Song in the Clouds c35

Yu An accompanied the Emperor, disguised in simple robes to consult the common physicians and also carefully picked a few trusted Imperial physicians to treat his majesty. Everyone who diagnosed his majesty was all extremely sure it was thoracic obstruction. Yet they each differed in their explanations as to why acupuncture and medication weren’t taking effect: some concluded that it was because of some other undiagnosed illness, diminishing the effectiveness of acupuncture; some concluded that it was because it was a type of heart ailment not found in medical books, so the treatment of their ancestors would thus naturally have no effect.

Physician Zhang privately suspected other reasons, but all the poisons that could lead to thoracic obstruction would have to be consumed through food, entering the organs, damaging the heart opening. Once the poison was circulated within the body, the victim dies immediately, but his majesty’s ailment was manifesting slowly. He had also meticulously gone through all of his majesty’s food but didn’t find anything suspicious. Furthermore, the most important point was, everything the Emperor ate would be tasted by eunuchs, none of the eunuchs showed signs of poisoning. Therefore Physician Zhang could only strike that thought out.

The common physicians weren’t aware of Liu Fu Ling’s identity, and therefore spoke without restraint. Everything they said only made Yun Ge’s heart drop further. Finally, she could only place all her hopes on Physician Zhang.

Liu Fu Ling welcomed Physician Zhang’s treatment; on the surface he looked calm as per normal, and Yun Ge also acted like before. Both of them buried their worries deeply within their hearts, as if all was really normal. But as Liu Fu Ling’s heart pains started to increase in intensity, even his strong powers of restraint weren’t even able to conceal it. Sometimes when his illness flared, it was so painful that his whole body would shake. The changes in his body served as reminders to Yun Ge and Liu Fu Ling, telling them: No, everything isn’t normal.

One night, while the two of them sat side by side, gazing upon the stars, Yun Ge softly said “Ling Ge Ge, I wish to ask someone to take a look at your illness, is that possible?” “Of course.” He had already seen the best physicians in Han, not only one, but many. Therefore, he didn’t harbor any high hopes, but if this would ease Yun Ge’s heart, everything would be worth it.

“Meng Jue once mentioned that his adoptive father possessed great medical skills, even if Bian Que was reborn, he still wouldn’t be a match for him. Meng Jue never doles out praise so simply, I’m afraid even Physician Zhang’s skills in his eyes would only be a ‘can do.’” Yun Ge’s voice became more nervous “So, I’d like to ask him, to see whether or not he could persuade his adoptive father to take a look at your illness. Imperial physicians may be good, but they definitely aren’t the best in the world. There was once the common physician Bian Que managed to identify what was ailing Duke Huan of Cai, pointing out symptoms that other physicians couldn’t see. The best physicians must lie within the commoners, for a true physician wouldn’t just look after the ailments of the imperial family, they would never be willing to use their skills to trade for promise of honour and riches.”

Liu Fu Ling’s heart thudded, it was indeed as Yun Ge said.

Medicine skills, were different as compared to all other skills on earth. Above all, physicians must have an empathetic heart for the people. Only if they thought lightly of fame and glory, setting their hearts on understanding the toils of men, would they then truly become worthy physicians. None of the Imperial physicians, not even Physician Zhang could do that; therefore, of all the famous physicians of yore, not one came from the palace, but all from the common people.

[1] He Huan literally means joyous union, and is the name of the pink siris, also known as the albizia julibrissin flower.

Chapter end