Chapter 101: Acupuncture

Drinking strong tea to sober up is of little benefit to the body, though an occasional cup does no harm. Chen Jianchen took a sip of the strong tea, feeling his spirits revive. Motioning for Lu Xiyue to sit down, he asked, "Xiyue, what exactly is the scope of your acupuncture?"

He was already convinced that this art was of no ordinary origin, and its efficacy would surely surpass that of common medicine. Yet, without experiencing it firsthand, he lacked proof.

Lu Xiyue replied, "This medical art has a name: the 'Jade Maiden Needle Method.' It can clear the meridians, harmonize Yin and Yang, strengthen vital energy to expel pathogens... and, well, it can also sober one up."

Intrigued by her wondrous claims, Chen Jianchen said, "In that case, why not try it on me?"

Lu Xiyue murmured softly in agreement, but did not move right away.

Gifted with a quick mind, Chen Jianchen realized her hesitation at once. "Let us go to my room," he said.

After all, Lu Xiyue's room contained only a single bed where she slept. How could she let a grown man lie upon it? Though her heart belonged to Chen Jianchen, they shared no formal bond as of yet. She did not wish to behave frivolously, lest she be looked down upon and invite gossip. Gossip, after all, was a fearsome thing—a weapon of public opinion that could melt metal, a bloodless knife that killed.

Accompanied by Xiang'er, they went to Chen Jianchen's quarters in the eastern wing. Chen Jianchen lay face down on his bed, his head resting on a pillow, waiting for Lu Xiyue's instructions for the next step.

Lu Xiyue carried a small, exquisitely crafted chest, barely half a foot long. When opened, it gleamed with silver. Inside lay over a hundred silver needles of various lengths, along with a dazzling array of herbal preparations. Her belongings had originally been left at the inn; only after they moved into the Huangfu estate had she sent Xiang'er into town to retrieve them.

"Young Master, to sober you up, I need only insert a single needle into the back of your neck."

Chen Jianchen replied, "Go ahead, Xiyue."

He was deeply intrigued by this mysterious medical art and wished to experience its efficacy for himself.

With her slender fingers, Lu Xiyue deftly pinched a silver needle as fine as a strand of hair. Sitting by the bedside, she gently parted the hair at the back of Chen Jianchen's head. "Young Master, I am about to begin..." she murmured.

Gathering her concentration, she gently inserted the needle, striking the acupoint precisely, and slowly rotated it three times.

The needle penetrated only a fraction of an inch, yet Chen Jianchen immediately felt a tingling sensation spread, mingled with a pleasant ache that brought immense comfort. Following the tingling ache came a sensation of fullness, as though a current of energy were circulating within.

The needle had successfully summoned the Qi!

Lu Xiyue's skill was indeed remarkable.

A moment later, she withdrew the needle. "It is done," she said.

Even without her word, Chen Jianchen knew it. His groggy head had suddenly cleared, feeling as refreshed as if bathed in a spring breeze. Every trace of his drunkenness vanished completely. Feeling light all over, he sat up abruptly and clapped his hands. "Marvelous technique! This is of immense use!"

Lu Xiyue asked, "What does the Young Master have in mind?"

Chen Jianchen explained warmly, "With such a wonderful skill, Xiyue, how can you keep it hidden? You could open a clinic to practice medicine and benefit the people."

Lu Xiyue said in pleasant surprise, "Open a clinic? Can I truly do such a thing?"

Chen Jianchen said solemnly, "Why ever not? Even the Imperial Medical Bureau in the capital employs female physicians. Since other women can serve as imperial doctors, you are more than qualified to practice as a female physician among the common folk."

In the Tiantong Dynasty, the supremacy of men over women was deeply entrenched, and the propriety separating the sexes was strictly observed. It was rare for women to work in public, save for a few specialized professions.

Medicine was precisely one of these specialized fields.

Thus, struck by a sudden inspiration, Chen Jianchen suggested that Lu Xiyue practice as a female physician and establish a clinic dedicated solely to treating women. As for male patients, they could simply turn left at the door and seek a male doctor elsewhere. Such a rule would naturally prevent unnecessary complications and gossip—a clinic specializing exclusively in women's health!

Acupuncture focused on regulating the body from within without the use of herbs, thereby clearing the meridians and harmonizing Qi and blood. Besides curing illnesses, it could even enhance a patient's beauty.

As such, it was practically tailor-made for female patients. Once Lu Xiyue established her clinic and built a reputation, a thriving business would be well within reach.

Hearing Chen Jianchen's words, Lu Xiyue's bright eyes sparkled with joy. She curtsied deeply and thanked him, "Thank you, Young Master, for showing me the way."

In her former days at the Pavilion of Whispering Birds, because she sold only her talents and not her body, she had not earned a vast fortune. Much of her income had gone toward bribing others to preserve her chastity. Consequently, her savings were modest, yet they were sufficient to fund a small clinic.

Opening a clinic was something Lu Xiyue had never dared to dream of. Now, with Chen Jianchen's suggestion, a bright and promising path seemed to unfold before her.

Chen Jianchen asked, "Xiyue, where do you plan to establish this clinic?"

"Jiangzhou."

"I see. But what of the vengeance for your parents?"

Upon hearing this, Lu Xiyue's expression darkened, and she lowered her head in silence. A weak, solitary woman with no family to rely on, how could she easily hope to slay a provincial graduate who held the Jinshi rank? Her plans of assassination and taking desperate risks were but a last resort born of helplessness.

Chen Jianchen said in a cool tone, "Do not grieve, Xiyue. Evil yields its own retribution. Li Yifeng has committed countless misdeeds, and I believe he will meet his deserved end sooner or later."

He did not act on impulse, nor did he boastfully take the burden of revenge upon himself. Even if he intended to help, there was no need to declare it aloud. In the affairs of life, one simply acts out of righteousness and benevolence; there is no need to beat one's chest and make grand promises.

Exceptionally clever, Lu Xiyue grasped the subtle implication in his words, and her heart was deeply moved. She and Chen Jianchen were, after all, only casual acquaintances thus far. Her greatest asset was undoubtedly her chaste body. She had previously summoned the courage to offer herself to him for life, only to be tactfully refused. Though disappointed at the time, she was now glad. For this proved that Chen Jianchen was no vulgar lecher, nor had he aided her merely because he coveted her beauty.

This quality was rare and precious indeed.

Having lived in pleasure houses for so long, Lu Xiyue understood all too well how fickle men could be, discarding the old for the new. She had heard countless tales of women cast aside like autumn fans. Among these, the story of "Du Xiaoniang Angrily Sinking Her Treasure Chest" was a classic example—a true tale, though it had occurred in Hangzhou rather than Jiangzhou.

Du Xiaoniang had been a renowned courtesan who wished to redeem herself and marry a decent man, even if only as a concubine. After much deliberation, she had chosen a scholar named Luo Qiancheng.

This scholar, though born of a wealthy family, was so infatuated with her that he spent his entire fortune on her behalf, refusing to leave Hangzhou even when reduced to a beggar.

Deeply moved, Du Xiaoniang decided he had passed her test. She paid for her own redemption, left the pleasure quarters, and boarded a boat with him to return to his ancestral home for their wedding. Yet halfway through the journey, for a mere thousand strings of cash, Luo Qiancheng agreed to sell her to a profligate young scoundrel!

Upon learning this, Du Xiaoniang lost all hope. People often said a woman's heart was like a needle at the bottom of the sea, impossible to fathom; yet a man's heart was like a cloud in the sky—seemingly solid, yet transformed beyond recognition by a single gust of wind.

Overcome with grief and fury, she brought out her treasure chest, which held all the gold, silver, and jewels she had accumulated throughout her life. Intended as her dowry, its value far exceeded ten thousand strings of cash.

Before the very eyes of Luo Qiancheng and the scoundrel, Du Xiaoniang cast her treasures piece by piece into the roaring river, then clasped the chest to her breast and leapt into the waters to her death. Luo Qiancheng was left with neither woman nor wealth, consumed by bitter regret.

This tale circulated widely in pleasure houses across the land, known to nearly every courtesan as a warning: most men are fickle, and a poor match ruins a lifetime; thus, it was safer to remain in the brothels...

Though such warnings were biased and served the interests of the brothel owners, Lu Xiyue knew in her heart that the old saying was true: "Priceless treasures are easily found, but a man of true heart is rare to meet."

Standing nearby, Xiang'er felt rather dismissive of his words. Li Yifeng was a powerful and arrogant figure in Suzhou, a Jinshi scholar who could easily secure an official post. With Chen Jianchen's current status, he could not possibly help her mistress seek revenge; he was merely offering empty words of comfort that could not be taken seriously.

Lu Xiyue then proposed that she return to Jiangzhou by carriage in three days to prepare for the clinic's opening, and asked Chen Jianchen to inform Squire Huangfu of her departure.

Chen Jianchen naturally had no objection, but suggested she travel with Wang Fu's party so they could look out for one another. Moreover, once in Jiangzhou, Wang Fu could assist her greatly in establishing the clinic. After all, there were many matters a solitary woman would find difficult to manage alone.

At breakfast the following morning, Chen Jianchen mentioned the matter to Squire Huangfu. The squire raised no objection, only smiling warmly as he asked, "Liuxian, are you truly willing to part with Miss Lu so soon?"

Chen Jianchen was momentarily speechless, but chose not to explain. Some matters only grew more complicated with explanation; silence was indeed golden. Changing the subject, he asked, "Squire, did Miss Jiaona lodge any complaints against me last night?"

Squire Huangfu's expression turned peculiar as he looked Chen Jianchen up and down, making the young scholar feel rather uneasy.

"Haha, I rather wished my daughter would complain about you. Strangely, she did not utter a single word of complaint. Instead, she obediently claimed she has grown up and intends to study diligently from now on."

Chen Jianchen was speechless. Such words coming from Jiaona's mouth were utterly bizarre. Squire Huangfu, a shrewd old fox, had naturally detected the anomaly, and his suspicions were thoroughly aroused. Chen Jianchen did not know why Jiaona had kept silent—perhaps out of fear of her father's wrath—but whether she spoke or not mattered little to him, as he had a plausible explanation prepared.

Squire Huangfu smiled. "Very well. Since you do not wish to say, Liuxian, and Na'er remains silent, I shall not pry. I am content to enjoy the peace."

After breakfast, Chen Jianchen arrived at the study at the appointed hour to conduct his first examination of Jiaona's lessons—a dictation of new characters. He wanted to see how much this mischievous little fox had learned under his tutelage.