Chapter 2647 - 2580: Visiting Neighboring Houses

Manbao was already flipping through the medical books they brought along, looking for methods to use sleep-inducing spices or various medicinal sachets.

Imperial Doctor Liu, following beside her, noticed she was only skimming the table of contents and said with a twitch of his mouth, "Stop looking. The books we brought don’t cover spices. If you’re really interested, you’ll have to request someone to bring the books from the Imperial Hospital."

Manbao felt a sudden impulse, "Otherwise, I’ll make a trip back. If I ride swiftly and set out early tomorrow, I can be back by the morning after tomorrow."

Imperial Doctor Liu considered it. Since both he and Director Xiao were currently present, Zhou Man’s temporary absence wouldn’t be a problem, so he said, "You should ask Director Xiao."

Manbao curiously asked, "Imperial Doctor Liu, are you familiar with spices?"

"Not familiar," Imperial Doctor Liu replied. "Specialization is key. In the Imperial Hospital, the doctor most familiar with spices should be Imperial Doctor Ji, who is now retired."

Manbao felt quite regretful upon hearing this. She wasn’t familiar with spices either, especially medicinal ones.

"But nowadays, there are just a few types of sleep-inducing spices. Whether they’re effective for Lord Wei is one thing; even if they work, would Lord Wei use them?"

"Why wouldn’t he use them?"

"Because they’re expensive!"

Manbao went quiet for a moment and then said, "No worries. We can get His Majesty to send them when the time comes."

Imperial Doctor Liu was silent after that.

Imperial Doctor Tan and Director Xiao praised Zhou Man’s medical skills. After reviewing the treatment plan Zhou Man set, they found nothing to add and requested to leave the mountain.

Manbao thought Imperial Doctor Tan was impressive. They had only interacted on Yin Huo’s illness before. This time, due to Lord Wei, their discussion about the illness made her realize there was such an outstanding elderly doctor in the capital, and she couldn’t let him go.

So she stood up and asked, "Imperial Doctor Tan, when will you return to the capital?"

Imperial Doctor Tan smiled and said, "It’s late today. If His Majesty has no other instructions, I will return to the capital tomorrow."

Manbao immediately said, "I’ll go back with you."

Manbao took the opportunity to ask Director Xiao for leave, as she needed to find books.

Director Xiao looked at her for a moment and still nodded slightly.

Manbao felt something strange about his gaze but was too excited about traveling with Imperial Doctor Tan to think much of it.

She happily said to Imperial Doctor Tan, "It’s too hot, and I didn’t bring a carriage on this trip. You don’t mind me riding with you, do you?"

Imperial Doctor Tan smiled and said, "I don’t mind."

Imperial Doctor Liu couldn’t help but say, "Didn’t Doctor Zhou plan to rush back on horseback?"

Manbao said, "I suddenly remembered that the Astronomical Bureau mentioned that the high temperatures and scorching sun of these days require caution when going out. So I think I should take care of my health."

What else could Imperial Doctor Liu say?

Imperial Doctor Tan went to bid farewell to the emperor, also informing him and Lord Wei of their discussed treatment plan.

One option was resignation and recuperation, which didn’t need much discussion as it was impossible;

The second option was to work while recuperating. Whether recovery was possible was uncertain, but controlling the condition’s deterioration was necessary.

The emperor and Wei Zhi selected the second option.

Acupuncture would be used, and since Zhou Man would remain attending at the palace, Wei Zhi became her exclusive patient.

Yes, the emperor was also ill at this time.

Manbao mentioned the idea of sleep-inducing incense to the emperor, "I will return with Imperial Doctor Tan tomorrow to fetch some medical books for research."

Emperor: "Cramming before the test?"

Manbao said, "I’ll try hard to grasp it, hoping it will work."

The emperor couldn’t outtalk her, and after pursing his lips, he agreed.

Manbao happily took her leave and, with time on her hands, ran to find Changyu, "I’m going back to the capital tomorrow. Do you want me to bring you any food?"

Changyu’s eyes lit up and she asked, "Why are you going back to the capital? I’ll go with you."

"In this hot weather, didn’t you come here to escape the heat? Why go back with me?" Manbao said, "I’m going back to look for medical books."

Changyu was filled with concern, "Is Father Emperor’s illness serious?"

These past two days, calling Director Xiao, summoning Imperial Doctor Liu, and today even inviting Imperial Doctor Tan. But when paying respects, Father Emperor seemed healthy, handling affairs as usual. If not for the smell of medicine in his palace and seeing him take it, she almost thought Father Emperor was faking illness.

The emperor intended to take a break for a few days to be lazy, but due to Wei Zhi’s illness, he couldn’t do so.

Manbao said, "Not too serious, don’t worry. It’ll improve in a few days. However, I want to find some formulae for sleep-inducing incense and sachets, so I need to return to consult medical texts."

Changyu froze for a moment before saying, "Sleep-inducing incense, I have some. As for books, I remember Mingda has a few scent-formulae. Want to ask her?"

"Sure."

Changyu took Manbao’s hand and went to find Mingda, saying on the way, "When you come back, bring me some braised meat from the Eastern Market. Since you’ll be in the Eastern Market, also get some roasted chestnuts and roast chicken from the Nine Blessings Building. It’s a pity fresh sashimi can’t be carried back; it needs to be eaten fresh..."

"Oh, and your sister-in-law’s tofu pudding is also delicious."

Manbao, understanding her intent, immediately said, "Once I get back, I’ll have my sister-in-law make it. Yes, making tofu pudding, chill it in water, and it’s very delicious."

Changyu became happy, pulling her along to quicken their pace, "Come on, let’s see if Mingda wants anything to eat."

Mingda didn’t, but Bai Erlang had many cravings. Mainly because the food at the summer palace was much lighter than in the capital.

The main thing was, in the capital, they could occasionally go out to shop and eat, but at the summer palace, they could occasionally ride out to hunt or pick fruits and vegetables from the fields—only shopping was lacking.

Bai Erlang was craving intensely.

Changyu added, "At first it was fine, but after several days, I’ve almost lost my sense of taste."

Manbao was also craving, especially after they ordered so many dishes, so she swallowed and said, "I’ll buy everything for you!"

Then everyone would share, not because she was greedy, but because it was for the princesses.

Manbao quietly asked Bai Shan, "Is there anything you want to eat? I’ll add it to the list and say it’s all for Changyu."

Bai Shan suppressed a smile and said, "You’re really brazen with this blame-shifting."

Manbao said, "Changyu won’t mind."

Bai Shan thought for a moment and then whispered, "Right now, my elder sister-in-law is probably not in the capital but in Pu Village. It’s not far from there. If you want to eat something, send someone once you’re out. There’s a settlement at the foot of the mountain; have my sister-in-law send the food there. Later, have Princess Changyu send someone down to fetch it, saving you all this trouble."

Still holding back to bring so many things on her rare return to the capital.

Manbao’s eyes lit up, "Why didn’t I think of that?"

Bai Shan smiled, gently ruffling her hair, and whispered, "When you go back, take Daji and the others with you to run errands, so you won’t get sunburned."

Manbao nodded, indicating she understood.