Chapter 114: True Identity

After Hu Xiayu left, Tang Banxia went to see Song Weimin. She spoke to him about the military conscription and the need to recruit a new assistant, and took the opportunity to request a letter of introduction.

Song Weimin was very accommodating. Setting aside the fact that this was a good thing, he wouldn't make things difficult for Tang, as both his beloved daughter and his elderly mother were on good terms with her.

However, he still asked, "Tang, do you have any requirements for this assistant?"

Tang Banxia thought for a moment. "First, they must be literate. Second, they must pass my examination. And finally, they must be willing to work without a salary."

Currently, the infirmary's primary income came from the medicines Tang Banxia produced, but those belonged entirely to her, so she naturally could not share those profits. Aside from that, there were consultation fees, but since most villagers paid with work points, that money went to the village collective. After all, the village paid for the Western medicine, and they couldn't be expected to shoulder the costs indefinitely. This made the unpaid labor requirement particularly important.

Song Weimin nodded, indicating he had noted her terms.

The next day, Tang Banxia took a donkey cart to the commune. Xu Sheng accompanied her, though to avoid revealing his identity, she had requested leave under the guise of running errands. Once they reached the commune, the two appeared to go their separate ways, but Tang Banxia remained within Xu Sheng's line of sight—close enough that if she were ever in danger, he could reach her immediately.

Tang Banxia first went to the supply and marketing cooperative to buy daily necessities before heading to the commune pharmacy. She still remembered her appointment with Zhao Xin.

Upon arriving at the pharmacy, Lu Xun was surprised to see her. "You don't visit without a reason. Are you short on medicinal herbs again?"

"No," Tang Banxia shook her head. "I'm here to see Dr. Zhao Xin."

Lu Xun’s expression tightened. He glanced at the others in the pharmacy and gave Tang Banxia a significant look. Tang Banxia fell silent. Once the other customers had left, Lu Xun closed the door. "Have you met my aunt?"

"Dr. Zhao is your aunt?" Tang Banxia asked.

"Yes," Lu Xun replied bluntly. "My aunt isn't here right now; I'm afraid you'll have to wait a moment." He poured her a cup of chrysanthemum tea. "Drink some tea, it clears away internal heat. You look like you've been a bit inflamed lately."

Tang Banxia touched her nose, feeling a bit awkward. Well, adults understand these things. She decided to change the subject. "Can you tell me now how you manage to get so many medicinal herbs?"

Lu Xun did not overthink it and simply said, "Not yet. You have to see my aunt first."

"Fine," Tang Banxia didn't press him. "So mysterious."

Before long, Dr. Zhao Xin returned. Her eyes lit up when she saw Tang Banxia. "Banxia, you’ve come? I thought you had forgotten our agreement." Nearly a month had passed.

"Not at all. It’s just that there’s been so much to do in the village lately that I was delayed until now," Tang Banxia explained.

"It doesn't matter, as long as you're here."

Zhao Xin then led her into the backyard. It was Tang Banxia's first time entering the back area, and she was amazed to see medicinal herbs everywhere—drying or airing out, ranging from roots and stems to fruits.

Tang Banxia, feeling like a country bumpkin entering the city, looked left and right. In no time, she spotted many rare and precious herbs. She thought to herself that Dr. Zhao could not be an ordinary person, as many of these herbs were difficult for the average person to acquire.

Zhao Xin did not hide anything from her and led her into the main room of the backyard. The room showed signs of daily life; it was evidently where the aunt and nephew lived. Lu Xun followed them in and served them tea.

Zhao Xin gestured for her to sit. "Banxia, do you have many questions?"

Tang Banxia nodded naturally. "I hope Dr. Zhao can enlighten me."

Instead of answering, Zhao Xin asked, "Before that, I would like to ask if you have a master?"

Tang Banxia’s mind raced. Could it be what she was thinking? "No, I do not."

"Then where did you learn your medical skills?" Lu Xun had been curious about this for a long time.

"From my grandmother," Tang Banxia saw no reason to hide it.

"May I ask your grandmother's name?" Zhao Xin followed up immediately.

"Must I answer that?" Tang Banxia looked at both of them.

Zhao Xin shook her head. "No. I simply wish to take you as my apprentice. What do you think?"

So that was it. Tang Banxia’s mind settled. She was not opposed to taking a master, but, "I don't mean to be offensive, but I am still a complete stranger to you, Dr. Zhao. Taking on a master is a serious matter, and this feels a bit hasty." To speak somewhat arrogantly, if she were to take a master, it had to be someone capable of truly teaching her. She wouldn't claim to be an expert in medicine, but she had her own insights. If she just accepted anyone who offered to be her master, she would be devaluing herself.

Zhao Xin understood this. She was silent for a moment before saying, "My surname is Bai. I come from the Bai family, but to avoid disaster, I was forced to change my name and live out my days in this remote place." Her expression was desolate as she slipped into memories, failing to notice the shock on Tang Banxia’s face.

"The Bai family of Master Baizhu?"

Could it be? Was the world really this small?

"You know of the Bai family?" Lu Xun blurted out.

"In the medical field, who hasn't heard of the Bai family?" Tang Banxia took a sip of her tea.

That was the Bai family—the pinnacle of traditional Chinese medicine. The family lineage began with Master Baizhu, and during the war, they had repeatedly sent medical supplies to the front lines. After the founding of the nation, they were hailed as "living immortals" by the top leadership. The Bai family had always upheld the teachings of the old master, never keeping their medical knowledge secret from those who came to learn, leading to their fame and widespread connections.

But good times did not last. Traditional medicine was branded as "The Four Olds," and the second branch of the Bai family had personally denounced them, claiming the family had links to the Taiwan side and had provided them with funding. During that sensitive period, the Bai family was scattered overnight, and their students and associates were dispersed. It was rumored that the main line of the Bai family had been wiped out; no one expected them to be hiding in such a remote area.

Tang Banxia still wanted to ask, "Are you the second branch of the Bai family..."

Before she could finish, the faces of the two people sitting before her sank. There was no need to ask. Still, Tang Banxia remained cautious. "Let me consider it."

Pulling herself out of her memories, Zhao Xin looked somewhat dazed. "That is only right. Becoming an apprentice is a major life event." In traditional medicine, a master is like a parent; once the bond is formed, it lasts a lifetime. It was a mutual choice, so caution was understandable.

When Tang Banxia left the pharmacy, she wore a smile that masked her inner thoughts. On the way back, Xu Sheng sat beside her, his eyes questioning. Tang Banxia shook her head and said nothing. The dispersal of the Bai family had been too swift; there must have been powerful forces behind it. The fewer people who knew the identities of Zhao Xin and Lu Xun, the better.

However, after returning home, she drew the likenesses of the two, wrote a letter, and went into the city the next day to find her dear older sister.

"Sister, is there a way to secretly deliver this letter to Grandfather?" Tang Banxia went straight to the point. "It’s best if it doesn't pass through anyone else’s hands."

Seeing how serious Tang Banxia was, Tang Xinyi didn't ask questions. "Leave it to me."

Tang Banxia trusted her sister's capability and handed it over willingly, only adding, "If there is a reply, find a way to get word to me."

"Do you really need to tell me that?" Tang Xinyi shot her a look.

Tang Banxia immediately backed down. "My sister is the best! My sister is the most capable!"

Tang Xinyi pinched her cheek. "Since you're here, make a meal for your sister before you leave." She had been craving her younger sister's cooking for a long time.

Tang Banxia looked aggrieved, but when Tang Xinyi looked over, she immediately returned to being the sweet, doting little sister. "Then give me the money, and I'll go buy the ingredients."

Tang Xinyi waved her hand dismissively. "Go find your brother-in-law."

Tang Banxia happily trotted off to find Mo Ling.

Mo Ling: "..." His face turned green. That was his secret stash of money he had been saving for so long! In the end, it all went into Tang Banxia's pocket.

Tang Banxia was a thoughtful person; she made a glass jar of meat sauce for the couple, along with various side dishes to go with their rice. She stayed busy all day and only returned home that evening.