The Lucky Farmgirl
Chapter 877 - 855: Old Master Guan

Chapter 877: Chapter 855: Old Master Guan

Guan Erlang didn’t find Manbao’s question odd and replied, "That’s not the case. The separate residence was built by my father for recuperation. He occasionally stays there during the cold winter days, but usually, he lives at home."

Manbao smiled and asked, "Where was Old Master Guan staying when he first became ill?"

"At the Prince’s Mansion," Guan Erlang looked at her suspiciously, "Before that, my father mostly stayed in the Prince’s Mansion. You’re not going to say it has something to do with where he lived, are you?"

"It could be related to his living conditions," Manbao said, "or perhaps he caught a cold or was too tired at that time, or he was overthinking, which can cause headaches."

Guan Erlang slightly furrowed his brow, "Knowing this, can you treat it?"

Manbao replied seriously, "Knowing the cause of the illness allows us to prescribe the right remedy. Otherwise, why would we observe and inquire before taking the pulse when treating a patient?"

Unable to help himself, Guan Erlang nodded in agreement, then expressed his concern, "But I was young at that time and don’t remember very clearly. Maybe I should ask my father when I return?"

Manbao’s heart skipped a beat, but Bai Shan had already spoken, "I’m afraid Old Master Guan won’t be willing to tell. Doctor Ji must have definitely asked Old Master Guan before, but even faced with Doctor Ji, Old Master Guan wouldn’t speak."

Youths of this age often had deep rifts with their fathers, rarely discussing their own matters with them, and the fathers were even less likely to share their own issues with their children.

For example, Bai Erlang and his uncle, he didn’t believe that even Guan Erlang, who was older than Bai Erlang, could have heart-to-heart conversations with his father now.

As expected, Guan Erlang fell silent for a moment before he began to try to remember earnestly, but at that time, he was only eight or nine, and his memory was limited.

After mentioning a few things and finding himself unable to recall more, he said, "For anything else, you’ll need to ask my elder brother. He might know."

Looking at Manbao, he said, "Doctor Ji will come to our place to examine in a couple of days. At that time, I can take you to meet my elder brother."

Manbao felt a bit overwhelmed, but Bai Shan just lightly coughed and answered for her, "Alright."

Guan Erlang glanced at Bai Shan and couldn’t help but smile as he asked, "I have yet to ask the young master for his name."

Qi Dalang then introduced, "This is the only son of the Bai Family from Longzhou. Last year, he was admitted to the prefectural school and is currently the youngest student there."

Getting into the prefectural school was no easy task. Guan Erlang showed a newfound respect and bowed to thank Bai Shan for his consideration, then smiled and asked, "Will Young Master Bai also go that day? If so, we must welcome you properly at home."

Bai Shan, looking at Manbao, replied with a smile, "Alright then, I will take the liberty of visiting."

Qi Dalang looked at him with surprise, then looked at Manbao, and ultimately said nothing.

The two then chatted with the youths for a while longer, until Qi Jue, seeing them with his elder brothers from a distance, called out, "Bai Shan, Zhou Man, what are you doing over there? Come and join us in playing pitch-pot!"

Bai Shan then pulled Manbao away to bid their farewells.

Everyone saw him tug at Manbao’s sleeve, and they couldn’t help but laugh in unison, nodding to let them leave.

Bai Shan took Manbao to play pitch-pot. This game was not difficult for either of them, mainly because they had played with slingshots and stones since childhood. Once in Yizhou City and aware of the pitch-pot game, they also played it at home, so they were quite good at it.

This time, after they had left, Guan Erlang laughed and commented, "Truly, the young are affectionate. What, have their two families arranged a match?"

Qi Dalang said with a laugh, "I don’t know whether they’re engaged or not, but they not only study under the same master but also grew up together since childhood. Even though Young Lady Zhou is younger than Young Master Bai, she is actually his senior sister."

Guan Erlang was surprised.

Knowing that he had not been back to Yizhou City for a long time and might not know many things, Qi Dalang told him some of the old news from last year.

Others occasionally chimed in with more details.

Among the young people present, none had met the two of them, but they had all heard of them; even if they were not the same age, they were somewhat famous within Yizhou City.

"Last year, Young Master Bai made quite a name for himself. Despite his young age, he was admitted to the prefectural school, which caught people’s attention. However, during the mid-year examinations, he moved from the third division to the top division, and by the end of the year, he ranked in the top twenty," said Qi Dalang, full of admiration, because he had twice failed to be admitted to the prefectural school and had therefore decided to study elsewhere.

Guan Erlang also surprised, commented, "He is a bright one."

"Indeed, last year when the young master of the Ji Family fell off a horse, it was he and his guard who stopped the horse and saved the young master. So, no one in Yizhou City would dare to trouble him," continued Qi Dalang with his fan in hand. "After all, such a person has a boundless future ahead of him."

Guan Erlang nodded slightly, feeling even more inclined towards befriending him.

"And what about Young Lady Zhou of the Zhou Family?"

Qi Dalang laughed and said, "My brother tells me she’s pretty impressive too, but as she’s a lady, it’s not proper for me to inquire too much. However, I’ve heard she’s studying medicine under Doctor Ji from Jishi Hall and has a particularly amazing skill in stopping bleeding."

Guan Erlang nodded again, now even more convinced of their abilities.

Though he had lost all hope for his father’s illness, naturally, a cure would be better.

His friends, aware of his concerns, advised him, "Since she says there’s a chance, you should cooperate more with her. I’ve heard that during last year’s Double Ninth charitable event, she cured quite a few people."

Guan Erlang asked, "A charitable event?"

"Indeed, Lord Tang organized a charitable clinic last year, and she ran a medical tent by herself, curing many patients. Amongst families like ours, it might not be apparent, but outside, her reputation is gradually growing. Many patients, especially women, prefer to seek her for treatment."

Guan Erlang took this information to heart and immediately went to consult with his elder brother upon returning home, "Is there a Young Lady Zhou working with Doctor Ji, also a physician?"

Guan Dalang, who had been taking care of their father at home, nodded as soon as Guan Erlang mentioned her, "She and Doctor Ji have come several times to see our father. Why do you ask?"

Guan Erlang briefly explained the day’s events and asked, "Is it possible that father is unwilling to cooperate with the treatment? I see that they’re asking me now."

Guan Dalang sighed and said, "Yes, for some reason, father has been very lacking in confidence, and he’s reluctant to even take his medicine regularly."

"When Doctor Ji comes again, perhaps we should talk to him privately, maybe there is a chance for father’s illness after all?"

Guan Dalang nodded.

Back at home, Manbao began to worry, "What shall I say if Doctor Ji asks?"

Bai Shan inquired, "Is there no more hope for Old Master Guan’s illness?"

Manbao shook her head, "His pulse is very weak now, and when his headache arises, he even loses his sight. According to Doctor Ji, it’s already towards the end; he can only try to alleviate the pain. Talking about curing is out of the question; now it’s about striving to let him pass on peacefully as a physician’s effort."

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