Chapter 1488 - 1486: Stop-and-Go
Chapter 1488: Chapter 1486: Stop-and-Go
The two ultimately didn’t catch up with Chenchen.
Even though they had a light carriage and fast horses, they were getting on in years.
The bumpy journey was exhausting enough, and coupled with Zhao Junyao’s poor health and need for medication,
they had to stop occasionally to rest for a few days to ensure Zhao Junyao could handle it.
Thus, after more than half a month, they finally leisurely arrived in Jiangnan.
Seeing Zhao Junyao looking really unwell, Xia Ruqing made a decisive decision.
"No more traveling!"
"Your health is more important, even if you’re in a hurry!"
Zhao Junyao was about to protest but was stopped by Xia Ruqing’s slender finger on his lips.
"Shh, don’t speak, just listen to me!"
"Let’s go find a doctor!"
Jiangnan is known for its famous doctors, not much inferior to the Imperial Physicians.
The most urgent thing now is to stabilize Zhao Junyao’s condition; everything else is secondary.
After saying this, Xia Ruqing forcibly pulled Zhao Junyao out of the carriage.
Zhao Junyao, having no choice, obediently followed her to the clinic.
The streets of Jiangnan were still bustling and lively, seemingly unaffected by the heavy rain in Guangnan.
Yet, to say there’s no impact at all is impossible; after all, the two places aren’t far apart, and Jiangnan is affluent.
Sure enough.
After a few steps, Xia Ruqing saw a group of ragged beggars begging along the street.
She frowned and couldn’t help but glance a few more times, sighing.
"Alas!"
Sighing while reaching into her purse.
Zhao Junyao timely handed over a few small pieces of silver.
"Go ahead!"
Xia Ruqing couldn’t help but look at him more and laughed.
"Oh, our reclusive Taishang Huang is now even carrying silver when going out?"
Zhao Junyao glanced at her, teasing.
"Isn’t it thanks to our ever-thrifty and frugal Empress Dowager?"
Xia Ruqing chuckled and patted his arm.
"Let’s go, let’s go!"
"Hurry to see the doctor, then find an inn to rest properly!"
Zhao Junyao said no more, and the two went forward to distribute the small pieces of silver to the beggars, then headed to the clinic together.
...
This clinic is the most renowned in Jinling City.
The reputation of the attending doctor is so widespread that even the residents of the Capital City have heard of him.
Some people who couldn’t cure their ailments in the Capital City even traveled all the way to Jiangnan for treatment.
This is why Xia Ruqing and Zhao Junyao chose this clinic.
Upon entering.
An indescribable rich aroma of medicine greeted them, and the bustling voices instantly filled their ears, surrounded by a scene of busyness.
Looking around, they saw the clinic hall divided into two areas.
The left side was where the doctors conducted consultations and pulse diagnosis, while the right was where the staff busily prepared medicines.
Both the left and right sides had long queues.
People of all ages, both male and female, young and old were present.
The crowd was busy, some with pained expressions, some with hopeful looks of seeing the light, and others with a faint despair.
One hundred people had one hundred worries.
Xia Ruqing gasped lightly.
"So many people! We’ll probably have to wait for a while!"
Zhao Junyao rolled his eyes at her.
"What, are you thinking of cutting in line?"
Xia Ruqing felt somewhat guilty.
"I’m just worried you might not hold up!"
"I can handle it, just line up obediently!" Zhao Junyao said calmly.
Xia Ruqing made a face at him internally and then went to line up quietly.
After waiting for a full Shi Chen.
The two finally met the consulting doctor, the renowned Doctor Bai from Jinling.
During the consultation, Xia Ruqing was filled with tension, not even knowing where to place her hands.
She feared the doctor would see through the illness, yet also feared he wouldn’t.
If he saw through it, his words might be despairing.
If not, not knowing Zhao Junyao’s condition might be even more worrying.
She turned her head toward the window, trying to hide her sadness.
Unexpectedly, the doctor seemed to see through her emotions.
The elderly doctor, with his youthful vigor, put away the pillow and breathed a sigh of relief, smiling.
"This gentleman’s pulse is quite good!"
"As long as you take good care, use medicine on time, there’s no immediate danger!"
"Just make sure not to catch cold, not to overexert, and avoid any mental stress, keep a cheerful attitude..."
Xia Ruqing was almost in tears.
How could there be such a compassionate and caring doctor in the world?
No wonder so many people came to him for help.
She asked excitedly.
"Doctor, do we need to change the prescription?"
"No need! Just take the medicine on time!"
Xia Ruqing hurriedly thanked him again.
"Thank you, doctor, thank you!"
The moment she thanked him, a flash of memory surged through her mind.
She suddenly remembered scenes from when her grandmother was hospitalized before she passed away.
Back then, she was similarly grateful when thanking the attending doctor...
For a brief moment.
She even felt as if she had been transported back to that time and place.
But when she opened her eyes again, she saw the old man with his youthful vigor before her.
And... Zhao Junyao and the doctor both looked at her strangely.
"Madam, as a physician, healing the sick is my duty. There’s no need for such grand gestures from you..."
Zhao Junyao also looked at her strangely as he helped her up, then thanked the doctor.
"Thank you, doctor. My wife seemed to have lost her focus for a moment! We appreciate your effort!"
After paying the consultation fee, he was about to leave with Xia Ruqing.
But the old doctor suddenly called out to them.
"Madam looks pale; are you not feeling well?"
Xia Ruqing quickly forced a smile.
"No, no, I just got a little distracted by a conversation nearby!"
"Thank you, Doctor Bai!"
Saying this, she hurriedly left.
Zhao Junyao promptly followed her.
"Qingqing, what’s wrong with you??"
Xia Ruqing covered her face, sitting back in the carriage, embarrassed.
"I really was lost in thought, I’m sorry!"
Sorry for deceiving you; I couldn’t possibly say I felt like I’d returned to the modern world!
Zhao Junyao looked at her, skeptical.
"You don’t look well; why not let the doctor take a look at you too?"
Could it be that Qingqing is hiding her illness from him too?
Both of them were getting older, and they tended to hide things from each other.
But he didn’t want to be kept in the dark.
Xia Ruqing hurriedly shook her head.
"Why would I hide anything from you?"
"I just heard... the lady in line next to us mentioned something new, which reminded me of some childhood memories!"
"There’s really nothing wrong. Should I go back now for a pulse check? I’m perfectly healthy!"
She pounded her chest and made bold promises.
Zhao Junyao scrutinized her seriously.
Only when he saw no trace of falseness in her eyes did he finally believe her.
"Alright!"
"Let’s leave it for now, but once we’re in Guangnan..."
Xia Ruqing quickly joked.
"Even when we get to Guangnan, I’m not afraid!"