Chapter 361 - 358: Being a Hands-off Shopkeeper
After prescribing the remedy, Qin Liuxi brought Lady Qiu to another Daoist Room for acupuncture and inquired about her and Landlord Qiu’s wishes. She could only allow Wang Chuan to stay by her side to observe the acupuncture treatment, leaving Teng Zhao, disguised as a man, outside.
Lady Qiu, despite her advanced age, was facing Qin Liuxi, the young Daoist. Yet, Qin Liuxi’s demeanor was upright, without any hint of lechery, completely maintaining the attitude of a doctor, making Lady Qiu herself seem somewhat embarrassed.
Seeing Lady Qiu’s embarrassment, Qin Liuxi thought for a moment, then said, "Lady, there is no need to feel awkward; what you have, I have as well."
"What?"
With a light smile, Qin Liuxi said, "I am female."
Lady Qiu was so surprised she nearly fell off the couch and examined Qin Liuxi carefully: "Female, you’re a woman?"
Qin Liuxi nodded with a smile, saying, "I have an androgynous appearance and have always worn a Daoist bun, indeed making it difficult for others to recognize my gender."
"But Mr. Qian never mentioned that you are female."
"I do not deliberately hide it, but neither do I actively disclose my gender; hence, he was unaware. It was only because I saw Lady Qiu’s embarrassment that I mentioned it," Qin Liuxi said with a light smile. "As for the male disguise, it is convenient for carrying out tasks and practicing medicine. You know as well, it’s more convenient for a man to be a doctor than for a woman, isn’t it?"
No matter the endeavor, this world imposes many constraints on women, shackled by layers of rules and propriety. Though it is regrettable, it is also the ethos of this patriarchal era.
Lady Qiu, however, said, "But for ladies and women, a female doctor is more comfortable and relaxing than a male one."
After all, there are many matters that women are too shy to speak about, even physical examinations are inconvenient. Therefore, to accurately diagnose, it becomes difficult, leaving one to guess blindly.