"What happened afterward? How did he end up in Jisheng Hall as an attendant?"
Qin Changlin said, "It just so happened that my master was collecting herbs in that village on that day, saw him and felt pity, so he bought him and brought him back."
"Oh, his luck isn’t too bad then," Gu Youyou said.
"Alas!" Qin Changlin sighed and shook his head, "Even though he was saved, he’s not much different from a eunuch."
"What?" Gu Youyou was shocked and asked, "Could it be that his family, wishing to send him to be a eunuch, had already... already castrated him?"
"Ah...? This this this..." Upon hearing Gu Youyou’s words, Qin Changlin’s neck turned red, and he was unable to utter a complete sentence.
Gu Youyou was again startled and said, "Did I guess right? My goodness, his family is really... bizarre, aren’t they? To really go through with it, so ruthless. No wonder Yuancheng had that expression when I asked about his family just now, having such parents, I would feel ashamed myself."
"No no, it’s not... it’s not that!" Qin Changlin stammered, not able to get the words out.
"Then what is the matter?" Gu Youyou’s face turned serious.
If she had a subordinate who stammered , she would fire him, never to be employed again.
"He... his...," Qin Changlin thought for a long time about how to explain to Gu Youyou.
What shocked and embarrassed him even more was Gu Youyou’s attitude when mentioning such a manly issue, so calm and collected, as if there could be a woman in the world with such thick skin.
"You better hurry up and tell me." She hated it when people talked in half-statements.
Qin Changlin was extremely conflicted; he felt it wasn’t right to discuss such matters with Gu Youyou, but couldn’t suppress his gossipy heart and thus whispered the matter in a low voice.
"That’s how it is, Yuancheng was born with a defect down there; even as he grows up, he won’t be able to carry on his family line. What’s the use of keeping a son who can’t carry on the family line? He was born with the fate of a eunuch, so his parents wanted to send him to the palace to be a eunuch."
Gu Youyou nodded calmly and collectedly.
Her composure helped Qin Changlin relax a bit as well.
Setting aside that sensitive issue, it was just like normal small talk.
Gu Youyou’s curiosity and competitive spirit were piqued, and she wanted to see what kind of innate defect could prevent someone from carrying on the family line.
"Call Yuancheng in for me, I’ll take a look at him, maybe there’s a cure?"
"What?" Qin Changlin staggered back in fright, steadying himself with the chair behind him to stand properly.
"My sister, do you realize what you’re saying? Do I understand what I’m saying? Do you know where he’s defective?"
Gu Youyou looked at Qin Changlin as if he were insane and said, "I’m beginning to think it’s you who’s off your rocker today. I get your point, but let me tell you, this is not the right attitude. Being born a healer, the most important thing is to save lives and heal the sick. One should cast aside those cumbersome rituals because they will confine your thoughts and impede your talents.
The reason so many women die in childbirth is precisely because you guys are too scrupulous. If there were a proper obstetrician on hand when a woman is giving birth, the chances of survival would be far greater."
Gu Youyou turned away in disinterest, facing a Qin Changlin who stood there dumbfounded.
Feudal thoughts weren’t something that could be changed with just a few words. If they could, feudal society wouldn’t have survived for thousands of years.
She felt pity for Yuancheng and wanted to persuade Qin Changlin to convince him, to allow Yuancheng to agree to let her take a look, as perhaps there might be a cure.