Chapter 108: I
…
Li Lin, Ye Shi Yun, Ma Xiao Jiao, and Yuan Qing Cheng arrived at Zhang Chun’s palace and found her, having secluded herself for nearly three months in intense study.
She wore a plain robe, unadorned with makeup, yet her brow radiated an ineffable elegance and detachment. Seated by the window, she held a volume of ancient text in her hand; sunlight filtered through the delicate lattice, dappling her form and lending her an aura of sacred inviolability.
The arrival of Li Lin and the other three women did not disturb Zhang Chun’s contemplation.
Only when Ma Xiao Jiao softly called, “Sister Chun,” did she slowly lift her head, a flicker of surprise in her eyes: “You came to see me?”
Seeing that Zhang Chun was only slightly thinner than before, her already flat chest even flatter, her skin—already as white and luminous as jade—even paler and softer, and no other noticeable changes, Li Lin and the others relaxed.
“We heard you haven’t left your room in over a month. We were worried something had happened to you, so we came to check on you,” Li Lin said.
“What could happen to me? Don’t you know that every few days, Zhao Yu comes to visit me, chats with me, and even ordered the imperial kitchen to send me special delicacies daily? My life has never been more comfortable,” Zhang Chun said, unable to hide her pride.
"What could possibly happen to me? Besides, don’t you know that Zhao Yu comes to visit me every few days to chat? He even specifically ordered the imperial kitchen to provide me with gourmet meals daily—my life has never been more comfortable," Zhang Chun said with no small amount of pride.
Zhao Yu had only begun visiting her every few days in the past two months.
Before that, he had been too busy and hadn’t visited her for over a month.
When Zhao Yu finally came to see her, he found her disheveled and filthy, as if reading had driven her mad.
When Zhao Yu came to see Zhang Chun about some matter, he found her disheveled and unkempt, as if she’d read herself into a state of madness.
All five women were Zhao Yu’s golden advantages, his treasures—losing any one of them would be an irrevocable loss.
If he lost Zhang Chun over a joke, he would surely regret it till his dying day.
Soon after, Zhao Yu learned from Li Shishi that Zhang Chun not only studied day and night, but also wholeheartedly embraced Zheng Xiansu’s campaign of frugality, dressing plainly and eating sparingly—yet her palate was refined; if the food wasn’t delicious, she refused to eat, leaving her with barely enough to sustain herself.
Later, Zhao Yu learned from Li Shishi that Zhang Chun not only studied tirelessly day and night but also enthusiastically embraced Zheng Xiansu’s campaign for frugality, dressing plainly and eating sparingly every day; worse still, she was picky about food—without delicious meals, she refused to eat, leaving her to consume barely anything at all.
Zhao Yu flew into a rage, scolding her for being reckless and failing to care for herself.
Though scolded, Zhang Chun didn’t grow angry or feel wronged—she burst out laughing. She had merely studied too hard and neglected her appearance, never imagining it would frighten Zhao Yu so badly. A warmth stirred in her heart: her efforts, it seemed, had truly become meaningful.
In her eyes glowed an unusual light—the happiness of being cherished, the gratitude for Zhao Yu’s concern.
Zhang Chun reached out and hugged Zhao Yu’s neck, kissing him on the cheek.
Zhao Yu wiped his face with mild disgust: “You haven’t rinsed your mouth in ages—how dare you kiss me?”
He grabbed her arm and led her into the bath, washing her himself, then ordered a pot of ginseng chicken soup to be brought for her nourishment.
Afterwards, Zhao Yu specifically instructed the imperial kitchen to send Zhang Chun delicacies daily, and made it a habit to visit her regularly himself.
Notably, because of this incident, Zhao Yu issued an edict: he encouraged frugality, but forbade excessive deprivation. From Empress down to palace maids, every meal must now include at least one meat dish, one vegetable, and one soup.
‘What nonsense—if outsiders found out, they’d think I can’t even afford to feed my own women.’
Among Zhao Yu’s harem, Li Lin and the others existed beyond the three realms and outside the five elements. They had never practiced frugality or thrift; they, and everyone in their palaces, ate and drank whatever they desired, never caring about such trivial matters.
Seeing Zhang Chun immediately boast about Zhao Yu’s devotion, Li Lin and the others realized at once: Zhang Chun was perfectly fine—they had merely panicked for nothing.
Ye Shi Yun turned to the other three: “I told you, nothing would happen to her—she’s too attached to her life. You didn’t believe me.”
Ma Xiao Jiao added: “I was wrong—I shouldn’t have worried. She doesn’t need our concern; Zhao Yu’s care is enough.”
Li Lin nodded: “I thought the same.”
Even Yuan Qing Cheng said: “Shall we go?”
Realizing she had offended them by flaunting her favor, Zhang Chun quickly backtracked: “I was just joking—why are you taking it seriously?”
Then, warmly inviting the four women to sit, she said: “We haven’t gathered in a while. Let’s share what we’ve learned lately. Why don’t you stay tonight? Let’s emulate the ancients—sleep together and have a night chat.”
“I can’t—I’m expecting Zhao Yu tonight,” Ye Shi Yun said.
At these words, Zhang Chun fell silent. ‘So after all this, except for Yuan Qing Cheng, who has no interest in Zhao Yu, I’m the lowest? Ah, life is fickle—guts wrapped in intestines.’
Shaking her head, Zhang Chun noticed Ma Xiao Jiao’s swollen belly and asked: “You’re about to give birth, aren’t you?”
“Spit, spit, spit!” Ma Xiao Jiao quickly interrupted the ill omen: “I’m only seven months pregnant—if I gave birth now, it’d be premature!”
This was not their original era—it was the Song Dynasty. Limited by the era’s overall medical standards, advanced equipment like incubators or respiratory support was nonexistent. Premature infants, especially those with low gestational age and birth weight, faced severe risks from respiratory distress and infection, and most did not survive.
This was not their original era, but the Song Dynasty, where the overall level of medical care was limited; advanced equipment and technologies such as incubation and respiratory support were unavailable, making it extremely difficult to manage serious complications like respiratory distress and infection in premature infants, especially those with low gestational age and low birth weight, so most premature babies faced a high risk of death.
Since Zhao Kuangyin, Song emperors had fathered 181 children; excluding the two sons of Emperor Duzong who died in war, 82 died in infancy—over 45 percent.
Even the imperial family, with the best medical resources and living conditions, suffered such a high child mortality rate.
Not only children—pregnant women faced a 10 to 20 percent mortality rate during childbirth.
Clearly, in this era, a woman giving birth and ensuring both mother and child survived was an extraordinary challenge.
No wonder Ma Xiao Jiao was so anxious.
Zhang Chun quickly said: “If we could be reincarnated across time, we must be children of fate. Jiao Jiao, believe me—you’ll give birth safely to a son.”
Ma Xiao Jiao had a good attitude: “Son or daughter—I don’t care. As long as the child is born safely and grows up healthy.”
Ye Shi Yun said: “Don’t worry. I’ve read the Barefoot Doctor’s Manual. On the day you give birth, I’ll be there to oversee everything—I guarantee you’ll be fine.”
“You’ve read the Barefoot Doctor’s Manual?!!!”
Zhang Chun nearly jumped out of her seat.
Ye Shi Yun blinked in surprise: “Why are you so excited?”
Zhang Chun didn’t answer, but asked: “Don’t you read web novels?”
Ye Shi Yun rolled her eyes: “Who reads that useless trash? I read economic masterpieces.”
“Who are you insulting?” Zhang Chun snapped.
“I’ve read web novels too—I like hard sci-fi,” Ma Xiao Jiao said.
“I love pure romance,” Yuan Qing Cheng said.
“I’ve read Fenwu Yaoji’s Bullet Holes,” Li Lin said.
Ye Shi Yun surrendered: “Wait—I’m saying I’ve read the Barefoot Doctor’s Manual. What does that have to do with whether I like web novels?”
“It has everything to do with it! The three divine books of time travel: the Barefoot Doctor’s Manual, the Militia Training Manual, and the Friend of Dual-Use Talent. Legend says if you possess these three, even if you’re sent to ancient times, you can ascend to the throne; if you survive a nuclear war in the future, you can rebuild human civilization with them!” Zhang Chun said.
Ye Shi Yun found it hard to believe: “Really? This old rural handbook—really that powerful?”
Zhang Chun rolled her eyes: “The Barefoot Doctor’s Manual covers everything—from traditional Chinese acupuncture and pulse diagnosis to herb collection and preparation, even Western surgical procedures! It’s the ultimate survival guide.”
Here, Zhang Chun began to doubt: “You really read it? Don’t lie to us.”
Ye Shi Yun rolled her eyes again: “Why would I lie? My family was rural. My parents were sick, and we couldn’t afford doctors—I followed the Barefoot Doctor’s Manual to treat them. They were lucky—they didn’t die under my care, and I healed them both. Villagers came to me for every ailment. With my photographic memory, I memorized the whole book.”
Ye Shi Yun rolled her eyes again: "Why would I lie to you? My family was originally from the countryside; my parents were in poor health, and we couldn’t afford medical treatment for them, so I treated them using the 'Barefoot Doctor’s Manual.' They were lucky—not only did I not kill them, I actually cured them both. Everyone in our village, seeing how skilled I was, came to me whenever they had any illness or ailment. Over time, thanks to my photographic memory, I memorized the entire 'Barefoot Doctor’s Manual.'"
Ye Shi Yun replied matter-of-factly: “Tell you what? That I’m an economics PhD who, even if I quit economics, could become a barefoot doctor—illegal in this era?”
Zhang Chun groaned: “Don’t you understand our situation yet? We’re in the Song Dynasty—a time with no medical knowledge and scarce resources. This Barefoot Doctor’s Manual is priceless. With its knowledge, you can elevate medicine, promote public health, combine herbal remedies with modern techniques, and become a legendary physician. Despite resource and cultural barriers, your modern knowledge could profoundly transform this society.”
Zhang Chun scolded her: "Don’t you still understand our situation?! We’re in the Song Dynasty—a time with scarce medical knowledge and resources. Your 'Barefoot Doctor’s Manual' is literally priceless. With its knowledge, you can elevate medical standards, promote public health, and combine herbal medicine with modern medicine to become a renowned physician. Despite challenges of limited resources and cultural differences, your modern medical knowledge could profoundly impact this society."
Ye Shi Yun was stunned: “Really? This old book is really that powerful?”
Zhang Chun had no way to make Ye Shi Yun understand her own treasure. She said: “In the 1950s, infant mortality in rural China reached 30 percent—nearly one in three or four newborns died in infancy. Why? No doctors, no medicine, backward thinking. Did you know they crushed mothers’ bellies with rolling pins? They stuffed rags in mothers’ mouths, as if the baby might crawl out that way? And that was already the new China—now, people are even more backward, ignorant, and superstitious.”
Zhang Chun couldn’t help feeling jealous: “You’ve read the Barefoot Doctor’s Manual—you know it drastically reduces infant mortality and prevents infectious diseases. It cut rural infant mortality from 30 percent to 3.7 percent and raised average life expectancy from 49 to 64. It’s the most life-saving medical book in history, translated into over fifty languages worldwide. If you spread this book, your status in medicine will rival Bian Que, Hua Tuo, Zhang Zhongjing, and Li Shizhen.”
At this point, Zhang Chun even felt a twinge of envy toward Ye Shi Yun: "You’ve read the 'Barefoot Doctor’s Manual,' so you know it drastically reduces infant mortality and prevents infectious diseases—it lowered the rural infant mortality rate from 30% to 3.7% and raised average life expectancy from 49 to 64 years. The 'Barefoot Doctor’s Manual' is considered the medical book in history that has saved the most lives, translated into over fifty languages and distributed worldwide. If you spread this manual, your status in medicine will be no less than Bian Que, Hua Tuo, Zhang Zhongjing, or Li Shizhen."
Not just Ye Shi Yun—even Li Lin, Ma Xiao Jiao, and Yuan Qing Cheng were stunned by the Barefoot Doctor’s Manual’s power.
Ma Xiao Jiao immediately grabbed Ye Shi Yun’s hand, trembling with emotion: “Shi Yun, my life and my child’s life depend on you.”
Ye Shi Yun felt dazed: “I studied so many economic masterpieces… and now I’m going to be a barefoot doctor?”
Yuan Qing Cheng said: “Forget whether you become a barefoot doctor—write out the Barefoot Doctor’s Manual and give it to Zhao Yu. Let him spread it. Then everyone will build shrines to you.”
Ye Shi Yun agreed: “Fine. I’ll write it out when I return.”
After more idle chatter, Zhang Chun turned to Li Lin and Ye Shi Yun: “How about you two? Any signs yet?”
Li Lin sighed, then looked at Ye Shi Yun: “Does the Barefoot Doctor’s Manual have treatments for female infertility?”
Ye Shi Yun said: “Yes—herbal therapy, acupuncture, and so on.”
Li Lin said: “Help me with it later.”
Then, with regret, Li Lin added: “I thought my body was strong enough to conceive easily. But months have passed—nothing. And Zhao Yu hasn’t stopped… don’t tell the others, but I finally understand Pei Sui’s pressure.”
Li Lin sighed regretfully: "I thought with my physical condition, getting pregnant would be easy—but months have passed and nothing’s happened. And don’t think Zhao Yu hasn’t been pressuring me—I won’t hide it from you: I’m finally understanding exactly how Pei Sui felt."
Ye Shi Yun shrugged: “I don’t care. If I conceive, I’ll have a child. If not, fine—I won’t miss out on love and pleasure.”
Zhang Chun thought: ‘Keep pretending. I don’t believe you don’t want to secure your future. You’ve been in the palace this long—you know Zhao Yu’s favor brings only temporary happiness. Only by bearing him a son can you gain eternal security.’
At that moment, Zhang Chun felt immense pride in her own wisdom: ‘Though I lagged behind you by months, once I win the palace examination, I’ll have a son—something you can’t match! Hahahaha—I’m still the smartest…’
At this moment, Zhang Chun felt immense relief at her own wise decision: "Even though I’m a few months behind you all, as soon as I win the imperial palace examination, I’ll definitely have a son—that’s something you can’t match! Hahaha, I’m still the smartest..."
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