Chapter 2606 - 2579: Chance Encounter

Bai Shan silently sat back in his place, trying to minimize his presence along with his colleagues.

The secretary was already accustomed to it, being around the emperor every day; he witnessed both open schemes and quite a few clandestine plots.

To be an emperor, even if one’s heart isn’t entirely dark, it can never be pure red; it always carries a tint of black to hold the throne stably.

Manbao, having obtained the medical book she wanted, didn’t concern herself with anything else. She comfortably reported to the Imperial Hospital daily to check on the concubines and occasionally made house calls, with the most regular visits being to the Zheng Family.

This time, when she was leaving the Zheng Family, they finally remembered to pay her a consultation fee—a plate of silver ingots. Manbao accepted it without hesitation, distributing one ingot each to the two accompanying assistant doctors.

Assistant Doctor Duan and his colleague hesitated before accepting, having heard tales of Imperial Doctor Zhou’s generosity towards her assistants. They hadn’t had the opportunity to work with her before and were pleasantly surprised to find the rumors true.

Manbao pocketed the remaining three ingots and told them, "There aren’t many cases in the palace. Next month, with the hot weather coming, the Imperial Hospital plans to set up free medical consultation booths in the east and west parts of the city. Make a schedule, ensuring you go for three days every ten days. Document the medical cases well; Director Xiao and I will need to review them."

Assistant Doctor Duan and his colleague were momentarily stunned before agreeing.

After Zhou Man had mounted her horse and left, the two of them were left holding their silver ingots, exchanging looks of disbelief.

Assistant Doctor Cai patted the silver ingot in his pocket and said, "I heard some rumors a few days ago that the Imperial Hospital is short of staff and plans to assign a few doctors permanently to some tasks there, meaning two new doctors will need to be promoted here."

Assistant Doctor Duan’s eyes lit up, "Do you mean we..."

He seemed doubtful, shaking his head, "Assistant Doctor Liu is not only the granddaughter of Imperial Doctor Liu but also a disciple of Imperial Doctor Zhou. She’s already prescribing independently; if anyone gets promoted, it should be her first."

Assistant Doctor Cai disagreed, "The Director sticks to the rules, and only because Imperial Doctor Zhou is exceptionally skilled has she been used without regard to protocol. Assistant Doctor Liu is still somewhat lacking compared to Imperial Doctor Zhou. Although she can diagnose independently, her strength lies in acupuncture, and her prescriptions are fewer. In terms of seniority, she ranks below us."

Hearing this, excitement bubbled up in Assistant Doctor Duan’s heart. If it were true, it would be a significant turning point for them in life.

Promoting from an assistant doctor to an imperial doctor is a significant milestone. Some, due to a lack of luck, remain assistants for ten years without promotion.

Few, like Zhou Man, ascend as quickly.

Even Director Xiao rose rapidly mainly due to substantial support from Imperial Doctor Tan back in the day.

Holding onto their silver and dreams, the two went home.

Meanwhile, Manbao, holding onto her silver, galloped back home with joy. Before reaching her doorstep, she spotted Bai Shan from afar, called out, and caught up with him on horseback, happily saying, "I made money again today."

Bai Shan smiled and asked, "Did Zheng Family pay the consultation fee, or did you take another outside consultation?"

"Zheng Family paid," Manbao handed her horse to the doorman, pulling Bai Shan aside to count the silver ingots.

Well, only three, no need to count, but they are hefty: each weighs ten taels. Placing them in the sleeve pocket, they feel substantial, and they look particularly good on the table.

Bai Shan touched them, feeling happy himself, "Shall we go out to eat tonight?"

Manbao nodded eagerly, "Yes, yes."

Thus, the two called Xi Bing and also asked May to inform Old Madam Liu before changing into fresh garments and heading out.

Daji and Xi Bing followed behind them.

At the marketplace, they weren’t in a rush to find food, instead strolling down the street. After walking for a while, Bai Shan asked her, "What do you want to eat?"

Manbao thought carefully for a moment and said, "Wontons, I want to eat wontons!"

"Alright!" Bai Shan thought for a moment, finally recalling a place famous for delicious wontons, and led her there by the hand.

By the time they arrived, it was mealtime, and the stall was already crowded. Bai Shan glanced around, noticing a table with customers about to leave, he swiftly sat with Manbao, but a person immediately sat beside them, claiming, "We were here first."

Bai Shan and Manbao turned to look at her; she looked familiar.

The girl who deftly secured the stool finally looked up, and upon seeing Bai Shan and Zhou Man, her eyes widened, and she immediately rose, bowing, "Your servant greets Lord Bai and Lord Zhou."

Manbao glanced behind her and asked, "Since you’re here, where’s your princess?"

The head maid smiled awkwardly, "The princess and the consort are waiting over there for grilled lamb, saying that wontons pair well with grilled meat."

Manbao nodded, sitting at the table, instructing Daji and Xi Bing, "Quickly sit down to reserve places; Princess Changyu and the consort will need seating when they arrive."

This is a communal table, meant for at least four people, and can seat six if squeezed, so securing seats in advance is necessary.

Upon hearing this, Xi Bing promptly pulled a stool to sit and also helped the head maid to sit.

The head maid perched on just a small section of the stool, feeling a bit apprehensive but more exhilarating, believing that Lord Zhou, known for her agreeable nature, wouldn’t be upset over this.

Indeed, Manbao wasn’t upset; instead, she asked her, "How much does your princess eat?"

"We didn’t eat anything; the princess only went out after the consort finished his duties."

Manbao nodded, "So have you eaten yet?"

The maid shook her head with a reserved smile.

Having earned quite a bit today, Manbao was generous, able to afford the eight-wen-per-bowl wontons, so she waved her hand grandiosely and said, "I’ll treat you; how many people do you have altogether?"

The head maid hesitated slightly before saying, "There are six attendants."

Manbao turned to the vendor, "Twelve bowls of wontons, all large portions."

"Alright, esteemed guest, please wait." The vendor glanced at Manbao and company, intentionally clearing a table for them as they served other customers.

After a while, Changyu and Wei Yu squeezed through amidst the protection of servant girls, pleasantly surprised to see Bai Shan and Manbao.

Especially Wei Yu, whose delight was palpable as he took a seat next to Bai Shan, asking warmly, "When did you arrive?"

Bai Shan replied with a smile, "We just got here as well; who would have thought we’d run into you today?"

Changyu sat next to Manbao, happy upon hearing that she ordered large bowls of wontons. "We’ll get to eat soon, though the large bowls provide quite a bit. I’m afraid I might not finish it."

Manbao said, "If you can’t finish, give it to me; I’ll eat it for you."

Knowing of Zhou Man’s hearty appetite, Changyu laughed, "You said it."

She turned to signal the maid to unwrap their grilled meat. "It’ll take some time for the wontons; let’s start with grilled meat."

Manbao skewered a piece for Bai Shan, then for Daji and Xi Bing, and finally ate a piece herself, exclaiming in surprise, "Not bad."

Feeling proud, Changyu lifted her chin, saying, "Not bad, right? It’s no worse than what we had during the Mid-Autumn Festival. I tried many places before finding this good one."