Resplendent – Chapter 534

Chapter 534 — An Honor

“Lin Nuo, you and Hua Hao can start with the ingredients: pick out top-grade fritillary bulb, loquat leaves, balloon flower, dried tangerine peel, and water-processed crow-dipper, and remove any impurities.” Gu Ye looked at the massive wall of raw-ingredient cabinets and nodded in satisfaction.

Lin Nuo took a deep breath, exhaled slowly, and deftly retrieved the required herbs from the cabinet, sorting them meticulously. Having trained diligently in pharmaceutical craftsmanship since childhood under an old pharmacist, this step was second nature to him. His speed and precision far surpassed Hua Hao’s. Gu Ye watched, nodding approvingly.

Next came rinsing—soaking the herbs in clear water for about two sticks of incense and washing them. Timing was crucial; too long would diminish their potency. Each refining room had a large water vat at the entrance, requiring them to fetch the water themselves.

Without a word, Lin Nuo hoisted a bucket and headed to the courtyard to fetch water. Coming from a poor family, carrying water was certainly no hardship for him. 

Gu Ye remarked with relief, “Thank goodness we brought Xiao Nuo along. Otherwise…” Having just two girls, Hua Hao and herself, jostling through the crowd to queue for water would have been quite the predicament.

The young heir of a pharmaceutical family next door had brought two junior disciples as assistants—both spoiled brats who’d never lifted a finger since childhood. While others’ water vats were already full, they were still grumbling and staggering back with their buckets. 

Though Hua Hao had trained in martial arts since childhood and possessed strength surpassing most men, she’d never done such heavy labor as carrying water. If it had been her and Yue Yuan, they probably wouldn’t have fared much better than the neighbors.

After rinsing, it was time for slow simmering over low heat. The key to making refined loquat honey syrup lay in perfecting the heat control. 

Gu Ye didn’t lend a hand, only offering guidance to Lin Nuo from the side: “Xiao Nuo, add water to the pot at a ratio of one part water to eight parts syrup. Keep stirring constantly over low heat. Let me know when it’s reduced to about thirty percent of the original volume.”

The refining room was already cramped and stuffy, and once the stove was lit, the entire space turned into a steamer basket. 

Before long, Gu Ye felt a sticky film on her back, and beads of sweat began to form on her forehead. 

Seeing this, Hua Hao hurriedly fetched a folding stool and placed it by the entrance to the room. “Miss, please rest here by the door for a moment. We’ll call you when the decoction is nearly done.”

Lin Nuo hastily added, “Master, please rest assured. You’ve already taught me how to control the heat. With me watching over it, nothing will go wrong. Since you’re not feeling well, please sit down and rest for a bit.”

Gu Ye watched for a moment, and feeling satisfied with Lin Nuo’s skill, she nodded. She stepped outside, sat on the small stool, and began fanning herself with a small, double-sided embroidered fan, leaning against the doorframe and staring blankly into space.

Examiners made unscheduled rounds to observe the proceedings. Noticing her leisurely demeanor, President Rao of the Yan Kingdom approached with a broad smile. He first peered inside, exchanged a few words with the supervising pharmacists nearby, then came to Gu Ye and chuckled, “I’d wager Miss Ye is the most relaxed person in the entire venue.”

“This medicine is fairly simple. My apprentice and maids are handling the preparation; I merely offer guidance from the sidelines. Why pretend to be busy when I can take a moment to relax?” Gu Ye rose, bowed with hands pressed together in greeting, and replied with a smile.

“Simple? You’re using such a simple prescription to tackle an eighth-level pharmacist exam; isn’t that a bit reckless?” 

Looked at the others, pouring every ounce of energy into their work, desperate to showcase every skill they possessed. Yet here she was, seemingly able to pass with just a few words? Was it confidence, or arrogance?

Gu Ye gently shook her head. “When I say it’s simple, it’s not truly simple. Uncle Chairman, you know very well that the medicines that seem simple are often the hardest to make. The precise ratio of herbs and the mastery of heat control are the keys to crafting this ginseng honey-refined fritillary bulb and loquat syrup. If I can master these two essentials, the medicine will be complete! The apprentice my master recruited for me has extraordinary comprehension. He doesn’t need me to explain things twice. When tasks arise, he takes it on flawlessly. With such a gifted apprentice by my side, doesn’t this make my role as master considerably easier?”.

Ever since the last assessment, Gu Ye—this pharmacist possessing exquisite medical skills—had caught Chairman Rao’s attention. His performance at the pharmacists’ gathering had not gone unnoticed. He had also heard rumors that the Sage Apothecary himself had personally recruited a Level 3 junior pharmacist as an apprentice. Yet, the apprentice was clearly wearing the robes of a Level 6 pharmacist.

If that Level 3 junior pharmacist had sufficient confidence to advance to Level 6, there would be no need for him to serve as an apprentice. Though called apprentice, apprentices were not even considered outer-door disciples. Frankly, they were merely helpers who did menial tasks for pharmacists…

This meant that in just over half a month, under his master’s guidance, that third-level apprentice had successfully passed the sixth-level pharmacist examination. Could it be…

“Ginseng honey-refined fritillary bulb and loquat syrup? (i.e herbal cough syrup) Does it share a similar effect to Gu Pharmaceutical’s loquat syrup?” Chairman Rao couldn’t help but ask.

Gu Ye nodded. “With just a slight improvement is all. This syrup is effective for wind-heat throat discomfort, clearing the lungs, generating fluids to quench thirst, and eliminating phlegm to stop coughing. Its warm nature nourishes yin, generates fluids, moistens the lungs, and alleviates coughing. It works exceptionally well for dry coughs, coughs without phlegm, and coughing up blood-tinged phlegm.”

“Did this prescription…was it passed down by your master, or did you create it yourself?” Chairman Rao pressed further.

Gu Ye pondered for a moment before replying, “I made slight modifications to a prescription from earlier generations to enhance its efficacy.” 

Indeed, this world did have syrup-based remedies, but incorporating refined honey to create a sweet medicine suitable for all ages was a first. She decided to simply thicken her skin and claim credit for it.

“Has the efficacy of this syrup been verified?” Chairman Rao furrowed his brow slightly. 

Sometimes, even a minor modification could lead to catastrophic errors. He feared the young girl, like a calf unafraid of tigers, might be overconfident in her early fame and pride, leading to irreversible consequences. Such cases were not unheard of in the pharmacist community.

Gu Ye nodded solemnly. “If it hadn’t been verified, how could I dare present this medicine at a Level 8 Apothecary exam? That would ruin my future prospects!”

Chairman Rao’s expression eased slightly, a smile returning to his lips. “Very well then! By the way, do you intend to take this person as your direct disciple?”

Gu Ye followed his gaze and saw Lin Nuo diligently stirring the medicinal cauldron. She hesitated slightly before replying, “Well… I’m still too young myself. For me to formally take on a disciple now feels irresponsible. Let him study under me for two years first. Xiao Nuo possesses exceptional talent, and he’s destined to become a high-level pharmacist. Perhaps future opportunities will arise… so I won’t mislead a promising young mind.”

“Since you have no intention of taking him as a disciple, is it appropriate for him to have access to your secret prescriptions?” Chairman Rao had somehow learned that His Royal Highness Prince Ning had taken a particular interest in this young girl. Perhaps she might have deep connections with the Yan Kingdom’s Apothecary Guild in the future. He felt it necessary to give her a word of caution.