The Farm Girl's Charismatic Fortune-Chapter 289 - 285 Out of One’s League

Mrs. Zhuang glanced at Ruo Shan stepping onto the stage and scoffed, "Delusional fool, a toad lusting after swan meat! Yingying, you’re so beautiful, well-read and mannered since a young age, and even understand medical science; the noble families in the Capital City adore girls like you. Make sure you don’t get fooled by some toad!"

Fang Yingying disregarded her older sister-in-law’s words and simply said, "Big sister, let’s hurry and find our seats! The competition is about to start."

Mrs. Zhuang said no more upon hearing this, as in any case, there was no possibility of Fang Yingying marrying Ruo Shan.

She wouldn’t agree, nor would her in-laws.

Her cousin from her maternal family had taken a liking to Fang Yingying, and she was reluctant to marry her off to her own family.

The Fang family from the Capital City had sent word that The Emperor was looking for side concubines for the Crown Prince, and girls from the clan who were beautiful and well-versed in classics could be sent to the Capital.

She dared not dream of becoming a side concubine, but besides that, they were also selecting palace ladies and concubines.

She didn’t dare to think about being a palace lady, but being a concubine to the Crown Prince was still a step above others.

If she bore the Crown Prince a son or daughter in the future, and once he ascended the throne, she would indeed transform from a sparrow to a phoenix!

As long as she had a son, the possibilities for the future were endless! freewēbnoveℓ.com

As soon as they received the letter from the Fang family in the Capital City, her mother-in-law had already decided to send Yingying’s younger aunt to the Capital after the new year.

She thought it was a good plan!

Fang Yingying’s looks were extraordinary even among the noble ladies of the Capital City.

Moreover, her knowledge in medicine was a bonus; becoming a concubine to the Crown Prince was quite possible.

If it weren’t for the fact that the Fang family in the Capital didn’t have any eligible girls, it wouldn’t be the turn of their side branch.

Therefore, she simply didn’t consider the Ruo Family and Ruo Shan important.

An attendant who had never even felt a pulse, participating in the competition was merely foolishness and an invitation to ridicule!

The two of them went to find seats, and Fang’s Medical Clinic also had reserved seats.

Two rows of tables and chairs were prepared under the stage, the first row for the referees, prominent doctors from major medical clinics throughout the Provincial Government Office.

The second row was for notable people from the county.

The Ruo Family were the rising stars of Shaxi County, having produced a Commandery Princess, a Fourth Rank Great General, a Jieyuan, and a Second Top Scholar, making their prospects limitless; naturally, they were invited by the Pharmacist Association. Generally, only one seat was prepared for each family, given the limited space, but the Ruo Family had two, one specially prepared for Shaxi County’s blessing, Princess Wuyou, and the other for the Fourth Rank General.

Then Xuanyuan Que was brought over by Ruo Xuan.

Even the Princely Heir Yan Heng would have to yield his seat to Xuanyuan Que!

Yan Heng was also taking a break and came specifically to see if there were any young doctors with good medical skills that he could recruit into the military camp.

Thus, the prime seat in the front row ended up with two children surrounded by a bunch of heavyweights.

Mrs. Zhuang and Fang Yingying happened to be seated in the two rows behind Ruo Xuan and Xuanyuan Que.

Mrs. Zhuang was curious about who Xuanyuan Que was, since even the Princely Heir Yan Heng had given up his seat for him.

She whispered to a lady beside her, inquiring about his identity, but the lady shook her head.

Mrs. Zhuang took another look at Xuanyuan Que and planned to ask around about him once the competition was over.

She felt that someone who could make the Princely Heir yield his seat must certainly be royal kin, possibly a young heir from one of the princely houses.

As there weren’t many participants, everyone arrived shortly thereafter, and the competition began promptly at the start of the 9-11 AM hour.

The first round of the competition concerns pharmacology, and to ensure everyone can understand, the rules are very simple.

Basically, the referee from the Pharmacist Association presents a herb, and the participants race to answer, stating the herb’s properties, growing environment, and contraindications for use.

If you answer correctly, you earn one point.

If someone believes another’s answer is incorrect or incomplete, they can correct and supplement it, then the person who corrects gets one point, and the previous one gets none.

The medicinal materials brought out for the competition are naturally not common ones, and definitely not ones used in medicines.

The materials stored in medicine cabinets are usually dried and processed, but the competition uses fresh materials and only parts of them.

It could be a flower or possibly a leaf.

When the gong sounded three times, the referee brought out a grass without leaves, with only a thin green stem and segments like a super mini version of a small bamboo.

"Esteemed physicians, what kind of herb is this? Please give your answers!" After finishing his statement, the referee struck the gong, which sounded with a "clang!"

Fang Boshan was the first to stand up with his hand raised, confidently saying, "This herb is knotweed. It thrives near water and is commonly found beside streams, rivers, seacoasts, and paddies. Knotweed has the effects of dispersing wind and reducing heat, relaxing the muscles, and bringing down fever. It can treat diseases like genital warts and psoriasis by using toxins against toxins. This plant is entirely toxic; there have been cases of cattle in rural areas being poisoned by it, so it must not be used carelessly."

Ruo Shan stood up, "That’s not right. This plant is not knotweed; it is horsetail grass, which also grows near water and can be commonly seen in the northern and northwestern regions beside streams and rivers in Xuanyuan Country. It is a perennial upright herb with a taste that is sweet and slightly bitter. It enters the lung, liver, and gallbladder meridians."

"It has the effects of dispersing wind-heat, improving vision, and reducing cloudiness. It can be used for red, wind-affected eyes that tear up against the wind and cloudy vision. It also treats bloody dysentery, hemorrhoids, malaria, sore throat, and abscesses."

"Those with deficient qi and blood should take it cautiously. Excessive use damages the liver, and overuse can cause eye swelling."

After Ruo Shan finished, another doctor stood up, "This plant is neither knotweed nor horsetail grass; it is thistle, with a bitter taste and neutral nature. It favours damp environments and often grows in mountain forests. The whole plant is used for its effects of clearing heat, cooling blood, detoxifying, promoting urination, and expelling parasites. It’s mainly used to treat vomiting blood, nosebleeds, bloody stool, prolapse during menstruation, cough, asthma, and gonorrhea and also has the effects of relieving pain and reducing swelling."

The referee looked at the others, and many voices chimed in, some saying it was thistle, others saying it was horsetail grass, but the majority cited it as knotweed.

Yan Jiaojiao was also there, sitting in the first row behind Ruo Xuan. She whispered to Ruo Xuan, asking what the grass was.

Ruo Xuan had said before that there wasn’t a plant she didn’t recognize.

Ruo Xuan: "It’s definitely my uncle who’s right."

Zhuang Family rolled her eyes at this, "I recognize that grass; it’s knotweed! I’ve seen it frequently during outings to the countryside. There’s no way I could mistake it! After so many years as an attendant, if I couldn’t recognize knotweed, I’d be ashamed to have anyone say I’m from our medical clinic!"

At this moment, the referee also announced the answer, "Young Master Ruo Shan is correct; it is indeed horsetail grass. Young Master Ruo Shan scores one point!"

Zhuang Family: "..."

"How is this possible? It’s definitely knotweed!" exclaimed the Zhuang Family in disbelief.

Yan Jiaojiao turned around, "Shut up! Do you think the Pharmacist Association would get it wrong?"

Ruo Xuan: "It’s not her fault; we don’t have horsetail grass in Shaxi County."

Yan Jiaojiao: "If you’re ignorant, then don’t talk. Keep disturbing me, and I’ll have you thrown out!"

Zhuang Family: "..."

Then the referee brought out another piece of rhizome, "Everyone, take a look, what kind of medicinal material is this?"

Fang Boshan yet again took the lead, "Gastrodia elata! Gastrodia has a subtle fragrance and a sweet taste, with neutral properties, related to the liver meridian. It has the effects of extinguishing wind, relieving spasms, calming the liver yang, and clearing the meridians and collaterals."

Ruo Shan stood up again, "That’s not it."

Fang Boshan: "..."