“Imperial Physician Wei,” Ling Jingshu turned her head toward him, the rims of her eyes faintly red, tears still shimmering in her gaze: “Why does A’Xiao have a headache?”
Over the years Huichun Hall had been open, the number of patients he had treated was beyond counting. He had also seen a great many anxious, overwrought family members. Ling Jingshu’s momentary loss of composure in her anxiety and distress was something he could understand and pardon in some measure.
To see such deep and devoted affection between a brother and sister was also genuinely rare.
Looking at Ling Jingshu now, it was like seeing his elder sister again from years past — that same state of tense and tender concern, that same wholehearted, sheltering care lavished upon him as her younger brother…
The thought of Wei Jieyu brought a soft warmth welling up in Imperial Physician Wei’s heart, and he no longer held Ling Jingshu’s rash intrusion against her. After a brief pause he said: “When Young Master Ling fell that year, he injured the back of his head. At first he could still perceive shapes dimly; only later did he become completely blind. This should mean there is stagnant blood in the brain that has not dispersed, pressing on certain regions — that is what has caused Young Master Ling’s blindness. The point I pressed just now where Young Master Ling found it extremely painful should be precisely where the stagnant blood is obstructing.”
These words came at an even, unhurried pace, laid out with great clarity.
A surge of intense hope rose in Ling Jingshu’s heart: “Since Imperial Physician Wei has been able to diagnose the cause, you must surely be able to cure A’Xiao’s eye condition as well!”
Ling Xiao also looked toward him.
Two faces so alike in their features, and the expression on each was striking in how closely it mirrored the other — both overflowing with ardent hope and longing.
Imperial Physician Wei replied with candour: “If this had been six years ago, I could have cured this eye condition. With so many years having passed, the stagnant blood has long since settled deep within the brain; it will be very difficult to disperse now.”
Ling Jingshu’s heart plummeted.
Ling Xiao’s whole body gave a violent shudder; his hands trembled unceasingly, and all colour left his face.
“Is there no hope at all?” Ling Jingshu forced out the words with great difficulty.
Imperial Physician Wei’s brow furrowed slightly. A trace of hesitation crossed his refined face.
He had not flatly refused — that meant there was still some faint hope. Ling Jingshu’s voice began to tremble as well: “Imperial Physician Wei. As long as there is even the slimmest chance, we do not wish to give up. Please speak plainly.”
Hearing that there was still a sliver of hope, Ling Xiao steadied himself considerably, and opened his mouth to speak: “Imperial Physician Wei, whatever the treatment and whatever the risks, please say it plainly. I can endure it.”
“There are indeed risks.”
Imperial Physician Wei said slowly: “The human brain is the most complex and the most fragile of all. For an injury located in the brain, treatment must also begin from the brain. The brain is extraordinarily delicate and intricate. A single careless placement of a needle may not only fail to cure the eye condition but could cause the condition to worsen — and might also give rise to other complications. Furthermore, even if I were to proceed with treatment, I cannot guarantee complete recovery; the likelihood of a full cure is at most thirty percent. So, whether to proceed or not is ultimately your decision.”
Only thirty percent.
A single careless mistake — the condition could worsen, or new problems could arise.
Without treating the eye condition, Ling Xiao could remain as he was now. So long as he did not return to Dingzhou and stayed away from Li Shi, a life free of want and hardship for the rest of his days was at least certain.
Given that — why take this risk at all?
Ling Jingshu bit her lip, steeled herself, and said: “Forget it. Let us not treat the eyes…”
“I want my eyes treated!”
A voice of absolute conviction cut through Ling Jingshu’s words.
Ling Jingshu was startled. She instinctively turned to look at Ling Xiao: “A’Xiao, do you know what you are saying? Imperial Physician Wei has already told us. Your eye condition has persisted for a full six years. To treat it now carries enormous risk; the chance of success is only thirty percent…”
“Even if it were only ten percent, I would still want to try!” Ling Xiao’s resolve was absolute, and his face was filled with determination.
Ling Jingshu frowned: “But what if the eye condition fails to improve and additional complications arise instead? Did you not hear Imperial Physician Wei say that the human brain is the most complex and fragile, and that even the slightest misstep could injure something else?”
“A’Xiao, even though your eyes cannot see right now, your body is otherwise healthy. You could live your life just like this in peace and safety, marry in the future, have children, live to a ripe old age — a whole life of contentment and happiness still awaits you. There is no reason to take a risk like this!”
“Listen to me — we will not treat the eyes. Let us go back right now.”
So saying, she reached for Ling Xiao’s hand and made to lead him out.
Ling Xiao sat where he was and did not move. He said with stubborn resolve: “No. I am not leaving.”
Since he was small, Ling Xiao had always been a gentle and obedient child; after losing his sight, he had grown even more dependent on Ling Jingshu. Ling Jingshu had long since grown accustomed to making decisions on his behalf, and had never for a moment imagined he might refuse her.
For a moment she was both astonished and vexed, and her voice rose involuntarily: “A’Xiao!”
Ling Xiao pressed his lips together and said quietly: “A’Shu, what you said just now made sense. But those are your thoughts — not mine. I want to heal my eyes. I want to see the light of day again. I want to be like everyone else — to see the faces of the people beside me, to see clearly everything before me, to be able to read books and practise writing, to compose poems and paint, to sit the imperial examinations.”
“I do not want to spend my whole life as someone useless, forever confined to the inner quarters, forever hiding behind you.”
“A’Shu, you brought me to the capital, did you not, precisely to cure my eyes? Now that such an extraordinary opportunity lies before me, I do not wish to turn away from it.”
“I have never once made a choice for myself. This time — let me decide for myself, just this once.”
Ling Xiao lifted his head slightly, his expression steadfast and certain.
Ling Jingshu was shaken to her core. She stared blankly at Ling Xiao, her mind in turmoil. Joy and conflict warred within her heart.
A’Xiao was no longer the child who nestled at her side; he was growing and maturing, gradually coming into his own thoughts and his own voice…
Indeed.
She was only his elder sister. No matter how much she cared for him, she had no right to make a decision this important on his behalf.
Since he had set his mind to this, they would take this risk.
Ling Jingshu drew a long, slow breath and forced herself to grow calm: “Very well. Since you have thought it through, we will do as you say.”
Ling Xiao, pleased that he had persuaded Ling Jingshu, felt a warmth rise in his heart, and turned his face in Imperial Physician Wei’s direction: “Imperial Physician Wei, I am not afraid of the risk. I want my eyes healed. Whatever treatment is needed, proceed as you see fit.”
Through the entire fierce back-and-forth between the siblings over whether to treat the condition, Imperial Physician Wei had stood with his hands clasped behind his back, without adding a single word.
Now that Ling Xiao had finally made his decision, Imperial Physician Wei felt genuine admiration and approval for this strong-spirited and courageous young man. He smiled in response: “Very well. I will begin the treatment now. I will insert the needles today and then write out a prescription for you. You must obtain the medicine according to the prescription and decoct and drink it accordingly. In addition, there is also an externally applied medicinal ointment — this must be applied and changed every day.”
Ling Jingshu and Ling Xiao both listened with full attention.
Imperial Physician Wei continued: “Your eye condition has persisted for many years; the treatment is not something that can be resolved in one or two sessions. It would be best if the needles were inserted once every five days. Half a month between sessions will certainly not do — the interval would be far too long.”