Li Man'er then said, "Third Uncle, Third Aunt, don't worry. I can cure this illness."
Li Nian and Yu Shi were astonished. Li Man'er had met Li Qingyan only once, yet she could diagnose him as having the Three Absolutes Physique. Even more surprising was her claim that she could cure the affliction of the Three Absolutes.
How was this possible?
Before the couple could recover from their shock, they heard Li Man'er continue, "I've already sent a message to Imperial Physician Duan Xu. He'll be here shortly. Let him examine Qingyan first. If he can't do it, then I will step in."
"Ah?" Li Nian was unsure how to react. "Man'er, you know Imperial Physician Duan?" They had returned to the capital specifically to find an imperial physician for their son, and had even planned to seek the old madam's help. They hadn't expected Li Man'er to resolve it so easily.
The couple exchanged bewildered glances, finding the person before them a stranger. She was nothing like the Li Man'er they remembered.
"Third Uncle, Third Aunt, is Qingyan resting?"
Li Man'er's question jolted Li Nian and Yu Shi back to reality. They quickly sent for their son, Li Qingyan.
Li Qingyan, who hadn't been resting, hurried over as soon as he heard his parents calling for him.
"Father, Mother." Li Nian was only ten years old. Although he had the Three Absolutes Physique, he was perfectly healthy when the condition wasn't active, lively and energetic. He even gave the impression of being healthier and sturdier than ordinary children.
"This is your cousin, Li Man'er. You've met before."
Li Qingyan, though curious as to why his cousin had come at this hour, respectfully bowed. "Cousin."
Li Man'er quickly replied, "We're siblings, there's no need for such formality." She then took a small, delicate pulse pillow from her sleeve and placed it on a small table nearby. Smiling, she said, "Come here, let me feel your pulse."
Huh?
Li Qingyan scratched his head. Why did everyone want to feel his pulse? Was his cousin a doctor too?
"Go ahead!" Yu Shi was apprehensive, but she sensed a genuine kindness emanating from Li Man'er. Besides, the imperial physician was coming; things would be alright once he arrived.
Li Qingyan reluctantly sat down beside her and obediently extended his wrist.
Li Man'er took his pulse. After a brief moment, her brow furrowed slightly. The child's condition was more serious than she had anticipated. Without her intervention, he would likely not have lived past ten years old.
Though it was late, he could still be saved, but it would require considerable effort.
Despite the couple's lingering doubts about Li Man'er's medical skills, the hope in their eyes was undeniable. They wouldn't give up as long as there was a sliver of a chance, even if the one offering it was Li Man'er.
"How is it?"
"Man'er, please speak frankly," Li Nian said, sensing Li Man'er's hesitation. "Qingyan is a man. There's no point in hiding things from him."
Li Man'er glanced at Li Qingyan with surprise, never expecting the child to know everything.
"Cousin, we've grown accustomed to it over the years. Just tell us directly!"
As Li Man'er was about to state her diagnosis, someone announced that Duan Xu had arrived.
"Quick, invite him in," Li Nian said, feeling a surge of excitement. However, he immediately felt that his reaction was too eager and might offend Li Man'er.
Yu Shi shot him a chiding glance and whispered, "What a boor."
Li Man'er added, "Third Aunt, please have Physician Duan invited in quickly. It'll be good to hear his opinion as well."
"Alright, alright," Li Nian hurried to send for Duan Xu, who was soon escorted into the hall.
As Duan Xu entered, Li Nian and his wife hurried forward, about to offer a formal greeting, when they saw Duan Xu turn and approach Li Man'er.
"Master, you've arrived?"
What was going on?
Li Nian thought his ears were playing tricks on him. Duan Xu was an Imperial Physician, older than Li Shu, so why was he calling Li Man'er "Master"?
He quickly turned to look at Yu Shi, only to see her eyes wide with disbelief, as if she had seen a ghost. This confirmed that he hadn't misheard.
Li Qingyan, with a child's curiosity, asked Li Man'er, "Cousin, you're so capable, you can take an imperial physician as your disciple?"
"Qingyan!" Yu Shi’s face stiffened. "Don't be rude."
Duan Xu, however, showed no embarrassment. He said solemnly, "Whether it is knowledge or medicine, it belongs to the capable. Though I am older, my talent is insufficient. What is wrong with apprenticing myself to someone talented?" He then looked at Li Man'er as if presenting a treasure, "Isn't that right, Master?"
Li Man'er was thoroughly annoyed with him.
"I never said I would take you as my disciple." How could she possibly take a renowned physician like him as her disciple? Furthermore, while Duan Xu had decent aptitude, he lacked the skill for profound medicine.
"You lost the bet, so you have to honor it. Master, you can't deny it. The Ninth Prince was a witness."
Duan Xu had clearly decided to shed all pretense of dignity.
"Stop talking nonsense and examine my cousin. See if you can treat his condition."
Duan Xu glanced at Li Qingyan and then cupped his hands towards Li Man'er. "Yes." His respectful demeanor clearly indicated he was addressing a master.
Li Nian and his wife grew increasingly uneasy. This situation was truly bizarre.
Duan Xu closed his eyes and felt Li Qingyan's pulse. In just the time it took for a cup of tea to steep, he suddenly opened his eyes, looking utterly incredulous. He stammered, "It is indeed the Three Absolutes Physique."
Upon hearing this, Li Nian's hope surged. "Precisely! Imperial Physician Duan, can you cure my son's illness?"
"It should have occurred twice already, correct?"
Yu Shi nodded quickly. "Yes." Her heart felt like it would leap out of her chest, her palms slick with sweat.
Duan Xu withdrew his hand and shook his head slightly. "I have practiced medicine for decades, and I have only seen two cases of the Three Absolutes affliction before." He looked at Li Qingyan and inwardly sighed, what a pity. This child wouldn't live long.
Li Nian understood Duan Xu's gaze and felt his heart sink. Had heaven truly decided to take Qingyan?
Yu Shi's tears began to flow uncontrollably. Duan Xu's look was too telling, so obvious that even Li Qingyan understood it.
"Father, Mother, didn't we agree? Whether my illness can be cured or not, and no matter when I go, we won't be sad." Li Qingyan raised his still baby-faced cheeks and said proudly, "I'm not afraid, so why should you be?"
Li Nian composed himself and smiled with comfort. "My son is right, my son is right."
Yu Shi wiped away her tears, forcing a smile at her son, her last flicker of hope extinguished.
"Before, you said your skills were lacking, and I took it as modesty. Now I see you truly haven't learned much," Li Man'er scoffed. "This illness can still be treated. It's not as dire as you make it out to be."