Chapter 6: Six, Purple One Leaf Chapter 6: Six, Purple One Leaf Yang Lisheng slowed his breathing, his eyes fixed on the two snakes fighting each other. Both were venomous, and he wasn’t keen on risking it for a herb he hadn’t seen before. But he was sure that the herb was not an ordinary one; otherwise, the two snakes wouldn’t be fighting over it. So, he decided to wait and see if there was a chance to obtain the herb.
The snakes didn’t take notice of Yang Lisheng; they were too busy fighting with each other. After a long struggle, one of the snakes finally ended up at a disadvantage and was bitten in the head by the other, which slowly swallowed it.
Seeing this, Yang Lisheng knew it was a good time to act; he didn’t hesitate to shovel down on the snake’s head with his small iron shovel.
With a “crack,” the shovel struck flesh, severing the snake into two parts, blood oozing out. Though dead, its body kept writhing, presenting a somewhat creepy sight.
Yang Lisheng drew back his shovel and struck the snake again, causing it to twist violently a few times before its movements gradually slowed.
Once the snake was completely dead, Yang Lisheng retrieved his shovel and walked over to the herb, carefully digging it up. He planned to check medical books when he got back to see if he could find any information about the herb.
After placing the herb in his bamboo basket, Yang Lisheng glanced at the sky and started walking down the mountain.
Song Yan Ning, hearing voices outside, lazily opened her eyes.
“Is Xiao Ning still sleeping?” Yang Lisheng set the bamboo basket on the concrete slab in the yard, took out the herb, and went to find an empty flowerpot. He planned to plant it and study it slowly. As for the other herbs, he would dry them and later sell them at the market.
“Yes, that child really is worry-free,” Li Meixiang took a bamboo tray, poured out the rest of the herbs from the basket, spread them out, and placed them on the bamboo rack to dry. Earlier she had been worried about managing both childcare and housework.
Yang Lisheng nodded in agreement, scooped some soil with his small shovel into the flowerpot, then planted the herb, “Look at this herb, isn’t the color beautiful?”
“What herb is this? It’s my first time seeing it,” Li Meixiang approached Yang Lisheng and inspected the herb in the pot.
“I don’t know either, but I’m sure it’s no ordinary herb. Two snakes were fighting over it when I found it.” Yang Lisheng briefly recounted the situation.
Li Meixiang nodded, “Since it’s so precious, why don’t we bring it inside?” It was so hot outside that it would surely spoil.
“Mmm,” Yang Lisheng agreed. After all, the herb originally grew in shady places.
Hearing footsteps, Song Yan Ning turned and saw Yang Lisheng carrying a flowerpot inside. She paused in surprise upon seeing the herb in the pot—it was Purple One Leaf.
Purple One Leaf was a First-level Spiritual Grass. In her tribe, it was considered a trivial plant, but she didn’t expect to find it here, too.
Seeing that Song Yan Ning was still looking at the flowerpot in his hands, Yang Lisheng laughed heartily, walked up, and placed the flowerpot on the bedside table, then lifted Song Yan Ning in his arms. Noticing her eyes still fixed on the herb, his smile grew wider, “Does Xiao Ning also like herbs?” He had already planned, once Xiao Ning was older, to start teaching her Medical Skill.
Xinxin too had started learning from a young age, but unfortunately, the child had no talent in this area. Fortunately for him, both his sons had taken a liking to Medical Skill and had already made a name for themselves in the medical field. Otherwise, he would have regretted it his whole life.
Song Yan Ning naturally had no reaction, just looked at the herb.
“When Xiao Ning is older, Grandpa will teach Xiao Ning Traditional Chinese Medicine, okay?” Yang Lisheng said happily. He wasn’t sure if she was looking at the herbal medicine since she was still so small and probably couldn’t see anything yet.
“Old man, I’ve made you a cup of sour plum drink. Do you want to come out and drink it now?” Li Meixiang called from outside.
“Coming.” Yang Lisheng picked up Song Yan Ning and stepped towards the outside.
“Let me carry her.” Seeing Yang Lisheng with Song Yan Ning in his arms, Li Meixiang reached out and took Song Yan Ning from him.
Yang Lisheng picked up the sour plum drink from the table and took a sip, releasing a satisfied sigh, “Xiao Ning seems to really like herbal medicine. When she’s a bit older, I plan to teach her Traditional Chinese Medicine.”
Li Meixiang nodded in agreement, smiling at Song Yan Ning in her arms, “Our Xiao Ning will definitely become a Divine Doctor in the future, won’t you?”
A smile lifted on Song Yan Ning’s little face, making her look very adorable. Although she wasn’t very interested in Medical Skill, learning a bit wouldn’t hurt.
“Old man, look, Xiao Ning is smiling. How can this child be so adorable?” Seeing the smile on Song Yan Ning’s face, Li Meixiang excitedly said to Yang Lisheng.
Yang Lisheng stood up and walked over to Li Meixiang. Seeing that Song Yan Ning was indeed smiling, he smiled too. “This child must have understood our words to smile so happily.” Perhaps his granddaughter would really achieve great things in Medical Skill in the future.
“Mm,” Li Meixiang nodded, feeling even more fondness for Song Yan Ning.
After dinner, Li Meixiang carried Song Yan Ning back to the room. Seeing the herbal medicine on the nightstand, she shook her head helplessly, “Not even knowing what herbal medicine it is and daring to put it on the nightstand, what if it affects Xiao Ning, this old man really…”
Saying this, she put Song Yan Ning on the bed and tucked her in before picking up the flowerpot intending to move it further away.
“Wah!” A cry rang out in the room.
Li Meixiang hurriedly put down the flowerpot to comfort Song Yan Ning. She had just put down the flowerpot when Song Yan Ning stopped crying.
Yang Lisheng was outside checking medical books, trying to find information on that herbal medicine. Hearing Song Yan Ning’s cry, he walked in, “What happened? Is Xiao Ning crying?”
“I’m not sure, she was fine just now. She started crying when I picked up this pot of herbal medicine, and she stopped when I put it down. Could there be something wrong with this herbal medicine?” Li Meixiang worriedly said. Xiao Ning had never cried since coming to their home.
Song Yan Ning sighed helplessly in her heart. She didn’t want to cry, but what else could she do as a baby to stop her grandma from taking away the Purple One Leaf. Though it was only a First-level Spiritual Grass, it was very beneficial for her now. How could she let her grandma take it away?
“Oh?” Yang Lisheng was somewhat incredulous, put down his book, and stretched out his hand to lift the flowerpot, taking just two steps.
“Wah!” A cry again echoed in the room.
Yang Lisheng put the flowerpot back in its original place, and the crying gradually stopped.