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The Emperor and the Crown Prince had previously asked Princess Changting if Lu Man could help take a look. Princess Changting hesitated slightly, as while some revered Lu Man as a “miracle physician”, her expertise lay in gynecology and psychological disorders. She feared that she might not be able to cure the illness and that involving her would reveal the Crown Prince’s condition to another person.
There was another crucial reason—the Empress held a grudge against Lu Man’s maternal family and wouldn’t trust her. If anything went wrong with the Crown Prince, regardless of the cause, it might end up being blamed on Lu Man.
However, with the Crown Prince’s grand wedding scheduled for the next year and his ailment causing him sleepless nights and physical weakness, the Emperor had recently hinted at having Lu Man take a look. The Crown Prince also cleverly implied that this matter should be kept secret from the Empress.
Upon hearing Princess Changting’s description, Lu Man couldn’t help but wonder why this ailment seemed so similar to Miss Liu Xirui’s.
With all the servants sent away, leaving only the Princess, Lu Man, and the senior physician from the Imperial Hospital, Eunuch Li removed the Crown Prince’s outer robe, helped him lie down on the couch, and rolled up his inner garment.
The Crown Prince was indeed very thin, with prominent bones on his back. In the middle-left section of his back, there was a lump about the size of half a walnut, light purple in color with a slight redness underneath. When Lu Man touched it, it felt somewhat soft, warm, and movable, resembling a subcutaneous cyst. As she pressed on it, the Crown Prince winced in pain, inhaling sharply.
Upon seeing this lump, Lu Man’s thoughts were in turmoil, confirming her previous speculation. This lump was almost identical to what He Cheng had described about Miss Liu, just in a different location and size. Miss Liu had a walnut-sized lump on her chin, while the Crown Prince’s was on his back and half the size of a walnut.
Another difference was their birth conditions. Miss Liu was born with her entire skin turning purple, with a lychee-sized lump. In contrast, the Crown Prince was born with normal skin, and the lump was much smaller, just the size of a soybean.
Lu Man thought of Concubine Li and Empress Wang, who were pregnant at the same time as Third Madam Liu. Therefore, the Crown Prince’s condition was likely due to fetal poisoning. Perhaps the poisoning dosage was lighter, explaining the milder symptoms.
Suppressing her internal shock, Lu Man furrowed her brow, considering that since Miss Liu had been taking Bai Hezi Pills and Willow Bark Pills, as suggested by He Cheng, which had significantly alleviated her pain, the Crown Prince could also benefit from these medicines.
The Crown Prince sat up, adjusting his clothing and asked, “They say Zhanwei’s wife is a miracle physician. Do you have any way to treat this illness of mine?”
Although the Crown Prince was only sixteen years old, his restrained demeanor, composure, and dignified yet gentle and refined manner garnered immediate favor.
Regardless of his status as the Crown Prince and their familial connection, Lu Man sincerely wished for his health and well-being.
Lu Man bent her knee and carefully replied, “Reporting to Your Highness, I dare not claim the title of ‘miracle physician’. This lump is subcutaneous, which is relatively less dangerous compared to being located elsewhere. Although I currently cannot make the lump disappear, I should be able to alleviate Your Highness’s pain to some extent.”
Having endured treatment for this illness for many years, the Crown Prince had little hope left. However, his casual inquiry unexpectedly led to this response. Arching his eyebrows, he smiled and asked, “Do you really have a solution?”
Lu Man responded, “Our Tongren Hall has developed two new medicinal pills that are suitable for Your Highness’s condition. The Bai Hezi Pill can clear heat and toxins,” she purposely added “clear heat” to avert any potential troubles, and continued, “while the Willow Bark Pill can alleviate pain, and reduce fever. However, these two medicines contain some toxins and may not be suitable for everyone or for prolonged use. Your Highness should start by taking two of each now. If there are no adverse effects, you can take these medicines regularly and on schedule in the future.”
The Crown Prince was pleased and agreed to give it a try. He then asked, “What is the difference between Willow Bark Pill and Willow Bark Powder?”
Previously, the Crown Prince had heard that Willow Bark Powder was a miraculous medicine that could relieve pain, and reduce fever. However, the imperial physicians had warned against its toxicity and advised against him taking it.
Lu Man explained, “The Willow Bark Pill is made from Willow Bark Powder, but I have added a rare herb to minimize the toxicity of the powder, making it relatively safer.”
Always prepared, she had several bottles of Bai Hezi Pills and Willow Bark Pills in her medical kit. She poured out two of each and handed them to Eunuch Li. When it came to the Emperor and the Crown Prince’s consumption, eunuchs had to taste the food first.
After Eunuch Li tried them for fifteen minutes without issue, the Crown Prince took two of each pill.
Lu Man added, “For better results, crush the Willow Bark Pill into a paste with water and apply it on the lump. Apply both internally and externally for enhanced pain relief.”
The Crown Prince nodded in agreement.
Lu Man took a Willow Bark Pill, crushed it in a teacup with a spoon, and mixed it into a paste with a little water.
As the Crown Prince lay on the couch, she approached and applied the paste onto the lump.
Later on, the Crown Prince began to joke and laugh with the princess. It was evident that this aunt and nephew pair shared a close bond. When they were in good spirits, the princess would even reach out to hold his hand and pat it.
Observing their interaction, Lu Man understood why Princess Changting was unafraid of Empress Wang and the Wang family, and the Empress harbored deep fear of her becoming Princess Changting’s granddaughter-in-law.
In hindsight, it seemed that Empress Wang did have some foresight. Even before Lu Man had uncovered any clues left behind by He Huang, the Empress had already glimpsed some royal secrets.
About twenty minutes later, the Crown Prince joyfully exclaimed, “The effects are quite remarkable. The pain has significantly subsided. Truly a miraculous remedy.”
The senior physician also displayed satisfaction. He had a hunch that Willow Bark Powder might assist the Crown Prince’s condition but refrained from recommending it due to the Prince’s delicate stomach, as he had been on medication since childhood. The Willow Bark Pills made from Willow Bark Powder had been sparingly used in Tongren Hall. The senior physician had attempted to purchase them but failed, so he had requested half a bottle from Physician Fu, who had a close relationship with Lu Man. He had been personally testing the medicine and intended to administer it to the Crown Prince if it proved effective.
Unexpectedly, Third Young Madam Jiang had indeed prescribed Willow Bark Pills for the Crown Prince today, along with an additional Bai Hezi Pill. With the title of “miracle physician”, Third Young Madam Jiang’s prescriptions were deemed reliable.
The senior physician added, “I heard that Tongren Hall has produced these two medicines. However, they are exceptionally expensive and beyond the reach of ordinary households.”
These medicines were currently in high demand, exorbitantly priced, and scarce. Only patients confirmed by the chief physician at Tongren Hall as needing these medicines could purchase them.
Even those attempting to purchase them in excess were deterred by Tongren Hall’s formidable backing.
Lu Man nodded and explained, “The ingredients added to these two medicines are extremely rare. Currently, the quantity I have cultivated is minimal, unable to meet the demand. Once I have successfully cultivated more of these rare ingredients, the prices of the medicines will decrease, benefiting the people.”
The senior physician inquired, “Could these two medicines be sold to our Imperial Hospital as well?”
Facing a similar dilemma, he knew that while he could acquire as much as he wished from other medical establishments or pharmacies, dealing with Tongren Hall was a different story. He would have to negotiate with Lu Man.