The Lucky Farmgirl

Chapter 2398: Chapter 2372: Persuasion

Imperial Doctor Liu said, "The cold has penetrated his bones; it’s very difficult to remove. From October to March of the following year, he’s in the most discomfort, especially in December, when he can basically only lie in bed."

Manbao asked, "Then how can he still serve as the Junior Supervisor of the Palace Eunuchs Department?"

Imperial Doctor Liu smiled and said, "He’s not like the external ministers who need to attend court to manage affairs. The matters handed over to the Palace Eunuchs Department are dealt with by the heads of various bureaus. When something reaches him, the junior eunuchs take over, and if they can’t solve it, they report it to him for a decision. Why can’t it be done?"

Imperial Doctor Liu took a sip of tea and said with a smile, "People in the palace are different from us external ministers. When we no longer hold office, there are plenty of opportunities for us, but they can only grow old and die in the palace. Especially people like Eunuch Tong, who have climbed to such a position and bestowed countless favors and naturally have countless grievances."

"Those eunuchs know how to read the situation. Once he falls from power, those who were close to him may not be willing to offend his enemies for his sake. Being able to not kick him when he’s down is already very good." Imperial Doctor Liu asked Zhou Man, "Why did you think of asking about him, Imperial Doctor Zhou?"

Manbao said, "He came to find me, but we haven’t had a chance to talk yet. I guess he might want me to treat his illness. Imperial Doctor Liu, what is his pulse like?"

Imperial Doctor Liu thought for a moment and said, "I took his pulse once three months ago."

After a pause, he added, "It’s very bad. The cold has entered his body, and I think he only has about a year left."

Manbao was surprised, "So serious? How old is he?"

Imperial Doctor Liu laughed, "He’s forty-eight this year. He’s had this cold condition for nearly thirty years. When he was young, he didn’t know how to take care of himself and didn’t have the means to do so, which led to this situation. But it’s already remarkable that he’s survived until now."

Manbao frowned, "What kind of cold condition is so severe? Even among women, very few have such severe cold conditions."

Imperial Doctor Liu sighed, "People like him are not very different from women. This Eunuch Tong was castrated early; I heard he entered the palace at the age of five or six..."

So his body didn’t develop well and naturally lacked Yang vitality. After a pause, Imperial Doctor Liu added, "When the former emperor was still around, he served in Consort Moral’s palace. Because he offended Consort Moral, he was punished by kneeling in the yard all night. At that time, they even poured cold water on him, and it was December. Even without pouring cold water, kneeling in the cold could freeze someone to death."

"But what’s peculiar is that he knelt there all night and still had a breath left when they carried him away. After he survived, he was left with a cold condition. When he was young, he couldn’t get rid of it, and later, when he could afford the Imperial Doctors, the cold had already reached his bones and couldn’t be treated."

Imperial Doctor Liu paused again and said, "His illness is as difficult as Yin Huo’s, both being incurable diseases."

Manbao was surprised but more excited, "I can’t wait to meet him."

Imperial Doctor Liu, remembering how she’s managed to regulate Yin Huo’s condition to be like a normal person, became spirited as well, "You might go see him. If you can cure Yin Huo, maybe you can cure him too."

Manbao shook her head, "Yin Huo’s illness isn’t cured; it’s just that his body is in a state of balance for now. His constitution is still weak, but as long as we keep adjusting, as long as the balance isn’t broken, his body won’t have major issues."

This is also the best treatment plan that Manbao and Teacher Mo could find.

However, Teacher Mo also mentioned that this kind of balance requires the patient to maintain an excellent mindset and a very calm living environment. Otherwise, if his body senses any discomfort and the balance is broken, it will be like a dam bursting, a very dangerous situation.

Manbao stroked her chin and thought, "For a cold condition, it’s natural to remove the cold first, then restore yang..."

But considering Eunuch Tong’s physical condition and age, Manbao also felt troubled, as it seems there is no particularly suitable remedy.

Imperial Doctor Liu glanced at her and said, "It’s February now; the weather is starting to warm up. The days ahead are getting better for treating cold conditions, but I’m afraid his body might not hold up."

Manbao said, "But I can’t leave either."

Imperial Doctor Liu smiled slightly, "You can’t leave, but he can come in."

He said leisurely, "Although he’s now lost his position, finding an excuse to stay in this village isn’t difficult."

Manbao looked at him curiously, "Imperial Doctor Liu, you very much hope for me to treat him, right? Why do you keep urging me?"

Imperial Doctor Liu smiled, "I owe him a favor. Even though I don’t know if you can cure him, mentioning it counts as repaying a favor."

Manbao’s spirit lifted, excitedly, "How did you owe him a favor?" She loved hearing people’s stories.

Imperial Doctor Liu glanced at her and said, "Imperial Doctor Zhou, not everyone has your luck. I was almost forty when I entered the Imperial Hospital. Even though I was specially recruited by Imperial Doctor Tan, I still had to start as a medical assistant. It took me five years as a junior imperial doctor in the palace before I could treat concubines. It took another four years before I could take the pulse of the Empress, and another three years before I could examine and take the pulse of the emperor during my shift."

"Eunuch Tong has not only served the Empress but also served the Empress Dowager for a long period," Imperial Doctor Liu said. "Once, I made a small mistake, and Eunuch Tong quietly covered for me. It would have been unnoticed if he hadn’t. In the palace, there are no small matters. If discovered, keeping my job would have been uncertain, and losing my position as an Imperial Doctor would have been inevitable."

"Naturally, it was in his best interest, and he, being from the Empress Dowager’s palace, didn’t even use it to gain merit or reward from me, which is a favor indeed."

Manbao asked curiously, "What small mistake did you make?"

"I’m not telling you," Imperial Doctor Liu smiled at her, "How could I tell anyone about my past mistakes?"

"If you tell me, I promise I won’t tell anyone else."

Imperial Doctor Liu still shook his head, "Imperial Doctor Zhou, it’s not that I don’t trust you, but it’s a minor mistake with no harm. Besides, what’s the point in it? At least you know we have such a connection. Oh, right, tomorrow is my day off; do you want me to pass a message to him?"

Manbao’s heart ached, feeling distressed, losing interest in the mistake Imperial Doctor Liu once made, "I haven’t had a day off in two weeks."

Imperial Doctor Liu comforted her, "Director Xiao mentioned that when this matter is resolved, he’ll give you and Imperial Doctor Lu a long holiday. Your days off during this time are accumulating, and they’ll be given to you all at once."

Manbao’s mood improved greatly.

Imperial Doctor Liu urged her to decide, "Imperial Doctor Zhou, do you want to take a look?"

Manbao thought for a moment and then nodded, "Alright, if he wants to be treated, he should find his way in. I won’t refuse to treat him."

Patients with such symptoms are rare, so it’s a good opportunity to take a look. I wonder if Teacher Mo might be interested in this case?