CHAPTER 71: CHAPTER 71: TESTING THE MEDICINE

Shortly after the Imperial Physician finished speaking, the five Imperial Physicians sent by Emperor Jiawen arrived.

After examining Xiao Chengyu, they exchanged glances.

Leading the group, Doctor Liu took out a prescription from his chest and showed it to Doctor Xu.

"Brother Xu, this is for the Second Young Master Xiao," Doctor Liu said.

Fu Shinian was surprised, "Second Young Master Xiao? Is he the marquis’s half-brother?"

"Indeed."

"Since when did he learn medicine?" Fu Shinian asked.

"Not exactly. It’s said that the Second Young Master once inadvertently saw a prescription in an ancient medical book," Doctor Liu explained. "When the news of the epidemic in Ganning reached the capital, the Second Young Master recalled a prescription he had seen, but couldn’t remember which book it was in."

"He searched tirelessly day and night, and finally found it before we set out, asking us to bring it along to verify its efficacy."

"We’ve discussed it at length on the way. No matter how we altered it, the original prescription seemed best," Doctor Liu said. "However, we don’t know if it will work. We’ve instructed others to brew the medicine according to this prescription for the patients at the examination hall to see its effect."

"But I’m not sure if the marquis can hold on until those patients recover," Doctor Xu said with a frown.

"Moreover, this prescription is quite dangerous, and I don’t know if the marquis can withstand it."

"Second Miss," Jing Lai whispered, "May I speak with you privately?"

Fu Shinian nodded and followed Jing Lai to one side.

Jing Lai said, "I have some doubts about this prescription."

"Because it came from Xiao Fengxing?" Fu Shinian asked.

"Yes," Jing Lai said, "Everyone knows that if something happens to the marquis, the title will pass to the Second Young Master. Although the Second Young Master pretends otherwise, the marquis knows he is determined to inherit the title. But the marquis, knowing his time is short, doesn’t bother to argue with him."

"But now, with the marquis infected, the Second Young Master could inherit the estate early without doing anything. Why would he kindly offer a prescription?" Jing Lai said, "I fear there is something suspicious about it."

"Xiao Fengxing is offering the prescription to claim credit. If his prescription can indeed solve the epidemic in Ganning, it would be a major achievement. He would be rewarded and earn favor with His Majesty," Fu Shinian said. "So, he wouldn’t dare tamper with the prescription."

"If I were him, regarding the title, it’s just a matter of waiting another year. No need to risk my future," Fu Shinian said, "Or maybe..."

Fu Shinian’s expression suddenly changed, "It might be just as you said, there is a problem with the prescription."

"After all, most of the afflicted people are critically ill and beyond help from medicine," Fu Shinian murmured, "The ones who recover do so on their own, not because of the medication. Otherwise, why does the same medicine work for some but not others? According to Doctor Xu, it’s more about whether their bodies can withstand it. If they do, they’ll be fine."

"In that case, those who are going to recover will naturally recover," Fu Shinian said. "Even those who die after taking Xiao Fengxing’s prescription will only be seen as succumbing to the epidemic, not suspecting Xiao Fengxing."

"Moreover, the prescription will naturally be given to the critically ill first," Fu Shinian said. "If they die, it’s the prescription being useless, not that it contains something harmful."

"Yes, that’s exactly what I fear," Jing Lai said as he saw Fu Shinian understood his meaning, "What if he can’t wait any longer? Moreover, if not for this incident, seeing how the marquis’s health had greatly improved, I doubt the previous diagnosis of living only till 25. I think the marquis could live for many more years, possibly recover completely with proper care."

"I worry the Second Young Master might realize this too, afraid he’ll miss his chance to inherit, so he’s seizing this opportunity."

Fu Shinian thought for a moment and said, "Wait."

Fu Shinian went back to ask Doctor Liu, "Doctor Liu, what did you mean when you said the prescription is quite dangerous?"

"There is an ingredient in it that’s hard to dose properly," Doctor Liu said. "We’ve experimented repeatedly on the way here, too little and it’s ineffective, too much and it becomes toxic."

"We tested it on rabbits during our journey, and after many trials found the appropriate dosage. Based on the rabbits’ body weight and the drug ratio, we calculated the suitable dose for adults. But we haven’t yet tried it on humans," Doctor Liu said. "So, we’re discussing trying it on patients who are already critically ill and unresponsive to previous medicine to see its effect."

"The marquis, even before infection, was weaker than most, now gravely ill, so this ingredient must be added with extra caution," Doctor Liu said.

Fu Shinian gritted her teeth; she had guessed Xiao Fengxing’s intention.

A single mishap with this ingredient, and Xiao Chengyu could be in danger.

"Actually, my constitution isn’t much better, much weaker than most," Fu Shinian said.

"What?" Second Miss, what do you mean by this?

The Imperial Physicians were puzzled.

Fu Shinian offered her wrist, "Doctor Liu, take my pulse and you’ll see."

Doctor Liu placed three fingers on the inside of Fu Shinian’s wrist, looking at her in surprise.

Fu Shinian said, "I, too, was born with some deficiencies, not as severe as the marquis’s worsening condition. The Cheng Family, taking advantage of trade opportunities, gradually nursed me back to health with medicinal herbs, or I would have perished young."

The physicians thought it was no wonder the Fu family sisters got along so well, and neither Madam Fu nor Aunt Cheng had any rumored conflicts.

"I enjoy making incense and medicinal pills as part of my daily care," Fu Shinian said. "Though I seem quite healthy now, I easily fall ill in winter."

"That’s the case indeed," Doctor Liu nodded.

"Previously, while the marquis was in the capital, Doctor Xu often examined him," Fu Shinian said. "I’m sure he checked on him regularly during the journey as well."

"Yes," Doctor Xu nodded.

"How did his condition then compare to mine now?" Fu Shinian asked.

Doctor Xu said, "Not much different from Second Miss, actually slightly weaker, but the gap isn’t large. Frankly, before falling ill, the marquis was in much better shape than before. I believe, if maintained, he could even recover."

Fu Shinian sighed in relief, "In that case, if I were to test the drug, might it serve as a reference?"

"This... Miss Fu, you aren’t ill, how would you test..." Doctor Xu’s words trailed off, eyes wide, "Miss Fu, you intend to..."

Fu Shinian remained calm, "Doctor Xu, you need only tell me if it could serve as a reference?"