Chapter 1433: Chapter 1411 Spread Out
The crown princess’s face was as red as anything, and Manbao, not being foolish, turned to glance at the prince who was laughing incessantly. Manbao guessed that the injury was caused by the crown princess.
Unexpectedly, the crown princess, who appeared so gentle, could actually injure the prince. She’s truly an exemplary figure for us.
Manbao didn’t bring up the matter again, but simply said to the prince who was nearly laughing the needle away, "Your Highness, if you keep laughing, I’ll have to start all over again."
The prince then forcibly held back his laughter.
Ever since he was first permitted to share a room with the crown princess, the prince, though no longer abstinent, also showed restraint, mostly resting at the crown princess’s place.
There are no real secrets in the palace, especially with so many eyes on the Eastern Palace.
Within a few days, the matter of the prince calling for water at night slowly spread out from the Eastern Palace, and the first to know were the emperor and empress.
The two didn’t ask the prince nor summon Zhou Man, but a spark of hope ignited in their hearts, and their appetites improved each day.
They were just very anxious, constantly keeping a silent watch on the Eastern Palace.
Not to mention the emperor, even the empress couldn’t help quietly praying to Buddha, while the emperor directly donated a considerable sum of incense money to the Guardian of the Nation Temple, hoping the venerable Buddha would protect the prince.
When Manbao learned of this, he was being led out of the palace by Eunuch Wu. Perhaps the atmosphere in the Eastern Palace had been good lately, so his face showed a bit more cheer.
It wasn’t originally his turn to escort her today, but coincidentally, he had errands outside the Eastern Palace, so he conveniently escorted Manbao, taking the opportunity to chat.
He specifically mentioned the emperor and empress’s reactions, intending to convey to Zhou Man how seriously the emperor and empress regarded the matter. If the crown princess were truly pregnant, it would be a great merit for her.
However, Manbao was more concerned about, "Why does His Majesty only pray to Buddha? He should worship everything, so if one doesn’t work, the other might."
Eunuch Wu whispered, "Such lack of sincerity is neglecting the Buddha. If Buddha knows, he will blame us."
Manbao thought for a bit and said, "It’s not that bad. I like braised chicken, but I also like braised lamb, as long as it’s tasty. Why choose just one?"
She continued, "Buddhism, Taoism, even law and Confucianism, and other schools are the same. If it makes sense, use it. Why believe solely in one way? Isn’t it enough if it works?"
Eunuch Wu said he didn’t understand.
Manbao took the opportunity to vent, feeling that the emperor had started a trend, making the Guardian of the Nation Temple lively.
But the temple was a bit far from where they lived, and the last time they went, there was an incident, suggesting it might not be auspicious, yet the city’s Taoist temples weren’t as lively as the Buddha temples, and Manbao favored liveliness.
She felt the emperor should treat all the same. Since he donated incense money to the Guardian of the Nation Temple, he should also stop by a Taoist temple for a ritual.
While chatting, they arrived at the palace gates, where Manbao’s usual carriage awaited, but the driver was absent. Manbao glanced at the group behind Eunuch Wu and waved generously, "Eunuch Wu, you go ahead, I’ll wait here for a bit."
Eunuch Wu frowned slightly, "Where did this person go?"
Manbao was unconcerned, "When nature calls, perhaps he went to the convenience."
Eunuch Wu waited a little, but seeing no one appeared and remembering his own duties, he smiled and said, "Then, Doctor Zhou Junior, wait a moment, shall I leave this palace servant to keep you company?"
"No need, no need, if you leave someone with me, you’ll be short-handed. I’m not bored; I can chat with the guards."
The guards standing by the palace gates: ...
Manbao was a frequent visitor to the palace, so Eunuch Wu wasn’t worried. Seeing her insist, he smiled and left with his people.
After he left, Manbao waited briefly and the driver arrived.
He repeatedly apologized, bowing to let Manbao board the carriage, and after inspection, drove off from the palace.
Manbao noticed he looked pale. She was usually escorted by him when entering and exiting the palace, knowing he belonged to the Eastern Palace, they were somewhat familiar.
So she lifted the curtain and asked, "I see you’re sweating and pale, with colorless lips. What’s wrong?"
The driver quickly and nervously claimed he was fine.
But with a glance at the medicine box beside her, he hesitated a bit.
After some hesitation, he finally whispered, "Doctor Zhou Junior, what to do if diarrhea doesn’t stop? I, I have a fellow villager living with me, he, he seems to have caught an epidemic recently, constantly having diarrhea."
Manbao scrutinized him, seeing him sweating profusely, confirmed her suspicions.
While teaching Ms.Doctor Liu and others in the palace, she learned of many taboos, one being that servants were not to fall ill, especially with epidemics.
Should there be any such symptoms, they must be moved to the quarantine place, regardless of cause.
During such times, medicine efficacy was limited, and with all the nobles in the palace, risks couldn’t be taken.
Manbao frowned, for if it was an epidemic, he might unwittingly endanger others by staying in the palace.
Yet those with power might still perish in quarantine, let alone lower-level servants who were practically sent to their deaths.
Manbao rolled up the curtain and quietly said, "Let me take a look."
She didn’t expose him or follow his lead in conversation.
The driver was indecisive, but facing Manbao’s bright eyes, he slowed the carriage and slightly rolled up his sleeve, extending his hand to Manbao.
Manbao placed her fingers on his wrist, listened to his pulse with closed eyes for a while, then frowned, "This isn’t an epidemic, seems more like you ate something bad."
Manbao frowned and asked, "Has your recent diet been particularly cold? I see you’ve consumed something that causes diarrhea, hence the symptoms."
The driver asked blankly, "What is that diarrhea-inducing thing?"
"Stuff like croton or senna leaf, things that cause diarrhea when eaten."
The driver shook his head vigorously, "How would we dare eat such things?"
That would be like sending ourselves to death!
But he soon realized he might have been harmed.
But why?
He was just a driver, cleaning the corridors daily, doing hard work, not offending anyone.
Manbao already opened the medicine box, sat up front with him, "Come, the road is smooth enough, just slow down, and I’ll give you some acupuncture."
The acupuncture was on the arm, Manbao saying as she worked, "There are two sets of needles. If you can return late, once we reach Changqing Alley, pause for about 45 minutes, and I’ll do the abdomen too for faster recovery."
The driver was deeply grateful upon hearing this.
Having finished on both hands, Manbao took the reins herself, "You move over, I’ll take the reins."
Alarmed, the driver exclaimed, "I can’t let Doctor Zhou Junior drive."
Manbao nonchalantly replied, "You can’t move now, don’t worry, I can handle it."
She had seriously learned to do so, not as well as Bai Shan, but the road was smooth enough, with a designated path, at a slower pace. What’s difficult about that?