distinct air of aloofness.

But when the siblings looked at each other, their eyes softened considerably. The brother taking care of his sister was a heartwarming and pleasing sight.

“Hmm?” Seeing no response from Hu Liu, Xiang Wentian looked up, his eyes devoid of warmth.

“Ah? Oh… I’ve already sent someone to look for him. He’ll be here soon, very soon.” Hu Liu’s back felt a chill as he finally snapped back to reality, hastily explaining.

He was bewildered by his own reaction. The other party was just a teenager.

Ten minutes later, a knock came on the door. Along with a gust of cold air, besides the man Hu Liu had sent out earlier, a frail, hunchbacked old man of nearly sixty years old slipped in.

“Doctor Sun, you’re here! A distinguished guest has brought a valuable item. Please take a look!” Hu Liu was remarkably respectful towards this man known as Doctor Sun.

“A valuable item? What valuable item could there be in Tongyuan during this time of heavy snow? Hu Liu, you little rascal, don’t try to trick me.”

Though he said this, Sun Tuozi’s sharp eyes had already scanned Leng You and Xiang Wentian from head to toe, a hint of disdain flickering in his gaze.

“Of course not! I told you, it’s merchandise brought by a distinguished guest. Just take a look, it’ll surprise you.” Hu Liu quickly led Sun Tuozi to the table.

“This… cough… it’s ginseng!” Upon seeing the ginseng on the table, Sun Tuozi’s eyes lit up. He was about to reach for it, but quickly retracted his hand, placing it behind his back.

Clearing his throat, he feigned indifference.

“Make an offer!” Xiang Wentian took a sip of tea, without even glancing at Sun Tuozi.

“Don’t let the hype fool you. It’s really not much better than a carrot. This…”

“Are you a doctor?

Haven’t you read the Shennong’s Herbal Classic? It states: Ginseng replenishes the five vital organs, calms the spirit, steadies the soul, stops palpitations, removes evil qi, sharpens vision, opens the heart, benefits intelligence, and with prolonged use, lightens the body and prolongs life.

Each part has different medicinal effects—

Ginseng leaves can relieve alcohol poisoning. Compendium of Materia Medica records: Although ginseng leaves inherit the residual qi of ginseng, their efficacy only reaches the skin, muscles, and limbs. Their nature is slightly dispersing, far less potent than ginseng itself. They are only suitable for moisturizing, nourishing the lungs, and benefiting the liver.

Ginseng root induces vomiting. The Ben Jing Feng Yuan mentions: Ginseng root can deplete qi and is specifically used in emetic preparations. It is suitable for expelling phlegm and clear fluids from the upper abdomen of weakened individuals. People in Jiangxi call it bamboo-section ginseng. It treats diarrhea, purulent blood, metrorrhagia, leucorrhea, and seminal emission without any adverse effects… Those who used it for vomiting in the past used its upward-moving nature, while using it for purging within replenishment.

The Ben Jing Feng Yuan also mentions: Ginseng beard treats stomach qi deficiency, vomiting, cough, and blood loss, and is also effective because of its downward-moving nature. However, for chronic diarrhea, seminal emission, metrorrhagia, and uterine bleeding, it can exacerbate the condition due to its bitter and downward-purging nature.

In addition, ginseng seeds can promote the eruption of smallpox; ginseng flowers are fragrant and open the orifices.

Modern medicine has also proven that ginseng contains not only ginsenosides, but also sugars, various amino acids, proteins, various vitamins, and trace elements. It has the effects of invigorating and strengthening, improving physical and mental work capacity, reducing fatigue, and regulating the central nervous system.

It is also effective in treating cardiovascular diseases, stomach and liver diseases, diabetes, and various types of neurasthenia.

You say it’s not much better than a carrot?”

Leng You’s childish and clear voice suddenly interrupted Sun Tuozi, like a slap in the face from a child, hitting the adult’s deceitful expression.

“Pfft!” Hu Liu sprayed out his tea. He only dared to steal a glance at Sun Tuozi, his pockmarked face contorted in suppressed laughter.

When he looked at Leng You, his eyes were full of astonishment and disbelief.

Who has such monstrous children? Should he drag his own son, who knows where he’s rolling around, back, pull down his pants, and spank him with a water-soaked shoe?

“Cough… cough cough…” Sun Tuozi hadn’t even had time to drink his tea when he almost choked on his own saliva.

His old face was burning. A formidable figure who had been in Bei’an County for decades, even the county magistrate would show him respect, was being scolded by a barely grown child, like a grandson. If this got out, he wouldn’t be able to stay in Bei’an County.

The most humiliating thing was that he saw contempt and disdain in the child’s eyes.

Xiang Wentian: “…”

His expression remained calm, but Leng You caught a hint of amusement and indulgence in his dark eyes.

“Brother, this is a fake doctor. He doesn’t even know the difference between ginseng and carrots. Ginseng in the hands of such a person is a waste. We shouldn’t sell it to him.

Besides… he doesn’t seem to have the money.”

Leng You’s gaze was clear, but her tone was full of disdain and suspicion.

“Pfft!” Hu Liu sprayed water again.

“Pfft! Cough cough… cough cough cough…” Sun Tuozi swallowed a mouthful of blood, his throat burning.

“Hmm!” Xiang Wentian nodded and made a move to get up.

“Hey, hey, hey… you two, you two, you might have misunderstood. In all of Bei’an County, if Doctor Sun doesn’t know his goods, then no one else does. He was joking… joking. Haha… haha…”

Seeing Leng You and Xiang Wentian about to leave, Hu Liu immediately came to his senses, quickly stepping forward to smooth things over.

“Little ones, don’t go, don’t go. I was indeed joking with you, don’t take it seriously, don’t take it seriously!” Sun Tuozi wiped the sweat from his brow, completely abandoning his contempt for the two children.

He was about to grab Xiang Wentian’s hand, but upon receiving a chilling gaze, he immediately stopped and awkwardly retracted his hand after a moment.

“Doctor Sun, please make an offer!”

Hu Liu secretly winked at Sun Tuozi, urging him not to play any more tricks. These two were not ordinary children who knew nothing.

Most importantly, they were introduced by Xing Da. Anyone Xing Da would treat with such care must have an incredibly powerful background.

But would such a powerful family be short of this money?

“This… four… uh… six hundred?” He was about to blurt out four hundred, but seeing Leng You’s disdainful gaze, the blood in Sun Tuozi’s throat surged, forcing him to swallow it back and offer a new price.

“He really can’t even come up with a thousand yuan.” Leng You didn’t even look at Sun Tuozi, instead turning her gaze to Hu Liu, implying, “Is this the best con man you could find?”

“What, a thousand yuan? For a ginseng less than a hundred years old, you want a thousand yuan? You…”