Chapter 123 - 122: A Disease Not to Be Publicized (Second Update)

Chapter 123: Chapter 122: A Disease Not to Be Publicized (Second Update)

Xu Jing couldn’t help but smile slightly, and bowed again, saying, "Madam Song, you’re too kind. My medical skills still have much room for improvement."

Madam Song looked at Xu Jing with even more admiration and nodded, saying, "Neither arrogant nor humble, neither boastful nor belittling, a doctor with such a character is truly a good doctor.

Doctor Xu, please sit down quickly, your foot is still injured!"

Xu Jing saluted Madam Song again, then walked to the cushion at the far right prepared by Nanny Kang and knelt down.

The culture of Great Chu is similar to that of Xu Jing’s former world, the Great Tang. Although high chairs are available at this time, people were still more accustomed to kneeling directly on the ground or on a chaise longue, or sitting on low stools. When Xu Jing first arrived, she was very unaccustomed, and after kneeling for a few minutes, her legs would go numb and she couldn’t stand it. Now she has practiced until she can kneel for an hour without changing her expression.

In front of Xu Jing was a small table with a delicate and small plate of snacks on it and a cup of fragrant hot tea.

After Xu Jing sat down, Madam Song began to introduce the ladies present. She pointed to Song Erniang, who was sitting next to her, and with a smile said, "Doctor Xu has already met Miss Erniang in Anping County; she is my eldest daughter. She accompanied me back to my hometown to observe mourning for three years and has only recently returned to the Western Capital.

This is my younger daughter, the sixth in line at home, who is usually the most mischievous. You can just call her Liuniang."

After speaking about the girl to her left, she continued with the introductions, "This is my daughter-in-law, her surname is Zhao, and this is my niece, a year older than my Liuniang, who is the fourth in line at home, and everyone in the family calls her Siniang."

After introducing the ladies on the left, she began introducing those on the right, "These are my other two daughters, one third in line at home, and the other fifth."

The last two ladies were introduced by Madam Song in a slightly indifferent tone, not as warm as when introducing Song Erniang and Song Liuniang. Xu Jing guessed that these two might be daughters of concubines.

She smiled faintly and greeted them one by one as guided by Madam Song. Although the ladies were not as straightforward in examining her as Song Liuniang, they were clearly curious about her, secretly watching her.

Among them, Song Siniang was more lively. She blinked at the veil on Xu Jing’s face and asked candidly, "Doctor Xu, do you always wear this veil?"

Madam Song immediately glanced at her somewhat reproachfully and softly scolded, "Siniang, don’t be rude!"

Xu Jing didn’t mind much and replied with a smile, "It’s all right; it’s normal for Fourth Young Lady to have this doubt. I’m often asked. But I wear the veil due to some personal matters I can’t explain. Please forgive me.

But rest assured; it’s my personal matter and won’t affect my medical skills nor cause you any trouble."

Even the youngest ones present were brought up in wealthy families, and thus, their thoughts weren’t as simple as ignorant children. Seeing Xu Jing understand her concerns so thoroughly and address them promptly, a few young ladies who weren’t good at hiding their emotions showed some unnatural expressions.

Madam Song, however, admired Xu Jing even more. Unlike the others, she had indeed been treated by Xu Jing, having her own way of seeing people’s minds and could tell Xu Jing was not unkind, thus trusting her more than others.

She smiled and said, "Everyone has their own private matters; we all understand. It’s just my children at home who are impulsive. Doctor Xu, please don’t take it to heart.

That said, I’ve been awaiting Doctor Xu for a few days. Earlier, I said that if any ladies at home felt unwell, I might have to trouble Doctor Xu. Who would have thought it would come true? Maybe it’s truly Heaven’s blessing to encounter Doctor Xu. I was worried previously that Doctor Xu wouldn’t deliver the medicine personally and thought I might have to send someone to invite Doctor Xu over. Who’d have thought Doctor Xu came personally? You wouldn’t believe how happy I was when I heard the news."

Xu Jing was slightly stunned, her mind swiftly processing many thoughts, but since Madam Song had said this and given she had earlier agreed to Madam Song to not refuse if she were needed, she had no choice but to say, "I wonder which lady in the residence is unwell?"

Madam Song immediately looked at her daughter-in-law and said, "Shaohua, would you tell Miss Xu about your condition?"

Following Madam Song’s gaze, Xu Jing saw that Young Madam Zhao looked troubled upon hearing Madam Song’s words, her brows furrowing tightly, her pearly teeth gently biting her lip, appearing at a loss for words.

Xu Jing instantly understood; she must be suffering from gynecological issues that are not suitable for public discussion. Although all present were women, most were unmarried, and it was hard for a modest woman to speak of such matters in their presence.

She looked to Madam Song and said, "Madam Song, might I ask for a quiet room to better diagnose Young Madam Zhao?"

Madam Song quickly realized and couldn’t help but pat her hand, saying, "Look at me! Rushing things without thinking it through, Nanny Kang, quickly tidy up the side room and take Shaohua and Doctor Xu there."

Nanny Kang acknowledged at once and quickly tidied up the left side room.

After Young Madam Zhao and Xu Jing entered the side room and knowing there were no outsiders, she anxiously said, "Doctor Xu, please, you must help me. If this continues, I’m afraid my body won’t be able to bear it, and my husband will certainly disdain me!"

Xu Jing calmly supported Young Madam Zhao in sitting down, saying, "Don’t worry, please start by telling me where you feel unwell."

Maybe Xu Jing’s calm demeanor affected Young Madam Zhao, her emotions gradually stabilized. She bit her lip and said, "It probably started over four months ago, my monthly cycle... it lasts much longer. Before, it was clean in four or five days, but now it drags on, often unable to clear up for half a month.

I’ve already consulted several doctors and taken many medicines. While those from two months ago stopped the bleeding quickly, the cycle persisted the next time as before, unable to clear up for a long time, and those medicines couldn’t cure the root at all!"

Xu Jing immediately knew she was suffering from a condition known as uterine bleeding.

In ancient times, due to segregation between men and women, it was always awkward for women to deal with such gynecological issues. Finding a doctor was one problem, and diagnosis and treatment were another.

Xu Jing knew that there were female doctors in Great Chu, but the status of doctors had long been low. Furthermore, doctors must appear in public, so families with some ability wouldn’t let their girls pursue medicine. Hence, as Madam Song said, skillful female doctors are rare.

Most women suffering from gynecological illnesses could only seek ordinary doctors for treatment, but understandably, under such discreet circumstances, treatment effects would not be ideal.

Xu Jing noted her symptoms in a small notebook she carried with her, then asked, "Do you experience any discomfort before your cycle begins?"

Young Madam Zhao nodded quickly, "A lot of discomforts, before the cycle begins I often have headaches, get hot flashes all over, and experience severe breast engorgement, much like when my milk came in after childbirth. My temper also becomes very irritable, I can’t help but lose my temper, and I can’t sleep well."

Xu Jing nodded and asked a few more questions, took her pulse, and examined her tongue, quickly formulating a plan in her mind.

Seeing Xu Jing in deep thought, Young Madam Zhao couldn’t hold back and anxiously asked, "Doctor Xu, how about it? Can my condition be treated?"

It’s not that she doesn’t believe in Doctor Xu’s medical skills; Doctor Xu was invited by her mother and had reportedly treated her mother before, so she must be competent.

But this illness had been examined by many doctors before, even inviting Imperial Physicians, all to no avail.

If even Imperial Physicians couldn’t solve it, could she, a woman who appeared younger than Young Madam Zhao, really cure it?