It was not diligence that drove her, but a deep curiosity about traditional Chinese medicine, especially Zhu Yanyi’s techniques. The clear fragrance of the ointment told her it contained rare herbs.
“Can you give me some of this ointment?” Cole asked.
Zhu Yanyi tilted her head, looked at Cole, and smiled. She took out a small box, about the size of a clam oil container, and put a little inside for her.
“This ointment is for red rashes only. Do not use it for other illnesses.”
Cole chuckled. “Naturally, naturally.” she put the ointment in her pocket, thanked her again, and left.
Dong Bocao watched Cole’s retreating back and smiled. “He probably wants to study the formula. He doesn’t know that no one can just figure out our Chinese medical recipes.”
“Senior Brother,” Zhu Yanyi said, looking at Dong Bocao helplessly. “I know you are right, but please don’t say it so loudly. It looks bad. Let her keep some hope.”
When Cole asked for the ointment, she already knew her intent. She didn’t explain. Let them learn by hitting a wall. If Chinese medicine were that easy to master, it wouldn’t be a national treasure.
Dong Bocao raised an eyebrow and said seriously, “Junior Sister is right. My mouth is too fast. Luckily, no one heard.”
The next day, Zhu Yanyi led the group. More people went this time because she had to bring many medicine packets. Although the herbs were already packed, carrying them required help. Besides the staff carrying the medicine, Yan Aohan, Dong Bocao, and Cole also went.
The village chief was surprised to see so many people. Zhu Yanyi saw the chief’s rash was getting redder. She wasn’t scared.
“Chief, please tell everyone to come. I will check their pulses first, then give medicine. Do you know how to boil Chinese medicine? Everyone needs to take it for seven days. Today, we will supervise the boiling. You can ask people to help and bring some medicine pots.”
“We have them. People here usually catch their own medicine for small illnesses, so every family has a boiling pot. I will have them bring them over here to boil.” The chief went to arrange it.
The villagers had known there was activity at the chief’s house, so they were watching. When the chief called, they all brought their medicine pots and boiling vessels. There were twenty-seven households in the village, with a total of one hundred and two people. It wasn’t a large number, but Zhu Yanyi needed time to check each person’s pulse.
Zhu Yanyi started with the village chief. After checking her pulse, she smiled. “It is just a curse. Her body is actually fine. Senior Brother, is the first bowl of medicine ready? If so, bring it over. After the chief takes it, I will use acupuncture and apply the ointment.”
“It is ready.” Dong Bocao was truly acting as an assistant this time, so she boiled the medicine quickly. The herbs in the packets were prepared by Dong Bocao according to Zhu Yanyi’s instructions, one packet at a time. The only difference was the medicine guide, which depended on age. The medicine guide was actually Spirit Spring water. Older people got more, and younger people got less.