The Lucky Farmgirl

There’s no need for Bai Shan to ask; Zhao Liulang sighed and said, "I’m here to seek medical help for our Old Madam. She’s feeling a bit unwell, and despite being treated by Imperial doctors, after seven or eight days of medication, there’s been no improvement. Our family discussed it and decided to ask Zhou Man for help. You know that Zhou Man is currently at the imperial estate, so I came to the palace to request imperial permission."

Bai Shan perked up, "Did the madam agree?"

Zhao Liulang said, "If she had agreed, I wouldn’t be sighing."

He said, "The madam didn’t say yes, but she didn’t say no either."

Because he couldn’t obtain the imperial permission, Zhao Liulang was wandering around without hurry to go home.

He nudged Bai Shan and lowered his voice, "I heard that she’s occasionally allowed to leave lately?"

Bai Shan replied, "It’s not easy for her to come out; not only does she have to change clothes completely, but she also has very limited time. She can only come out during her lunch break, as she’s afraid to delay any matters at the imperial estate."

"Since she’s out anyway, one patient or two, it’s all the same, right? Our Old Madam is quite old, and the Imperial Hospital’s doctors find it hard to treat her, which is why we want to ask Zhou Man."

"Why not let the Imperial Hospital provide the prescription and ask Assistant Doctor Liu to perform acupuncture?"

Zhao Liulang said, "Is it a matter of acupuncture? It’s a matter of brainwork."

He continued, "Different doctors have different prescriptions and acupuncture methods. Since the treatment there isn’t effective, the family wants to ask him."

Bai Shan looked him over, "Are you thinking of using my connections?"

Zhao Liulang put his arm around Bai Shan’s shoulder and said, "We’re relatives, aren’t we? We’ve been classmates for years. Shouldn’t our relationship be better than with the Tang Family? If they can use connections, why can’t I? Good brother, help me out."

Bai Shan removed his hand and said, "You’re trying to wear her out."

After thinking it over, he said, "Just wait for now. The madam is kind-hearted, and if the Imperial Hospital really has no solution, the palace will issue an imperial permission."

Bai Shan was right; in the afternoon, Imperial Doctor Liu received imperial permission and went to State Duke Zhao’s residence, examined the State Duchess, and then returned to report to the empress.

The empress discussed with the emperor, and eventually called Director Xiao, asking him to reschedule Zhou Man’s work so she could visit State Duke Zhao’s residence the next day.

The empress said, "Assign Assistant Doctor Liu to assist her. After Zhou Man provides the prescription, he should consult with Assistant Doctor Liu. If feasible, future treatments for the State Duchess can be handed over to Assistant Doctor Liu."

Director Xiao agreed and went to the imperial estate early the next morning, carrying the empress’ command.

He arrived too early; Manbao had just finished a run around the estate, was washing her hands, and holding a bowl of lamb soup mixed with bread for breakfast.

As soon as Director Xiao entered the courtyard, he caught the aroma, and he wandered over, saying, "Why are you drinking lamb soup so early in the morning?"

Imperial Doctor Lu, not one to sit properly in the main hall to eat, like Zhou Man, was also sitting outside enjoying the sun while having breakfast, and Director Xiao’s early arrival startled the two.

"Why are you here?"

Director Xiao sat with them and stared at their soup. Jiu Lan, clever as ever, went to the big kitchen and brought back a large bowl of soup for Director Xiao.

Director Xiao took a piece of bread from the basket on the table, tore it up and soaked it in the soup. Eating a bite of bread full of lamb soup flavor made his chest and stomach feel invigorated. He said, "I’m here today to relieve Imperial Doctor Zhou."

While eating, Director Xiao continued, "The State Duchess Zhao is not feeling well; the madam asked you to see her."

Manbao asked, "What’s wrong with her?"

Director Xiao thought for a moment before saying, "Imperial Doctor Liu said it’s kidney deficiency due to overwork. This ailment is something elderly people often experience to varying degrees. Moreover, the State Duchess Zhao has been through turmoil, so she seems worse."

Not only men suffer from kidney deficiency; women do too!

Lumbago and backache in large part are due to overwork causing kidney deficiency.

The State Duchess Zhao is the empress’s sister-in-law, even older than the empress by over ten years, so she’s quite advanced in age.

After hearing this, Manbao understood. She nodded, indicating she would tour the ward shortly before heading out.

Director Xiao didn’t stop her, as she and Imperial Doctor Lu knew the patients on trial the best, and a walkthrough for error checking was beneficial.

Director Xiao said, "Today, Imperial Doctor Lu and I will make preparations. Tomorrow, we’ll begin planting the fourth batch of smallpox vaccine."

Manbao agreed.

After finishing their meal, including all the bread in the basket, their breakfast was complete.

Manbao ate three in total. Despite this, she still felt unsatisfied; Imperial Doctor Lu, though full after only two, silently gave her a glance and turned to Director Xiao to remark, "Our meals are insufficient."

Director Xiao: "Why are you drinking lamb soup so early in the morning? That should be saved for lunch. Breakfast should be simple: eggs, bread, and steamed buns suffice."

Manbao said, "The broth will simmer until noon. We chopped the lamb rack last night and put it in the big pot to stew — the aroma was irresistible, hence the morning bowl."

Understanding this, Director Xiao then looked at the bread on the table and asked, "So, for breakfast, you only ate bread?"

Imperial Doctor Lu pointed to a corner of the courtyard and said, "There are two eggs."

Director Xiao turned his head to find egg shells lying there, indicating someone had stood there eating eggs.

Director Xiao: ...

He too looked at Zhou Man and after a moment said, "Being able to eat is a blessing. Don’t worry, eat to your content. By the way, you can stay a bit longer today at State Duke Zhao’s residence, ensuring everything is thoroughly instructed before returning. Dining outside in the evening is also acceptable."

After speaking, he added, "See if your prescription is effective. If it works, hand the prescription over to Assistant Doctor Liu."

Manbao accompanied Director Xiao for a tour of the ward, selecting a few already recovered patients, then bathed and changed before heading out leisurely from the imperial estate.

This time, she not only could go out herself, but also bring someone along.

So, Manbao took Jiu Lan with her.

She said, "Once we arrive at State Duke Zhao’s residence, you can take the Third Madam’s carriage home to inform sister-in-law that I’ll be having dinner there tonight. Prepare more snacks to bring along. Hmph, Director Xiao and others criticize my appetite."

Jiu Lan, a bit indignant, said, "Madam hardly eats overly; you’re still growing, after all. It’s shameful how the office doesn’t let you eat your fill."

Manbao wholeheartedly agreed.

Arriving at State Duke Zhao’s residence, there was a manager waiting who enthusiastically led them to the backyard, then ushered them into a guest room.

Two maidservants were waiting with trays of clothes.

Manbao, finding it all intriguing, asked, "What’s this for?"

The managing matron waiting there immediately approached with a welcoming smile and said, "These are for assisting the lord with bathing and changing clothes. You see, this room uses our house’s traditional fragrance bath; our young ladies and female masters all adore using it..."

Manbao understanding, realized they wanted her to bathe anew.

She raised an eyebrow ever so slightly.

Jiu Lan’s expression turned a bit irate; what’s that supposed to mean? Are they disdaining their mistress? Then they shouldn’t invite her at all!

The managing matron’s heart half-hanging, feeling truly nervous, couldn’t do much but adhere. After all, this master had just come from the imperial estate, and neither they nor the mistresses in the backyard dared to let her near.

Seeing their eagerness to keep an eight-foot distance from her, Manbao smiled gently, nodding, "Since it’s an imperial command, naturally I shall abide. Leave the clothes here. Jiu Lan, check for soap; start by washing my hair."

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