The Lucky Farmgirl

Manbao returned to the Imperial Hospital and sat down to think for a while before spreading out a sheet of white paper to modify a prescription.

Imperial Doctor Zheng strolled in from outside and, seeing Zhou Man writing, approached to ask, "Lord Zhou, what are you busy with?"

During this period, perhaps everyone had adapted to the life at the temporary palace, coupled with the suitable weather, resulting in fewer people falling ill.

Manbao said, "I am modifying a prescription."

After briefly explaining the recent incident, she continued, "I’ll draft a list of medicines later; will you go to purchase the herbs or should I?"

Imperial Doctor Zheng quickly replied, "I’ll go, I’ll go."

Since entering the temporary palace, he hadn’t ventured outside.

Imperial Doctor Zheng, holding the medicine list joyfully, went to Yongzhou to purchase herbs. The Imperial Hospital had regular pharmacists, so even in Yongzhou it wasn’t difficult to find people. Moreover, the prescription Zhou Man created didn’t require a variety of rare herbs.

They were all common medicinal ingredients, easy to gather.

After bringing the medicines back, the personnel at the medical office weighed and packaged them, waiting for people to come and pick them up.

Each package of medicine cost twenty wen; a package could be soaked once, and directly boiled to make a foot soak.

The ministers could afford tens of wen, so each household bought over ten packages, for personal use and for their family.

They would also observe if these medicine packages had any miraculous effects.

Miraculous effects were impossible, but perhaps due to the foot soaking, they felt sleepier before bed and fell asleep easily.

Imperial Doctor Zheng instead thought Zhou Man’s prescription was well-crafted and laughed heartily, "Soaking feet in medicinal water during Sanfu Days is indeed a good method to dispel dampness; I’ll try it myself later."

Manbao said, "Twenty wen per package, it’d be better for you to assemble it yourself."

This time, the Imperial Hospital made a small profit. Of course, besides the emperor and the people of the Imperial Hospital, nobody knew about this.

"Luckily, the Imperial Hospital is now under the jurisdiction of the Imperial Medical Bureau; otherwise, the Imperial Ministry of Rites would investigate and discover everything."

If the Imperial Ministry of Rites officials knew, word would soon spread throughout the court. At that point, the ministers would undoubtedly comment, even if the amount involved was not substantial.

Imperial Doctor Zheng said, "I heard people say that in the past few days someone took the medicine packages to Yongzhou."

Manbao was startled and, feeling guilty, said, "Really? Isn’t it just a matter of twenty wen? We earn just five or six wen per package, without even including labor costs, yet they want to investigate in secret?"

Imperial Doctor Zheng said, "What are you thinking? They’re asking about the prescription, not the price."

Manbao breathed a sigh of relief, "What’s there to ask about the prescription? Why bother with such a hassle when they could simply ask me—I’ll write it out for them."

Imperial Doctor Zheng chuckled and shook his head, "They probably want to ask about the effects."

Manbao said nothing.

Imperial Doctor Zheng said, "Lord Zhou, the prescription you wrote for Lord Wei seems different from this one."

Manbao asked, "Are you sure you want to know?"

Imperial Doctor Zheng quickly waved his hand, "No, no, no, I don’t want to know."

Imperial Doctor Zheng dared not ask further. Currently, Wei Zhi’s pulse records were solely managed by Zhou Man, whereas the emperor’s pulse records needed co-signatures for sealing. Wei Zhi’s records were solely recorded by Lord Zhou and directly archived.

Besides Director Xiao, no one had the authority to review them.

Thus, Imperial Doctor Zheng vaguely suspected that Lord Wei’s ailment was complex, yet Wei Zhi truly hadn’t exhibited any signs.

Wei Zhi continued to handle state affairs as usual, except for the lingering medicinal odor exuding from him, though recently the ministers exuded similar smells.

The servants sent to Yongzhou to consult doctors returned confirming the foot soak medicine was for dispelling dampness and aiding sleep; it was merely warm during soaking but beneficial, especially in current times.

Soaking feet now could improve physical condition by autumn and winter.

No flaws to be found.

Until autumn approached and the weather began to cool down, with the Crown Princess nearing childbirth, the emperor decided to return to the capital. Yet, they still hadn’t discerned Wei Zhi’s health condition.

The temporary palace’s personnel started packing, and the Astronomical Bureau chose an auspicious day for everyone to prepare to return to the capital.

The Crown Prince led the civil and military officials from the capital to greet the emperor and empress outside the city gates.

The emperor was pleased with the Crown Prince’s effective governance during the past two months, and he praised him in front of the civil and military officials before the entire family joyfully returned to the palace together.

The civil and military officials also entered the palace, paid their respects, and then each returned home for a holiday.

The officials might have had leisurely discussions, but Manbao and Imperial Doctor Zheng had truly worked hard in the temporary palace for two months. Therefore, Director Xiao granted them five days off to rest at home.

Manbao eagerly picked up her medicine box to leave, but remembered something and returned to Director Xiao, "Director Xiao, has my maternity leave application been approved?"

Director Xiao replied, "The Ministry of Personnel rejected it, but considering that female doctors and female Imperial Doctors indeed shouldn’t continue working during pregnancy, they approved an eight-month leave; not more than that."

Manbao asked, "Will I receive a salary?"

Director Xiao glanced at her and said, "Salary is suspended, but your official fields won’t be reclaimed. Your rank and position remain; the salary resumes upon returning from leave."

Manbao said, "But my cousin Liu Sanniang doesn’t have official fields now."

Director Xiao replied indifferently, "Imperial Doctor Zhou, she doesn’t have them, but you do."

Manbao was startled.

Feeling exasperated, Director Xiao said, "Imperial Doctor Zhou, have you not considered that you’ll also need to have children?"

Manbao blinked and said, "I am still nurturing my body, currently taking contraceptive medicine, so I won’t have children for now."

Director Xiao was stunned and asked, "What are you saying? Your body..."

He scrutinized Zhou Man, noticing her rosy complexion and robust energy, hardly like someone in poor health.

"Imperial Doctor Zhou, don’t recklessly take medicine just because you’re a doctor."

Manbao said, "Am I that kind of person?"

She said, "I haven’t taken any medicine; just dietary therapy guided by Doctor Tao’s prescription. Rest assured, there’s nothing seriously wrong with me. I just feel I’m still young, still growing, so my energy and blood are somewhat deficient, hence the diet regimen."

Director Xiao looked skeptical, "You didn’t seem to reduce eating or drinking, but also don’t appear to consume any medicinal diet."

Manbao said, "I take it in the morning and evening meals, skipping lunch if inconvenient."

Director Xiao slightly frowned and advised tactfully, "If you truly intend to wait a year or two for physical growth before having children, that’s fine. But taking contraceptive medicine is unnecessary as it’s harmful."

Manbao nodded, "I understand. Don’t worry, I’m aware."

So she straightaway bought from the marketplace, a pill effective for a year, but Bai Shan was the one consuming it, not her.

Director Xiao watched her leave briskly, shook his head, and said no more.

Manbao went to Liu Sanniang to calculate her due date and said, "Rest for the two months before delivery; that way, post-delivery, you’ll have around five to six months to recuperate, which should be sufficient. Meanwhile, hire a wet nurse for the child."

Liu Sanniang intended the same plan. Moreover, there were two pregnant women in the family, and she had already discussed with Zhou Lijun to jointly care for the two children, making it easier to manage.

Manbao leaned her chin in worry, "I wonder how Sister is doing."