Chapter 63

Throughout the year, noisy gossips often occur among the neighbors living in Shijing Lane, South Street. For example, Madam Chen and the head of the Chen family always have a few quarrels, which is well known in the neighborhood.

But today, it is very rare for people to break things in their homes.

Clay pots, earthen pots, food bowls... the sound of breaking, mixed with the noise reached my ears. Not long after, the neighbors who were busy at home came out to watch the fun.

Among them, Mrs. He is no exception.

"Brother Yi, come here and talk." Mrs. He asked Xu Yi nervously across the courtyard wall of the two houses, "You are so close, have you heard anything unreasonable? Why are the Chen family so noisy? So fierce."

She was worried about Mrs. Chen, but she couldn't come to the door first.

Xu Yi couldn't explain clearly in a calm voice, "A Xu and I were busy in the kitchen, and we just heard the sound."

"Someone has to go and take a look." Mrs. He couldn't wait any longer, so she went out. He was walking in a hurry, and before he knocked on Chen's door, he saw an old woman running out.

The old woman wore a low bun with a gilt silver auspicious cloud hairpin on top. She was wearing a thickened agarwood-colored short coat and a pleated skirt of the same color. She had deep eyes, a hooked nose, and two gleaming eyes. She stared closely at the open door, pointing and cursing with her hands in a loud voice.

"You rude shrew, I am Erwang's aunt after all. I thought you pretended to be virtuous, so I fell into your trap. I never thought you were disrespectful of your elders and your eyes were blinded by lard. You villain.

Since you are married to my Chen family, you are my Chen family’s wife. Why don’t you keep your arms turned out for the sake of my Chen family? I don’t think Sister Zhen can marry a good husband?”

She cursed, Mrs. Chen rolled up her sleeves and ran out.

"What Auntie said is funny. How can something that is impossible to do with eight poles be accomplished?"

After Mrs. Chen finished speaking, she saw Xu Yi standing not far away from the corner of her eye, and she suddenly felt sorry.

Chen Erwang was not the one who originally did this. He went to talk about it, but he still couldn't convince his aunt. She was even chased and scolded by her aunt, and she was picked on, and she didn't dare to say a word.

They both quarreled outside the house. No matter how embarrassed Chen Erwang was, he could not continue to hide in the house. He could only come out in despair, dragging his angry and rebellious aunt, and said in a good voice: "Good aunt, let's go first Let's go back."

"I won't go back. I want to show the neighbors what bad intentions this bitch has." The aunt was angry and continued to curse, "Er Wang, don't be afraid of her. Support me, if she doesn't obey, we'll divorce her!"

Madam Chen laughed angrily: "Okay, then divorce me, I don't want to be your wife in the Chen family anymore."

Chen Erwang blushed. , said angrily: "Shut up!"

"You disobey your elders, are you really not afraid that I will divorce you?"

...

Now, everyone watching the excitement knew what the Chen family was quarreling about.

"Ms. Chen usually looks gentle and gentle. She never quarrels with anyone. She only disagrees with Chen Erwang. This time she wants to divorce her. I can't guarantee that this aunt is too bullying."

"I think Mrs. Chen admits her mistake. , this matter is over, it’s better to divorce your wife.”

“Indeed, what will Mrs. Chen do in the future if she is divorced?”

The

neighbors who were watching the excitement were also talking in low voices, and most of them felt that Chen was in trouble . My wife has become strong-tempered, so why not bow her head and admit her mistake, and the matter will be settled. If she was really divorced for being "disrespectful of her elders", how could Mrs. Chen marry a second time in the future?

Aunt Chen and Chen Erwang are shameless, why should Mrs. Chen seek a good reputation for them?

She sneered and said: "Hugh, if we can't reconcile, then break up. What's the difference to me."

Chen Erwang breathed rapidly: "You... you, you shrew!"

Madam Chen glanced around and saw many Seeing the worried looks from Yi and Mrs. He, she smiled, looked away from them, and looked at the neighbors.

"Chen Erwang, let's make it clear today in front of the neighbors, do we want to divorce our wife?"

After she finished speaking, seeing what the aunt wanted to say, she interrupted her very quickly and said coldly, " Aunt, you have long disliked me. I and Chen Erwang moved to the county town. You were also looking forward to coming, but your fourth uncle failed to let you do so, so you thought of marrying Sister Zhen to the county town." "

Go to the city. How can it be so easy? If a good son and husband are so easy to find, how can there be a good in-law in this world? It's just a thought in my heart. As a junior, I can't say anything, but you can't blame my plan on me. I'm going to be this embarrassing person."

They all knew this, and when they said it in front of so many people today, the aunt felt that she had been completely humiliated, and her shoulders were shaking with anger.

She encouraged Chen Erwang and said: "She has insulted you and me like this, and has not put our Chen family at ease at all. Aren't you still going to divorce your wife?"

Chen Erwang was a little confused...

why...

why it didn't take more than a few breaths. , the situation became out of control.

Chen Erwang originally did not want to divorce his wife. He said the words of divorce just to scare Mrs. Chen and let her know the stakes. Being divorced would not be a good outcome. But now, Mrs. Chen and her aunt were frying him back and forth on the fire rack, making him blush with anxiety.

He looked around at the lively neighbors again and felt that he would never have the dignity to live on South Street in the future.

Chen Erwang covered his face. In an instant, he looked several years older.

...

Not long after, the quarrel in the Chen family subsided. When everyone thought that Chen Erwang would not divorce his wife, the head of the Chen family, as well as the family uncle and other people, hurriedly came to South Street in an ox cart.

This time, there was no noise from the Chen family.

There were dark clouds outside, and the sky was gray, as if it was going to rain.

Ah Jin retracted his head and told Xu Yi: "Lang Jun, should we put away the medicinal materials first?"

Xu Yi looked at the sky and sighed: "Put it away."

A Xu and A Jin After receiving his answer, he quickly took back the medicinal materials that had been exposed to the sun into the kitchen.

When the medicinal materials were put away, a cold wind blew outside, making the wooden windows creak, which made people feel upset.

The corner of Xu Yi's eyes seemed to pass by the Chen family wall indifferently. There was much less movement there, and he didn't know what the outcome would be.

Mrs. Chen is in ruins today. It is not easy to get a happy ending. She just doesn’t know what the attitude of the elders from the Chen family will be. But no matter what, Xu Yi still hopes that Ms. Chen will have a good outcome.

"Lang Jun, are you worried about Mrs. Chen?" A Jin grabbed his sleeve and asked Xu Yi in a low voice.

Xu Yi noticed her little movement and lowered his eyes to look at her.

Ajin bit her lip and said: "I'm a little worried. The old aunt looked very scary, and she looked like she wanted to drive away Madam Chen. Isn't that Madam Chen's home? Why can she instruct Madam Chen? "Uncle, did you drive Mrs. Chen away?"

Xu Yi said, "In this world, clans are closely related, and sometimes the person involved cannot make the decision. If Mrs. Chen wants to divorce, she only needs to go to the government to apply for divorce." But what happened today is very detrimental to Mrs. Chen. Chen Erwang can accuse Mrs. Chen of being "unvirtuous" and divorce her. "

In the law, if the wife is divorced due to fault, the wife must be divorced and returned. The natal family also has to pay a compensation fee to the man. [Note 1]

If Chen Erwang really divorced Mrs. Chen for this reason, Mrs. Chen would have to go back to her mother's house and even pay her back.

When Ah Jin heard what Xu Yi said, the worried look in his eyes became more serious.

After she came here, besides Xu Yi, Mrs. He and Mrs. Chen treated their brothers and sisters the best. If Mrs. Chen is driven away, will she be able to see her again in the future?

Ah Jin was a little worried, thinking that if he could not see Mrs. Chen, he would not be able to drink the drinks made by Mrs. Chen in the future.

Xu Yi patted her head and put her thoughts back. It was useless to think too much, so he entered the kitchen and continued to make Xiaoshi pills.

Soon, Ah Jin ran in and said, "Lang Jun, it's raining."

Xu Yi said, "Please pay attention to the Chen family. If you see Mrs. Chen coming out, ask her to come in and talk."

After he finished speaking, another Madam He on the other side came over holding an oil-paper umbrella.

After entering the house, Mrs. He sighed and said: "After thinking about it, I still feel uneasy. Brother Yi, why did this happen? Why did Mrs. Chen want to divorce."

Xu Yi knew some inside information. , but said nothing.

Logically speaking, this matter has nothing to do with Mrs. He, but whenever it comes to other people's homes, she is just there to watch the excitement. When talking about this matter in private, she feels a lot of emotion, how can she be so worried.

But Madam He remembered that Madam Chen told her a few days ago that it would be great if she could leave South Street and go to Fucheng.

At that time, she only thought it was Mrs. Chen's accidental idea. Now she thought about it carefully and found that Mrs. Chen had thought about this a long time ago.

Xu Yi said: "Don't worry, Madam He. I think Madam Chen knows what she is thinking."

Madam He sighed and said, "I only thought she was very stubborn, but I didn't expect to be so stubborn. I would like to relieve her worries, but I am a useless person." Those who are capable can only be anxious. "

There are not many women who want to have a friend who can say thoughtful things. In this large county, she is the only one who has a good relationship with Madam Chen. Now that Madam Chen is having trouble, she can't do anything to help her. busy.

Xu Yi comforted her: "Ms. Chen has skills and ideas. Nowadays, setting up stalls to sell food in big temples in big cities is very popular. Don't talk about it. In spring and summer alone, Mrs. Chen can sell cold drinks. If you don't want to lose your head, You can show up and work as a kitchen girl in a wealthy family, which is always a different way of life."

After hearing this, Mrs. He suddenly realized that she was thinking the wrong way. She only thought about the disadvantages of divorce, but she did not expect that divorce would also have benefits. .

...

The next day, the dark clouds dispersed in the sky, and the people living in South Street started a new day of business as usual.

Only Shijing Lane is a little different. People watching the excitement yesterday were discussing privately what the outcome of the Chen family's farce would be.

Everyone was not curious for too long, and soon they knew that Mrs. Chen and Chen Erwang had reconciled!

"Really divorced?"

"Chen Erwang can really tolerate a woman like Mrs. Chen, why don't he divorce her?" A neighbor asked sarcastically with dissatisfaction.

The other person nodded, yes, this Mrs. Chen is too arrogant.

In one of the houses, her wife was weaving cloth and asked her husband: "Ms. sir, do you think there is anything wrong with this?"

"Of course it is wrong! What Mrs. Chen is violating is the rule of seven outs. Since ancient times, the relationship between parents has been According to the words of the matchmaker, she is so unruly that she proposed divorce first. Shouldn't she divorce her? "

His wife: "..."

She felt vaguely that something was wrong, but she didn't know what was wrong.

No one knows what Madam Chen paid to get a letter of divorce instead of a letter of divorce.

In this way, she didn't have to go back to her parents' house. When she came out of the Chen family's house, there was only a suitcase with clothes and two taels of silver hidden on her body.

She gave up the dowry she brought to the Chen family, so Chen Erwang agreed to her divorce. In front of Chen's uncle, parents-in-law, and aunt, she was asked to sign a deed and could not tell anyone else.

Despite this, Mrs. Chen still did not compromise. She would rather give up her money and leave the Chen family.

Seeing that the outcome was certain, Chen Erwang scolded her viciously for not having a good death. He took possession of her dowry with shining eyes, which looked really ugly.

*

Ms. Chen doesn’t care what other people think.

She hired an ox cart as soon as she came out of Chen's house, carried the boxes and parcels she brought out, and called the cart to wait for her for a moment. She was going to say goodbye to Mrs. He and Xu Yi.

"Ms. Chen." Xu Yi looked at her.

Mrs. Chen was in a good mood and said with a smile: "Now I have got my wish, and the result I asked for is not in vain. You may have been worried about me yesterday."

In the scene yesterday, she could not say anything more due to etiquette. Now that she was alone, she could speak freely.

Madam He held her hand worriedly and asked softly: "Where will you live in the future? You have an idea."

Madam Chen replied: "I will go to find a house outside the city to live in first, and then I will think about making a living ." Let's save some spare money first."

Xu Yi said to her, "If you need any help from me, Madam Chen, just ask."

Madam Chen said, "I don't know if it will happen in the future.

" He raised his eyebrows and nodded towards her.

He had scruples, but Mrs. He didn't. Hearing that she was going to live outside the city, she was a little worried and said, "It's not safe for you to live alone. Why don't you find a cheap house to live in on South Street, which is close to us?" I'll take care of you."

Mrs. Chen laughed at her and said, "Is it possible that I live outside the city and can't come to see you if I have something to do? I can't just hire a car for two or three bucks. Is it convenient? "Yes."

The three of them continued chatting for a while, but Mrs. Chen didn't let the handlebars wait too long. She said goodbye to Xu Yi and the others and said that when she made the food, she would give them a portion to try.

…

As soon as Mrs. Chen left, the gossip about the Chen family in Shijing Lane, South Street, gradually subsided, and soon there was a new topic of conversation after dinner.

On this day, Xu Yi divided a batch of the Xiaoshi pills he made and sent them to the Xing family.

Since Jishitang no longer sells "Chen's Xiaoshi Pills" and changed it to "Shen's Xiaoshi Pills", the original price of five pills for twenty cents has become twenty-five cents.

When the Xing family was buying medicines, Xing Yuesen got the news and went to ask Xu Yi. After learning the inside story, he was very angry. When he returned home, he informed the housekeeper in charge of the purchase that he would no longer go to Jishitang to buy the medicines he needed, but would instead go to the experts on East Street. pavilion.

The newly appointed doctor of Jishi Hall was over forty years old. When he came from Fucheng, he brought two apprentices who taught him personally. Unexpectedly, he lost a big customer just after he took office. He personally sent a greeting note to Xing's house, but he couldn't even get in.

Only then did he realize that this errand was not easy to handle.

But what he didn't expect was that something more difficult was yet to come.

The reputation of Chen's Xiaoshi Pills has only been known to everyone in the county within half a year. In the past, everyone could only buy it in Jishitang. The Xiaoshi Pills suddenly changed their name and increased their price. People thought it was an increase in drug prices at first. Later, when I bought it, I found that not only the name had changed, but the medicinal effects were also different.

Compared with the original "Chen's Xiaoshi Pills", the effect of this "Shen's Xiaoshi Pills" is only half of the former. Every time you have abdominal distension and food accumulation, you have to take two pills to be effective.

This is a big deal for the people in the county and surrounding towns and villages!

Even if the price is expensive, why is the medicine so ineffective? Isn't this money fraud?

"What's the point? No, you have to go to Jishitang to find out."

"Which doctor made the Xiaoshi pills sold by Jishitang before? Why are they different this time?"

"Could it be Doctor Yan? "

I don't think so. If it was made by Doctor Yan, it would have been made by a doctor named Chen."

"..."

While everyone was talking about it, someone had already come to the door of Jishi Hall. , go and ask.

This matter has been discussed in the market to a high degree, and many people are very concerned about it. Originally, the Xiaoshi Pills were not expensive, and many families would keep a pack of them as household medicine.

One of them, an old man over fifty who was wearing a green cross-collar robe, bought a piece of ginger and two radish sticks in front of a vegetable stall. [Note 2]

He heard the conversation between the stall owner and the stall owner, and stood aside curiously to listen.

When he returned to his house, he handed over the vegetables he bought to the servants and carried a pot of newly boiled hot water to the corridor pavilion in the backyard.

"Dalang, do you know what interesting things I heard in the market?" Uncle Pang made new hot tea for Pang Boyi, put it on the table at his hand, and said with a smile.

Pang Boyi was flipping through the book in his hand. When he heard this, he paused and raised his eyebrows to look at him: "Uncle Pang heard something interesting?"

Uncle Pang said slowly: "I don't know if it counts. It's an interesting story, but I think it's enough to relieve Dalang's boredom." Seeing that Lang Jun put down the book in his hand and waited for him with interest, he said bluntly, "There is a pill in Yanting County, originally called Chen. Shi Xiaoshi Pills has suddenly changed its name in recent days. The price has increased, but the efficacy has decreased, which has caused a lot of dissatisfaction."

After

hearing this, Pang Boyi sat up with some interest and asked with a smile. "What are the magical uses of Chen's Xiaoshi Pills?"

Uncle Pang said, "I asked before, and they said that Chen's Xiaoshi Pills can treat food accumulation, abdominal distension and epigastric pain, nourish the stomach, and relieve belching. It is more effective than those found in ordinary medical clinics. The prescribed Xiaoshi Powder and Xiaoshi Decoction are very effective and cheap. Five pills only cost 20 yuan, and you only need to take one pill at a time."

Pang Boyi suddenly frowned: "I have read countless books, but I have never heard of it. This kind of pills?"

"Yes." Uncle Pang shook his head, "There are many people selling miracle medicines in the name of miracle doctors. I thought this was the same for Xiaoshi Pills, but I don't think they are fake. Pang

Game said: "Uncle Pang, can you buy this Chen's Xiaoshi Pills?"

"Dalang, let me ask." Uncle Pang didn't dare to guarantee it.

Pang Boyi knew that he was cautious. He raised his eyebrows slightly and said with a smile: "This Yanting County looks more interesting than I thought."

His friend is a county lieutenant here, so he should know more than him.

Thinking of this, he asked Uncle Pang to write a post and send it to Pan's house, asking Pan Wenji to come to the house for a cup of hot tea.

Such an interesting thing needs someone to listen to it.

...

Xu family.

Xu Yi was very busy at this time, and the pills he had prepared had to be packed. He and A Xu, two siblings, one person cut the paper and the other two packed them. They were busy until dark finally packaging the Xiaoshi pills.

He drank half a glass of water to moisten his throat while resting, and said to A Xu A Jin: "There is no need to read after tomorrow's morning exercise. We will set up a stall in the market to sell Xiaoshi pills."

When they heard that they were going to set up a stall in the market, the eyes of the brother and sister opened . All lit up.

After preparing for so many days, they finally went to make money. In the past two days, they heard a lot in the market, and some neighbors from South Street came to ask Xu Yi if they knew they could buy from him. Take Xiaoshi Pills to feel at ease.

This time when setting up a stall, Xu Yi didn't want to do what he did in the past. He wanted to bring a table and put up a front to let people in the market know that he was selling Chen's Xiaoshi Pills.

That night, Xu Yi cut out a rectangular piece of cotton, rolled up wooden strips at the beginning and end and tied it tightly, then punched a hole, connected the cover with hemp rope, and hung it on the top of the tripod.

He tried shaking the wooden frame, and when he saw it didn't fall over, he took off the cover, spread it out, and wrote five big characters -

Chen's Xiaoshi Pills.

Dragons and phoenixes dance, majestic.

After finishing the work, Xu Yi looked at the cover he had made by himself and went to bed with satisfaction.

Early the next morning, Uncle Liu arrived outside Xu's house early.

Several people got on the bullock cart and set off to the market at the Imperial City Temple. On the way, Xu Yi heard the vendors discussing that some people went to Jishitang to ask for explanations. As a result, Jishitang refused to admit that the medicine was not effective, and even invited those people out of the medical clinic.

Uncle Liu burst out laughing when he heard this: "This Jishi Hall has stirred up a hornet's nest."

Xu Yi: "..."

Nowadays, Jishi Hall does not have Dr. Yan in charge, and the new doctor has been hit hard before he is familiar with the business. I was so panicked that I couldn't think of a solution to the problem. He had just sent a letter to Fucheng to inquire about his master's family. On the other side, another wave of people came to the medical clinic to ask for explanations.

The people who came this time were not only ordinary people, but also stewards from wealthy families dressed in silk and satin. Facing these people, the new doctor did not dare to neglect, so he had to refund the money and apologize...

Xu Yi didn't know these people, but they had arrived at the market outside the City God's Temple in an ox cart.

Uncle Liu stopped the oxcart and helped them move their things and get out of the car. Axu and Ajin carried large and small bags, while Xu Yi moved the table and quickly found a satisfactory position.

The two little ones were very excited along the way and they would set up the stall. They were even more happy when they heard that Xu Yi was going to let them sell by themselves. Looking up at the busy market with people coming and going, he shouted with a blushing face.

"Xiaoshi Pills."

"Chen's Xiaoshi Pills."

"First come, first served, Chen's Xiaoshi Pills, a pack only costs 20 yuan."

A few shouts rang out, and pedestrians passing by heard it and looked over. First they saw the words Under the guise of the name of Xiaoshi Pills, and then seeing two children, I couldn't help but be surprised.

"Are you selling real Chen's Xiaoshi Pills?"

"Jishitang doesn't even have them, are you sure they are real?"

Someone asked, and A Xu A Jin replied: "Of course, these Xiao Shi Pills are from my husband. It's made and guaranteed to be safe for children."

Ah Jin opened a package, held it in his hand and showed it to them, "Don't you believe it? It's the same as the one I bought before."

When those people saw this, they were dubious. Holding it to the tip of my nose and smelling it, I really smelled the familiar medicinal aroma.

"It's true." He shouted in surprise.

Following this sound, several other people came over to smell it clearly, and found that it was really the smell of Chen's Xiaoshi Pills, and they all started to buy it.

Xu Yi did not interfere.

He sat on the small stool next to him, propped up his chin and watched A Xu A Jin happily selling Xiaoshi pills, his brows arched with joy.