317: Incomplete Prescriptions

Incomplete Prescriptions

Was there something wrong with his eyes and ears? Did his teacher just offer to be an assistant of a young woman?1

Old Mr. Pei's disciple walked up to him. "Master, what are you doing…"

Old Mr. Pei glanced at his disciple with a look of disdain. "Why are you so dumb?"

The disciple: "?"

Old Mr. Pei ignored him. Something crossed his mind, and he turned to ask Huo Yao. "Are you free right now?"

"What is the matter?" asked Huo Yao helplessly.

This old man was hard to shake off. Even if she left now, he would text her later.

"Come over and take a seat. I have a book I want you to have a look at."

Old Mr. Pei pulled Huo Yao by the arm and made her sit down on a chair like he was afraid she might escape. He turned his head and instructed his disciple. "Hurry up and bring Huo Yao our finest tea!"

Old Mr. Pei's disciple was startled by the harsh tone but composed himself and left quickly to make tea.

Why was his master in such a foul mood?!

Was he not kind and mild-mannered on normal days?!

Old Mr. Pei went behind the counter to unlock a drawer. He retrieved an old, yellowed book and handed it to Huo Yao as though it was his prized possession.

"Go on and have a read."

His disciple could not help opening his eyes even wider when he saw the book in Huo Yao's hand.

His master surprisingly let an outsider read such a rare book!

Wasn't the book usually treated with extreme care?

His disciple could not help looking at Huo Yao again. Where on earth was this young lady from? Why would someone as respectable as his master treat her so courteously?

Huo Yao flipped its first few pages before putting it down.

Old Mr. Pei stroked his beard quizzically when he noticed her actions. "Why did you stop?"

Huo Yao pressed her forehead and said helplessly, "These are all incomplete prescriptions, so they are no good."

Huo Yao wanted to call these prescriptions rubbish. But considering how old he was, she did not want to hurt his feelings. What if he started to cry or something?

Old Mr. Pei instantly looked as if he had anticipated her reaction. After some time, he finally said, "My ancestors handed this book down for generations. I have researched for half my life but couldn't figure out how to prepare these medicines."

Huo Yao looked uneasy. She went quiet for a few seconds before she said, "Since the prescriptions are incomplete, their end products will be imperfect. If it is going to end up ineffective and be a sheer waste of herbs, you might as well dump it."

The moment Huo Yao uttered those words, Old Mr. Pei went into a daze.

He knew what this meant coming from a consummate apothecary.

His ancestors had treated this book like it was a treasure. However, it ended up being garbage… No wonder he failed to grasp these prescriptions.

Huo Yao did not go on when she saw how upset Old Mr. Pei looked. She stood up and said, "I have to go."

She quickly took her herbs and left.

A long while later, Old Mr. Pei gathered his thoughts. His eyes landed on the old, yellowed book, and he smiled sadly. "I'm really getting old."

He took the book and placed it back in the drawer.

His disciple stood dumbfounded with a pot of tea in his hands when Huo Yao left. He turned to look at Old Mr. Pei. "Master, who's Huo Yao?"

Old Mr. Pei glanced at him without saying a word.

"Oh yes. This young woman came before. I even told you about the special herbs she wanted. I recall she wanted to make incense…" muttered his disciple.

Old Mr. Pei's eyes suddenly opened wide.

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