Chapter 82: Mama Wang

One of the patients, Mrs. Zhu’s daughter-in-law, suffered from primary infertility, while the other two had secondary infertility.

Secondary infertility was relatively easier to treat. In most cases, it stemmed from inflammation causing blockages in the fallopian tubes, primarily requiring anti-inflammatory treatment—this was the perspective of Western medicine. In traditional Chinese medicine, the explanation revolved around damp-heat obstruction, liver qi stagnation, blood stasis in the meridians, cold congealing stasis, and yin deficiency with stasis. After reviewing her notes, Lu Man prescribed different herbal remedies for each patient. They only needed to take the medicine without requiring acupuncture.

However, dealing with primary infertility, such as in Zhu daughter-in-law’s case, was more complex. After examining her pulse, tongue coating, and complexion, Lu Man found similarities to the Huang daughter-in-law’s case but adjusted two herbal ingredients while keeping the rest the same.

As Zhu’s daughter-in-law was menstruating that day, Lu Man administered acupuncture, prescribed medication to start immediately, with a course of three different medicines for six days, followed by seven days of moxibustion treatment at Orchid Pavilion after her period. She would return for medication and acupuncture during her next cycle.

Lu Man reiterated that her medical skills were not foolproof, and there was no guarantee of success in achieving pregnancy, it was a process of trial and error.

In the evening, Lu Man reassigned key servants. Lu Ying managed Lu Man’s financial matters, assisted in treating patients, and aimed to develop her into a qualified head nurse.

Liu Ya was in charge of attending to Lu Man’s personal needs and overseeing all affairs at Orchid Pavilion, including a few maids and servants.

Tao assisted Lu Man and managed some kitchen duties since Orchid Pavilion didn’t cook many meals, but yogurt had to be prepared regularly.

Xing provided personal service to Lu Man and would primarily accompany her to the Crane Hall in the future.

Additionally, Qingqing, a young maid, was promoted to assist Liu Ya. Mrs. Huang, responsible for maintaining cleanliness in the clinic and handling some manual tasks.

Subsequently, the quality of meals at Orchid Pavilion improved significantly, mirroring the refinement at Qingfeng Courtyard. Lu Man also uncovered some hidden intricacies in the seemingly identical dishes, revealing various hidden flavors.

Among the three families seeking treatment, Mrs. Zhu was the head cook, while the other two held various managerial roles within the estate. Unlike Mrs. Huang, who sought treatment to save on medical fees, the other families sought consultation upon hearing of Mrs. Huang daughter-in-law’s pregnancy, and due to their active involvement and decent circumstances. Witnessing Lu Man not charging consultation fees and even personally buying silver needles and moxibustion supplies made them feel indebted. Consequently, they often showed their gratitude by offering gifts to Lu Man.

Aware that Lu Man didn’t appreciate the clothes and jewelry they purchased and their financial constraints, they chose to gift items that were cherished by women in the inner chambers. These gifts included intricately crafted shoe insoles, delicate embroidery pieces, wild mountain vegetables, and sometimes small bamboo baskets, wooden bowls, and other toys for Jiang Zhanwei’s younger siblings.

Of course, Liu Ya and the household staff at Orchid Pavilion also received some benefits.

On the 12th of July, just after having lunch with Little Dou, Lu Man was informed that Liu Xin requested an audience.

Anticipating news from Mama Wang’s family, Lu Man quickly invited him in. Concerned about any unsettling news regarding Mama Wang, she asked Little Dou to rest in his room to avoid overhearing the conversation.

Upon Liu Xin’s arrival, he reported that messengers sent to find Mama Wang in Jiaodong had returned with news that she had been located. However, due to Mama Wang’s poor health, she needed to stay in Jiaodong for a few days to recuperate before returning.

Both Lu Man and Lu Ying were moved to tears. They were relieved that Mama Wang was alive and they were finally going to meet her soon.

Later that afternoon, after finishing the massage for her grandfather-in-law, Lu Man didn’t immediately leave. Instead, she stayed to talk with Young Madam Han while siblings paid their respects.

“Sister-in-law, I’ve hired a new servant who will arrive in a couple of days. Are there any vacant rooms in the back street that could be allocated to them?” Lu Man inquired. She kept the matter of hiring her wet nurse’s relatives confidential, referring to the new hire as her own.

Upon learning from Liu Ya that most estate staff resided in the back street and that there were a few vacant courtyards, Lu Man made arrangements for the new servants. Once Uncle Wang and the others were found, they would also have a place to stay. In the future, she planned to acquire a three-section courtyard for their future residence.

Young Madam Han smiled and said, “It seems there are some available. I’ll check with the steward, and if there are any, we’ll assign one to them. If not, there are a few courtyard rooms in the back street used as servant quarters; we can prepare one for them temporarily.”

Young Madam Han was quite surprised by Lu Man’s capabilities. In just a few months, she not only improved her grandfather-in-law’s health but also managed to completely win over Princess Changting. Now, she had taken the initiative to bring new servants into the estate.

Lu Man expressed her gratitude and thanks.

Although she didn’t know Young Madam Han’s intentions, she understood the intentions of the Lady of the House, Eldest Madam, Hong. If Jiang Zhanwei was the first to hope for her departure, Madam Hong was probably the second. Young Madam Han was wise and her kind gestures indicated that she had a favorable impression of Lu Man.

The next day, the courtyard for Mama Wang’s family was arranged. Lu Man first gave a sum of money to Mrs. Huang to clean and prepare the courtyard. She then provided ten taels of silver to Liu Ya’s parents for purchasing furniture and necessities, ensuring that the place would be ready for the new residents.

Mama Wang arrived at Orchid Pavilion on the 22nd of July.

Dressed in a patched gray dress, her hair nearly half white, extremely thin, with a sallow complexion and deep wrinkles, she looked more like a fifty-year-old woman.

She was actually not yet forty years old.

This stark contrast with the elegant and slightly plump woman Lu Man remembered left her in tears. She embraced Mama Wang, crying, “Mama Wang, what did Mrs. Xiao Chen do to you? How did you end up like this?”

Perhaps influenced by the original host’s emotions, Lu Man was overwhelmed with sorrow, unable to contain her tears as she held onto Mama Wang, who tried to kneel but was held by Lu Man.

Mama Wang also wept and said, “My dear, mama never expected to see you again in this lifetime. Please let go, my clothes are dirty, don’t soil yourself… Oh, wait, I should address you as Third Young Madam now.” She glanced at Lu Man and continued, “You’ve lost weight, but it suits you, you look beautiful…”

Amidst tears, Liu Ya advised, “Stop crying, finally meeting is a good thing.”

Mama Wang wiped her tears and said, “It’s my fault, causing Third Young Madam distress.”

The two sat together, and Lu Man updated Mama Wang on the whereabouts of his son, Uncle Wang and his wife, mentioning that they had dispatched people to find them.

Overwhelmed with emotion, Mama Wang attempted to kneel and thank Lu Man, who stopped her, saying, “Your family suffered because of me, please don’t.” She then inquired, “And my eldest sister? We have no news of her.”

Mama Wang had another daughter, Wang Xiaojuan, who was half a year older than Lu Man.