Chapter 027: The Toxicity of Aconite

The young mother carried little Huanhuan downstairs, looking delighted.

At the bottom of the stairs, she ran into Huang Biao, an elderly physician with white hair who had been waiting there for some time.

"Hey, did he manage to treat the child?" Huang Biao asked with a smirk that didn't reach his eyes.

The young mother was slightly taken aback and gave a subconscious nod.

"May I see the prescription that Xiao Zhang wrote in the medical record book?"

*Xiao Zhang?*

For a moment, the young mother didn't quite register who he meant. She hesitated, unsure if she should show it without Dr. Zhang’s permission.

Huang Biao immediately assumed the posture of the clinic’s "face of authority" and said with an air of seasoned superiority, "I am the associate chief physician of this clinic; all prescriptions must pass through my review before the medicine can be dispensed."

The young mother recalled seeing his expert profile displayed outside his office earlier and, believing his claim, handed over the medical record book without further suspicion.

Huang Biao scanned it briefly, a look of disdain crossing his face. He handed the book back and said, "It’s fine. Go ahead and get the medicine."

The young mother disliked the old physician’s fake smile and had no desire to engage with him further. Turning away, she walked quickly to the pharmacy and payment window. "Miss, could you please prepare this medicine for us and let me know how much it costs?"

Gui Cui opened the clinic's system and first reviewed the prescription. Her eyes immediately landed on an ingredient called "processed aconite root" (pao fu pian).

Traditionally, processed aconite is made by roasting the root in a specialized earthen oven. Modern methods sometimes use industrial microwave ovens. While the efficacy between the two methods is similar, that wasn't the point. Gui Cui remembered her college teacher emphasizing this specific herb quite clearly.

Aconite contains a significant amount of aconitine, which can be toxic to the human nervous and cardiovascular systems. Therefore, it should not be taken in large quantities or over a long period. Although the prescription called for only three grams and it was the processed version, the patient was a child under three years old, making it difficult to guarantee absolute safety.

She also recalled that ever since Huang Biao started working at the clinic, he had never once prescribed this herb. It was obvious he was afraid of being held responsible in the event of poisoning.

Although a recent conversation with Zhang Jing had convinced her that he wasn't a shill planted by someone else, she wondered if it was really worth taking such a risk with his very first prescription. However, it wouldn't be appropriate to call and question Dr. Zhang in front of the patient.

After a moment of thought, an idea came to her.

"I’m sorry, madam, please wait a moment. I need to use the restroom on the second floor. I’ll be back in less than five minutes."

The young mother agreed, though she looked annoyed. *You couldn't have gone earlier or later? You just had to run off to the bathroom right when I’m trying to pay and get my medicine. Did I offend you?*

But then she thought, everyone has urgent needs; perhaps the girl hadn't done it on purpose.

Gui Cui, not caring about the mother's thoughts, hurried up to the second floor. She went straight to the acupuncture room where Zhang Jing was sitting and closed the door behind her.

Seeing this, Zhang Jing was startled. *What is this girl up to?*

"Dr. Zhang, I have a question," Gui Cui whispered.

"What is it? Why so secretive?" Zhang Jing felt a bit uneasy.

"It’s about the prescription you just gave the child. There’s an ingredient called processed aconite root. Is it safe?" Gui Cui asked nervously.

"Oh! Is that all? Don't worry. It's the *raw* aconite root that is highly toxic. Because it contains aconitine, improper use or overdose can cause poisoning, leading to central nervous system excitation followed by depression, and in severe cases, death." Zhang Jing realized it was just a false alarm. He continued, "That’s why, when using raw aconite clinically, it must be decocted for about an hour to eliminate its toxicity. However, the processed version—the one I prescribed—is very safe. As long as the dosage isn't extremely high, there is almost no risk of toxic reaction."

Hearing Zhang Jing's explanation, Gui Cui felt a little more at ease. Still, she couldn't help but ask, "If it’s so safe, why has 'Five-Clawed Dragon' [Huang Biao] never dared to use it even once?"

Zhang Jing smiled. "You’d have to ask Dr. Huang that yourself. Perhaps he hasn't encountered a case suitable for it."

Gui Cui realized he was being ironic, and she felt relieved. She opened the door and ran happily back downstairs.

Watching her leave, Zhang Jing shook his head helplessly. *There really is no harm without comparison. If this were Dr. Huang from the National Medical Hall, he would never have asked such an amateur question.*

Just then, Wang Sen walked in. "Dr. Zhang, what did Gui Cui want just now?"

"Nothing, just a few questions," Zhang Jing replied coolly.

"Come on, don't hide it from me! She looked like a little bird when she ran out. Was she confessing her feelings?"

Zhang Jing’s expression darkened. "Dr. Wang, please don't make jokes about me and Gui Cui anymore. We are just colleagues. Besides, I don't intend to start a relationship before I turn forty." He then changed the subject, "Also, how are you coming along with memorizing the acupuncture points? Have you mastered rolling the moxa wool yet?"

Hearing this, Wang Sen’s chubby face flushed. "Sorry, Dr. Zhang! I promise I won't gossip again!" He then scurried away as if escaping, returning to his study of the acupuncture mannequin on the desk.

...

Back at the pharmacy counter, Gui Cui apologized to the young mother. She checked the total and said, "Hello, one dose of herbal medicine plus a bottle of Chaihu Shugan pills, that will be 14 yuan."

"How much? Forty?" The young mother felt a pang of concern; it seemed a bit expensive.

"I'm sorry, my Mandarin might not be very clear. Not forty, but fourteen," Gui Cui said with a smile.

"Oh, oh, that’s quite cheap then." The young mother nodded, satisfied.

"Are you paying by phone or cash?"

"WeChat, please."

"Alright, please open your payment code."

"Ding. Received 14 yuan via WeChat."

After processing the payment, Gui Cui printed the electronic prescription and filled the order. Since it was only one dose with few ingredients, she finished quickly. She double-checked everything, stamped it with her signature seal, and handed the medicine and the pills to the young mother, asking her to sign the back of the prescription.

Not long after the mother left with her child, Huang Biao strolled over to the window.

"Hey, Xiao Cui, did that patient actually buy the medicine?" he asked with a grin.

"Of course. She saw the doctor and got a prescription, why wouldn't she?" Gui Cui replied coldly.

"Oh, Xiao Cui, you seem to be in a bad mood. I guess you're thoroughly disappointed in Xiao Zhang, aren't you?"

"Dr. Huang, please, let it go. I won't listen to your provocations anymore. I trust him."

"Trust him? You girl must be blinded by his handsome face. Didn't you see he prescribed aconite? You’ve studied traditional medicine; don't you know that herb shouldn't be prescribed lightly? Especially for a two- or three-year-old child!" Huang Biao said with a stern face.

"I know, but that’s raw aconite that is highly toxic. The processed kind is perfectly safe if the dosage is correct," Gui Cui replied calmly, using what she had just learned.

"Fine! I know, you’re just dazzled by his looks. But you really should listen to an elder’s advice. If someone’s character is flawed, it doesn't matter how good-looking they are."

"Dr. Huang, I respect you as an elder, which is why I haven't taken issue with you. But please stop slandering other colleagues behind their backs. Otherwise, I will have to report this to the manager," Gui Cui said angrily.

Seeing that she had reached her limit, Huang Biao retreated to his office, feeling snubbed.

Sitting in his chair, he muttered to himself: *Young girls are just short-sighted; she couldn't even see through such an obvious scam.*

He thought again: *If I let Zhang Jing carry on like this, it’ll be a problem. If he manages to fool patients and divert them away from me, losing a little income is a small matter, but if he threatens my status as the 'face' of this clinic, that would be disastrous!*

*No, I can't just sit here and wait for the end.*

*But what should I do?*

*How about I give him a taste of his own medicine? Should I call a few acquaintances to come over and pretend to be patients?*

*Yes! That seems to be the only way.*