Chapter 49: Consultation

Lu Man smiled and said, “I’ll add another five taels of silver to buy some good wine to celebrate Lu Ying’s promotion.” Finally, a reason to have a little drink.

Lu Ying replied with a smile, “How can I let Third Young Madam pay? I’ll contribute another two taels to buy the wine.”

Lu Man advised, “Keep that money for yourself. I’ll cover the cost of the wine, and tomorrow, Liu Ya’s brother will buy a small jar of osmanthus wine from outside.”

A small jar of wine, about two catties, would suffice. It wasn’t necessary to buy alcohol from the kitchen, as the kitchen staff often took their share. Lu Man preferred to reward Liu Ya’s family instead. Considering the maids who didn’t drink, she added, “Also, take another two silver coins to buy a bottle of fruit liqueur for making drinks…”

As everyone chatted and laughed, they heard sobbing from outside the door. Tao opened the door curtain and exclaimed, “Sister Hong Ling, what’s wrong?”

With swollen eyes, Hong Ling entered the room hesitantly.

Lu Man furrowed her brow, reluctant to deal with this mischievous girl but refrained from confronting her at that moment. She signaled to the other maids, who left the room quietly.

In a hushed tone, Lu Man said, “You’re already sixteen this year. If you don’t find a husband soon, you’ll be considered older. Once I establish myself in the mansion, I’ll find you a talented husband from a respectable family for a prosperous marriage. As for Lu Ying, she’s younger and has served me longer, so I’ve chosen her. Rest assured, after serving me for so long, I know your worth, and I won’t let you down financially.” She then got up to fetch a shrimp whisker red gold bracelet from her vanity to reward her.

Upon hearing about the prospect of marrying into a prestigious family, Hong Ling was pleased. Receiving the coveted shrimp whisker bracelet further delighted her. It was an item she couldn’t afford even after a year of saving. Despite feeling ignored by the Third Young Master in favor of Lu Man, she saw an opportunity for herself. If she couldn’t marry into the Third Young Master’s family, she could still marry into a good household.

Overwhelmed with emotion, she knelt down, bowed to Lu Man, and said, “Thank you for your kindness, Third Young Madam.”

Observing the change in Hong Ling’s demeanor, Lu Man could sense her thoughts and grew more irritated. She said, “Alright, go rest now. You’re not good at concealing your feelings, and people might start mocking you.”

Tonight, with Liu Ya on duty, Lu Man instructed her in private, “Hong Ling isn’t very reliable. Keep a close eye on her when I’m not in the courtyard. Don’t let her leave the premises freely or engage in casual conversations with others…”

Liu Ya looked slightly puzzled but quickly set aside her doubts and agreed to the instructions.

Lu Man noticed Liu Ya’s expression and silently approved of her. She was indeed a good maid, understanding, capable, and discerning. Thinking of the time she spent altering clothes, embroidering purses and handkerchiefs, and creating various trinkets for her, Lu Man wished Liu Ya would focus solely on serving her. What a pity…

The next morning, Lu Man returned to Orchid Pavilion from Crane Hall, where the seamstress came to take her measurements.

In the evening, Lu Ying hosted a dinner on Orchid Pavilion to celebrate her promotion. Lu Man dined with the two Head Maids and three Second-Rank Maids in the east wing, while the four housekeepers and two young maids dined in the back room, sharing half of the wine with them.

Hong Ling murmured, “Those old hags are so annoying, always belittling others. It’s a shame to give them this good wine to drink.”

Two days later, Fenhe brought more jewelry – two red gold hairpins with pearls, two jade hairpins, four pearl flowers, two pairs of pearl earrings, and two jade rings.

Amused by the colorful items, Lu Man couldn’t help but chuckle. All of these also cost money.

After dinner that day, as Lu Man was about to practice her needlework, the senior maid, Huang, requested an audience.

She entered, kneeled before Lu Man with a flushed face, and hesitated to speak.

Lu Man inquired, “What is it?”

Summoning her courage, Huang said, “Third Young Madam, I heard from Miss Liu Ya that her menstrual pain has improved significantly due to your treatment. My daughter-in-law has been married to my son for five years without conceiving. She suffers from menstrual pain, diagnosed as cold uterus by a physician, and despite years of medication, it hasn’t improved. I humbly request your help…”

As she spoke, her voice trailed off.

Huang’s husband had passed away early, and their son, although clever, had injured his leg, rendering him unable to work in the mansion. They relied on menial jobs to make ends meet. Both she and her daughter-in-law were low-ranking servants, struggling to make ends meet. With little money and years of medical expenses for her daughter-in-law’s condition, they were financially strained. Hearing Liu Ya mention that a few treatments from Third Young Madam had significantly improved her menstrual pain, Huang saw an opportunity to save on medical fees and decided to seek help.

Knowing that Huang was very honest and responsible for much of the labor in the courtyard, Lu Man had a favorable impression of her. She asked, “Do you want me to help treat your daughter-in-law?”

Huang nodded vigorously.

Lu Man was pleased as she had been looking for a place to practice her acupuncture and pulse diagnosis skills. This opportunity had presented itself. However, she remained modest and said, “I am young, and your daughter-in-law’s condition, which hasn’t improved after years of medication, is challenging. I can’t guarantee a cure, but I’ll give it a try. Have your daughter-in-law come to see me.”

Initially thinking that Lu Man might decline, Huang was relieved to hear that she was willing to try. She hurriedly expressed her gratitude and went to fetch her daughter-in-law.

Lu Man settled in the west wing. The east wing was her living space, and she preferred not to have unrelated servants there.

Soon, a woman in her twenties arrived. She wore coarse clothing, had a pallid complexion, and appeared timid and excessively honest. There was a faint unpleasant odor about her as she worked as a night incense burner at the mansion’s side entrance. She usually couldn’t enter even the second gate but was allowed in by a gatekeeper after receiving a small sum from her mother-in-law.

Seeing the maids wrinkling their noses and Xing pinching hers and blushing, Huang glared at her daughter-in-law, realizing she should have cleaned up before meeting Third Young Madam.

The woman bowed to Lu Man, her voice trembling as she said, “I’m Huang Niu, here to bow to Third Young Madam.”

The name “Huang Niu” (Yellow Cow) made Lu Man chuckle inwardly.

She replied, “Please rise.” gesturing towards a silk stool beside the table, “Have a seat.”

However, Huang Niu, afraid of dirtying the seat, hesitated to sit.

Lu Man smiled softly and said, “You need to sit for me to examine you. Don’t be nervous, relax, it’s essential to identify the cause of your condition.”

As a professional, it was crucial to help patients relax and establish a trusting relationship, ensuring they willingly entrust their well-being to the doctor’s care.