Manbao raised her head to look toward the doorway and saw Shi Dalang pulling Liuniang, both wearing a look of cautious smiles as they gazed at her.
Even though it wasn’t their turn for a check-up yet, Manbao still smiled warmly, cleared the items from the table, set them aside, and said, "Co, have a seat."
Seeing Doctor Zhou Junior was not displeased, the couple sighed in relief. Shi Dalang imdiately helped Liuniang forward, letting her sit down first before explaining why they had co early, "Doctor Zhou Junior, Liuniang has been vomiting increasingly these past few days and can’t eat at all. I suspect that she’s pregnant. She even had a pregnancy dream."
Liuniang nodded repeatedly, her face slightly flushed, and said, "We know it’s too early to confirm, but my appetite has been poor, and I feel nauseous just looking at food. So..."
Manbao indicated her understanding and motioned for her to extend her hand.
She carefully took her pulse. Diagnosing a patient wasn’t just about detecting slipperiness in the pulse; observation, inquiry, and palpation were equally essential parts of the process.
Manbao ticulously examined the color of Liuniang’s complexion and asked her so additional questions. She was about 80% confident that Liuniang might be pregnant.
Of course, she didn’t give a definitive conclusion imdiately but instead invited Doctor Tao to co and take a look.
After his diagnosis, Doctor Tao smiled broadly at Shi Dalang and Liuniang and said, "Congratulations to you both—indeed, it’s joyous news."
The couple’s eyes lit up imdiately, and they clasped their hands together, almost embracing in excitent.
Doctor Tao bead at Manbao as well, "Congratulations to Doctor Zhou Junior as well."
Manbao was genuinely delighted—it was, after all, her patient, wasn’t it?
She smiled cheerfully at Doctor Tao and said, "Congratulations to us both."
Doctor Tao took the opportunity to suggest, "How about we discuss this case further over lunch later?"
Shi Dalang, who was still overjoyed, frowned slightly upon hearing this and muttered, "Doctor Zhou Junior, you promised to keep this a secret for ."
Manbao promptly reassured him, nodding, "Rest assured, I won’t disclose patient information."
But if they were to figure it out themselves, what could she do?
Doctor Tao cleared his throat and said, "Shi Dalang, your wife’s reactions are quite severe. Things can’t go on like this—if she can’t eat, how will the baby be sustained? Later, Doctor Zhou Junior and I will discuss a prescription for you both to take ho."
Shi Dalang imdiately rembered Doctor Tao’s abilities and quickly stated without hesitation, "Doctor Zhou Junior, if you need to discuss my illness with Doctor Tao, that’s fine; just don’t tell anyone else. Doctor Tao, what kind of dication should we take? I’m not even sure if she can hold it down—she vomits at the re sll of food."
When it ca to pregnancy care, Doctor Tao was far more experienced than Manbao. After giving detailed instructions, he worked with Manbao to draft a prescription for Liuniang.
In reality, he rely sought Manbao’s opinion; the primary prescription was still formulated by him.
Manbao glanced at the prescription sheet. After escorting the couple out, the two of them began a discussion on various aspects of pregnancy maintenance and the dications involved.
When talking about his area of expertise, Doctor Tao was truly passionate. The two chatted as they walked toward the rear courtyard, continuing their discussion over lunch, and even after the al. If it hadn’t been for Shao’s reminder, Manbao might have forgotten she still needed to visit the Li Residence for a consultation.
Thus, she reluctantly bade farewell, planning to continue the conversation with Doctor Tao tomorrow.
Doctor Ding, who hadn’t had a chance to jump into the conversation the entire ti, finally turned to ask Doctor Tao after Manbao left, "Why did I see Shi Dalang lining up for dication earlier? Wasn’t his prescription supposed to be stopped?"
Only then did Doctor Tao recall he hadn’t had the chance to raise the matter of Shi Dalang with Manbao. Smacking his forehead, he said, "She steered the conversation elsewhere, and it slipped my mind. Shi Dalang’s condition seems to be cured already. His wife has been confird pregnant. It’s just unfortunate I didn’t get to take his pulse earlier, though it appears Manbao already did."
Doctor Ding’s eyes lit up. "It’s really cured?"
Doctor Tao nodded. "Why would I lie to you? I even morized Shi Dalang’s case notes. I just don’t know exactly how Doctor Zhou Junior formulated her treatnts; I’ll ask her tomorrow when she’s back."
Doctor Ding nodded repeatedly and began sifting through his patient records, wondering if he had any unusual or severe cases to discuss and learn from Doctor Zhou Junior.
Manbao, unaware of all this, headed to the Li Residence accompanied by Shao.
As usual, Eldest Lady Han received her and brought her directly to Han Wuniang’s room.
After feeling her pulse, Manbao remarked, "Starting today, I’ll help adjust the baby’s position. It’ll be strenuous and painful, but for your well-being, I advise you to endure it."
Han Wuniang already knew this pregnancy would be difficult due to the baby’s large size, though she hadn’t yet grasped the severity of the situation.
As a result, her emotions remained stable. Knowing the hardships of childbirth, she was relatively obedient in this matter.
Manbao had a blanket spread on the floor, then assisted her to kneel down and began teaching her corrective postures.
However, given her large stomach and lack of regular physical activity, Han Wuniang found the pain unbearable shortly after starting and couldn’t maintain the posture.
Manbao didn’t insist but placed her hands on Han Wuniang’s belly and back, gently soothing her while teaching her proper breathing techniques in a calm voice.
Eldest Lady Han and several nannies stood speechless on the side.
Even Nanny Han and the midwife were astonished; they had never seen such procedures before.
Suddenly, Han Wuniang let out a startled cry, prompting the group to look toward her anxiously.
Manbao steadied her and said, "Maintain this posture and don’t move. We’ll wrap up in a mont."
"He...he moved!"
"I know," Manbao replied. "He’s adjusting his position."
Despite feeling chilly, Han Wuniang broke out in a thin layer of sweat, breathing heavily. Manbao helped her up and remarked, "Don’t keep sitting or lying down all the ti; walk around more."
The midwife and Nanny Li imdiately stepped forward to support her, wiping her sweat and draping her with clothing.
Eldest Lady Han surveyed the scene and asked, "Is it fixed now?"
Manbao shook her head. "I’ll wait until she rests a bit, then massage her to see if I can help the baby turn further."
Eldest Lady Han glanced at her surrounded sister and quietly told Manbao, "Young Lady Zhou, my father wishes to see you."
Minister Han wanted to personally hear about Manbao’s plan for caesarean delivery.
From this, Manbao inferred they must have consulted others and were now leaning toward her proposal.
She instructed Shao to retrieve the notebook from the dical kit, then opened it to explain the steps of the procedure to the group. This included the risks that could be avoided, as well as the inherent dangers of cesarean delivery.
Minister Han noticed she had even taken future considerations into account, such as advising Han Wuniang to avoid further pregnancies. The thoroughness of her plan far exceeded his expectations.
He asked, "Did Young Lady Zhou devise all of this in just one night?"
Manbao replied, "And one morning. Aside from seeing patients in the clinic, I spent the entire morning drafting this."
Minister Li, standing to the side, then asked, "If Young Lady Zhou performs the operation, what are the chances of ensuring both mother and child’s safety?"
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