282: Chapter 280 Examination

The Old Steward's hand was held by Yun Ming, unable to move. He struggled twice but couldn't break free, his face turning bright red.

"You... what do you mean? Let go! If the Old Madam's treatment is delayed, can you take responsibility?" The Old Steward's voice was shrill, alarming the servants in the front courtyard.

Several servants gathered around. Seeing Yun Ming, an outsider, blocking their steward and holding a prescription, they immediately broke into a commotion.

"Where did this wild doctor come from, daring to behave so rudely in the Ning Mansion?"

"Give the prescription back to the steward quickly, or don't blame us for being impolite!"

"Is this kid trying to take credit? Shameless!"

The crowd was indignant, everyone talking at once, and some had already started rolling up their sleeves.

Ning Yuanzhou rushed over from the back courtyard, his brow furrowed. He had just been kneeling by his mother's bedside for half the day, his eyes were still red, and he was feeling very irritable. Seeing a young man in gray cloth clothes blocking the steward, his face darkened.

"What's going on?" His voice wasn't loud, but it carried official authority, suppressing the scene.

The Old Steward hurriedly said, "Eldest Young Master, this person is the Itinerant Doctor the Young Miss invited just now. I don't know what madness he's having, but he snatched the prescription written by Imperial Physician Zhao and refuses to return it. I was going to get the medicine, but he's blocking the way."

Ning Yuanzhou's gaze fell on Yun Ming, sizing him up. Gray cloth clothes with patches, a thin face, looking to be in his early twenties, and very destitute. He frowned.

"Sir, my mother is seriously ill and urgently needs medicine. If you have any dissatisfaction, speak after my mother recovers. Now, please return the prescription to the steward." His tone was somewhat polite, but there was already impatience in his eyes.

The servants had already surrounded them, waiting for Ning Yuanzhou's order to act.

Yun Ming did not let go, nor did he speak.

"Wait!" Ning Wanqing chased out from the back courtyard, panting. She had just come to her senses and remembered she had left Yun Ming and Ah Yuan in the main hall, feeling guilty, she hurried over. Seeing the scene before her, her face flushed.

"Brother, this is my fault." Ning Wanqing walked to Ning Yuanzhou's side and said in a low voice, "This Mr. Yun is the doctor I invited. I was... I was in such a hurry just now that I left him in the main hall. It's only natural for Mr. Yun to be unhappy. Brother, do not be angry." She turned to Yun Ming, bowed, and said sincerely, "Mr. Yun, it was my fault. Please return the prescription to the steward first. I will prepare a small gift for you as an apology. Would that be alright?"

Yun Ming glanced at her, then at the prescription in his hand, and did not let go.

At this time, Imperial Physician Zhao Ke walked out from the crowd.

He had actually been watching from the side. From the moment Ning Wanqing appeared, his gaze had been fixed on her. He had long noticed Ning Wanqing—her delicate face, slightly red eyes, and simple dress made her look like a white lotus after the rain. His heart skipped a beat. In his years at the Imperial Medical Academy, he had seen many noble ladies, but a woman as simple and clean as Ning Wanqing, without any makeup, was rare.

He had been looking for an opportunity to talk to Ning Wanqing. Now, the opportunity had presented itself.

Imperial Physician Zhao Ke straightened his clothes, stepped forward, and nodded slightly to Ning Wanqing with grace.

"Young Miss Ning need not be troubled. Since this gentleman has objections to my prescription, why not let him speak?" He turned to Yun Ming again, a faint smile on his lips, "Sir, you are blocking the steward from getting the medicine for the prescription I wrote. I would like to ask, do you think there is something wrong with this prescription?"

Yun Ming looked at him and didn't speak.

Imperial Physician Zhao Ke's smile remained, but a hint of coldness appeared in his eyes. "This prescription is an ancestral formula from my Imperial Medical Academy, specifically for treating the depletion of Qi and blood. The noble people in the palace have used it countless times without ever making a mistake. As a mere Itinerant Doctor, you haven't even looked at my formula, yet you've concluded there's a problem?" He paused, "I would like to test you, then. Can you say what illness the Old Madam has?"

Ning Yuanzhou originally wanted to stop him, but seeing Imperial Physician Zhao Ke take the initiative, he remained silent. He also wanted to see how much weight this arrogant Itinerant Doctor actually carried.

Yun Ming glanced at Imperial Physician Zhao Ke and spoke slowly. "The Old Madam was overworked in her youth, and her internal organs are all damaged. Liver Qi is stagnated, kidney Qi is deficient, the spleen and stomach are weak, and heart and lung functions are declining. The cold is just a trigger; what's truly fatal are the hidden ailments accumulated over the years. Now that her Qi and blood are depleted and her Meridians are withered, she has at most seven days of Lifespan left."

Imperial Physician Zhao Ke's pupils contracted slightly. He didn't expect this Itinerant Doctor to be able to state it so accurately. He suppressed the surprise in his heart and remained calm on the surface. "Correct, the Old Madam's illness is indeed so. Then my prescription—"

"Your prescription cannot cure her," Yun Ming interrupted him. "Not only can it not cure her, but it will also harm her. Those heavy tonics may seem to give her some spirit on the surface, but they are actually overdrawing her final Qi and blood. Once the medicine's effect wears off, she will die even faster."

Imperial Physician Zhao Ke's face changed. Not because Yun Ming was wrong, but because he was too accurate. Alarm bells rang in his heart—where did this person come from? How could a Itinerant Doctor see through his intentions at a glance?"

But he quickly calmed down. This wasn't the capital; it was Linan City. Even if this person was right, who would believe him? Between a Itinerant Doctor and an imperial physician from the Imperial Medical Academy, whose words carried more weight? The answer was self-evident.

Imperial Physician Zhao Ke smiled, his smile carrying a hint of disdain. "Since you say my prescription will harm people, then may I ask, do you have any brilliant insights?"

Yun Ming shook his head. "The Old Madam's illness cannot be cured. Ordinary decoctions can at most make her feel better for a few days. After seven days, no one can save her."

Imperial Physician Zhao Ke felt completely at ease. He thought Yun Ming would say something startling, but he just shook his head and sighed. It turned out he was just a half-baked doctor who only saw the severity of the illness but couldn't provide any solution. His smile became more confident.

"Since you put it that way, I'll test you further." Imperial Physician Zhao Ke stood with his hands behind his back, looking like an examiner. "What is the very first sentence of the upper volume of the 'Lingshu Suwen'?"

Yun Ming frowned. "Never heard of it."

The smile on Imperial Physician Zhao Ke's lips deepened. "In the Pulse Differentiation chapter of the 'Jinkui Yuhan Jing', a floating pulse indicates an exterior syndrome, and a deep pulse indicates an interior syndrome. So, what does a rapid pulse indicate?"

Yun Ming was silent for a moment. "I don't know."

Imperial Physician Zhao Ke was now completely reassured. This person hadn't even read the most basic medical books; he was clearly a self-taught amateur who had learned a bit of the four diagnostic methods from somewhere and was out here swindling people. He shook his head, his tone carrying a hint of pity.

"Sir, big you haven't even read these introductory medical books, yet you dare to practice medicine? The Old Madam's illness cannot be cured by mere talk. We appreciate your kindness, but you don't need to worry about the prescription." He turned to Ning Yuanzhou and cupped his hands, "Lord Ning, it's better to send someone to get the medicine. The Old Madam's condition cannot be delayed."

Ning Yuanzhou's face was already very ugly. He had originally held a glimmer of hope that this Itinerant Doctor might actually have some skill, but he didn't expect him to be a fraud who hadn't even read medical books. He took a deep breath, suppressed the anger in his heart, and waved his hand to the servants.

"See the guest out."

The servants had been waiting for these words. Several strong men stepped forward, about to push Yun Ming out.

Ning Wanqing opened her mouth to say something but swallowed it back. She looked at Yun Ming, feeling some guilt, but Imperial Physician Zhao was right—how could someone who hadn't even read medical books treat her mother? She didn't stop them again.

Yun Ming didn't struggle or argue. He returned the prescription to the Old Steward and patted the dust off his robes.

"Since I am not welcome here, I shall take my leave." He glanced at Ning Wanqing, "Eldest Young Miss, I accept your apology. I will be staying in the city for the next few days. If any problems arise in the mansion, you can come and find me." He paused, his lips twitching slightly, "But at that time, my price will be high."

Ning Yuanzhou snorted coldly. "No need. The Ning Mansion will not beg a fraud."

The servants pushed Yun Ming and Ah Yuan out. Ah Yuan wanted to turn back and scold them several times along the way, but Yun Ming held her back.

After leaving the back gate of the Ning Mansion, the door slammed shut behind them.