maidservant

Chapter 126 Li Niao's Visit and the Princess's Assistance
In the early morning, sunlight streamed into the entrance of Xinglin Chuntang, and the notice recruiting female doctors swayed gently in the breeze, making a rustling sound. However, the surroundings were deserted, and no one had stopped to take a closer look in the past two days.

Yunshan kept glancing at the notice, as if that would attract a suitable female doctor.

"Sigh." Yun Shan sighed deeply and turned to walk into the clinic.

Dr. Feng was organizing medical books when he looked up and saw Yun Shan. He shook his head helplessly.

"Hey manager, why don't we find two female apprentices first? We'll work harder, but we can teach them slowly. Things will get better eventually."

Apprentices can be recruited and taught little by little, but when will they be able to practice medicine on their own?
"Distant water cannot quench immediate thirst," Yun Shan shook her head. Another woman came to consult a doctor, and she became busy again.

More than ten days have passed. Every sunrise and sunset, Yunshan would habitually look towards the entrance of the clinic, hoping to see a female doctor come to accept the recruitment notice, but each time she returned disappointed.

Yunshan stood at the entrance of the clinic, staring at the somewhat tattered notice that had been blown by the wind, her brows furrowed into a deep frown.

Her hair was tousled by the wind, but she was completely unaware.

"What should I do?" she murmured to herself, her voice filled with exhaustion and confusion.

The sun was shining brightly today, and I had a rare moment of free time. A faint fragrance of medicine filled the Xinglin Chuntang clinic.

Yunshan sat in the lobby of the clinic, looking at the account book in front of her with worry. The brush in her hand twirled unconsciously between her fingers. She glanced at the door from time to time, her heart full of expectation yet also full of helplessness.

"I made money, but it was really tiring!"

Just then, a light footstep sounded, accompanied by a familiar call: "Yunshan! Yunshan!"

Yun Shan looked up abruptly and saw Li Niu standing at the door with a smile on her face, wearing a light pink silk dress. Behind her were two women with extraordinary temperament. They wore blue and brown cloth shirts, their hair was tied up in a high bun, and their expressions revealed competence and composure.

"Li Niu!" Yun Shan was both surprised and delighted. She hurriedly got up to greet her, her gaze falling on the two older women, each carrying a large medicine box.

A flicker of understanding and surprise flashed in Yun Shan's eyes.

"Quickly, please come in!" She warmly ushered everyone into the clinic, and as they walked, she couldn't help but ask, "And who are these two people...?"

Li Niao winked playfully, took Yun Shan's hand, and said, "Don't rush, let's sit down and talk slowly."

After everyone was seated in the hall, Li Niao smiled and spoke:
“Yunshan, news of your opening of a clinic has already reached my sister-in-law’s ears. The Princess knows you’re having trouble recruiting female doctors, so she wants to help you out. The Princess’s wet nurse is a female doctor herself and knows a few doctors who practice medicine in the martial arts world, so she had her contact these two. That’s why I brought them along today, since I’m off duty.”

Yun Shan's eyes instantly reddened, and her voice choked with emotion:
"The Princess is so kind, Yunshan has no way to repay her."

She quickly stood up and bowed deeply to the two female doctors, saying, "I hope you two will take good care of Xinglin Chuntang in the future."

The two female doctors quickly returned the greeting, smiling and expressing their willingness to help the clinic.

Yun Shan led Li Niao to the pavilion in the backyard of the clinic. Outside the pavilion, the branches and leaves were lush, and the warm sunlight shone through the gaps, casting dappled shadows on the two of them.

Yun Shan poured Li Niao a cup of tea and said with emotion, "It's all thanks to you, otherwise, I would have been in real trouble!" Li Niao waved her hand, picked up the teacup and took a small sip, "Why are you being so polite with me?" The two looked at each other and smiled, and for a moment, their old friendship welled up in their hearts.

Yun Shan hesitated for a moment, but still couldn't help asking, "How is the palace doing lately?"

Li Niao leaned closer and lowered her voice: "Consort Yang is pregnant."

Yun Shan frowned slightly, a look of surprise flashing in her eyes. Before she could speak, Li Niao continued, "But His Majesty doesn't seem happy. He has rarely summoned her since the New Year. I don't know why."

Yun Shan sighed softly, "Palace affairs have always been complex and unpredictable."

Li Niao nodded, and before Yun Shan could ask, she added, "The Consort Xian is well, and the two princes are also well, so don't worry."

Before Yun Shan could even settle in, the two female doctors quickly washed their hands and got to work. Yun Shan was quite satisfied with their efficient manner. Doctor Feng carefully observed the two doctors' diagnostic methods of observation, auscultation, inquiry, and palpation. The two female doctors, knowing they were newcomers and might arouse distrust, always had Doctor Feng examine the prescriptions they wrote.

Yunshan, having finally found some free time, chatted with Li Niao about the mundane daily life in the palace, the changing political landscape, and the little things in their lives.

From afternoon to dusk, before we knew it, the sun was gradually setting in the west.

Li Niao stood up and said reluctantly, "I should go back now."

Yunshan also stood up and took her hand: "You must come again next time you have a day off." Yunshan packed two packets of authentic pastries made in the alley for Li Niu.

As she was leaving, Yunshan suddenly remembered something crucial and said to Li Niao with a solemn expression:
"Please convey a message to Consort Xian."

"Okay, what's up?"

"I've heard that a plague has broken out in Xizhou. If it's convenient, Your Majesty, please obtain an imperial decree allowing medical clinics outside the palace to make their own fever-reducing pills. These pills might play a crucial role in preventing and controlling the plague. If the common people can make them themselves, they can take precautions in advance."

Yun Shan paused, then added, "The folk refining techniques are not as good as those in the palace. We can ask Your Majesty to give it a name to distinguish it from the antipyretic pill, so that it won't be passed off as a superior product and cause chaos."

Watching Li Niao's departing figure, Yun Shan turned to look at the two newly arrived female doctors, her eyes filled with hope and anticipation as she looked at them.

Since it was inconvenient to settle the two female doctors with the shop assistants, Yunshan first settled them in an inn and then asked the matchmaker for a house with a small courtyard.

“This location is close to our clinic. Manager Song can trust this old woman. He won’t ask you for more rent,” the matchmaker blinked and said, “Five taels of silver a year.”

Having gained a deep understanding of market prices over the past few months, Yunshan shook her head and began to haggle:
“Residential properties are not like shops; they’re plentiful, not on the main street, but in winding alleyways.” Before the matchmaker could object, she continued:
“I looked yesterday, and there are still a few rooms available for subletting. A matchmaker asked me about them, but I was thinking of asking you first since I know you so well. But your price is too high, so I'll ask around again.”

The matchmaker quickly held up three fingers, and Yunshan smiled and signed a five-year contract with her.

A gentle summer breeze brings warmth, signaling that summer is fast approaching.

The Li residence was peaceful and serene, yet a hint of tension and anticipation lingered within.

Xiaoyue's belly was swollen high, and the little life inside was about to arrive. Li Mao was full of worry and joy. He spared no expense to invite the most famous midwife in the city and settled her in the mansion in advance, hoping that everything would go smoothly.