That night, Qin Liuxi arrived as scheduled.
This was the Old Princess Consort’s first time receiving acupuncture, and Qi Qian was also present. Upon seeing her, he clasped his hands and bowed in greeting.
"Commandery Prince isn’t planning to watch me perform acupuncture, is he?" Qin Liuxi raised an eyebrow.
Qi Qian, thinking she might use a secret needle technique fearing he would learn it, said, "I am not a practitioner of medicine, nor do I understand acupuncture."
Qin Liuxi chuckled lightly, "I’m not worried about the Commandery Prince learning it, but this procedure requires undressing, and since you are not a doctor, it would be inappropriate for you to stay."
Qi Qian’s face turned red, and he almost blurted out that he too was a man.
But the other party was a doctor, a practitioner of medicine.
In the eyes of a doctor, there is no distinction between male and female.
"I will wait outside," Qi Qian said sternly.
Qin Liuxi spread her hands, turned her head to see the Old Princess Consort smiling at their verbal sparring, and asked, "Did Your Highness have a good meal tonight?"
"Following your instructions, I ate early and moved around in the room, dispersing the indigestion," the Old Princess Consort replied with a smile.
Qin Liuxi said, "My favorite patients are obedient ones like you, Your Highness, you deserve a reward."
She took a jade bottle out of her sleeve.
Qi Qian’s eyes sparkled as he watched intently.
Qin Liuxi handed the Old Princess Consort a sugar pill and said, "Before we begin, I’m rewarding you with a sugar pill, please eat it."
Old Princess Consort: "..."
Treating her like a child, truly amusing.
She did not hesitate and swallowed it. The sugar pill had a faint floral sweetness that melted immediately in her mouth, sending a warm flow through her limbs and body, prompting her to sigh deeply.
"Let’s go inside then."
They moved to an inner room, and Qin Liuxi instructed Nanny Zhao to help the Old Princess Consort undress to her loose undergarment. She lay on her side on the bed, her back facing Qin Liuxi. Considering her status, Qin Liuxi didn’t ask Chen Pi to assist with needle passing but started by herself.
"Your Highness, in the eyes of a doctor, there is no distinction between male and female," Qin Liuxi said.
The Old Princess Consort chuckled, "I understand, at my age, I could be your grandmother, naturally not minding the distinctions of gender. Plus, you’re actually female, right?"
Qin Liuxi, holding the Golden Needle, paused and looked over in surprise.
She dressed as a man to ease her mobility outdoors, but had never declared herself a male. Her face was androgynous; whether people recognized her or not, she didn’t mind, and never clarified or argued, always choosing the most convenient disguise.
So whatever Qi Qian and the others assumed, she never corrected.
But the Old Princess Consort had recognized her.
Even Nanny Zhao next to her was shocked, female, a female practitioner? This Doctor Qin is a woman?
She scrutinized Qin Liuxi up and down, forgiven for her poor sight, she really hadn’t recognized Qin Liuxi as a girl, her demeanor utterly carefree like a man.
"Your Highness has sharp eyes." Being recognized didn’t fluster Qin Liuxi; instead, she boldly admitted it, saying, "If Your Highness feels I am untrustworthy, we can end our consultation here."
The Old Princess Consort quickly said, "Seeing the skill you demonstrated in today’s session, I naturally trust you. I just wanted to assure you need not worry, though I am surprised you became a female crown at such a young age."
"It’s all about having a connection with the Dao. Your Highness, shall we begin now?" Qin Liuxi took the Golden Needle and said, "The Golden Needle will extract the toxin via acupuncture points, and it may cause some pain. If Your Highness feels discomfort, feel free to let me know, and I will adjust accordingly."
Qin Liuxi steadied herself, moving her long silver hair, tied in a thick braid, to the front of her chest. She lightly pricked the Dazhui acupoint, moving from shallow to deep, pressing slowly, and upon feeling the body underneath stiffen, she softly comforted, "Don’t be afraid, let me recite a scripture for you."