Chapter 133 Chapter 133 Chapter 133
When Liu He Niang returned to her parents' home three days later, her family inevitably asked her how she was getting along with her son-in-law. She blushed slightly, but still said, "He is a little different from what I thought; he is completely innocent and pure."
Madam Liu, being quite understanding, said, "Your son-in-law is the youngest son in the family, so your parents, brothers, and sisters-in-law will inevitably spoil him. Since you've just entered the family, you mustn't start a fight over a few words. You should first figure out their temperament."
“You’re right. I heard from my mother-in-law that my father-in-law specially hired a famous tutor for our second master so that he can participate in the provincial examination in three years. The Xiao family attaches great importance to education, so I’m afraid he won’t be spending much time in the inner courtyard.” Liu He’s father was also a scholar who had passed the imperial examinations, so of course he knew that one couldn’t complain about these things in a scholarly family.
Even her mother, Madam Liu, said, "This is the right thing to do. You and your husband are still young. You should listen to your mother-in-law more often at your husband's house. That's the most important thing."
Madam Liu herself is a typical example of someone who gets along very well with her mother-in-law. When Old Madam Liu contracted a strange illness, Madam Liu was the one who took care of her most of the time. Old Madam Liu was a widow who raised Lord Liu as her only son. Because of the good relationship between mother-in-law and daughter-in-law, Madam Liu's own life became much easier.
Liu He Niang understood: "My mother-in-law is very easy to get along with, and she doesn't make us stand in any particular order. My sister-in-law is pregnant now, and she often talks to me about some of the family rules, which is quite nice."
Seeing that Liu He Niang looked well, the Liu family didn't ask any more questions. Zheng Ge'er had been forced to drink a lot of alcohol at the Liu family's house. He usually didn't drink much, but today, accompanying the bride back to her parents' home, he had to drink even if he couldn't, otherwise the bride would feel embarrassed.
But after drinking it, he felt very uncomfortable, so when he got home he asked someone to go to Miaozhen to get some hangover soup.
Miaozhen personally delivered the pills for alcohol-related illnesses and had someone give them to Zhengge'er. She then said to Liu Heniang, "He rarely drinks alcohol, and even when he does, it's only sweet fruit wine. He drank alcohol today specifically for you."
"It's all my daughter-in-law's fault." Liu He's mother had no idea about any of this.
Miaozhen smiled and said, "I'm not saying this to blame you, but because I think that's how husbands and wives should understand each other. Zheng'er got married a little earlier than his brother. Although he's not very mature, he likes you very much."
Liu He Niang blushed.
Now that her son had taken the medicine, Miaozhen decided not to delay any longer; she didn't want to be a third wheel in their relationship.
Leaving aside how tempered steel can be transformed into soft silk, Miaozhen also needs to go back to take care of Xiao Jingshi. Ever since he went to listen to some mountain wind several months ago, he has been suffering from headaches for quite a while. Yesterday, he was dragged there again. It is said that he did not want to go, but his reputation for being bold and adventurous had spread. He was provoked by someone and went out again.
Therefore, he returned to find Miaozhen.
Miaozhen specially applied hot compresses and moxibustion to him for a while before saying, "Last time I got boils from eating rice crusts, and after you nagged me about it, I haven't eaten any foods that cause internal heat for the past few months. But you just ignored what I said. Since you don't listen to me, you don't need to come to me anymore."
"Next time someone comes looking for me, just help me fend them off," Xiao Jingshi waved his hand.
"I don't want to be a bad person either." In any case, Miaozhen just wouldn't agree to him.
Xiao Jingshi hurriedly said, "You are Lady Xu, who would dare disobey you?"
"I'll reluctantly agree since you begged me," Miaozhen said irritably.
After Xiao Jingshi recovered, he gave her a medicine cabinet, which made Miaozhen smile. The new medicine cabinet was larger and could store a wider variety of medicines, and it was divided into sections for prepared pills and raw herbs.
"It looks pretty good," Miaozhen said with a smile.
Xiao Jingshi nodded: "I see that your medicine cabinet has been used for more than ten years. It's a good time to replace it with a new one. We can just burn the old one as firewood."
Miao Zhen enthusiastically instructed the medicine boy to tidy up the herbs, making sure he didn't mess them up, while Xiao Jingshi helped from the side.
Before anyone knew it, the second daughter-in-law had been in the family for half a month. Liu He's mother was usually quiet and spent most of her time practicing calligraphy and painting, but she was also quite understanding and knew how to navigate social situations. At home, she never overshadowed Han Ruozhen. In particular, she got along very well with Zheng'er. Zheng'er's ideas were not quite the same as most people's, and Liu He's mother was not the kind of person who was rigid in her thinking. Miaozhen was very satisfied.
The first day of the tenth lunar month is the traditional time for the end of the year. Although people cannot go out to visit graves or send winter clothes as usual, they still stay at home and gather together to eat.
Miaozhen and Xiao Jingshi sat together at the head of the table, with their two daughters-in-law on either side, eating hot pot together. Zhengge loved eating hot pot together. Especially since Miaozhen loved spicy hot pot, she specially imitated the custom of spicy hot pot, skewering all the food on sticks, one side with clear broth and the other with chili oil.
Zheng Ge'er loves to eat this, but it takes a lot of time and effort to make, since it takes a long time to process the ingredients, so Miao Zhen only makes it in winter.
He was eating fish balls with fillings, and he burned his mouth.
"Hurry up and drink some beverage, be careful not to burn your tongue." Miaozhen handed him the beverage.
Zheng Ge'er took a few sips before saying, "Why doesn't anyone outside make these delicious dishes? Mother doesn't usually cook much, but every time she does, it's always something I love to eat."
Miaozhen laughed and said, "That's because I know what you like to eat."
Despite Xiao Jingshi's large size, he eats light meals, while Miaozhen eats the hot pot with red oil. Of course, it's not particularly spicy, just more flavorful than the light meals.
There's no way around it; she usually eats very lightly, only able to eat more on holidays. But she likes it this way. If she ate those things every day, they would definitely be too oily and salty, making her stomach heavy and prone to swelling.
Xiao Jingshi was still on the table asking Zheng Ge'er, "How's the new tutor we hired for you? Are there any things you don't understand while learning from him?"
Although a renowned scholar was invited, it didn't guarantee a good teaching job. If the tutor didn't take the student seriously, Xiao Jingshi would politely send him away and find another tutor.
When Zheng Ge'er heard Xiao Jingshi's question, he put down his chopsticks and said, "I can understand everything, Father, don't worry."
“Good, that’s good. The provincial examination is much more difficult than the prefectural and provincial examinations. If you don’t concentrate on your studies, you’ll only ever be a Xiucai (a lower-level scholar). Even if outsiders don’t feel ashamed of you, I will look down on you.” Xiao Jingshi said to his son.
Zheng Ge'er was used to being disciplined like this because he knew his father was actually very good to him. However, Liu He Niang felt very uncomfortable hearing this because she and her husband were very close. If she wanted to eat something, he would secretly sneak out and buy it for her. When he learned that she liked to paint, he offered to set aside two rooms for her as a study.
But since she was his daughter-in-law, he couldn't say anything.
After dinner, as she returned to her room with Zheng Ge'er, she looked at him and said, "Whether you pass the exam or not, you are a hero in my heart. Besides, you are still young."
Zheng Ge'er was pleased to hear her praise him like that, but then said, "I still need to study hard, otherwise I'll be too tired when my hair turns gray."
"It won't take that long, my lord is still quite young." Liu He Niang secretly thought that she should ask her father to pass on some of his experience to her husband.
After Han Ruozhen became pregnant, her body would ache if she sat for too long. Miaozhen told her to entrust part of the household management to Liu Heniang, since they would both become mistresses in the future and should manage the household.
At the end of October, Fu Jie gave birth to a daughter, and the Xiao family sent a gift for her third-day celebration. Fu Jie was quite understanding and said to Miao Zhen, "If my first child was a daughter, I would probably be anxious about this one. But since my first child was Xuan Ge, I am happy with this one, whether it is a boy or a girl."
Miaozhen thought that she had never been sexist at home, but her daughter had grown up in such an environment and married into such a family. It was difficult for her to feel at ease.
Therefore, Miaozhen said, "You should take good care of yourself as soon as possible. You need to take good care of yourself during your postpartum period. I have rewritten the postpartum diet plan. You can have the kitchen staff make it according to the plan."
"Mother, you are so good." Fu'er thought that having her own mother by her side made all the difference.
Miaozhen smiled and said, "I used to tell your grandmother the same thing. It's good for girls to be independent and strong, but if they have family members who love them, they will always feel like they have a support system."
Fu Jie'er nodded and asked, "Is your wife pregnant now?"
"Yes, I had some morning sickness at first, but my appetite has improved these days."
Fu Jie'er thought that no matter how filial she was, she was married after all, and it was not very convenient for her to go back to her parents' home. She would still need her younger siblings to take care of her. So she said, "Someone sent me a lot of bird's nest and fish maw. I can't eat and play with them all by myself. Mother, please take some back to your younger siblings."
"No need, I have plenty at home, why would I need you to give me more?" Miaozhen waved her hand.
Sister Fu insisted, "There's just too much. It'll go moldy if we don't eat it. Please take it back. It's my way of showing my appreciation."
Seeing that she said that, Miaozhen agreed. After returning home, she distributed some to her two daughters-in-law and also gave some to Madam Lu. Since they were all staying at the mansion, it was not appropriate to show favoritism.
Lu currently has regular patients introduced by Miaozhen. Although she is not short of money, she can improve her medical skills by socializing while seeing patients, which is very fulfilling.
When there are no patients, I would go and talk to Liu He Niang or Han Ruo Zhen. They are about the same age and can talk to each other.
November arrived quickly, and news spread throughout the court and the public that Yan Shifan had been sentenced to beheading, and Yan Song had been dismissed from his post and sent back to his hometown. The Yan faction, which had once dominated the court for years, had finally come to an end.
Many people who had previously sided with Yan's faction were implicated, and this time the consequences were even more severe. Xiao Jingshi, of course, was not included; his trip to Xuanda University was due to his connection with Yan's faction.
Xiao Suyin, the third aunt of the Xiao family, had a husband named Cen Yuan who originally served as an official under Yan's faction, but now he had also become a member of the anti-Yan faction.
"This person's attitude changed far too quickly," Miaozhen frowned.
Xiao Jingshi laughed and said, "He's been doing so poorly all these years. How can he get ahead without doing something outrageous? But this guy is really unethical. The person he's suing used to be on good terms with him. In fact, that person is doing much better than him and even helped him out."
Miaozhen frowned: "I didn't like this person from the beginning. Suyin is such a capable person, and she is also beautiful and well-mannered. But he is the opposite, favoring his concubine over his wife."
“That’s right, anyone who has a concubine should die.” Xiao Jingshi immediately exclaimed indignantly.
Miao Zhen looked at him suspiciously: "There's no need to be so extreme."
Cen Yuan has now completely pledged allegiance to Prince Yu. After all, Prince Jing has passed away, and he is now serving as an official in the hometown of Minister Gao. Minister Gao was Prince Yu's teacher, so their relationship is different from others.
Naturally, Miaozhen had a good relationship with the Prince Yu's mansion, especially with the young master, who was quite fond of her even when he was ten years old.
However, as the prince grew older, those around him became increasingly less likely to let outsiders take advantage of such nepotism. In short, it was up to the men in his own family to have real talent and ability.
Just like these younger members of the Xiao family, no matter how close or good their relationship is, it won't work if they fail to pass the imperial examinations.
As the saying goes, speak of the devil and he appears. After Miaozhen finished talking with Xiao Jingshi, Xiao Jingshi was reading in the inner room, waiting for Miaozhen to give him cupping and massage. Of course, this was something he had been asking for a long time, after all, she had been so considerate last night.
Unexpectedly, someone rushed over and said that the Crown Prince Yu had arrived. Miaozhen was a little surprised, because princes were not allowed to make friends with important officials at will. It was said that when the Crown Prince Yu had his second son, he did not dare to tell the palace.
Now that the Crown Prince Yu has emerged, Miao Zhen is overjoyed, but also worried that the Crown Prince will be drawn into the conflict.
"Invite the young master to the main hall first," Miaozhen called out, then went into the inner room: "Quickly come out with me."
Xiao Jingshi quickly put on his clothes. He usually paid great attention to his appearance. Even when he went out to play, he would dress up in a seemingly casual manner. Now that the Prince Yu's son had come, he was extremely annoyed.
"This casual outfit is perfectly fine, why aren't you wearing the one you were wearing earlier?" Miaozhen asked, puzzled.
"It's a bit wrinkled."
"Put them on first, they'll be here soon."
Seeing that Miaozhen seemed to dislike him for his lack of manners, Xiao Jingshi put on his clothes with a sense of grievance. The two waited at the door for the Prince Yu's heir to come over, and then went forward to pay their respects.
Prince Yu's heir quickly said, "Doctor Miao, please don't stand on ceremony and disturb everyone. I came out incognito."
“Your Highness, as the saying goes, a son of a wealthy family would not sit under a dangerous roof. How can you travel incognito? What if something happens to you? Let my husband escort you back,” Miaozhen said.
Prince Yu's son had come out specifically to have fun. When he saw that Miao Zhen was going to send him back, his face immediately fell. However, he knew that Miao Zhen was right to advise him, so he said, "Doctor Miao, I'm hungry. Can I go back after I eat?"
Miao Zhen glanced at Xiao Jingshi, who immediately agreed. The Prince of Yu said with a smile, "Then I'll have to trouble Doctor Miao."
"In that case, I will go and prepare. Today, I invite Your Highness to taste my cooking," Miaozhen said with a smile.
Prince Yu rubbed his hands together in anticipation. He then looked at Xiao Jingshi and praised Miaozhen repeatedly, saying, "Doctor Miao's medical skills are excellent, Junior Minister of Justice, aren't they?"
Xiao Jingshi nodded: "Your Highness is right. But Your Highness has finished eating. I need to arrange for someone to take you back, otherwise Your Highness and Your Highness will definitely worry."
The Crown Prince Yu sat down to talk with Xiao Jingshi. Xiao Jingshi was not a particularly gentle person. Although he sounded respectful, he still couldn't hide his sharpness. However, after listening to him for a while, the Crown Prince Yu was very impressed. Xiao Jingshi not only spoke fluently, but his elegant demeanor was also admirable to a boy of his age.
Seeing the look in the young prince's eyes, Xiao Jingshi thought to himself that he had been living off a woman for many years, and the young prince also had a real network of connections. But once Prince Yu ascended the throne, he would be the crown prince, and this was no ordinary relationship.
...
On one side of the kitchen, Miaozhen prepared a pork bone and lotus root soup and a plate of green snail shrimp, while also having the kitchen staff prepare squirrel-shaped mandarin fish, Suzhou-style braised duck, honey-glazed ham, and other dishes.
She then prepared her specialty, boat-shaped pastries and abalone with bones, with the help of the pastry chef.
Soon a feast was served, and Miaozhen changed her clothes and dined with Prince Yu's son, Xiao Jingshi.
As expected, children love the squirrel-shaped mandarin fish dish. Miao Zhen never expected that this would be his favorite dish. The eunuchs behind him kept serving him food. He also loved to eat abalone and snails with bones, eating them one bite at a time: "So delicious, Doctor Miao."
"If Your Highness likes to eat, I will often offer it to you." Miaozhen looked at him as if she were seeing Zhengge'er.
Prince Yu nodded emphatically: "The best of all is Doctor Miao and I."
Xiao Jingshi was somewhat surprised, because the Crown Prince Yu had acted very maturely and had the demeanor of a young master in front of him, but he seemed quite "cute" in front of his wife.
Seeing that Miaozhen seemed oblivious and was even smiling happily, he thought that these royal children were indeed extraordinary, all so cunning.
Now that he has been transferred from the position of Minister of the Court of Judicial Review to Vice Minister of the Ministry of Justice, he is considered an important official in the court. Is it possible that the young prince is trying to win them over? After all, he and his son are both good people, and his wife can help him take care of his health.
Miaozhen was oblivious, only asking about the Crown Prince Yu's daily life, what he liked, and other very trivial matters. The Crown Prince Yu seemed to particularly enjoy this kind of care.
After Prince Yu finished his meal, Xiao Jingshi hurriedly had his trusted aide escort him back, but he looked at Miaozhen with reluctance and said, "Doctor Miao, you must come to see me in a few days."
"Don't worry, I'll make some snacks and bring them to your door. But you're not an ordinary person now, and you're studying so many books. I'm afraid I'll bother you." Seeing that he didn't want to leave, Miaozhen took him for a walk around the house. The Prince Yu even went to Miaozhen's clinic and seemed curious about everything.
It took a while to see Prince Yu off. After he arrived safely, Miaozhen collapsed onto the bed, exhausted: "I made so many dishes today, I'm so tired."
"What is the Crown Prince of Yu doing here all of a sudden?" Xiao Jingshi decided to test Miaozhen.
Miao Zhen laughed and said, "There's nothing to worry about. Prince Yu is not like his father."
Being the current emperor's son will be very difficult, but Prince Yu is a kind and gentle person. As long as he ascends the throne and the heir is healthy, he will surely be made the crown prince. These people are both talented and affectionate, so they can rest easy.
Xiao Jingshi pointed at her and said, "I never expected that Zhenzhen would be so wise in disguise."
“Sometimes, as long as it doesn’t involve principles, we should just cooperate with whatever others want to show. Why expose them? This child has had a lot of bad luck. As the saying goes, those who survive a great calamity are destined for good fortune. Now that he has been reborn, his future will definitely be bright,” Miaozhen said slowly.
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