The pain caused by shingles is extremely severe and unbearable. Nerve pain often appears before the rash even breaks out. This pain comes out of nowhere, initially with no visible signs at the affected area, and only gradually leads to redness and blisters. The condition has low transmissibility but is prone to recurrence, and in severe cases, can lead to intracranial infections, facial paralysis, and other symptoms.
In short, a person suffering from shingles endures a life of misery and unbearable pain. Even after recovery and scabbing, the neuropathic pain can persist for a long time, making it extremely difficult to endure.
Although Lady Liu was a concubine, she had lived a life of luxury for over a decade and could not withstand such suffering. Coupled with the fact that the previous doctor’s prescriptions were ineffective, her pain worsened daily, truly tormenting her.
Li Man'er wiped her hands with a handkerchief and said, "This is not a major problem, but these blisters are somewhat contagious, so you all need to be careful."
"Contagious?" Huang Yuhe exclaimed, "Is it like smallpox?" That is a deadly disease.
"It's different, not nearly as severe as smallpox, and even with contact, only two out of ten would be infected. Just be mindful."
Huang Yuhe was relieved. "Then how is this disease treated? What medicine should be taken?"
Li Man'er replied, "Have someone fetch paper and ink. I will write a prescription. Get the medicine according to the prescription and take it for ten days. You also need an external application; this is not sold outside. It is my exclusive secret formula. Once I have prepared it, I will have someone deliver it to you."
"That would be wonderful," Huang Yuhe's eyes sparkled. In her joy, she did not forget to thank Li Man'er, "Thank you, Sister Man'er."
"You trust me so much, aren't you afraid my prescription will be problematic or delay your mother's recovery?"
Huang Yuhe’s eyes widened. "How could that be! I've actually heard that your medical skills are even more formidable than Grand Physician Duan's! This has spread throughout the capital, and they say Grand Physician Duan wishes to become your disciple. Sister Man'er, is this true?"
Huang Yuhe's round face and bright eyes, her lively expressions, made her seem like a little angel compared to those hypocritical ordinary young ladies.
"It is true," Li Man'er replied seriously, suppressing a smile.
Countless little stars flashed in Huang Yuhe's eyes. "Then that's truly amazing! Even Grand Physician Duan wants to be your disciple. Oh, right, the brush and ink..."
Huang Yuhe's maid seemed accustomed to her mistress's restless nature and quickly brought over the prepared writing set.
Huang Yuhe seemed to praise her maid, then presented the items to Li Man'er as if offering a treasure.
Li Man'er picked up the brush and swiftly wrote the prescription. Huang Yuhe watched her handwriting, noticing that it was different from the calligraphy she had displayed at the poetry gathering.
At the last poetry gathering, Li Man'er's 'self-created' Slender Gold script had astonished everyone. If it weren't for their jealousy of Sister Man'er, keeping their mouths shut like clams and refusing to spread her fame, Sister Man'er might already be known as a talented woman.
She had also heard that someone tried to claim the Slender Gold script as their own, and it was only thanks to Princess Wuyou that the lie was exposed and Li Man'er's name was vindicated.
It was a pity that such a good person as the Princess was no longer with them.
Li Man'er, unaware of Huang Yuhe's thoughts, handed her the completed prescription and instructed, "This medicine is quite potent, take it once a day, after meals. Also, I will make the ointment as soon as possible and have it delivered to you... Hmm, or you can send someone to pick it up tomorrow."
She changed her mind. The preparation of this ointment was rather arduous, but fortunately, she had some antiviral ointment stockpiled in her spatial dimension, and a couple of tubes squeezed into a small box would suffice.
"Okay, okay!"
Just as Huang Yuhe finished speaking, her maid announced, "Miss, your concubine mother has woken up."
Huang Yuhe quickly excused herself and hurried into the inner room.
What the mother and daughter discussed in the inner room was unknown, but in a short while, Huang Yuhe rushed out.
"Sister Man'er, my concubine mother said she is unable to move conveniently and cannot see you off. She asked me to thank you." Huang Yuhe also presented a box. "My concubine mother asked me to give this to you. I hope you won't mind."
Li Man'er sat calmly and said to the maid attending Lady Liu, "Have someone go and fetch the medicine first. Don't delay this."
The maid then reacted and quickly took the prescription to get the medicine.
Li Man'er did not accept the box and asked Huang Yuhe, "Why did you think of asking me to come?"
Huang Yuhe was momentarily stunned, then replied, "I just felt that Sister Man'er must be very capable." She was actually feeling uncertain. It didn't feel safe to find a doctor outside, and she didn't know any reliable ones, so on impulse, she sought out Li Man'er.
"Then why do you think I came?"
Huang Yuhe thought for a long time, her round eyes blinking, her mind seemingly filled with questions. "I... I can't figure it out."
Li Man'er was surprised by Huang Yuhe's intelligence. This girl seemed quite normal at the poetry gathering, just slightly shy. How could she now appear a bit simple-minded?
"Do I lack money?"
Lack money?
Although Huang Yuhe was simple, she knew common sense! The eldest daughter of the Marquis of Iron Courage's mansion, would she lack money? Her maternal grandfather's family was named Ning.
Huang Yuhe shook her head.
"Since I don't lack money, why would I brave the cold to run errands with you?"
Huang Yuhe was not foolish; she immediately understood. "Naturally, naturally it's because Sister cares about me."
"I consider you a friend. Are you giving me a gift to pay my consultation fee? Are you trying to settle accounts with me?"
"No, no." Huang Yuhe was both happy and guilty. She quickly handed the box to the maid beside her. "Sister Man'er, I... I consider you a friend."
Li Man'er finally smiled. "Alright, go and attend to your concubine mother. I'll be leaving now. I'll come back in ten days."
Huang Yuhe hurried to see her off. Just as they left Lady Liu's small courtyard, they encountered Huang Yuhe's legitimate elder sister, the daughter of Madam Zhang, the main wife.
"Oh, Sister, you are so filial, inviting a doctor to see your concubine mother? Have you informed Mother about this?"
Huang Yuhe simply said, "This is my friend, Miss Li, the eldest daughter of the Marquis of Iron Courage's mansion. Don't you know her?"
Li Man'er thought to herself, no wonder she looked familiar. She recalled that they must have met at the poetry gathering. It made sense; the Huang sisters were of similar age and would naturally attend together.
"Oh, so it's Miss Li." Huang Yuzhu pursed her lips and smiled. "I've heard that Miss Li's medical skills are superb, even Grand Physician Duan bows to her. I wonder if it's true."