Chapter 1314: Chapter 1292: Gathering
No wonder she was so delighted. Ever since she arrived in the capital, none of the wealthy households—be it men or women—liked going to the pharmacy for medical treatment. No matter if it was a serious illness or a minor one, an emergency or a chronic condition, they always insisted that the doctor go to their house for consultations.
If it was for privacy, she felt it was completely unnecessary. After all, once the doctor returned, the servants carrying the prescription would head to the pharmacy to get the medicine. Even if the visiting doctor didn’t disclose the illness, the pharmacists could immediately tell what it was just by looking at the prescription.
Not to mention some tricky illnesses that required consultation with colleagues in the same hall to avoid prescribing the wrong medicine or treating the wrong ailment.
When visiting someone’s home for a consultation, after making rounds, everyone in the household would know you were sick.
From the few houses she’d visited, it was clear that as soon as she stepped through the door, the whole household would know within moments. And in some families where people couldn’t keep their mouths shut, by the time she had left the house, details about the patient’s condition had already spread to the streets.
In her opinion, house calls were far less private.
If anyone sought privacy, they could simply go to Jishi Hall, sit upstairs on the second floor. If the condition was truly sensitive, they could ask the doctor to prescribe a few additional medicines. Once the prescription was handed downstairs to be filled, not only family members and the streets but even the pharmacists couldn’t figure out the true condition.
The most important thing was that it saved them a lot of time.
Did people not realize that making house calls required riding in carriages all over the place, and even then, they’d have to walk a long stretch?
Take the palace, for instance—from the palace gates to the Eastern Palace and then to Taiji Hall—it would take half an hour, wouldn’t it?
With half an hour, she could accomplish so much!
Manbao held Ms. Cui’s hand, her eyes sparkling as she said, "Madam Cui, just because you’re willing to go to Jishi Hall for a consultation, I’ll ask Shopkeeper Zheng to give you a discount on the medicine."
Ms. Cui: "... Thank you?"
Does she even need a discount?
Meanwhile, Tang He and the others had settled down in the pavilion. Bamboo curtains hung around its edges with thick felt coverings as an additional layer.
In the summer, they’d remove the felt, leaving only the bamboo curtains to block some mosquitoes while still allowing airflow, making the pavilion a comfortable spot to sit.
In winter, they’d lower the bamboo curtains and hang up the felt to block the wind.
Because they wanted to admire the snow and plum blossoms, the curtains and felt that faced the plum trees in the pavilion were rolled up. They sat near a fire basin, with a small table nearby, attended by servants preparing and grilling meat.
Tang He sat cross-legged on a low couch, stretching his hands toward the fire basin to warm up. After sighing contentedly, he said, "Nothing beats the comfort of being at home."
Yang Heshu shook his head with a smile.
Yin Huo sat quietly beside Bai Erlang, also cross-legged on his own low couch. A servant brought tea and placed it on the small table by his side.
The table was tiny, barely enough for a single plate and teacup. Tang He joked with Yin Huo, "It’s a bit shabby, but I hope Young Master Yin doesn’t mind."
Yin Huo bent slightly and replied, "Thank you, Senior Brother Tang. Of course not."
Tang He raised a brow and said, "Oh, right, since you’re now studying at the National Academy, I really am your senior brother in title."
He then turned to Bai Shan and Bai Erlang and said, "You two shouldn’t always be addressing me as ’Sir,’ like elders. Just call me ’Senior Brother’ along with Yin Huo."
Bai Erlang was indiscriminate in making friends, but Bai Shan was much more cautious. Since he had brought Yin Huo here, it was clear he considered him worthy of friendship.
Especially since after returning to the capital, they had heard that when the Prince of Yizhou left the city, he had sent assassins. Rumor had it that Yin Huo was also present at the time—these teenagers had apparently shared life-and-death experiences.
Yang Heshu was the quieter one; most of the conversation was led by Tang He. Yin Huo didn’t say much either, his demeanor initially reserved, but after listening to them chat for a while, he gradually relaxed.
Yang Heshu took a sip of tea, while Bai Shan glanced outside and asked, "Where did Manbao and the others go?"
Tang He, insightful as ever, raised his eyes to look at Bai Shan and asked, "Are you two engaged yet?"
Bai Shan’s face reddened slightly, but he maintained a composed expression and replied, "Her parents are not in the capital."
Tang He said, "But doesn’t she have older brothers here? You might as well just go ahead and make it official."
Yang Heshu, as the magistrate of Luojiang County, was aware of Zhou Family’s doting love for Zhou Man. Upon hearing this, he chuckled and said, "I doubt her brothers would dare make such an important decision or even be able to."
Bai Shan nodded and replied matter-of-factly, "We’re still young; engagements should be handled with more care."
Bai Erlang was highly inquisitive and asked, "Have you even mentioned this to Manbao herself?"
Bai Shan shook his head. "No."
Of course not—he’d been with them this whole time and had never overheard any conversations about it.
Bai Shan shot him a look and said, "That’s called mutual understanding, you know?"
Bai Erlang: ...
Tang He burst out laughing, followed by Yang Heshu’s amused chuckle. Even Yin Huo cracked a smile, and the atmosphere instantly lightened. Tang He relaxed further, leaning back against the couch as he asked, "When you two get engaged, what kind of gifts would you like us to give?"
Bai Shan asked, "We’re heading back to the capital next spring. By then, will Senior Brother Tang still be in the city?"
Tang He nodded and said, "I’ve joined the Ministry of Justice, so I won’t be sent elsewhere for now."
Pointing at Yang Heshu, he added, "But he isn’t so certain."
Yin Huo raised his head slightly and asked softly, "Senior Brother Yang didn’t enter the Ministry of Revenue?"
Yang Heshu smiled faintly and replied, "I have little experience, so I plan to spend a few years posted outside. My position in the Ministry of Revenue is only temporary; once a suitable position becomes available, I’ll transfer out."
Bai Shan nodded emphatically and said, "The capital is too small, has too many people, and its politics are too complex. There’s little room for accomplishment—it’s much more enjoyable governing the common folk in other regions."
Tang He, sipping tea at the moment, raised his head in surprise and asked, "You’re so young—how are you already thinking about this?"
Bai Shan replied matter-of-factly, "I’ll be taking the imperial exams in a few years, so it’s only natural to plan ahead."
Tang He clicked his tongue and shook his head. Turning to Bai Erlang, he asked, "And you? Have you thought about what you’d like to do in a few years?"
Bai Erlang stared at him blankly, "Me?"
Tang He felt reassured. Yes, this was a more normal reaction.
His gaze shifted to Yin Huo, and he asked with a smile, "Three or four years from now, what’s your plan, Yin Xuedi?"
Yin Huo replied, "To recover my health. If possible, I’d like to venture outside the capital for a while."
He had no desire to enter officialdom; his health wouldn’t allow it, nor did he have the energy. He’d be delighted just to leave the city for a brief journey.
Tang He nodded slightly—that was a reasonable and well-thought-out plan.
Madam Tang and the others arrived from the side courtyard, handing their warmers to the servants. Smiling, she asked, "What were you all laughing about earlier? I could hear the laughter from afar."
Everyone’s eyes instantly turned toward Manbao, and Tang He grinned and said, "Nothing much. Madam, please have a seat."
Madam Tang didn’t believe him, glancing at him skeptically without saying a word.
Tang He then looked at Yang Heshu, who smiled faintly and said, "It really was nothing. Sister-in-law, please sit down. Madam, you too, please take a seat."
Tang He’s words might not have been convincing, but Yang Heshu’s were, and Madam Tang and Ms. Cui immediately trusted him. They sat down, smiling warmly, while Manbao took her seat on the low couch beside Bai Shan, looking at them with curiosity.