The next day, very early in the morning, Gu Youyou got out of bed.
She had to enter the palace today, and it could well be that she would have to do so for the entire month.
Before leaving the house, Gu Youyou first went to bid her aunt farewell, needing her permission for the household to provide her with a carriage to the palace.
In such a large Lin Residence, she had to check in with her for everything, but instead of finding it bothersome, she took pleasure in it. The thoughts of these women were truly difficult to understand.
Riding in the carriage of the Lin Residence, Gu Youyou entered the palace. A palace maiden from the Empress’s side had been waiting at the palace gate early on. Upon seeing Gu Youyou arrive, she hurriedly took the medicine chest she was carrying and led her all the way to Empress Dowager’s Renshou Palace.
She arrived early, and it just so happened that the concubines in the palace were paying their respects to the Empress Dowager. Seeing this, Gu Youyou felt somewhat awkward.
"Sister, should I step aside?"
While the mother-in-law and daughter-in-law were having a casual chat, this doctor had come at a really inappropriate time.
The palace maiden said, "No need, the Empress Dowager has ordered that if you arrive, you should come straight in to see her."
Looking at the large group of beautiful women, Gu Youyou almost had to force herself to enter.
Everyone stared at her as if she were some rare animal, which was something Gu Youyou had anticipated.
"So this is Doctor Gu. I’ve heard that you can cure the Empress Dowager’s leg ailment?"
Gu Youyou did not recognize the woman, only knowing that she was one of the noble ladies of the palace. She bowed gracefully and answered earnestly, "Your servant will do her best."
The woman seemed displeased and snorted, "How can you, a healer, speak ? What do you mean by ’do your best’? Since the Empress Dowager’s leg has been entrusted to you for treatment, then you must cure it. Failing to do so would be a capital offense."
Gu Youyou was taken aback and looked up to meet the woman’s gaze.
In the ancient imperial society where there were no human rights, she had never been scolded or threatened in her two lifetimes. Although she was suppressing her nature, she was starting to feel somewhat unable to restrain herself.
Consider her either bold due to her skills or fearless because of her ignorance.
Since the punishment was death anyway, why couldn’t she defend herself or her fellow healers even a little?
Gu Youyou looked at the woman and said calmly, "Madam, treating an illness is not like other things. Before the results come out, no one dares to guarantee whether the illness will be cured or not.
Although Madam may not understand Medical Skills, you surely understand the principle that all medicines carry a risk. Whether taking medicine for minor or major illnesses, or using acupuncture, there are risks involved. Since your servant has agreed to take on the task, I will naturally give it my all. However, as for how effective the treatment will be, I have already reported to the Empress and the Empress Dowager yesterday. I dare not make guarantees, only to say I will do my best.
If Madam insists that since I have taken on the treatment, it must be cured, or else it is a capital offense, I think that there would be no doctor in the world willing to treat such a disease. Besides, isn’t that why the Imperial Physicians all say it’s incurable? So often, whether an illness can truly be cured is not up to the doctor, but rests with the patient..."
Gu Youyou, fearless, spoke these words in the hall, stunning all the noble ladies present.
Most likely they had never seen such a bold common woman, and for a moment, they were at a loss for words.
Lady Xu’s face turned particularly unpleasant, as she was waiting for the Empress to chastise Gu Youyou.
But to her surprise, the Empress only broke the silence gently and interjected, "Doctor Gu, this is Lady Xu. Lady Xu is a little impetuous, but she genuinely cares for the Empress Dowager. She doesn’t understand medical theory, so don’t take her words to heart. Just do your best."
Catching onto the mood of the Family Head, Gu Youyou said with sincere trepidation to the Empress, "Your servant recalled how recently I almost died from poisoning while developing a life-saving medicine for myself, so I got a bit agitated just now. I beg forgiveness from all the noble ladies here."