The Lucky Farmgirl-Chapter 2075 - 2050: Secret Discussion

"Thank you, sister-in-law," Bai Erlang glanced and said, "Bring more shoes, socks, and coats. I’m afraid it’ll be cold in Xiazhou. I’ll go and tell that to our elder aunt."

There was no need for him to say, as Old Madam Liu had long thought about it. She not only prepared two more sets for Bai Shan but also prepared additional ones for Bai Erlang and Manbao, especially shoes and socks, which took up half of a trunk, occupying more space than the regular clothing.

"I know your journey to Xiazhou won’t be easy, you might have to go to the countryside; certainly, it’s already snowing heavily there. If vehicles and horses are inconvenient, you may have to walk, which will certainly wear out your shoes and socks. Bring more, and change them immediately if they get wet. Many illnesses start at the feet."

Bai Erlang laughed, "Our elder aunt has become a doctor too."

Old Madam Liu laughed, "I’ve heard Manbao talking about health-preserving methods often; it’s hard not to know."

Ms.Qian also prepared a lot of shoes and socks for Manbao. When she put the things she prepared into the trunk and had her daughters-in-law carry it to Manbao’s room to continue packing, she saw Manbao and Bai Shan sitting across each other behind the screen, engrossed in flipping through books and writing.

She stood and watched for a while, then instructed Junior Ms.Qian and others to move gently, and let Ms.Fang and others leave, only leaving Junior Ms.Qian to help Manbao pack.

Manbao was reminded by Keke, looked up, saw her mother and sister-in-law were there but hadn’t come over, and therefore continued working.

Ms.Qian and Junior Ms.Qian packed Manbao’s luggage, then Junior Ms.Qian went to the kitchen to start preparing the food for their departure.

Ms.Qian sat on the other side of the screen watching the two kids hard at work, even when it was time for lunch they only ate two cakes sent from the kitchen, continuing till it was time to light the lamps, then slowly turned their necks and stood up.

Ms.Qian, who had been sitting there, seemed to come to her senses and got up to walk over.

Manbao, who had completely forgotten about her mother, was startled by Ms.Qian suddenly appearing at the screen.

Ms.Qian saw Manbao was frightened, clutching her chest looking shocked, knowing she had scared her, she quickly comforted her, "Why be scared at home, child? Don’t be scared, don’t be scared, the heavens won’t blame us, our Manbao is good..."

Comforting her like a small child.

Manbao released a breath and said, "Mom, I’m fine."

She felt that she was quite bold.

In fact, Bai Shan was also startled, he almost reached out to hold Manbao’s hand, fortunately, he hadn’t.

But he was facing away from Ms.Qian, so when she came up he had already composed himself, and Ms.Qian didn’t know he was startled too.

It was when Manbao quietly asked him while they’re having dinner, "Would you like me to make you a bowl of calming soup?"

Apparently, she noticed he was startled too.

Bai Shan said, "...No need, save it for yourself."

Manbao chuckled, "I don’t need it either, I’m brave enough."

The family had dinner earlier, Zhou Liru came to call them, but they were too absorbed to be awakened.

Now it was only the two of them and Ms.Qian who hadn’t eaten.

So when the three of them were eating, everyone was sitting around watching, mainly watching Manbao and Bai Shan.

Manbao was not new to being watched, but having so many people watching her eat was a first, making her a bit uneasy, "Dad, if there’s anything, just say it."

Old Zhou had nothing to say, he was just watching her.

Mr. Zhuang laughed, "As your teacher, I cannot go with you this time, so there are a few things to remind you of. Eat your food, no need to stand up; let Erlang listen carefully on your behalf."

So Bai Erlang, who had already sat down, stood up again, listening to Mr. Zhuang’s guidance with a well-behaved expression.

Manbao and Bai Shan also perked up their ears, but their hands kept moving, quickly eating until full as Mr. Zhuang finished speaking, then returned to their books.

When Bai Erlang chased into Manbao’s room, she had already put the books away from the table onto the shelves and was looking at the notes they had taken.

Bai Shan was sorting them for her, separating all related to variolation together. He and Manbao had discussed it, knowing this couldn’t be quickly finalized, so they set it aside for now, focusing on ways to treat smallpox.

Manbao ended up with six pages and looked through them carefully, Bai Shan said, "I find some methods too simplistic and absurd, afraid they won’t work."

Manbao said, "Smallpox is not like other epidemics; each person’s constitution is different, so the used remedies differ too. Like these two, they are recorded in Ge Hong’s ’Elbow Reserve for Soldiers,’ I’ve read records from the Imperial Hospital, they are useful, but the success rate isn’t high. Out of ten people using this remedy, maybe only two survive. And the pockmarks can’t be removed."

Bai Shan took them to look, and Manbao sighed, "At first, smallpox was called Lu Chuang since it was brought by captured soldiers during the Han dynasty wars. Later, Chen An contracted Lu Chuang and left pockmarks on his face, penning ’The heavens find fault, adorn the face with flowers,’ thus the name smallpox was coined. I still want to improve the cure rate, simultaneously prevent pockmarks on faces."

Because in Manbao’s view, having pockmarks on the face and body is still considered a disease.

She continued to look at other remedies, shaking her head after a while, these remedies weren’t very good, still not as good as the prescriptions offered during yesterday’s Imperial Hospital gathering.

She put down the remedies and said to Bai Shan, "You go and rest, I need to enter the palace again tomorrow."

Bai Shan got up and said, "You should rest early too, I need to find Senior Brother Tang tomorrow."

He didn’t need to go looking, the next morning, before Manbao could leave, Tang He came to find them.

The three sat facing each other, Tang He had his servant hand over things to them, "These are for Yang Changbo, could you help me deliver them?"

Manbao agreed, and the study fell silent.

After a while, Tang He sighed, "Take care of yourselves." 𝘧𝓇ℯℯ𝑤ℯ𝘣𝓃ℴ𝓋𝑒𝑙.𝑐𝘰𝑚

Bai Shan and Manbao agreed, Manbao glanced at Bai Shan, Bai Shan slightly nodded.

Manbao stood up and said, "Senior brother, you discuss this, I must go to the palace first."

Tang He nodded his head, and after Manbao left, he looked at Bai Shan, and the pair closed the door to talk privately.

The situation in Xiazhou isn’t good, well, rather Yang Heshu’s situation isn’t good.

His ability to keep Xiazhou under wraps comes from defying higher authorities, besieging the prefecture, and issuing orders bypassing Xiazhou’s officials of all ranks.

Now those trapped within the city aren’t just ordinary citizens, but also Xiazhou’s officials, gentry, merchants...

If Xiazhou can survive the crisis, Yang Heshu will have forged many grudges in Xiazhou; if not, his life might be considered over.

And his family of three is in Xiazhou too.

Tang He is only worried about one thing now, "Alone, if he angers the public, he might not be able to protect his family."

Human nature is simply that dark; Tang He, skilled in case-solving, pondered since receiving the news. If he were one of the Xiazhou people, he would wonder whether Yang Changbo would still keep the city sealed and refuse aid if his family caught the illness.

Thus, Tang He quietly said, "If you reach Xiazhou, the priority is to get Ms.Cui and her son out of the County Governmental Office, or have the Imperial Hospital staff stay."