Madam Su was holding Manbao’s hand and saying, "With you leaving, we won’t know who to go to for dical help. Sigh, I was thinking, with so many people in the Imperial Hospital, why did they send you on this mission? But the Crown Princess said that those with dical skills in the Imperial Hospital are older than you, and those young enough to travel far don’t match your dical skills. After considering everything, you are indeed the most suitable choice."
"It was your suggestion too, so they chose you for this. But it’s a pity for us. We finally had a considerate doctor, and now, after just a few years, you’re leaving again."
Manbao then recomnded her disciple Liu Sanniang, "She’s learned most of my skills. You can go to her, and if there’s anything she can’t handle, she can consult Imperial Doctor Liu."
Madam Su sighed, knowing they could only turn to Assistant Doctor Liu, but how could a disciple compare to a master? Not to ntion, whose dical expertise could match skills like performing C-sections?
Fu Er, standing with Madam Tang, handed a large package to Manbao, saying, "This cloak is made by from wolf fur. It’s quite well tanned and mainly provides warmth. I heard it’s quite cold in the Western Regions, with snow falling as early as August or September. Take this along; it might co in handy."
Manbao happily accepted it.
Madam Tang then gave Manbao various snacks, with candied fruits being the most plentiful, "When the journey gets boring, just have so snacks."
Manbao looked at her face and asked, "Weren’t you supposed to be in confinent for two months? How co you’re out now?"
Madam Tang replied, "From what you all said, you might not co back for two or three years. I thought I wouldn’t know when I’d see you again, and you might return to the capital after we’ve left. So, I hurried to see you, as such chances are few and far between."
Manbao said, "...It’s not that serious. You could have sent soone to inform , and I could have ridden to see you first."
"Oh, co on, I’m not dying. I just wanted to get out and take a break," Madam Tang gestured at herself, "Do I look like soone who’d catch a cold or get exhausted?"
Indeed, among everyone here today, Madam Tang was the most warmly dressed.
Manbao laughed and then inquired about the two children, whom she last visited eight days ago.
"They change every day. Don’t underestimate the redy prescribed by Imperial Doctor Liu; it’s quite effective. The wet nurse takes it and then feeds the children, and they sleep much better at night, without sudden awakenings. They eat well, sleep well, and have finally gained so weight, looking almost like full-term babies now."
Manbao nodded, advising, "Don’t overdo the nourishnt; their foundation is weak and needs gradual improvent. I’ve discussed this with Imperial Doctor Liu and asked him to check on them every ten days."
Madam Tang understood that, given her husband’s status, inviting Imperial Doctor Liu wasn’t hard, but getting him to visit regularly wouldn’t be easy.
Imperial Doctor Liu was accommodating because of Manbao.
She smiled, saying, "You must co back soon. Don’t wait until they are calling ’auntie,’ while you’re still away."
Manbao promised to try to return as early as possible.
After bidding farewell to them, Manbao went to et her colleagues at the Imperial Hospital.
Director Xiao, along with Imperial Doctor Liu and others, was waiting nearby, not only to see them off but also to offer them farewell wine.
"This is the first ti our Imperial Hospital has participated in such a mission abroad. Regardless of the outco, Imperial Doctor Zhou, you’ve worked hard. Here’s a toast to you all."
Manbao hurriedly accepted, "Director Xiao, don’t forget about matters at the Imperial Hospital. I’ve left my three apprentices in your care."
Director Xiao’s emotional buildup dissipated halfway. Annoyed, he replied, "You’ve arranged everything. Do you think I would harm the Imperial Hospital or the Imperial dical Bureau? Zheng Gu, Zheng Shao, and Sanniang all have decent skills and integrity. Just go without worry."
The three of them, standing nearby, imdiately bowed, expressing that they would certainly work hard and not let their master down.
Shopkeeper Zheng, standing by, was quite gratified, thinking his son was smart enough.
After eting everyone, Manbao sighed in relief, pulled her three apprentices aside, and advised, "Learning is endless. Even in my absence, you must diligently learn dical skills."
After a pause, she added, "Don’t think that graduating from the Imperial dical Bureau and being able to run a clinic is impressive. You’ve seen very few patients, and there are many illnesses you’ve never encountered. Even for the sa illness, different patients require different dications, not to ntion varying treatnt thods."
She said to Zheng Gu and Zheng Shao, "Since you’re still in the capital, observe how Director Xiao treats patients. When you go out for experience, you should also communicate with local doctors. Don’t dismiss others because their skills aren’t as good as yours; they’ve seen no fewer patients than you..."
Zheng Gu and Zheng Shao seriously noted it down.
Both of them were confird to gain experience in local Imperial dical Bureaus, while Liu Sanniang would stay in the capital to take over Zhou Man’s acupuncture classes and assist at the Imperial Hospital.
However, before leaving, Zhou Man had already recomnded to Director Xiao that the Imperial Hospital should have a female imperial doctor. The title of assistant doctor was too modest, especially when the palace might need soone to treat the illnesses of noblewon.
Although Director Xiao hadn’t agreed, he seed open to the idea, so Manbao estimated that if nothing goes wrong for a while, a promotion might be on the horizon.
That’s how Manbao explained it to Liu Sanniang, whispering, "Don’t feel embarrassed. If there’s an illness you don’t understand, just pester Imperial Doctor Liu with questions. He’s your grandfather, and even if traditionally n were taught but not won, you’re his granddaughter, and you’re also colleagues. Sharing knowledge is only natural."
Liu Sanniang said, "...Really?"
Manbao nodded affirmatively, "Yes!"
She continued, "Feel free to consult him. At worst, when I return, I’ll exchange so dical knowledge with him. Your grandfather has deep insights into won’s illnesses and children’s ailnts. Isn’t Doctor Tao impressive? Your grandfather is even more so. With such an excellent relative, it’d be a waste not to learn from him."
Manbao advised, "When it cos to learning, you’ve got to be thick-skinned. He’s not a bad person, so just shalessly approach him to learn."
Liu Sanniang replied, "...If it’s a bad person, should I be thin-skinned then?"
Manbao solemnly said, "For bad people, we should have self-respect and avoid unnecessary conflict, but also not get too close."
So being thick-skinned ans being close?
Exactly, in Zhou Man’s view, being thick-skinned signifies closeness.
When you approach soone thick-skinned to ask for advice, over ti, with mutual exchanges, won’t you build a relationship? That’s closeness!
After advising, Manbao finally ran back to her family.
Old Zhou saw how busy she was and swallowed many words. After all, he had been giving advice for days, and any more would just be repetitive.
He handed her the purse he’d been holding tightly, "This is from your father. Take it to buy good food on the way. Don’t neglect yourself, okay?"
Manbao squeezed it and felt the hard, irregular lumps inside, startled that her father actually had so silver!
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