Chapter 23: The Marquis of Wuting’s Residence

The next day, after breakfast, Xia Qingfeng brought along a two-hundred-year-old ginseng and went to the Marquis of Wuting’s residence with Xu Xiaoxiao by carriage. The driver was Cang Dao, so it seemed that yesterday, Chang Sile had already informed the old madam about Xia Qingfeng’s relationship with Cang Qiyuan.

Since they knew that Xia Qingfeng had saved Cang Qiyuan’s life, they would certainly trust her medical skills. Cang Dao was also the head of Cang Qiyuan’s personal guards, so the Marquis’s residence naturally wouldn’t dare to treat her with disrespect.

Now that this relationship was established, the letter from the shopkeeper Chang no longer seemed necessary.

Upon arriving at the Marquis’s residence, Xia Qingfeng and Xu Xiaoxiao were directly led to the inner courtyard. The residence was not as luxurious as expected, not even as grand as the declining Xiping Marquis’s residence. However, Xia Qingfeng could still sense a majestic air from the buildings and layout. This was truly how a military general’s estate should be.

Entering the inner hall, Xia Qingfeng quickly scanned her surroundings. It wasn’t like the splendid halls in *Dream of the Red Chamber*, with flowers everywhere and servants constantly attending. The old madam was reclining on a Luohan bed, with two young maids and an old nurse by her side. The madam of the house was kneeling at her side, and there was hot tea on the table, with only one nurse standing next to her. Chang Sile was kneeling on the other side.

Xia Qingfeng quickly stepped forward with Xu Xiaoxiao and saluted. “This humble woman, Xia Qingfeng, pays her respects to the old madam, madam, and second young master.”

The old madam immediately called for the nurse to help them up, saying, “No need for such formalities. I heard from my grandson that you saved Qiyuan’s life. You’ve done a great service!”

“Since I encountered him, how could I stand by and do nothing? The general has also taken good care of us, escorting us along the way and sparing us many troubles.” Xia Qingfeng responded politely, handing over the ginseng she brought.

One of the maids took the ginseng and handed it to the old madam. “This ginseng looks excellent, at least two hundred years old!” The old madam seemed very satisfied.

At this moment, Chang Sile stood up to take a look. “This ginseng isn’t just old, it’s also remarkably fresh.” He then glanced at Xia Qingfeng with a teasing look.

Xia Qingfeng cleared her throat, pretending she hadn’t noticed.

“This ginseng, madam, what price would you like?” Chang Sile asked.

“No need for money, it’s a gift for the old madam.”

“Why is that?” Everyone was surprised. They all knew Xia Qingfeng’s situation—being a widow with a child, she was most likely in need of money.

“I’ve admired soldiers who defend the country since I was young. They sacrifice their lives to protect the people of Dayu, willing to give up their lives on the battlefield, never regretting it. 

Especially General Chang, he is a hero I respect deeply. My father once told me that when the Xiongnu invaded, General Chang, at the age of sixty, still donned his armor and fought alongside the troops, charging ahead in battle. When the army withdrew, not only was his armor soaked in blood, but even his white warhorse was covered in blood.

I respect the families of such heroes even more. You’ve given up your small family for the country, worrying every day for your husband and son without a single complaint.

I’m just contributing a little bit of help; how could I ask for a reward?”

“Good child!” By this point, the old madam had tears in her eyes. It was during that battle with the Xiongnu that Cang Qiyuan’s father died in battle, and the old marquis was severely injured. He had fallen ill shortly after returning to the capital and passed away within six months.

At this moment, the voice of the spatial spirit echoed: “Feng’er, thank you!” The tone was filled with emotion.

“Hmm? Why are you thanking me?”

“Exactly, I need to thank you!”

Seeing the atmosphere becoming a bit heavy, Chang Sile quickly said, “Grandmother, we can talk about family matters later. Let’s have this lady check your pulse first.”

“Good, good, good. Please trouble the lady to check my pulse,” the madam quickly got up and stood by. Xia Qingfeng stepped forward, gently placing her hand on the madam’s pulse, closing her eyes to carefully feel it.

This was the pulse of *San Xiao* (Three Wasting Syndrome). Influenced by her family, Xia Qingfeng had read many medical books. In the *Medical Canon of the Golden Mirror*, it recorded the symptoms of *Xiao Ke* (wasting thirst) as: “The pulse of the three wasting syndrome, when large, signifies life-threatening conditions; when thin, short, and tight, it is shocking upon touch.”

“Old madam, please open your mouth so I can take a look at your tongue coating.” The old madam obediently opened her mouth.

“Alright, old madam, I’m finished!” After examining, Xia Qingfeng had a rough diagnosis in her mind.

“Old madam, do you experience frequent urination, excessive urine output, dry mouth, dizziness, sore waist and legs, and reduced body moisture?”

“Yes, yes, the dizziness is especially severe. Sometimes I can’t even see things clearly.”

“Old madam, in addition to the symptoms you’ve mentioned, your tongue shows redness, and you have high eye pressure, which is causing blurred vision. Based on these factors, I believe you have *Xiao Ke* (wasting thirst). From your specific symptoms, it seems like it’s kidney-type *Xiao Ke*,” Xia Qingfeng said confidently.

Everyone in the room, except for Xia Qingfeng and Xu Xiaoxiao, frowned. The imperial physician had also diagnosed *Xiao Ke* before, but this condition was very difficult to treat. It could only be slowly managed, and eventually, it would lead to other illnesses, often resulting in death if untreated.

“It’s alright, it’s alright. I’ve lived to such an old age, I’ve enjoyed all the riches and honors I could. It’s time for me to go join my old man,” the old madam said casually.

“Mother, please don’t think like that. We will definitely find a way,” the madam quickly comforted her. She then turned to Xia Qingfeng and asked, “Lady, do you have a treatment method?” Chang Sile also looked at Xia Qingfeng eagerly.

“Would it be possible to take a drop of blood from your finger?” Xia Qingfeng asked, and then, with her thoughts, she took out a blood glucose meter from her spatial ring.

As soon as the old madam extended her finger, Xia Qingfeng swiftly used the sleeve of her robe to cover her actions, pricking the old madam’s finger with the glucose meter. She quickly placed the drop of blood into the spatial ring and checked the old madam’s blood sugar level with her thoughts.

The blood sugar level was 16. “Old madam, how long has it been since you had breakfast?”

One of the nurses quickly stepped forward and replied, “About an hour.”

Xia Qingfeng thought: Hmm, a blood sugar level of 16 two hours after eating, this elderly lady most likely has type 2 diabetes. The best course of treatment is dietary control, insulin injections, and acupuncture therapy.

The insulin needs to be used long-term, and her hospital has ultra-long-acting insulin, where one injection a week is enough. However, the problem for Xia Qingfeng was how to explain the source of these injections.

At this moment, the voice of the spatial spirit sounded: “Feng’er, don’t worry. Just send the servants out and speak freely. The others can be trusted, and there’s no harm in telling them. The old madam has been through much in her life; she knows how to protect you.”

“Hehe, now that you say that, I feel much more at ease,” Xia Qingfeng replied. She hated convoluted explanations—direct and straightforward was always the best approach.

So, just as everyone was beginning to lose hope, Xia Qingfeng said, “I do have a solution. If the old madam can follow my instructions, she can live a long life without problem.”

Everyone’s faces were filled with delight after hearing this.

“My treatment method is an exclusive secret formula, so I kindly ask the old madam to have the servants leave the room.”

The old madam waved her hand, and the servants gradually withdrew. Xia Qingfeng then pretended to take something from her bag, but in fact, it was from her spatial ring, and she pulled out the insulin.

“What is this?” The old madam curiously looked at the object in Xia Qingfeng’s hand. Before taking it out, Xia Qingfeng had removed the outer packaging. She figured it would be easier for her to administer the injection herself while she was still in the capital, so she could monitor the process. If she needed to leave, she would make alternative arrangements.

“This is called ‘insulin,’ a special medicine for treating *Xiao Ke* (wasting thirst). I’ll give you an injection, old madam. Don’t worry; it’s just like the sensation of a silver needle, so there’s no danger.” After asking Chang Sile to step aside, she proceeded to give the old madam the injection.

For the old madam, who was used to martial arts and endured much greater pain, this slight discomfort felt almost nonexistent, as if it was over in an instant.

The old madam asked curiously, “Is that it?”

“Mm-hmm!” Xia Qingfeng liked the old madam’s straightforwardness—decisive and no-nonsense, without any affectation. “Next, you can have the house physician perform acupuncture as an auxiliary treatment, but your diet is very important. I’ll write down a list of foods to avoid, and I’ll also provide you with some medicinal recipes to help with your recovery.”

“Good, good, good! Old madam, please rest first. I’ll accompany this girl to the side hall to write,” the madam said, now much more relaxed.

“No need to go to the side hall; just ask the maid to bring me the ink and paper. I’m not tired at all,” Xia Qingfeng replied, waving her hand at Xu Xiaoxiao, who had been standing quietly. “Little girl, come here, greet your great-grandmother.”

Xu Xiaoxiao obediently walked over, bowed, and greeted her, “Greetings, great-grandmother.”

This delighted the old madam, who was particularly fond of her. Although her eldest grandson was married and had two sons, she still preferred daughters—soft, cute, and endearing.

She picked up some pastries from the table and fed them to Xu Xiaoxiao, who didn’t refuse and eagerly bit into them. These were freshly steamed, exquisitely made, and she had been craving them for a long time.

Soon, Xia Qingfeng finished writing. The old madam took the paper and looked it over, frowning slightly. “Why can’t I eat rice? And I have to eat less meat? Even pastries and fruits are off-limits?” The old madam, puzzled, looked at the pastries in her hand and then, without a second thought, stuffed one into her mouth.

Xu Xiaoxiao… *I wanted to eat that too…*

The madam couldn’t bear to watch and hurriedly gave Xu Xiaoxiao another piece of pastry, signaling the servants to remove the plate.

“Apples are fine, but… well, not too many.” The variety of fruits in ancient times was too limited. After excluding the ones she couldn’t eat, only apples were left.