C15 Treating

Shen Wenke paused, a slight frown crossing his face, and asked, "How do you know all this?"

"I come from a family of doctors. I've tasted more medicines than you've had hot dinners. What's so strange about that? You went through all this trouble to get rhodiola—do you have someone seriously ill at home? While rhodiola has many benefits, it's more for maintenance than a cure. It might not address the root of the problem."

Initially, Shen Wenke had underestimated Ruan Qingge, given her youthful and delicate appearance. But hearing her speak so knowledgeably, he began to take her seriously. "Since you come from a family of doctors and seem so well-versed, you must be quite skilled. Why not come inside and take a look at my mother?"

Standing nearby, Liu Yunzheng was wide-eyed with surprise, looking at Ruan Qingge. He had assumed she was unimpressed by things like rhodiola because she grew up in a wealthy family. Now, Shen Wenke was actually asking her to treat his mother, which left Liu Yunzheng quite taken aback.

"Sure, since I'm already here, I might as well take a look. But I should warn you, my consultation fees aren't cheap."

Ruan Qingge wagged her finger, raising an eyebrow slightly.

"That's no problem. The Shen family isn't short on money! This way, please—" Shen Wenke gestured with his folding fan, a mix of anticipation and excitement in his expression.

"Hello?"

Liu Yunzheng was caught off guard, not expecting Ruan Qingge to agree so readily. He quickly pulled her back a bit, whispering, "Are you really going to do this?"

"Of course," Ruan Qingge shot him a glare. "I need to find a way to make some money. Or do you expect me to rely on you?"

"Making money isn't as simple as that. Do you really know medicine? You better not end up harming someone and getting us all in trouble with the law."

Liu Yunzheng muttered a few more words, but Ruan Qingge ignored him and continued walking. He sighed, feeling a pang of regret. If he had known it would come to this, he wouldn't have agreed to his sister's request to get involved in this mess.

The curtain fell, and the scent of suhexiang masked the strong smell of medicine. On the bed in the inner room lay a woman, her lips pale and her body frail. The vibrant peacock blue embroidered silk quilt contrasted sharply with her gaunt appearance, evoking a sense of pity at first glance.

"Is this your wife?"

As Shen Wenke led the group in, a maid lifted the curtain and gently rolled up the gauze canopy. Ruan Qingge noticed the dark circles under the woman's eyes and her lack of energy. Her cheeks were flushed, contradicting her overall pallor. Qingge frowned, "Her internal heat is excessive, yet her body is severely depleted. What kind of quack doctors have you been consulting? She can't keep consuming those heavy tonics!"

"What should we do?" Shen Wenke was deeply worried because Mrs. Shen's condition had worsened lately. In his desperation, he had consulted several doctors, all of whom prescribed strong tonics. They resorted to using ginseng, deer antler, and rhodiola to keep her going. Occasionally, she showed some improvement, but it never lasted long.

Ruan Qingge sat by the bedside, checked Mrs. Shen's pulse, and frowned. "Too much rhodiola can make someone overly excited, giving the illusion that it's working, but it's really just draining her energy. Once the effects wear off, someone with such a serious illness becomes even weaker. Mrs. Shen has a chronic condition that's hard to cure, but with careful management and proper care, she can maintain her health without major issues."

"How should we manage it, then?" Shen Wenke, recognizing the truth in Ruan Qingge's words, eagerly asked for more guidance.

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