Everyone stood in stunned silence, first looking at Zhao Huanzhang and then at Gao-Yuan.

Their long-held impression of Zhao Huanzhang was starting to crumble.

"What’s going on?"

"Why does Dr. Zhao look like an apprentice in front of Gao-Yuan? I can’t wrap my head around it; shouldn’t it be the other way around?"

People in the crowd whispered to each other.

No one could make sense of the situation.

Wei Lao'er remarked, “Maybe Dr. Zhao really isn’t that capable anymore.”

That comment began to take root in everyone’s minds.

Faced with Zhao Huanzhang's desperate plea, Gao-Yuan was left speechless. He had clearly sparked something in Zhao Huanzhang, but the man’s cautious nature wouldn’t change overnight.

Zhao Huanzhang was renowned as the most skilled doctor in the clinic. This was common knowledge among the local villagers, who sought him out for treatment, especially for serious or complex illnesses. When faced with critical cases, Zhao Huanzhang would steel himself, despite his inner fear, as there was no one else but him. But now, with the arrival of a medical prodigy, he naturally wanted to pass the responsibility for these difficult cases onto Gao-Yuan.

It was like Zhao Huanzhang had been a lone panda in the wild, tough and independent, but once he was in the zoo with food and shelter provided, he became a chubby house cat.

Seeing Zhao Huanzhang like this, Gao-Yuan didn’t know what to say. The patient’s condition was urgent, so he didn’t have time to argue. “The situation is critical; perform a bloodletting using the ten Xuan points.”

“Alright,” Zhao Huanzhang responded immediately, turning to fetch his acupuncture kit, which he placed in front of Gao-Yuan. To his surprise, he had adapted quite well to the role of an assistant.

Gao-Yuan was at a loss for words. “Surely you’re not afraid to even perform ten Xuan point bloodletting?”

Zhao Huanzhang froze, then laughed awkwardly. After taking a deep breath, he finally picked up the triangular needle and began the procedure.

Meanwhile, Gao-Yuan picked up the prescription pad and started writing out a treatment plan.

The parents of the sick child were bewildered, exchanging confused glances. The mother asked Zhao Huanzhang softly, “Dr. Zhao, are you really letting this young doctor write the prescription?”

Zhao Huanzhang quickly nodded. “Ah... yes, yes, he’s better at this. When it comes to treating serious conditions, he’s more capable than I am.”

Hearing this, the parents could only nod in agreement.

One of the old men who had been in Zhao Huanzhang’s line also moved over to join the queue in front of Gao-Yuan. He shook his head and muttered, “Looks like Zhao Huanzhang really isn’t what he used to be.”

Zhao Huanzhang overheard this and blushed slightly.

Li Shengli approached Gao-Yuan and asked, “Dr. Gao, what’s wrong with this child?”

Gao-Yuan explained, “First he was exposed to heat, then cold. Internally, he’s hot, but externally, cold—his lung energy is obstructed, something similar to winter fever. I’ve taught you this before—if there are external symptoms present, what should you do?”

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Without hesitation, Li Shengli replied, “First, relieve the exterior.”

Gao-Yuan nodded. “Correct. This patient needs cooling to release the exterior and quickly open his lungs. Be careful not to misjudge the high fever and use overly bitter cold herbs, or one dose could lead to severe consequences. Likewise, don’t overuse warming herbs, or you’ll provoke eruptions and nosebleeds. It’s a delicate balance.”

“Yes,” Li Shengli replied seriously, nodding his head in acknowledgment.

Gao-Yuan glanced at Zhao Huanzhang and then at Li Shengli. One was overly cautious, and the other too reckless. If only they could balance each other out.

After guiding Li Shengli, Gao-Yuan prepared to finish writing the prescription. Just as he began, he glanced at the hesitant Zhao Huanzhang again. After a brief thought, he wrote something different.

Soon, Gao-Yuan finished the prescription. “Modified Ma Xing Shi Gan Decoction. The prescription is ready.”

Upon hearing this, Zhao Huanzhang couldn’t contain his curiosity. He had to know what this medical prodigy had written down. He moved closer, readying himself for an intense prescription.

He expected Gao-Yuan to prescribe three taels of ephedra and half a jin of gypsum, and he felt braced for it. But as he glanced at the prescription, he was taken aback.

“Did you write it wrong?” Zhao Huanzhang asked in disbelief.

“Did he prescribe a lot again?” Shen Congyun asked from afar.

Zhao Huanzhang shakes his head. “No, it’s just... how come it’s so little?”

Shen Congyun, puzzled, came over to take a look.

Gao-Yuan smiled. “Weren’t you worried I’d prescribe too much? Now you think I’ve prescribed too little?”

Zhao Huanzhang was momentary speechless.

Shen Congyun read the prescription aloud: “One mace of raw ephedra, two maces of apricot seeds, four maces of raw gypsum, one mace of licorice, two maces of silkworm.”

“This seems like a normal dose,” Shen Congyun commented.

Zhao Huanzhang gave an awkward chuckle. It was indeed a normal dose for them, but for someone like Gao-Yuan, known for his bold prescriptions, it seemed almost restrained.

Gao-Yuan looked at Zhao Huanzhang. “Dr. Zhao, this prescription may not reflect my usual style, but doesn’t it seem more like your kind of prescription?”

“Huh?” Zhao Huanzhang was stunned.

Gao-Yuan explained, “Light doses, strong combinations, simplified ingredients. Using a small prescription to achieve great effect.”

Zhao Huanzhang was speechless.

Gao-Yuan looked him in the eye and said earnestly, “What I’m trying to tell you is, this child’s illness isn’t that serious. Given your skills, there’s no reason you shouldn’t be able to handle this easily. Today, I’m going to treat him using a prescription inspired by your style to show you that if even someone mimicking your approach can succeed, surely you, the original, can too.”

Zhao Huang was completely floored.

Shen Congyun and Li Shengli stood dumbfounded as they watched the two doctors.

Gao-Yuan handed the prescription to Yang Xiuying, who was weighing out the herbs for another patient. “This is a serious case; prepare this prescription first.”

“Oh,” Yang Xiuying replied, head bowed as she took the prescription without once looking up at him.

Zhao Huanzhang returned to his spot feeling dazed. When he looked up again, he realized that no one was standing in line for him anymore. He glanced at the others, hearing their murmurs and whispers, then lowered his head, feeling even more dejected.

After a while, Yang Xiuying finished preparing the herbs. Zhao Huanzhang walked over and took them, saying, “I’ll brew it.”

“Huh?” Yang Xiuying was surprised. “Dr. Zhao, you’ll brew it yourself?”

“Yes.” Zhao Huanzhang nodded, stealing a glance at Gao-Yuan’s back. He lowered his voice. “It’s my prescription; I’ll brew it.”

Zhao Huanzhang found a stove and started brewing the medicine for the sick child. First, he boiled the ephedra to remove the foam, then the raw gypsum...

When the medicine was ready, Zhao Huanzhang brought it over for the child to drink.

As the village gradually filled with people, the morning passed in a busy blur. By noon, all the villagers had been seen and had received their medicine.

The child’s breathing had eased significantly, and his body temperature had dropped to 37.5°C. Though he still had a slight fever, his mind was clear, and he was running around energetically.

Watching the scene and seeing the parents’ heartfelt gratitude toward Gao-Yuan, Zhao Huanzhang felt a sudden sense of loss and confusion.

He walked out of the assembly hall, staring at the light drizzle outside. For some reason, he felt the urge to sigh, but when the sigh reached his lips, he couldn’t let it out. Instead, he forced a bitter smile and gazed into the distance, muttering, “Another instant recovery...”

“You could do it too, couldn’t you?”

The voice came from behind. Zhao Huanzhang turned around and saw Gao-Yuan standing there.

Looking at Gao-Yuan, Zhao Huanzhang smiled, though he suddenly felt like crying.

Gao-Yuan patted him on the shoulder and said, “Let’s go eat. The village prepared noodles for us—white flour, good stuff.”