Chapter 5: Diagnosis and Treatment
Upon entering the thatched cottage, he surveyed the surroundings, noting the simplicity that bordered on the crude, and his mind began to form a rough estimate. Seeing Zhu Ying sitting upright and motionless in her seat, allowing her host, Du Shiyi, to make arrangements, he felt a twinge of curiosity. It was only when he caught a glimpse of the two silver needles on her wrist in the faint light by the window that he raised an eyebrow. However, based solely on her appearance and demeanor, he would not mistake her for Du Shiyi's sister.
I originally thought that we would meet again by chance in the future, but I did not expect Brother Sima to return so soon
Please, Daoist priest
Just as he, exhausted, was planning to apply a few needles on the acupoints within his capability as a precaution, he suddenly heard a somewhat familiar voice coming from outside
At this moment, after Du Shiyi checked the pulse of Du Shisan Niang, he surprisingly asked her to find that set of silver needles, leaving Zhu Ying even more puzzled
In the thatched cottage, looking at Du Shisan Niang who lay in a deep slumber on the bed, Zhu Ying felt an overwhelming sense of urgency.
At this moment, she watched as Du Shiyi tested the strength of the silver needles several times, and finally turned Du Shisan Niang over, piercing her neck with three needles. Currently, she was still gently twisting these three needles, and she could no longer contain the inexplicable astonishment in her heart
Thus, he immediately cupped his hands and said: "So it is Daoist Sun. Daoist Sun has just returned from afar and has come here to visit; this truly reflects the heart of a healer, filled with compassion and skill. My illness is already manageable, but my younger sister and Qingyi have indeed caught a cold and developed a fever due to the rain. However, the house is in disarray, and I fear we may neglect our esteemed guest."
Although there were some words he did not want Sima Heiyun to hear, considering that this grass hut was drafty and did not block sound, leaving someone outside would be redundant. Thus, Sun Zifang nodded slightly at Sima Heiyun. When the broad-shouldered man hesitated for a moment before agreeing, he saw Du Shiyi step aside to let him go first, and only then did he enter slowly.
The shadows of the bamboo swayed as she heard voices coming from outside. When Du Shiyi returned after a while, she tidied up the rain gear and seating. She originally intended to get up and help, but as soon as she moved a leg, she caught Du Shiyi glancing back at her with a glare: "Just sit there and do not move. You are not allowed to speak unless I instruct you to!"
After returning to the thatched cottage in the rain, despite being utterly exhausted, there seemed to be no signs of catching a cold. Du Shiyi knew that there should be no issues. At this moment, the miraculous and profound Sun Taichong mentioned by his sister confirmed this point. He finally felt a sense of relief, and a genuine look of joy naturally appeared on his face.
Upon hearing this, Sun Taichong's face revealed a hint of surprise: "Has Du Xiaolang ever studied medicine and acupuncture before?"
Like Thirteen Niang, it is also a case of wind-cold causing fever. Although the symptoms are milder than hers, a few acupuncture needles are still necessary; otherwise, it will be troublesome once the wind-cold enters the body
The first person in front is Sima Heiyun, who had previously borrowed rain gear and returned with three people. Among the remaining individuals, several are clearly dressed as attendants, each holding various types of boxes.
Where did you learn this acupuncture technique, my lord
Sun Zifang was truly astonished this time. He quickly cleared his throat and said, "Young Master Du, may I trouble you to allow me to take your pulse once more"
Do not be stubborn; take a look at your own flushed cheeks in the mirror. After walking back and forth twice in this heavy rain, while Thirteen Niang is indeed suffering from wind and fever, are you not the same? If you insist on pushing through and collapse halfway, without encountering a kind-hearted person like before, wouldn't that be akin to a sheep entering a tiger's den?
Mr. Du Xiaolang may be at ?
"With you so tense all over, how can I give you an injection?"
This undeniable statement left Zhu Ying momentarily unable to argue further, compelling her to sit upright in front of the seat with an air of utmost seriousness. Feeling a hand gently sliding down the back of her neck, she found herself stiffening, her mouth dry and her tongue parched. When the silver needle suddenly pierced deep into her skin, she even experienced an indescribable shiver. Yet, in the next moment, she felt a hand patting her shoulder.
My dear, it really isn't necessary; it's just a minor illness. A night's sleep will suffice to get over it
Fengchi, left and right wind gates, left and right lieque
It is just in the inner room
In that case, allow me to go in and tidy up a bit first
The Du family and the Lu family of Fanyang have intermarried for several generations. Du Shiyi and Du Shisan Niang's mother is a descendant of the Lu family of Fanyang. The set of silver needles was a gift from a cousin of the Lu family and is said to have belonged to Sun Simiao, the King of Medicine. This time, it was specifically brought from home along with other jewelry and valuables because Du Shisan Niang, in order to save Du Shiyi, prepared this in case of dire circumstances, passing down what her mother had left her, and also gifting a treasured item she had cherished for many years to the Taoist priest Taichong at Songyang Temple. This time, it was specifically brought from home along with other jewelry and valuables because Du Shisan Niang, in order to save Du Shiyi, prepared this in case of dire circumstances, passing down what her mother had left her, and also gifting a treasured item she had cherished for many years to the Taoist priest Taichong at Songyang Temple
Congratulations to Mr. Du Xiaolang, indeed it is the protection of the Underworld Lord, at least it is no longer a hindrance
In that case, you wait outside while the dark clouds accompany me inside
Is this not Sun Taichong, whom Du Shisan Niang earnestly pleaded with, even going so far as to kneel before the gate of Songyang Temple to request his medical treatment?
When the bamboo shadows helplessly responded, Du Shiyi finally dragged his weary steps to the door. As soon as he opened the door, he saw several people standing outside the fence
It was a miracle that the young master’s illness had been cured, yet the young lady unexpectedly developed a fever from being caught in the rain. She had covered herself with a blanket for a long time; although she had sweated, she had fallen into a deep, unresponsive sleep.
Catching a cold in the rain and developing a fever, as long as it is dealt with promptly, should not pose a significant issue. Moreover, with the recent acupuncture treatment by Master Du, a few more days of rest should suffice for recovery. However, to be on the safe side, I will prepare a prescription and have someone fetch the medicine to be brewed and taken according to the instructions, which should ensure no complications arise
At this moment, Du Shiyi approached and sequentially adjusted the silver needles on Zhu Ying's body, signaling her to remain seated and not to move. Only then did he lead his grandson Fang around the lattice screen to the eastern room of the He Library, while Sima Heiyun remained outside, silent.
Sitting down on the seat in front of the bed, he saw a young girl lying there, no more than eleven or twelve years old. Reflecting on her repeated pleas to seek medical help for her elder brother at Songyang Temple, even kneeling in the rain without pause, Sun Zifang could not help but sigh inwardly. It was only after Du Shiyi gently lifted one of her hands from under the blanket that he softly extended two fingers to rest on her pulse.
At this moment, he hurriedly smiled and replied, "It is all due to my younger sister's sincere feelings that have moved the heavens. Now, I seek nothing else but for my younger sister to recover soon. Just now, Master Sun has already taken her pulse; I wonder what the situation is like?"
"Where is the patient, Mr. Du Xiaolang?"
"I have only read a few medical books," Du Shiyi shook his head and then calmly said, "However, during the time I was afflicted with a strange illness, I vaguely dreamt of my late father using needles to unblock the meridians throughout the body, and I heard him reciting the essential techniques of acupuncture, which were said to be passed down by the Dark Lord. I was fortunate enough to learn a little bit of it, so when my younger sister and Qingyi caught a cold and fever from being caught in the rain, I had no choice but to try my hand at it."
I did not expect to return so soon. Young Master Du, after I returned, I inquired with the people at the temple. The one whom Miss Du repeatedly sought treatment from is this Daoist Sun from Songyang Temple. He has come back with our master, and upon hearing that Young Master Du's strange ailment has healed without medication, and that you and Miss Du were caught in the rain, he immediately asked me to lead him here.
In a moment of drinking, Du Shiyi sensed that the woman under his command had relaxed slightly. He then applied needles again to the Fengmen acupoints on both sides. When he turned to face Zhu Ying, he inserted the last two needles on her wrists at the Lieque acupoints. By chance, he looked up and found Zhu Ying was incredibly tense. Her eyes, which had been fixed on him, suddenly dropped as if startled like a frightened deer, seemingly preoccupied with counting the blades of grass and the dry branches on the ground. He couldn't help but feel both amused and exasperated.
She initially suggested going to see a doctor, but as soon as Du Shiyi glanced at her cheeks, which were alternating between red and blue, he shook his head, and his reasoning left her unable to argue against it
Noticing that the pulse was relatively stable, he leaned in to listen to the breathing sound, then examined the complexion of Du Shisan Niang, and finally, seemingly lost in thought, asked: "Looking at the situation of that young woman in blue outside, it seems that you have also administered acupuncture. The one who performed the acupuncture must be Du Xiaolang, but I wonder which acupoints were used?"
Du Shiyi's gaze flickered momentarily as he noticed the lean middle-aged man nodding slightly once again. Although he had just performed acupuncture on Du Shisan Niang and Zhu Ying, since this physician had come to him, he naturally would not turn him away. Moreover, the acupuncture treatment for wind-cold and fever was merely a temporary measure; if there were herbal remedies available, he would not resort to such a makeshift solution.
Although the door on the fence was merely ajar, neither Sun Zifang nor Sima Heiyun, nor any of the others, dared to step over it. At this moment, when Du Shiyi personally came over to open the door, Sima Heiyun finally smiled and nodded.
The bamboo shadows involuntarily extended their right hand in accordance with the words, and upon realizing that Du Shiyi had taken his pulse without permission, she could not help but hurriedly lower her head
Sun Zifang was about to agree, but Du Shiyi immediately shook his head and said, "Brother Sima is not an outsider, so please come in together with Daoist Sun."
Faced with Du Shiyi's calmly extended left hand, Sun Zifang took a deep breath and then solemnly began to take his pulse
The praise at the beginning is quite pleasant to hear, while the subsequent refusal is clearly just a formality. Sunzi immediately laughed and said: "It is of no consequence. Since Young Master Du has just mentioned that a physician should have the heart of a parent, how can I, as a physician, pass by the door of a patient without entering? Would that not render me merely a physician in name?"
In his youth, he studied both Daoism and medicine, consuming elixirs and pills. The patients he has treated include both high-ranking officials and common folk. He has encountered a variety of complex pulse patterns, and at this moment, he can clearly discern that Du Shiyi and the pulse pattern of *Tu* show signs of both qi and blood deficiency, which is to be expected in someone recovering from a serious illness. While he privately marveled at this, he, who had extensively read about the mysterious events of ancient and modern times, finally withdrew his hand and smiled warmly, nodding at Du Shiyi.
The only middle-aged man dressed in a robe stood out among the crowd like a crane among chickens, his gaunt face adorned with a faint smile, and he slightly nodded upon seeing them. Although he did not understand their intentions, he nonetheless stepped out of the house with an unperturbed demeanor.
Sit down! This is an order, not a discussion with you! If you are ill, do you expect me to cook, do laundry, and take care of both of you?
Seeing the bamboo shadow about to rise, he immediately shouted: "Don't move, the needles on you haven't been removed yet. I'll go answer the door"
When Du Shiyi emerged again, Sun Zifang and Sima Heiyun arrived at the front of the thatched cottage. Remembering that the interior was sparsely furnished and cramped, Sima Heiyun took the initiative to say: "Daoist Sun, since there are patients inside, I and the others will wait outside, so would you and Young Master Du please go in together?"
"It was taught to me in a dream," Du Shiyi replied without raising his head. He then took another needle from his leather needle case and retrieved Du Shisan Niang's left hand from under the quilt. After identifying the Lieque acupoint, he inserted the needle, and then proceeded to do the same with the right hand. After a considerable amount of time, he withdrew the silver needle, carefully turned Du Shisan Niang over again, and covered her with the quilt securely. He then looked at the bamboo shadows and said, "Extend your right hand"
Although she was a maid, she had served Lady Du Shisan since childhood and had never had any intimate contact with a man. Had it not been for the fire at the Du residence and the serious illness of Du Shiyi, the remaining servants of the Du family, fearing inquiries from the elders of the clan due to their negligence, had all fled without a trace. She would never have approached this young gentleman, let alone performed all sorts of tasks from assisting with bathing to attending to his needs in the past few days. After much effort to suppress her unusual emotions, she only heard a voice by her ear. Fearing inquiries from the elders of the clan, they had all fled without a trace. She would never have approached this young gentleman, let alone performed all sorts of tasks from assisting with bathing to attending to his needs in the past few days. After much effort to suppress her unusual emotions, she only heard a voice by her ear.