CHAPTER 854: CHAPTER 830: THE FORMULA

That night, Jiang Xiaoxiao was arranged to stay with the Hao family.

Jiang Xiaoxiao was in a room with the old lady, while Hao Zhigang’s room was next door.

There was no one else in the house.

However, it was only through the old lady’s conversation that she learned the Hao family’s downfall had occurred in the past ten years.

The Hao family’s Youthful Appearance Pill was also the reason why the old lady could still look charming despite her age. Naturally, it was a medicine that many people sought after eagerly.

Many men and women wished they could retain their youthful looks. However, the formula for the Youthful Appearance Pill required stringent ingredients, which must grow under certain extreme conditions and had a low survival rate.

This also led to high prices for acquiring the herbs, and because the Hao family’s offspring caused trouble, they offended people they shouldn’t have, and their store was shut down as a result. This is why the Wang family targeted the old lady’s Youthful Appearance Pill.

The Hao family lacked the ability and money to produce the pill, yet its price was indeed high, as everyone desires beauty.

But now, without capital, they couldn’t make or sell it, unable to regain their footing.

Jiang Xiaoxiao looked at the old lady curiously, not knowing if she would be scolded for what she was about to say.

She held back for a long time.

She understood the rules.

"Say what you want, stop beating around the bush. I’m old and you’ve been bothering me so much I can’t sleep!"

The old lady’s voice came through, and Jiang Xiaoxiao truly felt apologetic.

"I’m sorry, Grandma, for disturbing you!"

"It’s alright, when people get old, even if the face is young, the body’s functions can’t lie, and sleep becomes scarce. What’s on your mind?"

The old lady lay still, curious about what the little girl was thinking.

The noise was so noticeable she couldn’t help but intervene.

"Grandma, what’s the formula for your Youthful Appearance Pill? Can I have a look?"

Silence fell for a moment, and Jiang Xiaoxiao realized she had touched upon a sensitive topic.

"Grandma, I’m just asking. I understand that secret formulas are naturally not meant to be passed around. We have family formulas too, and they’re not to be shown casually."

It’s not like cabbages on the street for anyone to see at will.

"Girl, go to sleep!"

The night passed without a word.

Early the next morning, Jiang Xiaoxiao woke up to the smell of food.

She got up to wash her face, only to realize the old lady was already up and had prepared breakfast.

Simple white porridge and fried dough sticks, eggs.

After breakfast, just as Hao Zhigang was about to leave, the old lady called him over.

"Zhigang, close early in the afternoon and come back. Take Xiao Xiao for a stroll in the streets, and in the evening, you both visit the medicine market, let Xiao Xiao see what’s there.

She can gain some understanding, make comparisons, and maybe find what she’s looking for."

Hao Zhigang glanced impatiently at Jiang Xiaoxiao, "Troublesome! I know, I’ll come back for lunch early."

He rode off on his little motorcycle.

"That’s just how the child is. Don’t mind his harsh words; he doesn’t mean it that way inside."

The old lady covered for him.

"I know, Grandma."

She had a favor to ask and now had to rely on the old lady and Hao Zhigang to guide her; relying on inquiries alone might take who knows how long to find the medicine market.

It’s said that only families in the Ancient Medical World know about this medicine market, and without a guide, outsiders won’t find their way even if they die trying.

The shop fronts sell generic goods.

Good medicine isn’t visible.

Jiang Xiaoxiao packed the dishes away and returned to the room where the old lady handed her a piece of paper.

A close examination revealed several medications on it, along with their quantities.

Detailed preparation methods.

She was startled!

"Grandma! What is this?"

"This is the formula for the Youthful Appearance Pill. You asked for help and I couldn’t do much for you; the only way to repay you is with this formula. Anyway, since our family is like this now, if I don’t give it to you, maybe it’ll disappear here with me someday. It’s not good to leave it to the descendants who can’t protect it. This formula isn’t something just anyone can make.

Look if you wish. I, an old lady, don’t mind, just fear it may be of little use to you."

The old lady’s words left Jiang Xiaoxiao grateful, not knowing what to do.

Indeed, the old lady was sincere; this was a secret formula.

The heritage of Ancient Medicine naturally has its uniqueness.

Judging by her grandson’s words, it’s clear this formula is something priceless, allowing an outsider to see it just like that.

The main point lies in her heart.

Jiang Xiaoxiao did not believe the old lady was deceiving her with a fake formula.

There was no need for that.

She wasn’t a direct descendant of Ancient Medicine, and even if she got the formula, she wouldn’t understand it, much less be able to create it, so its usefulness was questionable.

The old lady could bring it out so generously, maybe due to this reason.

"Grandma, I..."

Some things are difficult to articulate; Jiang Xiaoxiao owed this favor in her heart, intending to repay her in the future. Revealing her thoughts now might seem empty and formal.

"Child, no need to say more. I, an old lady, can’t assist you much; the only thing I can do is broaden your horizons."

The old lady sighed, realizing the chances of restoring the formula to its former glory were slim, and selling it was absolutely out of the question.

Otherwise, it would be unfair to the Hao family’s ancestors.

She’d rather take the formula to the grave than give it away without a cause.

That’s the old lady’s line.

What a pity!

Most of the ingredients in the formula were easy to find, but just one — the Ten Thousand Year Snow Lotus — was extraordinarily rare. Had it not been for this scarce ingredient, combined with their lack of financial support, she wouldn’t have planned to bury it.

Thus, the Hao family’s era effectively ended with her.

The old lady sighed.

She returned to her room, feeling lonely and melancholy.

Jiang Xiaoxiao held the formula, examining it for a long time.

It seemed ordinary, the success tied closely to the technique and dosage during preparation.

And the lofty Ten Thousand Year Snow Lotus was evident from its name alone.

Jiang Xiaoxiao felt a jolt.

She wondered if she could give it a try.

She wanted to join the Medicine God Association.

Not just for medical skills but mainly for elixir crafting.

Yet, she had studied Western medicine in both her previous and present life, not entirely skilled in traditional medicine.

To make a name at the Medicine God Association required true talent.

What did Jiang Xiaoxiao want to do?

Naturally, she had not given up hope.

She was keen to witness the Rejuvenation Pill.

Effective or not, she certainly intended to give it a try.

That was Jiang Xiaoxiao’s plan.

This formula was naturally her first trial step.

She was a doctor and even more a researcher.

Seeing these stimulated her innate desire to learn, combined with her indomitable drive. With great determination, Jiang Xiaoxiao had succeeded in her previous life through self-study.

How could she not want to do something?