Not long after Fourth Lady Yin got married, it was Fifth Lady Yin’s turn, both in June, just one in the middle of the month and the other at the end of the month. It was uncertain whether it was intentional or coincidental, as one was during the mid-month break and the other during the sumr vacation.
Indeed, the Great Jin had sumr vacations.
Manbao and Bai Shan had just returned to the Chongwen Pavilion, and Director Xiao inford her that Waterlon Frost was forming on the waterlon peel. The palace then announced a holiday.
Manbao didn’t leave the palace but asked Bai Shan and Bai Erlang to visit the Imperial Hospital to check out the Waterlon Frost after they returned.
Upon hearing her curiosity about the holiday, Director Xiao explained with a smile: "The court has sumr vacations and winter vacations every year. This year’s sumr vacation is earlier because the Astronomical Bureau predicted continued high temperatures in the coming days."
"However, others may have holidays, but not everyone at the Imperial Hospital can take off; they need to alternate shifts." Director Xiao looked at Manbao, smiling as he asked, "Would you like to try shifting duties too, Imperial Doctor Zhou?"
Manbao didn’t want to; there weren’t many patients requiring a doctor in the palace, so why waste ti shifting at the Imperial Hospital when she could be out enjoying herself?
Even if she wanted to see patients, she could always go to Jishi Hall.
Jishi Hall was more interesting than the Imperial Hospital, so Manbao declined, saying she was too young and worried about causing trouble while on duty.
Director Xiao, who believed her, must be joking. She had treated the Emperor and everyone knew she was bold.
Seeing that she was just lazy and didn’t want to be on duty, Director Xiao didn’t insist, only shaking his head slightly and continuing, "The Imperial Hospital has agreed, and we’ve also reported to the Crown Prince. As long as the Waterlon Frost proves effective, the two promised slots are yours."
He further said: "The Crown Prince has already arranged for the construction of the Imperial dical Office. All necessary equipnt should be ready by September, and if all goes well, a group of students should be recruited before the year ends. How is the book for your acupuncture course coming along?"
Manbao replied: "It should be complete by August, though the therapeutic sections borrowed from you might take a bit longer."
Director Xiao said: "If you need any help, let know; there are still quite a few people to use at the Imperial Hospital."
Manbao nodded.
As they spoke, Director Xiao opened the pharmacy door, revealing fifteen waterlons placed on the shelf at the back. Imperial Doctor Liu and Imperial Doctor Fang were examining them and imdiately said upon seeing them approach, "Director, Imperial Doctor Zhou, co quickly, it’s starting to form since this morning, and it’s getting more abundant."
Manbao, seeing this for the first ti, curiously leaned in and saw a layer of white frost covering the waterlon peel, so almost crystallized.
Manbao asked Keke to record, then she joined the three doctors in sweeping off the white frost...
After gathering all the Waterlon Frost, the four of them sat at the table examining it. Manbao asked, "How do we prove its effectiveness?"
Director Xiao replied, "These days it’s quite hot, not just in the palace but also in the capital, many people have sore throats. By trying it on so people, we’ll find out."
Manbao hesitated, "Isn’t it too risky to test on people without prior verification of its properties?"
Director Xiao assured, "Don’t worry, there will be volunteers. If no one is willing, there are prisoners in the death cell. Imperial Doctor Zhou needn’t worry."
He often sought test subjects, so he was quite familiar with this.
Manbao thought she should bring so to Teacher Mo; if it’s genuine, Teacher Mo would surely know.
Thus, Manbao filled a small porcelain bottle with Waterlon Frost, "I’ll take so ho to test."
This ti, quite a bit of frost had ford. Since its authenticity was uncertain, Director Xiao only glanced at the full bottle she took, agreeing silently.
Imperial Doctor Liu and others were tempted but seeing Director Xiao’s expression, their urge remained unfulfilled.
Director Xiao stored the rest of the Waterlon Frost, nodded to Manbao, and said, "Is Imperial Doctor Zhou leaving the palace?"
Manbao turned to look at the sky outside.
Imperial Doctor Liu comnted, "It’s getting dark, if you want to leave, you should hurry, otherwise the palace gates will be locked."
This sumr vacation would last five days, including the July break, and Manbao didn’t want to spend it in the palace, so she stood up, "Then I’ll leave the palace first."
Saying this, she tucked the porcelain bottle into her bosom and ran off.
Once she was gone, Director Xiao instructed Imperial Doctor Liu, "Find so uncomfortable palace maids to test the dicine, see if it’s effective."
Imperial Doctor Liu agreed.
Manbao, clutching the Waterlon Frost, ran back to the Eastern Palace, retrieved her Chiji, and left the palace.
Leaving the palace gates, there was indeed no one, so she happily rode her horse away.
Upon returning ho, Bai Shan was surprised to see her, "Didn’t you say you wouldn’t leave the palace today? How co you’re back?"
"I ca back quickly," Manbao handed the horse to Liu Gui. She pulled out a porcelain bottle from within her garnt. "Look, this is my newly made treasure dicine. I heard it works well."
Bai Shan leaned in for a look and asked, "Has it been tested?"
"No, Director Xiao said he would find people to test it," Manbao glanced around and whispered, "But I think it’s too dangerous to test directly on people."
Saying this, she winked at Bai Shan.
Bai Shan understood and whispered back, "Are you going to directly ask Uncle Zhou?"
Though not exactly, Manbao had gotten used to replacing her father’s na with Keke, or those behind Keke, so she nodded.
This excited Bai Shan, who proposed, "Then quickly go back and ask. Shall I guard the door for you?"
"That’s unnecessary."
Bai Shan then said, "Grandmother has already booked a ritual at Xuandu Temple for the fourteenth day. The family also bought so incense, candles, and paper money. Should I bring so over to burn for Uncle Zhou?"
Manbao: "...No need?"
Bai Shan tilted his head, "Why, can’t Uncle Zhou receive them?"
Manbao had no idea. What if they could receive them, and then she said they couldn’t, and everyone stopped burning offerings?
So after a mont of hesitation, she said, "Not exactly..."
Bai Shan assud he understood, "Don’t worry, it doesn’t cost much. Buying so good food and toys for Uncle Zhou and them wouldn’t hurt."
Thus he selectively made up his mind.
When Manbao returned to her room, Bai Shan was already burning a pile of paper money outside her door, and even lit two candles.
Zhou Lijun and Zhou Liru, who had just returned ho, curiously squatted down to watch, asking, "Brother-in-law, who are you burning these for?"
This was not a secret, Bai Shan replied, "For my father-in-law."
His father-in-law was their Uncle, wasn’t he?
Zhou Lijun looked curious, "It’s not Uncle’s morial day, nor is it Tomb-Sweeping Day or Hungry Ghost Festival. Why are you burning paper money?"
Bai Shan said, "This is my filial piety."
Zhou Lijun and Zhou Liru thought he was odd. Looking up, they saw their Aunt leaning on the windowsill, her face worriedly watching them.
For so reason, Zhou Lijun felt like laughing, so she pulled Zhou Liru away, ignoring them.
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