Chapter 34 (Combined Chapter)
During the Dragon Boat Festival, every household hangs mugwort and calamus at their door, and the rice dumplings are tied with colorful silk threads. Miaozhen, who is a doctor, makes medicinal sachets and gives them to people who come and go. Xu Erpeng uses cinnabar and realgar to mark the ears, mouths, and noses of his two sons to ward off the five poisonous creatures.
The family prepared zongzi (sticky rice dumplings), fried dough twists, cured meat, chicken, and fish for their own meals.
The Xiao family sent over festival gifts, including several kinds of zongzi (sticky rice dumplings), two portions of pickled shad with fruits from both the north and south, a jar of three bottles of white wine, as well as red and yellow summer cloth, gauze fans, handkerchiefs, and so on. It was quite a generous gift.
Miaozhen then drafted a list with Mei, and the list contained almost the same information.
After returning most of the gifts, my third uncle's family came to visit. In the past year or two, my third uncle's shop had moved to a different location. My third aunt, Bao, was still the same as always. She brought a food box early in the morning, saying that she planned to take back what she couldn't finish. But in reality, every time the food was served, she would grab half of it and take it away.
Miaolian, on the other hand, has changed a lot since she was a child. Seeing Miaolian reminded Miaozhen of Miaoyun. She told her parents about Miaoyun's situation, and they both agreed with her handling of the matter. They believed that one should not act recklessly.
"Sister Zhenzhen, what is this?" Miaolian picked up a gauze fan.
Miaozhen smiled and said, "These are holiday gifts from someone. What kind of snacks would you like? I'll have someone bring them over."
"I don't need it, don't bother."
In recent years, Uncle San spent several dozen taels of silver to renovate the old house in Fengqiao, repairing the kitchen and side rooms, making it much better than before. Then Miaolian asked, "Sister Zhenzhen, Uncle's birthday is in a few days, are you going?"
Miaozhen nodded: "Our family will definitely go, aren't you going?"
“No, I just thought if you go, we can go together. My aunt and the others also said they'd like to go. You haven't seen my aunt's child yet, have you? They're so cute.” Miaolian described the child with animated gestures.
Miao Zhen thought that although she had treated children before, she didn't really like children. It was strange, because in both her lives she had been averse to children. So she didn't show much interest and quickly changed the subject, saying, "Let's go together, it's nothing. I don't even know what you're doing now."
Speaking of herself, Miaolian smiled and said, "I've learned some hairdressing skills. Sometimes I go to wealthy families to do their hair and I can even sell some flowers and jewelry. It's not bad." But then she added, "It's just that my father wants a dowry of two hundred taels of silver. The He family asked me privately to talk to my father and see if he could lower it. I don't know what to say."
Unexpectedly, there was this back then. Xu Si Niang's dowry caused several families to fall apart. She wondered what trouble Miao Lian might cause, so she asked, "How much dowry did your father prepare for you?"
Miaolian shook her head: "I don't know that yet."
"Your father's business has always been good, so even if he asks for this dowry, he should still bring some money as part of the dowry," Miaozhen could only offer this consolation.
Speaking of dowry, Miaolian said enviously, "Sister Zhenzhen, I really envy you. Your second uncle is so good to you. Even your aunt said that your second uncle found you a good family."
Miaozhen quickly offered a few words of modesty.
When they called for dinner to be served, Miaozhen got up and went to the front hall with Miaolian. The contrast between the second and third families was striking. It wasn't that Uncle San was poor; except for Old Man Xu, everyone in his family was wearing old clothes, while Miaozhen and the others were all dressed in new clothes and looked very well-off.
The table was already laden with dishes, a very sumptuous feast. Old Mrs. Xu looked around and said, "Your family is even better off than your great-uncle's."
"Why are you competing again for no reason?" Xu Erpeng lowered his head and remained silent. He thought to himself that he was lucky to be born into such a family, otherwise he would only be surrounded by such people. Therefore, he hoped that his daughter could marry into a wealthy and powerful family.
The daughter is skilled in medicine and has the ability to marry into the Xiao family, which owns a pharmacy. Even if she doesn't become an imperial consort, she can still inherit a pharmacy after the family splits up. The daughter will benefit the most. Otherwise, how can a small family like theirs, with their daughter being a young woman, go to Sichuan and Guangdong to sell medicinal herbs?
Even if she didn't marry into the Xiao family, there was the Cen family, which was slightly less prestigious. The Cen family had a son who was both talented and handsome, and they owned three or four acres of land, so they lived a decent life.
Even if you are very capable, you can't succeed on your own without luck. You need to meet a benefactor to reach a higher level.
Even Wu Zetian, besides possessing extraordinary talent, was only able to rule the world because she was Emperor Gaozong's empress.
After the meal, the maids brought tea. The family was talking when someone came in from outside and said, "Master Xu, Scholar Cen has been selected as the magistrate of Hanyang County in Huguang."
"This is great news! Someone, prepare a generous gift. I heard that the young master is at home, so I will go and meet him in person." Xu Erpeng immediately got up to greet him.
Miaozhen was unaware that her father had once intended to marry her off to the Cen family. She thought her father was just being polite and even said, "Father, why don't you take the gold fan that someone else gave me?"
"No need, we can just pack a few things at home anyway." His daughter isn't marrying into the Cen family now, and he doesn't need to ask anyone for anything, so why should he be polite to others?
Yes, that's how realistic he is.
After Xu Erpeng left, the third uncle's family prepared to say goodbye. Bao packed up the half-eaten fish, a few scattered meatballs, and a few pieces of roast chicken that were not finished at the table.
Now, it is said that Cen, the scholar, had finally been selected as an official. His family had contributed a lot of land, but Cen only accepted the land from relatives and friends, returning the rest. However, he thought that his father would have to bribe officials and sell land instead. He was willing to sell his land for ten taels of silver per acre, and Xu Erpeng didn't have that much money even if he wanted to buy it, so he had to give up.
A few days later, when they went to attend her great-uncle's birthday celebration, the usually stingy Old Mrs. Xu surprised everyone by preparing a gift of ten taels of silver.
Miaozhen originally planned to leave after two meals, but an old man came up to her and asked, "Are you the female physician Xu from Changmen?"
"Does the old man know me?" Miao Zhen wondered if he was some kind of relative of her maternal uncle. But her maternal uncle's family didn't approve of her studying medicine.
The old man laughed and said, "I saw your name in the 'Biographies of Famous Physicians'."
"Really?" Miao Zhen was genuinely surprised.
"Why would an old man like me lie to you?"
She originally thought her name was only slightly known in Jinling, but she didn't expect it to have spread all the way to Suzhou. The noble ladies of her household all received medical treatment from Madam Ru. Madam Ru was her teacher, so she couldn't very well take her away. She didn't expect that the Cheng family had actually helped her before, so she felt relieved about the grievances she had suffered at the Cheng family's hands.
Upon hearing this, Mrs. Mei was very pleased with her daughter's reaction.
After returning from her great-uncle's house, Miaozhen quickly took on a job with a gentry family, treating a little girl. The girl was about seven or eight years old, with two buns in her hair. She seemed a little shy when she saw Miaozhen, but not very resistant.
Miaozhen asked, "I wonder what's wrong with this little girl?"
"Oh dear, I don't know what's wrong with this child. She's had diarrhea frequently since last year, and we've been trying to treat her for a year without any improvement," the little girl's mother said, wiping away tears.
As they were talking, the little girl clutched her stomach and relieved herself. Miaozhen went over to check on her. After she finished, she noticed that the girl's stool was pale and thin, and it smelled sour. She then examined the girl's face and noticed that her lips had very faint lines. She also took the girl's pulse and said, "I see that her pulse is deep, slow, and weak. Is her spleen and stomach not in good condition?"
"Yes, the previous doctor said it was infantile malnutrition and prescribed a lot of hawthorn pills and aconite-containing tonifying pills, but none of them worked." The family was very anxious.
Miaozhen pulled the little girl over, pressed her stomach, and asked, "Does your stomach hurt?"
The little girl nodded obediently: "It hurts a little, and it feels swollen too."
"So what do you usually eat? Do you eat zongzi?" Miaozhen asked with a smile.
The little girl felt that she was different from other doctors; she was a beautiful and kind older sister. She nodded and counted on her fingers, "I've eaten red bean paste dumplings, meat dumplings, and there are still many more."
"Then open your mouth and let your sister see, okay?" Miaozhen said.
The girl had a thick, greasy tongue coating, and I heard she didn't sleep well at night; her fingerprints were also faint.
After thinking for a moment, Miaozhen said, "This is not malnutrition, but diarrhea caused by food stagnation. I brought moxibustion with me. I will apply it to a few spots first, and then you will take a dose of Baohe Pills later."
She asked very detailed questions, her arguments were clear and concise, and she was well-prepared.
She laid a sheet on the couch, undressed her, and Miaozhen first used moxibustion on two acupoints at the upper abdomen, one acupoint at the middle abdomen, one acupoint at the lower abdomen, and two acupoints at the esophageal gate.
These acupoints can regulate the spleen and stomach; her moxibustion treatment is equivalent to taking medicine that warms the spleen.
Then he took out Baohe Pills from his medicine box and gave them to the little girl. After a while, she said she felt much better.
Seeing this, Miaozhen smiled and said, "Wait a while, let's see after she has lunch. If her diarrhea stops, then she'll be fine."
The host laughed and said, "Miss Xu is really patient. Other doctors just write a prescription and leave."
Miaozhen was not one to put down her peers, so she said, "You flatter me."
She had prepared Baohe Pills on her way back from the Cheng family's house, originally because she was worried about getting diarrhea on the way, but she ended up using them all up for the patient. Thinking about it, she started organizing her medical records.
The family didn't dare to make the lunch too greasy, fearing that the child would get diarrhea again. Unexpectedly, after eating, she didn't have any diarrhea symptoms. It wasn't until the afternoon, when the child was fine and even able to take a nap, that Miaozhen decided to leave.
The family members couldn't help but say, "Thank you so much, Miss Xu."
"I just returned from working as a female doctor at the Henan governor's residence. I'm still relatively unknown here. I would be grateful if you could help me with an introduction, Madam," Miaozhen said with a smile.
The family members hurriedly said, "Miss Xu is so young, yet her medical skills are so remarkable. Don't worry, I will definitely spread the word about her."
Miaozhen then took her leave.
Now, this family originally came from a local official family, and their ancestors had served as officials. They were quite prestigious in the local area. When the old lady of the Xiao family invited them to visit, everyone noticed that her youngest daughter's complexion was much rosier. Both the eldest and second wives of the Xiao family asked, "Has Miss Yang's illness improved?"
Madam Yang smiled and said, "That's right, we also sought medical help everywhere without success. Fortunately, we found a doctor, and one dose cured us."
Mrs. Xiao asked, "Your medical skills are so superb? I wonder which doctor it is?"
She knew about this young lady Yang's illness and had consulted many doctors, including the doctors who practiced medicine at her home.
Madam Yang said, "She is the daughter of Xu Jiansheng of this prefecture. She studied with Qiu Canzheng's sister since she was a child. Later, I heard that she was very talented, so she became a disciple of a famous doctor. Later, the Cheng family, the former chief minister, also invited her over, and her name was engraved in the 'Biographies of Famous Doctors'. A few days ago, Madam Yao of Songhe Restaurant invited her over, and she cured the patient's illness in one go."
Upon hearing this, the others were fine with it, but Madam Xiao, covering her face with her fan, said, "It's like the flood washed away the Dragon King's temple; even our own family doesn't recognize each other."
Madam Yang was still confused. "What's going on?"
Then Mrs. Xiao said, "Our son Shi is engaged to their daughter."
"Oh, so this happened too. Is it your second son?" Madam Yang asked.
Madam Xiao nodded. Madam Yang thought to herself that Madam Xiao was a lucky woman. Originally, she was just the daughter of a minor official, but after marrying into the Xiao family, the Xiao family prospered. Later, she gave birth to three sons and two daughters, making her the most successful womb among the Xiao family's generation of daughters-in-law. She was more capable than her elder sister-in-law and younger sister-in-law.
Not to mention that her sons are all handsome and intelligent, and her husband runs a very successful business, living a very wealthy life.
However, Madam Yang had heard about Xiao Jingshi's personality.
The Xiao family will come to offer tea gifts in June, and then they will set the wedding date. When Madam Yang asked about it, Madam Xiao the Second hurriedly said, "Yes, we will go to offer tea gifts next month. I have already prepared everything."
Miaozhen was unaware that Madam Yang had gone to the Xiao family to help with promotion, as she was currently seeing a doctor with the wife of Tang, the engraver. Tang had been working at the shop since it opened, and even after his younger brother went to work for another family, he hadn't left. Sometimes he would even give Xu Erpeng some other printing blocks.
He got married last year and was pregnant for about six or seven months, but unexpectedly, he suddenly started bleeding and had severe abdominal pain.
Thanks to Madam Ji, who had read through almost all the symptoms of bleeding during pregnancy several times for Madam Ji's sake, she immediately said, "It's alright, I'll write you a prescription: eight parts of Chuanxiong, four parts of Sangjisheng, and twelve parts of Danggui. Boil it in one liter of water until it reaches eight he (a unit of volume), then add half a liter of sake, and finally boil it down to eight he again. Take it in three doses."
It's not surprising that they are all illiterate. Although the Tang brothers are engravers, they are actually illiterate. Therefore, Miaozhen must explain it clearly in detail.
Seeing that Tang's wife didn't quite understand, she said, "You rest in the guest room first. I'll send someone to buy medicine and brew it for you later."
The engraver and his wife were naturally very grateful. Miaozhen also knew that most families had concerns and did not want others to decoct medicine, as if doing so would bring illness into their home. However, doctors should not have so many concerns.
It seems that most doctors are like this: they accept gifts of gratitude from the rich without feeling guilty, as long as they are not too expensive, but if it is from the poor, Miaozhen does not intend to accept money.
In the afternoon, she personally prepared the medicine and sent it to Tang's wife, saying, "Drink the medicine, take a nap, and I'll have someone bring it over again tomorrow morning. Go back home after you've recovered."
Tang's wife was somewhat alarmed: "We've already disturbed you enough, how can you do this?"
Mei said from the side, "Don't be polite. It's not easy for you to move like this. Your husband comes to work every day anyway. If you need anything, have him bring it."
The Xu family was certainly well-off; their house was large, and they didn't have many people, enough to house even when their two sons grew up. Servants were also there to attend to them, so Tang's wife felt somewhat at ease settling in.
Miaozhen went back and looked at the thank-you gift sent by Madam Yang. Normally, three taels of silver for consultation and medicine, plus five taels of silver would be considered a lot. Madam Yang probably saw that she had cured Miss Yang's stubborn illness that had lasted for a year, so she directly gave her three taels of silver and two bright rulers.
In this way, he would have eleven taels of silver in cash, not counting the gifts he received as thanks.
This is because he can cure people; if he can't, he can be dismissed with a penny or two.
Three days later, Tang's wife felt much better and the miscarriage was no longer occurring. The couple were naturally extremely grateful. On his way back, Tang the engraver said to his wife, "My second brother thinks Rulin Bookstore is too small and wants to go to a bigger bookstore. I used to think that the owner paid me on time every month and the food was pretty good, so I stayed. Now it seems that I was right to stay."
"Yes, Miss Xu is truly a miracle doctor," Tang's wife murmured.
The medical profession also follows the 80/20 rule; although there are many doctors, only about 10-20% are truly skilled.
Miaozhen didn't sleep at night either, she just kept summarizing medical cases, reading medical books, and even bought some herbs to study on her own, she can be considered very diligent.
Others might think that her unwavering words are the result of hard work she puts in every day.
"Miss, go to bed early! The Wei family in the west of the city invites you to come for a medical consultation tomorrow," Xiao Xi reminded her.
Miao Zhen closed the book and obediently went to bed to rest.
By the end of May, Miaozhen had treated three more families, earning nearly twenty taels of silver in consultation fees. She was also treated to two meals by the families. Mei accompanied her each time, always feeling uneasy, and was treated very well.
Whenever the mother and daughter talked about what dishes were delicious at the dinner table, Xu Erpeng would say regretfully, "Alas, it's a pity I can't go with them."
The younger brother, Xu Jian, said, "Father, the fig snacks that my sister brought me last time were delicious."
"Why don't I have one?" Xu Erpeng immediately looked at his daughter.
Miaozhen smiled and said, "Father, you went to your maternal uncle's house that day?"
Xu Erpeng realized that his daughter's medical skills were far better than he had imagined; he had underestimated her. Suddenly, a thought occurred to him: it might not be so bad if his daughter didn't get married. Wouldn't it be wonderful if the whole family stayed together like this? Even his wife had become much more cheerful.
The Xiao family came to offer tea on the eighth day of the sixth lunar month. Xiao Jingshi originally did not want to come, but Second Madam Xiao told him not to be impolite, and at least to meet the real Miss Xu.
Xiao Jingshi thought that if they actually met, he could find fault with them. In any case, it was unacceptable for the Xu family to scheme against him in that way.
Miaozhen was also a little nervous. She had dealt with many women, but they were just clients. She relied on her medical skills and didn't need to show her true personality. She could just pretend to be calmer, more composed, and patient. But when her mother-in-law and husband, who were so far away from her, appeared in front of her, she felt a little apprehensive, like she was returning home for the first time.
Xiao Tao had already prepared the hair-combing water and was helping Miao Zhen comb her hair. She was not yet married, so her hair was loose at the back and styled into a "fallen horse bun" in the front. She first used beads to adorn the base, then put on the silver cloud bun given to her by the second wife, inserted one or two small hairpins on both sides, wore gold filigree butterfly and flower earrings, and wore a gold bar on her right wrist.
She wore a white top with a pink overcoat, a pink brocade paddy field vest over it, and a green brocade canopy skirt. It was a bit warmer than usual, but there was no other way; she had to dress more formally today.
When the Xiao family arrived, Xu Erpeng, along with Xu Sanshu and Mei Juren, received the male guests. Mei Shi invited the female guests to speak. She had met Xiao Er Madam and Han Shi before, but she rarely saw Xiao Da Madam today. She was also here today and exuded a scholarly air.
This was also the first time Madam Xiao had met Madam Mei. She had heard that she was the daughter of a scholar who had passed the imperial examinations. She was very pretty and looked delicate, but she also had a kind of capable air about her. She had heard that her family did not have any concubines. The Xu family was not doing too badly now. They had more than ten servants and a dozen or so employees. Although the courtyard was not large, it was well-maintained with lush and green plants.
The matchmaker occasionally chimed in, saying that the Xiao family had given fifty taels of gold, ten taels of pearls, six hundred taels of silver, forty bolts of various colored silks and satins, two sets of silk robes, a gold bun with a complete headdress, a pair of gold eight-treasure bracelets, a gold three-piece set, seven gold-inlaid jade earrings, four gemstone rings, two sets of pearl-faced flowers, and a pair of gold bars.
We will no longer mention ten sheep, six pigs, ten geese, sixty bottles of wine, or a load of round cakes.
On the surface, Madam Mei appeared calm, but in her heart she thought, "Does everyone yearn for wealth and status? This betrothal gift is certainly extraordinary. I noticed it when the betrothal gifts were presented last time, but it wasn't so obvious then. Now, seeing it, it's definitely true."
It's a good thing we didn't let the Bao family here, otherwise we would have definitely embarrassed ourselves and been looked down upon.
The Xiao family was also looking at the Xu family's dowry list, which was quite substantial, roughly estimated at three or four thousand taels of silver, which they were quite satisfied with, considering it was a case of a high-class family marrying off a daughter to a lower-class family.
While the women were talking, Madam Xiao Er had someone call Xiao Jingshi over, and Madam Mei also understood and had someone help Miaozhen over.
Xiao Jingshi arrived a little earlier and bowed to Madam Mei. Although he disagreed, he did not want the two sides to fall apart. It would be best if the matter could be resolved peacefully.
Just then, two women helped a girl out, which was quite a sight.
Although her appearance could not compare to that of the exquisitely beautiful Han, she had a graceful figure, fair and smooth skin, and bright, clear eyes. After offering her greetings, she displayed a refined and gentle demeanor, with a natural smile on her face, exuding an innate gentleness and elegance.
Madam Xiao noticed that there was indeed a cinnabar mole between her eyebrows, which was the mark of a Bodhisattva. She had indeed heard that the woman was a skilled healer.
Miaozhen was dazzled by the sight of elegant women in their lingerie and hair. Then, a matchmaker secretly pointed out a young man to her. She looked over and saw that he had a refined and elegant demeanor.
Where did Father find such a handsome and dignified man to be her husband?
The author of the book certainly has high expectations of people in real life.
But she was very tactful, nodding slightly and then looking away.
The Xu family, of course, also reciprocated with gifts. In addition to arranging tea and a meal, they sent two silver bowls, two pairs of silver chopsticks, a gold talisman, six embroidered pillows, six pairs of men's shoes, and six pairs of women's shoes. Specifically for Xiao Jingshi were a set of green satin Taoist robes, a set of purple deep robes, a large brown hat inlaid with gemstones, two headscarves, two pairs of silk stockings, six bolts of cloth, two Confucian scholar's caps, six new books on the imperial examinations, two sets of Huzhou brushes, two boxes of Wencai double-mandarin duck Huizhou ink, a pair of lotus-fish cinnabar inkstones, six kinds of dried fruit, and six kinds of fresh fruit.
Xiao Jingshi also saw her appearance. She wasn't particularly beautiful. He liked the kind of breathtaking beauty, but looking at her mother's appearance and caressing her delicate wrist, he knew that it would be difficult for him to persuade her.
Sure enough, as soon as he came out of the Xiao family, Second Madam Xiao pulled him aside and said, "Look how blessed Miss Xu is! She's just like Guanyin descended to earth."
Xiao Jingshi looked utterly dejected: People who don't believe in ghosts and gods really want to fight you ignorant women and children to the death!
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