Chapter 415.1: The Truth About The Illness
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S T E L L A R C L O U D
[Azurixa] [Celeste S.] [Christine G.-L.]
O R A N G E S T A R
[Fazzienaz] [K.Rom] [Manon] [Smurfinbatik] [Tori D.] [Ziana K.-P.]
Y E L L O W S T A R
[Chlaudette P.] [Gwyneth T.] [Passerby] [Scorpion Princess] [Xena]
G O L D S T A R
[Ava C.] [Cindy] [Lord_Wolve] [Nanashi D. Y.] [Nevy] [Nicole]
R A I N B O W S T A R
[Allie] [BritnaeM] [Debra W] [Kiiayame] [Leticia P.] [Peggy F.]
T H E S U N
[Christigale M.] [Haruka N.] kuroneko_chan] [Lily J.]
[Lulu] [Malinkat] [Michelle K.] [onepiece]
Also, many thanks to everyone who bought me coffee (*≧∀≦*)
Gu Jiao entered the prince's residence of the ancient era for the first time. The last time she sent Rui Wangfei home, she didn't take the opportunity to go inside and look around. Now, however, she had the chance to see what a prince’s residence looked like.
Ning Wang Residence covered a large area, and there was an entire street dedicated to it. Of course, it was just a small street, not a bustling commercial street like Chang'an Street or Xuanwu Street.
On both sides of the small street were the quarters of the servants of the Ning Wang Residence. As one got closer to the mansion, the more heavily guarded it became, indicating that the people living there had an extraordinary background or status.
Physicians don't hold a high position in the State of Zhao, and a female physician’s status was even more humble. Normally, she wouldn't qualify to enter through the main entrance. However, due to Gu Jiao's special status, the court lady from Ning Wang Residence led her through the southern main entrance. But instead of the grand gate in the center, they use the side gate.
This was the imperial rule–-–- only the princes, princesses, and legitimate bloodline of the imperial family could pass through the central gate. In some cases, the Emperor, Empress, and Empress Dowager were also permitted, but other individuals were not allowed to pass through the central gate.
Even if Imperial Consort Zhuang came, she would have to use a side gate as well.
The court lady introduced herself to Gu Jiao as surnamed Yao.
In her heart, Gu Jiao couldn’t help but exclaim that it was quite a coincidence, as Yao was the same surname as Yao shi’s.
The landscape within Ning Wang Residence was more conventional than expected, perfectly complementing the temperament of Ning Wang. Yet, some details in the design, like pavilions, towers, corridors, and the flowers and plants, clearly bore Ning Wangfei's touch.
Court Lady Yao led Gu Jiao to Ning Wangfei's courtyard.
Remembering that Ning Wang once said he could assign Heaven Dominator a separate courtyard if she was willing, Gu Jiao suddenly became curious about where Ning Wang initially planned to place her.
"Physician Gu, we have arrived." Court Lady Yao said when they reached the courtyard's entrance.
Gu Jiao nodded and stepped over the threshold, entering Ning Wangfei's courtyard.
It was a three-entrance courtyard, but much larger than the usual ones. Gu Jiao even felt it was more like a palace residence than a simple courtyard.
It seemed that the Emperor's affection for his firstborn son was beyond words.
Gu Jiao approached the door of the main room, and a servant girl standing outside bowed to Court Lady Yao, who then opened the curtains.
Court Lady Yao personally welcomed Gu Jiao into the room.
Ning Wangfei sat on the imperial couch, leaning against a cushion with a thin quilt covering her body. She held a book in her hands, engrossed in reading.
This wasn't Gu Jiao's first encounter with Ning Wangfei; she had dreamt about her before. In that dream, Ning Wangfei was knocked down by a white cat scared by Xiao Liulang, resulting in a miscarriage. Xiao Liulang took the blame for it.
The white cat was later captured with the help of Yuan Tang, so it didn't startle Xiao Liulang or cause trouble for Ning Wangfei. Nevertheless, Ning Wangfei still miscarried.
Rui Wangfei mentioned that Ning Wangfei had miscarried three times before. It wasn't difficult to understand why her complexion was so poor and why there seemed to be a faint trace of sadness between her eyebrows.
"Wangfei, Physician Gu has arrived." Court Lady Yao approached and reported softly.
Ning Wangfei raised her head, placing one hand to hold the half-read book and extending the other hand. The nearby young servant girl had seemingly understood the meaning behind this gesture and quickly handed her a bookmark.
Ning Wangfei inserted the bookmark into the book, closed it, and looked towards Gu Jiao. "You are Physician Gu? I've heard His Highness mention you, imperial grandmother is apparently very fond of you."
Her gaze briefly swept over the birthmark on Gu Jiao's face but didn't linger too long or show any surprise or disdain.
This was the demeanor of a legitimate daughter from a prestigious family and a prince’s consort, ensuring that guests wouldn't feel uncomfortable.
Even though Gu Jiao was just a female physician, Empress Dowager Zhuang's favor elevated her status significantly.
Ning Wangfei said, "We are all family; no need to be too formal. Please have a seat."
Her choice of words was also very refined, without the tone of bestowing a seat or showing charity. It was as if she was treating a true guest.
Gu Jiao sat beside her, removing the woven basket from her back and placing it on another stool before sitting down.
"What book is Wangfei reading?" She asked.
With a faint smile, Ning Wangfei replied, "Some poetry. Would you like to take a look?" She handed the book to Gu Jiao.
Gu Jiao shook her head, "I don't understand poetry, and it's not my preference."
Ning Wangfei smiled again, "I don't like it either."
Gu Jiao inquired, "Then why is Wangfei reading it?"
Ning Wangfei replied softly, "It helps pass the time at home."
While she said that, Gu Jiao couldn't help but feel that Ning Wangfei was doing more than just passing the time; it seemed more like she was forcing herself to do something she didn't like but had to do anyway.
Gu Jiao said to Ning Wangfei, "I will check your pulse, Wangfei."
Ning Wangfei extended her hand.
A servant girl approached, intending to place a cloth over Ning Wangfei's wrist, but she said, "No need."
"Understood." The servant girl replied and stepped back.
Gu Jiao began to examine Ning Wangfei’s pulse, and the room fell silent.
As expected, Ning Wangfei's pulse matched Gu Jiao's predictions. Gu Jiao asked, "How is your sleep, Wangfei? Do you have trouble falling asleep?"
Ning Wangfei smiled bitterly, "A bit."
Gu Jiao looked directly at Court Lady Yao by Ning Wangfei's side and asked, "How long does it usually take for Wangfei to fall asleep after going to bed?"
Court Lady Yao glanced at Ning Wangfei and, seeing no objection, answered truthfully, "At least half an hour, sometimes... she may stay awake all night."
Gu Jiao nodded thoughtfully and continued, "How is Wangfei’s appetite?"
"Not very good." Court Lady Yao replied, "She can't eat much, and even if Wangfei manages to eat, digestion becomes difficult."
After retracting her hand, Gu Jiao said to Ning Wangfei, "From the pulse examination, it appears that you have weakness in the spleen and stomach. It's not a difficult condition to treat. With careful adjustment and treatment, your condition should improve significantly within one or two months. Have you seen other physicians before?"
Ning Wangfei said, "Yes, they said the same as you. Taking medicine helps, but the symptoms return once I stop."
So, the root of the problem lay not in the weakness of the spleen and stomach but in the illness of the heart.
Gu Jiao then asked, "Please have everyone else leave the room, Wangfei."
Ning Wangfei didn't hesitate, "All of you, withdraw."
With only the two of them left in the room, Gu Jiao conducted a comprehensive assessment and diagnosis of Ning Wangfei. She found that she had mild depression, not as severe as Yao shi's condition back then. However, if left unaddressed, it could potentially worsen to a more serious state than Yao shi's.
Gu Jiao refrained from saying things like "just try to be more positive." For those suffering from depression, such words were as ineffective as telling them to drink more water to cure their condition. Being unable to cope was not mere melodrama; it was a genuine illness.
She opened her small medicine chest. Ever since Yao shi's recovery, antidepressants hadn’t shown up in the medicine chest. But today, they appeared in her medicine chest again.
Gu Jiao took out two boxes of antidepressant pills, unpacked them, and transferred the pills into a porcelain bottle. She then handed it to Ning Wangfei, saying, "Take one pill in the morning and one in the evening. Try to take the evening pill before going to bed."
Ning Wangfei received the bottle and asked, "Are these for treating spleen deficiency?"
Gu Jiao responded, "No, these are for helping you sleep better. You can continue with the spleen deficiency medicine you were taking before."
Ning Wangfei sighed, "I don't want to take the previous one anymore; it's too bitter."
Gu Jiao pondered for a moment and said, "Alright, I'll have someone send over a few bottles of pills for it to Wangfei later."
Miraculous Hands Hall had its own pharmaceutical workshop, where they not only produced the jinchuang medicine for the military but also had additional production lines for medicinal pills, including those for improving spleen and stomach functions.
"Is it bitter?" Ning Wangfei asked.
Gu Jiao replied, "I'll add honey to it, so it won't taste bitter."
Ning Wangfei breathed a sigh of relief, "That's good."
The realization that even a high-ranking prince’s consort could fear bitter medicine made Gu Jiao see Ning Wangfei in a different light. She was quite different from what she had imagined.
Raz P.'s Thoughts
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