"Hello, Mr. Fang. Is there something I can help you with?" Su Qing asked politely.

"I do have something I’d like to ask." Fang Lutian smiled kindly at Su Qing and said, "I was at Hongji Hall just now and saw you were looking to sell a ginseng root. I was wondering, have you sold it yet?"

Hearing Fang Lutian’s words, Su Qing’s brow furrowed slightly.

Fang Lutian hurriedly said, "Oh, please don’t misunderstand. I don’t mean anything by it. What I mean is, I’m also in great need of an old ginseng root. If you haven’t sold it yet, I’m willing to buy it. The price is negotiable."

For the last two sentences, Fang Lutian lowered his voice, as private trade wasn’t permitted at the time.

Su Qing understood his meaning and said to Fang Lutian, a little apologetically, "I’m sorry, but Hongji Hall has already bought it."

"I see." Fang Lutian knew in his heart that Mr. Gong would never pass up such a rare ginseng. And while he knew it was coming, hearing Su Qing confirm it still left him disappointed. After all, his young master had been in a car accident with the third master and his wife years ago. He had been lucky to survive, but besides injuring his legs, his internal organs had also sustained damage. Every winter, he would be wracked with terrible coughing fits.

They had consulted countless doctors, and all of them said he needed to be treated with top-quality wild ginseng to nourish his body; otherwise, his life would be shortened. But in this day and age, where could one find so much top-quality wild ginseng? You couldn’t get it even if you had the money. Even after coming here, his men had gone into the mountains to search several times, but they had always come back empty-handed.

"If there’s nothing else, I’ll be on my way." Su Qing nodded to Fang Lutian and prepared to leave.

"Ah, excuse me, miss, could you wait a moment?" Seeing her about to leave, Fang Lutian quickly took two steps forward. "This might be forward of me, but did you find that wild ginseng in the mountains yourself?"

"Yes." Su Qing nodded simply.

Hearing her say this, a look of delight appeared on Fang Lutian’s face. He quickly took out a business card and handed it to Su Qing. "Miss, the thing is, I’m in real need of aged, old ginseng. If you have any more on hand, or if you happen to find another wild ginseng of such quality, I hope you’ll consider me. This is my card, with my phone number and address. If you find another old ginseng, I hope you’ll be willing to part with it. Don’t worry, the price is negotiable. Whatever Mr. Gong pays, I’ll only offer more, never less."

Su Qing glanced at the card. It was simple, just a name, phone number, and address. The address was right here in Xiyuan County.

"Alright. I don’t have any more right now, but if I come across another one, I’ll consider contacting you." Su Qing nodded at Fang Lutian.

"That’s wonderful!" Fang Lutian was overjoyed that Su Qing had agreed. He quickly asked, "I don’t believe I’ve gotten your name, miss?"

"My surname is Su."

"Alright, Miss Su. I’ll be waiting for your good news then."

"Okay."

Watching Su Qing walk away, Fang Lutian glanced back toward Hongji Hall, sighed to himself, and then turned to leave.

"Uncle Tian, you’re here." The man with the buzz cut who opened the door smiled and said upon seeing Fang Lutian.

Fang Lutian nodded and asked in a low voice, "A Feng, how has the young master been the last couple of days?"

Xiao Feng glanced toward the bedroom and also lowered his voice. "Ever since he had that fever a few days ago, he’s been coughing on and off. Uncle Tian, his cough started much earlier this year than usual. We don’t have much wild ginseng left at home. I wonder if Mr. Gong..."

Fang Lutian shook his head and sighed.

Seeing this, Xiao Feng’s expression fell. He mumbled, "Why should the young master have to pay for the grudges of the older generation? He never did anything to offend him. Besides, the young master and the main family..."

"That’s enough. Say no more," Fang Lutian warned. "Remember, don’t complain in front of the young master. Understand?"

"Oh, I know, Uncle Tian. I won’t say it in front of him," Xiao Feng nodded quickly.

"Alright, you can get back to what you were doing. I’m going to check on the young master."

"Okay. The young master is probably awake now. He’s likely reading."

"Good."

An Zhihan was propped up in bed, quietly reading the book in his hands. He let out a soft cough from time to time. Hearing the door open, he looked up and saw Fang Lutian, smiling. "Uncle Tian, you’re here."

"Yes, Zhi Han. Are you feeling any better these past couple of days?" Fang Lutian asked with a smile as he sat on the edge of the bed. "How about we go to the hospital for another check-up?"

"It’s nothing, just a cold. Don’t worry." An Zhihan didn’t seem too concerned. "It’s not a big deal. It’ll pass in a few days."

"But..."

"I’m fine." An Zhihan smiled faintly. Seeing Fang Lutian’s tightly pressed lips, he asked, "Uncle Tian, you went to see Mr. Gong, didn’t you?"

"Ah, Young Master, I..." Hearing An Zhihan’s question, Fang Lutian tensed, his form of address slipping. He quickly forced a smile. "No, I didn’t."

"No?" An Zhihan raised an eyebrow, set his book aside, and said with a smile, "Uncle Tian, the smell of medicinal herbs hasn’t faded from your clothes yet."

Fang Lutian shook his head and chuckled. "I really can’t hide anything from you. It’s true, I went to see Mr. Gong today."

"And then Mr. Gong threw you out of Hongji Hall?"

Fang Lutian sighed and nodded silently.

An Zhihan smiled. "Don’t go looking for Mr. Gong anymore. He’ll never agree to treat me."

"But he’s a doctor."

"Even a Divine Doctor has principles about who they will and will not save. Besides, my grandfather really went too far back then. If I were Mr. Gong, simply ignoring his rival’s descendant would already be an act of great generosity," An Zhihan said with a smile.

"Sigh... Zhi Han, I understand everything you’re saying." Fang Lutian nodded. "I’ll try to find out about other famous doctors."

"Let’s just leave it to fate. Didn’t the doctors say I’ll be fine as long as I rest up? See? I’m listening to all of you. You don’t need to worry," An Zhihan chuckled lightly.

Fang Lutian nodded slowly, a pang of regret in his heart. ’I should have asked that Miss Su where she lives. What if she finds more ginseng but takes it to Hongji Hall again? I should have gotten her address so I could check in on her from time to time.’

"Alright, stop worrying. Could you tell Xiao Feng for me that I’d like something light for dinner? Oh, and those mushrooms A Cheng brought over last time were excellent. If there are any left, have him make some more."

"Of course," Fang Lutian smiled. "I’ll talk to A Cheng later and have him get some more mushrooms."

"Great. I’ll leave it to you, Uncle Tian."

An Zhihan smiled as he spoke. ’Is it just my imagination?’ he wondered. He had eaten the mushrooms twice over the last few days, and each time, the tightness in his chest seemed to lessen afterward. The relief was only temporary, but it offered a welcome respite from the discomfort.