The Lucky Farmgirl

Chapter 1823: 1798: Self-Discipline?

Capítulo 1823: Chapter 1798: Self-Discipline?

Manbao also took over the stove in Imperial Doctor Liu’s office. With two stoves going, she lit the charcoal and carefully placed the steamed meat and meatballs on the rack. She closed the lid and waited.

She hadn’t had lunch and was starving, so she simply squatted in front of the stove, enjoying the warmth.

The water started boiling, and you could hear the bubbling sounds from the pot. Slowly, a whiff of fragrance wafted lazily out from the pot…

After steaming for a quarter of an hour, the aroma filled the entire room. The medical assistants were already sitting by the side waiting, and even Imperial Doctor Liu, who had been drinking tea and waiting for the meal in his own office, couldn’t hold back. He came out, took a couple of turns around the room, then decisively dragged a chair over to sit beside Zhou Man.

He asked, “Is this made by your family’s cook, using a southern recipe?”

“This was made by my eldest sister-in-law,” Manbao praised her sister-in-law. “My eldest sister-in-law makes the best food. I grew up eating her dishes, and I’ve never tasted anything better than her cooking.”

Imperial Doctor Liu said, “I also think my mom’s cooking is the best, but that’s just my opinion.”

Manbao said, “It’s not favoritism; I have five sisters-in-law, and none of their cooking is as good as my eldest sister-in-law. Especially my second sister-in-law…”

Thinking of her second sister-in-law’s cooking skills, Manbao sighed, “My second sister-in-law is great at everything, except for her cooking skills… Sigh.”

Imperial Doctor Liu became slightly more interested, mainly because the pot was bubbling, and the aroma continually wafted out, making it smell very appetizing.

Imperial Doctor Liu unconsciously swallowed and asked, “How much longer does it need to steam?”

Manbao wanted to eat even more than he did, so she pulled her chair closer to the stove and said, “It’ll be a little while longer. My eldest sister-in-law said it’s best when fully heated.”

Just as they were talking, an attendant brought their meals to the Imperial Hospital.

Everyone received a meal box, with dishes varying based on rank.

Manbao accepted the meal box and immediately said, “It should be ready now. Quickly, open it, open it.”

The three medical assistants beside her immediately stepped forward to help.

Soon, the two doctors and three medical assistants sat around the table, each with their own meal, with a bowl of steamed meat and a bowl of meatballs in the center.

Manbao first picked up a piece of steamed meat for Imperial Doctor Liu, then said to the three robust medical assistants, “Everyone, dig in.”

Zhou Man, being of a higher rank than them, was courteously allowed to go first by the three medical assistants.

Manbao didn’t stand on ceremony, picking up a large piece of steamed meat and placing it on her rice. Only then did the other three start eating.

Imperial Doctor Liu took a bite, unable to contain his joy. The tender texture melted in his mouth, so soft and fragrant. He chewed, glanced at the bowl, then quickly ate one piece and grabbed another…

After they were full, Imperial Doctor Liu sat next to Manbao, drinking tea, and politely offered her some of his own collection, saying with a smile, “The in-law’s culinary skills are indeed impressive.”

It was then that Manbao remembered, oh right, her eldest sister-in-law was Lichong’s mother, so she was indeed an in-law to Imperial Doctor Liu.

So she said, “When Lichong visits you for New Year’s greetings, I’ll have my eldest sister-in-law send you two bowls.”

Imperial Doctor Liu made a token refusal and then accepted, saying to Manbao, “Pork has the benefits of nourishing and strengthening the body, moisturizing and enhancing the skin. It’s very suitable for those of us who have night duties.”

Manbao glanced at Imperial Doctor Liu. Although she thought what he said wasn’t quite right—the elderly shouldn’t eat too much meat—it was a basic issue he surely knew better about, so she nodded in agreement.

The two doctors sat in the Imperial Hospital waiting for night to fall, then kept watch by the stove, continuing to chat and daydream.

Manbao fished into her sleeve and pulled out a small pouch, which contained deer jerky.

Imperial Doctor Liu thought for a moment, decided that tonight was already too indulgent, so he might as well eat some more. He reached out to Zhou Man.

Manbao gave him a piece of meat, then ate a piece herself and asked, “Imperial Doctor Liu, don’t you prepare some snacks for yourself when on duty?”

Imperial Doctor Liu said, “I only prepare some substantial snacks and beans. I’m not a child, no need to prepare too many snacks.”

Manbao just watched the jerky in his hand.

Imperial Doctor Liu paused, then said, “It’s okay to have some occasionally.”

Having eaten so much from Manbao, he couldn’t not reciprocate, so he said, “The day after tomorrow when we’re on duty, I’ll bring you some delicious treats.”

Manbao nodded repeatedly, “I’ll be waiting.”

Imperial Doctor Liu then said, “You can bring some more of that steamed meat and meatballs to the palace. On New Year’s Eve, we always need to eat well, and since there will be a palace banquet that night, we’ll need to be extra alert. Eating can keep us awake.”

Manbao thought it made sense, so she nodded and agreed.

The two kept watch for half the night until it became cold, then got up to return to their small rooms to sleep. This time, Manbao wasn’t woken up in the middle of the night and slept straight through to dawn.

Imperial Doctor Liu was also pleased. To Imperial Doctor Lu, who came for the shift, he said, “There were no patients last night, so you both should rest early tonight as well.”

Imperial Doctor Lu said, “Thank you for the hard work, Imperial Doctor Liu… and Imperial Doctor Zhou.”

Zhou Man and Imperial Doctor Liu returned the courtesy, also politely replying that it was not troublesome, then picked up their things and left the palace.

At the palace gates, Imperial Doctor Liu spotted the carriage that came to pick up Zhou Man. Waving his hand, he smiled and said, “See you tomorrow.”

Manbao nodded, “See you tomorrow.”

Manbao walked towards her family’s carriage. As soon as she lifted the curtain, two heads quickly popped out, exclaiming, “Wow,” so startled that Manbao almost fell backward, but Daji, standing to the side, caught her.

Bai Shan and Bai Erlang saw her startled and immediately burst into laughter, saying, “We knew you didn’t sleep well last night and were bound to be startled.”

Manbao: “…Keke, why didn’t you tell me?”

Keke: “It posed no life threat to the host, and I didn’t detect any malice from them. If I informed you of every action in advance, your life would lose much of its fun.”

Manbao, stroking her now calm, but once racing heart, thought: This is not fun at all.

Bai Shan extended his hand with a smile, “Come up quickly. We’ll take you home to rest.”

Manbao placed her hand in his, and with his support, climbed into the carriage and asked, “Weren’t you going to play?”

“You look exhausted, it’s better not to,” Bai Shan smiled. “Besides, all the shops and markets are closed now, where could we even go to play?”

Manbao nodded and quietly said to him, “I have a secret to tell you when we get home.”

Bai Erlang, on the side, said, “I heard that.”

Bai Shan glanced at him, ignoring him, and told Manbao, “We’ll go to the open pavilion in the garden where no one will be.”

Bai Erlang: “Should I keep watch for you two?”

Manbao said, “No need, just don’t come eavesdropping.”

Bai Erlang hummed, “I won’t listen. What secret could you possibly have? It’s nothing more than court or palace matters, things that require a lot of effort to handle. I won’t listen.”

If listening means exerting effort, why bother?

Manbao thought about it and realized he was right about everything, so she gave him a thumbs-up.

Bai Erlang proudly raised his head.