Along with her joy, she also felt a bit worried.
It was precisely because she knew very few families possessed this Thousand-year Ginseng that she worried this item might bring disaster upon their family.
No, she had to deal with this thing sooner rather than later.
Although she knew that if she could process the ginseng herself and then sell it, she would earn much more money, she wasn't confident she could do it well.
After all, she only knew the specific steps but had never done it herself; to put it bluntly, she was only theorizing.
If any part was handled improperly, affecting the entire medicinal efficacy, the ginseng's value would be greatly reduced, which would be such a loss.
This item needed to be handled by a professional.
She thought of a suitable candidate: Doctor Liu.
However, she truly couldn't quite figure out his specific circumstances.
She couldn't help but ask, "Father, are you very familiar with Doctor Liu? Is he reliable?"
"Reliable, of course! Speaking of Doctor Liu, he is truly quite good. He often treats your Mother and me, and he rarely charges much. I know he pities our poor family circumstances. Once our situation improves, we must thank him properly."
After hesitating for a moment, Xu Jianing told Father Xu her idea, "Father, I'm afraid of complications arising from delay, so I plan to entrust the ginseng to Doctor Liu for handling."
"There is something I haven't told you. I asked Doctor Liu before; your Mother's and Eldest Sister's illnesses are not incurable, it just requires more time. Even with a sliver of hope, I would not give up."
"But, sigh..." Father Xu sighed helplessly. Doctor Liu had privately discussed his condition with him before; he knew there was actually a chance for him to recover fully. Yet, he chose to give up.
The reason was simple: ever since the family division, their household's situation was already difficult, and the successive misfortunes made their lives even harder. He didn't want to burden others anymore.
For him, whether his leg was lame or not truly didn't matter. Compared to his family, what was this small matter?
After thinking it over, he still spoke out, "Ning'er, don't worry, Father is quite well now. It's just that I've caused you and your sister to suffer alongside me. If possible, find a way to have Doctor Liu cure your Mother and sister's illnesses!"
Xu Jianing looked at him deeply and sighed helplessly, "Father, I know you are worried about the money issue. Rest assured, I will find a way. Mother's and Sister's illnesses must be treated, and yours must be too."
Leaving that statement behind, Xu Jianing picked up the Back Basket beside her and strode forward. "Father, let's go. After we get back, you still need to take me to find Doctor Liu."
"Slow down! Give me the Back Basket. You carry the honeycomb and the Game Meat; those things aren't heavy and are easier to hold."
But Xu Jianing stubbornly held onto the Back Basket and did not accept his arrangement.
Thus, the two walked back, one in front of the other.
Fortunately, they didn't run into any acquaintances along the way, and soon they arrived home.
The father and daughter, having just returned home and before they could even take a sip of water, saw Doctor Liu emerging from their Kitchen, holding a bowl of medicine.
"Second Uncle Xu, you've returned just in time. I took Aunt Xu's pulse and adjusted the prescription. This medicine has just finished brewing; give it to Aunt Xu to drink while it's hot."
"Good, good, I'll go right away."
Just as Father Xu was about to take the medicine bowl, the Xu Family Eldest Sister, who had appeared from nowhere, snatched it first and carried it inside.
Father Xu withdrew his hand, accustomed to this. He then noticed Doctor Liu staring at the contents of the Back Basket.
He quickly explained, "I just took the Girl Ning around the Mountains and picked up some mountain goods on the way back. We haven't had time to process them yet."
"I see it's getting late. Doctor Liu, please stay for dinner today; I happened to bring back some Game Meat for an extra dish."
Doctor Liu withdrew his gaze and said to Xu Jianing with a complicated expression, "You can still run around in the Mountains; it seems I don't need to take your pulse."
"This..." Xu Jianing, usually eloquent, suddenly didn't know how to respond.
"Alright, if nothing else, I'll take my leave now. Remember to apply the Ointment I gave you on schedule."
After briefly tidying up his things, Doctor Liu prepared to leave.
"Wait, Doctor Liu, could you please look at Father's hand? He was stung by bees while helping me get the honeycomb."
"You... sigh, never mind. Second Uncle Xu, stretch out your hand and let me see. Being stung by a bee can be a minor or major issue; we can't be careless."
Upon seeing Father Xu's hand swollen like a Steamed Bun, Doctor Liu subtly frowned.
Xu Jianing asked nervously in a low voice, "How is it? Is Father alright? I already picked out the bee stinger, but I truly couldn't find any Herbal Medicine."
Doctor Liu took out a box of unknown Ointment from the medicine chest he carried with him and handed it to Xu Jianing, who was standing nearby.
"Be more careful next time; it was quite dangerous. And don't be too greedy; eating too much sweet stuff isn't good for you."
"I..." Xu Jianing felt a bit frustrated. Had he misunderstood her again?
In her Previous life, what delicacies hadn't she eaten? Did he think she was craving sweets the moment she arrived?
Remembering she needed his help, Xu Jianing couldn't be bothered to explain. She took out the ginseng wrapped in a Handkerchief from her bosom and handed it to Doctor Liu.
"What is this? No, I cannot accept it. You are too young; this is inappropriate between us!"
Xu Jianing looked at him with some amusement. What was wrong with this man? Had he misunderstood her again? Surely he didn't think she was giving him a Handkerchief?
Good heavens, if she truly intended to give him a Handkerchief, she wouldn't have presented it so casually—giving him one made of rough Fabric with poor workmanship.
She couldn't help but tease him, "Doctor Liu, I think you have misunderstood. Look closely again; wrapped inside this cloth is a ginseng root we dug up from the Mountains just now."
Doctor Liu's face instantly turned bright red. He dared not look up at Xu Jianing, keeping his head down as he unnaturally accepted the item.
Upon seeing what was inside, he forgot his embarrassment and suddenly looked up at her, "Thousand-year Ginseng! You actually dug up a Thousand-year Ginseng!"
After examining it, he carefully rewrapped it, intending to return it.
"You should sell this as soon as possible. Because it hasn't been processed, it will easily mold over time, which will affect its medicinal efficacy and its price."
Xu Jianing quickly signaled to Father Xu. Father Xu understood and stepped forward to speak to him, "Doctor Liu, you know our family's situation. I was thinking it would be best to entrust this item to you for handling."
"Second Uncle Xu means for me to help sell it? It's not impossible, but it must be processed first. How about this: if you trust me, then sell the item to me."
To show his sincerity, Doctor Liu quickly took a Silver Note from his Purse and handed it to Father Xu.
"Take this money for now. I left in a hurry and didn't bring much Silver Liang with me. This is one hundred taels; I'll pay you this much upfront. For the remaining five hundred taels, have the little Girl come back with me later to collect it."
Father Xu took the money with trembling hands.
He never expected such a small ginseng root could sell for so much money. Having received the huge sum, it felt completely unreal to him.