CHAPTER 390: CHAPTER 0372 EXCESSIVE TRUST (3)

Half a month ago, when Li Yuzhu came to the Zhao family, most of the time she rode in Li Lixing’s carriage.

On his carriage hung a unique curtain, a dark green door curtain edged with gold tassels.

This was originally the County Magistrate’s Wife’s carriage.

Other families’ carriages had much simpler curtains.

Because this carriage was unique, many people remembered it.

Li Yuzhu lifted the curtain and stepped out of the carriage with a slight smile, "It’s indeed me. Isn’t that Miss Rui?"

Seeing Li Yuzhu, Miss Rui, the housekeeper of the Zhao family, exclaimed with delight, "It truly is Miss Li. Our Mrs. Zhao had just sent me to invite Miss Li. What a coincidence, Miss Li has come, saving me a long trip."

Li Yuzhu said, "I heard from Sister-in-law Chai that the old lady had a fall? Is that why you summoned me?"

Miss Rui, acknowledging the arrival of Sister-in-law Chai and Eldest Young Master Chai who came behind, greeted, "Miss Yun, Cousin," then sighed, "Indeed, it rained a bit the night before last, and the ground was still slippery yesterday morning. We all advised the old lady not to go out, but she insisted on going to pick osmanthus blossoms."

"..."

"Although the osmanthus bloomed early this year, there aren’t many. When Miss came half a month ago, the old lady picked some for you to enjoy, and later picked every day. There’s nothing left now."

"..."

"She was stubborn. As the maid turned her eyes away for just a moment, the old lady fell. She couldn’t get up after falling and had to be carried back inside."

"..."

"Yesterday, we hired a doctor and she took some medicine, but the old lady kept complaining of pain. This morning, she started coughing too, causing much concern at home. Our Mrs. Zhao then sent me to invite Miss Li. Luckily, I didn’t have to go out and found you."

Li Yuzhu said, "The old lady is getting on in years, and in rainy weather, it’s best she doesn’t venture outside."

"Who doesn’t say so?" Miss Rui replied, "But the old lady wouldn’t heed our advice."

Li Lixing and Li Xing’an, with two children, took another carriage to the County Magistrate Mansion, while Li Yuzhu, Sister-in-law Chai, and Eldest Young Master Chai went into the residence to see Old Mrs. Zhao.

She went to see the old lady’s condition; Sister-in-law Chai and her husband, being Zhao family relatives, went to visit the old lady, while Li Lixing and Li Xing’an, being outsiders, did not need to go.

Upon entering the inner residence, Li Yuzhu and her group, as per usual, first paid respects to Mrs. Zhao.

However, this time the main hall was more crowded than before, judging by attire and age, they were likely contemporaries of Mrs. Zhao.

Perhaps they were other female relatives of the Zhao family.

Indeed, Sister-in-law Chai, recognizing them, immediately greeted, "Second Aunt, Third Aunt, Fourth Aunt, Cousin Aunt, Second Cousin Aunt."

Eldest Young Master Chai echoed her greetings.

Li Yuzhu, not being part of their family, simply nodded lightly.

"How swiftly Miss Li was invited, is Miss Li perhaps in the county city?" Mrs. Zhao glanced at Li Yuzhu and asked Miss Rui.

Miss Rui explained truthfully.

Mrs. Zhao said, "Miss Li, our old lady is of considerable age, her pains here and there, doctors have said they can’t be entirely cured, so don’t take on too much pressure; do your best to treat her, but if it’s really untreatable..." she glanced at the women beside her, "my family won’t hold it against you."

Li Yuzhu was quietly surprised, was Mrs. Zhao really this agreeable?

Offering reassurance even before treatment?

"I will do my utmost to treat her, rest assured Mrs. Zhao," Li Yuzhu said.

Mrs. Zhao seemed dissatisfied with Li Yuzhu’s response, "I just said, don’t be too stressed, if untreated, we won’t blame you."

Li Yuzhu furrowed her brow slightly, "Yes, Mrs. Zhao."

"Miss Rui, take Miss Li to see the old lady," Mrs. Zhao directed Miss Rui.

"Please follow me," Miss Rui looked at Li Yuzhu, then turned to lead the way.

Sister-in-law Chai and Eldest Young Master Chai acknowledged the women sitting inside the room before following Li Yuzhu out.

Echoing Li Yuzhu’s thoughts, the couple exchanged glances as they walked, both wearing puzzled expressions.

At Old Mrs. Zhao’s room, Li Yuzhu noticed that this courtyard was much quieter than usual.

Moreover, the maids and servant women were more idle than usual.

A maid guarding the door, upon seeing Li Yuzhu and her companions arrive, quickly dashed inside to report, "Old Master, Miss Rui has brought the doctor."

"Let them in," a middle-aged man’s voice called from within the room.

As Li Yuzhu entered the room, she saw a portly man in his fifties sitting in the bedroom sipping tea.

His facial features bore a striking resemblance to Old Mrs. Zhao’s.

Approaching, Eldest Young Master Chai and Sister-in-law Chai greeted, "Uncle."

Old Master Zhao smiled at them and said, "Oh, you are here too?"

"We came back to the city with Miss Li, concerned about our grand-aunt, and came to check on her," Sister-in-law Chai said. "How is she today?"

Old Master Zhao shook his head, "She’s unconscious. The doctor we invited couldn’t treat her properly. Since Miss Li has also treated her before, we sent Miss Rui to fetch her. We didn’t expect her to come so quickly."

"We met Miss Rui at the entrance of the mansion, she told us what happened, so we came in," Sister-in-law Chai said.

Old Master Zhao suddenly understood, "So that’s how it is." He then called for Miss Rui to take Li Yuzhu to see the old lady.

Li Yuzhu followed Miss Rui and walked behind the screen.

Sister-in-law Chai and Eldest Young Master Chai also walked in.

On the bed behind the screen, Old Mrs. Zhao lay unconscious, her face pale.

The nanny, from Lai Qing’s family, who stood by the bed, said, "Miss Li, please take a look at the old lady."

Falling and becoming unconscious is not a good sign.

Li Yuzhu didn’t say anything unnecessary and immediately rushed to the bed to check on Old Mrs. Zhao’s condition.

Internal bleeding, deep unconsciousness, severe hip fracture, and additionally, the old lady also had slight asthma, and her heart wasn’t very good.

Truly a difficult patient.

She then asked Lai Qing’s family about the situation after the old lady fell.

Miss Rui had just explained it once, but Miss Rui was only the housekeeper, and wasn’t as clear as the attendants about the situation when the old lady fell.

Lai Qing’s family explained everything to Li Yuzhu, "Yesterday, we invited a doctor, he examined her and prescribed a remedy, but the old lady was still complaining of pain after taking it and then directly went unconscious."

She showed Li Yuzhu the prescription from the previous doctor.

Li Yuzhu glanced at it hastily and put it aside, the medicine wasn’t targeting the symptoms, how could she recover?

Eldest Young Master Chai and Sister-in-law Chai exchanged a grave look.

"Old Master Zhao," Li Yuzhu called, realizing no one answered, she turned back to look.

At the bed, it was still just her, Sister-in-law Chai, Eldest Young Master Chai, and Lai Qing’s family, without Old Master Zhao coming in.

Li Yuzhu called out again loudly, "Old Master Zhao? I need to discuss the old lady’s condition with you."

"Oh, just treat her as you see fit," Old Master Zhao said lazily from outside.

Li Yuzhu was slightly stunned, "..."

Treat as I see fit?

This was truly unheard of.

In her previous life, she was a female doctor, but even as an adult, because she didn’t have a beard or white hair, many doubted her medical skills and refused to let her operate on family members.

This life, her age was cut down by half, facing even more ridicule when treating patients, being mocked all the way to now.

This time, it’s okay to let her treat as she sees fit?

Out of professional ethics, she had the responsibility to inform the family about the patient’s condition.

Since Old Master Zhao wouldn’t come in, she had to go outside.

On the rocking chair, Old Master Zhao was leisurely drinking tea.

It’s said when the elderly pass, it’s a white joyous event, the whole village gathers to celebrate at a feast.

But that’s only after the elderly have passed away.

At the moment, Old Mrs. Zhao was still lying on the bed, how could this whole family be so indifferent?

Li Yuzhu walked up to Old Master Zhao and spoke of Old Mrs. Zhao’s condition.

"The old lady has a hip fracture with internal bleeding and must undergo surgery to set the bones and replenish blood, otherwise being bedridden for long could lead to other diseases. Moreover, she has a minor cough and heart palpitations. These weren’t major issues before she fell unconscious, but if left lying for long, these small ailments could turn into major illnesses."

Upon hearing this, Old Master Zhao immediately gasped, "Surgery? The old lady is so old, how can she undergo surgery? No way, no way! That would kill her!" He continued, "Who hasn’t had a fall? I broke my leg the year before last, bandaged it up and it was fine, why would it need knife or bone work? Miss Li, do you even know how to treat?"

He suddenly changed from his earlier indifference, immediately waved his hand, refusing to agree to Li Yuzhu’s proposed treatment.

Still doubting whether Li Yuzhu could treat illnesses.

"The old lady’s fracture is not in the same place as yours two years ago, sir. You fractured your lower leg, she has a hip fracture. If this isn’t treated properly, she won’t be able to stand up, won’t be able to walk," Li Yuzhu said.

Afraid he would not understand where the hip was, Li Yuzhu pointed to Lai Qing’s body, explaining to Old Master Zhao.

"Miss Li, you just need to figure out a way to wake the old lady up, as for the other ailments, don’t worry about them. The old lady is aged, she can’t endure any more trouble," Old Master Zhao waved his hand, absolutely refusing to let Li Yuzhu treat.