High-class maid

What did they stumble upon in Chapter 21?

That day, Shen Xing'er was still sleeping in bed when Shan Tao woke her up.

"Xing'er, I'm back. Did you miss me?" Shan Tao asked Shen Xing'er with a smile.

Shen Xing'er rubbed her eyes. "Shan Tao, why did you come so early? I thought you would come to the manor yesterday afternoon."

"Tch, do you think everyone wants to sleep in a little longer like you, which is why you come to the manor in the afternoon? I'm not a lazybones, I can get up in the morning."

After Shan Tao finished speaking, she made a face at Shen Xing'er.

"Oh, you're making fun of me now. I'll tickle you!" Shen Xing'er stopped sleeping and got up to tickle Shan Tao.

The two joked and laughed for a while before Shantao took out two portions of food from the basket.

"Xing'er, try this. This is a newly opened breakfast shop in the town. This flat rice noodle dish is very popular. I've been away from the manor for three days and I've eaten it for three days in a row."

"I was wondering why you smelled so good. Well, I'll eat it then, so I don't have to go to the kitchen for breakfast." Shen Xing'er didn't stand on ceremony and sat down on the stool to eat.

"How is it? Delicious, isn't it?"

Shen Xing'er nodded in affirmation as she ate, saying, "Delicious, delicious, but the garlic flavor is a bit strong. I'll brush my teeth twice later, so as not to offend the masters."

After the two finished eating and cleaned up, they went to the tea room to boil water. When they passed by the small kitchen, they saw one of Chen Shan's family members busy in the kitchen.

"Mother, why are you alone? Did Granny Zhou go home too?" Shan Tao asked in confusion.

"No, Granny Zhou caught a cold out of nowhere and is lying in bed right now. I was just about to get her some medicine after I finished my work," Chen Shan's wife said, her hands busy without looking up.

"Auntie, I can run fast. Let me go find the physician to get the medicine later. The small kitchen can't be left unattended for a moment. You should save your energy; we still need to cook lunch," Shen Xing'er said.

"Alright, Xing'er, I won't stand on ceremony with you. Our Shan Tao is quite plump, but she's not as agile as you. You can go, just make sure Old Zhou gets his medicine sooner," Chen Shan's wife said gratefully.

After Shen Xing'er and Shan Tao brought in the water and the firewood they needed for the day, they immediately went to the physician.

The Minister's residence employs three physicians: one to greet and treat the Old Madam, the First Madam, the First Master, the Second Master, and the Second Madam; one to greet and treat the young masters and ladies of the residence; and one to care for the concubines and nannies.

As for maids like Shen Xing'er, when they fell ill, they could only be treated by the apprentices of the family physician, as the family physicians themselves could not be invited.

When Shen Xing'er arrived at Huichuntang, it wasn't too busy, because fewer people get sick in the summer.

She found Doctor Zhao, who was in charge of treating Granny Zhou, and explained Granny Zhou's condition to him. Doctor Zhao hurriedly picked up his medical kit and was about to leave with Shen Xing'er.

As the two passed by the corner of Huichuntang, they saw Zhang, the second master's concubine, with her maidservant holding a purse and offering it to another doctor. The doctor declined a few times but then put it away.

Adhering to the principle of "don't look, don't ask," Shen Xing'er quickly turned her head away, pretending not to see. Meanwhile, Dr. Qian, after receiving the purse, weighed it in his hand and his smile became even more genuine. He stroked his beard and said...

"Since you insist on giving it to me, I will accept it without hesitation. I know the rules, so don't worry, I'll pretend you were never here."

As Dr. Qian spoke, he stuffed the purse into his pocket.

Zhang's maidservant pursed her lips slightly, cursing the greedy man in her heart, but said with a smile, "In that case, this servant will take her leave."

Shen Xing'er and Doctor Zhao rushed to Granny Zhou's room. They found Granny Zhou lying on the bed with a sallow complexion, covered with a thin quilt even though it was summer.

"Thank you for making the trip, Dr. Zhao, but I really can't get up. Otherwise, I would have gone to Huichuntang to see you." After saying this, Granny Zhou covered her mouth and coughed twice.

"No need to be so polite, it's my job, I apologize for the inconvenience." After saying this, Doctor Zhao placed his hand on Granny Zhou's wrist and began to take her pulse.

After taking her pulse, he examined Zhou Mama's tongue and asked, "When did this start? What symptoms did you have? Tell me about them one by one."

"Cough cough, I started having a headache last night. I thought it was because I didn't sleep well, but when I sat up this morning, I had a headache and felt cold all over. When you came, I started coughing again."

"It's alright, you just have a cold. Although the symptoms are numerous and the onset is fast, it also gets better quickly. I'll get you some medicine, and you'll feel better after drinking it." After saying this, Doctor Zhao got up and went to the table to write the prescription.

After he finished writing the prescription, Shen Xing'er quickly handed him a purse: "Thank you for making the trip, Dr. Zhao. This is just a small token of my appreciation, please accept it."

Doctor Zhao accepted the purse without hesitation.

Although they had a monthly allowance, everyone would tacitly prepare a small purse for the doctor when they saw patients. The patients wanted good luck and peace of mind, while the doctors were just trying to make some extra money.

After all, nobody dislikes having too much money, right?

"Then I'll take my leave. I'll have my apprentice bring over the medicine later. Boil it and drink it while it's hot. You'll be almost fully recovered in a couple of days."

Dr. Zhao said as he tidied up his paper and pen.

After Doctor Zhao left, Granny Zhou looked at Shen Xing'er gratefully and said, "Xing'er, thank you so much this time. This cold came so suddenly. It's been so many years since I've had a cold. It's really uncomfortable, cough cough."

Looking at Granny Zhou lying alone on the bed, Shen Xing'er felt a pang of pity for her, remembering that she had no children or husband.

“Auntie, you don’t need to be so polite with me. If Shan Tao’s mother hadn’t told me, I wouldn’t have known you had a cold,” Shen Xing’er said.

"Yes, she has to go to the kitchen to prepare meals before dawn. I'm sick, so she's very busy all by herself," said Granny Zhou.

At this moment, Doctor Zhao's apprentice brought over the medicine. Shen Xing'er, carrying the medicine, said to Granny Zhou, "Auntie, you lie here first, I'll go and brew the medicine for you."

The old lady's task of decocting medicine in the courtyard was also done in the tea room. However, it was usually done by others, but since Granny Zhou was bedridden, Shen Xing'er took over the task of decocting the medicine.

"Cough cough, go ahead, I'm really sorry to have troubled you. I'll thank you properly when I'm better. Cough cough." Granny Zhou coughed so hard she couldn't speak, then waved her hand and lay down.