Li Man'er said, "Whether it can be cured or not depends on the madam's condition. Doctor Xu, please lend me your pulse cushion."
Doctor Xu quickly took his medicine box from his body and placed it on the table. He took out a pulse cushion and handed it to Li Man'er.
Li Man'er placed the pulse cushion by the bed and sat down again to take Bai Ruolan's pulse.
Everyone in the room waited quietly for the result, especially Doctor Xu, who was eager to see what result this Miss Li would come up with.
Li Man'er carefully took Bai Ruolan's pulse. After a long while, she withdrew her hand and said with a slightly solemn expression, "Judging from the madam's pulse, it is undoubtedly an unusual one."
Doctor Xu also nodded, "Indeed, the pulse weakens or even disappears when inhaling."
"Coughing phlegm, chest tightness, lung qi stagnation. We should use tonifying and consolidating, benefiting the lungs and strengthening the spleen. Doctor Xu's prescription for pulmonary tuberculosis recovery is indeed appropriate."
Doctor Xu showed a look of pride, his beard almost sticking to the sky. Li Man'er's words had vindicated him; he was not a quack doctor.
"Although the prescription is correct, the dosage is too conservative," Li Man'er said. "Shopkeeper Li, I will write a prescription, do you dare to use it?"
Shopkeeper Li immediately replied, "Miss, you are saving my wife's life, how could I not trust you?"
"Very well." Li Man'er asked him to prepare brush and ink. "If you trust me, then follow the prescription I write to get the medicine. If anyone tells you this medicine is wrong, you don't need to pay attention."
Shopkeeper Li hesitated for a moment, then immediately sent a young shop assistant to the front shop to fetch paper and ink.
The young shop assistant was quick, and soon brought the brush and ink to the table.
Li Man'er sat at the table and wrote down the prescription. After drying the ink, she handed it to Shopkeeper Li.
"Boil three bowls of water down to one bowl. Take it every day before breakfast and after dinner. You need to abstain from certain foods while taking the medicine, it's all written on here."
Doctor Xu anxiously said from the side, "Miss, may I borrow the prescription for a look?" Although the prescription was in Shopkeeper Li's hand, it was still Miss Li who had written it, so he naturally had to seek Miss Li's permission.
Li Man'er nodded, "Please, Doctor Xu, enlighten me."
Doctor Xu cupped his hands, took the prescription, and looked at it carefully. "Ephedra, cinnamon twig, apricot kernel, dried ginger, schisandra berry, pinellia..."
Doctor Xu's face was filled with astonishment, and his hands holding the prescription trembled slightly. "Is this Xiao Qinglong Decoction or Mahuang Decoction?"
"Neither."
"This is simply outrageous." Doctor Xu returned the prescription to Shopkeeper Li and said, "I cannot understand this prescription. Since Shopkeeper Li is willing to try, then I will await good news." With that, he put the pulse cushion back into his medicine box and picked up his box to leave.
Shopkeeper Li did not dare to delay him and quickly asked a young shop assistant to take money and chase after him.
Who knew that Doctor Xu was quite principled and refused to accept anything. "One does not accept rewards without merit, so let's forget it. If your wife can truly recover, it would be better than anything else."
When the young shop assistant returned and repeated Doctor Xu's words, Li Man'er looked at him with more respect.
Shopkeeper Li looked at the prescription in his hand, then at Li Man'er, and finally at Bai Ruolan.
The woman nodded slightly at him.
Shopkeeper Li then ordered someone to get the medicine according to the prescription.
In any case, this family left a good impression on Li Man'er.
Li Man'er then took out the medicinal pills that had saved Madam Bai's life. When Shopkeeper Li saw them, his eyes immediately lit up.
It was these pills that had saved his wife's life before.
"This medicine is very precious. I refined it myself. Your wife is seriously ill. If she only takes the medicine from the prescription, it might take another half a year or more. Chronic illness recurs, and it might even lead to other complications." Li Man'er gave him nine pills, "Including the one the madam took before, it's a total of ten pills. Take one pill every seven days. Don't misremember the dates."
"Yes, yes, I've written it down, I won't forget." Shopkeeper Li took the pills as if they were precious treasures. "Miss, how should I thank you? May I ask about your consultation fee and medicine cost? I am not stingy, I am just afraid of giving too little."
He spoke from the bottom of his heart. The miraculous effect of the previous medicine was something he had witnessed with his own eyes, and each pill was likely worth a lot of silver.
"Shopkeeper Li, you are too kind. I am not short of money. Today is also a matter of fate. Please waive the consultation fee."
What? No money?
Shopkeeper Li's elderly mother immediately stepped forward and said, "Miss, this won't do. Charging for consultations is only right and proper. If you don't accept money, we will feel truly uneasy! Don't look at us as a small business, we can afford to take medicine."
"Yes, yes," Shopkeeper Li echoed, and even Bai Ruolan asked Li Man'er to charge them.
"Well, how about this!" Li Man'er said, "I am not short of money. If you insist on giving me something in return, then exchange it for something else."
"Exchange it for something else?" Shopkeeper Li looked at his old mother. "What does Miss want?" His shop had plenty of fabrics and clothes.
Li Man'er was afraid they would misunderstand her as taking advantage of the situation, so she quickly said, "The teahouse next door is mine. The original shopkeeper and staff have left. So I wanted to ask Shopkeeper Li if you have any good recommendations for a shopkeeper? As a young lady, it is not convenient for me to come out and do business publicly. If you can help recommend a shopkeeper who is proper, well-connected, and capable, that would be great."
Just this matter?
Shopkeeper Li quickly replied, "Miss, I do know a few shopkeepers. If you need it, I can introduce them to you, but you still have to pay for the medicine."
Seeing his serious expression, Li Man'er couldn't help but feel a headache.
Why is this person so stubborn! He doesn't understand flexibility at all.
"Well, I have a rule when I treat people. I see the patient first, then collect the fee. If I cure your wife, I will naturally come to collect the consultation fee. If your wife's condition does not improve, it means my skills are lacking, and it is only right that I don't charge any money."
This...
"Alright, it's settled then." Li Man'er said, "Do you have any good candidates or suggestions for the shopkeeper position?"
Shopkeeper Li then reacted and said, "I have a distant cousin who is honest and quick-witted. He started as an apprentice in a shop at the age of seven and was capable of managing things at the counter by thirteen. He is a very honest and upright person. However, his parents passed away a few years ago, which was a great blow to him, and he was dispirited for a while. Now he is ready to make a comeback. If Miss is interested, I can write to him to come to the capital, and you can decide after meeting him."
Li Man'er thought it was good, but hiring people required many considerations, and she couldn't speak too definitively.
"I will definitely meet him, but his character and knowledge still need to be assessed. Shopkeeper Li, please feel free to write to him. I will cover all his travel expenses to the capital. If he can stay, that would be best. Also, I will come back to re-examine your wife's breathing difficulty. If you need anything, you can send a letter to the Marquis's mansion's side gate."
Shopkeeper Li cupped his hands, "Then thank you, Miss Li."