Opening the abdon is not the sa as operating on a foot. The incision on the abdon has to be much larger, and the blood loss is significantly greater. If the patient wakes up or feels pain during the procedure, they are certain to bleed heavily, which could be fatal.
Manbao understood this very well, so she nodded and said, "I have two new formulas for anesthesia in hand. I’d like to test the combined effect of acupuncture pain relief and the anesthetic prescription over the next two months. Unfortunately, Jishi Hall doesn’t see many patients with external injuries, and there aren’t many cases where anesthesia is needed."
Indeed, for ordinary injuries like head wounds or cuts on the hands and feet, anesthesia is unnecessary. That stuff isn’t particularly safe either—if too much is used, it could poison soone and kill them.
Therefore, for doctors like them, anesthesia is sothing they avoid using unless absolutely necessary.
"Then how do you plan to test it?"
Manbao replied, "Let’s test the effectiveness of acupuncture anesthesia first."
As for drug-based anesthesia, that task would have to be left to Teacher Mo to investigate further.
Imperial Doctor Liu and Manbao both lowered their heads to look at Xiang Mingxue.
Xiang Mingxue: ...
Imperial Doctor Zheng coughed lightly and said, "Shall we consider this surgery a success?"
Manbao rolled her neck before nodding, then started tidying up the items in the toolbox—they’d need to be boiled and sterilized later.
Imperial Doctor Liu took one last look at Xiang Mingxue’s pulse and, after confirming there was no threat to his life, nodded to signal that it was fine.
Only then did Manbao have ti to comfort the patient. "Brother Xiang, you’re fine now. Lie down and rest for a while."
Xiang Mingxue: ...
By now, nearly two hours had passed. Mr. Zhuang invited Imperial Doctors Zheng and Liu to stay for a al, while Manbao went over dical instructions with Xiang Chao.
For instance, he must ensure that the room stays clean and orderly, Xiang Mingxue mustn’t move his foot unnecessarily, and if it hurts too much, she should be called to administer acupuncture. Of course, there were also the prescribed dicinal decoctions...
After giving her instructions, Manbao left to join the al.
Imperial Doctor Zheng casually asked her, "Are you heading into the palace later to examine the Empress?"
Manbao nodded.
Imperial Doctor Zheng simply nodded in response and didn’t say more, though he suspected that Zhou Man’s cleverness would likely deduce his underlying aning.
In truth, Manbao hadn’t bothered to think too much about it—Bai Shan had long ago warned her that going into the palace again might not be as peaceful as before.
Still, Manbao wasn’t particularly afraid; in fact, she was sowhat curious about the Crown Prince’s dical condition.
Before leaving, Manbao removed the acupuncture needles from Xiang Mingxue and said, "The pain will slowly return within 15 to 30 minutes after the needles are taken out. Xiang Chao, please make a note of how long it takes him to begin feeling increasing pain and when he feels the most pain. I’ll reassess the situation when I co back this afternoon and decide whether to apply acupuncture again."
Xiang Mingxue was now certain—she was using him for experintation.
Still, he could only let out a sigh.
The palace seed to have well-inford sources; instead of sending soone to Jishi Hall, they ca directly to her doorstep.
Manbao raised an eyebrow, changed into the small eunuch’s attire, and headed out with Daji. She smiled at the carriage sent from the palace and said, "Today, let Daji take . You can lead the way ahead."
The palace eunuch hesitated for a mont before agreeing, driving the carriage ahead.
Manbao jumped down from her own carriage, as usual carrying her empty basket, and approached the first eunuch alongside the palace eunuch. After being examined by the guards, who waved them through, a palanquin erged from within the palace gates.
The Third Prince was seated atop the palanquin, looking down at Zhou Man from his high vantage point. "Which palace are you servants from? I don’t recall seeing you before."
The palace eunuch was so startled his face turned pale and hurriedly knelt, tugging Manbao down with him.
Manbao hesitated for a mont before also kneeling, keeping her head bowed and silent. The eunuch beside her used a delicate voice to reply, "Your Highness, we are from the Eastern Palace."
The Third Prince stared at them for a long mont, then chuckled. "I’m familiar with the people from my eldest brother’s palace, but you look unfamiliar to ."
He turned to the guards standing to the side, bowed slightly, and asked in a stern voice, "Have you checked thoroughly? Don’t let anyone shady or unclear pass through the gates."
The guard, keeping his head down, clenched his teeth and replied, "Yes, everything has been checked."
The Third Prince sneered coldly before motioning with his hand. An attendant standing nearby said, "Lower—"
The palanquin finally descended.
The Third Prince alighted from the palanquin, his footsteps halting in front of Zhou Man. He lowered his head to look at her, but since her head was still bowed, all he could see was her hair and back. With a faint snort, he flicked his sleeves and said, "Let’s go."
After speaking, he left with his entourage.
Manbao initially thought he was addressing her and straightened her back to stand, but the quick-witted eunuch beside her imdiately pulled at her to stay kneeling, and the two remained bowed.
They only stood once the sound of footsteps faded and even the carriage had driven away. The eunuch then helped Manbao to her feet.
Manbao turned to glance at the departing carriage, then looked at the pale-faced eunuch and the visibly uncomfortable guards. She couldn’t help but sigh.
At last, she understood the aning behind Bai Shan’s words: "Once in court, freedom is no longer yours."
Shaking her head, she asked the eunuch, "Wasn’t the Third Prince supposed to leave for his fief soon? Why hasn’t he left yet?"
Her question startled the eunuch, who glanced around nervously before whispering, "My lady, please lower your voice. He’s leaving tomorrow. Today, he must have co into the palace to bid farewell to His Majesty and the Empress."
What unfortunate timing—it would have been better if she’d co just a bit later.
Manbao said, "Let’s go."
The guards overheard their conversation and quietly exhaled, their mood slightly eased. All they could hope for was that the Third Prince was too preoccupied with his impending departure to rember who they were.
The Crown Prince was also in the Empress’s chambers, though he didn’t appear to be in good spirits, seeming visibly angry. Manbao guessed he had probably just quarreled with his brother.
The Empress’s mood wasn’t much better, though she tried to compose herself when dealing with Manbao, presenting her arm for diagnosis.
Manbao examined her pulse carefully and, as usual, advised her to remain calm before preparing the needles.
The Empress seed as though she wanted to say sothing, but after glancing at the Crown Prince, she closed her mouth and entered the inner chamber to remove her outer garnts for acupuncture.
This ti, even after all the needles were applied, the Empress didn’t fall asleep. Instead, she seed quite alert and said to Manbao, "Young Lady Zhou, please sit in the outer room for a while and have so snacks. Here, I’ll let Aunt Shang watch over matters."
Manbao agreed, checked the needles once more, and then exited behind the folding screen.
The Crown Prince was sitting by the table drinking tea. Save for a few scattered servants, most of the other attendants had left the hall.
When Manbao stepped out and saw him, she instinctively paused. The Crown Prince lifted his gaze toward her and said, "Co and sit."
She walked over, perford a greeting, and sat down.
The Crown Prince asked, "How is my mother’s condition?"
"She’s doing much better. While it can’t be fully cured, it’s now under control. With two more acupuncture sessions, we can transition to once every seven days, and eventually once every ten days if her health continues to improve."
The Crown Prince curiously scrutinized Zhou Man and asked, "How intriguing. You’re so young, yet how did you co to possess such extensive dical knowledge?"
Manbao thought for a mont and replied, "I have great teachers and access to many dical texts."
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