Zhao Shu and the others turned around, and Xiao Guozi and the others standing behind Zhao Shu made way for Zhao Shu to face the old man. No one dared to speak first. The old man opposite them looked kind but had absolute authority.
He was completely different from Physician Peng and Doctor Lou.
Suddenly, a name flashed through Zhao Shu's mind: the Immortal Physician Ouyang Ping!
Ouyang Ping was a legendary figure. The late emperor had offered him a high position in the Imperial Medical Academy, which would have been the position of chief physician, but he refused. After the late emperor passed away, Emperor Mingde ascended the throne and invited him to the capital, but he still refused. He came from a family of doctors, but he preferred to practice medicine like a wandering healer, and was very famous in the Jiangnan region, where he was known as the White-Haired Immortal Physician.
Upon seeing such legendary figures, Zhao Shu was still a little excited, but she quickly composed herself and gave the old man a junior's greeting. The old man, however, did not return the greeting and accepted it as a matter of course.
Nowadays, the common people are scholars, farmers, artisans, merchants, doctors, fortune tellers, and astrologists. Doctors don't have a high status, but when their skills reach the level of being unparalleled in the world, they are qualified to put on airs.
Zhao Shu didn't mind and asked, "Are you the legendary physician Ouyang, sir?"
"I dare not claim the title of 'Immortal Physician.' I only have a slight understanding of the principles of medicine for treating illnesses and saving lives. As for you, Princess, I've heard that you enjoy reading medical books?" Ouyang Ping looked at Zhao Shu scrutinizingly.
Zhao Shu glanced at Physician Peng, who smiled at her and said, "Princess, Mr. Ouyang has also guided my medical skills. You can ask him for advice." He was quite proud of himself. He had timed it perfectly; Mr. Ouyang would be coming to the medicine shop at this time, which was why he had hurriedly summoned Zhao Shu.
Theory and practice are two different levels. Zhao Shu was at best a novice. In front of Ouyang Ping, who was experienced and known as the Immortal Physician, she naturally dared not be arrogant. She withdrew her gaze and looked at Ouyang Ping with an extremely humble tone. After listening to what the old physician Peng said, she said, "When I have nothing to do, I like to read some books. However, I suffer from the lack of a teacher and am still figuring things out haphazardly. Many times, I need a few pointers from you, old physician Peng. If you don't mind, would it be alright if I learned medicine from you?"
She spoke with utmost seriousness and sincerity, pleading with Ouyang Ping to accept her as his apprentice with a deep reverence for medicine.
Xiao Guozi and the others instantly changed color. When Physician Peng uttered those words, he had already received countless cold stares from them. Now, they were even more frightened by Zhao Shu's sincere attitude and wanted to immediately kneel down and beg the princess not to act recklessly. How could a princess, a dignified princess, study medicine? It was simply lowering her status! Reading some medical books in her spare time was fine, but to go and study medicine was just too ignorant!
The main problem is that the Empress Dowager is still angry. Wouldn't it be better for you, like an ordinary young lady, to read "Rules for Women" and "Admonitions for Women" and learn needlework, music, chess, calligraphy, painting, poetry, and songs, in accordance with the Empress Dowager's wishes?
Ouyang Ping looked at Zhao Shu, listened to her words, and laughed heartily. But as he laughed, he started coughing violently. Doctor Lou hurried over to help him catch his breath. "You need to rest. It's getting cold today. What will you do if you start coughing again?"
However, a series of coughs that would make anyone's blood run cold continued, as if the autumn wind would not stop just because people were cold and the winter was getting colder.
The cough was so long and intense that everyone's hearts clenched. Ouyang Ping was coughing with difficulty, his handkerchief covering his mouth. Before long, he coughed up bright red blood.
Zhao Shu stared at the blood on the handkerchief. The blood was very red and plentiful. It wasn't blood-tinged phlegm, so it probably wasn't lung cancer. If it wasn't lung cancer, that would be good. But in Dayong, even bronchitis was difficult to cure.
This is especially true for the elderly, whose lungs age and immunity declines.
In a panic, she was covered in sweat, frantically searching her memory for a prescription.
Physician Peng and Doctor Lou helped Ouyang Ping to rest in a room next to the medicine shop.
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