Jun Yichen understood that to resolve this crisis, he must find solid evidence to prove Su Ling's innocence. His deep-set eyes revealed determination and resolve as he decided to start with Su Ling's herbal gathering experiences.
He carefully explored the forest paths that Su Ling frequented. The morning sunlight bathed him, yet it could not dispel the gloom in his heart.
The mountain path was rugged and overgrown with weeds, but his steps were steady and strong. He crouched down, examining every inch of the ground, leaving no trace of Su Ling's herbal gathering or clues about her knowledge of herbs overlooked.
Gently pushing aside the dense underbrush, he discovered small pits left behind after herbs had been dug up. A spark of realization ignited within him as he carefully observed the shape and depth of these pits. Drawing on his years of experience in herbal collection, he concluded that this was indeed a place where Su Ling had once gathered herbs.
Continuing along the path, he came upon a large tree and found several broken branches of herbs. He cautiously picked up a fragment, bringing it to his nose; the familiar scent of medicine reinforced his belief in Su Ling's innocence.
At the same time, he sought out villagers and herbalists who had interacted with Su Ling. Entering the village, he politely inquired about her herbal gathering and preparation practices.
An elderly herbalist recalled how Su Ling had once asked him about the growth habits of a particular herb. Jun Yichen listened intently, occasionally probing for details, his eyes filled with gratitude.
Another villager recounted how Su Ling had fallen on the mountain but still clutched tightly to the herbs she had just gathered. In his mind's eye, Jun Yichen could almost see Su Ling's indomitable spirit. He diligently recorded each testimony, piecing together these fragmented bits of information in an effort to reveal the truth about Su Ling's dedication to studying herbs.
Throughout this process, Jun Yichen faced numerous challenges. Some villagers hesitated to speak the truth for fear of offending Zhao Fugui. Jun Yichen patiently explained, using his sincerity and the reputation of Ji Shan Tang to win them over.
In some areas, the paths were too remote and difficult to navigate, but he never considered giving up.
His clothes were soaked with sweat, and his shoes were caked with mud, yet his gaze remained resolute.
He knew that what he sought was not just evidence but also Su Ling's dignity and their shared future. Each clue discovered filled him with hope, and every piece of testimony brought him one step closer to the truth.
As Su Ling faced a dire predicament in Ji Shan Tang, a mysterious old man quietly appeared.
The old man had hair as white as the first snow of winter, gently swaying in the breeze. His frail figure was imbued with a vibrant spirit; his deep, wise eyes seemed to perceive all the secrets of the world. Time had etched deep wrinkles on his face, each line seemingly hiding an untold story.
He claimed to have extensive knowledge of herbs and was aware of the hidden truths behind Su Ling's slander. With steady steps, he slowly entered Ji Shan Tang, tightly clutching an ancient manuscript of medical texts.
The pages of the manuscript were yellowed with age, its edges frayed, exuding a musty scent that clearly indicated it had endured the passage of time.
When he unfurled the manuscript, everyone was astonished to find that some herbal knowledge recorded within aligned perfectly with what Su Ling had mastered. Among them was a method for preparing a rare herb, which Su Ling had innovated upon during her practice; remarkably, the manuscript also explored similar ideas, albeit expressed in a more archaic manner. This undoubtedly provided strong corroboration for Su Ling's innocence.
It turned out that the old man had lived in seclusion in the mountains, leading a life free from worldly disputes. By chance, he had witnessed Su Ling diligently studying herbs under challenging conditions.
At that moment, Su Ling was intently observing the growth of a particular herb, occasionally crouching down to inspect its roots and flipping through a small notebook she carried to jot down her findings.
Her eyes were filled with a thirst for knowledge about herbs and an unwavering dedication, completely oblivious to the bites of mosquitoes and the scorching sun.
Moved by her spirit, the old man had been watching her from afar. Upon learning of the unjust slander against Su Ling, he decided to step forward. Despite his advanced age, he traveled a long distance to Ji Shan Tang solely to restore Su Ling's reputation.
Standing in the hall, he spoke calmly and confidently about everything he knew. His steady voice echoed within Ji Shan Tang, gradually convincing everyone of Su Ling's plight and allowing her to glimpse a ray of hope amidst her troubles. She felt immense gratitude and respect for this old man.
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