The Lucky Farmgirl
Chapter 1112 - 1911: Identifying Symptoms (Bonus - for reader "Snow*Flower" for their tip)

Chapter 1112: Chapter 1911: Identifying Symptoms (Bonus Chapter for reader "Snow*Flower" for their tip)

Manbao stepped out and looked up to find five Imperial Doctors quietly standing to one side, with Imperial Doctor Zheng among them, though this time he was merely an assistant, standing faithfully behind Director Xiao.

Manbao, accompanied by Young Manager Zheng, approached and Director Xiao, with a stern face, paid his respects to her.

Seeing his seniority, Manbao bowed deeply and introduced herself, "My name is Zhou Man, from Mianzhou. May I ask how the seniors address themselves?"

Director Xiao’s expression softened slightly as he nodded towards her and said, "My surname is Xiao, and I am the chief physician treating Her Majesty."

Hearing this, Manbao mainly conversed with him and turned her head to ask, "Shall we discuss this in another room?"

Director Xiao glanced at the princes and princesses who were intently watching them, and coughed lightly before saying, "Let’s just speak here."

After all, the nature of the Empress’s illness was well known not only throughout the Imperial Palace, but also to the Empress herself.

Manbao then asked, "Have you diagnosed it as a qi disease?"

"Correct," Director Xiao paused before adding, "It’s a very severe case of qi disease. It’s a long-standing ailment of Her Majesty’s and is difficult to treat."

Manbao also felt it was challenging to treat, "Not to mention the damage to the lungs, kidneys, and liver, there’s also a stagnation of liver qi. I think the Empress has been overthinking..."

Director Xiao started coughing to interrupt Manbao’s words, and Imperial Doctor Zheng, standing behind him, also hastily signaled Manbao with his eyes.

Manbao paused and without further discussing the illness, asked, "Doctor Xiao, do you have any good prescriptions?"

Director Xiao thought for a moment and then said, "We had come up with a prescription after differential diagnosis, but if Young Doctor Zhou also joins us, we could consider a different treatment method."

Manbao’s eyes lit up and she asked, "Like what?"

"Acupuncture, medicinal baths, plus medication, should be much more effective than medication alone."

Manbao inquired, "Do you have a plan?"

Director Xiao walked over to a table and gestured, "Come, let’s debate this."

Manbao stepped forward.

Manbao had treated qi diseases before, and basically cured them, but that was because the condition was never as severe as the Empress’s.

The root of the ailment had been present for too long, and it had reached a point where an attack would lead to breathing difficulties; to completely cure her, at least in Manbao’s perspective, was currently unattainable. With her understanding of Teacher Mo, using only the medical equipment of their era, it seemed impossible.

Yet they had much to learn from this.

By comparison, Doctor Xiao had been treating the Empress for many years and not only had a richer reserve of knowledge but also more experience.

His mind contained an abundance of medical knowledge, while Manbao was more adept at acupuncture treatment, an area in which Doctor Xiao was not her equal.

Thus, she also put forward her own suggestions. Doctor Xiao then made some adjustments according to the Empress’s pulse, and soon five Imperial Doctors and one junior doctor gathered together, engaging in a lively debate, continuously revising the treatment plan on the table, amending it over and over, seeking to perfect it.

In the past, due to respect for hierarchy and gender roles, many treatment methods were unthinkable for them, but now with Manbao present, and considering her bold examination method earlier, Director Xiao seemed as if his Governing and Conception channels had opened up, and various treatment methods emerged.

After the intense discussion among the six people, just as the Emperor was growing somewhat impatient, they finally settled on a treatment plan.

Director Xiao checked it one last time, confirmed everything was correct, and handed it to Manbao, asking, "Is this okay now?"

Manbao looked it over and nodded, "No problem."

Director Xiao inquired, "Are you sure you can handle the acupuncture and medicinal bath?"

Manbao nodded confidently, "I can."

Director Xiao nodded in agreement, "Alright, then that’s how we’ll proceed."

After Director Xiao’s approval, the group of six went forward to meet with the Emperor and relayed the Empress’s condition and their treatment plan.

The Emperor nodded faintly, as he didn’t quite understand the specifics, but he was concerned about one thing, "Can the Empress be cured?"

Director Xiao bowed slightly and said, "This servant dare not make guarantees, only that the possibility of a cure is somewhat stronger than before. But this still depends on divine will."

Manbao couldn’t help but mentally roll her eyes: God’s divine will.

In her mind, she asked Keke, "Why do people from the Imperial Hospital always talk about divine will?"

Keke replied, "You could ask an imperial doctor about it."

Forget it, Manbao wasn’t foolish enough to ask such a question; it would be like asking her mother why she always worshiped the Heaven Master.

Why worship?

Naturally, because one is powerless and can only place their hopes on the Heaven Master.

Manbao glanced at the hourglass in the corner of the room and gently reminded, "The time has come; the Empress’s acupuncture needles can be removed now."

The Emperor slightly turned his body to indicate for her to remove the needles.

Manbao went to remove the needles.

Nanny Shang assisted the Empress in tidying up her clothes and gently hung up the curtains. This time, the Empress finally stopped coughing.

The princes and princesses all heaved a sigh of relief, with two younger princesses approaching and sitting by the bed, anxiously calling out, "Mother."

The Empress smiled at them and reached out to pat their hands.

Having heard Director Xiao’s words, she knew that Manbao would have to come daily to administer acupuncture. She then said to Manbao with a smile, "I will be troubling you in the future."

Manbao responded with a smile, "It’s no trouble."

I’m actually quite pleased; finally meeting His Majesty the Emperor.

Manbao glanced discreetly at the Emperor. So Li Erlang was the Emperor. Were they considered acquainted then?

No matter, she would get to know everyone better in the future, and when the time came, she’d figure out how to report her grievances. Yes, it would be best to bring Bai Shan into the palace to get to know people too.

Princess Changyu, sitting by the Empress’s side and of a similar age to Manbao, couldn’t help covering her mouth to giggle, leaning close to the Empress and whispering, "Mother, look how round and chubby her face is."

Although she spoke softly, Manbao still heard her.

She tried hard to keep her face stern, wanting to make the flesh on her face tighten, but she had baby fat, and it wasn’t very effective. When she tried to tighten her face, her cheeks just puffed out even more.

Princess Changyu couldn’t help but smirk, and the Empress found her adorable too. After pinching Manbao’s cheeks and smiling, she offered, "How about moving into the palace? It would be more convenient."

Manbao quickly shook her head, "I still need to attend the pharmacy to see patients in the mornings. I can come to the palace to treat Your Highness after lunchtime."

She had to go home and discuss with Bai Shan and Teacher Mo; this was no small matter. If she lived in the palace, how would she communicate with them?

The Empress didn’t insist, nodding with a smile, "Then, shall I have someone from the palace fetch you daily?"

"Just pick me up at the palace gates. My family has a carriage."

The Empress smiled, "Aren’t you afraid?"

Manbao looked puzzled at the Empress.

The Empress shook her head slightly and smiled, "It’s nothing. By the way, did the Crown Prince ever scare you?"

The Crown Prince’s gaze darted towards Manbao.

Manbao shook her head, "No."

The Crown Prince had frightened Imperial Doctor Zheng and the others, not her.

The Crown Prince, thinking she was tactful, turned his head back, satisfied, and continued to listen to Director Xiao speak.