The Lucky Farmgirl

Old Madam Liu naturally prepared for the occasion; she never let her two children who were on official paths worry about such matters in the family.

When she heard Manbao ask, she gestured to Nanny Liu.

Nanny Liu brought a plate of gold and silver ingots for them to see, printed with auspicious words like "Fortune" and "Longevity." Old Madam Liu treated them as if they were still young and directly grabbed a handful for Manbao, laughing, "Take them to play."

Manbao held a handful of gold and silver ingots, overjoyed.

Old Madam Liu spoke to Nanny Liu, "Fill all the pouches from the sewing room with gold and silver ingots; pouches with yellow borders contain gold ingots, those with silver borders contain silver ingots."

She said to Bai Shan and Manbao, "This year, you’re adults; our family still has red envelopes for you, but outside, you’ll give red envelopes to others. For closer relationships, give the yellow-bordered red envelopes, for more distant ones, give the silver-bordered red envelopes."

Manbao and Bai Shan nodded repeatedly, indicating their understanding.

Today was New Year’s Eve, and every adult at home was busy. Tonight, three families decided to stay up together, so the meal had to be prepared together.

Old Madam Liu and Ms. Zheng arranged the tea and dishes. After wandering around, they found they couldn’t participate in anything, so Manbao peacefully carried her medicine box out to see Lady Mei for treatment.

Bai Shan remembered the techniques taught by Master Jiechen last time that he had practiced well, so he went with her to Guardian of the Nation Temple to consult Master Jiechen about new techniques.

Master Jiechen never expected not to be let go even during the New Year.

Manbao went to see Lady Mei.

After treating her with medicine yesterday following a miscarriage, she was no longer in pain today.

Manbao just applied a set of needles and then gave her a new prescription, "Take this medicine for five days. You’re currently in postpartum recovery, complete it first, and we’ll reassess the condition in thirty days."

Seeing Lady Mei looking uncertain, Manbao said, "Your issue is blocked fallopian tubes; the cause has been found, next is to unblock them, which cannot be done in one day, plus you have a condition of uterine coldness, this needs treatment for fertile conception too."

She remarked, "This problem, at the least, takes six months to cure; if it’s not smooth, one or two years is possible."

Lady Mei was stunned, "That long? After one or two years, can I still have children?"

"Why not? You’ll only be twenty-five after two years, the right age."

Lady Mei fell silent for a while, still feeling her father might be more reliable, she said, "Imperial Doctor Zhou, how about you check my father?"

Manbao had no objections, after all, treating one patient is treating, treating two is also treating.

But Mr. Mei objected, he never considered having another child, however, seeing his daughter teary-eyed, worried about her overwhelming pressure, he thought for a moment and nodded.

Fine, agree for now, whether to have a child or not still depends on himself, doesn’t it?

But since the treatment requires such a long time, staying in the Guardian of the Nation Temple is not good.

Mr. Mei wanted to rent a courtyard to stay in the capital. Upon hearing this, Manbao thought it over and said, "My Fifth Brother is familiar with the capital, Mr. Mei can consult him for renting a place, maybe a small courtyard inside the city."

This way, it’s more convenient for her to treat.

Mr. Mei agreed; after finding a house, they would move after the postpartum period.

Mr. Mei offered to escort Manbao down the mountain, but Manbao smiled and declined, "I’m going to visit Master Jiechen, not in a hurry to leave the mountain."

Master Jiechen wished Manbao would leave immediately, because if she went down, Bai Shan would surely follow.

Yet neither were in a hurry to return home for the New Year; unexpectedly, they stayed in the temple until the afternoon.

When they headed back, the shops along the road were closed, pedestrians were few, and only occasionally hurried by, all rushing to get home for dinner.

Manbao lifted the curtain and saw two officers with sticks walking up from the other side, darted into a nearby alley, chasing two ragged beggar children out, yelling, "Trying to get yourself killed? Shantang Hall prepared winter housing for you and hot meals tonight, why are you wandering the streets? Who would you embarrass freezing to death? Get going..."

The officers led them towards Shantang Hall in the outer city. As they passed their carriage, one officer said to another, "Surely it’s that Ba Si gang not letting them go, this area is controlled by Ba Si, damn it, once the officials have time, they’ll deal with them, let’s see how long they can be arrogant."

"Alright, it’s almost the New Year, let’s work harder, search all these alleys, send everyone to Shantang Hall, have our brothers escort them personally, remind the manager there to be careful, tonight is New Year’s Eve, it’d be bad to have people freeze to death outside."

Manbao lowered the curtain, frowning, and told Bai Shan, "I’ve heard from the Imperial Hospital doctors that one of the three great evils in society is the Beggar Gang."

Bai Shan asked curiously, "What are the other two evils?"

"One is corrupt officials; the second is forest bandits."

Bai Shan thought aloud, "I’ll ask Master Jiechen someday, he often travels in society, as a monk his perspective must be different from ours. I can understand corrupt officials and forest bandits, but why are beggars considered one of the great evils?"

"Not beggars, the Beggar Gang."

"Is it different?"

Manbao shook her head, "Different, Fourth Brother is home, you can ask him tonight."

Zhou SiLang currently has a group of people who used to be beggars, no, they should be called displaced people, he should know them well.

If Bai Shan is to become a local official in the future, understanding such societal issues is beneficial.

When they arrived home, everyone was in a joyful mood, although one should be happy during New Year, this joy carried a palpable excitement, prompting Manbao to ask, "What’s the cause for such happiness?" Ms. Fang laughed, "Little Aunt returned and Lichong’s wife is pregnant. Coincidentally, Lijun felt unwell today, and after Lichong’s wife checked her, she’s pregnant too. Both having similar due dates, the parents-in-law are thrilled and are giving out red envelopes ahead of time."

Manbao’s eyes lit up instantly, she dragged Bai Shan along to get red envelopes.

They squeezed in and snatched two, then said, "Dad, today’s red envelopes don’t count, you still have to give them tomorrow."

Old Zhou snatched back the red envelope from her, "Then you’ll get yours tomorrow; everyone agrees this counts."

Manbao was left empty-handed, glaring, "Dad, can you bear to watch Old Master Bai give red envelopes tomorrow without joining? Today is to celebrate Sanniang and Lijun’s pregnancies, this doesn’t count..."

Ms. Qian also shot Old Zhou a glance, snatching a red envelope to give back to Manbao, saying, "Yes, today doesn’t count, we’ll wrap another for you tomorrow."

She gave Liu Sanniang and Lijun double red envelopes, smiling, "You’re just pregnant, don’t announce it yet, best not to disturb the Goddess of Childbearing, but it’s known within our family, so avoid all household chores, think less, rest well."

Liu Sanniang and Lijun agreed.

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