Chapter 249: Chapter 249
After Princess Consort Luling and the Princely Heir left, Li Yuzhu explained the treatment method to the County Magistrate’s Wife.
"Madam, your illness is caused by a tumor in the stomach, which must be removed. If not, it will grow in number and size, and eventually, you won’t be able to eat anything without vomiting. And one cannot survive without eating." This text is hosted at novel-fire.ɴet
"Additionally, the tumor in the stomach can spread to other parts of the body, causing more illnesses, and by then, even an Immortal couldn’t save you."
The County Magistrate’s Wife closed her eyes and said, "My elder sister had the same illness, and by the time she passed away, she weighed only seventy pounds. Before her illness, she was a plump woman of about one hundred thirty pounds."
Li Yuzhu realized that a close relative had suffered from this illness as well, and it made sense now.
If a relative has cancer, one should be vigilant and seek medical examination at the slightest discomfort.
Early detection leads to early treatment.
"But madam, there’s no need to worry. I see you still look healthy, indicating the disease is in its initial stages. If the tumor hasn’t mutated, removing it means it’s gone for good. Afterward, you will live to a ripe old age like any ordinary person."
The County Magistrate’s Wife’s eyes lit up, "Really?"
Li Yuzhu said, "Yes, my master has a booklet documenting the lifespans of people with this illness, and the records go back to my grandmaster’s grandmaster. Most of the hundred or so people lived normal lifespans."
She made it up, knowing the County Magistrate’s Wife wouldn’t ask to see the booklet.
Moreover, the records of a physician aren’t something easily shown to others.
Hearing this, the County Magistrate’s Wife felt more confident.
However, Li Lixing, that cheeky boy, couldn’t help but dig a little deeper, "But there’s a small portion of people who didn’t live to a normal age."
The County Magistrate’s Wife’s expression changed.
Is that something you say in front of your mother?
But Li Yuzhu had a way to brush it off.
"People eat grains, and their lifespan isn’t just influenced by this illness. The few who died young had accidents, while others succumbed to different diseases. There was even someone who survived the illness but later died in a duel with an enemy. That’s not a failure of treatment, right?"
Li Lixing realized and said, "Oh."
Nevertheless, his concern pleased the County Magistrate’s Wife.
She chuckled and said, "Ah Xing, you child, always digging into things."
Although she was scolding him, her eyes were full of warmth.
Li Lixing grinned shyly.
Li Yuzhu explained in detail about the County Magistrate’s Wife’s condition and how to treat it.
Of course, she didn’t mention the worst-case scenarios.
For instance, if it worsened, even an Immortal couldn’t help.
All one can do is stay positive and pray to the heavens.
After listening to Li Yuzhu’s analysis, the County Magistrate’s Wife said, "Alright, I’ll go with your treatment method. I want to recover as soon as possible, so I won’t delay it. It’s inconvenient to treat the illness at your house, so why don’t you come with me to the county town? After removing my stomach tumor, I’ll have someone bring you back."
Li Yuzhu calculated the date of the Princely Heir’s wedding; today was only the tenth, and the wedding was on the sixteenth, leaving a few days free.
Cancer indeed can’t be delayed, and the sooner the surgery is done, the better the chances of success.
Li Yuzhu agreed, "Alright, I’ll accompany you to the county town."
Traveling to the county town is a big deal.
Li Yuzhu informed her family about the County Magistrate’s Wife’s request.
The County Magistrate’s Wife was not pretentious and even offered a reward, so it made sense to help her out.
Prince Luling said, "Yes, go ahead; it’s unfortunate for someone so young to have this illness, and with a child who doesn’t care for his mother, we should help if we can."
Princess Consort Luling also said, "Since you’re going to the magistrate’s house, bring some nicer clothes and some money. Don’t let them look down on you."
Li Yuzhu smiled and said, "I understand, Mother."
She didn’t manage money herself, and any money she earned, she handed over to Princess Consort Luling without ever having more than a thousand coins on hand.
Princess Consort Luling went to the bedroom and handed her a small pouch, "Inside are nine pieces of broken silver and a few hundred loose coins. Use it as needed."
"Mother, this is too much. If I’m going to the County Magistrate’s house, won’t they provide meals? And when I return, they’ll definitely bring me back, so I probably won’t need to spend much." Li Yuzhu laughed.
Princess Consort Luling replied, "It was my fault. When we were in the Capital, I was too caught up with my own affairs and didn’t take you out to see the world. You wouldn’t be so frugal now if I had. In the village, you indeed don’t need money to go out, but since you’re going to the county town..."
"The girls in the town are all dressed nicely, and going out involves spending money. If you run into a small servant needing a tip, not having money will make you looked down upon. Just take the money. If you don’t end up using it, save it. Our household is doing well now, and this amount is something I can afford to give."
In the past, Li Yuzhu wouldn’t dare take so much money, as the large family required funds in many areas. But now that the County Magistrate’s Wife had given their family a thousand taels, she could take ten taels of silver to the county town without hesitation.
"You’re a good child, why thank your mother?" Princess Consort Luling laughed.
Li Yuzhu needed to go to the county town, and Prince Luling and his wife were uneasy about her traveling alone, so they instructed Li Xing’an to accompany her.
After all, he’s a leisurely person, doing work that can be done or not, and the fishnets he tends to can be handled by the Princely Heir as well.
Li Xing’an was thrilled and cheerfully went to pack his luggage.
When Li Yuzhu finished organizing her belongings, he placed them all in a rattan trunk together.
However, he only had two taels of broken silver as pocket money.
According to Princess Consort Luling, he didn’t need to buy flowers or rouge, nor had friends to hang out with, so having more money was unnecessary. Two taels of silver were quite enough, and if he didn’t spend it all, he could return the rest to the family.
Li Xing’an raised a question mark over his head, wondering if he was adopted.
He clutched his two taels of broken silver, frowning, while Prince Luling huffed, "What? Think it’s too little? My allowance never exceeded two hundred coins. If you don’t want it, don’t take it from me."
Lazy old man, you don’t earn money, getting two hundred coins is a rare privilege from Mother!
Li Xing’an rolled his eyes at his father and pocketed the silver.
The distance from the village to the county town was about fifty miles, a long way. Once the County Magistrate’s Wife finished a bowl of soup, they set off.
Li Xing’an, being male, sat with the County Magistrate’s Wife’s driver in the driver’s seat.
Li Yuzhu, being female, rode with the County Magistrate’s Wife, her two maids, and the young Li Lixing in the carriage.
Their rattan luggage trunk was tied to the back of the carriage.
There were two trunks in total, one containing mosquito incense that Li Yuzhu had made while in Taohua River Village.
A box of mosquito repellent would be a luxury to villagers, costing them about fifty coins, but it was a small expense for city folk to keep mosquitoes at bay.
Two government officials also joined them, riding along with the driver.
Their journey had just begun, and as soon as they left Taohua River Village, Li Yuzhu suddenly heard a commotion outside the carriage.
She lifted the curtain to see Mu Yuanxiu riding a mule, talking to the County Magistrate’s driver.
The driver refused to believe Mu Yuanxiu’s words, "Li Yuanwai told you to follow Li Yuzhu? Where’s your proof?"
"The landlord sent me to come along with Li Yuzhu," Mu Yuanxiu persisted.
Realizing there wasn’t much she could do about it now, and feeling suspicious about his presence, Li Yuzhu resigned herself to speaking to the County Magistrate’s Wife.