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Lu Man rolled her eyes in annoyance, she said, “Second Master is anxious, but I never said I wouldn’t contribute. As a citizen of Dachun and the granddaughter-in-law of Princess Changting, it is my duty to share the Emperor’s worries and help the people in times of need.”
Princess Changting was delighted upon hearing this. She patted Lu Man’s hand and said, “Good child, good child.”
The old Marquis smirked proudly, “Changting only now realizes that the virtuous granddaughter-in-law is a good child, I knew that long ago.”
Lu Man continued, “I have mentioned before that willow bark powder can treat various illnesses, but if used improperly, it can lead to poisoning, and some people are not suitable for its use…”
Second Master Jiang interjected anxiously, “So are you still not offering it?”
Lu Man replied, “I never said I wouldn’t offer it. How about this, have an official from the Imperial Hospital come to the mansion tomorrow. I will provide him with the prescription, explain the precautions, and the measures to take in case of poisoning.”
Since this matter was commissioned by the Emperor, the Imperial Hospital would undoubtedly oversee it, emphasizing the side effects of salicylic acid…
The Imperial Hospital not only provided medical services to the royal and noble families but also served as a vast administrative institution responsible for medical regulations, management, education, compiling medical texts, appointing medical officials, and other functions. Even wandering physicians had to pass assessments by the hospital’s subordinate institutions to be employed. Those unacknowledged practitioners were referred to as such by the people.
With Lu Man’s promise to provide the medicine formula, everyone breathed a sigh of relief. Several Masters and the heir hoped to make further advancements while the Emperor was still in good health. Riding on this momentum, Princess Changting might be able to negotiate for a shift in positions.
Praising Lu Man once again, the group returned to Donghui Courtyard after dinner. Lu Man had someone summon He Cheng, and they worked late into the night, with Lu Man dictating and He Cheng recording.
The following morning, a senior official from the Imperial Hospital personally arrived, accompanied by Lu Man and He Cheng. Princess Changting solemnly welcomed them to the Courtyard in the Crane Hall, where she also listened attentively.
Lu Man handed over the prescription, precautionary notes, and information on which ailments it could treat to the senior official, and after a lengthy discussion, the official left still deeply engrossed in the matter.
Before leaving, the senior official bowed to Princess Changting and said with a smile, “Third Young Madam deserves the title of ‘miracle physician’. I truly admire her.”
Princess Changting insisted that Lu Man and her brother stay for a meal at the Crane Hall. She held Lu Man’s hand and said with a smile, “This prescription is offered in the name of our mansion. Not only will our ancestors remember your kindness, but also your father-in-law, uncles, and even Zhanju. They will all remember your good deeds.” Glancing at He Cheng, she added, “We will also look after Cheng’s future.”
As Lu Man left, Princess Changting gave her and He Cheng each a purse, likely containing silver notes. The princess believed that Lu Man, being so young, might have come up with willow bark powder due to hints from the He family’s medical texts, hence she thanked He Cheng as well.
Lu Man accepted the gift without any burden. She had put in effort to create salicylic acid, and now she had offered it in the name of Princess Changting’s mansion. She expressed, “Grandmother, I am your granddaughter-in-law. Although we separated, I still stand with this mansion. It is only right to offer it in the mansion’s name.”
Princess Changting chuckled, “Grandmother knows you are a good child. Take what I have given you.” She sighed, “If everyone in the mansion thought like you, it would be wonderful.”
He Cheng felt a bit embarrassed about accepting the gift and blushing, he said, “It’s not necessary.”
Princess Changting replied, “When the elders give, one must not refuse.”
Upon returning to Donghui Courtyard and examining the red packets, both siblings found 5,000 silver taels inside each.
He Cheng wanted to give his silver notes to Lu Man, saying, “Sister, this medicine has nothing to do with me.”
Lu Man chuckled, “If Princess Changting gave it to you, then you should keep it. Save it for when you get married in the future.”
That evening, gifts arrived from the main, second, and third branches of the family.
On the afternoon of the fourteenth day of the ninth month, after administering a needle to Madam Chen, Lu Man escorted her to the Gate.
Madam Chen had been seeking medical treatment from Lu Man even before her pregnancy. Now that Lu Man was expecting a child, Madam He, who was also receiving treatment, had a significant belly, but her condition had not improved.
Standing at the gate, with tears in her eyes, Madam Chen asked Lu Man once again, “Third Young lady, you are a miracle physician. You can cure others, why can’t you cure my illness?”
Lu Man felt great sympathy for Madam Chen and was trying her best to cure her illness. However, despite her efforts, there seemed to be little improvement in Madam Chen’s condition due to her limited medical skills.
Blushing, Lu Man said, “The title of ‘miracle physician’ is just a rumor, I’m not that skilled. But don’t lose hope, you’re only thirty years old, still young.”
After seeing off Madam Chen, Lu Man washed her hands and sat in the corridor, learning embroidery on a small garment while being taught by He Mingzhu.
Under the tree, the old Marquis, Jiang Jiu, Jiang Zhanyan, and even a cat and two dogs were playing joyfully.
Suddenly, Lu Man felt a sharp pain in her abdomen. She cried out, “Mother, I think it’s starting.”
He Mingzhu quickly got up and, along with Mama Wang, helped her to the birthing room prepared in the backyard, which was previously where He Mingzhu had stayed. Xing went to summon the midwife, while Lu Ying, with Xiao Zhong and Xiao Xi, rushed into the birthing room to prepare.
Seeing the old Marquis and Jiang Zhanyan following, He Mingzhu promptly had them escorted back to their own courtyard. She then informed Princess Changting that Lu Man was going into labor.
Upon hearing this, Princess Changting hurriedly brought Second Madam, Third Madam, and eldest Young Madam to Donghui Courtyard. Jiang Zhankui and Jiang Jiu, being children, were anxiously waiting outside the room.
To prevent the young siblings from being frightened, Princess Changting had them led to the Crane Hall. Reluctant at first, upon seeing Princess Changting’s stern expression, they wiped away their tears and left.
While this commotion was unfolding, another servant arrived to report that the Emperor’s decree had arrived, summoning Third Young Madam to receive it.
Princess Changting speculated that it was due to Lu’s prescription being submitted, leading to the Emperor’s commendation. She remarked, “How can she receive a decree while giving birth in bed?”
She then led Second Madam and others to the front courtyard to receive the decree.
Approximately half an hour later, Young Madam Han returned, smiling beneath the window. She announced, “Congratulations, Third Sister-in-law. The Emperor has praised the medicine formula you submitted and rewarded you with ten bolts of brocade, two boxes of pearls, and a plaque from the Tongren Hall bearing the inscription ‘A Physician with a Compassionate Heart.’ The decree has already been placed in the ancestral hall…”
At that moment, Lu Man’s pain had subsided, and she was elated upon hearing the news. With the plaque, the Tongren Hall now had an additional talisman.
She began experiencing labor pains around midnight and delivered the child the next morning. Despite the excruciating pain and a minor scuffle with Lu Ying, the childbirth process went smoothly without any major complications.
As the baby was born, crying loudly, the midwife exclaimed, “Congratulations, Third Young Madam, it’s a girl, fulfilling the sequence of a daughter before a son, forming a good pair.”
Swiftly, the midwife washed and swaddled the baby in red cloth, then brought her to Lu Man. The newborn, red and wrinkled, resembled Jiang Zhanwei more than Lu Man, just as she had dreamed.