Chapter 126 Prescription
Lin Hui remained silent. She turned over, her back to the outside, pretending to be tired and about to fall asleep.
Seeing her like this, Li's mother didn't try to persuade her any further.
After leaving the main courtyard, Xiao Yuxuan went straight to Doctor Pei's place.
Just then, they ran into Doctor Pei, who looked travel-worn and was carrying his medicine box as he returned from outside.
"Fifth Sister? What brings you here?"
He was somewhat surprised to see Xiao Yuxuan.
He walked along, muttering to himself:
"The situation in the capital is not very peaceful right now, so it would be best if you reduced your movements recently."
Xiao Yuxuan nodded: "Is it because of the epidemic?"
Doctor Pei paused, looked around to make sure no one else was there, and then looked troubled.
"Fifth Miss, remember not to say these words out loud yet. The imperial physicians haven't made up their minds yet. If we speak first, we might be charged with spreading rumors and disturbing the peace of the people."
“In the past two days, when I went to treat Mr. Qu Qing, I heard about several similar cases. Judging from their condition, it’s probably very close to the truth.”
Doctor Pei's aged face was solemn.
He was a doctor who always believed that he wished the world were free from illness, and that it didn't matter if the medicine on the shelves gathered dust. If it was a difficult disease like an epidemic, then the kings and nobles would be the ones to suffer, but the majority of the victims would be ordinary people.
Most people struggle to make ends meet, let alone afford expensive medicine. Many people endure minor illnesses and leave serious illnesses to fate.
And the plague... that was an even greater calamity where only one in ten survived.
On his way there, he encountered a woman carrying a child. Upon seeing him carrying a medicine box and realizing he was a doctor, she stopped him, knelt down, and begged him to save her life. Blood and tears mingled on the woman's face, a tragic sight too painful to bear.
Doctor Pei didn't bring much medicine, so he took out all the silver he had on him, but it was still a drop in the ocean when it came to treating the epidemic.
Even now, when he talks about it, he still feels deeply saddened.
Seeing Doctor Pei's worried yet unhurried appearance, Xiao Yuxuan had a bold idea.
"Dr. Pei, you are a very knowledgeable doctor. Do you know how to diagnose and treat this epidemic?"
She admitted that she was desperate and had nothing to lose.
In my previous life, this epidemic almost emptied nine out of ten houses in the capital. It wasn't until more than half a year later that the number of people dying from the disease gradually decreased and the epidemic disappeared. However, from beginning to end, no one was able to develop the cure.
At that time, Doctor Pei had already passed away, and Pei Xing'er's whereabouts were unknown. It was only by chance that Xiao Yuyao met Pei Xing'er later.
Doctor Pei sighed, "Fifth Miss, let's go inside and talk."
He handed the medicine box to Pei Xing'er, who had been waiting, and gestured for her to come inside to talk.
Pei Xing'er's eyes darted around, and she casually put down her medicine box and followed.
How come she didn't know that her grandfather could cure such a severe disease as the plague?
The old man and the young man sat down. Doctor Pei's expression was not good. He took out a medical book with a missing page from a hidden compartment under the bed and squinted as he flipped through it.
"Fifth Miss, look—this is an incomplete recipe left by my ancestors, even Xing'er doesn't know about it."
"One of these cases has symptoms that are at least 90% similar to those of the recently emerging epidemic!"
"Smack—"
The door was pushed open from the outside, and Pei Xing'er stumbled in with a thud. Ignoring the pain, she scrambled to her feet and demanded an explanation:
"You wicked old man, you've been hiding something good from me!"
Doctor Pei quickly protected the tattered book:
"You disrespectful brat, what are you doing in here? Get out of here! This is no place for children!"
"Why can't I listen? I'm your granddaughter who inherited your mantle, so I'm the most qualified to listen!"
Xiao Yuxuan raised her hand, interrupting the standoff between the grandmother and granddaughter:
"Doctor Pei, let Xing'er stay. Since you said it's an incomplete prescription, having more people will always be a help, won't it?"
"Fine, fine, I owe you everything!"
Doctor Pei muttered something under his breath, and Pei Xing'er immediately closed the door with a grin, then familiarly squeezed next to Xiao Yuxuan, sitting close to her.
"Looking at the missing part of this prescription, there are at least two ingredients missing, and most of the ones already in it are very expensive. If we were to prepare a whole dose, it would probably cost a thousand gold pieces. Noble families and princes can afford such medicine, but ordinary people can't..."
After Doctor Pei finished speaking, Xiao Yuxuan realized the difficulty of the matter.
The prescription is now incomplete, and even if all the ingredients are prepared, it may not be completely effective; there is only a 90% chance of success.
Moreover, the population of Beijing alone is in the hundreds of thousands, not to mention the whole country—if a single dose of medicine costs at least a thousand gold pieces, wouldn't that be a life for a thousand gold pieces with a clear price tag?
Who can afford this price?
But what is a human life worth more than a thousand pieces of gold? The people of Jiaozhi probably had this in mind.
Throughout history, human life has been the foundation of national strength. If an epidemic leaves one in ten people alive, wouldn't it be easy to conquer cities and seize territory?
The more she thought about it, the more terrified she became.
If it weren't for those dozens of generals and tens of thousands of soldiers who sacrificed their lives to turn the tide and stop the Jiaozhi people from entering Guangdong and Guangxi, the country would probably have changed hands and the people would have suffered.
The only good news is that this prescription is 90% effective. As long as the other two ingredients can be prepared, what does it matter if it costs a fortune?
"Doctor Pei, even if there's only a 90% chance, we should still give it a try."
Looking at the identical somber faces of the grandmother and grandson, Xiao Yuxuan thought for a moment but decided not to tell them about the scene from her previous life and frighten them.
"Doctor Pei and Xing'er have any thoughts on these two medicines?"
Doctor Pei remained silent. Pei Xing'er frowned, looking troubled: "The types of medicinal herbs are numerous and complex, and there are two different ratios involved. It will take forever to prepare the correct formula!"
"Yes, it's probably impossible for just a few of us to produce one in a short time."
Xiao Yuxuan pondered: "Doctor Pei, would you be willing to sell me this incomplete prescription for treating the epidemic? You can name your price. If it is successful in the end and can save the people from suffering, I will not take any of the fame and rewards. I will give them all to you and your grandson."
She could then ask the Princess to help the imperial physicians work together to prepare a prescription, which would be much faster than what the Pei family could do. Moreover, all the expenses for preparing the medicine could be covered by the palace's public accounts, so they wouldn't have to pay for it themselves.
This is the best solution she can think of right now.
Hearing her say this, Doctor Pei repeatedly said he dared not, "Fifth Miss, I have practiced medicine all my life and I cannot do such a shameless thing. This prescription can be made public free of charge. Xing'er and I will also do our part to assist with the preparation of the medicine."
Pei Xing'er nodded with an expression of unwavering resolve.
"Doctor Pei's righteousness is admirable!"
Xiao Yuxuan stood up and bowed deeply to Doctor Pei.
How many doctors, if they develop their own prescriptions, wouldn't keep them hidden, afraid that someone would steal them? She truly admired and respected Doctor Pei for being so selfless and dedicated to medicine.
Since that's the case, this matter should be discussed sooner rather than later; she should go and discuss it with the Princess again as soon as possible.
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