The Martial Doctor-Chapter 76 - 75: Grand Prize: Qi Observation Skill (2)
If Ye Xizhao becomes Xu An’s closed-door disciple, it would be even more advantageous for his plans.
"Mr. Ye, before this announcement, there might still be people wanting to participate. I think we should give them a chance?" Xu Qixi said gracefully, her beautiful eyes blinking.
As soon as she said this, Lin Miao felt Sun Youwei grasp his hand, clearly showing that she was having thoughts.
Just a moment ago, she had shown a strong interest in identifying herbs, but due to Lin Miao not intending to participate, she didn’t react.
However, after Xu Qixi mentioned that tonight’s grand prize was the "Xu Family Qi Observation Skill," she was obviously envious.
Sister’s expression...
Lin Miao thought to himself, Sister has good talent. She’s been exposed to herbs from a young age and has always helped her master organize and process related herbs. Her understanding and familiarity with herbs should be second to none.
However, it wouldn’t be appropriate to bind herself to the Xu Family.
"Sister, if you want to participate, go ahead." Lin Miao didn’t want to restrict Sun Youwei too much, even if she would be his future wife. He wanted to give her enough space.
One shouldn’t be too selfish.
Of course, one should also have enough confidence.
"Really, Brother?" Sun Youwei asked in surprise.
"Of course, even if you become Mr. Xu’s disciple, wouldn’t you still be my future wife?" Lin Miao smiled slightly, playfully tapping Sun Youwei’s delicate nose, his affection clearly showing.
"Excuse me, can I, can I participate?" Encouraged by Lin Miao’s gaze, Sun Youwei was the first to stand up and ask timidly.
All eyes turned to Sun Youwei.
Not many guests knew Lin Miao, but they were all stunned by Sun Youwei’s beauty. Although her clothing wasn’t very expensive, her natural elegance and softness, with her eyes shyly lowered and her charm undeniable, left a lasting impression.
Such a girl in no way lost out to tonight’s birthday party’s main character, Miss Xu Qixi.
Their closeness clearly showed an extraordinary relationship.
The Qi Observation Skill did spark some interest in Lin Miao, but just a little. He didn’t want to be used by others.
Moreover, he wasn’t familiar with the Xu Family, so he remained seated like a monk in meditation, unmoved.
"Father, it’s her..." Upon seeing Sun Youwei, Ye Xizhao instantly became excited, almost shouting.
"Shut up." Ye Shengyuan’s face darkened, noting that Lin Miao hadn’t come to yesterday’s talent recruitment banquet, showing him no respect, and the girl beside him was so beautiful that even Ye Shengyuan himself was captivated.
But Ye Xizhao was too impatient, forgetting the purpose of coming to the Xu Family tonight.
Xu Qixi thought Lin Miao would stand up, but he didn’t, showing no reaction, which disappointed her greatly.
However, it was his sister who stood up instead, the girl who seemed frail.
Xu An also showed a flash of disappointment in his old eyes but quickly recovered. One cannot force things. It just showed that the boy didn’t share their fate.
"Let me try as well." Ding Shouzhong, who originally hadn’t participated in the herb identification, stood up, clearly attracted by the Qi Observation Skill’s heritage.
Led by Ding Shouzhong, a few others stood up as well.
The medicine pouch was brought to Sun Youwei.
She reached out for it, took a whiff about three times, then put it back, giving Lin Miao a look.
Lin Miao remained silent. The rules stated that no one could help, so even though he could smell the mixture of herbs in the pouch, he said nothing and kept his distance.
A maid brought pens, ink, and paper. Sun Youwei sat down and quickly started writing, her handwriting graceful and unique.
The others smelled the pouch too, identifying the herbs, and handed their notes to an elder of the Xu Family.
"Next, for fairness, the herbs identified by the participants will be read aloud one by one," Xu Zheng announced, "in the order they were submitted."
"First, Mr. Ye Xizhao, who identified ten herbs: Clove, Mint, Atractylodes, Fritillaria, Licorice, Nightlight Sand, Chinese Atractylodes, Glauber’s Salt, Curcuma, and Pearl Powder. Miss Xu, is that correct?"
Xu Qixi shook her head.
"Miss Xu, why is it incorrect?" asked Ye Xizhao impatiently, blurting out.
"Xizhao, be respectful," scolded Ye Shengyuan, who had great confidence in his son’s herb identification skills, knowing his son’s talent was superior even to his own.
"However, we would like to know where my son’s list of ten herbs went wrong. Could Miss Qixi kindly point it out?"
"Mr. Ye, could we wait until everyone’s answers have been read aloud before I reveal the correct ones?" Xu Qixi said confidently.
Ye Shengyuan nodded: "Alright."
"Second, Mr. Zhong Yu, who identified nine herbs, just one less than Mr. Ye..."
"Su Chen also identified nine!"
The rest mostly identified seven or eight herbs, with the fewest being three, likely unable to recognize more.
Then it came to the mid-round entrants.
Reaching those who joined, including Sun Youwei.
"Miss Sun Youwei identified thirteen herbs: Clove, Mint, Chinese Atractylodes, Atractylodes, Fritillaria, Licorice, Nightlight Sand, Stevia, Quicklime, Curcuma, Cinnamon Twig, Pine Charcoal, and Pearl Powder."
Thirteen herbs, how is that possible?
The remaining participants, including Ding Shouzhong, didn’t exceed nine herbs.
"Qixi, reveal the answers. Let’s see who tonight’s final winner is."
Even Xu Qixi was shocked. Even she, without prior knowledge, couldn’t identify these thirteen herbs in such a short time. But Sun Youwei managed it effortlessly. How did she do it? Such talent surpassed everyone present, prompting Xu Qixi to clear her throat and announce, "Miss Sun Youwei identified all thirteen herbs correctly, without a single mistake."
The announcement left everyone stunned, looking at Sun Youwei in disbelief. Could this young girl really have such a high talent in herb identification?
"Impossible, that’s impossible, Father, they must have conspired!" Ye Xizhao’s face changed drastically upon hearing the result. Although he whispered to Ye Shengyuan, the room was so silent that his voice was unusually clear, even for Lin Miao who was sitting far away to hear.
This was a very serious accusation. Even if one thought it, one shouldn’t say it publicly, or it would be akin to tearing faces.
In fact, Ye Shengyuan also found it hard to accept. He too suspected a conspiracy between Sun Youwei and the Xu Family, making her a plant.
In herb identification, he had never seen anyone with better talent than his son.
