Chapter 2522 - 2496: End of Wedding Leave

Although marriage certificates are prepared in advance, they still need to be stamped by the County Governmental Office to be legally recognized, and Manbao’s dowry also needs to be stamped; this way, any future disputes can be handled more easily.

Typically, these are stamped after returning home post-wedding, because if the couple does not get along during this period, they can separate easily, cancel the marriage, and each party can take back their betrothal and dowry gifts.

Of course, such occurrences are rare, but rare does not mean nonexistent.

These three days are essentially a trial marriage period.

On the third day, Old Madam Liu prepared gifts for their return home, and the couple dressed up and visited their family, while someone took the documents to the County Governmental Office for stamping.

Once the marriage certificate is stamped, their relationship is officially recognized by the court.

Early in the morning, the gate of Zhou Residence opened wide, anticipating their return. However, Manbao and the others arrived home just before lunchtime, causing Old Zhou and Ms. Qian some concern. But seeing them come back with glowing faces and cheerful expressions, they knew everything was fine.

Old Zhou asked, "Why are you back so late?"

Manbao replied, "It’s early. We came right after breakfast."

Old Zhou said no more, suspecting the child had just slept in.

Ms. Qian asked, "When will your grandmothers return to stay?"

Manbao replied, "Once we return home."

She continued, "I actually find staying in that small courtyard quite nice, so I plan to stay a while longer, perhaps a full month."

Ms. Qian looked at her seriously and, seeing her relaxed demeanor, nodded, "You decide for yourself."

But really staying outside for a month is not feasible, as Changqing Alley is a bit far from the Imperial City.

Once the marriage leave ended, Manbao and Bai Shan realized that their morning sleep time seemed shorter, prompting them to move back home.

Ms. Qian watched them with amusement.

Returning home did not feel much different from before the marriage; the main change was that one more person was living in the main courtyard. Previously, eating at one place was more frequent; now eating at the other place was treated lightly.

Since whenever Manbao wanted, she could eat things made by her sister-in-law.

Together they entered the Imperial City, Bai Shan went to the Hanlin Academy, while Manbao headed to the Imperial Hospital.

Along the way, everyone greeted Zhou Man, "Lord Zhou, congratulations!"

"Lord Zhou, are you going to work today?"

"Lord Zhou, where is Lord Bai?"

Responding to each, Manbao reached the Imperial Hospital, where Director Xiao greeted her with a smile, "Doctor Zhou, aren’t you taking a few more days of rest?"

Manbao asked, "Are you going to grant me leave?"

Director Xiao’s smile faded, as he pointed to the documents on her desk, "These have piled up; hurry up and process them. Also, the Imperial Guard has started vaccinations at the royal farm. Currently, Imperial Doctors Lu and Liu are in charge."

He continued, "Doctor Liu is quite old now, so since you’re back, you should take over for the next batch."

Manbao mumbled a bit, feeling he was quite inconsiderate to his subordinates since she had just gotten married.

Director Xiao ignored her complaints, and after giving instructions, added, "Also, visit the Crown Princess in the afternoon. The Eastern Palace sent someone over, saying the Crown Princess hasn’t had a good appetite lately."

"Why in the afternoon?"

Director Xiao’s gaze fell on the pile of documents on her desk.

Understanding immediately, Manbao figured, alright, since it’s not an emergency, going later is fine.

Manbao accepted the arrangement without fuss.

When visiting the Crown Princess, Manbao took special pills for digestive issues, thinking of prescribing on-the-spot if it wasn’t serious. However, upon arrival...

Manbao looked at the Crown Princess and, after a moment, asked, "When was your last period, Princess?"

The Crown Princess’s eyes brightened, her voice small, "Is it true?"

Confirming first, then answering.

Manbao calculated the time, then said to the Crown Princess, "About seventy-five days or so, congratulations, Princess."

The Crown Princess was delighted and said to Manbao, "Please don’t mention this to anyone until three months have passed."

Manbao readily agreed.

As the Crown Princess had already a grandson, another child, whether boy or girl, would be an added joy—a blessing.

After expressing her joy, the Crown Princess remembered Manbao’s new marriage and immediately had a prepared gift presented to her, saying with a smile, "This is a personal wedding gift from me, do you like it?"

Manbao thanked her with delight.

The Crown Princess said with a smile, "Later, make a visit to the harem, as the Empress, Mingda, and Changyu all have gifts for you."

Not only the Empress and Mingda and Changyu, but also Noble Consort Yang and other consorts. Those she encountered asked her over, held her hand for a close look, and offered small gifts.

By the time Manbao completed her rounds, though the medicine chest was hardly diminished, her person was adorned with numerous pendants, jade bracelets, hairpins, and rings—all gifted by the court ladies.

Upon reaching Taiji Hall, she found the Emperor having afternoon tea with the Empress. Seeing her, he only intended to nod in greeting, but noticing her adorned with gifts, and the Empress also gifting her a pair of bracelets, he couldn’t help but gift her something.

After looking around, he finally removed a jade pendant from his belt and handed it to her, "Here, this is for you."

Manbao thanked him immediately, "Thank you, Your Majesty, for the gift."

The Emperor asked, "How is the work at the Imperial Medical Bureau going?"

Manbao, being a scholar-adviser at the Bureau, had just reviewed documents and had a certain understanding. So she reported to the Emperor.

The Emperor nodded slightly and said, "Take advantage of the quieter winter months to have local medical bureau officials return to the capital and report, while teaching them the vaccination technique."

Manbao nodded.

The Emperor continued, "Before spring arrives, ensure these local medical bureau officials are trained so they can be dispatched to different regions."

Manbao nodded, then couldn’t help but ask, "Your Majesty, why discuss such matters in the harem instead of the front hall with Director Xiao?"

The Emperor fell silent for a moment before saying, "Why bother? You need to convey it to the Imperial Hospital regardless, so what’s the harm?"

Manbao shrank back slightly, muttering, "Alright~"

The Empress, laughing, said, "Enough, she’s here to check on my health. Discuss these court matters in the front hall. Lord Zhou, since you’re here, why not take a look at Mingda and Changyu’s princess residence plans? You always get along well, so provide some opinions."

Mingda and Changyu dragged her over to look at the plans, spreading two sheets on the table. Changyu pointed at a spot, saying, "I’d like to open a door here, so Mingda and I can visit each other without leaving through the main entrance and walking the long way. Also, here, I’d like to make it a garden—why do I need so many rooms when it’s just me?"