Ch 9: Take Me To An Apothecary, Any Cost

This marks a whole month since I have been stuck here. Sure, writing again has lift some weights off my shoulders but life is not the same. I forgot my privileges in the 21st century: when I can go out to wherever I want, where I can see my parents whenever I want.

I slowly drift back again into pessimistic thoughts.

Ah, I feel my eyes water again.

Quickly wiping the tears off my face, I shake my head and pat my face.

I need to keep surviving so that I can find a way to get back home. Yan Zi, fighting!

The suspense is riveting. In several months, the Mid-Autumn festival will be held. The emperor would hold an annual event, inviting officials and bureaucracy members who serve under him, as well as their family. Performance and food would accompany everyone; all should go well right?

Not for Yuan Zi Yan. That is the time she will be accused of attempted murder of her sister, Yuan Xi Ning. But the thing is, I am now her.

That means, I will survive as long as I don't cause any scenes. But this is a novel and I am the villainess. Something must happen to me. Something bad and innately inevitable.

I sigh in distress. My life is going to take a drastic turn, I can already tell.

"Xiu Ying," I project through the room.

Within milliseconds, she enters the room upon my call. "Yes, Elder Miss!"

Perhaps I can continue learning about herbs. That is alright, I presume. There's peace in herbs, right?

Or... Maybe I can see if there's an ancient Chinese herb that will make me sleep for eternity. That might be my only option to return home.

I doubt it.. but I am willing to take any chances.

"Take me to an apothecary, or what you guys call an herbalist. I would like to take some lessons."

**

My mouth widens as I am in complete disbelief, "You are Li Shizhen?" I eye him up and down. He truly does not resemble a scholar with his disheveled appearance and foolish expressions. I cannot take him seriously.

He? Of all people, he will soon become the legendary pharmacologist in the history of the China? He who wrote the revered text Bencao Gangmu, the Great Compendium of Herbs?

I shake my head. I cannot judge a book by its cover. He looks quite young at the moment, eighteen or nineteen. Perhaps he made the remarkable achievements after his twenties or thirties.

"That's my name. Have you come here to retrieve some herbs?"

Xiu Ying shakes her head, "No. Our Miss came to study herbs. Won't you be her guide?"

Li Shi Zhen stares at me with a wondrous smile, "Miss, you would like to learn about herbs?" His grin hints a mockery.

His ignorance ignites a powder keg of emotions within me. A stomach of anger rises and I comment, "Should a woman not be able to do what a man does?"

Standing in front of the wooden medical counter, I examine the spacious drawers that lay in front of me. The large collection comprises of mini drawers with labels on each, indicating the amount of herbs available as well as which type is cramped inside of these drawers.

"That is not what I mean," he presumes to look at the requested formulas from his patients. "It's just uncommon for a lady like you to have such desire," he murmurs before opening various drawers to deliberately pick out herbs.

"Well then, if you won't accept my request to be a disciple, then I will be your customer. Do you have any formulas that can put me to sleep for eternity?"

Xiu Ning gasps in shock, "Elder Miss!" I assure and calm her with a smile.

His eyes narrow into suspicious glare as he turns to face me, "What if I do but I am not willing to sell it?"

"I'll pay any costs!" I add, as if Master and Madam Yuan will really agree to my request for silver. Xiu Ying glances at me with doubt.

He shakes his head, "No. I said I won't sell it. Now if you'll excuse me, Miss. If you're not going to purchase or request a formula, I will continue my assignments here," he taps on the bundle of papers on the wooden counter. His fingers dance over the wooden abacus Chinese calculator.

I sigh and give up.