Chapter 1173: Chapter 1172: Taking the Pulse
Old Granny Zhang heard it clearly, did this an that the son of Imperial Doctor Old Du had personally co to check her son-in-law’s pulse?
She couldn’t stand still and rushed towards Song Chongjin and her daughter’s room. As she reached the door, she instinctively slowed her pace, lifted the curtain, and went inside.
She saw Wang Yongzhu deeply engrossed in a dical book, one hand unconsciously flipping through Song Chongjin’s hair on the brazier to let it dry faster.
Hearing movent, she turned her head and saw that it was Old Granny Zhang. One look at her face and she knew sothing was up.
She quickly placed the book down, stood up, and pulled Old Granny Zhang aside, whispering, “Mother, what’s wrong? Is there sothing going on?”
Old Granny Zhang briefly explained the purpose of Song Wu’s visit and finally said, “Just now soone ca to inform us that the Director of the Imperial dical Bureau, Imperial Doctor Du, had personally co. I thought, isn’t this your master’s eldest son? I’ve heard that this Director is often too busy even for imperial relatives, so how did your father-in-law manage to invite him?”
On her face was undisguised worry. As the saying goes, the stake that sticks out gets pounded down first.
So of Song Wu’s earlier words had stayed with Old Granny Zhang, such as countless people watching Song Chongjin, waiting for him to make a mistake.
Even if Old Granny Zhang was not worldly-wise, she had heard Lady Qi ntion so of Imperial Doctor Du’s treatnt protocols in the past. And since coming to the mansion, due to Song Chongjin’s rising influence, the servants were especially eager to please.
There were many who would tell Old Granny Zhang rumors, taboos, and customs, so with other things it might be different, but with these taboos, Old Granny Zhang was certainly aware.
With Song Hong’s status, inviting the Director was no issue, but if it was solely for Song Chongjin, it might be considered overstepping.
Wang Yongzhu comfortingly patted Old Granny Zhang’s arm, “Mother, don’t worry! It’s nothing. This person was invited by Lord Duke, and those outside will at most just say he has a deep love for his son. Inside the mansion, others would be envious for a while, but they are always envious regardless of the matter, so it hardly makes a difference.”
“When elder brother arrives later, mother should et him too, and prepare a small gift for the eting.”
Old Granny Zhang clapped her hands at once, “Right, your mother is so muddleheaded, I’ll go prepare a gift now!” With that, she hurriedly went back, calling for Old Granny Wu, asking her to find the visiting attire and checking her private stash for anything suitable.
anwhile, Wang Yongzhu changed clothes as well, pondering, in this ti, due to Song Chongjin preparing for exams, she hadn’t gone to see Du Zhongjing. Would this visit by her senior brother involve checking her progress?
Soon after, Song Wu escorted Du Zhongjing into the courtyard with great respect.
Du Zhongjing entered and saw Wang Yongzhu standing on the steps.
Upon seeing Du Zhongjing co in, Wang Yongzhu stepped forward to greet him, “I’ve seen you, senior brother; today I’ll have to trouble you.”
Although Du Zhongjing had countless questions in his heart, outwardly he remained composed, nodded briefly, and said, “Since the Duke’s Mansion invited over, it can’t be considered troubleso.”
He then asked, “How is your brother-in-law now? Haven’t you checked his pulse?”
Wang Yongzhu quickly explained, “He is just a bit tired, nothing serious. He’s still asleep now, and my pulse reading isn’t reliable, so I didn’t dare to say much—”
Du Zhongjing nodded, “Alright, first take to see your brother-in-law. I’ll check his pulse, and then you can tell your reading results. Consider it an exam for the month.”
Wang Yongzhu agreed solemnly.
Song Wu, following behind, listened as this most upright and formal Director Du from the Imperial dical Bureau spoke to their Young Lady. Though his words were strict, his tone was much warr than when he spoke to Lord Duke.
Earlier, at Lord Duke’s place, Director Du was very rigid, first taking Lord Duke’s pulse and then bluntly stating that his heart fire was strong, causing so irritability. At his age, he should focus on self-cultivation, and finished by prescribing a fire-reducing formula half-filled with coptis and lotus seed core.
Lord Duke’s face turned green at that mont, holding the prescription in anger, not speaking for a long ti.
It was only when Director Du picked up his dicine box to leave that Lord Duke spoke, asking him to check the pulse of the eldest young master.
Though Director Du didn’t refuse, he didn’t look pleased either, which made Song Wu wonder if the master was overstepping.
Now seeing Director Du’s attitude, Song Wu realized he was overthinking.
Bringing Du Zhongjing into the inner room, Song Wu followed too, and turning past the screen and partition, he saw Song Chongjin still sound asleep on the kang.
Du Zhongjing first ward his hand over the brazier and then stepped forward to check Song Chongjin’s pulse.
No sooner had his hand touched Song Chongjin than the supposedly sleeping person imdiately opened his eyes, and swiftly retracted his hand.
Wang Yongzhu, who had been on standby, gently patted Song Chongjin on the back, whispering, “Just sleep; I’ll let senior brother check your pulse, don’t worry.”
As soon as she finished speaking, Song Chongjin fell back into his deep slumber.
Song Wu felt his heart skip a beat; the eldest young master, even in slumber, stayed alert, waking at the slightest touch from anyone; yet he could fall back into a restful sleep just hearing the Young Lady’s voice. Such trust and affection no one could likely break, and he ought to advise Lord Duke that those plans might not succeed.
Du Zhongjing snorted softly, closed his eyes, and felt Song Chongjin’s pulse for a while.
Finally, he nodded, and they all ca out, guests and hosts taking seats, letting the maid serve tea.
Du Zhongjing took a sip of tea, glanced at Wang Yongzhu.
Wang Yongzhu understood, “Rest assured, senior brother, I’ll prepare so for you to take ho.”
Only then did Du Zhongjing put down the teacup and examined Wang Yongzhu again, finally comnting, “You haven’t been neglectful these days, but there’s much to improve with pulse reading. Practice with people around you when you have ti. Find the second brother to arrange so exercises.”
Wang Yongzhu sincerely agreed.
There, Song Wu found an opportunity to ask, “Lord Du, how is our eldest young master’s health? Is everything alright?”
Du Zhongjing huffed, “Your eldest young master was slightly depleted in his youth, then later poisoned with a chronic toxin. Although detoxified, the damage remains. For now, it’s not apparent in his youth, but it will demand careful adjustnt, or else in old age, he will suffer, possibly shortening his life.”
“I’ll prescribe a formula; he should take it for a few days. Once I’m off duty, visit to see if we should adjust the prescription.”
Saying so, he briskly wrote a prescription with skillful calligraphy, handing it to Song Wu.
Song Wu respectfully accepted the prescription and looked to Du Zhongjing.
Before Du Zhongjing could speak, Wang Yongzhu said, “Then please trouble Uncle Wu to fetch the dicine. I have many questions for senior brother as we haven’t seen each other in a while. Besides, my mother hasn’t t senior brother yet and wishes to. We shall keep senior brother a bit longer, and I’ll arrange for soone to see him off later.”
Song Wu quickly responded, “Young Lady, you’re too kind. In that case, I’ll fetch the dicine for the eldest young master. Once Lord Du is done, let soone notify , and I’ll escort Lord Du back.”
He then tactfully departed.
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