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Medical Prescription
Translated by atsam
Edited by atsam
Doctor Chen, who was nearly sixty years old, was in good health.
He strode into the houyuan of the provincial governor’s fu to see a bunch of servants being beaten. His beard trembled.
He had seen several shameful secrets of prestigious families. Witnessing a beating was a trifling matter.
“Doctor Chen, please enter.”
Zhang Gui, who was in charge of the affairs outside the fu, gestured for Doctor Chen to enter.
“Paying respects to your excellency.”
Doctor Chen didn’t expect Gu daren to also be present. The row of maids and pozi outside had clearly been punished by him.
“Doctor Chen doesn’t need to stand on ceremony. I invited you to treat my daughter. My daughter’s illness has lasted for half a year and hasn’t seen any improvement. Her situation has instead become more serious.”
Doctor Chen put his medicine kit down. He turned to look at Gu Jiu and immediately frowned.
What illness had caused such an appearance? Her complexion was waxy and yellow and she had a wan and sallow appearance. Who had treated this illness?
Gu Jiu inwardly smiled. Her first impression of Doctor Chen was rather good.
Doctor Chen expressionlessly said, “Er guniang, please extend your hand.”
Gu Jiu coughed lightly and extended her right hand. “I must trouble you, Doctor Chen.”
Doctor Chen’s expression was stern. The little girl’s body was so weak that if she stopped speaking, she would save a lot of strength.
Gu Jiu pursed her lips, smiling behind her sleeve.
Doctor Chen placed a finger on Gu Jiu’s wrist to check her pulse. He frowned harder, his cheek muscles twitching and his beard trembling.
Once he finished checking the pulse, Xie shi took the initiative to ask, “Doctor Chen, how is our second girl’s illness?”
Doctor Chen said, “Let me take a look at the old prescription.”
“Quickly hand the prescription over to Doctor Chen.”
Qing Mei stood up and found the prescription inside the drawer. “Doctor Chen, please take a look.”
Doctor Chen took the prescription and glanced at it, his beard trembling faster. Quack! Moron!
Naturally, he couldn’t rain curses on Doctor Xu in front of Gu daren.
Doctor Chen had lived so long that he naturally understood the principle of speaking less and making lesser mistakes.
He pondered for a while before saying, “This prescription is not suitable for er guniang’s illness. The er guniang is still very young and her body is too weak. She must be treated slowly using mild medicine. This old man will write another prescription. The medicine must be taken daily after the three meals. Three days later, I will come back to examine her again.”
“You said so much, does this mean our family’s second girl’s illness isn’t serious?” Xie shi asked.
Doctor Chen looked at Gu Jiu. She was trying to restrain her tears. She exhaustedly leaned against the bed, her thin face seeming pitiful.
Doctor Chen’s heart was biased towards her. He thought that at most, he would only offend taitai. He said loudly, “Taitai misunderstood. Er guniang’s body is very weak. The original prescription contained some ingredients which had a heavy effect. Er guniang took this medicine continuously, making it unable for her to bear it. In addition, the ingredients used earlier were unsuitable. Taking this medicine for a long time has endangered er guniang’s life.”
“Guniang, you must be alright! Doctor Chen, please save my guniang!”
Qing Mei burst into tears. Gu Jiu inwardly gave a like to Qing Mei. Such a good servant, crying at the right time.
Xie shi’s face sank as she said sternly, “These wretched slaves caused such a disaster for the second girl because of their selfishness. Beating them is letting them off lightly. Doctor Chen, I must trouble you to cure our second girl, regardless of cost.”
“Taitai, be at ease. This old man will cure the er guniang’s illness.”
Then, Gu daren spoke. “Doctor Chen, please write the prescription.”
Qing Mei handed him the brush and ink. Doctor Chen wrote down the prescription and showed it to Gu daren.
Gu daren also often browsed through medical books. Although he wasn’t a doctor, he was able to see that there was no problem with the prescription.
Doctor Chen’s prescription was gentle and proper, indeed not bad.
Gu daren gave the prescription to Gu Quan. “Call someone to bring the best ingredients for this prescription. Whoever dares to short-change the guniang and shaoye of the house, benguan will put her entire family to death.”
“Yes!”
Gu daren continued, “Zhang Gui, send Doctor Chen out and don’t neglect him.”
“Yes!”
“Doctor Chen, this way.”
Doctor Chen was also tactful, following Zhang Gui to leave the room.
Gu daren looked around the room, his eyes sweeping across everyone’s face. Everyone lowered their heads, not daring to look at him.
They couldn’t be blamed; Gu daren’s vision was extremely sharp, making them frightened.
Gu daren said slowly, “If benguan hears anyone speak about today’s matter again, Tao Hong’s end will be your end. Do you understand?”
“Understood!”
“Second girl is benguan’s di daughter. If anyone dares to ruin her reputation outside, benguan will want his head. Is that clear?”
Everyone shivered at once. “Yes!”
The matter of Gu Jiu seeking death and alarming the elders was not good for her reputation. If it was passed on outside, it would be harmful for her.
Gu daren was rather thoughtful and comprehensive, blocking everyone’s mouth in advance.
Gu Jiu appeared moved. “Daughter is unfilial, causing father to worry.”
Gu daren raised his hand to stop her from speaking. “Nurture your body well and get better soon. Once you recover, tidy up your yard and let taitai add a few servants to you.”
“Daughter obeys.”
Gu daren stood and stared at Gu Ting. “Come and see your younger sister more when you have time. Don’t mess around outside all day.”
Gu Ting said guiltily, “Son understands.”
Gu daren grunted, flinging his sleeve and leaving the yard. His manservants followed him out. In an instant, the yard emptied out by half.
Xie shi glared at Gu Jiu, extremely upset. She wanted to lash out on her. Unfortunately, the time wasn’t right. Finally, she expressionlessly said, “Second girl, recover soon. If you need anything, send someone to my yard to ask.”
“Thank you, taitai. Respectfully sending off taitai.”
Xie shi inwardly snorted and left Zhilanyuan with her servants and pozi.
When everyone was gone, the yard was empty.
Gu Jiu suddenly fell on the bed, feeling worn out. She felt as if she had finished fighting a battle at first light. From early that morning, she had spoken continuously in a watertight manner, so she felt weak from head to toe.
Qing Mei was frightened. “Guniang, what’s the matter?”
“Meimei!” Gu Ting was anxious, running out to get Doctor Chen. Gu Jiu hastily called Gu Ting.
“Gege! Don’t go, I’m fine. I’m just too tired. I’ll be alright if I rest for a while.”
“Are you really okay?”
Gu Jiu stretched out her hand, letting Qing Mei support her to sit up.
“I’m fine. Gege, don’t worry. Qing Mei, give me a glass of water and bring me something to eat.”
Qing Mei was happy seeing that guniang was well enough to eat.
“Guniang, wait a minute, nubi will look at what is there to eat.”
Gu Ting replaced Qing Mei, supporting Gu Jiu to sit. “Meimei, are you really alright?”
Gu Jiu leaned against the headboard looking indolent. “I’m really alright.”
Gu Ting was filled with self-blame. “It’s all my fault. I haven’t been able to visit you often. I ought to have exposed Tao Hong, that wretched slave, much sooner.”
Gu Jiu laughed. “Gege, don’t say this. You’ve already done very well.”
Gu Ting looked at Gu Jiu. “Meimei, you seem different.”
“What is different?”
“You love to laugh more than before. You are also bolder than before. More fearless.”
Gu Jiu lowered her eyes which were filled with emotion and meaning. “From life to death, from death to life, experiencing so much, even if I were a fool, I would learn to change. Gege, we all have change.”
Gu Ting laughed heartily. “It’s very good that meimei has changed. I like the way you are now.”
Gu Ting didn’t take the sentence, ‘we all have to change’, seriously.