Chef Hua
Chapter 75: Episode 61 Seeking Medical Advice_2

Chapter 75: Episode 61 Seeking Medical Advice_2

Hua Xiaomai tucked her face back into the blanket, her lips turning up in a secret smile.

"You did this to yourself!"

Erniang Hua was decisive and acted as soon as she thought of something. She immediately pounced to help Hua Xiaomai up, saying in rapid succession, "Right, let’s go to the County right away. First, we’ll visit Sister-in-law Zuo at Lianshun Escort Agency to find out which doctor in the medical hall is best at treating women’s ailments. Then we’ll hurry there. It’s only noon now; if we see a doctor and come back to the village before dark, after taking some prescriptions, you’ll be better in no time! You mustn’t end up like me..."

She stopped mid-sentence, her eyelids drooping in silence for a moment before she exhaled a long breath. She reached out to move the messy hair from Hua Xiaomai’s forehead and said softly, "With you like this, can you walk? Or should I go borrow a cart from Patriarch Pan..."

"No need," Hua Xiaomai hurriedly shook her head. "I can walk on my own. It’s you, Erjie, you’d better at least notify Patriarch Pan, so your husband won’t panic when he comes back and finds no one at home."

"Ah, right, right," Erniang Hua realized. "You get dressed first, I’ll be right back." And with that, she ran out.

The two sisters got ready as quickly as possible and immediately set off for Fuzhe County. Along the way, to accommodate the "unwell" Hua Xiaomai, Erniang Hua deliberately slowed down her usually brisk pace, occasionally resting on the side of the road. The journey, which could normally be completed in an hour, took an extra incense stick worth of time that day, and they arrived in the County late in the afternoon.

Erniang Hua settled Hua Xiaomai at a tea stall by the roadside and ran to Lianshun Escort Agency to find Zuo Jinxiang. She learned there was a Baosheng Medical Hall in the east of the town with a Doctor Xing, who was very experienced in treating women’s ailments. She immediately supported Hua Xiaomai and hurried over to the medical hall.

Doctor Xing, a white-bearded elder in his sixties, had an air of immortal grace and was quite amiable. Erniang Hua brought Hua Xiaomai before him, explaining their situation in a fluster. First, Doctor Xing comforted her, asking her not to worry. He then took Hua Xiaomai’s pulse.

Today’s "stomach pain" that Hua Xiaomai complained of was a fabrication, a ruse to get Erniang Hua to take her to the medical hall to see a doctor. As such, it was natural that Doctor Xing couldn’t find anything from her pulse. After a moment, he stroked his chin-length white beard and smiled at Erniang Hua.

"How is it? Is my sister in serious condition?" Erniang Hua’s brow furrowed into a frown, nervously watching Doctor Xing. "She was in so much pain this morning; she couldn’t even get out of bed."

"It’s all right, no worries," Doctor Xing said with a reassuring smile. "It’s common for young maidens who haven’t yet married to have some menstrual irregularities. This girl seems quite healthy. Has she been overworked recently? That’s probably why she’s suffering from unbearable abdominal pain. I’ll prescribe two doses of medicine. Brew one in the morning and one in the evening for her to drink. After drinking it for a day or two, she should improve quickly."

Erniang Hua’s tension eased a bit, but still not completely reassured, she quickly followed up with another question: "Then... this won’t affect her future, her future prospects, will it?"

"How could it be so serious?" Doctor Xing laughed heartily. "Didn’t I tell you? Most young women have some menstrual issues, and abdominal pain is perfectly normal. Once she’s married, it most likely will resolve itself. Don’t be too anxious."

Only then did Erniang Hua truly feel relieved: "Thank you so much, sir, thank you."

The time... it must be ripe by now, right?

While Doctor Xing was engrossed in writing a prescription, Hua Xiaomai leaned close to Hua Erniang’s ear and whispered, "Second sister, why don’t you let Doctor Xing take your pulse as well?"

"Are you out of your mind?" Hua Erniang looked at her as if she were a monster. "I’m not sick at all, why should I get my pulse taken for no reason?"

She also lowered her voice, whispering, "This Doctor Xing, just for taking a pulse, charges a hundred wen, and that’s before adding the cost of medicine, tsk tsk tsk, that’s no small sum! Although our family is not lacking money now, we still shouldn’t waste it for no reason, right? I..."

"We’re here anyway, so what if he takes your pulse?" Hua Xiaomai glanced at her sideways. "I was thinking, since we are sisters, our physical conditions might be similar. If you let him have a look, maybe..."

Even if Hua Erniang was usually slow to catch on, by now she sensed something was up. Staring into Hua Xiaomai’s eyes, her face fell, "I’m saying, Xiaomai, aren’t you pretending to be sick, tricking me into coming to the medical hall on purpose? Do you have too much idle energy to burn?"

"Pretend to be sick? Not at all," Hua Xiaomai lifted her chin, speaking with utter certainty. "Didn’t you hear what Doctor Xing said? I am like this because I’ve been too tired making cakes these past few days!"

Hua Erniang snorted coldly through her nose without speaking, when at that moment, Doctor Xing lifted his head, his gaze sharp as it swept over her face, he began to speak, "Little Lady, why don’t you let me take your pulse too?"

"Uh? No... there’s no need, right?" Hua Erniang instinctively wanted to refuse.

However, unexpected to her, the bearded elder suddenly slapped the table, his tone gaining a strict edge, "Stretch out your hand!"

Hua Erniang was stunned, no longer daring to utter a word, she obediently stretched out her hand.

Thus, another lengthy wait ensued. It wasn’t until much later that Doctor Xing withdrew his hand, his voice steady as he said in a grave tone, "Your sister is not yet married, and there are some things inconvenient to speak of in front of her. Little Lady, please follow me to the inner chamber."

Strangely enough, though his voice was not loud and his tone had returned to its former gentleness, it somehow conveyed immense authority. Although Hua Erniang was usually as explosive as gunpowder, she chewed her lips for a long while, unable to utter a word of rebuke, and stood up to follow him through a curtain-hung doorway.

Doctor Xing followed right behind Hua Erniang, lifting his foot to enter when he suddenly turned his head back to look at Hua Xiaomai, and, out of the blue, he laughed heartily twice, his beard quivering with laughter.

"Clever girl!"(To be continued. If you enjoy this work, feel free to cast your recommendation ticket or monthly ticket at Qidian (qidian.com). Your support is my greatest motivation. Mobile users, please visit m.qidian.com to read.)