The Tang Dynasty’s Female Forensic Doctor

The next day, Ran Yan sent for Wu Xiuhe to be brought into the mansion.

Although Ran Yan herself was too busy to see him, she had always ordered others to take care of his daily life. The old man lived particularly well during this period, having gained a good amount of weight compared to his time in Suzhou.

Wu Xiuhe still bore that appearance of a seemingly celestial and Taoist-like composure, and said indifferently, "In my early years, I studied under the Divine Master of White Cloud, and I had long predicted that you would have great fortune. Now it has indeed come true; my efforts in saving you were not in vain."

Faced with such a greeting, Ran Yan really didn't know what to say. Unwittingly, their sect had shifted from the Medical Saint to Taoist practices.

Ran Yan briefly inquired about his life in the temple, and Wu Xiuhe immediately covered his face and wept bitterly, complaining that the monks wouldn't let him eat meat. He had not taken monastic vows, so why should he be deprived of it.

"That is a sacred Buddhist place, naturally it cannot be tainted with worldly matters. From now on, Master can eat as much as he pleases here in the mansion. And I have taught Xing's mother and Wan Lu how to cook braised pork; Master, feel free to enjoy," Ran Yan said.

Wu Xiuhe immediately stopped crying and dabbed his dry eyes with his sleeve, "Seventeenth Lady is truly filial."

Wan Lu laughed, "Divine Doctor, the Lady is now pregnant. It's just the right time to bring you over for a leisurely life. There are plenty of days ahead for conversations. The slave has arranged a place for you to stay. Why don't you go rest for a bit, and we can catch up after dinner?"

Now back to his celestial and Taoist-like demeanor, Wu Xiuhe stroked his beard and smiled, "That suits me very well."

Ran Yan gave a nod with a smile, signaling Wan Lu to lead Wu Xiuhe to rest.

Before focusing on her prenatal care, Ran Yan took time to sort out many of the previously pending matters, like Qing Luo and Xiao Man.

Ge Lan had found a simple and honest farmer outside the city for Qing Luo and married her off with a dowry of several dozen silvers. Perhaps feeling that everything was settled with her marriage, Qing Luo also lived obediently with her husband. Xiao Man was sent back to Suzhou, sailing south along with Ran Pingyu's cargo ship.

Ran Yan was somewhat aware of the affairs within the major clans. For those matters openly known, whether they were threats or not, the best approach was to sweep them clean. And for those who seemed to have ulterior motives, they were temporarily placed on a certain manor.

The Xiao residence became much quieter all of a sudden.

Over the past half month, Ran Yan increasingly struggled with drowsiness, so severe that sometimes she could fall asleep even while standing and talking.

After these symptoms abated slightly, she began to experience morning sickness, vomiting to the point where she lost the weight she had gained in the previous half month. Xiao Song became so anxious that he would either cling to Wu Xiuhe for advice or rush to the Imperial Medical Bureau for consultations, sending people everywhere to search for folk remedies. Once collected, he would take them to the Imperial Medical Bureau to verify if they were feasible. In no time, the entire city of Chang'an knew that Lady of Xianliang was pregnant.

Unable to serve the Marquis in bed due to her pregnancy, and with no other concubines in the household, some families started to get ideas. The usually quiet Marquis' residence was now bustled with carriages coming and going, and various households sent matchmakers to Ran Yan's side.

"The Lady carries a child for ten months! The Lady and the Marquis share a deep affection, surely you can't bear to see the Marquis waiting idly for these ten months. I know of the Wei family, which has three legitimate daughters; all are fair in appearance and, more importantly, highly literate and reasonable, acquainted with respect for elders and juniors, and have gentle natures. Should one become a concubine, she could surely help the Lady manage the household affairs and serve the Marquis, allowing the Lady to rest easy during her pregnancy," said the matchmaker with a beaming smile.

Wan Lu was so angry that her eyes reddened. She just couldn't understand why the Lady didn't close the doors to avoid meeting them. Why allow these people in to endure such indignities!

Ran Yan, however, was determined to spread the reputation of being a jealous wife. Now that she was pregnant and Lady Dugu had to observe mourning and could not deal with these trifles, it was the perfect opportunity. So, after hearing the matchmaker's words, Ran Yan didn't get upset, "You're right, she can help me manage the household and serve the Marquis, then I can take a break."

The matchmaker was secretly pleased, saying, "The Lady is indeed wise and understands the ways of the world."

"How about this? I'll simply pack up and return to my family home in Lanling, leaving the Xiao mansion to the Wei sisters to manage. What do you think? Wouldn't that be even more relaxing?" Ran Yan didn't wait for her reply and turned slightly to Wan Lu, "Prepare my things, we shall return to Lanling first thing tomorrow."

"Yes," Wan Lu responded immediately, starting to pack up in the room.

"Lady, please don't misunderstand, that wasn't my intention..."

The matchmaker had only said half of what she intended to say when Ran Yan interrupted with a faint smile, "You are right. I, who come from a small place like Suzhou and only belong to a middling clan, lack broad horizons. It was only after your reminder today that I realized how narrow my view was. It turns out that managing a household and raising children does not exclusively require a main wife. It just so happens I can rest by going back, and whether to marry a concubine or take a mistress, you can discuss it with Marquis Xiangwu. If he likes it, that's fine with me; I have no objection."