The Lucky Farmgirl-Chapter 2070 - 2045: Urgent Summons

Manbao examined his pulse record and carefully recalled Ping Bangyan’s face from the other day, pondering as she prescribed him a medication and wrote down medical advice.

She also found him a bottle of ointment, "Treat both internally and externally. From what I saw the other day, it’s not very serious. A light diet should speed up recovery."

Manbao discreetly earned side income in the palace until she had time during her next break to formally visit Ping Bangyan and then check on Madam Tang, making her external consultation business flourish.

She brought her apprentice and niece-in-law Liu Sanniang along, intending to give her some experience and simultaneously boost her reputation.

The acne on Ping Bangyan’s face was not particularly severe. According to him, he tends to break out when nervous, especially during exams. This time, with such a significant official exam, it was the worst outbreak of his life.

Initially, he thought of finding a clinic outside for treatment, but after two weeks of medication, there was little improvement, and a few more pimples even emerged.

In desperation, his wife mentioned a whitening cream and acne balm from the Zhou Family in the capital, claiming the chef at Zhou’s Restaurant was once covered in acne but now his skin is smooth and clear.

Upon inquiry, they learned the chef from Zhou’s Restaurant was Manbao’s Sixth Brother, and the whitening cream and acne balm were made by Manbao’s sister-in-law and niece.

Taking the opportunity at a meal with his peers, he started a conversation with Bai Shan and found Manbao.

Indeed, after following her prescription for seven days, he felt much better. The acne wasn’t as red or prominent, and both he and his wife noticed improvement.

Thus met formally, Ping Bangyan warmly invited Manbao and Bai Shan for a meal, and they were about to accept when suddenly, the door was knocked hurriedly.

The urgency was such that Manbao felt a sense of déjà vu. She quickly stood up while Ping Bangyan managed to say, "Send someone to see who’s knocking..."

Manbao was already striding out with Bai Shan quick on her heels, finding the knocking familiar even though they weren’t home.

Ping Bangyan’s gaze flickered as he immediately stood up to follow them out.

As the door opened, Daji holding a horse outside immediately said, "Miss Man, there’s a summons from the palace."

In front of Ping Bangyan, Manbao didn’t ask much and simply nodded to him, saying, "Ping Bangyan, today isn’t convenient, let’s dine another day."

Ping Bangyan quickly nodded and smiled, "Imperial Doctor Zhou, you attend to your duties first. Brother Bai..."

Bai Shan had already taken another horse from Daji, smiling as he said, "No problem. We’ll head home first."

They had arrived by carriage with guards, and Manbao had Liu Sanniang take the carriage back while she galloped home with Bai Shan, disregarding being on the street.

Waiting at the Zhou Residence wasn’t an attendant but a medical assistant from the palace.

Seeing this, Manbao quietly breathed a sigh of relief, jumped off the horse, and asked, "Is it the Department of Imperial Physicians or the Imperial Hospital that has a matter?"

"The Imperial Hospital. Imperial Doctor Liu urgently summoned everyone to return to the palace."

Manbao nodded in acknowledgment, turned to Bai Shan, and said, "I’m heading to the palace first."

She boarded the palace carriage sent to pick her up and asked the medical assistant, "What’s the matter?"

"I don’t know either. Before this, Imperial Doctor Liu received an urgent report from the Department of State Affairs," the medical assistant paused before adding, "Not sure which place has an epidemic outbreak."

"It’s winter now, how could there be an epidemic?"

Epidemics can occur in any season, though they prefer spring and summer. Early autumn might see outbreaks, but generally, in winter...

Manbao was suddenly alarmed, asking, "Could it be a cold flu?"

The medical assistant looked innocently at her; he didn’t know.

Manbao had to repress her concerns and proceed to the palace.

Meanwhile, Bai Shan hadn’t yet turned around when Mr. Zhuang called him with a somber face, "Lord Yang from Xiazhou sent you a letter. Come and see."

Isn’t receiving a letter from Yang Heshu quite normal? Why is Mr. Zhuang looking so grim?

Bai Shan hurriedly followed him inside, asking, "Sir, did something happen in Xiazhou?"

Mr. Zhuang nodded slightly, "It’s not a messenger from Yang’s family but a soldier stationed outside the city’s posthouse. He said... Xiazhou has an outbreak of smallpox."

Bai Shan’s pupils contracted, his breathing quickened as he sped up his pace to the study. Bai Erlang had already unsealed the thick envelope, not only reading their letter but also the confidential one addressed to Manbao.

After all, they were together. Although addressed to Manbao, surely it wasn’t meant to exclude them.

Seeing Mr. Zhuang and Bai Shan enter, he immediately grabbed the letter and jumped up, "Scholarly Senior Brother Yang’s letter, Xiazhou, wuwuwu..."

Seeing the letter, Bai Dalang’s face also turned slightly pale, but he quickly covered Bai Erlang’s mouth.

Mr. Zhuang took the letter from Bai Erlang’s hand and said slowly, "Why the haste? Can’t you speak slowly?"

Listening to Mr. Zhuang’s words, Bai Dalang felt calmer, and Bai Erlang also collected himself, pulling down his elder brother’s hand and staring intently at the pair.

Bai Shan took the stacked letters, finding it addressed to the three of them, mostly containing congratulations and thanks for sending some local products from the capital.

He set the letter aside, turned to see what Mr. Zhuang held.

That was the letter meant for Manbao.

Mr. Zhuang read quickly, handing each page to Bai Shan upon finishing. Bai Shan took and read immediately.

Yang Heshu wrote to Zhou Man seeking advice, more accurately to request help.

Smallpox broke out in Xiazhou, with the number of cases still uncertain. He managed to control the currently sick individuals, but surely burning all alive was not an option?

So while he controlled the people, he was unable to control the outbreak. Xiazhou’s doctors were no match for those in the capital, much less the palace’s, so he sought Zhou Man’s guidance on treatment for smallpox.

If the Imperial Hospital could send people to Xiazhou, that would be even better.

Bai Shan scanned quickly, noting Yang Heshu’s account of how smallpox was discovered in Xiazhou. Seeing certain names and places, Bai Shan’s heart sank, "This is bad, the outbreak began north of the city. Can Scholarly Senior Brother Yang control all the people?"

Meanwhile, in the palace, this very issue was under discussion due to Yang Heshu’s urgent dispatch, with key provincial officials gathered for a meeting. Because it involved an epidemic, the Imperial Hospital was also present.

Imperial Doctor Liu brought Doctor Xiao and Manbao along.

Doctor Xiao was included for his many years as head of the hospital, his medical skills and reputation unparallel. Manbao came for her persuasive skills, and being an editor, ensuring the Imperial Hospital wouldn’t be at too much of a disadvantage in discussions.

And so, everyone sat for the meeting.

First, Yin Li spoke, "Lord Yang stated that someone in the Xiazhou Governor’s mansion also contracted smallpox. When he sealed the city gates and the governor’s mansion, Governor Niu’s eldest son was already out, thus advising the capital to intercept all those coming from the north to prevent smallpox from entering the capital."