The Lucky Farmgirl
Chapter 1109 - 1888: Entering the Palace

Chapter 1109: Chapter 1888: Entering the Palace

Manbao, carrying her own medicine box, entered the pharmacy with a stern little face.

Shao always arrived at the pharmacy a bit earlier than she did, having already cleaned up the consultation room. Hearing the sound of the carriage, he promptly came out to greet her and took the medicine box from Manbao’s hand.

It was Manbao’s first day of managing her expressions, and she always felt that there was something odd about Shao today, yet she was unaware that Shopkeeper Zheng and Doctor Ding were quietly watching her.

Unable to hold back until noon, Doctor Tao finally couldn’t resist asking, "Manbao, did you encounter something during the Double Ninth Festival?"

Manbao shook her head with a puzzled face, "I didn’t encounter anything."

Shopkeeper Zheng said, "Manbao, if you encounter any problems, you can talk to me. Although our Jishi Hall is modest, we still have some connections in the capital. Perhaps we could give you some advice."

Manbao: "I really didn’t encounter any issues."

"Why do you look so serious, then?"

"Yes, your complexion is all different early in the morning," Doctor Ding said, "You scared Shao, see what state he’s in now."

Manbao: ...Aren’t I supposed to keep my emotions off my face?

She looked up and carefully observed Shopkeeper Zheng and Doctor Ding, seeing their concerned faces, she felt a warmth in her heart, and then started to stroke her chin, thinking.

She asked Keke in her mind, "Keke, what does it mean to keep emotion off one’s face?"

Keke: "My understanding is that whether you’re happy or angry, you don’t easily show it on your face. Host, according to the data analysis I’ve collected, Mr. Zhuang conceals his emotions by being indifferent; whether he’s angry or happy, his face always has a faint smile, or is expressionless, making it hard to read his thoughts; whereas Shopkeeper Zheng sitting across from you often uses a business-like smile to cover up his real thoughts."

Manbao: "Then what method suits me?"

Keke: "A simple, honest smile."

Seeing her staring blankly at him, Shopkeeper Zheng waved his hand in front of her. Noticing that she had no reaction, he said, "It’s all fine here, but this child must have encountered something serious."

Manbao snapped back to reality, and was about to say she was okay, but Young Manager Zheng came running in, his robe billowing behind him, anxiously saying, "Big trouble, big trouble, Dad, big trouble!"

Shopkeeper Zheng said grumpily, "What’s the big trouble? Didn’t you see that the doctors are having their lunch? Take it slow!"

Young Manager Zheng swallowed salivatingly and pointed outside, "People from the Eastern Palace have come, saying they’re here to take Young Doctor Zhou to the palace to see a patient."

Shopkeeper Zheng widened his eyes and quickly asked, "Who came? The pharmacy assistant beside your uncle..."

"No, it was an imperial eunuch leading people here. They’re right in the hall, Dad, this..." Young Manager Zheng pointed at Manbao and struggled to find the words. How could she enter the palace like this?

But Shopkeeper Zheng immediately regained his composure and instructed, "Hurry, fetch a few more pouches for Manbao to carry. Hmm, it’s not a good idea for Shao to enter the palace. Perhaps, Doctor Ding, would you accompany her?"

Doctor Ding hesitated, "I just don’t know which nobleman needs medical treatment. If it’s for the Crown Prince, it would be fine, but if it’s for... wouldn’t it be somewhat inappropriate for me?"

Young Manager Zheng stomped his foot, "Oh, Dad, the eunuch said there’s no need for any other doctors to accompany. Just letting Young Doctor Zhou go will be okay."

"Then you go."

Young Manager Zheng: "Me?"

"You swap your clothes with Shao and act as a pharmacy assistant to accompany Manbao into the palace," Shopkeeper Zheng lowered his voice and said: "Keep an eye on her. She’s overly bold at times, and the imperial palace is far deeper than State Duke Pi’s residence."

Young Manager Zheng, pointing at his own nose, "Me?"

"What are you afraid of? Your uncle is in the palace, and you’ll have some clout once you’re inside. Hurry and go." Shopkeeper Zheng finished instructing and immediately turned to greet the Inner Court official in the hall.

Doctor Ding and Doctor Tao, among others, hastily pulled Manbao aside and gave her some last-minute advice.

Manbao was completely perplexed and asked, "Who am I supposed to treat?"

How would they know? Not only were Doctor Ding and the others clueless, but even Shopkeeper Zheng, who had gone out to gather information, hadn’t found anything out. In the end, Manbao and Young Manager Zheng boarded the carriage in bafflement.

Daji, who was waiting outside, saw this and hurried a few steps following the carriage before being cautioned by the accompanying imperial guards to stop.

After thinking it over, he turned and drove the carriage to seek out Mr. Zhuang and Old Madam Liu.

Manbao and Young Manager Zheng sat in the carriage, staring at each other, with a familiar Inner Court official—Eunuch Wu—sitting outside!

Eunuch Wu pricked up his ears to listen but heard no sound from inside the carriage, so he couldn’t help but stealthily peer through a gap.

Inside, Manbao and Young Manager Zheng were gaping at each other.

Eventually, Manbao was the first to break the silence, "Have you ever been inside the imperial palace?"

Young Manager Zheng shook his head; he didn’t have that kind of prowess.

Manbao continued to ask, "But isn’t your uncle serving as an imperial physician in the palace?"

Young Manager Zheng replied, "That still doesn’t mean I’d have had the chance to go inside."

Manbao sighed with regret, "I thought you might have been introduced to the high society by your uncle."

Young Manager Zheng was speechless. He and his uncle were comfortably living their lives; why would they visit the palace without reason just to get a glimpse of the high life?

Manbao clasped her hands together and sighed, "So, who exactly are we supposed to treat this time?"

"I don’t know," shrugged Young Manager Zheng: "But no matter who it is, we must behave ourselves once inside the palace."

Manbao nodded, "I’ll be on my best behavior."

Young Manager Zheng was half convinced, but after entering the palace, even that half dissipated into doubt.

Upon reaching the palace gate, they had to disembark from the carriage, and after passing the inspection, they needed to proceed on foot inward.

Young Manager Zheng carrying the medicine chest, walked with his head down, closely following Eunuch Wu who led the way, whereas Manbao with empty hands, began to curiously observe the imperial palace.

Truth is, she had seen the imperial palace from a distance, but never set foot inside. She knew that those living within were the most powerful and affluent people in the entire world.

The ground was neatly paved with slabs, exceptionally flat; upon entering the gates, there was an immense open space, with armored guards marching back and forth alongside the palace walls.

Manbao curiously watched, while Keke also scanned everything with interest, but it was only collecting these data, unable to upload it to the encyclopedia.

Keke felt a bit regretful. If it were responsible for collecting humanistic data and sent to this world, that would truly be exhilarating.

Manbao followed behind Eunuch Wu, looking around curiously.

Eunuch Wu occasionally looked back and upon seeing this, immediately whispered, "Young Doctor Zhou, be careful, tread carefully..."

Manbao uttered an "oh," glanced at him, and mimicked his gesture of folding her hands in front of her, continuing to follow him. Nevertheless, her eyes kept darting around; primarily because the palace was just too vast.

She had visited many households as a guest before, but this was the first time she had seen such an expansive home, befitting of an emperor’s residence.

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