Chapter 45: Taking the Pulse
Doctor Lu had been to Luoying Mountain many times, but he always stuck to the outskirts, never daring to venture deep into the forest. He was well aware of the dangers that lurked within. A wild ginseng like this could only be found deep in the mountains, so what Zhi said was certainly no exaggeration.
Doctor Lu asked, "So what do you plan to do with this ginseng?"
Bai Zhi said, "Doctor Lu, that’s why I’ve come to you for help. I’d like to ask you to take this ginseng to town and sell it for us. No matter what it sells for, I’ll give you a commission of ten taels of silver."
A commission of ten taels of silver?
It wasn’t just Doctor Lu who was startled—even Hu Feng, who was standing nearby, raised his eyebrows. ’This girl really is generous,’ he thought. ’Ten taels of silver rolls off her tongue as easily as ten copper coins.’
Doctor Lu quickly waved his hands. "Absolutely not, I couldn’t possibly accept that. We’re all fellow villagers here. I’ll help you sell it, no problem, but there’s no need for a commission. I was planning on going to the apothecary tomorrow to deliver some herbs anyway, so helping you is just a small thing on the side." ’This girl’s life isn’t easy,’ he thought. ’How could I possibly take her money?’
Bai Zhi smiled. "Uncle Lu, I appreciate your kindness, I really do. This isn’t just a commission; it’s a token of my gratitude. You’re a good person, I know that. But favors are one thing, and business is another. If I find more valuable herbs in the future, I’ll need to rely on your help again. If you won’t accept payment, how could I have the nerve to keep troubling you time and time again?"
Doctor Lu was tempted, but the thought of ten taels of silver still made him hesitate. "But it doesn’t have to be ten taels of silver. That’s just too much."
Hu Feng, who had been silent until now, suddenly spoke up. "When you take the ginseng to the apothecary and get a price, just have them add ten taels of silver on top of the Shopkeeper’s final offer. You can consider that your own earnings. Would that be acceptable to you?"
Doctor Lu’s eyes lit up. That was an excellent idea. This way, he wouldn’t feel like he was taking advantage of Zhi.
"Alright, alright, we’ll do it that way! Zhi, Hu Feng, since you’re willing to trust me, I definitely won’t let you down. Just you wait, I’ll be sure to get a good price for it."
And so, everyone was pleased.
After leaving Doctor Lu’s house, Bai Zhi glanced at Hu Feng beside her and grinned. "Not bad. You’ve got a quick mind. You don’t seem like someone with an injury at all."
Hu Feng shot her a cool glance. "I only lost my memory, not my intelligence."
Speaking of his memory loss, Hu Feng cut right to the chase. "When are you going to treat me?"
Seeing the anxious look on his face, Bai Zhi smiled to herself. She glanced around, and seeing the road was empty, she held her hand out to him.
"Give it here."
Hu Feng was confused. "What?"
"Your hand, of course. Didn’t you want me to treat you? How am I supposed to do that without taking your pulse?" She raised an eyebrow, and a bead of sweat slid from the arch of her brow, clinging to her cheek and glittering in the light.
Hu Feng glanced at her, then obediently extended his hand.
They stood there in the middle of the road, Hu Feng with his hand outstretched. Bai Zhi cupped his hand with one of hers and placed the fingers of her other hand on his wrist. His pulse was steady and strong; he was in excellent physical condition. Of course, there was no way to know what was going on inside his skull just by taking his pulse. She was merely putting on a show to lend credence to what she was about to say, lest he think she was just making it all up.
When she pulled her hand away, Hu Feng immediately asked, "Well? What is it?"