Chapter 1287: Chapter 1265: Persuade
After comforting Han Wuniang, Imperial Doctor Tan turned to leave, giving Imperial Doctor Liu and Manbao a meaningful look on his way out.
The two quickly followed him outside, leaving Han Wuniang clutching her belly and crying out in pain.
Outside, Imperial Doctor Tan said, "The fetus has been disturbed. First, prescribe a stabilizing medication for the pregnancy. Have Eldest Lady Han persuade her—best to get Doctor Zhou Junior to take a close look to determine if the pregnancy can be saved. If the bleeding continues, I’m afraid it cannot be preserved."
Manbao glanced out at the already dim night sky. She extended her hand—it was still visible, though only just to the base of her fingers.
She frowned and said, "Under these circumstances, we absolutely cannot perform an abdominal surgery—daylight is a necessary condition."
Imperial Doctor Tan and Imperial Doctor Liu naturally understood this as well and sighed as they nodded, "Indeed, the timing is unfavorable."
Imperial Doctor Tan turned to prescribe the medicine, then showed the prescription to both of them to confirm there were no issues. Thereafter, he sent someone to collect the ingredients to brew it.
The three of them scanned the surroundings together and asked curiously, "Is Young Master Li not at home?"
Nanny Li replied, "Third Master is dealing with the servants."
Imperial Doctors Tan and Liu exchanged a subtle look and refrained from asking further. They were always uninterested in the private matters of the household.
But Manbao wasn’t so reticent. She asked with evident curiosity, "Why is Han Wuniang so afraid of me?"
Nanny Li hesitated, "Well... this..."
Imperial Doctor Tan cleared his throat and asked, "Doctor Zhou Junior, how is your research on anesthetics progressing? I heard from Imperial Doctor Liu that you are formulating a special concoction for Han Wuniang."
Manbao nodded, "The research is finished."
Though it hasn’t been tested on a living subject yet.
Manbao glanced toward the inner chamber where Han Wuniang’s cries of pain echoed. She thought to herself: She will likely be the first person to try it.
Hearing the anguished voices coming from within, Manbao hesitated for a moment before turning to Nanny Li, saying, "I can use acupuncture to alleviate the pain. Go inside and ask Han Wuniang if she’s willing to accept it. At the very least, it can provide her some relief for now—after all, the medicine will take another forty-five minutes to prepare."
Nanny Li promptly went inside, and Manbao could hear faint murmurs of conversation from the chamber. Though unclear, she discerned that Eldest Lady Han and Nanny Han were evidently attempting to persuade Han Wuniang.
Keke noticed Manbao’s intent posture, ears almost perked up, and asked, "Do you want me to relay the conversation for you?"
"No need." Though Manbao was curious, she maintained her ethical principles and replied earnestly, "It’s not right to eavesdrop."
Keke fell silent, leaving her with an ear straining but unrewarded effort.
Before long, Eldest Lady Han stepped out to invite Manbao inside.
Manbao nodded briefly to Imperial Doctors Tan and Liu before picking up her medical kit and entering.
Han Wuniang’s face was pale, and she held her belly while leaning on a pillow. Sweat beaded on her forehead from the pain. When she saw Manbao, her emotions were mixed—fearful and angry, she turned her head away.
Manbao remained composed. Keeping her expression serious, she approached and checked her pulse before pressing her hands on her abdomen. Noticing her flinch, Manbao reassured, "Don’t be afraid; I’m just checking on the baby."
Han Wuniang reluctantly maintained her posture, stoic as Manbao conducted the examination.
Manbao brought out her needle kit and performed acupuncture to alleviate the pain. Within a quarter of an hour, Han Wuniang felt slightly better, her complexion recovering some of its color.
She lowered her eyes to observe Manbao still manipulating a needle between her fingers. Recalling the whispers she had overheard earlier, she suddenly grasped her blanket tightly and asked, "Doctor Zhou Junior, I overheard people say you intend to perform abdominal surgery to extract the child—how true is this?"
Manbao looked up briefly without answering directly. Instead, she asked, "Han Wuniang, do you believe you’ll be able to deliver this child naturally?"
Han Wuniang instinctively placed a hand on her belly, her face pale as she stammered, "W-what do you mean by that?"
Beside them, Eldest Lady Han couldn’t hold back and interjected softly, "Young Lady Zhou!"
Manbao gave Eldest Lady Han a slight shake of her head before turning back to Han Wuniang. "When I first checked your pulse, I sensed trouble. After examining the fetal position, I became even more concerned. But Eldest Lady Han and Minister Han asked us not to inform you, fearing it would upset you."
Han Wuniang stared blankly at Manbao.
Speaking gently, Manbao added, "Han Wuniang, your frame is delicate, and your pelvic structure is narrow, which already makes childbirth difficult. This child is particularly large, which will make natural delivery even harder. Furthermore, the fetal position is inverted—you understand what I’m saying, don’t you?"
"For most women, childbirth is akin to stepping halfway into the gates of death. For you, it’s as if both feet are already inside."
Han Wuniang’s face turned as pale as a sheet. Perceiving a faint abdominal pain, though it was only psychological—Manbao’s acupuncture was effectively suppressing her contractions.
The tears streaming down her face were real, though. She turned helplessly to Eldest Lady Han, only to see her older sister bow her head in silence. She then looked tearfully to Nanny Han, who was half-embracing her. Having been raised by Nanny Han, Han Wuniang felt a deep dependence and pleaded, "Nanny, is it true?"
Nanny Han sighed and gently patted her shoulder, consoling, "Fifth Lady, don’t let the chatter of those conniving maids confuse you. Who in this household loves you more than Eldest Lady Han and Minister Han?"
Han Wuniang covered her face and wept bitterly. "Where is my husband? Why isn’t he here?"
Eldest Lady Han replied, "He’s off dealing with those troublemaking servants. Wuniang, you’ve always been sharp—think about it. When they spoke to you at a time like this, were they truly concerned for your well-being, or were they trying to harm you?"
Han Wuniang’s expression darkened, changing several times, before she gritted her teeth and asked, "Is it because my husband made enemies outside?"
The two concubines in the household wouldn’t dare to act so audaciously—nor would they have the capability.
Eldest Lady Han hesitated briefly, then glanced at Manbao.
Manbao, casually performing acupuncture while half-listening to the gossip, noticed Eldest Lady Han’s gaze and blinked quizzically, only now realizing she was implicated. "Me?"
Eldest Lady Han coughed lightly and diverted the conversation. "Young Lady Zhou, how is my sister?"
Manbao answered blankly, "No issues. Once she takes the stabilizing medicine and I reinforce it with acupuncture, there won’t be any problems. This happened because of me?"
After pondering for a moment, her brows furrowed deeply. "That’s excessive—how could those people be so malicious?"
Han Wuniang also frowned. "What does this have to do with you?"
Manbao quickly realized the importance of preserving the patient’s trust—especially given the need for surgery. She hurriedly reassured her, "It’s nothing too serious; someone was targeting me and ended up involving my patient. Outrageous! But you don’t need to worry—this time isn’t too dire. Just don’t fall for their rumors in the future."
Han Wuniang touched her belly thoughtfully for a moment, then asked, "Doctor Zhou Junior, let’s speak plainly. If I can’t deliver this child naturally, what do you intend to do? Abdominal surgery?"
Manbao knew that withholding the truth now would only erode her patient’s confidence further, so she earnestly explained the specifics of her surgery and how it would differ from typical procedures. She assured her that she would do everything possible to preserve both mother and child.
If forced into a dire choice, she would prioritize saving the mother.