As soon as Nianyang stepped over Baishan Hall's threshold, a receptionist came over and asked, "Young lady, are you here to buy medicine or see a doctor?"
Nianyang calmly replied, "I am a physician, and I've come upon hearing the news to treat the household that issued the reward notice."
Hearing this, the receptionist's expression changed instantly, "What? You say you are a physician? What a joke! Do you know how difficult the patients' illnesses are inside? Even famous doctors from all around have been treating for three days without success. What could a little girl like you know? Go, go."
Nianyang didn't get angry but instead replied with good temper, "Comrade, the reward notice stated that any physician could come to provide treatment. You don't have the right to turn me away. Besides, you work at a medicine hall, you should be educated. You must have learned in elementary school that one shouldn't judge a person by their appearance."
It's truly strange. The half-grown girl before him was clearly so frail and petite, and her voice was soft as if the wind could carry her away.
Yet, her demeanor exuded a fierce and proud aura, reminiscent of the female warriors described in the martial arts novels he read.
The originally disdainful receptionist, feeling this extraordinary aura, was stunned and dared not say anything further, obediently leading Nianyang to the emergency room.
★
Nianyang entered the emergency room and immediately saw a large bed in the middle of the hall. A pale, unconscious man lay upon it, and beside him sat a young and beautiful lady, her head bowed, sobbing sorrowfully.
These are the master and mistress of the Ruan Family.
Traditional Chinese medicine emphasizes observation, listening, questioning, and examination. Nianyang glanced just once and had an idea of the diagnosis, but she didn't speak immediately and began to observe in secret instead.
The emergency room was lively, with renowned physicians from various places gathered there, around a dozen in all, grouped around the bed in heated discussion about the illness of the Ruan family master.
Seeing Nianyang enter, everyone gave her only a casual glance and paid no mind, assuming she was there to await instructions as an errand girl, not realizing she was a physician.
"Fellow colleagues, it's been three days. Have you diagnosed what illness the master is suffering from?"
"Over the years, I've encountered all sorts of peculiar illnesses, but I've never seen anything like the master's condition!"
"Same for me. I've exhausted all my life's knowledge and still am at a loss…"
Madam Ruan, hearing the physicians' exchanges, let out a sorrowful cry.
Then, someone shouted loudly, "The great healer from the rivers and lakes, Doctor Xu, has arrived!"
With this announcement, the eyes of the esteemed physicians in the emergency room brightened, all turning to look at the middle-aged man in white robes appearing at the entrance, filled with admiration and excitement, as if he were a savior.
"Tuanzi, who is this Doctor Xu?" Nianyang silently asked.
[Master, he is a renowned folk itinerant doctor who has traveled far and wide, curing numerous rare and challenging ailments, earning the title of Hua Tuo reincarnated]
Nianyang raised an eyebrow. Is this the moment she's met her match?
"So this is the famed Doctor Xu, indeed a person of extraordinary presence!"
"It's said that Doctor Xu is Hua Tuo incarnate, able even to bring the dead back from the hands of the King of Hell, there's no illness he cannot cure!"
"Doctor Xu's reputation is widespread, I've heard of him long ago, and today we see him in person. With his participation, the master's illness surely will be cured!"
Receiving the awe from everyone, Doctor Xu strode in with pride, the prominent physicians surrounding the bed naturally giving up the best spot for him.