C20 The Medical Consultation Began

The driver from the Chiyan faction was a rough-and-tumble guy, and Mrs. Sunn's mocking made his face flush with anger. Though not much of a talker, he was quick on his feet. After hearing Mrs. Sunn's barrage of words, he spat on the ground and cursed, "Damn it."

As expected, dealing with a busybody like her was a hassle. The steward had been wise to warn him beforehand to support the doctor and not let her be slandered by anyone. If faced with an unreasonable woman, he was told to handle it directly. But now, this unreasonable woman happened to be the doctor's mother-in-law. He hesitated, unsure whether to act, until Mrs. Sunn's final words pushed him over the edge.

Such ignorance and stubbornness needed a lesson. The driver jumped off the carriage with a swift motion, drew the sword he carried, and held it to Mrs. Sunn's throat.

Terrified, Mrs. Sunn screamed, "Help! Murder! Someone's trying to kill me!"

The driver shouted back, "Shut up! My master is an official investigating the headless corpse case. He's seriously injured, which is why the doctor was called to the manor. How dare you slander my master with your baseless accusations? If you keep spouting nonsense, you won't get away with it."

"Did everyone hear that clearly? Don't go spreading rumors. If my master hears any gossip, you'd better watch your heads."

The crowd, startled by the driver's fierce demeanor, quickly nodded and scurried back to their homes. The courtyard entrance soon returned to its peaceful state.

Xuanniang hadn't said a word throughout the commotion. She quietly retreated to her room to rest, utterly exhausted.

Over the next few days, rumors spread through the village that Xuanniang was a doctor who had treated an official. Meanwhile, Xuanniang began offering free medical consultations in town.

"Have you noticed any unusual symptoms lately? Like nausea or trouble sleeping?" Xuanniang asked, examining an elderly woman's eyes.

"Yes, my stomach feels uneasy. I keep burping, and cold food makes me nauseous. At night, I feel anxious and can't sleep. Doctor, what's wrong with me?" the elderly woman asked anxiously.

Xuanniang was conducting her free clinic under a simple pavilion, using a table and chairs to set up a makeshift station. Like a traveling doctor, she hung a sign with the words "Free Clinic" in bold letters.

At first, not many people approached her. She was young, and as a woman, few were willing to seek her help.

The elderly woman was in dire straits, struggling with pain and hoping for a stroke of luck by visiting the clinic. To her, the young lady doctor's methods seemed quite unconventional. She didn't take her pulse but kept asking questions, examining her eyes, and checking her tongue. The woman felt uneasy, sensing that the doctor's approach didn't align with traditional practices, yet she didn't seem untrustworthy.

The elderly woman kept urging, "Doctor, what's wrong with me? What's the diagnosis?"

Xuanniang was busy taking notes and finally paused when she heard the repeated questioning.

"Honestly, you don't have a serious illness, just some stomach discomfort. You should watch your diet and avoid iced tea. I noticed you probably love spicy food, but you should cut back on the chili. It's hard on your stomach, and those mouth sores are a clear sign of inflammation. You really need to watch what you eat!"

Hearing this, the elderly woman couldn't help but praise Xuanniang as a miracle worker.

"Exactly, exactly, my appetite's been off, but I can't resist spicy food. Without chili, I can't eat. Doctor, you're amazing to figure that out. But giving up chili is tough. Is there any other way? Not eating spicy food is really hard for me."

Xuanniang smiled and shook her head, her tone very serious. "Ma'am, you should listen to me. I'm a doctor, and I won't steer you wrong. Just cut out the spicy food, and the excess heat in your body will decrease. After some time, come back to see me. Who knows, maybe once you stop eating spicy food, your sleep will improve too."

"But what about my stomach pain?"

"Aren't there dandelions all over the fields right now? Just pick some, clean them, and brew them. Drink it twice a day, and it will help clear the heat from your stomach. I have a pill here that you can hold in your mouth. It'll give you a cooling sensation and help relieve the heat immediately."

Xuanniang took a pill out of her pocket. The elderly woman hesitated to take it, so Xuanniang quickly reassured her, "Don't worry, I won't harm you. It's not poisonous. This will help reduce the heat, and your stomach will feel much better."

The elderly woman hesitated, her eyes lingering on the pill. She mumbled softly, "This must cost a lot, and I don't have much money. Isn't this supposed to be a free consultation? Why are you trying to sell me a pill?"