Chapter 545: Chapter 544: Visiting the Patient
Lin Wanwan obediently stretched out a fair wrist from the bed curtains, and Chen Liang placed a silk handkerchief on it and began to take her pulse.
This was Lin Wanwanâs first time falling ill since she gained the ability to travel through time, and also her first time seeing a doctor in ancient times, she was quite curious.
A few minutes later, after checking her pulse, Chen Liang looked up and asked Hong Yan who was waiting by the side: "How is the Village Ladyâs complexion? What about her tongue coating? Go and take a look for me."
"Yes."
Lin Wanwan, inside the bed curtains, laughed lightly and lazily said: "Doctor Chen, I also study medicine and do not mind these common etiquettes, you might as well personally examine me again."
With that, she directly lifted the bed curtain, revealing her sickly appearance.
Chen Liang was slightly surprised by Lin Wanwanâs behavior, but given his age and extensive experience with noble female patients, he was long past worrying about gender proprieties. Moreover, he was somewhat accustomed to Lin Wanwanâs unconventional ways, so he immediately composed himself and began the examination without hesitation.
The final diagnosis matched Lin Wanwanâs own assessment, and the prescription was also from the Treatise on Cold Pathogenic and Warm Pathogenic Diseases.
Lin Wanwan discussed her condition further with Doctor Chen, and after he administered a few acupuncture treatments, she rewarded him with money and sent him away.
The attendants like Hong Yan, although finding it a bit inappropriate for the lady to speak with Doctor Chen directly while reclining in the boudoir, naturally couldnât voice objections since Lin Wanwan was the head of the household and her word was law.
In the Great Tang, it was not so particular for ordinary folk when a woman needed medical treatment; much like laboring women did not have to wear veils when going out.
However, there were more formalities for noblewomen getting medical treatment, largely depending on family customs.
Usually, when diagnosing noblewomen, the doctor didnât examine directly but asked a close member about her complexion, tongue coating, diet, and excretion.
If the illness was severe, theyâd diagnose through the bed curtains; if it was mild, through thinner ones; and even during pulse-taking, the doctor would not touch directly, using a thin silk to separate.
Overall, it was quite cumbersome, equated to "taking off pants to fart" â redundant and less straightforward than common folksâ approach, with high chances of misdiagnosis and missed diagnosis.
If there were female Daoists or doctors who understood medicine, even if their skills were not impressive (given the limited paths available for thorough learning from a young age, as medical families generally passed skills to males), they would be the preferred choice, just as it was for concubines in the palace.
Having an Imperial Physician personally diagnose and prescribe was rare, only happening for those especially favored by the Emperor.
Regardless whether Imperial Physicians were selected from the Imperial Medical Bureau or renowned doctors recruited from the populace, they only truly served one person: the Emperor.
In feudal society, women, even in the Tang Dynasty, held such a position. Only after Wu Zetian rose to power did things slightly improve, but not by much.
After Chen Liang left, Lin Wanwan lay in bed, imagining the sights of Changâan City, and couldnât help but sigh. Just based on how Chen Liang treated her illness, she gleaned insight into the rules there, catching a glimpse of the bigger picture!
Forget it, better to focus on recovery.
Lin Wanwan pulled the blanket over herself and continued to sleep. With colds, taking medicine, drinking plenty of water, supplementing with vitamins, and sleeping well are key.
As long as traditional Chinese medicine targeted the symptoms properly, three doses would show results, with effects like beating a drum.
When Lin Wanwan woke up from a sound sleep, her body aches were much improved, though she still felt a bit sluggish.
Originally, she planned to return to the Lin Family Manor today and depart from there to Qiantang by boat tomorrow, but her illness disrupted the plan.
Fortunately, whether she departed a day early or late mattered little to Lin Wanwan, so she sent someone to the dock to notify the Xiao Family.
By afternoon, Xiao Chong came again, this time finding Lin Wanwan had moved to the Imperial Concubineâs Couch in the Warm Pavilion, listening to Xiao Yixun read to her.
Normally cold and quiet, like an ice-sculpted statue, Xiao Yixun could occasionally reveal a girlish liveliness when with Lin Wanwan.
As Xiao Yixun read aloud, Xiao Chong was announced and entered through the curtain into the side room.
Xiao Yixun abruptly stopped her voice, cast a cold glance at Xiao Chong with indifferent eyes, and left with her book, ignoring Xiao Chongâs greeting.
Xiao Chong didnât mind; it took much to stir his emotions, and should one provoke him, he wouldnât give them a chance to react.
After Xiao Yixun and her maid left, Xiao Chong gestured for Hong Yan to leave as well.
Hong Yan hesitated, turned to look at Lin Wanwan, and seeing her masterâs downcast eyes, had an inkling and quietly withdrew to the outer room.
The room fell notably silent, leaving only the sound of the north wind moving the window lattice.
Lin Wanwanâs cheeks were slightly flushed, either from the fever or the warmth of the pavilionâs heat.
After a moment, Xiao Chong moved closer, standing less than a step from where Lin Wanwan lay on the Imperial Concubineâs Couch, and asked with concern, "Cousin, how are you feeling, any better?"
Lin Wanwanâs heartbeat unexpectedly quickened, and though she silently chided herself, she pulled the blanket tighter under her chin and groggily replied, "Cousin, why are you here? Itâs still early, did you skip work?"
Xiao Chong chuckled, then reached out and touched the back of his hand to Lin Wanwanâs forehead, frowning slightly: "Still feverish. Itâs my fault; it must be from too much wind last night. I should have brought out a cloak for you sooner."
Seeing the hint of guilt in Xiao Chongâs bright eyes, Lin Wanwan couldnât help but say, "Occasionally getting a little sick, letting the body fight a small battle with the illness, can boost oneâs constitution. No need to worry, cousin."
Hearing this, Xiao Chongâs lips curled into a smile, his fine features relaxed, clearly amused by Lin Wanwanâs unconventional reasoning: "Cousin, you always have such peculiar logic."
Lin Wanwan retorted: "I am a doctor; what I say is sound reasoning, not peculiar logic!"
Xiao Chong glanced at Lin Wanwan, sat down on a nearby stool, peeled an orange from a side table, and offered a section to her mouth. Her eyes widened slightly, though she opened her mouth to eat, a blush spreading from her face to her ears.
Xiao Chongâs actions were smooth and uninhibited, meanwhile making the modern Lin Wanwan seem bashful.
This guy, isnât he too immodest?
Arenât ancient people supposed to practice self-restraint?
Is it appropriate to feed a girl an orange like this?!
Feeling both shy and annoyed, Lin Wanwan secretly cursed Xiao Chong, who, as if using a Mind Reading Technique, gazed down at her with eyes warm yet steadfast, calling softly, "Wanwan."
"Hmm?"
"Are you upset at my impudent actions? I just... couldnât help myself."
Lin Wanwanâs pupils widened in shock, her scalp tingledâthis, this, this... this guy knows how to flirt like this!
Oh my! Combine that with his perfect appearance; itâs truly overwhelming!
She weakly protested, "Cousin, donât be so unbridled; Iâm not used to it."
Hearing her, Xiao Chong burst into laughter, utterly amused.