Manbao realized the situation and asked, "Where do you live?"
"We live outside the city."
Manbao exclaimed, "Isn't that quite far from here?"
The elder replied, "Our family chops and delivers firewood. We came early today, so we took the opportunity to see the doctor."
Manbao nodded and said, "Then it must be difficult for you to come to the city, should I prescribe some extra medicine for you?"
The elder hesitated and didn't reply.
Manbao explained, "Your illness has dragged on for too long. You need to cycle through three different prescriptions for a cure, but right now I can only provide you with two. Each prescription comes with two doses—one dose lasts two days, taken once in the morning and once in the evening. After you finish these four doses, come back, and I'll check the effects and change to a different prescription."
After speaking, Manbao thought for a moment and then wrote down the prescription.
The elder saw and closed his mouth.