Abandoned Woman Busy Farming

Chapter 1482: Chapter 1583 - Empress Lu Takes the Bait_1

Bai Ruozhu glanced over and couldn’t help but laugh, to which Wei Pengbo spoke with displeasure, ”What are you laughing at? Are you mocking me?”

”The younger generation wouldn’t dare to mock the esteemed Mr. Wei, I simply wish for Mr. Wei to explain this acupuncture point in detail,” Bai Ruozhu replied with a slight bow, her tone neither servile nor overbearing.

Wei Pengbo gave her a look and said unkindly, ”The acupoint of ’Zu San Li’ isn’t just located on the outer side of the lower leg, two inches above the ankle, and used to treat gastrointestinal diseases?”

Bai Ruozhu smiled again and replied calmly, ”The acupoint of ’Zu San Li’ is one of the main points of the stomach meridian of foot-Yangming, located on the outer side of the leg, three inches below the knee, on the line connecting ’Xiehe’. It treats gastrointestinal diseases, paralysis and mental disorders of the lower limbs, surgical diseases, and symptoms of deficiency and fatigue, often needling straight in for one to two inches.”

The Emperor, upon hearing this, nodded slightly, finding Bai Ruozhu’s explanation more detailed. Seeing this, Wei Pengbo’s face turned beet red with anger, as he glared at Bai Ruozhu and said, ”Doesn’t the old man know this? You didn’t say to explain it in such detail; you’re setting a trap for me.”

Bai Ruozhu, with an even broader smile, said, ”Does that mean Mr. Wei agrees with what I said? Since that’s the case, if the acupoint of ’Zu San Li’ is three inches below the knee on the outer side of the leg, then why is the position in the diagram incorrect? The location you mentioned, moving down three fingers, is already the ’Xia Ju Xu’.”

”You...you are quibbling, confusing me with words. Besides, there are other points that are incorrect too,” Wei Pengbo exclaimed.

This time Bai Ruozhu didn’t bother with him but turned to the Emperor and said, ”Reporting to the Emperor, arguing like this will only waste time. The Emperor has to manage myriad affairs and cannot be held up here indefinitely. Therefore, if anyone believes the acupuncture points are inaccurate, please state your objections specifically, or prove the exact locations. I, along with my colleagues, am willing to discuss and improve our medical skills humbly so that we can make collective progress.”

The Emperor, casting a glance at Wei Pengbo, said, ”Chief Doctor Bai makes a good point. If anyone believes there’s an error, they should bring forth substantial evidence, or conduct a trial on a human body, rather than waste time bickering.”

At these words, Wei Pengbo was the first to wilt. His old face struggled to save face, becoming redder by the moment, as he mumbled, ”How can one clearly demonstrate the points on the human body when they can’t be seen?”

Bai Ruozhu shook her head somewhat helplessly, ”Mr. Wei seems to have forgotten, we are all doctors, and there are quite a few martial artists here. Are Acupuncture points not meant to facilitate the treatment of illness by doctors and the practice of martial arts by martial artists? Aren’t these two applications enough to prove the points?”

Many Imperial Doctors nodded in agreement, and someone raised their own questions, including the insights they had gained over time. Bai Ruozhu addressed the key points and, after testing on someone, it was ultimately confirmed that the diagram she drew was accurate.

There were only two places where the terminology used was different from the customary names in Danliang Country. Bai Ruozhu humbly accepted the correction, adopting the terminology familiar to Danliang.

The one who raised the issue saw that she was willing to change and grew more approving of her, and thus within half an hour, they had essentially confirmed the final version of the Acupoint Map.

”Your Majesty, this diagram is indecent. How could one be unclothed? Your humble subject suggests that the figure should be clothed,” Mao Xingcai said, with the air of one risking death to offer a suggestion.

Bai Ruozhu secretly sneered. If it were modern tight-fitting clothing, marking the acupuncture points would not be a problem, but in ancient times, there were no tight-fitting clothes. Even undergarments were somewhat loose. With clothes, could the location of the acupuncture points still be clearly indicated? Wouldn’t those looking at the diagram also struggle to distinguish the exact location?

”Mao Yanshi can draw one with clothes and then find someone to see if they can clearly locate the acupuncture points,” Bai Ruozhu suggested.

”Indeed, if Mao Yanshi doubts it, he can surely give it a try. My master’s hard-earned research is constantly being disrupted by you. Do you or do you not wish to develop the medical skills of Danliang Country?” Jiu Sheng added from the side.

The Emperor’s eyebrows rose slightly. He had heard that Jiu Sheng was extremely respectful of Bai Ruozhu, but he had not realized that Jiu Sheng had already become her disciple. Jiu Sheng was a clever man; if Bai Ruozhu had no ability, how could he possibly have taken a young woman as his master?

”Alright, there’s no need to argue over this matter anymore. It’s not as if it’s a drawing of a woman, what’s there to be taboo about? Mao Yanshi, you should be more open-minded and not overly conservative,” the Emperor said and then instructed Wang Shun, ”Tell Bai Shilang to draft a decree, ordering the Printing Office to publish the Acupoint Map. Also, Doctor Bai has contributed greatly by presenting the map and shall be rewarded handsomely.”

”Yes, Your Majesty, your servant will comply with the order.” After Wang Shun accepted the order, he left to carry out his duties. Bai Ruozhu and others also performed a courtesy and withdrew. Many people heard about the reward and cast envious glances at Bai Ruozhu.

Wei Pengbo, watching this scene, felt an even stronger surge of jealousy. As soon as they exited the Main Hall, Wei Pengbo glared furiously at Bai Ruozhu, his wrinkled old face turning bright red, ”Don’t be too pleased with yourself. As long as you lose the bet, you’ll still have to roll up your bedding and get out of the Imperial Medical Hospital! With so many witnesses, I’d like to see how you’ll try to deny it.”

”Thank you for the reminder, Deputy Chief Wei. I will certainly complete the task and make sure all of you are utterly convinced by your defeat,” Bai Ruozhu said, laughing at him. Wasn’t he just trying to provoke her, worried that she would call it a draw if she lost?

”Good, remember those are your own words. If Consort Lv’s stomach illness doesn’t improve, you better pack up and leave,” Wei Pengbo shouted.

Bai Ruozhu, not bothering to engage with him, scoffed loudly and strode away. Wei Pengbo, still unwilling to give up, followed behind, yelling, ”Bai Ruozhu, don’t you dare go back on your word when the time comes!”

Soon after, something happened that completely shattered Wei Pengbo’s expectations. He had just returned to the Imperial Medical Hospital when he was informed by one of the junior eunuchs, who did miscellaneous chores, that Consort Lv had requested Bai Ruozhu’s presence at the Hanlu Palace.

”Impossible! Why would Consort Lv invite her? Could it be she’s willing to accept her treatment?” Wei Pengbo felt uneasy, sensing that things were developing in the opposite direction than he had anticipated.

”That seems to be the case, Deputy Chief Wei. But you should rest assured, with her level of expertise she definitely won’t be able to cure Consort Lv,” the little eunuch said in a flattering tone.

Although Wei Pengbo despised Bai Ruozhu, he had to admit that Bai Ruozhu’s medical skills were indeed exceptional. His heart was pounding as he muttered to himself, ”No, I can’t just let her go like this. I have to think of something, I can’t allow her to succeed so easily.”

Soon his furrowed brows relaxed and a smile appeared on his face, as if he had thought of a remarkable idea. The little eunuch looked on curiously but didn’t dare to ask.

On the other side, Bai Ruozhu arrived at Consort Lv’s residence in the Hanlu Palace. When Consort Lv saw her, her face was still full of sorrow.

”Doctor Bai, I’ve heard that you just presented the Acupoint Map to His Majesty and received his high praise. I admire those who serve the Imperial Court the most. Here is a pair of Jade Bracelets as a reward for you,” Consort Lv said, and then a maid presented a pair of Jade Bangles.

”Thank you for your generous reward, Your Highness,” Bai Ruozhu bowed to Consort Lv but did not say much more, knowing that Consort Lv was attempting to win her over. Yet, since Consort Lv had a favor to ask, it was better for Ruozhu not to be too forthcoming, or she would seem inferior.

Consort Lv sized her up before finally saying, ”Consort Xu visited me these past few days and mentioned that the way you treated her was excellent. I see that she looks radiant and indeed is much more beautiful.”

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Still busy, I can’t provide five updates today, but I’ll try my best tomorrow. Today while cleaning out the house stuff, selling old electronics and furniture only made me 200 yuan, my heart is shattered...

Also, just to mention, recently I’ve become obsessed with Song Zhingji. I want to work out like the heartthrob; I want my vest line, roar roar roar!