Yun Jinnian bowed slightly toward him, "I originally didn’t pay much attention to it, but as I said, who are you, sir?"
"My surname is Zhou, Miss Fourth can call me Young Master Zhou!"
Zhou, the royal surname of the Great Zhou Kingdom.
The man before her was dressed in expensive brocade, acted with the grace and propriety befitting the rich, and radiated unmatched elegance, presumably a royal relative of the Great Zhou Kingdom.
Yun Jinnian did not know much about the Great Zhou Kingdom, so she couldn’t guess his identity.
Zhou Yunshen looked at Yun Jinnian and curved his lips slightly, then walked over to a chair and sat down, his hand formed into a fist covering his lips as he coughed.
It was as if he would cough out his heart, liver, and lungs before he stopped.
The thin and frail body trembled with each cough, looking extremely weak.
Yun Jinnian watched, exhaled softly, then approached and sat beside Zhou Yunshen, took a close look at him – he had refined features and carried a touch of pitiful frailty in his illness.
"Let me take your pulse first!"
"Thank you, Miss Fourth!"
Yun Jinnian shook her head slightly, "Don’t thank me yet, it’s still uncertain whether I can treat it or not!"
"As long as Miss Fourth does her best, the rest is up to fate!" Zhou Yunshen said, stretching out his wrist and placing it on the table.
His hand was very thin, almost skeletal in appearance.
The wrist too was delicate, even the small veins were visible.
Fearing she might inadvertently crush his veins, Yun Jinnian rubbed her hands together.
"Why does Miss Fourth do this?" Zhou Yunshen asked curiously.
"I have a rather cool constitution and you are weak; it’s always best to be cautious!" Yun Jinnian said. After feeling her hands were warm enough, she gently placed them onto Zhou Yunshen’s wrist to take his pulse.
After one hand, Yun Jinnian finally said, "Let’s try the other one, shall we?"
Zhou Yunshen did not ask further and switched to the other hand.
After seriously taking his pulse, Yun Jinnian then said, "Young Master Zhou’s illness has been many years in the making. It began with poisoning, and after detoxification, you were stricken with a chill. It was originally just a simple chill, but then you were poisoned again with a cold toxin, injuring your heart and lungs. Fortunately, countless precious herbs have sustained you!"
The consequences, Yun Jinnian did not speak of.
Zhou Yunshen had thought of them too.
"Is it still treatable?" Zhou Yunshen asked casually.
His voice fluttered, lacking even a hint of vitality, as if he had resigned himself to his fate.
Yun Jinnian looked at Zhou Yunshen, and after a while finally said, "It’s possible, but the treatment will need to be gradual."
She had not originally intended to treat him, but seeing his look of despair, Yun Jinnian’s heart softened, and she ultimately compromised privately.
Upon hearing this, Zhou Yunshen’s eyes brightened, and he slowly stood up, bowed with his fist to Yun Jinnian, "Miss Fourth, your kindness in saving my life will never be forgotten. I’d like to offer you three requests that do not go against benevolence, righteousness, and morals!"
This was something Yun Jinnian had not anticipated.
After looking at Zhou Yunshen for a while, Yun Jinnian finally said, "Your thoughts are appreciated, Young Master Zhou!"
She paused, then continued, "But Young Master Zhou, there’s an order to everything, matters of urgency and importance. Your illness is urgent, but not as urgent as Prince Yanjun’s!"
The man standing to the side drew his sword upon hearing Yun Jinnian’s words.
Zhou Yunshen gave him a faint glance and the man stepped back.
Zhou Yunshen looked at Yun Jinnian, who was dressed in precious blue men’s clothing, her hair tied high and bound with a headband that had skewed and loosened from the journey, letting a few strands fall, adding a touch of charm to her already stunningly beautiful face.
She was still so young, after all.
Only twelve years old, and in a few more years when her features matured, she would likely be a beauty capable of toppling cities. Yet here she was, not at home learning the virtues expected of women, but out practicing medicine and helping the world.
Feeling Zhou Yunshen’s intense gaze, Yun Jinnian furrowed her brow and swept her eyes indifferently over Zhou Yunshen, who quickly coughed to hide his embarrassment, "What Miss Fourth says is very true, but I wonder, how serious is Prince Yanjun’s illness?"