Chapter 103: On the Prescription

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The old master had traveled all the way and was tired. It was only after seeing his most beloved youngest granddaughter that the weariness between his brows surfaced.

Tang Xinyi then arranged for the old master to go back to his room and rest. As for everything else, they could wait until he was well rested.

After settling the old master in, Tang Xinyi said, "Little sister, your brother-in-law and I still have to go to work. The house is in your hands."

"Don't worry." Tang Banxia agreed.

Tang Xinyi left, satisfied.

As for Tang Banxia, she held back tears and sorted through that pile of books before saying, "I'm going to buy some things."

The old master was getting on in years, and the food at the state-run restaurant was heavy with oil and dark sauces—not good for his health. Better to cook herself.

She had just gone to the kitchen for a look; there were pots, bowls, ladles, and everything else, only no one had ever lit the stove.

"Anning, Asu, come carry bags for your aunt," Tang Banxia called out. As for Wen Mubai, of course he was coming along too.

The group of four greeted Secretary Xu before heading out.

Tang Banxia took charge and first made a round of the grain station, buying some rice, white flour, millet, and cornmeal.

Then she stopped by the non-staple food station and bought some potatoes, cabbages, turnips, and a few early spring vegetables.

Finally, they went to the supply and marketing cooperative—oil, salt, soy sauce, and vinegar couldn't be missing either.

It wasn't until the three men were loaded down with things that she finally stopped.

"Let's go home."

It was almost noon, time for lunch.

Once home, Tang Banxia directed the three to wash and scrub things clean, while she herself squatted down to peel potatoes.

For lunch, she planned to make some shredded potato and egg pancakes, along with a soft, creamy cabbage soup—light and easy on the stomach, suitable for the elderly.

When Old Master Tang got up and saw the steaming hot meal, his heart felt utterly comforted. His little granddaughter, after all this tribulation, had truly grown up!

Now rested, and having eaten a meal that suited his palate, the old master regained his spirits and got down to business: "Little one, come sit by Grandpa."

Tang Banxia sat down as told and laid a wolfskin blanket over the old master's legs.

Though spring had arrived, the weather was still a bit chilly; better to be careful.

The old master stroked the wolfskin blanket. "A girl is truly more attentive."

"Little one, about the Mengjin Powder, what are your plans?" Old Master Tang didn't beat around the bush.

"And what does Grandpa think?" Tang Banxia wanted to hear his opinion.

Old Master Tang looked at her with a smile, the wisdom in his eyes seeming to see straight into her heart: "Grandpa hopes you will hand over the formula."

Having said that, he kept his gaze fixed on his granddaughter's face, afraid of seeing displeasure in her expression.

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Tang Banxia hesitated for a moment. "Grandpa, may I ask why?"

She always remembered Grandmother's words—even if they starved to death, the formula must never be sold. That was, of course, her grandmother from her previous life.

Grandmother had said that the formula was the foundation of the family.

Old Master Tang sighed. "Little one, you're unwilling?"

"It's not that I'm unwilling, I just don't understand." Wasn't this formula more advantageous held in her own hands? Tang Banxia stared seriously at the old master, demanding an answer.

The old master stroked her forehead. "Because your medicine benefits the country."

"If we keep the formula in our hands, it can indeed bring our family more profit. But if we do, the Mengjin Powder would become a rare commodity to be hoarded for a high price."

"And you only have two hands. Even if you made medicine day and night without rest, how much could you produce? Even if we set that aside, with all the members of the Tang family added, it would still be a drop in the bucket."

A smile lingered at the old master's lips. "Little one, Grandpa hopes that no matter when, you will put the nation first."

With that said, Tang Banxia understood, and she couldn't help but feel deep respect for the old master.

The elders of their generation—their loyalty and devotion to the country were something that she, a person who had crossed over from a later age, could never match.

Granted, she was not unpatriotic either.

But her patriotism was limited to not doing things that harmed the nation, and to doing good deeds when she had the means.

It was not like the old master, who placed the country before everything, with the nation's interests above all else.

Just as the old master had said, if she kept the Mengjin Powder formula clenched in her hands, it would only benefit the Tang family alone. But if she handed it over, it would benefit the entire nation.

Even if, in doing so, what the Tang family could gain would be less, the old master still hoped she would do it.

"I'll listen to Grandpa," Tang Banxia said at last.

It was just a formula. She wasn't selling it to anyone else; she was giving it to the country. She believed Grandmother wouldn't blame her.

"Grandpa knew our little one understood what truly mattered most." Old Master Tang was delighted.

Tang Banxia smiled. "Grandpa, don't rush to praise me."

"I can hand over the formula, but the treatment you promised me can't change, and I still need to be provided with medicinal materials." She stated her conditions.

Old Master Tang: "Of course!"

He paused a moment, then said, "Little one, do you want to go back with Grandpa?"

"Once we reach the capital, Grandpa will help you secure your own laboratory. Over in the capital, it's also more convenient—your research would be much easier there?"

In his private heart, he hoped his granddaughter would return. That way, the old couple could see her often, rather than worrying about her every day.

But rationally, he knew that going back at this time would not be a good thing.

After all, the issue of Fourth Brother's class status had yet to be resolved. If the little one went back with him, she'd surely catch the eye of certain people. If they used her status to attack her, then she'd be in danger.

But it all depended on the girl's own wishes. If she wanted to go back, then he would shield her even at the cost of these old bones.

However, Tang Banxia shook her head. "I'd better not."

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She explained seriously, "Grandpa, given my current status, staying in the countryside is best."

"The people of Guhu Village are simple and honest, and everyone looks out for me. In the countryside, I don't have to constantly worry about my class status, nor do I have to speak with such care, afraid that a single word said wrong would bring disaster."

And moreover, there was one more important point: much of her medical knowledge came from a later age. Being in the countryside, researching on her own, it was a help.

But if she were in a laboratory crowded with great minds, some things she simply couldn't explain, and wouldn't that just be handing people a handle to use against her?

"Grandpa respects your choice." Old Master Tang said only this: "But what you deserve, Grandpa won't let anyone shortchange you."

He beckoned, called over Secretary Xu, and gave some instructions.

Then he said, "Grandpa also thinks you're safer in the countryside, but you mustn't be careless either, because your safety now belongs to the nation."

Tang Banxia was puzzled.

The old master gave a slight smile and handed over a document.

Tang Banxia, full of question marks, took it and looked. It was an appointment letter commissioning Comrade Tang Banxia as a first-class researcher.

"This 'first-class'?"

The old master explained: "The research institute is divided into first, second, third, and fourth classes. Above that is professor."

If it hadn't been for the little one's successful research on the Mengjin Powder, this first-class rank wouldn't even have been attainable.

Tang Banxia understood now, and she continued reading.

Below was the pay and benefits for a first-class researcher. Because Tang Banxia had developed the Mengjin Powder, her compensation was issued at the highest tier of the first class.

Her monthly salary was fifty-eight yuan, along with various subsidies.

Additionally, first-class researchers were provided with a dedicated car and bodyguards, and any medicinal materials needed could be requested independently.

"I won't be entering the laboratory—will I still get the bodyguards and the car?" Tang Banxia asked.

"Yes." Old Master Tang said. "Whatever you're entitled to, you'll have."

Tang Banxia nodded and continued reading. The rest was about certain obligations—she had no objections. After she finished reading, she handed it back to Old Master Tang: "Grandpa, you decide. I'll do as you say."

Old Master Tang put it away and set it aside. "There's also this: you researched and developed a medicine like the Mengjin Powder, and the higher-ups will give you a reward. Is there anything you want?"

"Let Grandpa decide for me." Tang Banxia said. "Consider it my contribution to the family."

It wasn't as if it would bring her parents back anyway.

Old Master Tang asked no more questions, only saying, "I thank you on behalf of the family."

Indeed, if this reward went to the Tang family, there was much more he could work with.

Tang Banxia nodded with a smile.