“Daughter, even the Head of the Imperial Academy of Medicine said he must observe the affected area before reaching a conclusion; otherwise, we can only leave things to fate. Even if the other party is a woman, it is still rather…”
“It is fine, Father. Compared to the suffering I have endured over the years, this is nothing.”
Although Yun Wei said this, her pretty face could not help but grow increasingly flushed, and her voice unconsciously lowered as her confidence wavered.
“In that case, go and see her. I will wait for you here. Take plenty of silver. If anything happens, just call out, and I will be there instantly.”
“Thank you, Father.”
Yun Wei took the silver pouch handed to her, speaking softly with a bashful expression.
Then she rose slowly.
It was clear that as she stood, she hunched her waist slightly due to pain, and her steps even seemed somewhat unsteady.
At that moment, Shen Yu was holding a piece of floral-scented soap she had made herself, vigorously scrubbing Yin Qiu’s thin, fair shoulders.
The young girl’s face was completely red, with half of it buried in the water, looking extremely embarrassed.
“Sister… by right, I am the servant and should be the one attending to you. How can I let you help me bathe? Ah…”
When Shen Yu’s fingers accidentally brushed against a place that had never been touched before, the girl found it hard not to let out a delicate, soft whimper, despite her best efforts to endure it.
“Once you are finished, I will take you to buy some ready-made clothes. I saw a merchant caravan outside that happens to be bringing garments to the Capital for sale.”
Shen Yu carefully washed Yin Qiu’s body.
She was best at washing children.
In her eyes, although Yin Qiu was beautiful, she was still a child; and since she was a child, she fell under the care of Shen Yu, the “Saint among Saints” of pediatrics and the “Chief of Chiefs.”
In just over ten minutes, Shen Yu had washed the girl until she was clean and fair, and the entire room was filled with a faint floral fragrance.
“Sister, what is this white thing? It smells so good. After washing, my body feels smooth, comfortable, and clean.”
“This is soap. Alright, that is enough. Come here and let me help you dry your hair.”
“Soap? That must be very expensive? Is it… really okay for me to use it?”
“It’s not expensive. I made it myself.”
Shen Yu understood Yin Qiu’s deep-seated inferiority complex, so whenever the girl lacked confidence, she chose to change the subject or simply not respond, thus protecting Yin Qiu’s fragile psyche.
“Sister is truly amazing. I bet this cannot even be bought in the Capital, right?”
“Mhm.”
Shen Yu vigorously rubbed Yin Qiu’s wet hair.
The girl, now clean, looked even more adorable and moving than the filthy state she was in when they first met.
Shen Yu felt that Yin Qiu was like a stray kitten that had been picked up—both timid and clingy—who would meow and stick to your side with tearful gratitude for even the smallest kindness.
One could only say she was both pitiable and lovely…
“My size for the upper undergarments won’t fit you, but the lower ones will manage for now. Wear these first, and I will go buy you two dudous later.”
“What is an undergarment? Yin Qiu has never worn one. Is it such a small piece? Does Sister wear this too?”
“It’s just clothing to help you maintain hygiene. Stop talking and lift your leg.”
After finally helping Yin Qiu dress and changing her into a barely-fitting long skirt, her temperament immediately improved once her hair was dried and combed.
Shen Yu looked at the somewhat restless Yin Qiu with satisfaction, her heart filled with the sense of accomplishment one gets from raising a daughter.
Knock, knock, knock.
Just as Shen Yu was busy admiring her handiwork, the door was suddenly knocked upon.
Opening the door, she saw a heroic-looking lady who stood half a head taller than Shen Yu.
The exquisite face and valiant aura caused Shen Yu to daze for a moment.
“Pardon the intrusion. May I ask… Miss, are you a doctor?”
The other person’s voice was also very pleasant to the ear.
“My name is Yun Wei, a resident of the Capital. I happened to pass by and saw you carrying a medicine box. I have a matter that is difficult to speak of, and only you can help me look at it. May I… come in to talk?”