Chapter 978: Chapter 996: Still Too Early to Tell
The routine doctors who examine the pulse of the female relatives are always elderly or grandfatherly types. This Imperial Doctor Hu is no exception; he is an old man with greying hair and good health.
Madam Yin, being from a military family, doesn’t adhere to many of the formalities, and Ye Xinyan even less so. With the maids and old woman servants from both families present, there was no need for the fanfare of examining the pulse through a screen. A cloth was simply placed over Ye Xinyan’s wrist.
Imperial Doctor Hu carefully observed Ye Xinyan’s complexion and placed his fingers on her pulse, examining it closely.
Ye Xinyan looked at her own wrist and Imperial Doctor Hu’s fingers, quite conflicted for the doctors of this era. It must be difficult to feel the pulse, right? Especially through a layer of silk, even if it was thin silk, it’s still an obstruction, isn’t it?
Indeed, it was quite challenging. Imperial Doctor Hu examined for a while, looking puzzled. He slightly moved his fingers to a new position and continued for a while longer.
As Imperial Doctor Hu’s expression remained uncertain, Madam Yin’s heart was in her throat. Seeing him still hesitant after moving his fingers, her panic increased. She had secretly prayed to all the Immortals, hoping that her daughter would not end up like her. If her daughter were also to lose her lineage, it would be killing her.
In the room, Madam Yin’s close maids and old woman servant were present, as were Song Ping’s Household, Jiu Yu, Jiu Zhen, and others. Yet, no one made a sound. They all stared at Imperial Doctor Hu intently, hoping to catch any indication from his expression.
Imperial Doctor Hu was accustomed to the tense scrutiny of patients’ family members and, although suspicious of Ye Xinyan’s pulse, he remained unaffected.
He requested Ye Xinyan to switch to her left hand, closed his eyes, and continued to check the pulse, moving his fingers again.
Seeing this, Madam Yin felt like she was burning in anxiety, as if she were being roasted over a flame.
Even Nanny Huang and Song Ping’s Household, who were accompanying them, misinterpreted Imperial Doctor Hu’s hesitation, thinking maybe their young lady had some rare illness, and all visibly changed their complexions.
Only when Imperial Doctor Hu put away the pulse pillow did Madam Yin ask tremulously, “Imperial Doctor Hu, does my daughter…need any treatment?”
Imperial Doctor Hu showed a look of regret on his face, making even Ye Xinyan nervous. What on earth is going on? She’s perfectly healthy, so why did this old man show such an expression?
“Cough, cough,” Imperial Doctor Hu cleared his throat softly and said, “The time is too short; I genuinely can’t be certain. Mrs. Yin, Madam Jiang, please be cautious with the diet recently and avoid any vigorous activities. I’ll come back to check Madam Jiang’s pulse again in half a month. By then, we can determine if there’s a pregnancy.”
Perhaps Imperial Doctor Hu’s words were too unexpected for Madam Yin, so her expression seemed even more off, and she stammered in her speech: “Hu, Imperial Doctor Hu, are you saying that my, my, my daughter might be pregnant? Is that so, is that so?”
Madam Yin felt dizzy. What was this about? Was she experiencing an illusion? She just invited an Imperial Doctor who specializes in gynecology to treat her daughter, hoping her daughter would get pregnant soon.
This, this, this, pregnant? Happiness came too suddenly, didn’t it?
Everyone else’s gaze, which was already on Imperial Doctor Hu, now became even more intense.
Previously, the meaning in everyone’s eyes was very consistent; it was that of ordinary patients’ families, mostly worry, with a hint of hope.
But now, the gazes fixed on him contained shock, confusion, disbelief, and a slight joy, but above all, there was doubt, deep doubt.
Imperial Doctor Hu felt a sense of apprehension. What did they mean by this? Questioning his medical skills? How outrageous.
At such an early stage, how could he possibly give a definite answer?
The problem is, such words shouldn’t be spoken carelessly.
This Madam Jiang is the former Miss Ye. Even though the later Miss Ye doesn’t often whip, beat, or take lives as she used to, she’s still that notorious figure in the capital. If she’s displeased, she could ruin someone’s wealth, reputation, even make them too ashamed to show their face.
Imperial Doctor Hu was thoroughly conflicted. The pulse indicated pregnancy in eight or nine out of ten cases. But it was too early to be sure.
Ye Xinyan was staring blankly, fully unaware of what was happening. Pregnant? She was just racking her brain on how to deal with Madam Yin. Now this kind of news came out, completely unexpected.
Looking at the room full of unreliable female relatives, Imperial Doctor Hu had to continue explaining, “Mrs. Yin, it’s not that this old man doesn’t want to tell you the truth, but the time is indeed still short. The pulse shows some faint signs, and I believe that even if you consult another doctor, this would be the outcome.”
Madam Yin was stunned for a moment. Did this doctor have a problem with his brain? She was asking if her daughter might be pregnant, yet he was circling around with his words. What did it mean?
This matter was not suitable for Ye Xinyan to ask directly, so she glanced at Song Ping’s Household.
Song Ping’s Household leaned in and carefully asked, “May I ask Imperial Doctor Hu, are you saying there’s a possibility that my lady could be pregnant?” She emphasized the word ‘possibility.’
Imperial Doctor Hu hurriedly nodded, grateful that someone finally understood, “Yes, yes, yes, there’s a possibility of pregnancy. According to the pulse, there are signs of pregnancy, but since it’s still early, it can’t be completely confirmed… really can’t confirm.”
Madam Yin finally understood and her bewildered expression immediately changed to joy, a kind that reached her eyebrows and couldn’t be contained.
“Good, good, good; since the time is still early, then we shall check again in half a month. After half a month, we will send someone to invite Imperial Doctor Hu. Well… Cui Zhu, see Imperial Doctor Hu out and remember to be courteous.”
Imperial Doctor Hu breathed a sigh of relief and felt a bit regretful. Coming back after half a month, perhaps Madam Yin and Madam Jiang would already have been mentally prepared, and there wouldn’t be such surprise, meaning the tip would probably be much less.
Imperial Doctor Hu paused; after checking the pulse, shouldn’t he be mentioning body status and precautions or something? Why was he being sent off like this?
Well, the Marquis Residence and the Duke’s Mansion wouldn’t lack experienced nurses, probably no need to remind them.
Madam Yin was also too overjoyed to think it through and, seeing the doctor turn to leave, suddenly realized he hadn’t mentioned her daughter’s health condition.
Moreover, she hadn’t even thanked the doctor for bringing such good news.
“Imperial Doctor Hu, please wait,” Madam Yin quickly called out, “I’m too happy and forgot my manners, forgetting to thank you for diagnosing my daughter.”
Imperial Doctor Hu hurriedly stopped and returned the courtesy, “Certainly, certainly, Mrs. Yin, you are too kind.”
“I wonder about my daughter’s health. Does she need any nourishment?”
“No, no need. Madam Jiang is in good health, just avoid intense activities and pay attention to diet,” said Imperial Doctor Hu, his gaze falling on the plate of radish cake on the table.
Earlier, he had smelled the light fragrance of radish in the room, and seeing the warm pastries on the plate, he surmised that was the source, and advised, “However, radish, being a cooling food, should be consumed less.”
Madam Yin quickly moved the plate further away, “Thank you, Imperial Doctor Hu, for the advice. Since no nourishment is needed, I won’t hold up the doctor’s time,” said Madam Yin, turning to Nanny Huang, “Imperial Doctor Hu has taken great effort in coming this way, Nanny, please see the doctor out.”
Nanny Huang understood.
As Imperial Doctor Hu left, his sleeve pocket didn’t gain any additional silver, but instead, nestled a light, one hundred tael silver note.