Cannon Fodder in an Era Drama — I Survive with Acting-Chapter 140: This Disciple, I Won’t Accept

"Taiyang-Yangming is a spleen pact; Zhengyang-Yangming is stomach excess; Shaoyang-Yangming is when, after inducing sweat and urination, there is dryness, vexation, and repletion in the stomach, with difficult defecation."

Yuan Juan raised an eyebrow and nodded impassively.

"Let me ask you another. In the *Treatise on Cold Pathogenic and Warm Pathogenic Diseases*, it says, ’The yang pulse is choppy, the yin pulse is wiry.’ What comes next?"

Song Qingya remained composed, her voice steady as she answered:

"One should first use Minor Construct the Middle Decoction to relieve the abdominal pain. If it proves ineffective, then use Minor Bupleurum Decoction."

A flicker of emotion crossed Yuan Juan’s eyes. She didn’t press further. Instead, she turned and pulled a yellowed copy of the *Inner Canon of Huangdi* from a nearby bookshelf.

She flipped through a few pages, her finger stopping on a particular passage. She looked up, her gaze fixed on Song Qingya.

"This section discusses the ’transmission and transformation through the six channels.’ Tell me, after ’an unresolved Taiyang illness transmits to the Yangming channel,’ how does the disease mechanism change?"

"When an unresolved Taiyang illness occurs, the heat transmits internally, and the pathogen enters the Yangming channel, causing qi mechanism stagnation. The symptoms present as high fever, thirst, sweating, and a surging, large pulse. The primary treatment principle should be to clear and drain the Yangming, for which White Tiger Decoction can be used, with modifications."

Yuan Juan then switched to another book, the *Treatise on Warm Disease*. She opened it to a page in the middle and pointed to a line.

"’Warmth-pathogen attacks from above, first invading the lungs, then adversely transmitting to the pericardium.’ What are the signs of this adverse transmission?"

"A sudden spike in fever, delirium and loss of consciousness, a crimson tongue with little coating, a thready and rapid pulse, and cold limbs are all signs of adverse transmission. One must urgently use Clearing Camp Soup or the Imperial Pill with Buffalo Horn and Musk to open the orifices and revive the spirit."

Yuan Juan fell silent for a moment. Then, she picked up *Acupuncture Mastery*, opened it to a specific page, and pointed at a passage about the pathways of the meridians.

"The path of the Foot Shaoyang Gallbladder Meridian, from head to foot. Describe its starting point and the main areas it passes through."

"It begins at the Tongziliao point on the outer canthus of the eye, ascends to the corner of the head, descends behind the ear, follows the neck down to the shoulder, enters the supraclavicular fossa, crosses the chest and hypochondrium, winds to the hip joint, descends along the outer side of the thigh, and ends at the Qiaoyin point on the tip of the fourth toe."

Yuan Juan closed the book and stared at Song Qingya for a long time.

Her expression shifted from initial doubt to surprise, and finally, to utter disbelief.

She set the book on the table, her mouth slightly agape. For a long moment, she was speechless.

She grabbed Wen Xinglu and Yang Yingzi, hurried them to a corner of the main hall, and said in a hushed voice:

"Where did you two find this genius? Does this young lady have books for a brain? How long has she been studying? Not even a year, right? It took me three years of memorizing just to remember half of this. How did she manage to recite it word for word?"

Wen Xinglu smiled smugly. "I told you! Qingya is a natural. She understands everything instantly and is prime material for studying medicine. It was her conditioning that got my grand-uncle’s chronic cough halfway cured, and you still didn’t believe me?"

The more Yuan Juan looked at Song Qingya, the more she liked her. Most of her doubts had long since vanished.

"Child, you wait here a moment. The old man is resting in the back room. I’ll go get him. If he refuses to take such a good disciple, I won’t stand for it."

Song Qingya lowered her head, her cheeks flushing slightly. Her voice was soft but clear.

"Thank you for your trouble, Grandma Yuan."

She smiled sweetly, her eyes shining brightly.

Yang Yingzi patted Song Qingya’s shoulder, and the tension on Wen Xinglu’s face finally melted away.

She had been worried this wouldn’t work out. After all, Mr. Wen was a stubborn man who didn’t take disciples easily.

But now that Second Grandma had stepped in, and with such a firm attitude, things were looking promising.

Wen Xinglu finally breathed a sigh of relief.

’With Second Grandma vouching for her, my Second Grand-uncle—who always listens to his wife—definitely won’t refuse now.’

’As long as the old master nods his head, Song Qingya can formally become his disciple, and her future path will be secure.’

Suddenly, the sound of hurried footsteps came from the main hall.

Everyone froze, turning in unison to look toward the doorway.

The door curtain was thrown open, and a figure strode in hastily.

"Who said I’m taking a disciple? Does memorizing a few lines from a book make you a doctor? Studying medicine isn’t about reciting texts! What’s the use of memorization alone? I’ve seen too many people who can only recite but can’t apply their knowledge. It’s all just armchair theorizing. They can’t treat illnesses or save people. I’ve seen far too many of them. This disciple, I refuse to take her!"

The legendary figure had finally appeared.

Song Qingya hadn’t met him until now, but his appearance matched what she had imagined.

He stood before her, dressed in a faded, well-worn cloth shirt and a pair of black cloth shoes.

Mr. Wen had a full head of white hair and a matching white beard, but he was full of vigor, and his gaze was sharp.

He didn’t speak immediately, instead sweeping his gaze over everyone present before his eyes finally landed on Song Qingya.

"Second Grand-uncle, you’re here."

Wen Xinglu and Yang Yingzi hurried forward, afraid to let the opportunity slip away.

Both wore placating smiles, their tones respectful.

"Don’t be so quick to refuse! Just take a look at the situation first. We came all this way just to see you! You’re the leading figure of the Wen Family’s medical arts. It would be Qingya’s great fortune to study under you."

"That’s right, Mr. Wen. Not to mention, Qingya is pregnant and endured a long car ride to get here. That alone shows her sincerity. She barely rested the entire way, just thinking about getting the chance to speak with you from her heart. If you don’t even let her finish, imagine how hurt she’ll be."

Wen Junyi wasn’t buying it. He impatiently shook off their outstretched hands.

"Spare me the talk! She’s pregnant and wants to study medicine? Does she think this is a game? A clinic is not a teahouse, and treating patients is not child’s play. If a mistake is made, who takes responsibility?"

"Studying medicine isn’t something you can pick up in a few months. It requires enduring hardship and having immense patience. From identifying, gathering, and preparing herbs to diagnosing conditions, writing prescriptions, and performing acupuncture, not a single step can be wrong. In your current condition, you’re heavy, your reactions are slow... a good memory is useless. Go home and focus on your pregnancy. Don’t waste your time here, and don’t get in the way of my work."

"Mr. Wen, I genuinely wish to learn from you. If you’re not convinced, you can test me first and then decide whether to accept me."

Song Qingya’s tone was calm and unhurried, yet her attitude was deeply sincere.

She didn’t back down or argue. She simply stood up straight and looked Wen Junyi directly in the eye.

"I know you’re concerned about my health, and I understand how difficult studying medicine is. But this isn’t a whim. I’ve been studying medical texts for years and have also practiced medicine locally, treating many patients. I don’t just rely on memory; I also verify what I’ve learned through practice. If you are willing, you can ask me anything, even about obscure illnesses. I’m prepared to answer."

Yuan Juan, liking her more and more, gently nudged Wen Junyi’s arm and whispered, "Old man, why are you putting on such a sour face right away? Xiao Ya came here specifically for you, and she has real skills. Stop being so stuck-up. She’s not here for fame or fortune, nor is she looking for a shortcut. She genuinely wants to learn and carry on the medical arts."

"Real skills? Isn’t it just reciting a few passages from medical books? Anyone can do that!"

Wen Junyi’s brow furrowed even deeper, his tone filled with skepticism.

He turned his head to look at Song Qingya, his voice softening slightly. "Anyone can memorize books. I was faster than anyone at memorizing when I was a child. But no matter how well you’ve memorized them, it’s useless if you can’t cure illnesses. If you really have skills, then prove it to me. Otherwise, this discussion is over."