Chapter 837 - 839: Treating Illness with Acupuncture_1
The dean of literature is famously good-tempered, exceptionally kind on a daily basis, and has never been seen losing his temper or reprimanding anyone in public. As for whether anyone has been reprimanded in private by the dean, that’s another story. Even if he disagrees with some actions, he would gently persuade them with the saying "rumors stop with the wise."
But at this moment, the dean of literature was truly angry, and truly disappointed with Dang Youshen.
No sooner had he left the door than he started nitpicking and spreading all kinds of rumors. They were all out for competition, their aim was to win glory for the Study Palace and Beiyu City, not to engage in factional struggles.
Besides, scolding Dang Youshen was also a way of saving him. Did he think that the soldiers outside were all fools? If he incited public anger and got beaten up by that group of soldiers, what then? Didn’t he know the principle that the law does not punish the masses?
No matter how much the dean of literature disliked Dang Youshen now, the man was a student brought up by the Study Palace; his safety had to be ensured.
"Do not make rash statements before the matter is investigated, lest you wrongly accuse someone again." The dean’s tone softened, but his use of "again" clearly indicated his stance.
He implied that Dang Youshen had already falsely accused others before.
The others dared not speak, fearing to provoke the dean’s wrath. They say that when a normally patient person gets angry, it is particularly intimidating.
It was Bai Zepei who walked to the door and spoke to the guards outside: "Please ask Madam Jiang to come and treat the patient, just say it’s abdominal pain and vomiting."
"Yes, I’m on it." The soldier quickly left and went to Bai Ruozhu’s cabin door, speaking respectfully: "Madam Jiang, there is a young master from the Study Palace with abdominal pain and vomiting; they are requesting your aid."
Bai Ruozhu was in the room playing with Dengdeng, who was crawling well now and could kneel and crawl using her knees. Bai Ruozhu had brought a large play mat, letting Dengdeng crawl and play on it.
Hearing the soldier’s report, she didn’t show any surprise. She picked up Dengdeng and handed her to Tu Ying, saying, "I have to trouble you to help me with the child again."
Tu Ying playfully winked at her, "Now I’m your female soldier, what’s holding a child to me?"
As the two came out of the cabin, the soldier lowered his voice to tell Bai Ruozhu about the conversation he had overheard, including Dang Youshen’s claim that Bai Ruozhu had given the wrong medicine, and the public reprimand by the dean.
"That Dang Youshen is just asking for a beating, he’ll have to be dealt with sooner or later!" Tu Ying said indignantly.
But Bai Ruozhu simply laughed it off, "Let him talk. The more he slanders, the more he ruins his own reputation. In the end, he’s the one who will suffer. Didn’t you see even the dean got angry?"
Tu Ying saw the point and wasn’t angry anymore, smiling she said: "You have an open mind, and the dean isn’t bad either, discriminating right from wrong."
Bai Ruozhu gave the soldier some reward money and asked, "What’s your name?"
"I’m Li Kui," the soldier answered happily, feeling honored to have the lady inquire about his name.
Bai Ruozhu couldn’t help but give him an extra look. Black Whirlwind Li Kui? But he didn’t seem like it at all.
"The name is quite good," Bai Ruozhu said with a smile.
Li Kui was even more delighted, "Thank you for the compliment, Madam!"
"Tell the brothers who are guarding the council chambers and those students to report any movements to me in time, so no one stirs up trouble aboard the ship." She paused before adding, "Of course, you must definitely report any major incidents to Lord Jiang, but for trivial matters and idle talk, just learn it and report to me."
Ordinarily, soldiers would report issues to Wen Shu or Jiang Yichun, but if it were gossip or minor matters about her, it would be inappropriate to report them one by one. However, as a woman, it was fine for her not to handle these affairs and listen to gossip.
The soldier nodded hurriedly, "Madam, rest assured, I will quietly mention it to a few close comrades."
Seeing how sharp he was, Bai Ruozhu knew he would handle this matter well.
During their conversation, she had already arrived at the cabin where the delegation was meeting. Even before entering the door, she heard someone groaning in pain. She quickly walked in and, without greeting Wen Yuanzhang or the other scholars, she went straight to take Liu Jianzhou’s pulse and soon came to a conclusion.
Fortunately, no foul play was involved.
"It’s due to acclimatization and a sensitive stomach. It seems that he has an allergic reaction to a certain fish he ate tonight. I will perform acupuncture to relieve the pain, and then a few doses of medicine should do the trick," Bai Ruozhu said.
Liu Jianzhou was sweating from the pain, struggling to say, "Thank you, Madam Jiang."
"You’re welcome." Bai Ruozhu then took a silver needle from her hairpin and began to insert it into Liu Jianzhou with everyone watching. The room became unusually quiet, as if one could hear a needle drop to the floor.
The long silver needle pierced into Liu Jianzhou’s body, making some onlookers wince. However, to everyone’s surprise, Liu Jianzhou did not cry out in pain. Soon, Bai Ruozhu withdrew the needle, and Liu Jianzhou’s complexion improved somewhat.
Wiping the sweat from his forehead, he showed a look of surprise and said, "It really doesn’t hurt anymore, amazing!"
Bai Ruozhu smiled faintly and said, "This is just a temporary solution to relieve the pain. You still need to take a decoction to regulate your stomach. Otherwise, the abdominal pain will return."
Liu Jianzhou got up from the ground, bowed to Bai Ruozhu respectfully, and said, "Thank you, Madam Jiang, for saving my life. I will never forget this."
This time, Bai Ruozhu couldn’t help but laugh, "You merely had a case of abdominal pain. How does that qualify as saving your life?"
But Liu Jianzhou insisted, "I was in so much pain I thought I was dying. Doesn’t that count as saving a life? Oh, and about the decoction for my stomach, will it conflict with the seasickness medicine?"
"No, it won’t. You can take the medication with peace of mind," Bai Ruozhu replied and put away the silver needle. She then turned and bowed to Wen Yuanzhang, saying, "If anyone is feeling unwell from the seafood, please let them know to tell me promptly, so it doesn’t delay treatment. With so many people on the ship, it’s easy for illnesses to spread."
Wen Yuanzhang returned the gesture, "Madam Jiang has truly magical hands. On behalf of Beiyu Study Palace, I thank you."
After excusing herself, Bai Ruozhu turned to see Dang Youshen and deliberately smiled at him, which made Dang Youshen’s nose bend in anger. Nevertheless, he dared not say another word, for if he truly angered Wen Yuanzhang, he might well go from being a formal member to a reserve.
Bai Ruozhu’s fingers hidden in her sleeves curled slightly but then retracted back into hiding. Never mind. The space here was small, and there were people next to Dang Youshen. She would take action later to avoid involving the innocent.
Once she returned to her cabin, Bai Ruozhu sent Tu Ying away and called Jianqi to her side. She had only ten dark guards on this ship, mingling among the soldiers, with another ten on another vessel. Communication between the two ships was limited to semaphore or sending a small boat across. That afternoon, she had already sent a small boat to deliver seasickness soup medicine to the other ship.