Carefree Farmwife: Training the Husband, Raising the Bun - Chapter 138

Two flowers bloom, each on its own branch.

Zhang Hairu carried word for Ying Su to Imperial Physician Wang. Physician Wang was truly a man who loved orchids. When he heard that Ying Su possessed such skills, he indeed took the initiative to ask to meet this extraordinary person.

Arranged by Zhang Hairu, in an upper room at the Lark Pavillion, Physician Wang met Ying Su. At first sight of her, he couldn’t help but feel suspicious. How could such a young girl possibly know miraculous methods to save orchids? But Wang Hairu was well-traveled and knowledgeable. Though he doubted inwardly, not a trace of it showed on his face.

“I heard you know secret methods to heal plants?”

Ying Su nodded, her lips curving. “I do know a few ways to save flowers and plants. I also heard from Master Zhang that you are a lover of tending flowers. I’m the kind of person who likes to speak frankly, not play at probing back and forth.”

She paused, then continued, “The orchids you cherish are very delicate and difficult to cultivate. I’ll give you a promise, if ever you have an orchid on the brink of death, just bring it to me. As long as there’s still a trace of life, I can revive it. Of course, with only my words, you may not believe me now.”

Ying Su stood, her gaze sweeping around the room until it landed on the narcissus placed in the corner. She went over, carried it to the table, and said to Wang Hairu, “You can watch with your own eyes.”

She snapped the narcissus in half with one hand. The stem and leaves scattered across the table.

Wang Hairu’s eyes followed her movements. The narcissus had been broken in half. He thought, “The narcissus isn’t as fragile as orchids. As long as the roots are intact, it might still survive.”

But even if it could survive, it would surely take time. How was this young woman going to prove her ability?

Ying Su placed her hand over the narcissus and silently invoked the system. In front of her appeared the blue screen. Ever since the system had absorbed energy and upgraded, she hadn’t activated it. Opening it now, she noticed there were more features than before.

She had no time to look closely. She silently commanded, “Extract DNA.” The mechanical voice of the system sounded, and streams of incomprehensible data flickered across the blue screen.

Once the DNA was analyzed, Ying Su whispered, “Repair.” Perhaps because the energy was abundant, the narcissus began to grow and mend at a speed visible to the naked eye.

Physician Wang’s eyes widened in shock. Though he was knowledgeable, his first thought was, “Is this sorcery?”

Zhang Hairu, beside him, gaped wide-mouthed, eyes bulging. He shot to his feet in fright, nearly overturning the table, and pointed at Ying Su with a trembling finger, “Sorcery… sorcery…”

Ying Su’s brows knit slightly. She suddenly realized her mistake. She had overlooked how difficult it was for people to accept something so supernatural.

She lifted her eyes toward Zhang Hairu, speaking calmly, “This is only a secret art passed down in my family. Sorcery? Isn’t sorcery meant to harm people?”

Physician Wang’s gaze swept Ying Su up and down. Then he turned to the panic-stricken Zhang Hairu and said, “Don’t be so hasty, boy. In the Great Qing Chronicles of Strange Events, it is recorded that the divine physician Li Mubai could make dead trees bloom and withered shoots sprout anew.”

“Tracing back to earlier dynasties, there was an Emperor Taizong who loved flowers. Talented eccentrics pleased him by making a hundred blossoms bloom together in winter.” Stroking his beard, Physician Wang turned back to Ying Su, his expression touched with respect. “The world holds countless men of talent. The greatest often hide among the common folk. Extraordinary gifts are indeed found in ordinary families.”

Seeing he wasn’t like Zhang Hairu, Ying Su felt a trace of relief. Her lips curved slightly. “This is only a rough craft handed down from my ancestors, of little use, good for saving flowers at most.” She raised her eyes to Wang and added, “I have only one condition, I need you to examine someone.”

Wang did not agree immediately. Instead he asked, “Whom do you want me to treat?”

“My mother. If you agree, I will help you revive plants unconditionally in the future.” Ying Su replied.

Physician Wang chuckled, leisurely looking at her. “A man with a treasure invites his own guilt. Aren’t you afraid I’ll seize this secret for myself?”

Ying Su’s lips tilted in a faint smile. “This secret cannot be taken, not by you nor by anyone. Only those without ability are burdened by their treasures. If I am strong enough, what is there to fear?”

A glimmer of admiration flashed in Physician Wang’s eyes, though his mouth said, “Young lady, your tone is bold. Confidence is good, but past a point, it becomes arrogance.”

Ying Su gave a faint smile and said nothing more.

“Very well. I’ll be staying in Shili Town for some time. With nothing else to do, I can examine your mother.” With that, Physician Wang rose and left with Zhang Hairu.

Ying Su summoned the system again. Earlier, she thought she had seen a new section on the screen. She opened it, quickly scanned the instructions, and marveled. After its upgrade, the system could now extract DNA from animals as well as plants, which meant she could heal animals, too.

Her eyes lit up. Did this also mean she could repair human DNA? The thought filled her with joy.

Normally calm and even-tempered, she now felt her spirits soaring. She almost couldn’t wait to try. But noticing another feature below, she suppressed her excitement and calmly opened it.

What she read shocked her further. This function could simulate and copy DNA into a host, granting the host the temporary abilities of that species.

Unbelievable! Who could have created such a monstrous system? And it wasn’t even complete yet, it could upgrade further. What terrifying abilities would it reveal next?

She thought of the black-haired man in dark robes she had met in the mountains. What connection did he have to the system’s energy? If the system ran short of power again, would she have to find that man once more?

While she was lost in thought, a sudden urgent knocking sounded at the door.

“Miss Shen, are you there?”

The voice was familiar. Ying Su hurried to open the door and saw Wang Yuan standing there anxiously, two brothers behind him.

“What happened?” Ying Su asked.

Wang Yuan’s face was pale. “My father has been detained by the Canal Gang. The old gang leader has passed away, and now the gang is in chaos. My father was imprisoned by the Qinglong Hall’s master. I just received the news. The brothers on the street said they saw you enter Lark Pavillion, so I came rushing here.”

“Come inside and tell me in detail.” Ying Su stepped aside to let Wang Yuan into the room.