Doctor's Visit

As the school bell tolled, the evening meal had yet to commence, and little Bao, in her habitual manner, trailed after Bao Shan, her nose buried in his books.

Eschewing her textbooks, she delved into the "Complete Yellow Emperor's Inner Canon," while diligently jotting down notes in a small journal.

Thus, when Erlang Bai, accompanied by servants, extended an invitation to dine, both children instinctively cast their gaze upon the evening sky.

Erlang Bai intoned, "Cease your observations, for tonight, my household hosts a convivial gathering, hence the early repast."

Bao Shan inquired, "Will my grandmother and mother attend?"

"They shall." The mother has already extended the invitation. "I am here to escort you both."

Bao Shan promptly assented, but little Bao, mindful of propriety, declined, fearing her tardiness might cause maternal worry.

Understanding Bao Shan's predicament, Erlang Bai noticed his grandmother's peculiar behavior of late, forbidding his excursions, even to visit little Bao.

As little Bao prepared to depart with her books, she encountered Mrs. Zheng and Mrs. Liu outside, who greeted her politely.

Mrs. Zheng, aware of Mrs. Bai's invitation, remarked, "Will little Bao not accompany us?" Erlang's household boasts sumptuous fare.

Intrigued, little Bao hesitated.

Mrs. Zheng persisted in her entreaties.

Mrs. Liu interjected with a genial smile, "Let her be if she insists."

Approaching, she tidied little Bao's satchel and remarked, "The kitchen has prepared some new delicacies for you." I've had them packed. Take them home to enjoy. "If they please you, please return tomorrow, and I shall have more prepared."

Little Bao accepted gratefully.

Mrs. Liu dispatched Da Ji to escort little Bao home.

With the departure of the trio who had no quarrel with the Zhou family, peace returned to the Zhou household. Mrs. Qian showed leniency towards young Bao.

Despite the scorching sun and deep waters outside, she prohibited outdoor play to prevent sunburn and heatstroke.

Upon her return, little Bao found Big Head and the others playing outside, while Zhou Xi and his companions tended to the vegetables in the small garden.

Aside from Mrs. Qian, only Little Qian and Mr. Zhou were at home.

Little Bao rushed to her room to unload her belongings before seeking out Mr. Zhou. "Brother, may I examine your abdomen?"

Mr. Zhou, taken aback, asked, "Why my abdomen?"

"I have been studying medical texts recently, focusing on cases of internal bleeding." "I wish to verify their contents."

Mr. Zhou, perspiring, inquired, "Where did you find these medical texts? Why were we not informed?"

"At Bao Shan's residence."

"Since when have you been reading them?"

"Since the day before yesterday."

Mr. Zhou glowered, "You've only been reading for two days, and now you're diagnosing me?"

Emphasizing, "It's been three days!"

"Today isn't over yet."

"Almost." "Almost," little Bao insisted, reaching out to touch his abdomen.

Mr. Zhou hastily covered his side, saying, "It's not my abdomen that's injured, it's my side."

"Right," Little Bao acknowledged, preparing to examine his side.

Mr. Zhou, alarmed, raised his voice, "Wife, come quickly!"

"Brother, just let me check, gently," she pleaded.

"Would you like to tap, too?"

"The book states that if there is fluid in the abdomen, it will produce a sound." "Blood is similar to a fluid, so it should make a sound, right?"

Mr. Zhou broke into a cold sweat, calling even louder.

Mrs. Qian, from the next room, shouted, "Little Bao, stop teasing your brother."

Little Bao tugged at Mr. Zhou's belt, mindful of his injury, unable to exert too much force, watching him with anticipation.

Mr. Zhou adamantly resisted, clutching his clothes tightly. "Little Bao, when you have studied more, you can examine your sisters-in-law."

"At least three to five years of study?" Mr. Zhou had never seen an apprentice train under a pharmacy master for three to five years. He was being conservative in his estimate.

"I'm a quick learner." "I've already finished that section."

Mr. Zhou grew more anxious.

Upon entering, Little Qian witnessed two entangled figures: Little Bao seated on the ground, clutching Mr. Zhou's clothes.

Upon seeing her, Mr. Zhou's eyes lit up, and he immediately exclaimed, "Wife, wife, quickly take little Bao away. She's only studied medicine for two and a half days and wants to treat me..."

Little Qian, astonished, looked at little Bao. "Little Bao, do you know how to diagnose illnesses?"

Little Bao, somewhat embarrassed, replied, "I think so. I just wanted to touch my brother's abdomen and tap it to see if it makes a sound." Brother, don't worry, I'll be very gentle.

Little Qian then turned to Mr. Zhou. "Since little Bao wants to examine, just let her." "You won't lose a piece of flesh by being examined by a little girl."

Mr. Zhou: ...

"Yes, yes," little Bao's eyes gleamed. "Brother, if you're worried, I'll go fetch the medical books now, and we can try bit by bit."

"Don't…" Mr. Zhou felt his wife was unreliable, and he wanted to find his mother.

But Little Qian had already left, saying, "I'll go cook." You play with little Bao. Little Bao, please be gentle when tapping. Don't make your brother bleed again. He's just starting to recover.

Little Bao agreed, then reached out to tug at her brother's clothes.

Mr. Zhou, after taking medicine for three days and being accompanied by Zhou Sanlang and Zhou Silang to see a doctor at the market today, was confirmed to be improving. He was then given three more prescriptions.

The doctor said that after completing the three-day course of medication, he would be almost fully recovered.

Little Bao's small hands gently prodded Mr. Zhou's abdomen and side for a while, but she still couldn't find anything. Finally, she gave up in disappointment.

Mr. Zhou, however, breathed a sigh of relief. He had said it all along: she had only been reading medical books for two and a half days. What could she possibly diagnose?

Nevertheless, little Bao earnestly repeated many of the doctor's warnings, regardless of their accuracy.

Mr. Zhou paid no heed, merely agreeing before encouraging her to go play outside. "Did Big Head and the others go to the foot of the mountain to dig for bird nests?" "Go find them there to play."

As long as she didn't come home.

But little Bao wasn't in the mood to play. She wanted to understand why her brother's condition didn't match what was written in the books.

Moreover, the sun outside was scorching, and she had no desire to sunbathe, so she said, "I want to go back to reading." Brother, next time you go to the doctor, I'll go with you, and then I can ask the doctor some questions.

"Don't bother." "I'm already feeling better; there's no need to see the doctor again."