Chapter Eleven: Yuan Hongyu's Strength
Fan Yongfeng's words left Yuan Hongyu utterly stunned. He glanced at Lord Fan beside him, then at his own master, still wishing to help explain on his master’s behalf. Yet Fan Yongfeng gave him no such chance.
“Please, go ahead!”
“Hurry, Master Yuan! The young lady’s condition is dire; we cannot afford any further delay!”
“Master Yuan, please begin treatment for the young lady at once, lest something tragic befall her!”
“Master Yuan, do not hesitate—this is a tremendous opportunity, a chance for Lord Fan to owe you a favor! Ha! This is indeed a great fortune!”
Urged by those around him, Yuan Hongyu understood well that the Fan family’s cherished daughter was at death's door; any further delay would be unforgivable. He could only clasp his hands respectfully toward Yan Yuanqing, offering his apologies.
“Master Yan, forgive your disciple for stepping in this time.”
“No matter. Go ahead. Healing and saving lives is your skill. There’s no reason a disciple shouldn’t treat the sick simply because the master is present.”
Joy welled up in Yuan Hongyu’s heart.
“May I invite Master to accompany me?”
Yan Yuanqing, with his hands clasped behind his back, nodded gently.
“You may.”
“Thank you, Master!”
Though Yuan Hongyu’s gestures toward Yan Yuanqing were all genuine expressions of respect, to the onlookers, his every action seemed to reveal that Yan Yuanqing possessed some uncanny power to command the hearts of men.
“Ah, it seems Master Yuan is truly caught deep in this trap! To bow and scrape before such a useless person in broad daylight—it infuriates me just to watch!”
“That Shi family is simply outrageous—first nearly causing the young lady to miss her best chance for treatment, now allowing this useless fellow to cloud the judgment of a medical grandmaster. Such conduct is utterly intolerable!”
“When this matter is settled, we must all sign a petition to the Cangzhou Prefecture and bring charges against the Shi family, so they learn what is permissible and what crosses the line!”
Meanwhile, accompanied by Yan Yuanqing, Yuan Hongyu entered Fan Qing’er’s boudoir. It was also Yan Yuanqing’s first time meeting the Fan family’s heiress.
“After you, Master.”
Yuan Hongyu always maintained absolute respect toward Yan Yuanqing, regardless of circumstance.
“Just do what you must, and pretend I’m not here.”
Though he said so, Yan Yuanqing’s presence ensured that no medical mishap would befall Yuan Hongyu.
Both men observed Fan Qing’er closely.
“How is her pulse?”
“Utterly chaotic—nothing like any pulse I’ve ever encountered. Sometimes rapid, sometimes slow; sometimes taut, sometimes tight; at times forceful, at others weak. Her pulse is completely disordered!”
After taking her pulse, Yuan Hongyu frowned deeply, his expression grave.
“The coating of her tongue is dark purple, clearly a sign of blocked blood flow. The plum blossom spots on her body indicate stagnant blood syndrome; even a day’s delay would render her condition incurable!”
Yan Yuanqing nodded slightly at Yuan Hongyu’s analysis.
“Master, I have never treated such a severe case of stagnant blood syndrome. Might I ask you to—”
Before Yuan Hongyu could finish, Yan Yuanqing calmly shook his head.
“She is your patient now. Whether you are confident or not, you must do your utmost. Only by facing challenges can your medical skill advance further!”
“Go ahead and try. I am here. If things truly become impossible, then seek my help.”
“Very well! I shall dare to attempt it!”
With Yan Yuanqing’s support and encouragement, Yuan Hongyu faced the patient once more, his bearing restored to that of a medical grandmaster.
Yan Yuanqing could not help but admire him—a renowned healer, indeed. Aside from his own almost miraculous skill, few in this world could stand as his equal.
Yuan Hongyu soon began the treatment. Silver needles in hand, his technique was deft; with each turn of his wrist, the needles pierced Fan Qing’er’s acupoints without the slightest error.
His mastery of medicine was evident for all to see.