When Tony heard Joseph take the initiative to mention refining Energizing Pill, he was incomparably excited. He said respectfully and politely, “Then I’ll have to trouble Elder Quigley.” “No trouble, no trouble at all.” Joseph played with the clay teapot in his hand again.
It was as if he was willing to help Tony refine elixir pills for the sake of the clay teapot. Tony looked at Elder Quigley’s expression and secretly complimented himself for being smart. He had delivered the right gift. He took the initiative to say, “Elder Quigley, I wonder if I can help with the process? For example, what kind of venue and tools do you need, what kind of raw materials are required and such?”
He couldn’t possibly ask Joseph to refine pills and have the man provide medicinal ingredients. Moreover, now that Joseph had agreed to this matter, he had to facilitate it as soon as possible to prevent Joseph from going back on his word. “A lot of medicinal ingredients are needed indeed,” Elder Quigley said. Tony said enthusiastically. “Elder Quigley, please give me a list. I’ll prepare it as soon as possible.”
Elder Quigley nodded seriously. “Alright, I’ll make the list now. In addition to medicinal ingredients, I’d also need a wood stove.” As if afraid that Tony did not know what a wood stove was, Elder Quigley put down the clay teapot in his hand and gestured with his hands. “It’s the kind of stove that burns firewood in the countryside. You know it, right? The kind of mud stove used for heating cauldrons and stuff. Do you know it?” Tony immediately nodded. “Yes, I know.”
“Alright, it’s good that you know… What do I want to do again?” Joseph frowned and pondered, as if he was really a little forgetful because he was old. Tony smiled and patiently reminded, “Elder Quigley, you have to make a list to buy the raw materials to refine Energizing Pill.” “Oh, right!” Elder Quigley immediately “remembered” what Tony said. He looked everywhere for a pen. Tony immediately took out his signature pen and handed it to him.
Elder Quigley took it and sat down to write the materials. He muttered, “Clear Heart elixir pills, aimed at clearing and calming the heart, strengthening the foundation, nourishing the blood, and returning the five viscera to the spleen. Nourishing the blood and traveling through the liver, wild chrysanthemums, lotus hearts, summer withered grass… The five viscera return to the spleen, blazing astragalus, blazing licorice, angelica, dates, poria…” Tony was overjoyed when he heard Elder Quigley reciting medicinal ingredients’ name seriously. As Elder Quigley wrote the name medicinal ingredients, he could not help but play with the clay teapot. He really liked it.
Comments
The readers' comments on the novel: Uncovering My Wife's Secrets (Annalise and Julian)