Chapter 119 Famous Doctor
On the fifteenth day of the twelfth lunar month, light snow began to fall before dawn.
Last night, Chen's back was chilled and still ached even after applying a plaster. Lin Yuesha got up early to make breakfast for her parents.
Pan-fried dumplings with vegetarian radish and vermicelli, the filling seasoned with a little lard, served with a dipping sauce of soy sauce, vinegar, and chili oil, and a big pot of hot lean meat porridge—a perfect combination of meat and vegetables.
It wasn't even dawn yet, but the carriage was already waiting at the door.
"Little girl, judging from the sky, the snow will get even heavier this afternoon. If it snows heavily, stay overnight in the side room of Yutan Temple. Don't worry about home."
As Chen was drinking her porridge, she saw her daughter about to leave and hurriedly gave her some instructions.
"Wear more clothes, it's windy on the mountain, wear an extra cloak."
Xiao Chenggui was also worried and muttered something along with it.
Lin Yuesha was always obedient. After getting dressed, she carried the snacks she had made herself. When she went outside, she found that it was not the Jiang family's carriage.
"Moonlight Veil, here, here!"
Zhang Qing'er opened the carriage window, revealing half her face, and beckoned Lin Yuesha to get into the carriage.
“Miss Lin, I returned to the manor yesterday to report to my mistress. When she learned that she had gone to Yutan Temple with the Jiang family’s young lady, she came uninvited.”
Qianlv was very embarrassed. Her young lady's exact words were that the vegetarian food at Yutan Temple was so delicious that she wanted to join in the fun.
This behavior was still somewhat impolite, but unfortunately she couldn't dissuade the person; the young lady always had her own ideas.
"Alright, let's team up."
Lin Yuesha was taken aback for a moment, but quickly recovered. Zhang Qing'er and Jiang Baozhu didn't know each other yet, but Zhang Qing'er had a good personality, so they shouldn't be difficult to get along with.
Before long, Jiang Baozhu arrived with Xiao Xi. After discussing it, the three decided to travel in the Zhang family's carriage.
With Zhang Qing'er present, it was inconvenient to discuss some private matters concerning the Jiang family, so Lin Yuesha had to steer clear and instead inquire about Madam Xu's health.
Jiang Huai went out to deliver goods again, and it would take about ten days.
"Sister Baozhu, how is Auntie's condition?"
Almost all of the old servants of the Jiang family were sold off. Some of them went to their new masters' homes but did not live well. Others could not bear the hardship and took advantage of the opportunity to escape back. They knelt in front of the Jiang mansion and begged for mercy, hoping that Madam Xu would show leniency.
Lin Yuesha was worried that Jiang Baozhu would be too soft-hearted and let those unruly servants back into the house.
"It's just a matter of delaying things."
Jiang Baozhu sighed. Her past life had been so miserable because she was too weak and always wanted to rely on others. When her parents were alive, she relied on them; when they were gone, she wanted to rely on He Xing. In the end, she couldn't rely on anyone and was left isolated and helpless, so she chose to commit suicide.
In retrospect, it was such a weak approach.
Her mother's health was already severely depleted, and with only medicinal herbs to supplement her diet, she could only last another year or two before her life came to an end.
“You are Miss Baozhu from the Jiang family, I know you.”
When Zhang Qing'er interrupted, Lin Yuesha patted her head, realizing that she hadn't introduced the two of them yet.
"Miss Zhang."
Jiang Baozhu was unwilling to burn incense with the county magistrate's daughter, feeling that she was not worthy of such an honor. However, since Magistrate Zhang was an honest and just man, and the family matter had been brought to court, the Jiang family could be considered to have received his help.
Is your mother sick?
The scandalous affair of the Jiang family had already spread from the town to the county. Qianlu had also gossiped about it to Zhang Qing'er quite a bit, so Zhang Qing'er felt some sympathy for Jiang Baozhu.
"Here's the thing, my father received a letter that my cousin will be arriving in the border town in the next couple of days. If you and your mother don't mind, you can ask him to see you."
Zhang Qing'er spoke modestly, but with a strange confidence in her voice.
“Miss Jiang, my cousin’s family is a family of imperial physicians in the capital. It is said that his medical skills have surpassed those of my uncle.”
Qianlu explained on behalf of her young mistress that there were many people in Kyoto who wanted to see the young master for medical treatment, but unfortunately he was focused on researching medicinal herbs and had traveled from Nanzhang to the border town just to acquire some high-quality, aged herbs.
Since it was Chinese New Year, I decided to stay at the Zhang family's house.
"Really? Won't that be a lot of trouble?"
Jiang Baozhu was surprised; for her, this was an unexpected delight!
There aren't many famous doctors in the north, but it's different in the capital. The young master of a family of imperial physicians inherits the mantle, and his medical skills are absolutely top-notch. No amount of money can hire him!
The doctor dared not prescribe medicine for her mother, only some tonics to strengthen her constitution. They wouldn't kill her, but their effects were minimal.
If they could be treated by the young master of a family of imperial physicians, there might still be a glimmer of hope.
Even if it only allows Xu to live for another six months or a few months, and suffer less, those days are still a bonus.
Her mother had worried about her all her life. Jiang Baozhu's wish was for Xu Shi to see her get married and have children. She knew that this was also her mother's wish.
Such talent is hard to find even with a lantern!
Jiang Baozhu had considered going to the capital to invite a doctor back. Her family could afford it, but the doctor promised to travel there, and it would take a year or two for the doctor to arrive and leave. Her mother, Xu Shi, probably couldn't wait that long.
"It might be troublesome for others, but our young master always listens to Miss. It's just a medical check-up, nothing serious!"
Qianlu smiled with her lips pursed, while Zhang Qing'er, who was usually carefree, blushed for once.
Lin Yuesha probed a couple of times before learning that the two families already had a marriage agreement, which was an arranged marriage between children.
People in this era love to marry into close families, always thinking that this way the good things won't go to outsiders. But aren't they really afraid of having a mentally challenged child? After all, they're close relatives!
Zhang Qing'er readily agreed, giving Jiang Baozhu hope. The three chatted together, and the atmosphere became even more harmonious.
“I grew up in Kyoto, where there are many rules and regulations. You can’t do this or that.”
Zhang Qing'er puffed out her chubby cheeks. Ever since she came to the North with her parents, she found that the North was a really good place. Although her friends in the capital thought she had come to suffer in the cold and harsh land, she knew how comfortable she was.
When she was a child in the old house, Zhang Qing'er was often beaten with a cane because of a childish remark.
"Speaking of rules, Sister Zhang, do you know about the girls' school in the prefectural city?"
Lin Yuesha put down the meat strips in her hand. The normally spicy meat strips now had a sour taste in her mouth, and the meat strips no longer smelled good.
The idea of girls going to school sounds terrifying. Her mother, Chen, said that the focus should be on teaching her needlework and embroidery so that she could at least make her own shoes and socks in the future.
Once a woman gets married, she must know some sewing skills. Even if servants make her outer garments or she buys them from a clothing store, she can't very well ask others to make her shoes, socks, and undergarments.
Lin Yuesha had tested it before. She could handle flipping a large ladle, but when she held a needle, her hands trembled uncontrollably. She couldn't possibly do anything more difficult, like embroidery.
"Know."
Zhang Qing'er rested her chin on her hand. Although her family had servants who had come from the capital, her parents insisted on sending her to the girls' school, where she would go after the New Year.
There were age requirements for girls to be sent to girls' schools, ranging from a minimum of twelve to a maximum of sixteen years old. Within this range, they also had to pass an entrance interview.
Lin Yuesha listened for a moment, and thought it was a bit like a crash course for women before they got married, a place to gild their resumes. Women who graduated from the girls' school were looked up to.
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