Chapter 73 (combined with another chapter)

Interestingly, she didn't truly relax in Suzhou, Nanjing, or even Beijing, but she did relax in Shanxi, probably because the pressure wasn't on her.

She was even pleasantly surprised to find that her hair loss had decreased significantly. Her hair loss had been severe since autumn, but it was now gradually recovering.

Even Fu'er said, "Mother, I think you've become so beautiful lately."

Miaozhen laughed when she heard this. It was just because she had been dressing up lately that the children thought she had become prettier. She looked at Fujie and said, "How about we have baked buns today?"

"Okay, Mother, but those baked buns are filled with mutton, and they have a bit of a gamey smell. I want to eat pork or beef baked buns," Fu'er said coquettishly.

“Sure, I’d like to eat beef buns too.” Miaozhen just smiled.

Then Zhao Ge'er and Zheng Ge'er came together. Zheng Ge'er is still young and very clingy. As soon as he arrived, he wanted to be in Miao Zhen's arms and said, "Mother smells so good."

Miaozhen said mercilessly, "That's because your mother brushes her teeth every day, but some children resist washing their faces and brushing their teeth every day, so naturally they smell bad."

Sister Fu and Brother Zhao immediately bared their teeth in front of Miaozhen, who patted them on the shoulder and said, "I wasn't talking about you two."

“I know, you’re talking about my younger brother. He doesn’t like washing his face or rinsing his mouth,” Sister Fu quickly pointed out.

Zheng Ge'er, who was not even two years old, was able to understand it, and his face turned red with anger.

Xiao Jingshi, who was reading a book behind the screen, said, "Our second son is young but has a big temper, so please don't all laugh at him."

"Stop reading and come help me with the kids. I can't manage three kids by myself," Miaozhen said coquettishly.

Miaozhen used to always do things on her own and didn't want to rely on others. But Xiao Jingshi seemed to have a bad temper, yet he was very patient with her and would do whatever she asked.

Xiao Jingshi slowly emerged from behind the screen, then picked up Zheng Ge'er and lifted him high in the air, making Zheng Ge'er laugh again.

“This year we’re attending the lantern festival in Datong to see how people in the Northwest celebrate the New Year,” Xiao Jingshi said, looking at Miaozhen.

Miaozhen readily agreed, but she added, "However, we all need to put our hoods on properly. You don't know, I went out a few days ago and had a headache for two days."

Xiao Jingshi looked at her: "Why didn't you tell me you had a headache?"

"Weren't you not at home?" Miaozhen rubbed her temples.

After waiting for about an hour, the freshly baked buns and breakfast were served. After the family finished their breakfast, the children went to school, while the adults hibernated.

Xiao Jingshi had been out in the freezing cold for so long, and he wasn't made of iron. As soon as the children left, he told Miaozhen that he felt unwell.

"Alright, alright, now you're my only patient. I'll treat you as much as I can." Miaozhen sat down beside him and carefully took his pulse.

But his pulse was normal. She looked at him and said, "Are you feeling unwell anywhere? Your pulse is normal."

It seems that having good health is indeed very important. Miaozhen was also very healthy when she was a child, but now she gets dizzy easily when exposed to cold wind, and she loses hair and has little energy when she worries too much. She is not as good as before. On the other hand, Xiao Jingshi can ride a horse and draw a bow in the freezing cold without any problems.

Xiao Jingshi laughed and said, "I am a man who can stand on his own two feet and ride a horse on his arm, so naturally I am different from ordinary people."

"I think you've been reading too much of 'Yan Qing Catches Fish,' why are you spouting such nonsense?" Miao Zhen shook her head.

On New Year's Eve, this year the family of five spent the New Year away from home alone. Miaozhen prepared more than twenty dishes. She and her husband are both very practical people. After dinner, they set off firecrackers in the yard and went back to rest.

In fact, Xiao Jingshi was someone who loved to go out and couldn't sit still for a moment. However, he knew that Miaozhen needed to rest. She had traveled a long way and had to take care of things while he was away. Now, what she needed most was quiet rest.

Miaozhen is much like modern women; she is too tired and sleep-deprived, so rest is best for her.

For her, coming to Shanxi was purely for recuperation.

Before they knew it, it was the eighth day of the month. Miaozhen left the children at home while she and Xiao Jingshi went to the governor's mansion to attend the wedding banquet. When they arrived at the gate, Miaozhen realized that the wedding banquet was actually very simple.

Because Miaozhen had been in the capital for several years and had attended many wedding banquets, this wedding banquet was not even as grand as the one when Xiao Jingshi married her.

"Madam Xiao." Madam Lin, the prefect of Datong, hurried over to call her.

Miaozhen hurriedly stepped forward and curtsied, saying, "Greetings to Madam Lin."

"Madam Xiao, you're too kind. Come, let's sit over there. Speaking of which, this marriage was arranged by the fourth wife of the Fu family. You see, it's that lady." Madam Lin pointed her out to Miaozhen.

Miaozhen was puzzled: "Why is it the Fourth Madam? Shouldn't it be Old Madam Fu?"

In an effort to curry favor with Miaozhen, Madam Lin racked her brains to say something: "Governor Fu is born out of wedlock, and he was raised by the fourth wife of the Fu family since he was a child. This marriage is also something the Fu family wants to bring back."

Miaozhen calculated his age. Fu Yu was thirty-eight years old when he became the Governor of Shanxi. He was young and promising with a smooth career. However, he had not remarried since the death of his first wife, which made him a devoted lover.

Then Madam Lin said, "Governor Fu is the only son of the Fu family, so the marriage is inevitable."

"I see," Miaozhen said.

Miaoyun also came to this occasion. Miaozhen thought she was really bold. She wondered if she was just taking a chance and thought she wouldn't be discovered. If it were Miaozhen, she definitely wouldn't have come at all and would have just waited until the end.

This is also due to the different temperaments of each person. Miaoyun remained calm and composed. She quickly made friends with several ladies with whom she could talk. Miaoyun was confident that as long as Miaozhen did not pursue the matter further, she would be fine. As for the Xu Tongpan family, those people had already returned to their hometown and could not possibly be here.

Even the six hundred taels that Madam Xu took back then were hush money.

Miaozhen actually admired Miaoyun to some extent; she was quite a character, something she herself couldn't do. Even now, the memory of stealing eggs from the neighbor's house when she was a child—after her parents divorced and she lived with her grandmother—still makes her scalp tingle with shame.

Miaozhen, Madam Lin, Mrs. Ma, and Madam Zhang were sitting together talking. Mrs. Ma was very grateful to Miaozhen: "I really feel much better after taking your medicine. You don't even charge me for the consultation. I really am—"

"Mrs. Ma, our Sister Xu's medical skills are excellent. Even His Majesty the Emperor and the Imperial Concubine have praised her highly." Ever since Miao Zhen helped her knock Cui Ningzheng to the ground with a single needle, Madam Zhang has held Miao Zhen in particularly high regard.

Miaozhen quickly waved her hand upon hearing this: "Stop bragging, my face is already red and I can't stand it."

Zhang said, "This is not boasting, it's all true. Sister Xu, you're just being too modest."

Mrs. Ma had suffered from acute nephritis last time, but now her face and head are no longer swollen, and she is in good spirits. She introduced Miaozhen to the prefect of Xuanfu. Miaozhen went up to pay her respects without putting on airs at all, and she was quite at ease.

After the lunch banquet, Cui Ningzheng came to pick up Zhang Shi. The couple, the husband and wife, both had a history of affairs, with the husband constantly having affairs both at home and outside, and the wife was no pushover either. But after their argument, their relationship actually improved in Datong.

Zhang learned from Miaozhen that people who admire strength always hope to find a powerful backer, but they themselves can also become their own backer.

Miaozhen stayed to watch the ceremony as usual. The bride arrived at dusk, but Governor Fu's expression was very unpleasant. He even placed his first wife's memorial tablet on top and made his new wife bow to it.

Although she never saw the bride's face, Miao Zhen thought that any woman would be very upset if she were treated like this at her wedding.

Back home, Miaozhen thought that she and Xiao Jingshi had a good relationship, but if Xiao Jingshi were to pass away one day, would she remarry or remain a widow? It probably depended on who she remarried to. Thinking this way, she stopped clinging to her feelings for Xiao Jingshi.

Xiao Xi exclaimed in admiration, "Governor Fu is truly unwavering in his devotion."

“I think that bride has a great figure, and you can tell at a glance that she’s a beauty. In time, she might just fall in love with her,” Miaozhen said with a smile.

Xiao Xi found it hard to accept: "Why do you say that, young lady? Are there no devoted men in this world?"

"Yes, but very few."

“But you are definitely the most devoted woman in the world.” Xiao Xi had complete faith in Miao Zhen’s character.

Miaozhen pointed to herself: "That's not necessarily true."

Before she could finish speaking, Xiao Jingshi walked in. Miaozhen didn't know if he had heard her, but she said, "It was very warm at the Fu family's house today, but it was very cold on the way. It's good that we're back. Now that we're back, we feel warm again."

Xiao Jingshi finally couldn't hold back any longer. He dismissed the servants and looked at Miaozhen, saying, "If I die, will you remarry immediately? Well, you are much prettier now, and your medical skills are beyond reproach. You are still young, so it's only natural."

"What nonsense are you talking about? You're a man who stands on his fist and a horse that walks on his arm, how could you die?" Miaozhen shook her head.

Xiao Jingshi squatted down and looked up at her: "What if I said 'what if'?"

“If I remember correctly, I asked you the same question last year, and we even had a fight. And now you’re asking me the same thing again. Normally, I have three children, how could your family possibly let me remarry?” Miaozhen analyzed the situation rationally; she had already begun to let go of some emotional things.

Unexpectedly, Xiao Jingshi got into a fight with her and got really angry, but not in the way he would give Miaozhen the cold shoulder. He even swore to himself, "I'm telling you, I will definitely live longer than you, take good care of you, and make you infatuated with me for the rest of your life."

Upon hearing this, Miaozhen felt utterly ashamed of herself. She rarely made sacrifices and didn't trust marriage, yet Xiao Jingshi treated her with such enthusiasm. She hugged him and said, "You must love me well."

Xiao Jingshi: How could I, someone who loves you, make things difficult for you? So I will love you wholeheartedly.

With her parents' relationship improving, they spent all their time together. Fu'er even complained to her maid, "I haven't seen my mother for the past few days. And Father is really something, he needs Mother to be with him for everything."

The maid beside her smiled and said, "Miss, isn't this a good thing?"

"But I also want my mother to stay with me. I love my mother the most." Fu Jie rested her chin on the table, looking very worried.

The maid coaxed her, saying, "You'll go out on the fifteenth of the first lunar month to ward off illness. Fourth Grandmother will definitely accompany you then."

Sister Fu smiled again.

This year, apart from Zheng Ge'er being too young, the twins, who are already six years old, are all going to walk around to ward off illness. Night walks have their own fun, and Xiao Jingshi naturally has to accompany them.

Especially since the Lantern Festival is also Miaozhen's birthday.

The clothes she wore were personally chosen by Xiao Jingshi. It is said that he had been dissatisfied with his own clothes for a long time, so he specially chose them for her. Dressed up, she looked much more charming and beautiful.

"Let's go see the lantern festival first, and then walk back after it's over," Xiao Jingshi said.

Miaozhen naturally agreed.

Furthermore, all sorts of colorful lanterns were hung in front of their houses, making it look quite lively. Not to mention, the streets were filled with dragon and phoenix dances and dazzling lights, as if it were daytime.

There were also acrobats, sugar figurine makers, candied hawthorn vendors, and even shumai vendors on both sides.

“I think it’s no less beautiful than our hometown.” Miaozhen lifted the sedan curtain and looked outside.

When Fu'er left Suzhou, she was still very young. Now, hearing Miaozhen say this, she couldn't help but ask, "Mother, when can we go back to Suzhou?"

Miaozhen thought for a moment and said, "That would be difficult. Your father can't go back once he's serving as an official outside the capital."

"Then why can't you be an official in our hometown?" Sister Fu asked.

Miao Zhen solemnly told her daughter, "This is called the recusal system, to prevent officials from abusing their power for personal gain."

When Sister Fu asked what favoritism meant, Miao Zhen had to explain it again.

On the other side, Miaoyun also took her stepson and daughter out to cure all kinds of illnesses. After visiting each other, they all bowed to her. There were minor officials in Xinzhou who invited her over everywhere, and everyone considered it an honor to have her invited.

In particular, when Miaoyun arrived in Xinzhou, she went to the almshouse to visit the elderly living alone. Despite her beauty and elegance, she did not look down on these poor children and elderly people at all. She even held the children and comforted them herself, which brought tears to many people's eyes. She even said that she donated fifty taels of Zhang Shihua's salary to the almshouse, which immediately established Zhang Shihua's reputation in Xinzhou.

“You really are my virtuous wife. By the way, I heard that the new Left Vice Censor of the Censorate is Lord Qiu, who is also Lady Qiu’s younger brother. Speaking of which, there really is a connection.” Zhang Shihua came from a poor family and originally served under Grand Secretary Xia. However, Grand Secretary Xia fell from power, otherwise he would not have been transferred from Zhen Ding Prefecture in Beizhili to Xinzhou, such a remote place.

He married a woman from a prominent family, not caring about her wealth or status, but rather about the intricate connections she had with them.

Miao Yun had already promised Miao Zhen that she would no longer use her name, and besides, Miao Zhen was in Xuanda, so she couldn't expose her. Therefore, she was even more eager for Zhang Shihua to be an official in a remote place. So she said, "I haven't corresponded with Lady Qiu for many years, and besides, she is a widow. This little bit of incense offering is probably not enough. If you ask me, it's not appropriate for us to do anything now."

Zhang Shihua sighed softly.

Miaoyun breathed a sigh of relief when she saw that he was no longer threatening her.

On the other side, Miaozhen and the others had finished walking down the street and were walking back when she was quietly singing "Nine Songs: Mountain Spirit" to Xiao Jingshi. Xiao Jingshi was not used to hearing this tune, but when he heard it for the first time, he found it very catchy and begged Miaozhen, "The tune you sang was really nice. Sing it for me again."

Miaozhen smiled and nodded, "If there is someone on the mountain slope, draped in ivy and adorned with maidenhair fern..."

Xiao Jingshi listened with great interest, looking at Miao Zhen and thinking that she usually spent most of her time on medical skills, and that she came out with him this time to let her relax more.

The family that accompanied them on their journey to cure their ailments was also a local gentry family. They very kindly offered Miaozhen and the others some snacks. Although Miaozhen dared not eat anything offered by others, the atmosphere was truly wonderful.

Back home, the family of four ate glutinous rice balls. Miaozhen found the black sesame ones ordinary, but the osmanthus ones were surprisingly not too sweet. She scooped one into Xiao Jingshi's bowl and gestured, "You should try some too."

"Okay." Xiao Jingshi had a general understanding of Xuanda and thought about his arrangements. The three most important things were military affairs, the case, and the selection of virtuous people. As for the minor details, he would pay attention to them later.

Unexpectedly, the first thing to complain about the next morning was the Prince Dai's Mansion in Shanxi.

Compared to Henan and Huguang, Shanxi had fewer members of the imperial clan. However, even so, these clansmen still acted recklessly in their localities. For example, this gentryman wrote in his petition that the General of the Auxiliary State of the Prince of Dai's Mansion recruited outlaws to kill and rob people. His father was killed by this man.

After reading it, Xiao Jingshi slammed his hand on the table. Miaozhen asked, "What do you intend to do?"

“I told him to first submit the petition to the Governor of Shanxi, and I will personally handle the case.” Xiao Jingshi was not afraid.

Miao Zhen nodded: "Only by removing such harmful things can the locals stop living in fear and unease. These feudal lords are really too rude."

Xiao Jingshi sneered: "Aren't these Shanxi officials even more rude? Not a single one of them dares to file a complaint."

Miaozhen looked at him and said, "What you've done are great things, things that benefit the country and the people. I will definitely support you."

Xiao Jingshi immediately took his wife and children to Taiyuan City to officially take up his post. He did not reveal this to anyone, which shows that he was meticulous in his work.

As for Miaozhen, when she had free time, she would read medical books, copy down a few prescriptions, and personally concoct medicines. This aimless focus made her feel very relaxed.

Unexpectedly, the Prince of Jin's residence sent an invitation, asking her to come and treat the princess's illness. Miaozhen saw that the invitation was sent by Zhang Shi, and knew that Zhang Shi must have introduced her. She left Xiaoxi to watch the house and went there by carriage.

In the vast north, horse-drawn carriages were the most common mode of transport. Soon they arrived at the Prince of Jin's residence. The west wall of the residence was the east wall of Taiyuan City during the Song Dynasty, which looked majestic and grand. Miaozhen had been to the palace before, so she was not as surprised as others. As she followed the maids from the Prince's residence, she saw Xinghua Ridge and Songbai Slope along the way, but she did not feel particularly awe.

"Madam Xiao, please come this way," the old woman in front reminded her.

Miaozhen smiled and said, "Thank you for your trouble."

The wet nurse of Prince Jin, Granny Liu, was leading the way. She was very experienced. Seeing that Miaozhen was young but walked with a steady gait and spoke cautiously, she secretly praised her, saying that she was indeed extraordinary, as someone who came from the palace.

Princess Jin was about thirty years old and lived in a large building complex with twenty or thirty rooms on both sides. It looked very grand and the furnishings inside were also very luxurious. There was also a six or seven-year-old girl writing large characters next to her. Miaozhen did not dare to look too much. After finishing her greetings, she asked about her illness.

"I wonder what's wrong with Your Highness?" Miaozhen asked.

Princess Jin dismissed everyone and said, "Ever since I gave birth to the princess, I have often been unwell, and I don't know why."

"I feel unwell. Where does it hurt? Could you be more specific?" Miaozhen asked.

Princess Jin sighed, "I always feel a tightness in my chest, and I'm tired and weak all day long. I've taken a lot of medicine to replenish my qi and blood, but it hasn't helped much."

Princess Jin was clearly being subtle; she would never have come to the doctor simply because she was tired and weak. Therefore, Miaozhen said, "You must tell me the truth so that I can make an accurate diagnosis."

This is also based on her many years of experience in practicing medicine. Women are often very hesitant when seeking medical treatment, which can easily lead to misdiagnosis.

The woman standing to the side was clearly a confidante of the Princess of Jin. She had originally thought that Miaozhen would exchange pleasantries before naturally revealing the illness, but she hadn't expected the female physician to be so direct and to the point without uttering a single unnecessary word.

Princess Jin rubbed her forehead and said, "I am always tired and weak, and even speaking feels exhausting."

"Then let me take your pulse first." Miaozhen sat down and took her pulse. Seeing that her pulse was deep, thin, and weak, and that her tongue was thin and white, she first noted it down, and then made notes on each item: "When was your first period? How is your menstrual flow usually? What is the color and amount of your menstrual flow?"

Princess Jin had never been questioned so thoroughly before, but she had heard Zhang mention it before. She said that this female physician, Xu, was extremely skilled and had cured many infertile women. Since she had no more children after giving birth to the princess, she wanted to invite Xu to come. However, Xu showed no gentleness whatsoever, just kept asking questions and recording them.

Is having sex normal?

Princess Jin blushed deeply, and Miao Zhen was speechless. It took her a long time to squeeze out a vague and ambiguous sentence. She felt that even the royal consorts in the palace were not this difficult to communicate with.

Princess Jin remained silent, as did Miaozhen. She had originally come to Shanxi for a vacation, but being invited here for no reason was a bit troublesome. They were seeing a doctor but not revealing their condition, and were keeping it a secret.

If she, as a doctor, doesn't ask questions clearly or record things clearly, she will immediately face his wrath if problems arise later.

People will say, "It's your fault for not being able to diagnose the pulse accurately."

Princess Jin's trusted nanny looked at Miaozhen and saw that she was flipping through Buddhist scriptures, obviously waiting for the next chapter. Indeed, this female physician Xu's husband was an imperial inspector, and she was highly regarded by the court at a young age. She herself often entered and exited the inner court, so the Prince's mansion could not be neglected. If she were to say something to the Emperor, it would be bad.

So she gave the Princess of Jin a wink, and the Princess of Jin sighed softly again and said, "It's just that we can't have sex, and the pain is often unbearable, it's really like torture."

Miaozhen asked a few more questions in detail. Seeing that she was cooperative, she couldn't help but say, "You don't have a deficiency of spleen and stomach qi, but rather a deficiency of kidney qi. Only when kidney qi is insufficient can the spleen and stomach qi descend and not ascend. If kidney qi is sufficient, the stomach can digest food and the spleen can transport and transform water and grains. If you want to get pregnant again, you will probably have to take medicine for at least four months."

Upon hearing this, the Princess Consort of Jin added, "If you can cure my illness, you will surely be richly rewarded."

"Let's try the medicine first." Miaozhen was not short of money now, so she didn't care about this.

Miaozhen opened the prescription and wrote down the weight and processing methods of the following herbs: Rehmannia glutinosa, Morinda officinalis, Atractylodes macrocephala, Ginseng, Astragalus membranaceus, Cornus officinalis, Lycium barbarum, and Bupleurum chinense.

Princess Jin had someone escort Miaozhen out, and then said to her confidante, "This female physician Xu speaks so bluntly and directly. It seems that capable people all have big tempers."

"Isn't that right? Judging from how Madam Xiao is, Imperial Censor Xiao is probably not someone to be trifled with. Our Prince is fine, but I'm afraid something's going on at the Prince Dai's residence," said the trusted nanny.

Princess Jin looked at the sky: "Other people are one thing, but the Assistant General of the Prince of Dai's Mansion hired thugs to harm the rich and plunder their property. I can't stand it, but since they are all members of the royal family, I can't say anything. The local officials also turn a blind eye. I wonder what has happened to this Imperial Censor Xiao?"

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The author notes: The idea of ​​a member of the imperial family hiring thugs to seize property originates from the Ming Dynasty during the Jiajing era. When Wang Yi was inspecting Henan, he discovered that Zhu Youliang, the Assistant General of the Prince of Zhao, had recruited desperate men to kill and rob for over ten years, and no one in the area dared to report it. Wang Yi and Wu Shan, the governor of Henan, jointly submitted a memorial to the Jiajing Emperor, resulting in Zhu Youliang being stripped of his title and imprisoned, much to the delight of the local people.

This month I maintained my perfect attendance record, writing 6,000 words every day, haha. However, my body was actually a bit overwhelmed this month. I felt like I had a lot of minor ailments, such as back pain, hair loss, insomnia, and headaches, but thankfully I managed to keep going.

Happy National Day in advance, everyone! See you tomorrow.