Chapter 6: I Know Medicine

“One plant.” As the small ginseng suddenly vanished before his eyes, Jia Ping’an sensed that another wild ginseng had appeared in the dark soil of his spatial realm, filling his face with delight.

Having completed all the steps so simply, Jia Ping’an’s confidence in his spatial ability grew, and so did his assurance in gathering ginseng.

In the following hours, he refrained from venturing deeper into the mountains. Firstly, he was still unfamiliar with the terrain; secondly, there was no need to risk harvesting large ginseng roots when the small ones sufficed. Why endure hardship unnecessarily?

Thus, keeping his distance from other hopeful gatherers, Jia Ping’an wandered alone at the foot of the mountain. In the span of a morning, he collected three small ginseng plants—two weighing two qian each and one three qian.

Such wild ginseng was essentially worthless; even if discovered by others, it would likely be ignored. This was precisely why Jia Ping’an was so fortunate.

Had it been wild ginseng with five palmate compound leaves, it would have taken nearly eighty years to mature. Such roots were highly coveted, fiercely fought over, and priceless.

Even those with four leaflets were fifty years old; three or two leaflets took twenty to thirty years and were extremely rare.

Jia Ping’an was not greedy. He had no intention of competing for these valuable roots. He sought those that appeared worthless to others, intending to cultivate them himself and explore a shortcut to success.

By midday, having stored three wild ginseng seedlings in his spatial realm, Jia Ping’an was content. This was only his first day in the mountains. At noon, he followed the path back to Ningguta City.

Though small, Ningguta’s population of fifty thousand was well-equipped. The city boasted granaries, butcher shops, cloth stores, taverns, pharmacies, ginseng shops, brothels, gambling dens—every amenity needed to satisfy the townspeople.

Walking through the streets amid the cold weather, lively cries of street vendors filled the air, reminiscent of a bustling southern ancient town, offering Jia Ping’an a unique sense of belonging.

His curious gaze roamed the surroundings while his consciousness nourished the ginseng seedlings in the dark soil of his space with spiritual water, hoping for miraculous growth.

At Jia’s family residence in town, noon had just struck when Jia Rongrong called out that she was hungry.

In this era, common folk typically ate two meals a day; only those with some means had three.

Jia Rongrong, with a court physician father, had never lacked food or clothing and was accustomed to three meals daily. As soon as noon came, she voiced her hunger.

Yuluoli, her mother, cherished her daughter dearly. Seeing this, she arranged for Jia Rongrong to stay home and went out herself to a nearby pawnshop, pawning a jade bracelet she carried.

The family’s urgent exile to Ningguta had left no time for preparation. Their home had been ransacked by officials, with only personal belongings spared—thanks to covert aid from imperial doctors.

Though the house was stocked with some grain, meat was a luxury beyond hope. Knowing that both Jia Ping’an and Jia Rongrong were still growing, Yuluoli resorted to pawning jewelry to buy necessities.

Jia Ping’an was unaware of these details. As the sole heir in nine generations, he never concerned himself with such matters. In the past, any need was simply voiced, and the household steward would handle it.

Such privileged living had made him like a sheltered flower, untested by hardship. On the journey of exile, a heavy heart and the cold had claimed the original Jia Ping’an’s life, allowing the present one to take his place.

Now, Jia Ping’an was determined to change his circumstances through his own efforts. Returning home, he felt a weight in his heart upon learning from his sister that their mother had pawned the jade bracelet to help with expenses.

“Brother, that jade bracelet is so beautiful. Mother never lets me touch it,” Jia Rongrong complained, still young but fond of treasured things. Upon seeing her brother, she grabbed his hand and shared her woes.

Yet, as a child, though she spoke reluctantly, she quickly forgot her complaints while enjoying the meat buns bought with the bracelet’s pawning money.

“It’s alright. Brother will redeem the bracelet,” Jia Ping’an comforted her, truly meaning it. He knew the bracelet was a betrothal gift from their father to their mother, bearing great significance.

That even this had been pawned showed the Jia family’s dire financial straits.

“Oh, it’s just a material thing. Pawned or not, it’s nothing important,” Yuluoli said with a smile, overhearing the siblings’ conversation as she came out of the kitchen with water.

She harbored no illusions about what Jia Ping’an and Jia Rongrong could do.

Jia Rongrong was still too young to help. Jia Ping’an, at fifteen, was born into privilege and never worried about money; even if he knew, he likely wouldn’t care.

Though Jia Ping’an had grown more cheerful in recent days, even seeking out Ren Qinghu for conversation, in Yuluoli’s subconscious, he remained a child needing care.

Even today, when Jia Ping’an had gone to gather ginseng, she hadn’t asked about his harvest.

She knew without asking—there would be no results. In Ningguta, many locals failed to find good ginseng, and a young boy inexperienced in the mountains couldn’t be expected to succeed on his first day.

No matter her thoughts, Jia Ping’an noted the bracelet matter. Ningguta was small with only a few pawnshops; once he sold the ginseng and had silver, redeeming it would be easy.

After all, hadn’t he already collected three small ginseng plants today?

Besides, Yuluoli was overburdened with cooking and caring for their father. Thinking of the spiritual spring within his spatial realm, Jia Ping’an planned to visit his father. He had held back these past days, fearing his changes might alert his father. But now, settled in Ningguta, he felt it proper to check on him. Even if he couldn’t help with chores, improved health would ease his father’s suffering.

Just as Jia Ping’an prepared to visit his father, hurried footsteps sounded behind him. It was Ren Qinghu, whom he had not seen all day.

With Ren Qinghu came a middle-aged man wearing a long robe of sheepskin.

In this era, low productivity kept cloth prices high. Ordinary people mostly wore paper garments due to the cost.

The middle-aged man’s sheepskin robe was expensive, signaling his high status.

Ren Qinghu entered the courtyard and immediately spotted Jia Ping’an, stepping forward and asking, “Is Master Jia’s health any better?”

Ah, he had come seeking his father.

Uncertain of the man’s intent but sensing no ill will, Jia Ping’an responded with traditional courtesy, clasping his hands and saying, “My father still suffers from a lingering cold; he may need more time to recuperate.”

“Still not well?” Ren Qinghu’s face fell. Then he glanced back at the man behind him and said, “Housekeeper Hu, look at this.”

“Ahem.” The middle-aged man’s expression darkened. “If that is the case, we should return.”

“Who is this?” Jia Ping’an’s curiosity was piqued. Seeing their urgency, he asked directly.

He was not one to meddle but, as a newcomer, he needed allies. Having friends in Ningguta would open doors.

Since they were here, it was only polite to inquire. Perhaps he could be of assistance. If not, a question was no offense.

“Oh,” Ren Qinghu suddenly remembered the introduction. “Housekeeper Hu, this young man is Jia Ping’an, son of Master Jia. An’er, this is the general’s household steward; you may call him Uncle Fu.”

“So it’s Uncle Fu in person! I salute you,” Jia Ping’an said, bowing deeply when he learned the man was the general’s steward—a powerful figure in Ningguta.

“An’er, indeed worthy of Master Jia’s son—youthful and handsome,” Hu Shoufu replied graciously, returning the bow without condescension.

After the greetings, Jia Ping’an’s mind raced. A steward of the general’s household was a man of influence. Moreover, his urgent visit to his father must be about medical treatment.

Who else would be in such a hurry to see a doctor?

“Uncle Fu, Brother Ren, may I ask why you urgently seek my father? If it’s for medical help, I’m no expert, but I have learned some of my father’s skills,” Jia Ping’an offered, eager to seize any opportunity.

If he could secure the general’s household as an ally, he need not fear troubles in Ningguta.

“Oh, you know medicine too?” Hu Shoufu raised an eyebrow skeptically.