I Became a Medical Genius in the 80s

Chapter 27: Chapter 27: Delicious Mushroom Soup

”Is this the soup made from those mushrooms?” Mrs. Qin asked, standing by the stove.

Earlier, the stir-fried truffle dish already had a delightful aroma. She thought maybe it was the smell of the meat slices, though she was somewhat fooling herself. But now, looking at the soup made from just clear water and a drizzle of oil, it also smelled wonderful—certainly not the scent of meat slices.

”Yes, truffles are quite fragrant no matter if they’re stir-fried or made into soup. It’s aromatic but not greasy, and this stuff is excellent for health. If it weren’t for that wildfire, there wouldn’t be so many on the mountain even if they did exist. Look, the flesh is quite thick!” Beisitian said with a smile.

”What are the health benefits?” Mrs. Qin inquired.

”They invigorate the mind, nourish the kidneys and spirit; beneficial for all four of us!” Beisitian replied.

These terms were a bit beyond Mrs. Qin, but as long as her husband said it was fine, she’d just eat it. They were used to tough times; nothing was inedible! The main thing was, it was free!

If Mrs. Qin knew that these truffles could sell for five to six yuan per jin outside, she wouldn’t think so!

Five to six yuan per jin was already quite expensive, while pork was just over a yuan per jin!

Such a good thing, Beisitian wouldn’t sell it. She earned money to nurture her health; with ready-made goods, of course, she’d use them. After all, money is outside wealth—can’t bring it with us in life or take it away in death. If it doesn’t achieve its proper value, then money becomes worthless!

The mushroom soup took a bit longer to prepare. The four of them started eating the dishes in the east room, eating while waiting.

”Little Tian’er’s cooking is getting better and better!” Luo Anguo praised.

Luo Anping nodded repeatedly, too busy eating to speak.

Mrs. Qin was also quite satisfied. After losing her eyesight, she just muddled through meals; Beisitian’s cooking had been tastier than hers before, and now it’s even better!

One plate of food wasn’t enough for four people; soon, the plate was empty, and the three were still craving more.

Beisitian brought over the almost-ready mushroom soup, filled each person’s bowl, and added some truffles, saying, ”Drink more soup, it’s very nutritious.”

She didn’t need to say it; Luo Anping was already slurping it down.

A large pot of mushroom soup was enough for one person to drink three or four bowls. Beisitian ate a bit less food because she wanted to drink more soup.

Every day, Beisitian climbed the mountain to collect truffles. The excess was brought back and dried; typically, seven jin of fresh mushrooms could produce one jin of dried mushrooms. The medicinal value of dried mushrooms doesn’t diminish and they are easy to store. Thus, the price of dried mushrooms outside is much higher than fresh ones.

If fresh mushrooms were five to six yuan per jin, dried mushrooms would basically exceed ten yuan!

Beisitian estimated the prices based on the local market and didn’t know the exact rates. Of course, before they had enough for personal use, she didn’t plan to sell them.

There’s a price for selling them, but buying them back isn’t the same price.

Luckily, those collecting medicine found this place remote with inconvenient transportation; otherwise, seeing so many truffles would have brought people flocking. In a few years, the North Slope would be barren.

These truffles grew because of the wildfire, not due to the inherent conditions of the North Slope; resources are limited.

Even though truffles don’t have roots, they will grow in the same place the following year after being picked, so Beisitian noted the approximate locations during harvest to come back next year.

After drinking mushroom soup for half a month, all four of them showed noticeable changes in their health.

Mrs. Qin constantly reported improved sleep after drinking the mushroom soup, waking up in the morning feeling refreshed. Beisitian told her that it was probably because the mushroom soup effectively reduced anxiety and improved sleep quality, earning her an eye-roll from Mrs. Qin, who insisted she was never anxious!

Luo Anping quietly muttered from the side, ”Ever since drinking the mushroom soup, mom’s temper has improved slightly! Just a little bit!”

Beisitian chuckled to herself.

Luo Anguo’s health also showed some improvement; his arm seemed more robust, and supporting himself didn’t seem as strenuous.

Beisitian thought to herself, of course. Originally, they didn’t have good health, just getting by with their meals, unable to eat anything nutritious. Now, after over half a month’s worth of nutritious mushroom soup, they naturally felt a bit stronger.

In this half-month, Beisitian embroidered five handkerchiefs and a pillowcase, and she was working on two more pillowcases. The patterns were much richer than before, like clusters of fish, lotus-dancing carps, colorful phoenixes facing the morning sun, and cranes dancing in the fields. Each piece had different patterns.

These designs were ones she’d used in her previous life, retained in her memory for a lifetime.

In another week, she would go back to Bao Niang Embroidery Workshop to sell them, and they would fetch a substantial price. Then she’d discuss with Zhang Baoli about getting named as an embroidery woman under the banner of Bao Niang Embroidery Workshop, so she could justifiably make money.

This half-month, not all of her energy was on embroidery. During the day, taking advantage of daylight, she practiced calligraphy so that when it was revealed, people wouldn’t be suspicious.

”Little Tian’er, your writing might just sell! Next time you go to town, take it along and ask around. If someone wants to buy, sell it for cheap,” Luo Anguo said, holding the yellow paper.

He guessed that the reason Beisitian used yellow paper was probably because it was less expensive. This child, she really knew how to live frugally.

Beisitian smiled wryly to herself; whereas others practiced to improve in calligraphy, she had to deliberately write worse, and it wasn’t even her specialty in Flower-Pinning Small楷 but in clerical script!

If her master or the tutor, who taught in the women’s quarters, saw her script that could be sold according to Luo Anguo, they’d surely laugh their heads off!

In a few more days, her calligraphy could ’progress’ a bit.

Selling calligraphy and paintings for money was something Beisitian had considered. Her writing and paintings could earn more than embroidery work. In her era, such pursuits were typical of impoverished scholars and frowned upon by true academics. But as a woman who had left her original place, what did she care about all that?

It was just as well she ended up here. Otherwise, her writing might be admired but not fetched a decent price, since in her original place, many people had excellent handwriting!

”Your dad used to write with excellent calligraphy; you’re set to surpass him. If you were a boy, Kao Village wouldn’t be able to contain you!” Luo Anguo said.

Beisitian smiled silently. As a woman, Kao Village couldn’t contain her either.

After practicing her writing, she put it away. These were merely for show, nothing to be taken too seriously. She was focused on tonight’s task.

Tonight, she planned to create her first Xuan Talisman!

To quickly restore her spirit and regulate her body, relying solely on diet and medicine wouldn’t cut it for a year or two. Her usual method was to primarily use Xuan Talismans, supplemented by diet and medicine, for quick results!

So even though her spirit had slightly recovered, she was still determined to use the method and approach she was most familiar with.

Making a Xuan Talisman required concentration; she had no place to make it during the day, so she had to wait until the silence of night.