The head of the Mu family

Chapter 20: Hard Work Pays Off, Opportunity Arrives

A thought struck Shen Huai: This could very well be an opportunity!

He immediately straightened his posture and gestured with his hands to invite her:

"Hello, this is me!"

"Then I'll trouble you, young doctor, to take a look at my young master."

"Okay, please have a seat!"

The maid helped the noblewoman to a seat, and Shen Huai immediately went to the side and brought over another stool, saying to the woman holding the child:

"Please sit down if you're carrying a child."

Then I carefully took the child's pulse. Just like the previous child, the child had been frightened and caught a cold.

So he considered it for a moment and said:

"Young master is young and frail. He caught a cold after being frightened, and it's been two days now, hasn't it?"

The noblewoman and her maid exchanged a glance, and when she spoke again, her words were much more earnest:

"Yes, the doctor prescribed medicine for the wet nurse, but my young master is still not getting better!"

"Please use whatever medicine you need, no matter how expensive, as long as it keeps our young master healthy."

Shen Huai thought about the emerald bracelet and imperial green hairpin that the noblewoman had just glanced at.

While pondering how to prescribe the medication and charge appropriately, he spoke as he thought:

"The young master must have been rather frail when he was born. He looks to be over ten months old, right?"

Does the baby still spit up frequently?

"That's right, finding Dr. Shen was definitely the right decision!"

Shen Huai was conflicted:

This child is too weak to tolerate strong tonics, so we can't use expensive medicinal herbs. I'm so conflicted!

Imagine if Heshen came to me with his child for treatment, and I accepted ten taels of silver from him—how miserable would that make me?!

I don't know if he was blinded by the beauty of the noblewoman and her maid, or if his conscience prevailed.

Shen Huai said listlessly, "Don't worry, I'll prescribe some medicine for you. You can decoct it and give it to your wet nurse."

In addition, prescribe another dose of medicine, and after decocting it, try to feed the young master three spoonfuls.

The mother should drink three spoonfuls of medicine first, and then the wet nurse should drink her medicine 15 minutes later.

After drinking, there will be another fifteen minutes to feed the young master his tea and rice. After eating, the young master should be able to sleep soundly.

Recently, we stopped giving breastfeeding mothers meat-based soups, and they can now drink some vegetable soups instead.

If you have an orange, you can squeeze out about half a bowl of juice and feed it to the little prince after he wakes up.

When the baby is hungry again, stop breastfeeding. Instead, mix a boiled egg yolk with rice porridge and feed him about half a bowl to a little more than half a bowl.

The next morning, feed him the same way. If he gets hungry, you can give him some milk.

Except for the time when you take medicine, you must not breastfeed again!

If this continues for two days, or at the latest three days, the young master will be fully recovered.

With proper care and rest after he recovers, the young master will become healthier and healthier, don't worry!

"May I ask the young doctor to follow up with my son for three days? I am willing to pay ten taels of gold. Once my son is healthy in a few days, I will definitely reward him handsomely!"

"I need to discuss this with my master."

To be honest, I was originally planning to go home tomorrow, but the consultation fee you offered, Madam, was too tempting. I'll go ask the doctor if I can stay a couple more days."

After saying that, he smiled calmly at the noblewoman.

The noblewoman felt relieved and smiled, saying:

"Don't worry, young doctor, I'll send a carriage to take you back."

Shen Huai then ran off with his short legs to find Doctor Qian and Physician Gao.

With Dr. Qian's help and persuasion, Doctor Gao agreed, and they came to take over for Shen Huai's consultation.

It would take about two or three days for Shen Huai to have the noblewoman pay the medicine money and follow-up consultation fee to the pharmacy.

With tears in her eyes, Shen Huai accepted two taels of silver for the medicine, which cost several hundred coins. The maidservant, however, remained completely unperturbed.

Shen Huai thought to himself:

It can't get any more expensive! I have a conscience~

This time, Doctor Qian and Physician Gao accepted the ten taels of gold and two taels of silver without saying a word.

Everyone knows in their hearts that this charging method is both wrong and right.

Shen Huai said goodbye to his two sycophants, got into his Maybach, and drove away.

Why is it called a 'Maybach'?

A carriage is usually pulled by one horse, and the quality of the horse and the decoration of the carriage are the main factors in its selection.

It was pulled by two fine horses, not to mention the elaborate decorations.

The carriage was twice the size of other carriages, with a small stove in the middle, and also had water and pastries.

After getting on the bus, Shen Huai gave the child some warm water.

After a short while, we entered a super luxurious villa, and the carriage drove straight in.

Upon entering the villa, they changed into sedan chairs. The wet nurse and the child rode in one, while the noblewoman invited Shen Huai to ride in the other, with maids waiting nearby.

After another half-cup of tea time, we arrived at the second gate, where a sedan chair was waiting inside.

After changing sedan chairs, they arrived at a large courtyard in about half a cup of tea's time. There, two maids dressed like young ladies came to greet them.

As we walked through the garden along the cobblestone path, another woman in brocade robes came out and took the child from us.

A young maid in brocade held up a quilt to shield the noblewoman from the wind as she stepped inside.

The room was warm and cozy. As soon as the lady entered, two maids who came in at the door immediately helped her remove her cloak and coat.

A maid dressed like a young lady immediately served fragrant tea, and a warm fragrance wafted into the room.

"Xiangzhu and Xiangmei, you two go and decoct the medicine yourselves."

The maid who had gone to the pharmacy with her responded and left with the medicine and another maid.

The maid helped the noblewoman lean against the soft couch in the side room and massaged her, while the wet nurse stood by holding the baby.

It was too hot, so Shen Huai found a soft stool to sit on and took off his padded jacket.

She wore only a faded old undergarment underneath, which everyone in the room saw, and while they were all curious, they dared not show it too obviously.

Shen Huai instructed the noblewoman:

"Madam, please put the young master in the crib, remove the outer swaddle blanket, and just cover him with a thin quilt."

The lady immediately made the arrangements.

He then worriedly said:

"Doctor, is my son cold?"

"Madam, it's alright."

Upon hearing the noblewoman address Shen Huai as "Little Doctor," the maidservant beside her immediately smiled and poured him a cup of fragrant tea.

"Thank you, sister. Please give me a glass of warm water."

The maidservant immediately took the teacup and replaced it with plain water.

Inside, the windows were covered with white paper, letting in light. Two lamps were still lit inside, both covered with light gauze painted with auspicious clouds.

The side room has a small table and stools made of rosewood for entertaining guests, and a peony painting hangs on the wall.

A baby's cradle was placed next to the room, and a maid and wet nurse were gently rocking it.

Seeing this, Shen Huai hurriedly said:

"Madam, please ask this lady to stop shaking the young master!"

The noblewoman quickly gestured to her maid, who immediately stopped what she was doing.

Shen Huai had someone go to the kitchen to cut two slices of ginger and tie them to the child's pulse with a ribbon.

Then use warm water to wipe the child's forehead, neck, armpits, palms, and soles.

The noblewoman had another head maid named Xiangzhu handle it.

When the fragrant bamboo and fragrant plums brought in the medicine, the child looked a little better.

Shen Huai looked at the small silver spoon next to the medicine bowl, smiled and asked for a larger spoon and another bowl to be given to the child.

I scooped three spoonfuls with a large spoon and then fed it in with a small silver spoon.

Regarding the child, Shen Huai also mentioned that the child was a month younger, and that the child was almost a year old.

The noblewoman, somewhat oblivious, asked repeatedly:

"Doctor, can such a young child take medicine?"

Annoyed by the questions, Shen Huai replied directly:

"Madam, I'm already at your house~"

Isn't it because you were worried about only bringing back the medicine that you asked me, the person who prescribed it, to come along as well?

Now that I'm here, I will do my best. If you, Madam, are still worried, you can have someone send me back right now!

"Don't worry, young doctor. Our lady is just worried about her son. Please bear with her."

The noblewoman remained silent, so Xiangzhu quickly took Shen Huai's hand, pulled her to sit on a stool, and gave her a pastry.

Soon enough, the young master fell asleep. Shen Huai still told him to just cover the child with a thin blanket, and after a while, he looked much more peaceful.

The maidservant excitedly and quietly reported this to the noblewoman, whose eyes lit up with delight.

After half a day of fussing, it was already getting dark when a maidservant announced at the door that dinner was ready.

"With my daughter Tang'er like this, how can I possibly eat..."

The noblewoman said wearily.

Xiangmei and Xiangzhu, who were standing to the side, were unsure how to offer advice when Shen Huai spoke up.

Shen Huai: The noblewoman isn't hungry, but she, who's been busy all this time, is very hungry!

"Madam, I can tell from your complexion that you've been suffering from worry and sleepless nights for several days now!"

Although I do not know why your son did not take medicine before, resulting in his cold not yet being cured,

In my opinion, your son will gradually recover in the next few days.

It's almost the end of the year now. Your son will recover in a few days, but you, Madam, are already down.

"Young master is too old to handle such trivial matters for you~ Hehe~"

"Although the young doctor is young, his words are very enlightening!"

"That makes sense. Serve the meal! Young doctor, please!"

The noblewoman was amused by Shen Huai's last sentence.

The group moved to the dining hall and lifted the curtain.

Two beautiful women in brocade robes immediately came forward to greet her and help the noblewoman to her seat.

After the meal was served, a maid stood by and two women served the noblewoman dishes.

Shen Huai did not eat at the guest's table. The noblewoman, seeing that she was just a child but had some real skills and that her words had been so heartwarming, invited her to eat with her.

After eating some food, a maidservant reported:

"Madam, the bird's nest soup is ready. Shall I bring it to you now?"

Upon hearing that bird's nest would be the main dish after the meal, Shen Huai exclaimed, "What a waste!"

"Madam! If you think I still have some ability, you might want to hear my personal advice~"

If you have been worried and unable to sleep lately, you can wait an hour before consuming the bird's nest.

Dilute it with some milk before using it; perhaps it will help you sleep a little better tonight.

"Oh? You can give it a try~"

"Then let's listen to the young doctor," the wealthy woman said wearily.

"After the meal, Madam may take a stroll in the garden for a quarter of an hour to half an hour."

The little boy is sleeping peacefully right now, and it's time for him to take his medicine while breastfeeding, after he's had a good time to relax.

This will be better for your health~

Shen Huai: Seize every opportunity to impress the wealthy ladies!

"Alright! Then let's do as the young doctor says and try it today."

After dinner, the rest of the group took turns eating.

Shen Huai reminded the wet nurse not to forget the time to take her medicine, and then strolled around in the courtyard of the noblewoman's house with her.

Despite the harsh winter, the garden still boasts verdant pines, blooming wintersweet, and fallen leaves still covered in snow, each with its own unique charm.

Because Shen Huai was with him, Shen Huai would sincerely praise any beautiful scenery he saw.

Shen Huai: I'm not flattering you, it's just that modern ideas are really not as ingenious as those of the ancients.

The noblewoman and her companion strolled around for half an hour before a maidservant reminded them that it was almost time for the young master to take his medicine.

The lady hurried back and saw that the child was indeed much better, and was now awake and energetic.

When the child saw her come in, he babbled "Mother."