Cao Cao's mother was from the Ding clan and was named Ding Pei;
Cao Cao's principal wife was also from the Ding clan and was named Ding Hui;
Xiahou Yuan's wife was also from the Ding clan and was named Ding Xiang!
It could be said that the Ding family, with their merchant background, had been closely tied to the Cao family from a very early age.
In ancient times, marriage was based on social status. According to the hierarchy of scholars, farmers, artisans, and merchants, the Ding family, with their merchant background, was far below the Cao family in status. Both Cao Song marrying Ding Pei and Cao Cao marrying Ding Hui were considered unions with families of lower standing.
But… over the years, the Ding family managed to remain tied to the Cao family, their connection as strong as bone and flesh, one had to marvel at the Ding family's capabilities.
Even Cao Cao's peculiar preference for married women might have something to do with these two sisters from the Ding family.
Now, standing before Lu Yu, the first to speak was the second daughter of the Ding family, Xiahou Yuan's wife, Ding Xiang.
In stark contrast to her elder sister Ding Hui's cold demeanor, reminiscent of a clear breeze and a cold moon, Ding Xiang's words were as fragrant and intoxicating as lilac flowers in April.
"I have always heard my husband mention Officer Lu. Hearing is not as good as seeing. Officer Lu achieved so many great merits at such a young age, and I never imagined he would also be such a handsome gentleman!"
Her words, gentle and warm, immediately made Lu Yu feel favorably towards her…
Lu Yu mused…
No wonder Xiahou Yuan only ever married this one wife; Madam Ding Xiang was truly delightful.
Compared to her, Cao Cao's wife, Ding Hui, was always so icy cold…
Her lips, which rarely moved, always carried an air of keeping people at a distance.
… She hadn't had a child for Cao Cao in over a decade; it was likely Cao Cao didn't favor this type either.
They were sisters from the same family, yet their personalities differed so greatly!
"Lu Yu pays his respects to both ladies…" he said with a respectful bow. "Please, sit down, ladies. At our Cai mansion, please feel at home, as if you were in your own residence."
Upon hearing this, Ding Xiang turned to look at Ding Hui. Seeing Ding Hui nod slightly, she then turned her head and beckoned Lu Yu.
"Young Master Lu, may I speak with you privately?"
Ah… "privately"? Not "borrow a step to speak"?
Lu Yu blinked. Privately? How close is close?
Ten centimeters? Five centimeters? Or negative fifteen centimeters?
He shook his head abruptly. "Ahem…" Lu Yu coughed lightly, feeling a little nervous.
Of course, as a grown man, he wasn't afraid of two "white tigers"… ah, no, he wasn't afraid of two women!
Tap, tap…
He took two gentle steps forward, leaving only about one step between him and Ding Hui and Ding Xiang. But… Ding Xiang took another step closer to him, their distance very small, so close that Ding Xiang's mouth could almost touch Lu Yu's ear.
Don't even mention it…
Lu Yu was utterly tense. This was truly like stumbling into the White Tiger Hall!
But the key was that Lu Yu couldn't rise to the occasion. He wasn't Cao Cao's son; there was no need to inherit Cao Cao's noble tradition!
Besides… these two women were untouchable. Whoever touched them would die!
But because the distance was so close, there was an unavoidable sense of "Auntie, I don't want to struggle anymore."
Just then, Ding Xiang's ethereal voice sounded in Lu Yu's ear.
Very low, very soft, audible only to Ding Xiang and Lu Yu.
"Officer Lu is called the Medical Immortal by the common folk. Then… may my sister and I beg Medical Immortal Lu for a prescription, a prescription to treat infertility!"
Ah… ah…
Upon hearing this, Lu Yu was completely stunned. He first looked at Ding Xiang with suspicion.
Something was wrong. This Madam Xiahou had given birth to eight children for Xiahou Yuan in history, how could she be infertile?
Then…
Lu Yu's gaze shifted to Ding Hui.
The moment he looked, Ding Hui became quite embarrassed, a hint of shyness mixed with her embarrassment.
That's right, the one who came to ask for a child, ah no… the one who came to ask for treatment for "infertility," was Cao Cao's wife, Ding Hui. After being married to Cao Cao for over ten years, she had never had any offspring.
Her maid Liu had given birth to three children, and Cao Cao's later concubine, Bian, had also given birth to three children…
But she, her belly had always been quiet.
Women are like that…
She could accept not having children herself, but… she couldn't accept others having child after child.
Even though Cao Ang and Cao Mu were raised in her care… she also yearned for her own biological son and daughter!
"Oh…" Lu Yu nodded slightly, understanding from Ding Hui's expression.
No wonder the two sisters came to visit together…
It turned out that because of Lu Yu's reputation as a "Medical Immortal" and due to this "Treatise on Cold Damage and Miscellaneous Diseases," they had come specifically to ask him for a "child-seeking" prescription.
Of course, Lu Yu could only guess this much.
Actually… there was still another part.
The title "Medical Immortal" and the "Treatise on Cold Damage and Miscellaneous Diseases" were only one aspect. The second was Xiahou Dun's kidney deficiency!
Lu Yu had once gifted Xiahou Dun a medicinal preparation. After consistently taking it, Xiahou Dun's kidney deficiency of several years was cured!
Few people knew about this… but… as Xiahou Dun's closest cousin, Xiahou Yuan knew.
And thus… Xiahou Yuan's wife, Ding Xiang, also came to know.
According to Ding Xiang's reasoning, if Lu Yu could cure men's kidney deficiency and impotence, then perhaps female infertility could also be treated with a prescription.
For this reason, Ding Xiang told her elder sister Ding Hui, and Ding Hui naturally showed great interest…
Moreover, such matters were quite embarrassing and could not be known by outsiders.
Thus, it led to the private visit by the Ding sisters.
"With Medical Immortal Lu's medical skills, even incurable cold damage can be cured. A prescription for 'seeking children' should not be difficult, right?"
Ding Xiang's voice drifted out again…
Her lips were almost touching Lu Yu's ear, her voice extremely low, for fear of being overheard. "In short, please, please, Medical Immortal Lu."
Uh…
Lu Yu finally woke up from his shock.
Good heavens, he cried out in amazement!
So it turns out…
After he, Lu Yu, became the "Medical Immortal," the first patient to seek treatment was for "infertility"!
Even if that were the case, the woman suffering from infertility happened to be Cao Cao's wife, which was rather awkward.
The key was that Lu Yu remembered quite a few prescriptions for tonifying the kidneys…
But… a prescription for treating female infertility?
In his previous life, he never even had a girlfriend, so how could he have deliberately read such books? At most, he would occasionally flip through some health articles on social media, which mentioned some topics related to female infertility.
Out of curiosity towards the opposite sex, Lu Yu had looked at them more closely.
But… Lu Yu didn't know if those prescriptions from social media were effective!
"Cough cough…" With a slight cough, Lu Yu took half a step back. "Please do not panic, ladies. Allow me to think for a moment!"
Upon hearing this, Ding Xiang nodded…
"No hurry, Medical Immortal Lu can take his time to think."
Lu Yu frowned slightly…
So… Ding Hui couldn't have children?
If one reasoned normally, it definitely wouldn't be related to Cao Cao. Cao Cao had taken so many women as concubines in his life, and… even many were other people's wives, yet they still gave birth to children!
For example, Madam Yin, the daughter-in-law of the former General He Jin, had given birth to He Yan before Cao Cao took her in. After following Cao Cao, she also gave birth to Cao Ju!
And Madam Du, the wife of the "cuckold" Qin Yilu, had given birth to Qin Lang before, and then gave birth to Cao Lin, Cao Gun, and Princess Jinxiang with Cao Cao!
This showed that Cao Cao's male function not only had no problems but was also very strong.
Discarding this major premise, the problem became simple: it lay with Ding Hui. And… the reasons for female infertility were nothing more than a few: fallopian tube obstruction, poor follicular development, or endocrine imbalance!
For the first two, with the medical standards of this era, forget it… there was no cure.
However, for endocrine imbalance, it was still treatable.
In detail, irregular menstruation, ovulation failure due to irregular menstrual cycles, poor egg quality, or even… irritability and restlessness, all these could lead to endocrine imbalance.
For treatment…
Lu Yu did recall some folk prescriptions.
Of course, he only recalled them. Lu Yu had never had a girlfriend for more than a night!
He certainly wouldn't know if these folk prescriptions were effective!
However, many liked them on social media. As long as these "little red hearts" were not fake, Lu Yu felt they were somewhat reliable.
Thinking of this, Lu Yu nodded slightly.
His nod immediately made Ding Hui and Ding Xiang uneasy. Had Medical Immortal Lu… had he thought of a good remedy?
"Medical Immortal Lu… but… but…"
Before Ding Xiang could finish her stammering words.
Lu Yu spoke, "As the ladies know, there are too few medical books in the present Han Dynasty that deal with this field. Even if I prescribe something, I can only do my best… ladies…"
"It's alright!" This time, Ding Hui spoke excitedly. One could faintly see that the corners of her usually stern lips had turned upward, her excitement overflowing.
Over the years, she had visited many famous doctors. However… just as Lu Yu said, the medical research in the field of female infertility in this era was practically zero. Let alone ordinary physicians, even Hua Tuo and Zhang Zhongjing could only prescribe warming and nourishing medications with little to no help.
As for those folk remedies, how many had Ding Hui tried? The efficacy was minimal!
This was also a major reason why she had been silent and poker-faced for so many years.
"Then… please allow me to ask Madam Ding a few questions." Lu Yu sat at the desk and picked up his brush… as if to take notes.
Ding Hui bit her red lip, her entire face flushing. A young boy of over ten years was asking her… asking her such private questions, and yet she had to answer truthfully. This… this made her heart feel a mix of emotions.
She immediately picked up a cup of tea, took a small sip to calm her mind.
Meanwhile, Ding Xiang quickly walked to Lu Yu's side and ground ink for him…
Picking up the brush, dipping it in ink…
Lu Yu's first question was, "Madam Ding, is your menstrual flow heavy each month…"
"Pfft…"
Ding Hui spat out a mouthful of tea, and even Ding Xiang's ink-grinding hand froze!
This question… it was so… so bold!
But… on second thought, if a physician was to treat, there must be "looking, listening, asking, and touching."
How could this be achieved through looking, listening, and touching?
Only "asking" remained.
"Little, very little… especially in the last few days!" Ding Hui replied haltingly…
"What about the color? Dark or light?" Lu Yu's demeanor was like that of an experienced old physician, his face not red, his breath not uneven.
Actually, as long as he truly put himself in the role of a physician, with benevolence in his heart, physicians saw no distinction between male and female.
However…
If he had to be a gynecologist, Lu Yu would prefer his patients to be younger and more beautiful.
"Light, and… somewhat dim!" Ding Hui continued to answer.
Lu Yu nodded and wrote a few words on the bamboo tablet: "Infertile after marriage, late menstrual flow, light color, dark complexion…"
Having written this, Lu Yu looked up at Ding Hui's complexion and added four words: "Listless complexion!"
With twenty characters written, Lu Yu continued to ask.
"Does Madam Ding often feel lower abdominal pain, leg weakness, and cold hands and feet…" Lu Yu asked as he had read in social media articles.
"Yes!" Ding Hui answered truthfully.
"Madam Ding, open your mouth, let me see your tongue!" Lu Yu instructed…
Madam Ding did as she was told…
According to the health articles on social media, if one had the aforementioned symptoms along with a pale tongue and white, slippery coating, then the infertility was likely due to irregular menstruation.
Indeed, after examining Madam Ding's tongue, Lu Yu added another sentence to the bamboo slip: "Abdominal pain and leg weakness, cold lower abdomen, cold hands and feet, pale tongue with white, slippery coating…"
Having written this, Lu Yu prepared to ask the final question.
"This last question is very important, Madam Ding must answer truthfully…"
"Alright!" Seeing Lu Yu's serious expression, Madam Ding nodded, as if to hide her embarrassment, she picked up her tea cup and took another sip.
As if using the tea cup to shield her face…
Lu Yu frowned, his tone quite serious. "Madam Ding, when you and Lord Cao are intimate at night, what do you feel!"
This… pfft…
Suddenly, Ding Hui turned her head sharply, spitting a mouthful of tea onto the ground!
Her face was as red as could be, blushing all the way to her ears. What did she feel? At this moment, she truly wished she could die! She was a woman, how could she answer this?
She couldn't possibly say whether it was comfortable or uncomfortable!
This was not just Ding Hui; even Ding Xiang's entire face turned red, rosy…
For her, what feelings were, such words… seemed like something only her husband and her sister's husband could ask about, right? Lu Yu was… the second man to ask this.
"Do I… do I really have to say?"
Ding Hui's voice was hesitant…
Lu Yu nodded, "Yes… it is very important."
However… as he looked up, he noticed Ding Hui's flushed cheeks and immediately realized she had misunderstood…
"Cough cough…" He quickly coughed lightly. "Madam Ding, please don't overthink it. I will give you three words for the feeling, and you can choose one – intense, mild, or tasteless!"
Hmm…
Madam Ding blinked slightly. She lowered her head, although her face was still flushed, she pondered for a moment.
"It should be mild!"
Lu Yu nodded. This was correct… it perfectly matched one of the symptoms of infertility described in those health articles on social media.
Dipping his brush in ink, Lu Yu added four more characters to the bamboo slip: "Indifferent desire!"
Thus… the symptoms were clarified.
—— "Infertile after marriage, late menstrual flow, light color, dark complexion, abdominal pain and leg weakness, cold lower abdomen, cold hands and feet, pale tongue with white, slippery coating, indifferent desire!"
As for the corresponding prescription…
Lu Yu continued to write.
"Artemisia argyi, three qian; Cyperus rotundus, two qian; Angelica sinensis, two qian; Ligusticum wallichii, two qian; Prepared rehmannia, three qian; Evodia rutaecarpa, two qian; Paeonia lactiflora, three qian; Dipsacus asperoides, two qian; Cinnamomum cassia, one qian; Astragalus propinquus, three qian; Cibotium barometz, two qian; Taxillus chinensis, three qian; Tetrapanax papyriferus, two qian; Foeniculum vulgare, one qian!"
After writing, Lu Yu checked it over…
He had considered asking Zhang Zhongjing for advice, but then he thought it was unnecessary. Zhang Zhongjing likely had no research on infertility either!
This field was too specialized…
Especially for women, generally, male doctors did not study this, nor could they study it!
Closing the bamboo slip, Lu Yu slightly lifted it, and Ding Xiang quickly caught it.
Lu Yu then instructed Ding Hui, "Madam Ding, this prescription is called 'Warm the Kidneys and Seed,' and it has the effects of benefiting the kidneys, warming the uterus, and dispelling cold from the meridians. It may… help Madam Ding conceive!"
"The dosage is one dose daily, decocted in water, and taken warm in the morning and evening! The first dose must be taken on the fourteenth day after menstruation, for a total of thirty days! After taking these thirty days, you can find me… If I am not in Chenliu Commandery, you can go to the Medical Office to see Zhang Zhongjing for a pulse diagnosis! I will specifically instruct him!"
Upon hearing this, Ding Xiang carefully put away the bamboo slip, her eyes turned to her sister Ding Hui, and she casually mentioned, "That means half a month later… Sister will take the first dose!"
Ding Hui blinked her eyes, signaling her not to say too much…
Lu Yu sensitively caught some information.
So today was Madam Ding's menstrual period, Madam Ding was really impatient!
"Thank… thank you, Medical Immortal Lu."
Rarely, Ding Hui bowed to Lu Yu.
In Lu Yu's memory, this lady had always been strong-willed, and it seemed she had never bowed to anyone before.
"Madam Ding, please follow my instructions and take the medicine on time… Although there is not a ten percent certainty, there is still more than a fifty percent chance. Madam Ding, just trust me!"
"Since I came to seek you, I naturally trust you!" Ding Hui bit her lip, and did not forget to remind him, "I hope Officer Lu…"
"I know!" Lu Yu smiled slightly. "Today, I, Lu Yu, have never met either of you ladies!"
Lu Yu understood the rules…
Why were specialized hospitals for male and female ailments often located in secluded areas? The purpose was clear: one couldn't let everyone know that I have a friend who has problems in that area!
"You are indeed your husband's right-hand man… and you live up to your husband's constant praise." Ding Hui finally sighed with emotion… "Then, I… I shall take my leave now."
Only then did the redness on Ding Hui's cheeks dissipate slightly. Thinking of the prescription and Lu Yu's previous benevolent hands and miraculous cures, she felt a sense of anticipation.
Wearing a veil, Ding Hui and Ding Xiang walked out of the back gate of the Cai mansion and quickly boarded the carriage.
They came softly, and left softly, waving their sleeves, leaving behind only a prescription and taking nothing else with them!
Lu Yu spread his hands…
What kind of business was this?
As a "Medical Immortal," such a prestigious title, yet his first medical case was to solve a gynecological problem. Thinking of this, Lu Yu felt speechless.
Actually, there was one thing Lu Yu was very curious about. The reason why Madam Ding, Cao Cao's wife, was infertile and had endocrine imbalance seemed to be largely due to her state of mind…
It looked like… being Cao Cao's wife, the principal wife, carried immense pressure.
Thinking of this, Lu Yu nodded subconsciously. Indeed, being Cao Cao's principal wife came with some pressures that ordinary people could not understand.
—— Madam Ding had it tough!
…
Meanwhile, just as Lu Yu had completed his benevolent act and solved a gynecological problem…
On the other side, on the official road leading to Chenliu Commandery, over a dozen horses were galloping.
He was coming, he was coming…
The one who made even ghosts fear him, he was coming!
Upon receiving Lu Yu's command, he had rushed to Chenliu Commandery immediately.
He heard that Lu Yu intended to employ him in this campaign to Ruyin…
And to entrust him with an important task.
Heh heh, in his opinion…
He was always dealing with "zongzi" and "corpse insects." It would be nice to occasionally capture a city, conquer some territory, fight living people, and adjust his mood!
…
…
ps: The next chapter is an extra – "Why Cao Cao Liked Married Women"
(Unrelated to the main storyline, but exceptionally explosive!)