Unlock the Ren and Du meridians

Throughout the entire morning, there was never a moment without patients for Xu Mingtang. As soon as a few seats on the long bench emptied, they were promptly filled again. Xu Mingtang treated each patient with patience, asking questions thoroughly and taking pulses slowly and attentively.

When he finished the pulse diagnosis and wrote the prescription, he would always reassure the patient: “Don’t worry, you’ll be fine after two (or three, or five) doses.” New patients would ask, “Really?” while returning patients would nod with trust and say, “That’s wonderful.”

It was only when Tang Yiyi felt hungry that she realized it was already lunchtime.

After their morning consultations at Shengshi Hall, the two senior physicians would go home for lunch and rest, not returning to see patients in the afternoon. Xu Mingtang would rest after his meal, then work until four in the afternoon; Xu Bin and Zuo Chengjiang would continue until five-thirty.

After lunch, Tang Yiyi also took a midday break, in sync with Xu Mingtang, and resumed her duties at two o’clock.

A little after four, Xu Mingtang went upstairs to rest. Eagerly, Tang Yiyi hurried to the pharmacy to fetch his prescriptions. As Zuo Chengjiang tidied up, he reminded her, “Be careful not to damage or mix them up. We need them for accounting and archiving.”

“I know, I know!” Tang Yiyi replied, cradling a stack of prescriptions in both hands and sitting down at Dr. Liu’s desk. She arranged her own prescriptions in order and began a careful comparison.

Xu Mingtang’s prescriptions were the epitome of a standard model: his cursive script was forceful and clear, with not a single illegible character. At the top of each prescription, points one through four meticulously recorded the details of the consultation, followed by the diagnosis.

Most of the patients came for gynecological regulation, so the medications were somewhat concentrated, yet almost every prescription would have different additions or subtractions from the classic formulas. Tang Yiyi understood that even with the same illness, the differences in individual constitutions required varied medicinal adjustments.

For a competent practitioner of Chinese medicine, it wasn’t enough to memorize formulas—they must fully comprehend the functions of each prescription, the effects of individual herbs, and their overall synergy. Only through mastery could a formula become truly one’s own, and only then could it be further developed and adapted.

Tang Yiyi had learned all the theory at school and memorized the required formulas; what she lacked was practice. Now, with Xu Mingtang’s prescriptions in hand, she felt as if she had found a treasure, and her mind and spirit brimmed with delight. Noticing the differences between her mentor’s prescriptions and her own, coupled with the consultation details above each formula, she could, after careful thought, understand the rationale behind every change. It was as if she were a martial artist breaking through to a new realm of mastery.

“So happy?” Xu Bin propped his chin on his hand, tilting his head as he looked at her.

Tang Yiyi lifted her gaze from the prescriptions, only then noticing Xu Bin had already changed his clothes. “What are you doing here? Are you finished for the day?”

“That’s right, I’m off work.”

“What time is it?” Tang Yiyi reached for her phone to check the time.

“It’s almost six,” Xu Bin said, tapping the table.

“Wow, that was quick—it’s time to eat again.”

“Good, at least you remember to eat.”

“…”

“You said yesterday I should treat you to dinner today. What are you waiting for? Let’s go!” Xu Bin tapped the table again.

“You’re really treating me? I feel bad about it. How about I treat you first?” Tang Yiyi said, a bit embarrassed.

“Do you have any money?” Xu Bin didn’t treat her as an outsider, asking directly.

“…I… have a little.”

“I don’t want to eat at a street stall, and I won’t lend you money.”

“…”

“Why does having dinner make you so nervous?” Xu Bin looked at her round, deer-like eyes, puzzled by what was going through this girl’s mind.

“You’re Master’s son, and I haven’t even given Master a proper gift yet.”

“Heh, did you travel here from ancient times? Still so particular about etiquette?”

“…Isn’t that how it should be?”

“There’s nothing wrong with it—respecting your teachers is right.” Xu Bin nodded quickly to show his approval.

“Oh, I think so too. I am the latest to join, after all.”

“Heh, so I’m your senior brother then?”

“Mm.”

“Well, today your senior brother will treat you to dinner. You can return the favor another day, alright?”

“Of course.”

“Then shouldn’t you hurry up and pack your things and come with me?” Xu Bin coaxed.

“Oh, I’ll go tell Master first.” Etiquette must be complete.

“No need. There’s no dinner made for the two of us at home today—I already let him know.” Xu Bin began to help her tidy up.

“Oh, then I want steak,” Tang Yiyi said, swallowing a mouthful of saliva.

Xu Bin paused. “I’m the one treating you. You’ll eat whatever I order. No picking!”

“Why so fierce?”

“What?”

“Nothing…”

“You’re a time-traveling girl from ancient times. I’m generous—I won’t hold it against you. Come on!” Xu Bin said, already heading out the door.