With her maid’s help, the noblewoman removed her outer garments below the waist. When Song Zhiwei examined her, she discovered that it was a uterine prolapse. The uterus had already descended outside her body and protruded between her thighs.
Song Zhiwei covered her up again. Meeting the woman’s embarrassed and anxious gaze, she asked gently and calmly, “Have you taken any medicine before? Did you bring the prescriptions that were prescribed for you?”
The noblewoman nodded. “I did. Little Doctor, can you treat this illness?”
Seeing the hopeful look in the noblewoman’s eyes, Song Zhiwei knew she must be deeply uneasy. She reassured her: “I will do everything I can to help you. But you must cooperate with me. Otherwise, no matter how many methods I have, they will be useless.”
The noblewoman immediately understood that Song Zhiwei had agreed to treat her. She nodded vigorously.
The noblewoman’s personal maid brought over the old prescriptions she had been taking. Song Zhiwei reviewed several and found they were all variations of Buzhong Yiqi Decoction, with added fangfeng, heavy doses of chenpi, plus jiaobinglang (processed betel nut), stir-fried radish seed, and zhike. The formulas were largely similar.
Questioning the patient in greater detail, Song Zhiwei learned that the symptoms had persisted for over three years. She had taken more than seventy doses of various prescriptions. Recently, she had become increasingly short of breath and low in energy, often shrinking away from the cold. Every so often, she would catch a cold or wind-chill illness. She drank a great deal of water but urinated very little, and even slight movement left her breathless and sweating.
This was clearly a case of severe sinking qi deficiency, likely already involving kidney damage as well.
After taking her pulse and examining her tongue coating, Song Zhiwei pondered the matter for a long while before explaining: “The tonifying formulas you’ve taken before were originally sufficient for treating ordinary qi deficiency. The reason they never produced lasting results is that those prescriptions also contained betel nut, radish seed, aged tangerine peel, and zhike.”
“These herbs disperse and break up qi, resolve phlegm, and direct qi downward. While they may have addressed some accompanying symptoms, they also offset part of the qi-raising and tonifying effects of the main formula.”
“Treating the bloating whenever you see bloating is like treating a headache by focusing only on the head or a sore foot by focusing only on the foot. It doesn’t address the root cause. Furthermore, the medicinal properties counteract one another. The qi-tonifying and protective effects never fully took hold, and instead your kidney essence was gradually weakened.”
Song Zhiwei explained gently, “The original Buzhong Yiqi Decoction can remain unchanged, but the qi-breaking herbs should be removed. The dosage of raw astragalus and cornelian cherry fruit should be increased, with the addition of costus root to regulate qi, as well as fresh ginger, red dates, and walnuts.”
Her explanations were detailed and easy to understand.
People in ancient times spent much of their lives using herbal medicines when they fell ill, so these concepts were not beyond their understanding.
Beyond that, Song Zhiwei explained carefully to gain the patient’s trust. Having personally witnessed the woman’s suffering, she genuinely wished to help if she could. Only with trust would the woman follow instructions and take her medicine properly.
After explaining everything thoroughly, Song Zhiwei wrote out the prescription and carefully instructed the noblewoman’s maid on how to decoct and prepare the medicine. Only then did she bow and leave.
The moment she emerged, Madam Wang hurried over anxiously. “How did it go?”
“I’ve examined her,” Song Zhiwei replied. “Whether the treatment succeeds depends on her willingness to cooperate and take the medicine. After three doses, have her come back so I can see her again.”
Madam Wang blinked. “Three days from now? The physicians she’s seen before always had her take a prescription for half a month before scheduling another consultation.”
Song Zhiwei sighed helplessly. “And yet she never got better, did she?”
Madam Wang immediately found herself unable to argue. Since she still needed to stay behind and talk privately with the noblewoman, she instructed Song Zhiwei to return to the waterside pavilion on her own. Before letting her leave, she reminded her again not to separate from Gu Chunran when the banquet officially began at noon.
Song Zhiwei agreed and followed one of Madam Wang’s maids back. Along the way, pavilions, flowering trees, ornamental birds, artificial hills, and winding streams lined the path. For the first time that day, she could appreciate the scenery.
“Hey, wait!” Suddenly, she heard someone call out.
Puzzled, Song Zhiwei turned her head.
A strikingly handsome young man in a light crimson Daoist-style robe walked toward her. His complexion was as fair as jade, his features exceptionally attractive, and unmistakable delight lit his face as he approached.
“I was just thinking that we probably weren’t destined to speak after all.”
Song Zhiwei looked around. Seeing that the young man was indeed addressing her, not someone else, she couldn’t help but frown slightly. “What do you want with me? And who are you?”
Li Rongpei’s eyes curved with amusement. “I am Li Rongpei, heir to Prince Rong’s estate.”
Song Zhiwei searched her memory and discovered that the original owner of this body had never known him either. Instinctively, she stepped back and subtly placed Madam Wang’s maid between herself and him.
“Don’t be afraid. I only wanted to tell you that you’re truly impressive! In my opinion, most ordinary men aren’t even your equal. You’re a genuine heroine!”
Song Zhiwei paused, then replied almost automatically: “You flatter me. Being better than ordinary men isn’t really something worth praising. If women could only—” She stopped herself, swallowing the rest of her words. After a brief pause, she said, “Still, thank you.”
As soon as she finished speaking, she turned and left. Throughout the exchange, she stayed well away from Li Rongpei, either keeping a considerable distance or standing behind the maid. Her desire to avoid any appearance of impropriety was plain on her face. It was obvious she wanted no unnecessary trouble.
Li Rongpei watched her go and touched his face in confusion. “Do I look difficult to get along with? Do I look fierce?”
You look like a rogue. Eunuch Huang silently completed the sentence in his heart. That young lady came from a respectable family and had been raised with proper etiquette. He had approached her so abruptly and inappropriately. The fact that she hadn’t immediately called for help was already a sign of good breeding.
After returning, Song Zhiwei did not mention the encounter to anyone. She simply regarded it as this era’s version of a stranger approaching and striking up a conversation.
The young ladies had already gathered by the waterside pavilion, painting and composing poetry. Listening to their clear voices recite verses praising spring and summer and describing the lotus-covered lake, Song Zhiwei quietly picked up a pastry from the table and nibbled on it, feeling the day drag on endlessly.
Before coming here, Gu Chunran had already prepared poems to make a memorable impression. She was now mingling enthusiastically with the other young ladies.
Song Zhiwei took a sip of tea and found the lively chatter somewhat exhausting.
“The method you used to give breath to someone- where did you learn it? Do you usually read medical texts?”
Lost in thought, Song Zhiwei turned toward the voice.
The speaker was an unfamiliar young lady. Her clothing was made of exceptionally fine, luxurious fabric. Although she wore only a few hair ornaments, each one was perfectly chosen. Under the shimmer of pearls and jewels, she exuded an unmistakable air of nobility. She had a long, elegant face, and her gaze held a sharpness. Her dark eyes held curiosity.
Song Zhiwei nodded. “As early as the Han Dynasty, methods like that already existed. It’s not some mystical or supernatural practice.”
“Could you let me see the book where you read about it?”
Song Zhiwei shook her head. “It’s not that I don’t want to. The books are back in my hometown. I can’t find them anymore.”
“Your hometown is in Qingzhou, isn’t it? Is it very far away? Could a caravan be sent to retrieve them?” The young lady seemed to be seriously considering it.
Thinking of her books, her work, and her parents, Song Zhiwei lowered her eyelashes slightly. For a moment, loneliness and bitterness flickered through her expression.
“I can’t go back.” After a pause, she added softly, “Perhaps if I died, I might be able to return. But I don’t dare test that theory.”
She turned her head and looked at the young woman. “If you’d like, I can write down whatever I still remember for you.”
At those words, the young woman’s expression immediately became serious. As though she had contemplated it for a long time, she removed the jade pendant from her waist and solemnly placed it in Song Zhiwei’s hand. “My name is Shen Yulan. What is yours?”
“Song Zhiwei.”
After Shen Yulan left, Gu Chunran finally made her way back from the crowd. Somewhat puzzled, she asked, “What were you talking about with that bookworm? It’s the first time I’ve ever seen her talk to someone for so long.”
Song Zhiwei was just about to answer when Gu Chunran’s expression suddenly changed.
“Miss Song, Miss Ran, Madam is asking for you.” At that moment, Tuan’er, Eldest Aunt’s maid, arrived. Standing behind Song Zhiwei, she spoke softly.
We’re done for. Gu Chunran’s hands immediately went weak.