Chapter 195: Careful Diagnosis and Slow Medicine

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Yes, this person is a cunning rogue.

Imperial Physician Jiang did not believe Miss Jun could fail to see whether Prince Huai had smallpox or not.

But she just wouldn't say, instead cleverly going along with the flow, clearly also wanting to leave herself an out.

Knowing the patient's true condition and yet concealing it, did she possess even a shred of the virtue of a great doctor?

Of course, they concealed it because the situation was special, but what business did a folk doctor, who boasted such miraculous abilities, have getting involved in this excitement?

Imperial Physician Jiang's complexion turned a darker shade of green, then another.

The other imperial physicians also did not know what to say for a moment.

"I know what Imperial Physician Jiang's doubts are," Miss Jun seemed not to notice their expressions, nor did she seem to understand what Imperial Physician Jiang's doubts meant, as she continued with her previous statement, "Smallpox is indeed a difficult illness to treat."

She said this with a laugh.

"But even the hardest to cure ailments have their remedies, there's no need to consider how difficult the condition is, the most important thing is to cure the illness, so I truly can cure Prince Huai, Imperial Physician Jiang, rest assured."

Whether it was smallpox or some other illness, the most important thing for her was the cure; there was no need to argue who was superior regarding what the condition was.

Indeed, whatever it was, whether you could cure it or not, your fate wouldn't be good, it was not about fighting for the moment.

Imperial Physician Jiang nodded and also gave a small smile.

"That's good then, we can be at ease," he said, "There are many strange and effective remedies among the folk, I also believe that since Miss Jun has come, she must be confident in her abilities."

He said this and walked to the bedside, looking at Prince Huai with a mixture of self-reproach and relief, then gave a bow to Princess Jiuli.

"Princess, be at ease."

Princess Jiuli nodded slightly as a return gesture.

Regardless of Miss Jun taking the pulse or the veiled sharpness in the recent exchange of words, even as Miss Jun said she could cure the illness, Princess Jiuli just sat beside the bed watching Prince Huai, her expression unchanging, as if she hadn't heard anything at all.

Imperial Physician Jiang then gave a bow to Lu Yunqi and turned his gaze to Miss Jun.

"Whatever you need, medicine or helpers, just command us," he said.

Miss Jun did not speak but gave a smile as her response.

As the saying goes, one does not strike a smiling face. Even if you held resentment in your heart toward me, I've been courteous to such an extent that you won't even utter a single polite word, and a smile will suffice to let bygones be bygones?

Do you think you are a princess too?

Imperial Physician Jiang glanced at Miss Jun, couldn't be bothered to speak further, and turned to leave, with the other imperial physicians naturally following him out.

The tranquility of Prince Huai's chamber returned as before.

Without waiting for anyone to speak, Miss Jun had already turned around, unfolded the box of acupuncture needles, and took the needle she had been holding from the start, slowly twirling it as she pierced Prince Huai's finger.

The room was silent as a tomb, Lu Yunqi blending into the shadows, silent from start to finish as if he were a clay statue.

Princess Jiuli stood by the bed, her expression gentle, only looking at Prince Huai, but occasionally there was a fleeting moment where the corner of her eye twitched slightly and her gaze fell on Miss Jun.

After a session with the acupuncture needles, drops of dark red blood seeped from all ten of Prince Huai's fingertips, and sweat drenched Miss Jun's body, but it wasn't over yet. She used a brocade handkerchief to wipe each of Prince Huai's fingertips, steadily squeezing until the blood that emerged turned bright red.

Seeing the fresh red droplets, Miss Jun finally let out a breath and couldn't help but reach out to caress Prince Huai's face.

Having learned medical skills but not having been able to save my father, I'm glad I could still make it in time to save you.

"Miss Jun." Princess Jiuli's voice arose beside her, "Is there anything else that needs to be done?"

And from another side, a cold gaze also settled on her hand.

Miss Jun's body stiffened slightly; she had been somewhat uncomposed.

"The high fever has already receded somewhat," she once again gently caressed Prince Huai's face, as if testing his temperature, then withdrew her hand and turned to look at Princess Jiuli, "I am going to prepare the medicine now."

She didn't say prescribe medicine but prepare medicine.

She was going to make it herself.

Princess Jiuli gave her a look.

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"Thank you for your efforts, Miss Jun," she said softly.

How polite of her, she had never spoken to herself like that.

As Miss Jun looked at Princess Jiuli, she seemed to be shaking her head at all times.

You can't do that, it's not good for you to do so.

Princess Jiuli met her gaze for a moment, but quickly shifted it away, settling back on Prince Huai and taking a seat beside the bed.

"Miss Jun, please come this way," a palace maid came forward and said.

Miss Jun picked up her medical chest and followed her out.

She examined each herb carefully, handled the washing, cutting, and decocting herself, and didn't let the medicines out of her sight for a second, nor did she let anyone else touch them. When she brought the freshly prepared medicine to Prince Huai's bedchamber, night had fallen and the chamber was lit with lamps.

Princess Jiuli and Lu Yunqi were both still inside, one standing firm, the other still seated by the bed.

"His Highness can no longer swallow; we'll need to use a crane beak jug to administer the medicine," the palace maid said, reaching for the jug placed aside.

"No need, I'll feed him," Miss Jun said. "Pouring medicine down is very uncomfortable."

The palace maid glanced at Yunqi, and seeing no reaction from him, quietly stepped back.

"Princess, help him sit up," Miss Jun instructed.

Princess Jiuli stood by the head of the bed, cradled Prince Huai in her arms, and Miss Jun held the medicine bowl with one hand and pressed on Prince Huai's chest with the other, gently stroking. After a moment, the drowsy Prince Huai suddenly belched, and Miss Jun immediately scooped up a spoonful of the medicine and fed it to him.

The decoction trickled down the corner of his mouth, but quickly stopped and didn't flow out entirely like before.

She actually had managed to feed it to him.

The palace maids nearby couldn't help but show a surprised and joyful expression, their looks towards Miss Jun also carried a trace of admiration.

This Doctor seemed to truly possess skill.

And a lot of patience too.

They watched Miss Jun continue to stroke Prince Huai's chest, again and again, until he burped once more, immediately feeding him another spoonful of medicine, then repeating the action.

When would this bowl of medicine ever be finished at this rate?

"The medicine will work better if he swallows it on his own," Miss Jun spoke up, smiling faintly at Prince Huai, "When you can drink it faster and more, I will give you a piece of candy."

Princess Jiuli, who had been looking down at Prince Huai, looked up at her for a moment without speaking, then lowered her gaze again.

After finishing the bowl of medicine, Miss Jun was sweating profusely again; she wiped her sweat with her sleeve while sighing.

"Whether he can pull through will depend on whether the fever can subside tonight," she said.

"Is that so? That is quite quick," Princess Jiuli remarked, looking towards Miss Jun, "Thank you for your hard work, Miss Jun. Please go and rest."

Miss Jun shook her head.

"I am a physician; of course, I must watch over the patient," she declared. "I will stay here, Your Highness should rest."

Princess Jiuli smiled.

"I am Prince Huai's sister; naturally, I must stay by his side," she stated, and without further persuasion, she turned to a palace maid, "Set up another cot over here for Miss Jun."

The palace maids acknowledged and became busy with bringing it in, adding to the liveliness of the room.

Miss Jun wasn't idle either. She looked around the room, instructing to open one of the windows, positioning the fire basin, removing the incense burner, and lighting the medical incense she had brought.

Princess Jiuli tended to Prince Huai by wiping his body and changing his clothes, seemingly more aware of the unusual bustle in the room, with frequent sidelong glances in that direction.

The girl stood within the hall, the light from the lamps flickering across her, catching the attention and perhaps sensing the gaze, she turned her head to look over.

Their eyes met and for a moment, neither looked away.

Suddenly, Princess Jiuli felt a tinge of sadness.

It was like the countless dreams where she saw her blood-covered sister looking at her like this, silent, not leaving, yet unable to come closer.

This melancholy was truly inexplicable, and Princess Jiuli withdrew her gaze, gently patting and soothing Prince Huai.