Chapter 41: Confirmation

Imperial Physician Fu was administering acupuncture to the old Marquis. Both he and Imperial Physician Wang were specially sent by the Emperor to treat the Old Marquis’s illness, staying by his side day and night. The Princess sat quietly nearby.

Lu Man paid her respects to Princess Changting and took the book from Lu Ying, saying, “Grandmother, granddaughter-in-law has finally found a medical book related to treating soul-separation illness, left by the ancestral He Hong.” She hesitated, “These are just a few pages from the notes, lacking documented cases for treatment. Considering Grandfather’s delicate health, I’m unsure if we can use them…”

Princess Changting eagerly took the book, flipping through it. Noting the handwritten, somewhat messy script, and realizing it was not a printed or formal medical text, her excitement waned as she pondered its usability. She handed the book to Imperial Physician Fu, asking, “What are your thoughts, Imperial Physician Fu?”

Imperial Physician Fu eagerly examined the book and exclaimed, “This book left by He Hong is exceptional!” After reviewing it, he continued, “Your Highness, the content is detailed and innovative, focusing on acupuncture, herbal medicine, and massage, complemented by sensory stimulation. Unfortunately, half a page is missing, luckily not affecting the essential acupuncture and medication but rather the sensory stimulation… I believe He Hong was highly esteemed in the medical community in the previous dynasty, especially his eldest son, He Lin, a masterful physician, and his work ‘He Family’s Comprehensive Record of Women’s Relief’ was hailed as a gynecological classic. His grandson, He Fang, even served as the head of the Imperial Medical Institute in the previous dynasty, earning the Emperor’s trust… I feel that this method is promising and worth a try.”

Upon hearing Imperial Physician Fu’s assessment, Lu Man was thrilled to discover the medical prowess of the He family ancestors. Regrettably, with He Huang’s passing and no successors… should she bear this responsibility?

After a moment of contemplation, Princess Changting said, “At present, we have no better options. Let’s give it a try. If there are any issues, we’ll stop immediately.”

With Princess Changting’s approval, they decided to implement this treatment plan for the Old Marquis. A temporary medical team was formed, with Imperial Physician Fu as the head, Imperial Physician Wang and Lu Man as deputy heads, along with four medical attendants, four servants, and two robust footmen.

Lu Man was chosen as a deputy head not only for her excellent massage skills and contribution of the notes but also because of her volunteered expertise in sensory treatment. She expressed her passion for medical literature since childhood, her exceptional memory, and although not a medical practitioner, she possessed a unique understanding of medical principles, especially regarding sensory treatment. Most importantly, with the masters’ confidence in her ability to treat the Old Marquis, she believed she had the capability.

Princess Changting recognized Lu Man’s skillful massage techniques and her willingness to participate in the treatment, believing it would enhance the recovery of the Old Marquis. She nodded in agreement.

The three leaders discussed plans for the following day, finalizing the roles and treatment procedures. Lu Man even had her lunch at the Crane Hall.

The intricate techniques of acupuncture and moxibustion therapy were primarily handled by Imperial Physician Fu, while Imperial Physician Wang took charge of herbal medicine and medicinal baths. Lu Man was responsible for sensory stimulation…

Subsequently, messengers were sent to procure medicinal herbs and items required for sensory stimulation.

The items needed for sensory stimulation were somewhat unusual, including peppermint and fragrant oils to stimulate the sense of smell, lemons and chili peppers for taste, among others. Garlic and stinky tofu, although highly stimulating, were challenging to acquire.

Recorded information on auditory and tactile stimulation was mostly lacking. Lu Man, utilizing her cleverness, proposed various ideas such as engaging the Old Marquis in interesting conversations, having performers sing or play music, and inviting his favorite grandson Jiang Zhanyan and other great-grandchildren to cry a bit, and so forth.

In reality, Lu Man considered suggesting Jiang Zhanwei’s presence for an impassioned speech by the Old Marquis’s side, potentially provoking a reaction… yet she refrained from this tactic unless absolutely necessary.

Tactile stimulation was already covered through massage. Lu Man suggested focusing on massaging specific areas like the head and soles of the Old Marquis during his medicinal baths, emphasizing the importance of these acupressure points in promoting better circulation, a task assigned to Imperial Physician Wang.

Lu Man’s “suggestions” received enthusiastic approval from the two Imperial Physicians, who commended her intelligence and insight, attributing it to the He family’s legacy. Princess Changting was delighted, convinced that engaging Lu Man for the treatment was the right choice.

Due to the addition of medicinal baths and sensory stimulation, the massage schedule was adjusted to include the hours of Mao (5-7:00 am), Wei (1-3:00 pm), and Xu (7-9:00 pm). Since Lu Man couldn’t manage the morning and evening sessions, the maids would handle them, with Lu Man attending the Wei session.

Visual stimulation, requiring the Old Marquis to open his eyes, was temporarily excluded from the plan.

Lu Man discovered that the estate housed a theatrical troupe with over twenty performers. Princess Changting and the Old Marquis enjoyed the theater, but performances had been halted due to his recent accident.

Since the incident with Jiang Zhanwei and his family that left Lu Man agitated yesterday, she had pledged to leave the Princess Changting’s residence promptly. However, with the Princess Changting’s decision to employ Sun Wa’s medical records to treat the Old Marquis, Lu Man’s mindset shifted completely. Filled with determination, she was eager to awaken the Old Marquis soon. The opportunity to take control of her own destiny was rare and immensely gratifying.

Facing the Old Marquis once again, Lu Man saw herself as a healer, dedicated to saving lives, rather than a humble daughter-in-law. The elderly man before her was no longer the lofty Old Marquis but a patient waiting for her to pull him back from the brink of death.

As a doctor, it was essential to approach patients with warmth and kindness, instilling confidence that they could be saved.

Before massaging the Old Marquis, Lu Man smiled and spoke softly to him. Free from self-doubt and tension, her tone was naturally relaxed.

“Grandfather, your daughter-in-law is going to massage you now. Bear with it a bit, the massage might feel slightly intense to be effective… Starting with the head, how does that feel? If uncomfortable, just furrow your brow… It’s time to turn over for the back massage… Feel any better now? If not, don’t worry, with continued treatment, you’ll start feeling better…”

Her gentle voice was as soothing as a gentle breeze, creating a comforting atmosphere for everyone present. Princess Changting particularly appreciated Lu Man’s approach. She noticed that Lu Man and others always conversed with the Old Marquis respectfully and formally, but Lu Man’s words, painting the Old Marquis as a “good person,” were especially pleasing. Even Princess Changting found them heartening.

During the hour-long massage session, Lu Man engaged the Old Marquis in conversation, as if he could understand her. This approach provided both tactile and auditory stimulation.