CHAPTER 22: CHAPTER 22: TREATING WOMEN’S ILLNESSES

"Auntie, we really haven’t farmed before. I know the vegetables, but I never imagined the seedlings would be so tiny and yet produce such large melons."

Aunt Luo would never have thought, while she was explaining to Chun Nuan about different types of melons and seedlings, Chun Nuan’s mind was filled with the benefits and effects, taboos, and methods of consuming these melons.

For example, when she mentioned winter melon, Chun Nuan instinctively thought of its capabilities to clear heat and generate fluids, promote urination; bitter melon clears heat and relieves summer heat, nourishes blood and boosts qi, strengthens kidney and spleen, nourishes liver and brightens eyes...

Their minds were simply not on the same wavelength.

Fortunately, Chun Nuan was quick to react, and her words were just amusing.

"That’s right. I’m telling you, don’t underestimate these few seedlings. If you manage to keep these alive and take good care, you won’t be able to finish all the vegetables they produce."

"Alright, thank you, Aunt Luo."

This neighbor, as warm as fire, melted Chun Nuan’s heart.

Chun Nuan was ready to give the seedlings to Chun Ning to plant.

Unexpectedly, Aunt Luo followed her.

"Oh dear, I just remembered you haven’t farmed before. These seedlings are quite tender and can be easily broken if you’re not careful. Come, I’ll teach you how to plant them."

"Make the seedling nests a bit big. Once the seedlings are planted, they need fertilizing. Also, Chun Ning, clear the weeds from the field edges and pile them up in an open space. Once they’re dry, burn them to make compost. Put a handful in each nest, and the melons will grow splendidly."

"While planting these seedlings, be careful not to crush them. Just gather some earth and cover the roots gently."

"Make the nests for melon seedlings a bit apart, as the vines grow robustly and need space to expand."

"Plant these seedlings along the field edges. Once the vines grow, you’ll need to make a trellis."

"The nests for eggplants and peppers should be closer than those for melons. Yes, just like this distance will do."

Rather than saying Aunt Luo was teaching them how to plant, it was more like she was helping them plant.

After all the seedlings were planted, Aunt Luo patted her lower back.

"Ah, this back of mine. It’s because I didn’t recuperate well after giving birth to Luo Laoyao, leaving a root of sickness. With just a little work, my back feels like it’s breaking, so full of pain."

"You should rest a bit," Chun Nuan felt somewhat guilty.

"Aunt Luo, how exactly does your back hurt?" Feeling indebted for the help, Chun Nuan thought she should reciprocate somehow.

"I can’t bend. When I bend to do some work, it’s so swollen. In winter, I have to wear really thick clothes, otherwise just a breeze feels piercingly cold, making it ache deeply." Aunt Luo lamented, "Being a woman is hard. Once the month sickness is left, it’s endless days of suffering..."

"Oh dear, look at me, talking so much to a young girl like you."

Aunt Luo suddenly realized that Chun Nuan was still an unmarried girl. About the cold hands and feet, sneezing causing leakage, and the constant feeling of a urine smell... these messy things are best left unspoken.

Besides, more than just she has these problems; most women in the village, upon inquiry, have these symptoms.

Actually, Aunt Luo also pondered: Do the ladies of the Xiao family, so beautiful, have these symptoms?

After all, they’ve given birth to quite a few, averaging four children each. Women who have given birth should have such issues.

"Aunt Luo, it’s nothing. I can only benefit from listening and learning more."

Chun Nuan blushed and laughed.

She wasn’t curious; she just wanted to help her enthusiastic neighbor auntie.

"Indeed, listening more does have its benefits." Aunt Luo quickly added, "Chun Nuan, let me tell you, when you get married and have children, make sure to rest well during the month after childbirth. Never be like us, carrying children, bathing children, washing diapers, and all in the middle of harsh winter. It’s tough even for healthy people, let alone for those recovering. We didn’t take proper care and ended up suffering..."

Aunt Luo embarked on her chatter, and Chun Nuan caught the important part.

"You mean you leak urine when laughing, coughing, or sneezing..." As Chun Nuan said the last two words, she subconsciously lowered her voice, as Chun Ning and Chun An, two young boys, were not far away.

"Exactly," Aunt Luo sighed. "To be honest, your Aunt Luo is not a particular person, but I do maintain good personal hygiene. I change clothes wash frequently, but since giving birth to Luo Laoyao, in just a few years, I’ve turned like this, so much that I feel shabby even to myself."

"Aunt Luo, don’t resent yourself. It’s not untidiness; you’re just sick."

What?

Aunt Luo was rather startled.

"I can eat and sleep, run and jump; how could I be sick? Don’t scare me."

"Aunt Luo, let me check your pulse."

"Huh?"

Aunt Luo blankly watched as Chun Nuan placed her hand on her wrist.

"Chun Nuan, you can really diagnose? Can you treat this kind of illness of mine?"

Aunt Luo was skeptical. For medical treatment, one needs a doctor. Moreover, she’s almost forty and has never seen a female doctor.

"I learned a bit from my grandfather, though not much. But I do recognize your situation."

Indeed, Chun Nuan specializes in women’s diseases.

Years ago, upon finding her fondness for medical books and showing promise, her grandfather particularly guided her, focusing on women’s diseases. For this reason, he even borrowed some ancient texts from the Royal Library for her to study.

In these times, many women suffer illnesses, but those who can diagnose are mostly from powerful families. Matters like childbirth are typically handled by midwives, but midwives can only manage straightforward births. In cases of difficult births, it often leads to both mother and child perishing.

Her grandfather was skilled in stopping bleeding, yet even in the Capital’s prominent families, women could die from childbirth hemorrhage, as husbands preferred their wives dead over inviting male doctors to save lives!

The situation of prominent families was like this, let alone daughter-in-laws of the common folk. Childbirth was truly a gamble between life and death; with luck, you get chicken soup, otherwise you face King Yan.

Her grandfather was deeply troubled and urged her to acquire more skills, in case they might come in handy one day to save lives.

So, Chun Nuan excels in treating women’s diseases.

"Then I..." Aunt Luo was a bit dumbfounded hearing that Chun Nuan’s skills were taught by her grandfather. Earlier she thought Chun Nuan was just boasting, but seeing her seriously checking the pulse and claiming to know the situation, she realized: "Is this really an illness?"

She definitely didn’t want to die!

Her son hadn’t married yet, her daughter hadn’t wed yet. A child without a mother suffers greatly.

"Auntie, don’t worry. I’ll write you a prescription, try it first, then after some time we’ll assess the situation and adjust the medication. Least at most five prescriptions, and you’ll be better."

"Really?"

Aunt Luo felt almost doubtful now.

Could the girl from the Xiao family really diagnose illnesses?

Should the medicine be bought and consumed?