Chapter 43: Practice

Lu Man understood that crafting a set of acupuncture tools wasn’t easy, especially top-quality ones that required multiple intricate steps and indeed cost a significant sum of silver.

She handed two silver coins to Liu Ya and smiled, saying, “Give these to your father as a token of appreciation.”

Liu Ya accepted the coins with gratitude.

Lu Man then instructed Tao to boil the acupuncture tools in a pot and prepare some white cotton cloth for wrapping the needles.

Seeing that Lu Ying had something private to discuss, Lu Man asked Liu Ya to take Tao and Xing downstairs.

Alone in the room with Lu Man, Lu Ying retrieved the gifts given by the elders during the previous day’s recognition ceremony. Princess Changting had gifted a jade headpiece, the Old Marquis had given a 400 taels silver note, while the Second Master and Second Madam each gave 200 taels silver notes. The Marquis, his wife, the Third Master, and Third Madam each contributed 100 taels silver notes.

The total sum of these notes added up to 1,200 taels, along with the 1,200 taels given by Jiang Zhanwei the previous day, and an additional 2,500 taels from the dowry, totaling 4,700 taels.

Excited by the substantial amount of silver, Lu Ying whispered, “We mustn’t let Hong Ling, that little troublemaker, find out about this. If she informs the Madam and the Second Madam back home, they might have designs on Third Young Madam.”

Lu Man smiled knowingly, sharing the same sentiment. With such a substantial sum at hand, she could easily establish herself as a wealthy individual. However, freedom was paramount – freedom above all else!

She envied the women from historical novels who transmigrated to farm, enjoying freedom while only needing to manage their finances. Here, she had money but lacked freedom. Given the choice between wealth and freedom, the latter was far more precious.

Upon hearing noises outside from Hong Ling, Lu Ying swiftly locked away the silver notes.

Hong Ling returned to lodge a complaint, this time not about Liu Ya, Tao, or Xing, but about two young maids and four servant girls not qualified to enter the main chamber. The implication was that they were ignoring her, including those brought by the Lu Man from her maternal home.

“…I remember Madam saying she wanted to establish good relations with them. But whenever I approach, they walk away, afraid to be near me. Yet, when Liu Ya, Tao, and Xing are around, they approach with smiles, addressing them as ‘Miss’… It’s infuriating!” Hong Ling was truly angry, her face flushed with frustration.

Lu Man also noticed the nine servants here, with only the three maids from Jiang Zhanwei’s study showing her respect. The other six not only avoided showing courtesy but actively evaded her, whenever she left the room, they would distance themselves. Initially, she thought they feared her leadership, but now it seemed otherwise.

After some reflection, she surmised that their reluctance might be related to her attempted suicide or various other reasons, possibly stemming from the belief that she wouldn’t stay long and wasn’t worth currying favor with.

Deciding that less interference was best, as long as they worked diligently and didn’t openly challenge her or her entourage, she opted to let them be.

She stated, “We are new here and unfamiliar with many things. It’s best not to stir up trouble. As long as they perform their duties, they needn’t engage with us. If they fail to work or follow instructions, Liu Ya can consult the steward to have them reassigned.”

Though discontented, Hong Ling had to comply for the time being.

The next day, Crane Hall buzzed with unusual activity. The sensory stimulation wasn’t just for the Old Marquis, it affected everyone in the hall.

Upon entering the Old Marquis’s chamber, a mix of flavors filled the air – sour, sweet, bitter, spicy, and fragrant, tantalizing all senses. Previously, Princess Changting had rested in the main chamber, but even after twelve hours of incense and purification, she could still detect the peculiar scents wafting from the western chamber, prompting her to move to the incense hall in the second courtyard to sleep.

The room was also filled with scheduled noise. The theater troupe performed a short play in the morning, followed by the Old Marquis’s three great-grandsons causing a commotion in the afternoon, interspersed with someone reciting his favorite text, “A Memorial on Behalf of the Emperor.” To enhance the auditory stimulation, reading duties were delegated to the actors, known for their booming voices and eloquent delivery. Add in the constant chatter from Lu Man and Princess Changting – the atmosphere was lively.

Due to adjustments in the Old Marquis’s treatment plan, Lu Man’s schedule at the Crane Hall changed. She visited in the late morning to engage in casual conversations with the Old Marquis and partake in consultations with the physicians about his condition, then departed after half an hour. In the late afternoon, she returned to provide massage therapy and discuss his progress, allowing her to leave by early evening.

While busy treating the Old Marquis, Lu Man began to secretly practice acupuncture techniques, pulse-taking, and sought guidance from Imperial Physician Fu in private moments. He not only patiently explained but also lent her a book called “The Complete Book of Acupuncture.”

Initially practicing on raw meat, then on herself, and later on a few maids when no one was around. Pulse-taking was easier – she would grab the maids’ wrists daily for practice.

With her past medical knowledge and the additional insights from the original Lu Man’s memories, Lu Man made rapid progress in her skills.

As Lu Man’s acupuncture and pulse-taking techniques improved rapidly, there was a significant improvement in the Old Marquis’s condition. He sneezed when smelling a strong fragrance, made a sound in his throat while Princess Changting recounted past events, gestured with his fingers during Lu Man’s massages, and even twitched his eyes slightly after acupuncture, as if trying to open them. Although he didn’t fully open his eyes, these signs were incredibly encouraging.

These advancements brought hope for the future to Princess Changting and the three masters, who treated Lu Man better and tolerated the bustling atmosphere in Crane Hall. They often rewarded the physicians and staff with silver, preferring to give Lu Man jewelry or fabric. Despite wanting silver, Lu Man felt reluctant to ask for it.

At the end of April on a day of rest, Jiang Zhanwei didn’t return. In a message, he mentioned accompanying a senior official on a two-month assignment up north.

Lu Man secretly rejoiced at his absence, Princess Changting and others were preoccupied with the Old Marquis’s condition and paid little attention to Jiang Zhanwei. The only ones disappointed were the siblings from Qingfeng Courtyard.

In the late morning, the three masterd and the heir to the estate visited Crane Hall. After inquiring about the Old Marquis’s condition from Imperial Physician Fu, Imperial Physician Wang, and Lu Man, they praised them before quietly standing by to observe.

The heir was observant, offering discreet assistance to the physicians and attendants.