Chapter 38: Deeply Hidden

“Song Yuntang, why are you shouting? You disturbed Doctor Li!” Qiao Er angrily shouted.

“No, no.” Doctor Li waved his hands, went to Song Yuntang, and pulled her into the house. “Miss Song, I can’t find the cause. Please examine him. I’ll assist you.”

Doctor Li, in his thirties, was humble towards Song Yuntang.

Just by hearsay, she had described the pulse and symptoms. She must be skilled.

The Qiao family and the onlookers were shocked.

“Did Doctor Li say he’ll assist Song Yuntang? Did I hear correctly?”

“What? Song Yuntang guessed Old Man Qiao’s condition?”

The Qiao family members peeked through the windows and doors.

Song Yuntang examined Old Man Qiao’s pulse and tongue and determined the cause.

“Old Man Qiao, can you lift your legs?”

Old Man Qiao tried but couldn’t.

He shook his head.

“No.”

Song Yuntang nodded. “I know the cause.”

Inside, Qiao Da cautiously asked, “Can it be cured?”

Doctor Li had shaken his head, scaring him. Although he didn’t know Song Yuntang’s skills, Doctor Li’s words and her performance gave him hope.

Song Zhi held Song Yuntang’s hand, pleading, “Tang’er, if you can, please save my husband.”

Doctor Li looked at Song Yuntang seriously. He had never encountered this before.

“Don’t worry, it’s not difficult to treat.”

Song Yuntang took out her needles.

“Old Man Qiao lacks potassium, causing weakness.  His liver and kidneys are also weak. I’ll use acupuncture to restore his ability to walk, then prescribe medicine.  Give him more beans, mushrooms, fruits, and lotus seeds.”

In previous years, they had vegetables and fruits. This year, the harvest was poor.

Qiao Da nodded. “I remember. Thank you.”

Song Yuntang ignored him, under everyone’s gaze, took out needles and used acupuncture points on his upper and lower limbs.

Because of his liver and kidney deficiency, she also used acupuncture points on his liver and kidney.

Old Man Qiao felt his legs regaining strength.

Song Yuntang removed the needles.

“Old Man Qiao can walk with help.”

Qiao Da tried to help, but Old Man Qiao sat up, put on his shoes, and stood up!

Song Zhi cried, overjoyed.

“It’s great! He’s not paralyzed!” She held Song Yuntang’s hand. “Thank you, Tang’er!”

The onlookers were stunned, then shocked, then joyful.

“It’s amazing!”

A few needles, and he could stand.

If it hadn’t happened, they would have thought Song Yuntang was acting.

Doctor Li recovered from his shock.

“Miss Song solved this difficult case easily. I admire you.”

Song Yuntang put away her needles. “It’s not that difficult. With the right medicine, it’ll be cured soon. Doctor Li just hasn’t encountered it.”

She wrote a prescription for Hu Qian Pills.

Doctor Li asked, “Miss Song, what’s the theory behind this prescription?”

“Cow bone and Niu Xi strengthen bones and muscles. Suoyang warms the kidneys and benefits essence. Danggui and Bai Shao nourish blood and soften the liver. Huang Bai, Zhi Mu, Shu Di, and Gui Ban nourish yin and clear heat.  They are suitable for Old Man Qiao.” Song Yuntang gave the prescription to Qiao Da.

“Make it into pills or decoction. One dose daily, in three meals.”

Qiao Da took the prescription with both hands. “Thank you.”

Seeing this, Song Zhi took out a small gray pouch.

“Doctor Li, Tang’er, how much is the fee?”

Doctor Li looked at Song Yuntang. “Miss Song diagnosed Old Man Qiao’s illness. I learned something today.  Pay her.”

Song Yuntang didn’t refuse. She had worked for it. “We’re from the same village. I won’t charge for the acupuncture. The consultation fee is thirty wen.”

Thirty wen was reasonable for such a serious illness.

Song Zhi gratefully urged Qiao Da to pay Song Yuntang.

Having finished, Song Yuntang left with the money.

Doctor Li quickly followed her. “Miss Song, wait. I have some questions.”

After Song Yuntang and Doctor Li left, Old Man Qiao, supported by Qiao Da, came out.

The onlookers were shocked.

“Old Man Qiao, are you better?”

Old Man Qiao laughed heartily. “Yes, thanks to Lao San’s daughter.  Without her, I wouldn’t be able to stand.”

Someone doubted, “Is Song Yuntang really that good?”

Qiao Er touched his nose, regretting his actions. “I saw it clearly. She treated my father. I wanted to chase her away. I’m ashamed.”

He had been rude.

The onlookers were even more surprised.

“Song Yuntang knows medicine? I’ve never heard of it.”

“She’s from a wealthy family; she’s proud and doesn’t want to show off.”

“She kept it hidden.”

People’s impressions of Song Yuntang changed subtly.

…