CHAPTER 325: CHAPTER 325: CHOOSE ONE PERSON, GUARD ONE CITY, FOR A LIFETIME 2

"My lady, you are too kind," Si Mingjing smiled. "The Kudzu, Dragon Bone, and Sour Jujube Seed Decoction is a remedy summarized by medical predecessors as a life-saving treatment, especially effective for severe dizziness. Generally, relief from dizziness can be expected in about twenty minutes, and its efficacy is excellent. I’ve simply read more medical books."

"You are not only skillful but also modest, which makes me even more ashamed. Butler, bring some tea, quickly bring some tea."

The butler, Yang, said, "Yes."

Si Mingjing sat drinking tea, discussing the therapeutic effects of the Kudzu, Dragon Bone, and Sour Jujube Seed Decoction with Madam Duanmu.

"Traditional Chinese Medicine believes that wind, fire, humidity, stasis, and deficiency can all cause dizziness. Kudzu root works by promoting the clear Yang of the spleen and stomach. It also relaxes muscles and generates fluids to stop dizziness. For general cases of dizziness, Kudzu root alone can provide relief, with very noticeable effects.

However, since you suffer from severe dizziness accompanied by restlessness, insomnia, and palpitations, the anti-dizziness effect needed to be enhanced. Therefore, I added Dragon’s Bone and Sour Jujube Seeds. Dragon’s Bone calms the spirit and subdues the Yang in the liver to stop dizziness. Sour Jujube Seeds nourish the heart and liver, and calm the spirit to stop dizziness. All three herbs work through the heart and brain, complementing each other beautifully."

Previously, Madam Duanmu hadn’t understood and had been very impatient, feeling that Si Mingjing was speaking in mystifying terms. Now, even though she still didn’t understand, she listened attentively. She thought Si Mingjing’s speech was impressive and saw it as a reflection of her profound knowledge.

Madam Duanmu said, "In my younger days, I also met a Chinese medicine practitioner; you might not know him. He is a predecessor in your field of Chinese Medicine, named Ban Chugang, an extremely impressive figure who seemed to embody the profound essence of Chinese Medicine."

Si Mingjing looked at Madam Duanmu in surprise and said, "My lady, he is my master."

"Really?"

Now it was Madam Duanmu’s turn to be surprised. She exclaimed repeatedly, "No wonder your medical skills are so advanced at such a young age. You are his disciple indeed."

Si Mingjing smiled slightly and continued, "My lady, after you take five doses of this prescription, the dizziness will no longer occur. But to consolidate the effect, I hope you will continue to take fourteen doses."

Madam Duanmu nodded repeatedly. "You are Ban Chugang’s disciple. I trust your medical skills. I will listen to whatever you suggest. But how can I ever repay you?"

Madam Duanmu wanted to repay her with a generous reward. She had been troubled by dizziness for half a year, unable to stand or go out, with nights of insomnia. Only last night did she finally get a good night’s sleep. To her, this good night’s sleep was like a person trapped in desperation finally seeing the dawn—its significance was beyond measure. Si Mingjing was waiting for this moment.

After pondering for a while, she said, "My lady, to tell you the truth, the reason I came to treat you was actually that I had a favor to ask."

Madam Duanmu liked straightforward people and actually felt relieved upon hearing this. If she could also repay this girl, that would be for the best.

"What is it?" she asked.

Si Mingjing said, "I would like to have Dragon Algae."

"Dragon Algae, what is that?"

Si Mingjing explained, "My lady, to be honest, I need it to treat another patient, but I am missing a crucial herb, which is the Dragon Algae. It is said to grow in the Undersea Tomb of Mengcheng, and I wish to enter the tomb to collect the Dragon Algae."

Madam Duanmu’s expression changed instantly, and she refused categorically, "You want to enter the tomb? That is absolutely impossible!"

"My lady, please. You have been ill and should understand the pain of sickness. I need the Dragon Algae to save another patient—a child who is suffering from diabetes, which will affect him for life. As the medical saying goes, ’Doctors possess a heart of a parent.’ I must obtain the Dragon Algae to save him."

"No, I cannot agree to your request!" Madam Duanmu’s expression changed faster than one could flip through a book. "Miss Si, you can have any reward you want, but on this matter, there’s absolutely no room for negotiation."

Seeing that Si Mingjing had not given up hope, Madam Duanmu pleaded earnestly, "Miss Si, it’s not that I’m unkind, but... you simply cannot enter. Not only can you not enter, but you might also lose your life. I’m saying this for your own good."

"If that’s the only reason..." Si Mingjing said, "My lady, I want to try. I will bear all consequences myself."

Madam Duanmu became angry. "Why are you so stubborn, exactly like me, not giving up until you reach a dead end, not turning back until you hit the south wall?"

Si Mingjing lowered her gaze, her mind preoccupied with the little chubby boy’s illness. "Perhaps I’ve gone mad. But every time I think of that child’s illness, I have the determination to disregard everything else. My lady, I want to save that child."

"Is that child very important to you? What is he to you?"

Si Mingjing shook her head. "He’s not related to me, but... perhaps the connections between people are just that strange. Some people, you just want to protect after one glance."

Like Xiaobai; like the little chubby boy. They both attracted her affection at first sight. Perhaps she was naturally fond of children deep down.

Si Mingjing said, "My lady, please let me try. Life and death are predestined. If I don’t even have the courage to try, I might regret it for the rest of my life."

Madam Duanmu sighed. "You really are too much like me. I’ve suffered from my stubbornness all my life."

But if asked whether she had any regrets, Madam Duanmu would shake her head. Humans are such foolish creatures!

Madam Duanmu said, "Miss Si, even if you try, it will be useless. The Undersea Tomb was personally commissioned by the City Lord prior to his death. He set up a mystical ban. Apart from one person, no one else in this world can enter, and you are not that person. Give up. You’ve already done your best; you don’t owe that child anything."

"Who could it be?" Si Mingjing was curious.

"The City Lord’s most beloved woman."

"Who is she?"

Madam Duanmu shook her head. "I don’t know. I have been waiting for her to appear, but I fear I won’t see her in my lifetime."

Fearing that Si Mingjing, if denied permission, would try to sneak into the tomb privately, Madam Duanmu said gravely, "It’s said that the City Lord has hidden a vast treasure in the tomb, a legacy meant for his most beloved woman. Many tomb raiders, lusting for the treasure, have tried all means to sneak into the tomb. Without exception, they were all buried there. If you don’t wish to become just another set of bones in that tomb, I advise you to let go of this idea."

Si Mingjing pursed her lips lightly, remaining silent.

After sitting for a while longer, she prepared to say farewell.

From Si Mingjing’s eyes, Madam Duanmu could tell she hadn’t abandoned the idea. Knowing she couldn’t persuade her, Madam Duanmu said, "Fine, I agree to take you to try. It’s better than you rashly risking your life. Once you’re there, you’ll see that my words are not empty."

Si Mingjing was invigorated. "Thank you, my lady."

"Don’t thank me. I just want you to give up hope. It’s not just you who doesn’t want to give up in this world, but no one has been able to penetrate the tomb. The great City Lord has always been an unfeeling yet passionate man. His heart is like a foul and hard stone. If you’re not his beloved, you can’t step into his world."

Madam Duanmu had her staff prepare a submarine to take her to Mengcheng’s most mystical Undersea Tomb.