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Ruyi Cosmetic Shop
"Ah-choo!"
Xing Ruyi sneezed, drawing a concerned glance from the fox.
She lowered her head shyly, unconsciously fiddling with the herbs in her hands.
"Shopkeeper, someone is looking for you."
Just after the New Year, A Niu seemed much more spirited than before, his voice ringing out clearly.
Xing Ruyi suddenly snapped back to reality and her gaze fell on the pair standing at the door. Although the lady was dressed simply, her demeanor was clearly different from the women on the street; she looked like someone raised in a noble household. Even the maid beside her exuded a certain grace.
After all, it was just after the New Year, and the ladies of Wealth and Honor were not lacking in Rouge and Face Powder. Even if they were short, they could easily send a maid to fetch some without needing to come out themselves. This lady was an exception. Whenever there is an exception, it indicates that this is no ordinary matter. Xing Ruyi felt a slight tension at her temples, stood up, and walked toward the pair.
The pair standing outside Ruyi Cosmetic Shop were naturally Yunxi and her maid Xuan.
At this moment, they were looking up at the plaque on the door. In their breaths, they could smell both the scent of Rouge and Face Powder and the herbal aroma that one would typically find only in a pharmacy.
"Madam, this Rouge Shop is quite strange. Usually, a Rouge Shop might sell some additional items that daughters prefer, such as Vermilion Hairpins, hairpins, earrings, or velvet flowers. But this one is different; it has such a strong herbal scent. If one didn’t know better, they might think this place is a pharmacy that just happens to have such an odd name as Ruyi Cosmetic Shop."
"There’s nothing strange about the name Ruyi Cosmetic Shop. I find it quite straightforward and easy to remember." Yunxi inhaled deeply, sensing the rich herbal fragrance and seemingly understanding the meaning behind Luo Fu's message left for her. She lowered her head, contemplating how she should approach Xing Ruyi when she arrived and how to explain her condition. Moreover, she wondered if Xing Ruyi could treat her stubborn ailment and keep her secret safe from others to avoid unwanted gossip.
While Yunxi was lost in thought, Xing Ruyi had already reached her side with a business-like smile and said, "Good day, Madam!"
Yunxi hurriedly looked up. Realizing she had lost her composure, she steadied herself and asked Xing Ruyi without thinking, "Is your surname Xing?"
"Indeed it is. My name is Fox Demon; I am the Shopkeeper of Ruyi Cosmetic Shop. May I ask where you reside?"
"Ruo Mansion!" Yunxi slowly articulated those two words: "I am Luofu's Sister-in-law. Miss Xing should recognize my aunt."
With that, Yunxi removed her hooded cloak, revealing a delicate yet slightly pale face.
"So you are the Young Lady of Ruo Mansion! Please come inside!"
Xing Ruyi was thinking while searching her mind for some information about Luofu's Sister-in-law.
This morning, when Luofu left with her husband, she seemed to have caught a glimpse of this lady from a distance. However, since she was far away and her attention was focused entirely on Luofu at that moment, her impression of Luofu's Young Lady was somewhat vague.
In the matters concerning the Luo Family, Luofu's Sister-in-law was also an innocent party. To restore Luofu's eyesight, Lord Luo secretly made a deal with Pixiu, willing to exchange ten years of the Luo Family's offspring. As a result, this Lady Luo had been married for many years without bearing any children.
A Daughter-in-law who cannot have children is often subject to gossip, disdain from her husband, and ridicule from her mother-in-law, whether in the Golden Tang Dynasty or in modern society over a thousand years later. Although Lord Luo knew the truth behind this situation, he was not necessarily willing to speak about it openly. The predicament of Luofu's Sister-in-law in the Luo Family can be imagined. It is no wonder that such a delicate beauty concealed a hint of anxiety beneath her calm demeanor.
Now that Luofu's matters were settled, if this Luo Family Young Lady were to be affectionate with the Eldest Young Master, it would not be long before she could bear a son or daughter for the Luo Family, fulfilling the wish that had lingered for many years.
As Xing Ruyi pondered these matters, Yunxi was also hesitating in her heart about how to bring up her own issues. After some hesitation, she placed the pouch that Luofu had given her before leaving on the table.
"This is the pouch that Luofu entrusted to me before she left today; it only contains five words: Ruyi Cosmetic Shop. Yunxi thought for a while but could not discern what Luofu meant by leaving this pouch for her. It wasn't until just now, standing outside and smelling the herbal fragrance from the shop, that she guessed Luofu might have wanted her to seek help for an illness. Yunxi boldly asked Miss Xing, 'Are you a doctor?'"
"I wouldn't dare call myself a doctor; I only know a little about medicine and can treat some ailments," Xing Ruyi replied as she looked at Yunxi. Seeing that Yunxi seemed hesitant to speak directly about her condition, she gently asked, "May I inquire if you are feeling unwell? If it's convenient, may I take your pulse?"
"If Miss Xing is willing to take Yunxi's pulse, that would be wonderful. Although I don't know your abilities, I am aware that my aunt is not someone who acts recklessly. If she entrusted this pouch containing the name of your Maternal Family's shop to me privately, it must mean you have complete confidence," Yunxi said as she stood up and bowed slightly to Xing Ruyi. "I will remember your kindness today in taking my pulse."
"Madam is too modest. Ruyi Cosmetic Shop is open for business; anyone who comes is a guest. Whether known or unknown, Fox Demon will do my utmost," Xing Ruyi said as she placed her hand on Yunxi's wrist. She only knew that Old Beggar had made a deal with Lord Luo that prevented the Luo Family's Daughter-in-law from having children for several years but was unaware of the specific methods used or what conditions might arise in this Young Lady’s case. She had not prepared herself mentally beforehand. Though she maintained a relaxed demeanor outwardly, there was still some apprehension in her heart as she began to feel for Yunxi's pulse.
"Do you often feel cold, especially in your hands and feet? Even during the hottest summer days, do they still feel icy?"
"Yes! Before I got married, I never paid attention to these things. It was only after marrying my husband that he frequently reminded me that my hands and feet are different from others; even at the hottest times, my fingertips feel cool. Now that it's winter—like right now—I always feel chilly all over as if I'm about to freeze at any moment; it's quite uncomfortable. Therefore, unless absolutely necessary, I usually prefer not to go out," Yunxi replied.
"Is your menstrual cycle regular?"
Although Yunxi was married, hearing such a question still made her cheeks flush slightly. She lowered her voice and replied, "I’m not sure if my cycle is normal or not. Unlike you who understands medicine and has seen many patients and can make judgments based on experience, I've only ever had my maid Xuan by my side both before and after marriage. It's hard to compare with anyone else; therefore, I don't know how to answer your question."
"If Xuan is your personal maid, does she also handle your menstrual supplies?"
Xuan nodded from the side.
"Then may I ask Xuan what differences you notice between your mistress's menstrual supplies and your own? Are there more or fewer?"
"Can we compare Xuan and the Madam?" Xuan asked in confusion. "I am a maid, and although I am favored by the Madam, I do very little of the rough work. Ultimately, I am still different from her. The Madam is more delicate than I am."
"I understand what you mean, Xuan. In terms of daily diet, labor, and physical constitution, there may be some influences, but when it comes to menstruation, the differences between healthy individuals are not significant. If there is a large discrepancy, it indicates that one person's health condition must be problematic.
For example, a normal woman typically has her period once a month, but some may have it every two months, three months, or even only once every six months. In contrast, if someone has such irregularity, unless it is due to an abnormal constitution, they are likely suffering from a condition that affects women.
Another simple example: for a normal woman, the duration of menstruation usually lasts about 5 to 7 days, but some may experience it for only 1 day. This is clearly abnormal as well.
Women’s health conditions vary, and the circumstances surrounding their menstruation also differ in detail. If we were to elaborate on this, it could take up most of the year. However, for two people living in the same environment with similar diets, their menstrual cycles and flow should not differ significantly. Do you understand what I mean, Xuan?"
Xuan nodded at first but then shook her head. "Miss speaks too quickly; I can't remember everything. Some things I don't quite understand, but I grasp the essence of what you mean."
Xuan's face turned red. "If we compare with me, the Madam's menstrual flow is much less than mine. When she has her period, she cannot move as freely as I do; instead, she often experiences abdominal pain and has issues with bloating and lower back discomfort. Also, the color of her menstrual blood is dark, resembling the herbal medicine she has taken, and there are some clots as well. When I massage her abdomen, I feel that not only are her hands and feet cold, but her abdomen is also icy."
"That's right!" Xing Ruyi relaxed her grip and looked into Yunxi's eyes. "The Madam suffers from a common condition known as Uterine Cold Syndrome."
"Uterine Cold Syndrome?" Yunxi repeated these three words. "In my younger years, a doctor once examined me and mentioned something similar; he even prescribed herbal medicine for me to regulate my condition. However, more than half a year has passed without any improvement. Now that I've heard you say this, I feel somewhat guilty towards that doctor. If only I had followed his prescription for a longer period of time, perhaps my health would have improved by now."
"Do you still remember that prescription?" Xing Ruyi asked as she opened her paper and pen. "If you can recall some details, let’s consult Fox Demon to see if this prescription is appropriate and if there are any adjustments needed."
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