Chapter 314: Chapter 314: Treating the Princess’s Illness
314 Treating the Princess
AHEM!
Zhao Zhitong’s brows knitted together. This dimwit, why give me such an aggrandizing title? Is he trying to get me killed?
She whispered angrily, "Wei Zijian, what nonsense are you spouting?"
Wei Zijian glanced at Zhao Zhitong and reluctantly closed his mouth.
Zhuo An, however, smirked and pressed on, "So, Divine Healer Zhao, are you saying you can cure the Princess’s illness? If she’s not cured, that’s a serious crime. You had better think clearly before you speak!"
The repeated provocations made Zhao Zhitong consider whether this favorite of the emperor might vent his anger on her family if embarrassed. However, this didn’t mean she was a pushover for him to bully.
Unable to endure it any longer, she lifted her head to meet his gaze directly, stating calmly and respectfully, "Dr. Zhuo, as a medical practitioner, you should understand the four basic principles: ’Inspection, Auscultation, Inquiry, and Palpation.’
Currently, I haven’t even seen the Princess, nor have I heard about her symptoms or taken her pulse. How can I possibly answer your question?"
"To make a rash judgment on whether a disease can be cured, without even performing these basic diagnostic steps, is undoubtedly the mark of a charlatan!"
"Or are you suggesting, Dr. Zhuo, that you are the one who is truly seeking undeserved fame?"
Zhuo An was momentarily stumped. This young girl had seemed so delicate and fragile; he’d thought a couple of threats would scare her off. He hadn’t expected her to retort so sharply.
Princess Ping’an’s eyes brightened as if she saw hope. She ordered, "That’s right! Attendants, take Divine Healer Zhao to see the Princess."
Zhao Zhitong nodded but emphasized again, "Princess, please just call me Miss Zhao."
Being constantly called ’Divine Healer Zhao’ made her extremely uncomfortable; she cringed at the lofty title.
Princess Ping’an looked at Zhao Zhitong and acquiesced with a smile, "Alright, Miss Zhao."
Swiftly, the group proceeded to the Princess’s room. At that moment, the Princess was lying in bed, her face a waxy yellow, unconscious.
Zhao Zhitong approached, lifted the Princess’s eyelid to examine it, then gently opened her mouth to inspect her oral cavity.
Only then did she place a silk handkerchief over the Princess’s wrist and begin to take her pulse.
As the seconds ticked by, Zhao Zhitong’s frown deepened. The Princess’s condition was worse than she had anticipated.
She then pulled back the Princess’s sleeve and also examined the skin at her neckline. There was subcutaneous bleeding, as well as signs of bleeding in various parts of her body.
The people waiting outside the screen could only hear Zhao Zhitong’s faint movements. After a short while, they saw Zhao Zhitong emerge.
Princess Anping and the Prince Consort hurried over, anxiously questioning her, "How is it? Can she be saved?"
Zhao Zhitong didn’t answer directly but asked instead, "Dr. Zhuo, may I see all the prescriptions you’ve administered to the Princess?"
Princess Anping turned her gaze to Zhuo An.
Zhuo An pursed his lips and reluctantly produced all the prescriptions the Princess had taken.
Zhuo An said, "The Princess’s illness is very strange. Not only do her gums bleed, but any wound on her body, no matter how carefully tended, heals very slowly. She also constantly suffers from colds and fevers. Many of the prescriptions here are meant to treat those symptoms."
Zhao Zhitong nodded in understanding, then turned to Princess Anping and asked, "Princess, what does the Princess usually eat for her three daily meals and snacks?"
Seeing Zhao Zhitong ask in such detail, it was clear she had some insight. Instantly, Princess Anping felt a surge of hope.
Therefore, she cooperated fully and immediately ordered someone to bring all the Princess’s daily meal records.
After taking the menu, Zhao Zhitong couldn’t help but silently remark on the meticulousness of royal life—even daily meals were recorded in detail.
Complaints aside, Zhao Zhitong was genuinely grateful for this menu, as it helped her pinpoint the problem.
After closing the menu, Zhao Zhitong asked, "Princess Anping, I’ve reviewed the Princess’s menus. It seems they never include vegetables or fruits. Is that correct?"
Princess Anping nodded. "Yes. Firstly, Yue’er has never liked sweet things, so she rarely eats fruit. Also, Yue’er has been frail since childhood. The imperial physicians all said she needed to be strengthened, so her diet consists mainly of highly nutritious foods."
Zhao Zhitong sighed. "I’ve found the problem. She can be treated."
At these words, everyone present was startled.
Zhuo An was astounded, his disbelief palpable. "What? It can be cured?"
Princess Anping and the Prince Consort were overjoyed; their daughter could finally be saved!
"Can she really be cured?" Princess Anping asked anxiously. "As long as she can be cured, any expensive medicinal herbs are fine! Just say the word, and the Princess Mansion will procure them!"
Zhao Zhitong, however, shook her head. "No precious medicinal herbs are needed."
"No precious medicinal herbs?" This left Princess Anping somewhat surprised.
Zhao Zhitong nodded. "That’s right. All that’s required is that the Princess’s diet adheres to my instructions from now on. Also, I will need one month to treat the Princess."
As long as their daughter could be saved, Princess Anping and the Prince Consort didn’t care if it took one month, two months, a year, or even two years. That she could be saved was all that mattered!
They were already excitedly asking Zhao Zhitong what other cooperation was needed.
Zhao Zhitong shook her head. "Just those two things. After a month, the Princess’s condition will begin to show improvement."
"Heh!" Zhuo An suddenly scoffed, an inappropriate sound. "One month? You certainly dare to make bold claims. What if there’s no improvement after a month? Anyone can boast. Who knows where you’ll have fled by then? If the Princess is killed by your methods, where should Princess Anping find you?"
Zhao Zhitong was already beginning to doubt Dr. Zhuo’s medical ethics. Frowning slightly, she replied calmly, "I will not leave the Capital City."
"Who would believe you!" Zhuo An snorted coldly, then turned to Princess Anping and the Prince Consort. "Princess Anping, Prince Consort, although you don’t trust me and insist on having this inexperienced young woman treat the Princess, I have nothing more to say. But what if she doesn’t cure her? What if she ends up killing the Princess? In my opinion, you should confine her to the Princess Mansion. If, after one month, the Princess’s condition hasn’t improved, apprehend her immediately and have her executed. That would at least offer some measure of justice for the Princess."
"This..." The Prince Consort hesitated. Zhuo An’s words sounded plausible, especially since they knew nothing about Zhao Zhitong. "Miss Zhao, what do you think? Perhaps you could stay in our Princess Mansion for now?"
Zhao Zhitong nodded in agreement. "No problem, as long as Princess Anping and the Prince Consort don’t mind how much I eat."
She definitely had to stay here.What if Zhuo An tried to interfere while she wasn’t around? Thus, she agreed without hesitation.
Zhuo An felt his scheme had succeeded. He glanced at Zhao Zhitong. Still wet behind the ears and dares to challenge me, he thought.
Zhao Zhitong, however, was unaware of Zhuo An’s thoughts. She simply asked, "Princess Anping, may I begin treating the Princess now?"
Princess Anping replied, "You may."
Zhao Zhitong nodded. "Good. Then I request that for the next month, I be solely responsible for arranging all the Princess’s meals. Is that acceptable?"