The Lucky Farmgirl
Chapter 1119 - 198

Chapter 1119: 198

Madam Xiao, upon hearing that Manbao was the recently famous young miracle doctor in the capital, slowly settled back into her chair without a care.

Xiao Dalang took off his upper garment, crossed his legs, and sat on the couch. Manbao then took up the needles and began to insert them while explaining the process to Director Xiao.

Director Xiao observed her swift and accurate needling technique, hitting the acupoints exactly with a pinch and a jab, which revealed the proficiency of her acupuncture skills.

In the Imperial Hospital, some doctors who rarely used needles would have to feel around to locate the acupoints, and even then, they might still miss the spot and draw blood.

When Imperial Doctor Zheng and a few other doctors arrived, Manbao was already halfway done with her needling. They did not interrupt her but stood aside to watch.

Seeing Manbao inserting needles all over Xiao Dalang’s head, everyone gathered around to watch in admiration, whispering among themselves.

Xiao Dalang had already dozed off with his head lowered.

Director Xiao felt his pulse, gave a slight nod, and asked Manbao, "Did the empress also fall asleep when you treated her?"

"Yes. The empress suffered from insomnia, which could have significant long-term effects on her health."

Director Xiao sighed and nodded, pointing to his son, "Remove the needles, will you? Didn’t you say you wanted to change a few positions?"

"Yes." Manbao counted the time, then slowly and methodically began to remove the needles. Director Xiao noticed the order of removal was different from the sequence of insertion.

Imperial Doctor Zheng and the others noticed as well, recognizing a special rhythm in her technique, which indicated she was timing the procedure precisely.

This was related to the essence of the needling technique, but no one asked about it.

Madam Xiao, seeing their heated discussion, stood up and gave instructions. Soon after, the kitchen sent over six bowls of noodles, five small ones and one large one.

She placed them on the table and smiled, "Everyone, please sit down and have some late-night snacks. We can eat and talk."

Only then did everyone realize it was already dark outside, and it was getting late.

Director Xiao, feeling the pangs of hunger, invited them to sit and eat while continuing the discussion with Manbao.

Manbao glanced at Daji, who was waiting in the corner of the room, nodded, and then took her seat.

Just changing a treatment plan for the empress led their discussion far into the night, covering everything from medication to adjustments in needling techniques. Director Xiao asked in detail and eventually reached an agreement with the five others.

Once agreed upon, the six of them signed and sealed the medical record, and then Director Xiao handed over the portion regarding needling techniques to Manbao to make a copy.

"Tomorrow when you enter the palace, perform the needling exactly as prescribed. This signed and sealed document will be recorded in the Imperial Hospital.

The document only details the needling techniques but does not specify the exact method, such as how deep to insert or how to twirl the needle; none of that is included.

Currently, only Manbao knows this precise method.

Manbao had actually memorized it, but since Director Xiao wanted her to make a copy, she obliged.

After Manbao made the copy, Director Xiao reviewed it, signed it himself, and then passed it to Imperial Doctor Zheng and the others.

They each signed and sealed the document one by one, and Director Xiao handed it to Manbao, instructing her to add her signature and seal. He explained, "This is how things are done in the Imperial Hospital. We always need to be cautious when treating nobility."

Manbao nodded and carefully stored the paper away.

Director Xiao glanced at the hourglass and said, "It’s getting late. Let’s stop here for tonight. I’ll see you out."

The five hurriedly bowed to take their leave, and also gave a bow to Madam Xiao and Xiao Dalang, who had been waiting on the side.

Imperial Doctor Sun and the others took the carriage and left first. Imperial Doctor Zheng invited Manbao to share his carriage, and Manbao, knowing he had something to say to her, nodded to Daji and got into the Zheng Family’s carriage.

Madam Xiao watched their carriages disappear before turning to her husband and said, "It seems the Zheng Family is on the rise."

Director Xiao shook his head with a smile, "I’ve looked into it; she merely consults at Jishi Hall without having signed a contract with them."

"So the Zheng Family hasn’t secured her yet?"

Remembering the advice she gave to the Emperor and the Crown Prince in the Lizheng Dian today, Director Xiao shook his head and said, "She is different from us. We only study medicine, while she received proper schooling and studied Confucianism."

Madam Xiao was surprised, "Isn’t she from a family of physicians?"

Director Xiao shook his head, "She’s not just from a family of physicians."

Madam Xiao seemed thoughtful and whispered, "I think this young lady is very smart. What do you think about pairing her with our Five?"

Director Xiao glanced at her and said, "Is your fifth son worthy of her?"

Madam Xiao replied irritably, "Isn’t he your son too, not just mine?"

Director Xiao shook his head, "Forget it, let’s not bring disgrace upon ourselves. At her age, she can already discuss medicine with us, and it won’t be long before she’s our peer."

"But in a few years, she’ll have to marry and bear children. Regardless of how skilled she is in medicine, she will eventually have to support her husband and educate her children, right?" Madam Xiao said, "What good will her medical skills do then? We have so many physicians in the family; we don’t need her to treat people. I just like her cleverness, and as you said, she is well-educated. Girls like that usually understand reason and can manage a household well."

Director Xiao frowned, "With all her medical knowledge, wouldn’t it be a waste if it’s never used?"

"Who would want their daughter-in-law to go out treating others? It’s not like we can’t afford food."

Doctor Xiao fell silent.

It was late, and households on both sides of the street had already turned off their lights and gone to bed. The sound of the carriage wheels rolling along the street was audible.

Imperial Doctor Zheng spoke in a slightly subdued voice, "Doctor Zhou Junior, starting tomorrow you will enter the palace to treat the nobles. Since we’re short on time, we haven’t had a chance to teach you much, so I just have to give you some extra advice."

Manbao nodded, "Go ahead, I’m listening. What should I pay attention to?"

Imperial Doctor Zheng shook his head, "But after thinking it over carefully on my way home today, I feel that too many warnings would be hard to remember. So, I will give you just one piece of advice."

Manbao listened attentively.

"Once you’re in the palace, you can offend anyone but the Empress Dowager. In the palace, so long as you win the Empress’s favor and don’t offend the Empress Dowager, even if you disrespect the Emperor and Crown Prince as you did today, you won’t be in mortal danger."

Imperial Doctor Zheng felt this child was too daring; as he rode back in the carriage today, he recalled their first encounter where she dared to make an incision in Su Jian’s abdomen, and reflecting up to today’s events, he figured that it would be useless to admonish her with too many rules. It would be more practical to tell her what’s useful.

Manbao was surprised to hear this, "Are the Empress Dowager and the Empress more powerful than the Emperor and Crown Prince?"

Imperial Doctor Zheng nodded, "Not in matters of the state, of course, but in the harem, they are almost equal."

Imperial Doctor Zheng said with deep meaning, "After all, we are physicians who only treat illnesses. In general, it’s the harem that we deal with. Don’t be fooled by the current illness of the Empress; she is still in charge of everything big and small in the entire palace."

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