Chapter 136

According to Wu Qian's diagnosis, that actually aligns with later generations' judgment.

Jia Jing immediately asked:

"How is the improper use of medicine to be explained? Was the previous physician's prescription inappropriate?"

"It's not that the prescription is wrong! The main issue is that long-term consumption of Ginseng, cinnamon, etc., for tonic purposes is inappropriate."

"Such substances are overly warm in nature; one should first focus on soothing the liver and nourishing the stomach, and your mansion's Ginseng Nourishing Vitality Pill should also not be taken excessively."

"The Ginseng Nourishing Vitality Pill is a regular tonic medicine, composed of Ginseng, white atractylodes, poria, angelica, and prepared rehmannia, intended to tonify qi and blood, nourish the heart and calm the spirit, suitable for her symptoms of dual qi and blood deficiency and spirit fatigue."

"However, this medicine's nature is mildly warming tonic, while the essence of your younger sister's condition is yin deficiency with exuberant fire."

"Long-term use not only fails to cure the root, but may also exacerbate heat damaging yin, worsening the condition of 'liver fire flaming upward, wood fire attacking metal,' leading to aggravated symptoms such as coughing and coughing up blood."

Wu Qian stroked his long beard under the jaw, then spoke slowly.

"So that's how it is!" Jia Jing, somewhat enlightened, said that although Ginseng and such are good, medicine must match the syndrome.

"This Ginseng Nourishing Vitality Pill is quite precious; I originally thought it was a fine medicine beneficial to Lady Lin's condition."

"Now it appears not only useless, but actually an excess of tonic, harmful to Lady Lin's body."

"No wonder later generations interpret the Ginseng Nourishing Vitality Pill as a satire on the Jia family relying on Lin Daiyu to prolong their fate."

"Nourishing vitality, nourishing vitality — what is being nourished is not Lady Lin's body, but the Rong Guo Mansion."

"However, with me present, in this lifetime we will no longer need Lady Lin's 'Ginseng' to nourish vitality!"

Jia Jing's expression tightened, and he said:

"Since that's the case, we will no longer use those previous prescriptions and medicines!"

"Physician Wu, do you have a good method to cure my younger sister's ailment? Ideally, it would eradicate the root of the disease!"

Wu Qian pondered, chose his words carefully, and said:

"If this illness were treated by another, achieving a complete cure would be difficult, but since the Marquis has sought me out, the situation is naturally different..."

Seeing this, Jia Jing understood the implication and promised:

"If Physician Wu can cure my younger sister, this marquis will surely give a generous reward!"

Wu Qian laughed heartily, his expression brightening somewhat, and said:

"Marquis, you're being overly solemn; speaking of thanks or not, a physician's heart is that of parents — merely fulfilling one's duty."

Jia Jing was ennobled at a young age and also commands the Bashang Daying; high in rank and power, his reputation in Shenjing has been considerable lately.

Even someone like Physician Wu, who usually does not participate much in court affairs, has heard of his deeds several times and knows that this marquis is held in high esteem by the emperor, not ordinary.

This is also why Jia Jing invited him this time, and why he was able to come.

Having obtained his promise, Wu Qian felt greatly delighted, immediately rallied his full spirit, sat down, and took Lady Lin Daiyu's pulse again.

Then he solemnly said:

"I plan to treat your younger sister's illness in three stages with medication."

"The first stage uses the Black Free and Easy Wanderer Powder, a formula to soothe the liver and relieve stagnation, to unblock liver stagnation, smooth the qi mechanism, and create conditions for subsequent yin-nourishing and lung-tonifying."

"The second stage uses the Lily Consolidate Metal Decoction, a formula to nourish yin and moisten the lungs, which tonifies qi and blood, strengthens the spleen and nourishes the heart, specifically treating excessive rumination and strain-induced damage to the heart and spleen."

"The third stage uses the Spleen-Regulating Decoction to strengthen the spleen and stomach; since your younger sister's spleen and stomach are weak and medicines are hard to absorb, we should first fortify the spleen before proceeding with tonification."

"With these three formulas, plus my family's secret ancestral acupuncture method to move qi and activate blood..."

"... supplemented with dietary regulation, quiet rest to avoid exertion, and emotional relief, there is hope of curing this condition within several months."

"However, Marquis, remember that this illness is not only physical but also mental; henceforth you should attend to relieving your younger sister's depressive mental emotions and reduce emotional stimulation."

"The marquis has taken note! Please, Physician Wu, proceed with acupuncture and medication!" Jia Jing said in a deep voice.

Afterward, Wu Qian, from behind the curtain, instructed his female disciple to administer acupuncture to Lin Daiyu, while he himself wrote down the pulse record.

After busying for the span of a cup of tea, he stopped; meanwhile, Daiyu's complexion had gained a bit more color.

After seeing Wu Qian and his disciple off, Xueyan went to fetch and decoct the medicine, leaving only Daiyu, Zijuan, and Jia Jing in the room.

Jia Jing walked to the bedside; at this moment the bed curtains had been opened, which previously needed to avoid the outsider male Wu Qian, but now no longer.

Lady Lin Daiyu was half-leaning against the pillow, wearing a moon-white gauze robe, over which she donned a light cyan armor.

Her black hair was loosely bound; her face bore only faint traces of color, with a light red on her lips, making her brows and eyes appear all the more serene and detached.

At this moment, seeing Jia Jing escort Wu Qian back, she bore a hint of sorrow in her brows and eyes, and spoke softly:

"Third Brother, why bother with me? I heard everything you just said; life and death are fated, wealth and honor are heaven's decree, not something human effort can force."

"Third Brother, why waste your favors on me? I am not worth it..."

Daiyu's nose tingled slightly; she knew the physician who had just diagnosed and treated her was the Imperial Medical Academy's judge, and that summoning him was no easy feat.

Moreover, Jia Jing had just said he would "surely give a generous reward," which likely entails not only gold and silver but also incurring a debt of favor.

Third Brother is a high minister of the state; his favor is priceless, not exchangeable for a thousand gold, yet it is being spent on me...

... for someone as frail as my cousin, is it worthwhile?

Daiyu felt a mix of warmth and panic in her heart; after speaking, she lowered her gaze, her fingertips unconsciously twisting the edge of the embroidered quilt.

Jia Jing sat on the embroidered stool beside the bed, not rushing to reply to Daiyu's words.

Instead, he carefully examined her complexion — the gloom between her brows knotted, faint bloodshot lines in her eyes, indeed a sign of worry and anger harming the liver.

"If Lady Lin truly feels that my owing you favor is bad, then from now on just eat well, sleep on schedule, be happy each day, and recover quickly."

"You also heard Physician Wu's words just now; your illness can be cured, merely be mindful not to overthink, and do not bottle up any unhappiness."

"Otherwise, if your illness proves stubborn, I will have to expend further favor to summon two other renowned physicians, Zhang Lu and Zhu Jia Yan, to treat you!"

"I have heard that Ye Tianshi of Jiangzhe possesses profound medical skill, founded the school of warm diseases, is revered as today's medical sage, a rebirth of Bian Que; if the opportunity arises, I could also invite him to examine Lady Lin."

Jia Jing's face sank into solemn contemplation; speaking as if deep in thought, he seemed truly to be considering whether to summon other famed physicians to treat Lin Daiyu.

Upon hearing these words, Daiyu first froze, then a faint blush quietly rose to her ears.

She furtively glanced at Jia Jing seated on the embroidered stool, hoping to discern a hint from his calm countenance.

Jia Jing came this time without wearing official robes or armor, but instead changed into a set of dark blue plain lined jacket.

At his waist hung a seal; his bearing lost some of the martial general's harshness, yet gained a touch of the refined nobility of an aristocratic youth that he usually lacked.

At this moment his expression showed no change, his brows full of seriousness, not at all like he was joking with Daiyu.

Daiyu found no clues, her thoughts raced, and she also kept Jia Jing's words in mind, pondering them carefully.

Third Brother...... what does this mean?