The Lucky Farmgirl

Chapter 2396: Chapter 2370: Encounter

Unaware that she would soon be able to treat pigs after treating chickens, Manbao was standing on the field embankment, watching people in the distance turn over the straw covering the wheat fields.

The weather has been nice these days, seemingly warming up, so turning the straw to let the wheat seedlings get sunlight will make them grow faster.

The fields in front of Manbao were empty, likely reserved for rice planting.

Xi Bing, standing behind Manbao, envied, "Sir, the fields here are so nice, and the weather is good too."

No wonder they kept hearing in the Western Regions about how wealthy the Central Plains were; it turns out their fields are so good.

Manbao smiled at her and sighed, "Spring is here, how many days until the Ming Classic exam?"

Xi Bing didn’t know, but Jiu Lan answered, "Seven days left."

Jiu Lan glanced into the distance and walked over to Manbao, whispering, "Madam, look over there, two people have been watching you."

Manbao turned her head to see a person carrying a hoe, with someone standing next to him. Because they were too far away, she couldn’t see clearly, but from their posture, it seemed to be an old man.

Squinting to see, Manbao asked Jiu Lan and Xi Bing, "Can you see who they are?"

Xi Bing, having the best eyesight, observed for a while and said, "One looks about thirty, the other about sixty, like grandfather and grandson. The older one is dressed well, like silk."

Few can wear silk on this estate, except for the steward.

Jiu Lan said, "Madam, they are looking at you and seem to be two eunuchs."

This estate really does have quite a few eunuchs.

Manbao thought about it and instructed Jiu Lan, "Go and ask."

Jiu Lan agreed and walked towards them.

Seeing Jiu Lan approaching, Eunuch Tong covered his mouth with a handkerchief and coughed softly, speaking gently, "Young people are curious, but that’s not good. In the palace, curiosity is the least welcome."

The Junior Neishi replied, "Godfather, when you meet Imperial Doctor Zhou, say some soft words, perhaps she can cure your illness."

Eunuch Tong replied indifferently, "She can’t cure it. Didn’t we already ask Imperial Doctor Liu to check? He just prescribed some remedies."

"In the capital and the palace, they all say Imperial Doctor Zhou is a little miracle worker."

Eunuch Tong chuckled, "Silly child. She’s dubbed a miracle worker because she can perform surgery and treat infertility. What’s that got to do with my internal illness? For my condition, the most skilled are Director Xiao and Imperial Doctor Liu."

The Junior Neishi was somewhat frustrated, "Director Xiao can’t even be invited..."

Eunuch Tong was unconcerned, "How many can invite Director Xiao in this capital? Apart from the super-class Lords State Duke and Marquises, only external officials of the third rank can invite him. Even the palace consorts find it hard, let alone I, an eunuch."

The Junior Neishi’s face flushed, about to speak, when Eunuch Tong said calmly, "Here comes someone."

Looking up, he saw a maid beside Imperial Doctor Zhou carefully walking over, holding her skirt.

She hadn’t yet approached when guards patrolling saw her and immediately ran to stop her, shouting, "What are you doing, don’t cross the fence, violators will be killed."

Jiu Lan was startled and halted, only feeling relieved when the guards ran over. She clutched her chest and said, "You scared me to death. I never intended to cross the fence."

The guards, ready to scold her, choked, then saw her and recognized her, veins on their foreheads throbbing, "Miss Jiu Lan, why is it you?"

They turned to look at Eunuch Tong and his son across the way and frowned, "Who are you? Don’t you know this is a quarantine area, no entering allowed?"

Eunuch Tong covered his mouth and coughed, while the Junior Neishi immediately put down the hoe, held Eunuch Tong’s hands, and said, "Sir, allow me to explain. We haven’t crossed the fence and dared not enter. It’s because old acquaintances of Imperial Doctor Zhou entrusted us, so we came only to deliver something to her."

Jiu Lan looked innocently at the guards and pointed to Zhou Man, "Look, our madam is over there. She has never approached outsiders, only sent me to relay a message."

The guards have grown accustomed to sending things and messages to Zhou Man, and being indebted, they can’t speak harshly now. They stood on the side, glaring at Eunuch Tong and his son, grumbling, "Make it quick and remember, future messages must go through the checkpoint, no sneaking over."

Although they fenced this quarantine area with wooden sticks and hemp ropes, even a child could step over it.

It can’t truly block people, but it’s a signal for those within the royal estate; no one inside may cross out, nor may outsiders cross in. It relies on everyone’s self-awareness.

The guards patrol, but can’t keep an eye on such a large quarantine area constantly, so they were displeased by Eunuch Tong and his son’s actions.

Though Imperial Doctor Zhou frequently interacts with the outside, what’s sent out is only letters, and always through official channels—their checkpoint—often with the charming and gracious Xi Bing; they find it no trouble.

They believe Imperial Doctor Zhou is a rule-follower. If not tempted by Eunuch Tong and his son, she wouldn’t cause them difficulty.

So they glared at Eunuch Tong and his son, appearing very unfriendly.

The Junior Neishi: ...

Even Eunuch Tong paused, then took out a handkerchief from his sleeve and handed it over to Jiu Lan, saying, "This handkerchief was given by an old friend of Imperial Doctor Zhou, the young lady should hand it to her, she will understand."

The guards came forward, took the handkerchief, examined it, found nothing unusual, and handed it to Jiu Lan.

They’re more concerned with things going out than things coming in, unless it’s contraband, they generally don’t care.

Jiu Lan took the handkerchief and asked, "May I know your names, sirs?"

The Junior Neishi bowed, "We dare not presume, we are both surnamed Tong."

Jiu Lan was surprised, looking them up and down, nodded, then returned courteously.

She handed the handkerchief to Manbao, curiously saying, "Madam, their voices are gentle like the eunuchs who visit our estate, and their faces are fair without beards. I thought they were also... Who knew they’re father and son; strange, why doesn’t that elder gentleman keep a beard?"

Manbao took the handkerchief, inspected it, found nothing, and casually explained, "Who says eunuchs can’t be father and son? They said their surname is Tong; it must be Eunuch Tong and his godson."

Jiu Lan: "...Eunuch Tong?"

"Oh, you don’t know; it’s Junior Supervisor Tong of the Palace Eunuchs Department. Imperial Doctor Liu mentioned he was placed here on our royal estate. But since he’s elderly, the Emperor is kind and didn’t sentence him to hard labor; he returns here to retire, and his godson accompanies him."

Manbao pondered for a moment and then smacked her lips, "It’s also fourth rank, similar to my official rank. Too bad it’s now gone."

Jiu Lan and Xi Bing: ...You’re half the reason for that, right?