Chapter 213: Chapter 97 Baby Washing Ceremony_1
On the fifteenth, the sun had risen early.
However, after the cold dew had passed and winter was near, the sunlight that shone on people was tinged with a faint chill that provided no warmth to their clothes.
Lu Tong arrived at the Prince’s Mansion very early, as the Baby Washing Ceremony had not yet officially begun. Yin Zheng did not come with her, so Lu Tong asked her to stay and help at the medical hall. Fangzi, Pei Yunshu’s personal maid, saw Lu Tong and pulled her into the courtyard smilingly, "Doctor Lu, your timing is perfect. The little miss has just woken up; go take a look."
Ever since Lu Tong had successfully helped Pei Yunshu and her daughter induce labor last time, the people in Pei Yunshu’s courtyard had been exceptionally respectful towards Lu Tong. Lu Tong followed Fangzi into the courtyard, and as soon as she stepped into the house, she heard the loud cries of the baby girl.
Pei Yunshu was lifting the baby girl from the cradle. Upon seeing Lu Tong approach, she handed the baby to Lu Tong with a smile, "Doctor Lu, hold Treasure Bead for a moment."
Lu Tong took over the swaddling clothes and looked down. When this little girl was born, she was like a weak kitten, her cries soft and thin. A month had passed, and she had become plumper and more substantial; holding her felt like there was some weight, unlike her frailness at birth.
Pei Yunshu named the little girl Treasure Bead, signifying a pearl in the palm and a treasure of the heart, a name befitting the difficulties and dangers she faced at birth.
Qiong Ying whispered softly, "Doctor Lu, the little miss’s poison..."
Lu Tong checked on Treasure Bead’s condition and carried her back to her cradle, saying, "She’s much better than before."
The few people in the room then breathed a sigh of relief.
Over these days, many Medical Officers from the Hanlin Medical Institute had visited, all saying that Treasure Bead was healthy. The more they said this, the more unsettled Pei Yunshu felt. Now, she no longer trusted the imperial physicians but placed her complete trust in Lu Tong’s words. Only after hearing from Lu Tong personally that there were no serious problems did she finally feel somewhat at ease.
On the table lay the golden fruits and rhinoceros horns and jade necessary for the Baby Washing Ceremony. Lu Tong reached into her sleeve and handed Pei Yunshu an envelope, saying, "Princess Consort, this is a small token of my sincerity."
Pei Yunshu was taken aback.
Perhaps because she had been pregnant and had just given birth, her thoughts were not as clear as usual, and her attendants had forgotten to remind her that those who came to watch the Baby Washing Ceremony were either rich or noble, and the envelopes usually contained treasures like rhino horn or pearls. Lu Tong, who usually worked in the medical hall, seemed somewhat troubled to offer gifts with her modest Month Allowance.
As she hesitated, she heard Lu Tong say, "The gift is modest, just a string of Colored Money, and I hope the Princess Consort won’t disdain it."
Colored Money consisted of copper coins wrapped in gold and silver threads. Pei Yunshu breathed a sigh of relief and accepted the gift with ease, smiling, "On behalf of Treasure Bead, I thank Doctor Lu for your kindness."
Lu Tong gave a slight smile.
Since the auspicious hour had not yet arrived and the Baby Washing Ceremony would still have to wait, and the distinguished guests had not appeared, Pei Yunshu invited Lu Tong to sit for a while and asked Fangzi to make tea.
Lu Tong sat down in front of the small table. She saw that Pei Yunshu, looking radiant and due to the Baby Washing Ceremony, had specially changed into a rose-purple face-lifting Garment without patterns, her hair lightly tied up, enhancing her overall complexion and making her look much softer and healthier than when they first met.
It seemed she had a good month.
While playing with Treasure Bead in the swaddling clothes, Pei Yunshu said to Lu Tong, "I’ve been too preoccupied with household matters and worried about Treasure Bead’s illness to properly thank you, Doctor Lu. I intended to have Ah Ying send you some gifts, but he has been out of the city and hasn’t returned, which is why it was delayed."
Lu Tong bowed her head and accepted the hot tea Fangzi handed her, "Healers save lives as a matter of duty; there is no need for thanks from the Princess Consort."
Pei Yunshu looked at her with a smile, "You and Ah Ying are friends. It would be too formal for you to call me Princess Consort; you can call me sister."
Lu Tong’s hand tightened around the cup. After a moment, she said, "Sister Yunshu."
Pei Yunshu did not mind the subtlety, but she looked curiously at Lu Tong, "I never knew you were Ah Ying’s friend. He mentioned that Doctor Lu had come from out of town to Shengjing half a year ago... Where are you from, Doctor Lu?"
Lu Tong answered, "I am from Su Nan."
"Su Nan?" Pei Yunshu repeated softly, then looking at Lu Tong as if uncovering a secret, she suddenly said, "Ah Ying also went to Su Nan a few years ago. Did you meet there?"
Lu Tong was slightly taken aback and shook her head, "No."
"Then how did you..."
"I was new to Shengjing, and there was a disturbance. Lord Pei helped me once."
She spoke casually, but Pei Yunshu laughed, "So it was such a fateful encounter."
Lu Tong did not fully understand what Pei Yunshu meant by "fateful encounter," but she listened as Pei Yunshu continued, "Looking at you, Doctor Lu, your medical skills are above those of the Hanlin Medical Institute Medical Officers despite your young age... How old are you this year?"