CHAPTER 68: CHAPTER 68: MALIGNANT SORE

Aunt Qin reflexively waved her hand in front of her nose upon seeing the bald head, and then asked Yun Jiao, "Why are you looking for him? He smells awful."

Yun Jiao smiled, "I’m taking a look to see if his sores can be treated."

Sun next to her snorted, "I tell you, Yun Jiao, he’s had many doctors examine those sores, and none could cure him."

"Even your father couldn’t cure them! Can you?"

Yun Jiao just smiled, "I’ll have a look."

Aunt Qin lowered her voice mysteriously, "Let me tell you, his father doesn’t care about him, even if you treat him, there’s no consultation fee to collect."

Yun Jiao waved her hand, "It’s alright." As she spoke, she gestured towards Ah Tie behind the tree.

Ah Tie glanced at Sun and Aunt Qin, shaking his head.

Yun Jiao quickly understood; he probably didn’t dare come over, afraid of being disliked.

She simply walked towards Ah Tie.

The closer she got, the more nervous Ah Tie became, seemingly ready to run at any moment, his legs trembling, but gritting his teeth to stand there.

Before she even got close, Yun Jiao smelled a foul odor.

It seemed like the smell of something rotting, very unpleasant.

She stopped, took out a handkerchief, tied it over her face, blocking her nose. This way, she could at least shield herself a bit from the smell.

Ah Tie saw Yun Jiao’s action and lowered his head deeply.

Yun Jiao approached him, "I tied the handkerchief not because I disdain you, but because my nose is sensitive to odors, and doing this allows me to examine you effectively."

Ah Tie finally lifted his head, his eyes full of gratitude, "I know, because I stink, nobody wants to come near me. It’s been a long time since anyone’s been this close."

His eyes darkened, "Even my father just leaves food at the door and leaves."

He pressed his lips together, "Thank you for being willing to examine me."

Yun Jiao smiled, "Lower your head, let me take a look first."

Ah Tie felt somewhat embarrassed; although he couldn’t see the top of his head, he knew how disgusting the sores were.

He hesitated for a few seconds before awkwardly lowering his head.

Yun Jiao examined him carefully; in the center of his head was a large sore oozing yellow-green pus, surrounded by red, swollen, necrotic skin.

The stench was coming from the pus.

Then Yun Jiao pointed to a large stone by the tree, "Sit down, let me take your pulse."

Nervously, Ah Tie sat down, and Yun Jiao squatted beside him, attentively feeling his pulse.

Aunt Qin by the wall saw Yun Jiao was genuinely examining Ah Tie and couldn’t help but sigh, "There’s no denying, that Yun Jiao has a good heart."

Sun rarely agreed, nodding, "That’s true, willing to treat someone even without silver."

"Moreover, he stinks so bad, if it were me, I’d puke just at a glance."

Yun Jiao didn’t hear their discussion; after checking the pulse, she had an idea.

Ah Tie had hot blood, naturally prone to blisters and boils.

This sore had been persistent for several years, seen by many doctors without improvement—it was indeed stubborn.

Yun Jiao pondered; there were many recipes for treating sores, but since Ah Tie had consulted many doctors, conventional methods likely didn’t work on him.

Also, he had no money for medicine, which was another issue.

She contemplated and suddenly recalled a recipe recorded in the Compendium of Materia Medica.

She looked at Ah Tie, "Do you trust me?"

Ah Tie nodded vigorously, "I trust you."

"Ever since I heard you cured Sister Guihua’s ailment with soil from the stove, I thought you were a miracle doctor."

"I—I just was afraid to approach you."