The Martial Doctor-Chapter 73: Identifying Medicinal Herbs (Part 1)
If not for Xu An sending an invitation, Lin Miao really wouldn’t want to attend such a birthday banquet. This kind of meaningless social engagement is pointless to him.
It’s a waste of time.
Especially when it disrupts his herbal bath and practice.
In Dongshan City, Lin Miao has few acquaintances, so no matter where he’s seated, it doesn’t actually matter to him.
Generally, those attending a birthday banquet are two, at most three people, young couples, or parents with a child.
A rectangular low table, two cushions.
Elders sit in front, while juniors sit behind. Those with good relationships can sit together, or one can occupy an entire table alone.
Due to the cold weather, the Xu Family thoughtfully provided guests with brazier pans, ensuring it’s not very cold even at the edges of the courtyard.
Once seated, food and drinks are brought out, with a large insulated box to ensure the food and drinks served are warm.
Additionally, there’s a clay furnace for warming wine.
This is a standard allocation per person.
No wonder they are a noble family; if this were an ordinary family hosting guests, such arrangements wouldn’t exist. Lin Miao thought, perhaps the eight hundred coins gift he brought was indeed a bit too little.
The cost the Xu Family incurs tonight on him and his senior sister might be significant.
Sitting down, after waiting for half an incense stick’s time, most guests had arrived. The place was packed, with the entire flower hall decorated lavishly, resplendently, and as bright as daylight.
The main character of the night finally arrived at the flower hall banquet scene.
The young girl wore an exquisite embroidered long skirt with pink edges, with warm boots on her feet, skin as smooth as goose fat, lips like cherries, brows like ink paintings, her expression like autumn water, adorned with a peony flower decoration on her forehead, trailing behind a middle-aged man in luxurious attire, walking lightly, a lively sparkle in her eyes, with a few bells tied beneath her skirt hem chiming melodiously...
Lin Miao had seen Xu Qixi dressed in men’s clothing, never expecting her to look so beautiful in women’s attire, especially with a radiant smile on her face, making her appear like a flower fairy at this moment.
"Dear friends and relatives, today is my daughter Qixi’s sixteenth birthday. Xu sincerely thanks everyone for coming to our humble abode..." Xu Zheng, as the head of the Xu Family and father of Xu Qixi, naturally had to give the opening speech on behalf of the Xu Family.
"Please all drain this cup!"
"Thank you, Patriarch Xu."
"Alright, everyone be seated; let the banquet begin!" As Xu Zheng’s words fell, music started to play.
On the circular stage already set up at the center of the flower hall, two teams of six stunning dancers in vibrant costumes began their performance.
This was the first time Lin Miao had seen such a form of performance.
The music was new, the dance he’d never seen before, full of novelty, although he and Sun Youwei were seated towards the back, the arrangement was staggered, and his view wasn’t blocked.
"Junior brother..." Sun Youwei was a little nervous, since she had never attended such an occasion before.
Although she knew some of the etiquette, she feared she might forget in a moment of fluster, embarrassing herself and leaving a bad impression on the host.
"Senior sister, what’s wrong? Shall I have someone prepare a warm drink for you?" Noticing Sun Youwei’s nervousness, Lin Miao reassured her.
"Hmm."
Lin Miao signaled a maid to come over, bringing Sun Youwei a warm drink.
Warm drinks are prepared for women and children who cannot drink alcohol. These details were already expertly handled by the Xu Family, a large family experienced in hosting banquets, serving the most popular seasonal warm drinks.
After a dance performance ended, maids swiftly moved among the guests, serving dish after dish of warm food, while removing the dishes that had gone cold.
The performance continued.
Next was the acrobatics.
Such noble family banquets are bound to have performances like singing and dancing for entertainment, sometimes even drinking games, but today’s banquet was different, with too many guests. It wasn’t feasible to circle through the drinking games.
The main focus was still on watching performances.
Illusion techniques, solo dances, and duet dances...
The world had developed quite a variety of artistic forms, and once people have their fill, they naturally seek spiritual pursuits.
These programs were undoubtedly the finest in Dongshan City.
With the performance coming to an end.
Ye Shengyuan stood up from his seat: "I’ve heard Mr. Xu intends to find a good match for Miss Qixi after her sixteenth birthday. My young son Xizhao, who is a few years older than Miss Qixi, has long admired her. I wonder if Mr. Xu might give my son an opportunity?"
Xu Zheng’s expression subtly changed, although Ye Shengyuan didn’t explicitly mention "proposal," it was clear that’s what he meant.
If he didn’t agree or grant this opportunity, the Ye Family might soon clash with the Xu Family.
Xu Zheng had indeed considered Ye Xizhao because if the Xu and Ye families intermarried, it could temporarily stem the Xu Family’s declining trend.
But that would only be a short-term solution, unable to address the fundamental issue, as the Ye Family harbors more aggressive ambitions.
For short-term interests, marrying his daughter to someone she doesn’t like and sacrificing her happiness for half her life, is it truly worth it?
"Mr. Xu, my son Su Chen has just met Miss Xu and is fond of her. Why not give us a chance too?" In a moment of Xu Zheng’s dilemma, a graceful woman in her thirties stood up and spoke confidently.
"Are you Mr. Su Chen’s lady?"
"Mother."
"So it’s the Snow Mountain Sect’s Bai Feng, my apologies for not recognizing you sooner, Mr. Xu!" Xu Zheng hurried to bow slightly in greeting.
The guests couldn’t help but exclaim in surprise. The Snow Mountain Sect is the top sect within Lanzhou, with masters as numerous as clouds. It is said that there are seven or eight masters in the Meridian Passage Realm, and countless others in the Blood Fusion Realm, usually hard to encounter.
It is rare for disciples of the Snow Mountain Sect to marry outside, and Bai Feng was a core disciple of the Snow Mountain Sect. Years ago, she somehow married Su Qi of the Su Family, a sensational event that left many young heroes heartbroken.
Years have passed without news of her, and unexpectedly, she quietly arrived in Dongshan City to propose marriage for her son.
The proposed match is precisely Miss Xu from the Xu Family.
Although there were rumors before that Su Chen was a strong competitor to Ye Xizhao, the Su Family was not established in Dongshan City and did not offer much help to the Xu Family, making it unlikely for the Xu Family to choose the Su Family.
Furthermore, the Su Family is not in the medical field, and although Su Chen has studied medicine since childhood, he may not pursue it in the future, which is not the best choice for the Xu Family.
On the other hand, the descendant of Mr. Zhong family, even though not from the main branch, if the Xu Family and Zhong Family were to ally through marriage, Zhong Yu, not being from the main branch, would unlikely overshadow others, and if negotiated well, he might even be a candidate for becoming part of the family by marriage.
However, the Ye Family also has an advantage; they are a native family of Dongshan City and control the herb distribution channels in Dongshan City.
The help is immediate for the Xu Family.
Seeing Bai Feng stepping up, Ye Shengyuan’s face slightly changed. When others competed, he could use some means to discourage them.
But not with the Su Family. They have wealth, and they are royal merchants with connections inside the palace, as well as the Snow Mountain Sect on their side.
Such a renowned martial sect cannot be compared to by a medical family.
Of course, when it comes to power and martial prowess, it would be better to give up, no need to compare, and admit defeat.
"Bai Feng, Mr. Su Chen is already twenty-five this year, older by nine years than Miss Xu. Do they have common interests?"
"I remember when Patriarch Ye married Xiao Lianhong, Xiao Lianhong was twenty years younger than Patriarch Ye!" Bai Feng countered with a sarcastic tone; she was not afraid of Ye Shengyuan.
The guests heard it and all laughed heartily.
Ye Shengyuan’s face was unpleasant, yet he couldn’t vent his frustration.
"Mr. Xu, I, your nephew, also admire Miss Qixi. I wish to propose marriage to Miss Qixi as my wife, please grant me an opportunity." Zhong Yu stepped gracefully from the back, bowed solemnly to Xu Zheng, and said.
"Nephew Zhong Yu, do you also favor little Qixi?"
"Miss Qixi is innocent, lively, and charming. The moment I saw her, I was deeply joyful and swore inwardly to marry her as my wife." Zhong Yu stated with certainty.
A daughter has three families proposing.
This is the open confrontation.
"Tonight is my daughter’s birthday banquet; it’s better to put the matter of marriage aside for now. Mr. Xu needs to seek his daughter’s opinion, isn’t that right..." Xu Zheng quickly found an excuse to delay the decision.
"Mr. Xu, I have a suggestion, what do you think of it?" Pei Jian stood up from his seat and walked forward to say.
"Sir Pei, please speak."
"Choosing a husband is no more than three elements: talent, appearance, and character. As for appearance, Mr. Ye, the son of Bai Feng, and Nephew Zhong Yu are all top choices, impeccable. Speaking of talent, the three are among those selected in this year’s medical practitioner exams, with differing rankings but similar skills. As for character, I believe the three young men come from honorable backgrounds, naturally with excellent character. How about having a test on other aspects?" Pei Jian proposed.
"According to Sir Pei’s suggestion, whoever wins would be the chosen groom for the Xu Family?"
"Well, I didn’t say that." Pei Jian laughed, "I just think that it would give Mr. Xu and Miss Qixi more understanding of their future husband’s capabilities, as finding a beloved husband is a lifelong matter."
"Yes, let’s have a competition!"
"Have a competition!"
The guests also started to cheer; such an interesting contest is rare to see.
Xu Zheng found himself in a difficult position, Pei Jian’s proposal was clearly not on a whim and was likely deliberate.
"Alright, then let’s compete in martial arts to determine the winner!" Bai Feng smiled slightly, showcasing the extraordinary charm of a legendary heroine.
"Martial arts, Bai Feng’s son, Mr. Su, comes from a well-established background, making him very advantageous." Ye Shengyuan chuckled, "We are all from the medical field, naturally should compete on our expertise; I think competing in identifying herbs is more appropriate."
As for identifying herbs.
It involves grinding a pile of herbs into powder, placing it in a cloth bag, and having someone identify it without opening the bag, solely relying on the aroma emitted to discern how many and what kinds of herbs are inside.
It’s exceedingly difficult. Some herbs have similar scents, and two mixed herbs can produce another aroma. If one is not sensitive to smells, it’s easy to make mistakes. 𝒇𝙧𝙚𝓮𝔀𝓮𝒃𝙣𝓸𝒗𝒆𝒍.𝙘𝒐𝒎
The Ye Family is an expert in herb trading, highly experienced in this regard.
The Zhong Family descended from herbal masters, familiar with herbs too, but for Su Chen, identifying herbs might be his weakest area.
Ye Shengyuan’s move was clearly aimed at directly eliminating Su Chen.
