My Sister Insisted on Swapping Marriages, and I Became a Marchioness Instead

Chapter 269: He Left Long Ago

The medical incense crafted by Manager Leng at Ranxiang Inn is renowned, few can match him.

Old Madam Gu used him as an example, leaving Dean Pang speechless.

There are always some individuals in this world who are exceptional, tasks difficult for others as simple as drinking water or eating for them.

When it comes to talent, it’s hard not to admit it.

Dean Pang no longer insisted and was about to ask something else when Marquis Gu said, "I have a difficult matter and would like to seek your help, Director of the Hospital."

Dean Pang replied solemnly, "Please go ahead."

Marquis Gu said, "My sister-in-law is seriously ill, and the family is quite worried. But due to the smallpox, no one has sought treatment outside, so I hope you can step in and offer some treatment."

The Imperial Physician asked, "Isn’t there a capable doctor in the household?"

Marquis Gu replied, "The doctor said he is not good at treating this and mentioned that there must be a connection between the patient and the healer. It seems my sister-in-law and he lack that connection."

Dean Pang nodded and said, "...He has a point... Even famous doctors have cases they can’t treat, and wandering local doctors sometimes have ancestral prescriptions that cure unusual illnesses; it’s unpredictable. Since you’ve asked, let’s go then."

Old Madam Gu rose to send them off, and Qin Yuan followed behind Marquis Gu to Sixth Madam’s courtyard.

Sixth Master Gu was already waiting there, dressed formally to meet guests, his hair tied with a crown. Due to his recent fascination with poetry and painting, he appeared all the more cultivated.

Dean Pang couldn’t help but take a closer look at him.

Marquis Gu was bold and handsome, while Sixth Master Gu was gentle and refined. Although both were good-looking, they didn’t appear to be related.

Sixth Master Gu stepped forward and saluted, saying, "Sorry to trouble you, Director of the Hospital, to treat my humble wife."

Dean Pang quickly returned the salute, saying, "No need for such courtesy, Sixth Master. The Marquis’s orders, I dare not refuse, but my skills are limited; if I’m unable to help, please understand."

During their exchange, Nanny Zhao had already ordered a screen to be set up within the room. The men all sat outside the screen, while Qin Yuan led the maid inside. There they saw Sixth Lady Gu with a sallow complexion, weakly leaning on the Arhat Bed.

Qin Yuan asked, "Why not lie in the bed tent, have the Imperial Physician examine you inside? Grooming and dressing up could be quite taxing."

Already ill, even moving was laborious, yet she needed to sit up, dressed, and groom; it was all rather unnecessary.

Qin Yuan meant well, and Nanny Zhao agreed deeply.

But Sixth Lady Gu insisted, "I am not as weak as that. I can manage to sit up, so I did."

Hong Ye couldn’t help but curl her lips.

Seeing her unappreciative, Qin Yuan said, "It seems you’ve improved quite a bit; otherwise, you couldn’t sit up. I was only worried about you overexerting yourself. With the Director of the Hospital diagnosing today, you should recover quickly."

Sixth Lady Gu responded slowly, "Thank you for your kind words."

Qin Yuan said no more, sitting down on a nearby embroidery stool, as the young maid laid out the items, then went to invite Dean Pang to examine the pulse.

Noticing Dean Pang’s slightly graying temples and lean face, wearing and speaking with such grace, Sixth Lady Gu was already satisfied.

When he examined her pulse, Sixth Lady Gu felt even more content.

After all, that Doctor Wang was merely the Director’s disciple, which inevitably fell short.

Dean Pang frowned, appearing more worried; he felt the pulse for quite some time before asking, "What medicine was taken previously?"

Qin Yuan said, "Nanny Zhao, quickly bring the previous prescription for the Director of the Hospital to see."

Nanny Zhao hurriedly retrieved the prescription to hand it over.

After reading it, Dean Pang nodded, saying, "This prescription is quite good, the illness can only be nurtured slowly. Why not continue with this doctor?"

Implying he didn’t wish to take over.

Nanny Zhao became a bit anxious.

Qin Yuan said, "We still have to ask the Director of the Hospital to examine her, to be assured. The previous doctor said he could only prescribe such medicine and had no good solutions for her illness."

Dean Pang was placed in a difficult position, feeling hesitant.

It’s not uncommon for nobles to have several doctors prescribing treatment.

Sixth Lady Gu quickly said, "My illness has worsened; I ask the Director of the Hospital to think of more solutions, to save me."

Unable to refuse, Dean Pang said, "I can only do my best; if there’s no improvement after taking the medicine, please seek another doctor."

Nanny Zhao said hastily, "The prescription from the Director of the Hospital must be the best."

Dean Pang laughed, "Not necessarily, everything involves some connection."

The illness could only be slowly nurtured, no matter who saw it, it remained the same, leaving connection as the only excuse for refusal.

Nanny Zhao’s heart sank a little.

However, Sixth Lady Gu felt she surely had a connection with the Director and would slowly get better.

Qin Yuan sighed inwardly, yet there was nothing she could do.

Dean Pang sat at a nearby table, pondered for a long time, and wrote a prescription.

Nanny Zhao hurriedly approached to take it.

Dean Pang told her, "This illness truly needs nurturing; if Sixth Lady can sleep well and eat well, that improves a lot. Don’t overthink anything usually. I say, nothing matters other than life and death in this world, nothing is unresolved. If Sixth Lady can ease her mind, the medicine will work; otherwise, it’s just bitter for nothing."

Nanny Zhao said, "Yes, yes, indeed."

Sixth Lady Gu also quickly responded, "I will do exactly as you said, Director; I won’t speak more, think more, or move unnecessarily."

Qin Yuan smiled, "If you can do this, I’m sure the illness will get better."

She glanced at the prescription in Nanny Zhao’s hand, realizing Dean Pang’s medical skills were no better than Doctor Li’s.

Evidently, Sixth Lady Gu’s illness was difficult to cure.

If Doctor Li could use acupuncture, Sixth Lady Gu might endure longer.

She handed the prescription back, catching Dean Pang’s pondering look.

Qin Yuan was indifferent.

She could prepare medical incense, naturally knowing some medicine, which would be revealed sooner or later, but the extent of her knowledge was for her to say.

After exiting the room, Dean Pang asked Marquis Gu, "Who was the doctor that previously prescribed for Sixth Lady? His skills are admirable and his prescriptions unique; it would actually be more convenient for him to continue treating Sixth Lady."

The Imperial Physician nearby laughed, "Which doctor has caught the Director’s eye?"

Marquis Gu deliberated for a moment and said, "It was Doctor Liu who initially prescribed, and the household’s doctor made some adjustments."

Dean Pang looked skeptical, evidently somewhat incredulous.

"Is the household doctor still here? Frankly, I’m curious too, as I’d like to meet him. He is both skilled and bold, such people are rare."

Marquis Gu sighed, "He has long left; rumor has it he used ancestral prescriptions, particularly effective against epidemics. I’ve bought his prescriptions and copied them into a memorandum, submitting it to the Emperor, hoping they can be used if smallpox appears elsewhere."