Xie Zhinuan couldn’t control Ye Hang, nor did she want to bother with Sun Yian, as she had too many things to do.
She studied medical books about venereal and gynecological diseases, researched how to administer acupuncture and prescribe medication, and learned medicine from Dugu Zhen.
Xie Zhinuan didn’t attend the opening of the cured meat shop, but business was said to be booming. She sent Chuntao to the manor, while she stayed at the residence and didn’t go anywhere.
After several days of study, Xie Zhinuan finally resolved to treat the women.
"Hurry up, clean yourselves properly, we’re going to see the young lady soon!" Nurse Zhang ordered with a stern face.
These women had been there for several days, well-fed and clothed warmly without much to do except chat in the courtyard, which made them somewhat anxious.
Today, learning that Xie Zhinuan was going to examine them, they all became animated.
They hurried to bathe and then lined up to go to the room Xie Zhinuan had prepared.
For their privacy, Xie Zhinuan only kept Chen Auntie and Mrs. Mou, the latter having traveled the Martial World and knew more about certain things.
Xie Zhinuan had them assist her, both for discussing their findings and for confirming diagnoses before prescribing medication.
"Let’s begin!," Xie Zhinuan was ready.
She wore a cape over her clothes, donned thin gloves, a mask, made sure her hair was neatly tied up and covered with a cap, and had prepared many polished bamboo strips.
There were several basins around, filled with boiled water that had cooled, ready for handwashing later.
A woman came in, her face deeply flushed.
"I, my name is Chuntao!" she said, shivering from nervousness.
She had felt uncomfortable these past few days, tormented by severe itching.
"You may take off your pants and lie down on that small bed," Xie Zhinuan spoke softly.
"Miss Xie, do I take off, take everything off?" Chuntao asked timidly.
"Yes, take everything off. Don’t be nervous, we are all women here. Neither Chen Auntie nor Mrs. Mou will talk about what they see outside, and I need to take a good look to prescribe the right medicine!"
"..."
Chuntao blushed.
When she was at the mercy of the bandits, she became accustomed to it, but now, faced with the gentle Xie Zhinuan, that sense of shame she thought she’d lost came flooding back.
Nevertheless, she obediently removed her trousers and lay down.
Xie Zhinuan examined her meticulously.
Chuntao’s condition was not too severe, but it was not mild either.
After examining her, Xie Zhinuan was certain of the illness and took a bamboo strip to check the inside...
Chuntao was very nervous, her eyes rimmed with redness, but she felt an indescribable sense of gratitude.
Tears rolled down her cheeks.
She had thought that for the rest of her life she would remain that way, dying a brutal death in the bandit’s lair on the mountain, but Xie Zhinuan brought her light and hope.
She actually wanted to choose the latter, to be well-taught and work for Xie Zhinuan, but she was concerned for her family and wished to earn some silver to send home, fulfilling her parents’ kindness of raising her for over a decade before returning to serve Xie Zhinuan.
But these thoughts, she dared not express, for fear her peers would laugh or ostracize her, so she kept them to herself.
"It’s done," said Xie Zhinuan gently.
She directed Chen Auntie to help Chuntao up, then went to wash the gloves before sitting down to write a prescription.
Oral medication, external washes, and suppositories – with each patient’s condition being different, the required medications varied as well.
Xie Zhinuan studied seriously, determined to do her best.
Chuntao got dressed, standing quietly and watching Xie Zhinuan, who was engrossed in writing, biting her lip in silence.
"Alright, you can go back for now. I’ll have someone deliver the medicine to you," said Xie Zhinuan softly, calling for the next patient to enter.