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Lu Man was also frightened, softly calling out, “Quick, quick, call the physician, my stomach hurts.” She had no energy left to care for herself, she needed a specialist in women’s health to help safeguard her child. Weakly, she instructed He Cheng, “Quickly give me acupuncture, follow the method I taught you before, targeting the Guan Yuan and Blood Sea points…”
Donghui Courtyard was too far away. The Third Master arranged for Lu Man to be carried on a stretcher to the nearby Fragrant Wood Courtyard, where she could receive acupuncture. The Princess occasionally rested there.
At that moment, everyone noticed a large bloodstain on Lu Man’s skirt, causing concern among the Second Master, Second Madam, and others.
He Cheng cried, “My sister is exhausted. She spent the night before observing medicine, traveled in a sedan chair for most of yesterday, and today worked tirelessly on medicine without a break.”
Jiang Zhankui and Jiang Jiu were also in shock, with Jiang Zhankui tearfully whispering to the startled Second Master, “My father and elder sister scolded my sister-in-law, she must have been upset by them.”
In his perspective, his sister-in-law was not only tired but also upset due to the scolding.
Having witnessed the Second Master and Jiang Ling reprimand Lu Man earlier, the old Marquis was further angered by Jiang Zhankui’s words. He strode over and slapped the Second Master, exclaiming, “You fool, you’re not supporting your own family.”
Then, pointing at Jiang Ling, he exclaimed, “You troublemaker! You made my granddaughter-in-law bleed. Go, back home, now!”
Quite the troublemaker indeed. While scolding the Second Master, he seemed rational, but when reprimanding Jiang Ling, he turned irrational.
Jiang Ling was so infuriated that she stomped and burst into tears.
Madam Hong defended, “Father, didn’t you hear what He Cheng said earlier? Zhanwei’s wife is exhausted.”
The old Marquis retorted, “She’s not just tired, she’s also upset.”
Jiang Zhanju intervened, calming the agitated old Marquis, and led him to a side room.
Lu Man was placed on a bed, accompanied only by the eldest Madam, Second Madam, Third Madam, eldest Young Madam, He Cheng, and the rest. Others were kept out, including the tearful Jiang Zhankui and Jiang Jiu.
Lu Man lay on the bed, eyes closed and unable to speak. However, He Cheng remembered the method she taught him and administered acupuncture with the silver needles provided by the imperial physician.
He Cheng’s acupuncture was effective, Lu Man stopped bleeding, and her stomach pain lessened. She felt weak all over, eyes tightly shut, tears streaming uncontrollably. Overwhelmed with sorrow, she felt as if the world was collapsing. If she lost the child due to this turmoil or if the child’s development was affected by this incident, she would never forgive herself.
Upon hearing the news, He Mingzhu rushed over, joining in the tearful scene.
About an hour later, two specialists in women’s health and Physician Chen from Tongren Hall arrived. After examining her pulse, they attributed Lu Man’s condition to excessive stress and fatigue, which had destabilized the fetus. They praised He Cheng’s timely acupuncture, noting the consequences could have been dire. Prescribing medication, they advised her to rest in bed for a month.
The next day, Lu Man felt better and was carried back to Donghui Courtyard for recovery. Due to the precise dosing of salicylic acid for the Princess and the need for observation, Lu Man decided to leave He Cheng at Crane Hall. Considering the Princess’s help to He Cheng, it was only fitting for him to stay and assist her.
Jiang Zhankui and Jiang Jiu were too preoccupied to study, they sat outside the sickroom on small stools, watching Lu Man on the bed without blinking. Jiang Jiu occasionally wept, unmoved by any attempts to console them.
Lu Man kept her eyes closed, too exhausted to speak more, softly reassuring, “Don’t worry, I’m fine.”
However, the children, accustomed to reading people’s expressions, doubted her words, remaining steadfastly by her side.
Later that afternoon, Song Mo, who had returned to the residence in the morning, came back. Hearing about Lu Man’s illness the previous night, he had stayed at Yuling Courtyard. Upon hearing of Lu Man’s condition, he insisted on returning to the Prince He’s residence.
Song Mo had only learned about Lu Man’s illness recently and was deeply upset, shedding tears at home. Song Ming was also gravely concerned but, being a man, found it challenging to visit the sick. After discussing with his mother, he prepared some top-quality tonics like Blood Swallow’s Nest and sent Song Mo to visit Lu Man. He emphasized that Song Mo should return promptly and not overstay his welcome.
Although Song Mo wasn’t allowed into the room, he stood outside crying profusely. He pleaded, “Sister-in-law, please don’t die. I can’t bear to see you go…”
His outburst frustrated the household members, and eventually, embarrassed, the maid had to carry him away.
Due to Lu Man’s exhaustion from rushing to prepare the special medicine for the Princess, almost resulting in a miscarriage, the Masters not only praised her filial piety and virtue but also sent various tonics to Donghui Courtyard.
Three days later, the Princess had significantly improved. Learning how Lu Man had nearly miscarried due to making the “miracle drug” for her, the Princess was both touched and distressed. She expressed that she hadn’t been wrong in caring for her granddaughter-in-law, and she generously rewarded Donghui Courtyard with fine goods and medicines.
To prevent any disturbances caused by the old Marquis at Donghui, during the Princess’s critical illness, the Third Madam took him to their courtyard, where Jiang Zhanyan and Jiang Jiu kept him company.
Lu Man obediently followed the physician’s orders and stayed in bed to safeguard her pregnancy. She rarely left her bed, focusing on personal hygiene, which significantly improved her health.
That afternoon, the heavily pregnant Lady Min came to visit Lu Man. She was nearing her due date, expected in the latter half of the month.
Chiding her, Lu Man said, “I’m fine. How can you wander around at this stage?”
Lady Min chuckled, “No worries, I came by sedan.”
Besides visiting Lu Man, Lady Min also came to apologize on behalf of her family. If her brother, Huang entertained guests at home instead of the tavern, the incident wouldn’t have escalated. Unspoken was the fact that her father, Minister Huang, didn’t join forces with Song Ming, Princess Changting, or old Duke Xie to lodge a complaint in the palace. He couldn’t afford to oppose the Wang family.
Lu Man understood, not everyone dared to go against the Wang family. The Princess, Song Ming, and old Duke Xie held high positions, enjoyed royal favor, and shared a dislike for Wang family, hence their actions. Minister Huang, having carefully climbed the ranks over decades, naturally had more concerns.
Lu Man reassured, “You’re overthinking. Minister Huang’s son is of good character and conduct, which is why I allowed my brother to befriend him. That incident was truly unexpected, no one foresaw it.”
Lu Man then felt Lady Min’s pulse and sensed that she was likely carrying a boy.
This skill was a unique technique passed down in the He family. Although detailed in their medical records, distinguishing the pulse was challenging, even for experienced physicians. Surprisingly, Lu Man managed to discern it with ease during a brief attempt.