Ger, So Proud

Chapter 28

As a doctor, he often wandered around flower and bird markets since many flowers have medicinal value. Once, he had come across a rare *Ruan Xiang Hong* (Soft Fragrant Red), so he recognized it immediately.

*Ruan Xiang Hong* is a type of rose, revered as the “Queen of Flowers” since ancient times. As a rare and precious variety, its value is self-evident.

Xu Qingsheng couldn’t help but step closer, gently touching the petals of the *Ruan Xiang Hong*. His expression was filled with astonishment. He raised his head, almost in disbelief, and asked again, “Is this really *Ruan Xiang Hong*?”

Its rarity is what makes *Ruan Xiang Hong* so precious. It’s so delicate that many flower farmers avoid it. The last one he had seen had been carefully nurtured by an old farmer for seven or eight years before it finally bloomed.

Moreover, it was already August. Although roses have a long blooming period, this time of year should see the *Ruan Xiang Hong* past its peak. Yet, the one before him was just budding, tender and beautiful, even better in quality than the one he had seen before.

Its rarity and beauty were beyond words.

“It should be, but I’m not sure,” He Ze said calmly. “I planted some seeds a while ago, not expecting it to bloom so quickly. Recently, while reading medical books, I noticed it resembled *Ruan Xiang Hong*, so I thought of bringing it to the market to confirm.”

“You… you planted it casually?” Xu Qingsheng’s face twisted slightly, and even his beard trembled.

“Indeed,” He Ze nodded. “But I’m not certain if it’s truly *Ruan Xiang Hong*. We’ll find out at the market.”

“Such luck, truly blessed!” Xu Qingsheng gave He Ze a long look before shaking his head in amazement. “If we haven’t made a mistake, you are indeed fortunate. They say great trials bring great fortune, and now I believe it!”

“You’re too kind, Doctor Xu,” He Ze nodded slightly.

The three members of the He family looked at each other, not understanding what was happening. He Youcai took a few steps forward, glancing between He Ze and Xu Qingsheng before speaking to Xu Qingsheng, “Doctor Xu, what are you saying to my son? Why don’t his dad and I understand?”

Xiao Ze just brought out a pot of flowers, and Doctor Xu kept mentioning fortune… What kind of fortune? Could it be that it finally bloomed? But wait! He remembered that when he left his room this morning, none of the flower pots were blooming. How could this be…?

“Father, I’ll explain everything when I get back. It’s getting late, so I need to take Doctor Xu back to town now.”

“Exactly, Brother He. Let He Ze explain when he returns. This boy… he’s very fortunate! You’ve raised a good son!” Xu Qingsheng smiled.

From that day on the ox cart, when He Ze asked him to hide his father’s injury, it was clear that this child was both dutiful and responsible. He had also heard from Dad Zhang that He Ze had survived a major ordeal recently. Despite the hardship, fortune seemed to favor him now.

A kind nature and good fortune—what more could a parent ask for in a son?

Hearing this, He Youcai and Dad Li couldn’t help but smile. He Youcai glanced at He Ze, patted his shoulder, and said, “Don’t flatter him too much, Doctor Xu. This child can’t handle praise well. If you keep praising him, his tail will be up in the clouds!”

Xu Qingsheng chuckled and didn’t say more. He Ze, carrying the flower pot, walked out with him, and they soon disappeared from sight.

He Ze had borrowed Zhao Fugui’s ox cart. As the sun was out again, he drove the cart faster. By the time they reached town, it was just dusk.

After dropping Xu Qingsheng off at his clinic, He Ze walked a few streets to the flower and bird market. Though it was late, the post-rain sunshine had kept the crowd there.

Most flower and bird enthusiasts in town were from wealthy families. Flower growers and bird sellers could make enough to live on for half a month by selling just one plant or bird, so they were in no hurry to leave early.

The street was lined with various flowers in full bloom, competing for attention. Birds of all colors chirped in cages, and occasionally a parrot would squawk out a greeting. The crowd haggled with vendors, creating a bustling scene.

Amidst this, He Ze and his *Ruan Xiang Hong* went unnoticed.

He took his time, wandering slowly from one end of the street to the other, before entering a small bookshop.

When he came out, he was holding a sign.

He Ze found a vacant spot, set up the sign, rolled up his sleeves, swept the steps a bit, and sat down. The *Ruan Xiang Hong* remained poised in front of him, alluring yet restrained.

In the short time since, the flower seemed even more vibrant. Its stems were jade green, the leaves artistically arranged, and a single purple-red bud stood proudly in the center, exuding a restrained yet striking beauty.

The air carried a subtle, refined fragrance, distinct from the other flower scents, evoking a noble presence above the rest.

Having nurtured it a few times, the flower had developed a bit of an aristocratic aura.

It wasn’t long before someone stopped to admire the flower, clearly intrigued. He glanced at He Ze, his eyes calculating. “Hey, kid, how much for this flower?”

“The price is on the sign. Look for yourself.”

He Ze glanced up, taking in the man’s expression, and tapped the sign twice.

The man, encountering such a cold flower vendor for the first time, suppressed his irritation and peered at the sign. A moment later, he couldn’t help but exclaim, “Twenty taels? Are you crazy? Why not just rob me!”

The sign had nothing but the simple words “Twenty taels.”

The man initially thought He Ze was just a young kid who could be persuaded to sell the flower for a few coins. But twenty taels?! He must be out of his mind!

“If you have the money, pay up. If not, move along. If you can’t afford it, someone else can,” He Ze said bluntly.

If it weren’t for this being such a poor, remote place, he wouldn’t have set the price at only twenty taels. This flower was worth far more.

“You… How can you talk like that? I can’t afford it, but…” Seeing people starting to gather and stare, the man, feeling embarrassed, changed his tone. “What kind of lousy flower is worth twenty taels? Just recently, a top-quality Yaohuang peony here was priced at only twelve taels, and you’re asking for twenty? You…”

“I’m asking for twenty taels because this flower is worth twenty taels. If you can’t afford it or don’t want to buy it, then move along. Why linger and block my other customers?”

“You!”

The man was furious but at a loss for words, his face jiggling with indignation. Due to their argument, a curious crowd began to gather, pointing and commenting.

“Hey, young man, this flower does look nice, but twenty taels is outrageous. Are you trying to scam us?”

“Exactly, twenty taels! Who in their right mind would pay that much for a flower?”

“Young man, you seem quite young. Life must be hard for you. I’ll give you five coins for it, how about that? I really like this flower.”

“……”

More and more people squatted down to look at the flower. Some joked and offered to buy it, but He Ze remained firm, “Twenty taels. Not a coin less.”

“Young man, come on, everyone is saying…”

The crowd grew louder, but no matter what they said, He Ze remained unmoved, neither swayed by kindness nor threats.

After a while, a young nobleman stood outside the crowd. He wore a dark blue long robe and carried a folding fan despite the warm weather, giving him a refined and impressive appearance.

“Did you hear that?” Luo Zhanming snapped his fan shut and tapped his servant’s head, amused. “Twenty taels! I want to see what kind of flower is worth twenty taels!”

“Master, should we go in?”

The servant smiled and quickly escorted him through the crowd. He Ze remained seated on the steps, unfazed by the chatter around him, refusing to budge on the price.

Luo Zhanming glanced at the sign, then at the flower. He couldn’t help but squat down, his eyes examining it closely. After a while, he spoke, “This flower… is really something. Young man, what’s it called?”

“Little brother?” This man didn’t seem much older than him.

He Ze glanced at Luo Zhanming, his gaze finally settling on the circular jade pendant around his waist, before speaking up to address the crowd’s confusion, “Soft Fragrance Red.”

Soft Fragrance Red? The prized variety of roses? As soon as these three words were uttered, the crowd erupted in astonishment. Even Luo Zhanming, who usually had no interest in flowers, had heard this name from his eldest brother.

“Is it really Soft Fragrance Red?”

“I’ll pay tenfold if it’s fake,” He Ze raised his head.

Luo Zhanming stood up and opened his folding fan with a snap, then fixed his gaze on He Ze. He whispered something to his servant beside him, who promptly disappeared into the crowd.

“I’ve sent my servant to fetch Master Cai. If your flower is indeed Soft Fragrance Red, I’ll buy it today at any cost!” Luo Zhanming declared, causing the murmurs in the crowd to intensify.

Master Cai was a renowned florist on this street, having cultivated flowers his whole life. The only Soft Fragrance Red seen on this street in recent years was grown by him. In terms of knowledge about flowers, he ranked second to none in the county.

Although Luo Zhanming didn’t care for flowers, his three older brothers were passionate about them. His eldest brother used to invite Master Cai to the mansion to tend to the flowers, which was how he became acquainted with him.

While the crowd was quiet, Luo Zhanming closed his fan and squatted in front of the flower, examining it closely. The more he looked, the more amazed he became. His family had many rare flowers, but this was the first time he had seen one with such exceptional quality. If it truly was Soft Fragrance Red, it was of the highest quality. This trip wouldn’t have been in vain!

He Ze had just sprinkled a bit of water, and a few dewdrops still glistened on the petals, making them appear even more delicate and beautiful. Luo Zhanming couldn’t resist reaching out to touch the flower. Seeing that He Ze didn’t object, he gently stroked it and praised it.

Even if this flower wasn’t Soft Fragrance Red, he would still buy it today! Rarely did he find a flower that caught his eye, so why bother about the variety? This flower had captivated even someone like him who didn’t care for flowers; for flower enthusiasts, it would be like finding a treasure.

Luo Zhanming’s satisfaction with the flower deepened as he pondered something.

Due to the Soft Fragrance Red’s reputation, the curious onlookers remained, eagerly awaiting the flower identification show. About a quarter of an hour later, the servant’s voice finally reached from outside the crowd, “Master! I’ve brought Master Cai!”