The three of them ran nervously into the study, where the doctor was taking the pulse of the Prince of Pingyang.
Ling Feng bowed to the Princess Consort of Pingyang.
"What happened to His Highness?" the Princess Consort of Pingyang asked in a low voice.
Ling Feng hesitated for a moment. "His Highness said he felt some numbness in his legs."
The Princess Consort of Pingyang was stunned.
"What did you say? His Highness's legs feel numb?"
Ling Feng nodded affirmatively. "His Highness was worried it was just an illusion, so he had the doctor come over to take a look."
The Princess Consort of Pingyang walked behind the Prince of Pingyang and watched nervously as the doctor checked his pulse.
As soon as Duoduo entered the room, she struggled to get down on the floor.
She heard Ling Feng's report to the Princess Consort of Pingyang, and her eyes flickered.
Duoduo came to the Prince of Pingyang's side and also watched the doctor take his pulse.
She was extremely interested in the doctor's every move.
The Prince of Pingyang had been waiting somewhat nervously for the doctor's diagnosis, but he noticed the curiosity in Duoduo's eyes.
"Your Highness, this humble one will administer a few acupuncture needles. If you feel anything, please be sure to tell me."
The Prince of Pingyang nodded.
The doctor took out a rolled-up cloth bag and unrolled it, revealing various types of silver needles.
Duoduo was very curious and leaned in for a closer look.
The doctor looked a bit displeased. "Please step back, young miss, lest this humble one accidentally hurts you."
Duoduo gave the doctor an embarrassed smile and retreated to the Prince of Pingyang's side.
"Do you like them?" the Prince of Pingyang suddenly asked.
Duoduo looked up at the Prince of Pingyang shyly.
"They look different from my embroidery needles."
The doctor's face darkened.
"These are silver needles for curing illnesses and saving lives, not the embroidery needles that women have lying around everywhere!"
"How much silver for these needles? I am buying them."
The Prince of Pingyang looked at the doctor coldly.
The doctor was somewhat taken aback and stammered.
"These cost ten taels... Uh, this humble one is not selling them."
"Twenty taels! Leave the needles behind when you are done."
The Prince of Pingyang left no room for the doctor to refuse.
Joy appeared on the doctor's face; he had made a profit.
This set of silver needles had cost him less than five taels in total, and now he was selling them for twenty taels—a several-fold return.
"As you command!"
The doctor, feigning reluctance, picked up the silver needles and inserted a few into the Prince of Pingyang's knees and lower back.
With every needle inserted, the doctor asked the Prince of Pingyang how he felt, and each time, the Prince of Pingyang shook his head.
Right up until the last needle was inserted, the Prince of Pingyang continued to shake his head.
The doctor pulled out the needles and put them back into the cloth bag.
"Did Your Highness truly feel a numb sensation earlier?"
The Prince of Pingyang twisted the jade thumb ring on his hand. "I am no longer certain myself."
The doctor shook his head.
"It is possible that Your Highness desires to recover so much that it created a false impression."
"The numbness Your Highness felt was actually just an illusion."
The Prince of Pingyang slightly lowered his head and said nothing.
The Princess Consort of Pingyang's heart ached for him. "Doctor, please tell me, is there a cure for His Highness's legs?"
The doctor looked up at the Prince of Pingyang and boldly shook his head.
"Your Highness's legs are paralyzed due to a lower back injury. Even the imperial physicians have no way to cure it, so my humble medical skills are even more powerless."
"Ling Feng, see our guest out!"
The Prince of Pingyang's words were as cold as winter snow.
Ling Feng took some silver from his pouch and stuffed it into the doctor's hands.
"Please go."
Ling Feng gestured with his hand.
Looking at the twenty taels of silver in his hand, the doctor's smile was incredibly bright.
"Yes! Your Highness, if you need anything, please summon this humble one again!"
Carrying his medical box, the doctor followed Ling Feng out.
The Princess Consort of Pingyang saw the Prince of Pingyang with his head bowed, seemingly depressed.
"Your Highness, it is alright! This doctor's skills are lacking, but there will always be someone with better skills!"
"Who knows, maybe one day you will meet a brilliant doctor who can cure your legs."
Duoduo tentatively grasped the hand the Prince of Pingyang was using to stroke his jade thumb ring.
"Father, do not be sad. Your legs will definitely be cured!"
The Prince of Pingyang looked at the tiny hand resting on his own, noticing the ink stains on her little fingers.
For some reason, his heart suddenly stirred.
"Did you memorize the locations where the doctor just inserted the needles?"
Duoduo nodded blankly.
"I remembered."
The Prince of Pingyang picked up the silver needles from the side and took one out.
"You do it once more!"
Looking at the encouraging look in the Prince of Pingyang's eyes, Duoduo inexplicably took the needle.
"You cannot!"
The Princess Consort of Pingyang suddenly snatched the silver needle away.
"Your Highness, Duoduo has never studied medicine. How can you let her insert needles so casually?"
"If she accidentally strikes the wrong place, you could be... for the rest of your life."
The Princess Consort of Pingyang could not bring herself to say the rest of the words.
The Prince of Pingyang saw timidity appear in Duoduo's eyes.
He picked up another silver needle and placed it into Duoduo's palm.
"Do not be afraid. I am telling you to do it, so do it."
Pinching the silver needle, Duoduo looked at the Prince of Pingyang with great hesitation.
"Duoduo, no!"
The Princess Consort of Pingyang tried to stop her from the side.
The Prince of Pingyang looked at Duoduo. "If you can correctly insert the needles exactly where the doctor did just now, I will hire someone to teach you medicine!"
The Prince of Pingyang's words carried a tempting offer.
Duoduo recalled the locations where the doctor had inserted the needles earlier, and she bravely inserted the first needle.
"Your Highness!"
The Princess Consort of Pingyang did not dare to move, terrified of causing harm to the Prince of Pingyang.
The Prince of Pingyang waved his hand, signaling that he was fine.
At this moment, Ling Feng, who had seen the doctor out, returned.
"Your Highness, what are you..." Ling Feng was somewhat bewildered.
The Prince of Pingyang had always been a very strict and prudent person.
How could he so easily entrust his body to a four-year-old commandery princess?
Moreover, a child who had never studied medicine!
The Prince of Pingyang lifted his head and shot Ling Feng a sharp look.
Ling Feng dared not speak anymore; he retreated to the door.
If anything went wrong with His Highness, he would be ready to rush out immediately to fetch a doctor.
Duoduo had inserted the first needle. Feeling it was a bit too shallow, she pushed it down a little further.
The Prince of Pingyang felt a trace of discomfort and frowned.
Duoduo, who had been observing the Prince of Pingyang the whole time, immediately let go.
"Continue!"
The Prince of Pingyang took out a second needle and placed it into Duoduo's hand.
"Father?" Duoduo was very hesitant.
"If you want something, you must have the courage to make it happen!"
"My words carry the weight of nine tripods; I never break a promise!"
Duoduo gritted her teeth; she was indeed very curious about medicine.
Lüdou had said that a person must have a skill to rely on in order to make money.
Previously, she had even wanted to take the imperial examination and become the top scholar.
However, Lüdou also said that women were not allowed to take the imperial examination.
Seeing both her father and mother worrying over silver, Duoduo wanted to learn a profitable trade.
She realized that being a doctor was a very lucrative profession.
Most importantly, if she learned medicine,
She could cure her father's legs and also nurse her mother's health.
Duoduo inserted the second silver needle, followed closely by the third...
The Prince of Pingyang was very satisfied because the spots where Duoduo inserted the needles were exactly the same as the doctor's, without a single deviation.
If Duoduo was interested in medicine, she was indeed a promising talent.
Duoduo pinched another silver needle and inserted it into the Prince of Pingyang's thigh.
Suddenly, the Prince of Pingyang's entire body shuddered.
