Lu Qingwan did not see Xie Shiluan's slightly stunned expression. As she inserted the silver needles one by one, Xie Shiluan gritted his teeth in pain, and Lu Qingwan herself was exhausted.
With the last silver needle in place, Lu Qingwan threw herself into a nearby chair. "I have opened the blocked meridians for you, but long-term blockage can lead to sequelae. For the next month, do not use your internal energy. I will leave you some medicine. Take it every three days. After a month, change to once every ten days. After taking the medicine for half a year, this poison will be completely resolved. As for the Heart-Devouring Poison, take this separately from the antidote for Drunken Beauty, three times a day, morning and evening. In ten days, you will be fine."
Two large and small medicine bottles were placed on a small table. Xie Shiluan glanced at them. "Thank you, Divine Doctor Lin. What is the consultation fee? I will not let you treat me for free."
"The acupuncture and detoxification cost three hundred thousand taels of silver. For the medicine, seeing as it's on behalf of Young Master Feng, I'll give you a bit of a discount, totaling another hundred thousand taels."
Xie Shiluan was so shocked he almost jumped out of bed. Remembering the silver needles still in him, he slumped back down. He didn't curse, but instead sighed with a bitter smile, "Divine Doctor Lin truly lives up to the name. This consultation fee, isn't it more than what some doctors earn in a lifetime?"
"That's why I am a divine doctor, and they are not!" Lu Qingwan said righteously, feeling no guilt.
Xie Shiluan lay there with a bitter expression. "Divine Doctor Lin speaks wisely. However, I don't actually have that much silver on me. May I send it later?"
"Of course. I'm very reasonable."
Lu Qingwan finally recovered and picked up a teacup from a tray to drink water. It had been left out all morning, and the water inside was still warm. Ah, another thermos disguised as an antique. With her back slightly aching, Lu Qingwan decided to put some goji berries in it next time.
Just as she was recovering, Meng Sheng knocked on the door outside. "Grand-teacher, the distinguished guest has arrived."
"Who?" Lu Qingwan was bewildered. After speaking, she realized Meng Sheng was likely referring to the patient from the Duke of Xu's manor whom she was asked to treat. "Tell him to queue up. I'll come out after I'm done here." They had threatened her upon arrival. After being scared away by Feng Xiwu's token, they still wanted her to visit them. If she didn't make them wait, they wouldn't know who was the one seeking a favor.
Lu Qingwan leisurely took a few sips of water, then got up to remove the needles for Xie Shiluan. "I'll remove the needles now, but don't rush off. Lie here for a while. If you don't feel dizzy or in pain, take a pill and then go back. After you return, be sure to deal with the Heart-Devouring Poison. You are a high-risk individual now, with weaker resistance than before detoxification. You cannot touch the Heart-Devouring Poison at all. Remember this!"
She chattered on like an old woman. Xie Shiluan didn't find it bothersome and agreed to everything. He then watched as Lu Qingwan shed her gentle demeanor and put on the airs of a divine doctor before heading out, making him stifle a laugh.
The hospital hadn't been built yet, but for more effective treatment, patients visiting Bai Xing Lin were divided into two groups based on severity on days Lu Qingwan held consultations. Meng Sheng would perform preliminary diagnoses at the door. Lighter cases were treated by Meng Tang, and severe ones by Lu Qingwan. Every time Lu Qingwan came for consultations, the queue would stretch out to the street, and this time was no exception.
A group of people waited near the entrance. By the door, a figure in a black cloak stood, with a radius of nearly three feet around him kept clear. No one approached him. Seeing Lu Qingwan emerge, he visibly stirred but, thinking better of it, retracted his steps. Since he wasn't causing trouble, Lu Qingwan pretended not to see him and sat down at the table. "My apologies. The previous patient's condition was a bit complex, causing everyone to wait."
The patients quickly said it was no problem. Lu Qingwan didn't waste time. "The next patient can come over." Once she started, she was all business, no wasted words or movements. Observation, listening, inquiry, palpation – she did whatever was needed, then wrote prescriptions and dispensed medicine, extremely efficient. Therefore, even though the patients had waited, they weren't impatient or angry. Soon, over a dozen patients were seen.
Finally, it was the cloaked man's turn. Before Lu Qingwan could even feel his pulse, he said, "May I ask Divine Doctor to step aside for a private discussion?" Out of respect for patient privacy, Lu Qingwan readily agreed, but added, "It seems this patient's condition is a bit complicated. Could you wait in the inner hall for a moment? I will see to the remaining patients first, and then I will examine you. This will save everyone trouble."
The man's figure stiffened slightly, clearly displeased, but he endured it. "Alright." His cooperation surprised Lu Qingwan. She said, "Thank you for your understanding." Then she called to Meng Sheng, "Meng Sheng, we've seen most of today's patients. Please escort this gentleman to the inner hall to wait for a moment." Meng Sheng knew this was the person who had threatened them before, and said grumpily, "This way, please!" With that, he walked in, and Lu Qingwan felt the person under the cloak was about to explode. Shaking her head, she continued seeing patients.
As it neared closing time, Lu Qingwan would have Meng Sheng hang the "Closed" sign. At this point, only four patients remained, none with complex ailments, and they were quickly dealt with. Even so, by the time she returned to the inner hall, the cloaked man had grown impatient. "Divine Doctor Lin has quite the airs. Can you examine me now?"
Lu Qingwan arrogantly crossed her legs and said icily, "Extend your hand." The cloaked man extended his hand. His fingers were slender and well-defined, and his skin was fair, indicating someone who lived a life of comfort. However, upon feeling his pulse, Lu Qingwan doubted her own eyes. The person before her was indeed a man, right? "This patient, I need to examine your facial features and tongue." Lu Qingwan was quite intrigued by this first-time encounter. The man, however, became wary. "Didn't you only need to feel my pulse? Why do you need to see my face and tongue? Are you a doctor or a fortune teller?" Lu Qingwan: "The way of Chinese medicine emphasizes observation, listening, inquiry, and palpation. You are cutting off two of my diagnostic channels. Do you want this illness treated or not?" Such pride in the face of suffering! Did he not realize this was not the place for pride?
The man remained silent for a long moment. "You didn't diagnose anything from my pulse. At least I need to know if you are qualified enough for me to show my face to you." This is your own doing! Lu Qingwan grinned. "Who said I didn't diagnose anything? I at least diagnosed that you likely have no heirs. If I say you're a man, your pulse is exceedingly yin and soft. If I say you're a woman..." Before she could finish, the man removed his cloak. "Silence. Just tell me if you can treat the illness. Speak less nonsense." Lu Qingwan inwardly exclaimed, Feng Xiwu was wrong! The person was not Prince Ning, Feng Yuheng, but Prince Jing, Feng Jingheng.