Chapter 21: The Path of Healing

Dechun Hall was one of the two largest medical clinics in the capital. The owner, the Fang family, was a multi-generational medical dynasty; the head of the family currently served as a physician official in the Imperial Academy of Medicine, and four other Fang family members held positions within the Academy as well.

Traditional Chinese medicine in this world was extremely advanced, surpassing its level in her previous life in certain aspects.

For instance, there was the "Spring-Returning Heart-Saving Pill," which was somewhat similar to the heart-saving pills of her previous life but not exactly the same. If patients with certain heart conditions took this medicine long-term and maintained proper health care, they could live several years longer.

There was also Qianjin Hall's "Qianjin Hyperglycemia Pill," a boon for patients with Yang-excess diseases; one pill a day could control a person's blood pressure, functioning much like the antihypertensive drugs of her previous life.

They possessed a strong sense of marketing, as both medicine names incorporated the names of their respective clinics.

Guo Lei wanted to buy a few prescriptions for his wife. His wife, Lady Jian, had damaged her health during childbirth, and her condition of persistent uterine bleeding had never been cured.

Seeing that Guo Lei intended to pick up the medicine first, Feng Chuchen said, "Wait a moment. Let me ask Old Physician Fang about the prescription first."

She had previously heard Shaoyao describe her mother's symptoms. After looking at the prescription, even though she hadn't personally felt Lady Guo's pulse, she felt it would be better to replace three of the ingredients.

She didn't feel comfortable speaking up immediately. As a young girl, would Guo Lei listen to her or not?

Old Physician Fang was one of the best folk physicians in the capital's clinics. His consultation fee—essentially the registration fee—was two taels of silver, equivalent to a national-level expert appointment in her previous life.

To request a home visit, one had to pay an additional two taels. If a physician successfully resuscitated a critical patient, the reward was even greater.

From this perspective, the status of obstetricians in ancient times was truly low. A difficult labor could sometimes require working for days and nights, yet even the most expensive midwife, Midwife Feng, only earned three taels of silver.

Feng Buji was paying attention to the young men. He wasn't looking at the laborers, but rather at the small managers of the pharmacy or the young apprentice physicians studying alongside the doctors.

In his mind, those with medical skills would surely be able to support a wife. Their status wasn't exceptionally high, so they wouldn't look down on his sister for having entered delivery rooms.

If their appearance was decent, they weren't married yet, and their family circumstances were good, he would ask someone to arrange a match.

He had his eyes on the young physician beside Old Physician Fang. The youth was very young, with a clean, fair complexion and a humble attitude; he looked like someone with a good temperament—what was that expression? Oh, "a man as elegant as jade upon the path."

The consultation room door was open, and two patients were sitting outside.

Old Physician Fang's fees were too high for ordinary families to afford.

Feng Buji whispered, "Sister, who is that young physician? He wasn't the one sitting next to Old Physician Fang before."

Seeing him staring intently at the young man, Feng Chuchen guessed his little scheme.

How could he want someone to be his brother-in-law just because they were a handsome young man?

She whispered a warning, "Watch your eyes. You look like you're staring at a delicious piece of cake. Don't do that, or people will laugh at you."

Feng Buji turned his head away, only to be unable to resist turning back a moment later.

As a pharmacy assistant passed by, Feng Buji whispered, "Excuse me, young master, who is that young physician sitting next to Old Physician Fang?"

It was the first time the assistant had been called "young master," and he beamed with joy.

He whispered back, "His name is Qin Niansheng. Don't let his age fool you; he has already passed the Imperial Academy of Medicine's assessment and can conduct consultations independently. Old Physician Fang treasures talent and just took him on as his closed-door disciple two months ago."

Feng Buji's eyes brightened even more. He thought about asking Auntie Wang to look into it; if the man was decent and unmarried, he would be his brother-in-law.

It took more than half an hour before it was their turn.

TCM consultations were slow because they didn't just check pulses and write prescriptions; they also performed acupuncture.

Old Physician Fang was in his fifties, very thin, with grey-white hair and a beard. He was a very kind old man.

He looked at Feng Buji's complexion, checked his pulse, and said in disbelief, "This child's condition is better than ever before. Which great physician did you find this time?"

Feng Buji beamed, glanced at Physician Qin, and began to praise his sister, "It was my sister who changed two of the ingredients and performed bloodletting and acupuncture on me. Oh my, my sister is beautiful, capable, and smart!

"She learned how to treat illnesses just by reading medical books, and she's good at embroidery and calligraphy... Once the imperial commendation for my eldest aunt arrives, my sister will be even more sought after."

His words amused both Old Physician Fang and young Physician Qin.

Feng Chuchen's face flushed red.

How embarrassing.

She scolded him gently, "Little brother, stop talking nonsense."

Feng Chuchen offered a few humble remarks, suggesting that Feng Buji's great improvement was partly due to his eldest aunt settling her debts.

She continued, "I saw my brother's complexion improve and took the liberty of changing two ingredients. I wanted to ask Physician Fang if I made the right choice. The pricking and bloodletting were things I figured out myself from reading medical books..."

Old Physician Fang was a physician of high character. Several of his daughters-in-law and granddaughters had been delivered by Midwife Feng, and he greatly admired her character.

Not only did he not withhold knowledge, but he also offered guidance: "Mhm, adding gypsum was an excellent move. If you adjust the dosage of Pinellia and Mulberry Bark, the effect will be even better... Now, tell me why you chose to perform bloodletting at those two specific acupoints."

Feng Chuchen proceeded to apply the needles directly to Feng Buji, explaining her reasoning as she worked.

She hoped Old Physician Fang could serve as her recommender for her medical certification, so she demonstrated some of her true skills.

For a wandering physician like Feng Chuchen, who lacked an official "institution," passing the certification required a recommendation from a highly respected figure in the medical community.

Old Physician Fang nodded repeatedly as he listened. "This young girl is indeed Midwife Feng's successor. Despite her age, her comprehension is incredibly high. To surpass those who have studied medicine for over a decade just by reading books..."

He had never encountered such a medical genius. Had he not seen it with his own eyes, he wouldn't have believed it.

Physician Qin also showed an expression of admiration, unable to help but glance at Feng Chuchen several times.

Very satisfied, Feng Buji added, "My sister also learned the Shangyin Divine Needle from my eldest aunt!"

Old Physician Fang was incredulous, his eyes widening. "Miss Feng knows how to perform the Shangyin Divine Needle?"

Physician Qin was even more astonished, his gaze burning with interest as he looked at Feng Chuchen.

Feng Buji was secretly delighted.

Feng Chuchen gave an awkward smile. "My aunt says I have learned it, but I haven't actually performed it yet. Whether I have truly mastered it or not, I don't know myself."

Old Physician Fang said, "Midwife Feng is not only highly skilled but also extremely cautious. If she says Miss Feng has learned it, she must be right. For the Shangyin Divine Needle to be passed down is a blessing for future generations.

"Good, very good. Continue to study hard, little girl. Next year, I will recommend you for the Imperial Academy of Medicine's assessment. Midwife Feng's greatest wish was for you to practice medicine...

"Sigh, if only you could enter the palace as a female physician. You would have status and it would be easier to find a husband. That incident was an impulse that harmed both yourself and others; why bother? It's a pity that such fine talent is stuck at home."

The Imperial Academy of Medicine's assessment was generally held in late April or early May every two years, which happened to be next year.

For women in this era, there were only three paths to practicing medicine.

One was to enter the palace as a female physician, which was the best path for a female practitioner. The second was to practice from home, like a midwife, going on house calls when requested. The third was to be a wandering physician—a folk doctor traveling around with a bell.

Feng Chuchen wanted to take a fourth path: opening her own medical clinic.

And in this era, there was no precedent for a woman opening a clinic.