Dragonkeeper

The man that Ping and Danzi visit is an herbalist named Wang Cao. He brings Danzi into the house and tends to him, and Ping is surprised when Wang Cao can hear Danzi’s voice as easily as she can. Danzi asks Wang Cao to tend to the dragon stone, and the herbalist gives Ping—whom he calls Danzi’s assistant—an ointment to rub into the stone. Wang Cao then consults a book and treats Danzi’s numerous wounds and ailments. He also questions the dragon on his choice of assistant, since Ping is a girl. Ping quietly notices that Wang, too, is left-handed like herself.

After Danzi falls asleep, Ping asks Wang how he and Danzi met. Wang explains that he has known Danzi since the dragon was wild. After Danzi had saved Wang from drowning in a river, they both traveled together until the dragon was kidnapped by the imperial guards. Wang was unable to save Danzi, who was transported to Huangling.

The next morning, Wang makes Ping tea, which she has never had before. He checks on her health and gives her pills for her digestive problems but otherwise declares her to be healthy.