Recalling her old master from days long past, the Empress Dowager couldn’t help but feel sorrowful once more.
In those days, she was just a servant girl attending to a young lady. When the young lady entered the palace, she followed suit, never expecting the unpredictable nature of life; the young lady passed away early, and she ended up protecting the master’s son as he grew up, eventually becoming the Empress Dowager herself.
It was precisely because of her loyalty that she exchanged it for a lifetime of glory and honor.
The Empress hurriedly said, "Mother, take care of yourself, and don’t think about those heartbreaking matters anymore. The Emperor knows to be concerned about you."
The Empress Dowager said, "The Emperor has always been filial, but unfortunately, Empress Dowager Xiaoci couldn’t enjoy such fortune. Enough, let’s not talk about this anymore. Doctor Gu, come and examine me."
Gu Youyou acknowledged the order and then approached the Empress Dowager’s couch to examine her legs.
As they brought out the Empress Dowager’s leg, Gu Youyou couldn’t help but frown.
Her leg was afflicted with a very severe case of chronic rheumatism, having already become deformed.
Just as she had anticipated earlier, a cure was impossible. The most she could do was try to alleviate her pain as much as possible.
An old maid by her side said to Gu Youyou, "Her Majesty the Empress Dowager has suffered from this condition for many years now. She couldn’t stand for long even when she was young, and the pain intensifies with the wind and rain. As time went on, it got worse, and for the last two years, she hasn’t been able to stand at all. Doctor Gu, do you think there’s hope for the Empress Dowager’s leg?"
Everyone watched Gu Youyou anxiously.
Gu Youyou, feeling the deformed leg bones, honestly told them, "The bones have deformed, and the condition has persisted for too long; it’s impossible to cure completely. However, I can try to treat it and see if she might stand again."
Since they had thought the Empress Dowager would never be able to stand again, hearing Gu Youyou say there was a chance filled them with indescribable joy.
The Empress eagerly said, "If it can be treated, that would be a great achievement. Youyou, please take a look at the Empress Dowager."
In an effort to build rapport, the Empress had already begun to address Gu Youyou affectionately.
Gu Youyou nodded, and ordered the palace maidens to prepare the necessary items. She began with a serious massage and then used acupuncture to dispel dampness, activate blood circulation, and stimulate the nerves.
After busying herself for a couple of hours, she prescribed a formula for pain relief.
"These medicines can be taken orally, and the Imperial Medical Bureau should have them. There are also medicines for external application, which the Bureau might not have, so it would trouble this sister to go out of the palace and fetch them from Jisheng Hall. There’s also this medicine for pain relief; take it when in pain, and refrain from taking it when the pain subsides."
The palace maiden took note and left with the prescription.
Seeing Gu Youyou had finished, the Empress asked, "Is it possible with just this?"
Gu Youyou bowed formally and answered, "This isn’t enough; acupuncture treatment must continue uninterrupted for a month. Massage therapy needs to be done daily, so I ask Her Majesty the Empress to assign a medical woman with some knowledge of medical skills to me, and I will teach her this massage technique. The Empress Dowager should rest for a while now; in half an hour, I’ll need to come back and apply the needles again."
"And the acupuncture...?"
"The acupuncture will be personally performed by me. After a month, the Empress Dowager should be able to stand up again."
Seeing that the Empress Dowager’s leg could possibly be treated, there was a wave of joy in Renshou Palace.
The Empress Dowager was so delighted that she praised the Empress again, acknowledging her filial piety.
"It is rare for the Empress to keep worrying about my leg, leading to the discovery of Doctor Gu. Doctor Gu, how did you come to acquire such skill at such a young age?"
Gu Youyou answered, "When I was young, I suffered from a severe illness and was under the care of Doctor Zhou from the town for many years. Later, I became his apprentice. My master is an unworldly master, and I received his teachings."