Allure of a Country Maiden
Chapter 580 - 578

Chapter 580: 578

When Shangguan Wanru learned that Xiao’er had been kidnapped, she invited Fu Ranhui and others to visit her.

Xiao’er was teaching the maids about acupoints.

It was hot, and several ice basins were placed in the room. Upon entering, Shangguan Wanru felt the cool air and let out a breath of relief.

Xiao’er got up, paid respects to the two princesses, and said, "Why didn’t you send someone to announce your arrival, I could have come to greet you."

"Today’s weather is too oppressive, we didn’t want you to exert yourself, so we came straight in." Shangguan Wanru said as she sat down, wiped her sweat with a handkerchief, and ordered the maids to fan her.

"The weather is indeed hot today; it’s probably going to rain." Before a heavy rain, the weather usually becomes unusually oppressive.

Xiao’er asked the maid to bring over some chilled lemon honey and a fruit platter to cool them down.

Gu Qiqi looked at the acupoint chart and some information about treating winter diseases in summer on the table, and asked, "Rui’an County Host, what is this ’treating winter diseases in summer’?"

"Treating winter diseases in summer? Rui’an County Host, what new thing are you planning?" Hearing this, Shangguan Wanru wasn’t bothered by the heat anymore and started reading through the information on the table.

Xiao’er explained the benefits of moxibustion treatment during the hottest days of summer.

"So I was thinking we could offer free moxibustion treatment during the dog days of summer at our pharmacy. If it proves effective, next year many people are likely to pay for the treatment. Since it can prevent and treat diseases without taking bitter medication, I think many people would be willing to try it."

"So you can also treat diseases that way!" Wei Zhen, who was interested in medical skills, was instantly aroused by Xiao’er’s idea.

"I discussed this approach with Doctor Luo yesterday, and he thinks it’s a good idea!"

After hearing this, Wei Zhen sat down to study in earnest.

Shangguan Wanru thought about her upcoming marriage into Nangong Country. If she could bring the benefits of moxibustion for treating winter disease in summer to the people there, she could earn people’s admiration and gain a secure footing for herself.

When Shangguan Wanru voiced her thoughts, Xiao’er generously agreed to teach her the method and the prescription.

"Indeed, women are outward-looking. You haven’t even married in yet, and you’re already thinking about the welfare of the people there." Fu Ranhui joked.

"I just mentioned it offhand. If it’s too much trouble for you, Rui’an County Host, you don’t have to say anything. Don’t worry, I won’t mind." Even thick-skinned Shangguan Wanru blushed at this, admitting that she was indeed being a bit selfish.

Everyone knew that prescriptions, being heirlooms, were not typically shared outside the family unless you were the master’s disciple.

However, Xiao’er didn’t see it as a problem. She admired people like Shangguan Wanru who openly expressed their personal desires. After all, she believed in the adage, ’every man for himself and the devil take the hindmost!’

Moreover, the prescription for summer moxibustion was not a complicated one; any physician with good medical skills could develop it once they understood the underlying principle.

As Shangguan Wanru wanted to use this as an opportunity to establish herself, why not generously do her a favor?

Fu Ranhui thought of her mother’s collection of old clothes. They were old but mostly new. She wanted to donate them to the poor but felt the quantity was too small, so she thought about organizing a charity event where the noble ladies of Imperial City could donate their old clothes and other items. These could be gathered together and given to the people in impoverished areas.

Since it was a charity event, simply donating some old items wouldn’t be impressive. Princess Cheng was worrying about what else she could donate!

Thanks to the fertility of their lands, which could yield up to a thousand pounds per acre, most wealthy households in the Imperial City had hundreds of acres of fertile lands, leading to a surplus of grain that their granaries couldn’t accommodate. Such an abundance led to a significant drop in the prices of grains at the grain shops, causing the shop owners to lament over their losses.

So many people would be willing to donate grain. Princess Cheng didn’t want to conform to the norm, but she didn’t know what else to donate, or perhaps she could consider offering free winter disease treatment in summer.

Fu Ranhui informed everyone of Princess Cheng’s upcoming charity event.

"Rui’an County Host, what if my family, like your pharmacy, offers free treatment of winter diseases in summer to the people? While your family offers free treatment to the people of Imperial City, ours can offer it to the people of a nearby county."

"That would be good, but summer moxibustion treatment isn’t suitable for everyone. Those with fever, throat inflammation, etc. shouldn’t receive this treatment. A doctor needs to determine if a person is eligible for moxibustion. Additionally, it doesn’t just work in one session... it requires someone who knows acupoints to do it. Hence, there would be a need for training. Princess, you’re just doing charity, don’t you think it’s a hassle?" Xiao’er gave a detailed analysis for Fu Ranhui.

As it’s only charity work, making it so complex would probably dissuade people from participating.

Her situation was different as she had a medicine shop and her actions would ensure more earnings in the future. She was not afraid of the hassle involved.

The people she trained could be used each year. They would also receive a commission based on the number of town residents they treated with moxibustion. With money to be earned, they would naturally be willing to learn and do it!

Without money to be earned and just for charity, others might not be as willing to learn and apply the treatment.

"If it’s that complicated, it seems not to be suitable." Upon hearing Xiao’er’s explanation, Fu Ranhui shook her head in disappointment. If it were just a single session, it would be fine, but if she had to do it several times within a span of two months, who would have the time?

Why is it so hard to do a good deed?!

"Doctors normally charge a consultation fee to see patients. You can organize a free consultation for the people. Hire a doctor to provide free consultations while the patients get their medicine from the pharmacy themselves. This approach might be more suitable for charity as it’s a one-time event."

"That’s a good idea! We can earn fame, only need to hire a doctor, and it won’t cost much money!" Shangguan Wanru immediately seconded.

"I will discuss this with my mother when I get home." Fu Ranhui found the idea appealing as well.

Gu Qiqi and Wei Zhen, hearing the discussion on charity, hastily asked what their families could donate. They didn’t want to donate grains, as it is too commonplace!

After some thought, Xiao’er suggested, "In fact, you could combine your efforts to donate a school in a poverty-stricken area. Alternatively, you could provide funds to sponsor poor scholars for their education."

In her past life, many wealthy people would donate to build schools of hope in impoverished areas.

Donating to build a school? They thought it over and felt it was feasible. They needed to discuss it with the elders in their families though, so they quickly took their leave.

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