This sounded both reasonable and strange.
Madam Zhang pondered for a moment, then said to those around her, "You may all leave now. Cui'er, go tell Master that my toothache is cured. Please thank Doctor Lu for me. The doctor still has other ailments to see me, so please ask the Master to wait a moment."
"Yes, Madam." The clever maidservant curtsied and withdrew, clearly Madam Zhang's confidante.
"Doctor, please begin." Madam Zhang then untied her brocade robe, revealing her lower abdomen.
Her fleshy lower abdomen, with some stretch marks and a protruding belly, was common among older women, and also unavoidable for younger women after an abortion.
Lu Ming always felt a lewd desire for mature women.
This desire did not subside with his own satisfaction; instead, it grew stronger.
He wasn't after mature women; he wanted to possess the wives of high-ranking officials and nobles, to seduce women of higher status than himself to demonstrate his power.
"Then I must offend you," Lu Ming said, reaching out to stroke the woman's belly, finding it smooth and slippery.
Madam Zhang visibly tensed, a gesture she couldn't let anyone see, otherwise, it would be difficult to explain to outsiders.
Without lingering, after stroking her belly, Lu Ming asked, "Is your menstrual cycle regular, Madam? How often do you menstruate, and how long does each period last?"
Despite the private nature of the question, Madam Zhang suppressed her shame and answered, "It comes about every thirty days, lasting about ten days, sometimes intermittently for half a month."
"That means your menstrual cycle is irregular and needs regulation," Lu Ming nodded, then grabbed another handful and began writing with his homemade pencil on the table.
"The problem doesn't require a full treatment; a few prescriptions will suffice. Also, if you experience discomfort, try applying a warm compress. Harmonious sexual relations between husband and wife will also regulate menstruation and prevent menstrual cramps."
Seeing Lu Ming touch and pinch, he already understood the cause of the ailment. This surprised the somewhat shy Madam Zhang; the efficiency was far too fast. "Is...is that all?"
"Yes, it is. If Madam would like a massage, that's also possible. However, it will require undressing. I have two concubines who are treated the same way, so Madam need not find it offensive." Lu Ming nodded, not peeking, but maintaining a gentlemanly demeanor. "In medical practice, patients are simply patients; there is no distinction between men and women."
If Lu Ming had insisted, Madam Zhang might have suspected him of having ulterior motives, but his current demeanor made her realize she was overthinking things.
This was also Lu Ming's strategy. Initially, he needed to appear abrupt and frivolous, yet make it seem like a normal medical procedure, a result of his own overthinking and impure thoughts.
The second time, however, the patient would gradually become accustomed to it.
Once accustomed, like his grandmother, she would be ready to be taken advantage of at any moment. Once he did, it would be like taking advantage of a sow!
"Then thank you for your trouble, doctor. You must be tired. Please come back in a couple of days for your treatment. I'll introduce you to some people then." Madam Zhang dressed herself, tidied her appearance, and transformed back into a dignified lady.
The woman who had previously exposed her belly, almost revealing her breasts, was not her.
Women are such good actresses; it's impossible to tell what's real.
"No need to be polite, Madam. We each got what we needed. I should be thanking you." Lu Ming nodded slightly, being frank.
"You're a good person," Madam Zhang suddenly said, puzzling everyone.
"No, I'm not a good person, I'm a petty person, a petty person who seeks revenge. Being a gentleman doesn't suit me; I choose to be a true petty person, open and honest, it's quite good." Lu Ming smiled and shook his head; he didn't need to be a gentleman.
When you possess absolute power, no one will speak ill of you.
"Pfft!" Madam Zhang covered her mouth, her eyes sparkling, a hint of charm in them. "You're really interesting; it's the first time I've heard someone call themselves a petty person."
After chatting for a while, the two left and returned to the main hall together.
"Madam, how are you?" Zhang Wen was only worried about Lu Ming's medical skills, not suspecting anything between them, nor that anything could possibly happen.
"Very good, Dr. Lu is young and promising, very good." Madam Zhang praised him highly; only after experiencing pain and gaining liberation can one learn gratitude and appreciation.
"It's his honor to be able to help Madam. Congratulations, Madam, and congratulations, Lord Sikong," Dong Zhuo said, seizing the opportunity to offer his congratulations. He needed Zhang Wen to advance his career further; their cooperation was currently in its honeymoon phase.
"Congratulations, congratulations! I really didn't realize Anmin had such abilities. Everyone said you were unremarkable, but now you've made a name for yourself! Young and promising, your future is limitless!" Zhang Wen stroked his beard. Only with his wife's recovery could he use her influence to obtain the necessary funds.
Only by climbing higher could he reap the corresponding rewards. Exploiting the common people?
Not making money would be a disservice to himself.
"This still depends on your guidance, sir. I've only done my humble best," Lu Ming maintained his composure, befitting a junior.
Humble and unassuming, without boasting of his achievements—such a person is worthy of promotion and utilization.
First, one must have value to be utilized; only then can one be used!
"Haha, Zhongying, look, you have a fine nephew!" Zhang Wen stroked his beard, clearly admiring the young man.
"Thank you, sir." Dong Zhuo smiled broadly. In a way, he and Zhang Wen were the same; their wives were also on the hunting list.
After a simple meal at the mansion, Zhang Wen led the two men on another trip to visit other ministerial friends.
Some had already retired, stepping down at the appropriate age rather than serving until death.
These people also possessed considerable influence; who didn't have a disciple serving in Luoyang?
In one day, Lu Ming saw five patients, all with rather strange symptoms.
Either they had general ailments, or problems in certain parts of their bodies, causing unbearable pain.
It was tiring, but the results were significant. He gained connections and money.
Everyone gets sick sometimes. Making friends with a doctor who can cure illnesses is always useful in the future. You can't afford to offend a doctor; that's an ironclad rule.