Time Travel: The Noble Family
Chapter 373 - 132: Seeing a Doctor_2

Chapter 373: Chapter 132: Seeing a Doctor_2

Doctor Li fiddled for a while, then returned to his seat and fell into deep thought, his brow furrowing tighter the more he pondered.

Watching Doctor Li’s expression change erratically, Guan Jingshuo became worried. What did this mean? Could it be that he was suffering from a terminal illness and about to die? "Doctor, what’s wrong with me? Am I seriously ill?"

As Doctor Li picked up his pen to write a prescription, he heard Guan Jingshuo’s words but did not turn around. Instead, he said coldly, "You’re not sick."

Guan Jingshuo let out a sound of confusion. If he was not sick, what was all that poking and prodding for? He felt both anger and resentment, wondering if this man had simply taken advantage of him. After restraining himself further, Guan Jingshuo finally took out a hundred-tael silver note, "Doctor, this is your consultation fee. Please confirm it." Guan Jingshuo intended to pay the fee and then leave.

Doctor Li saw the anger in Guan Jingshuo’s eyes but admired his restraint; at least he didn’t call him a quack. Seeing that Guan Jingshuo was rather pleasing to the eye, Doctor Li’s attitude softened, "Although you’re not sick, if you continue like this, you’ll have to report to Yama Raja within three years."

It took Guan Jingshuo quite a while to regain his composure, stammering, "Doctor, didn’t you say I’m not sick? Then why do you say I won’t live more than three years?"

Doctor Li was satisfied with Guan Jingshuo’s reaction; he had seen too many people who would jump up and howl at bad news, even threatening to smash his signboard.

Guan Jingshuo tried to keep his cool, "Doctor, you just said I am not sick. Moreover, the Imperial Physician at the Imperial Medical Bureau said I was only a bit weak. Why wouldn’t I live more than three years?" This was an obvious contradiction. If it wasn’t for the fact that Herbarium Hall had a certain reputation in Capital City and sitting in consultation here meant having some credibility, Guan Jingshuo would definitely have thought Doctor Li was a charlatan. Now, he needed a reasonable explanation from the doctor.

Doctor Li responded dismissively after hearing this, "The Imperial Physician at the Imperial Medical Bureau?" His words dripping with disdain. He knew those Imperial Physicians all too well. Their medical skills were not bad, but their medical ethics were like rubbish in their eyes. For a doctor, ethics are of the utmost importance. Without moral integrity, great medical skills only serve to aid in tyranny.

Upon hearing this, Guan Jingshuo became even calmer, "Doctor Li, please tell me why you said I wouldn’t live more than three years?"

Doctor Li asked with a sneer, "Don’t you believe it?"

Guan Jingshuo shook his head; it’s better to be credulous than to be skeptical when it comes to such matters. Besides, he was well aware of his own declining health over the past few years, "It’s not that I don’t believe you, it’s just that what you said is unbelievable. If I’m not sick, why won’t I live more than three years? Doctor Li, anyone who hears this would want to know the reason" Guan Jingshuo’s meaning was clear—if Doctor Li couldn’t provide a solid explanation, he wouldn’t believe him.

Doctor Li found this young fellow interesting, "The Imperial Physician said you were very weak and needed good care?" The attitude of the Imperial Medical Bureau wasn’t from a lack of ability, but from a fear of taking responsibility. Sometimes they also preferred to turn a blind eye rather than stir up trouble, and just let things slide. Such an attitude had cost countless lives.

Guan Jingshuo nodded in agreement. Over the past few years, several Imperial Physicians had told him he was weak and needed nurturing. Hence, he had been nurturing and resting all this while.

Smiling, Doctor Li said, "You’re not sick by nature, but you’ve been supplementing your diet with ginseng, deer antler, and bird’s nest every day. You should know that even medicine contains a bit of poison. Too much supplementation only weakens the body further. Without an illness, you’ll make yourself ill. Continue this way for three years, and you’ll definitely meet Yama Raja." Guan Jingshuo walked in, and Doctor Li could tell he was incredibly weak. Taking his pulse was for confirmation, and the places he pressed on Guan Jingshuo’s body were acupoints, as were the places he touched — all proving that Guan Jingshuo was not sick, but extremely weak.

Guan Jingshuo stiffened; such words would frighten anyone. Not to mention Guan Jingshuo was well aware of his own condition and had his concerns...

Doctor Li’s words carried a hint of mockery, "I’ve seen this sort of trickery all too often."

Guan Jingshuo’s hand trembled, "Trickery?"

Doctor Li said with a smile, "Since you were able to bring a personal message hush-hush to see me for treatment, don’t you already suspect someone wants to harm you?"

Guan Jingshuo shook his head honestly, "No, someone suggested I come to see you, saying you could cure my illness."

Doctor Li was somewhat surprised. While he had a small reputation in Capital City by now, it was only among the common people. He had not yet caught the attention of these high-ranking officials and nobles. He wondered who had directed this young aristocrat to secretly seek treatment from him. Doctor Li clearly had no interest in inquiring who it was; he simply felt it was Guan Jingshuo’s good fortune, "It’s lucky for you to have been directed to see me. If you had come a year later, you’d spend your life with medicine jars, and if two more years had passed, not even Hua Tuo could save you." After one more year, the body’s functions would be completely damaged; after two years, the organs would be affected. By then, even immortals could not rescue him; at best, he could take medicine to prolong life for a couple of years.