Chapter 59 (Combined Chapter 59)
Soon, Miaozhen arrived at the prefectural government office. She walked quickly, as it was a matter of great importance—saving lives—and she didn't want to waste a single moment. However, upon entering the delivery room, she noticed something was amiss. Seeing the medicine jar beside her, she couldn't help but ask, "What medicine did you take before?"
Hearing the maid beside her mention labor-inducing drugs, she sighed.
Modern medicine can use instruments to diagnose the cause of fetal death, such as umbilical cord obstruction or premature depletion of amniotic fluid leading to fetal dehydration. Ancient times also had their own methods; for example, a flushed face and blue tongue in the mother indicated the mother was alive but the child was dead, while a bluish face and tongue with foam coming from the mouth indicated both mother and child were dead.
When she came over, she touched the baby's hair at the cervix and even pushed it, but the baby didn't move at all, clearly indicating that it was stillborn.
Ru seemed to have identified the stillborn fetus, so she administered strong medicine. Little did she know that the woman was already exhausted after six or seven days of labor and needed to replenish her blood and energy in order to expel the stillborn fetus.
“The mother is too weak to expel the stillborn fetus. I will prescribe a medicine here. You should quickly get the medicine and decoct it for her to take immediately,” Miaozhen said.
The prefect's wife stood aside and said anxiously, "Doctor Xu, are you saying the fetus has died?"
"Yes, the fetus is not moving at the cervix, and the mother's face is red and her tongue is blue. Generally speaking, the mother is alive but the child is dead. Otherwise, why was the labor-inducing medicine ineffective?" It turns out that it was not a problem with Ru's medical skills, but simply because she did not want to say that the prefect's grandson was stillborn.
Miaozhen was unwilling to feign anything, otherwise both mother and son would have perished.
The prefect's wife was furious: "How can this be? Doctor Xu, you're not mistaken, are you?"
"Why don't you find someone else?" Miaozhen felt sorry for the woman in labor, but if the family continued to pester her like this, she was afraid she would end up in a lawsuit.
The prefect's wife waved her hand: "No need, you can continue the treatment."
Miaozhen's prescription for the child-curing powder contained one ounce of ginseng, two ounces of wine-washed angelica, five mace of Sichuan achyranthes, three mace of podophyllum, and two mace of de-oiled frankincense. She continued to comfort the new mother by the bedside: "I know you are in great pain right now, but your life is also very important. Hang in there, and you will feel better once the medicine arrives."
The most important ingredient in the Children's Powder is Podophyllum, which is not easy to find. Therefore, Miaozhen told them to go to the largest pharmacy in the prefecture to look for it from the beginning.
After waiting for more than an hour, the medicine arrived, and Miaozhen personally helped to brew it. After it was brewed, she had a servant feed it to the new mother.
The baby died after just one dose of medicine. Miaozhen immediately had some of her own blood-tonifying tonics brewed and brought to her. Few people in the prefect's residence cared about the mother; they were all grieving the loss of their child. Even the mother herself was heartbroken.
This is also why Miaozhen never mentioned twins at the time. She thought that everyone's expectations were too high. If one of the fetuses died, or even if it was a male fetus that died and a female fetus that lived, people might not welcome the arrival of the female fetus.
However, although the prefect only gave her two taels of silver for the consultation, he asked her to come often in the future. Miaozhen thought that since she hadn't entered the palace, it was good to maintain a good relationship with the local government.
When Miaozhen returned home, she was exhausted. She found that Xiao Jingshi was not in the study but teaching the two children to read in his room. Seeing the warm and cozy atmosphere, all her fatigue disappeared.
Xiao Jingshi had the wet nurses take the baby away before asking, "What's wrong? Are you alright?"
"It's a long story." Miaozhen took off her outer cloak and told the whole story.
Xiao Jingshi said, "Actually, this is a good opportunity for you. You have established yourself on your medical skills, and in the future, you will become famous throughout Suzhou Prefecture. People from other places will come to you for treatment, and your reputation will soar."
"I know, but I feel a little awkward because I'll be seeing my master all the time in the future." Of course, she wouldn't back down, but she would definitely have to put on a show of difficulty, otherwise it wouldn't be good to appear too happy.
Xiao Jingshi laughed and said, "Your master is almost fifty or sixty years old. The older a person gets, the less ambitious they become. It's better not to do something than to make a mistake, otherwise, when you get old, all the reputation you've built up will be gone."
As the saying goes, Miaozhen simply replied, "I'm scared too."
"What do you have to be afraid of? Some people only start studying medicine at twenty. Your talent and experience at twenty have already surpassed many others. It's just that you set your expectations too high for yourself. In fact, there are always people more capable than you. The biggest thing is nothing more than life and death." Xiao Jingshi rarely offered her such words of advice.
Miaozhen looked at him and said, "Do you know? I've always wanted to marry a gentle and tender husband since I was little, because my temperament is more resolute than that of boys. Later, I married you, and I always felt that we were kindred spirits and that we could talk very freely. Actually, I don't think I like people with a particular personality; I just like the person, and I like his personality too."
She knew he had been waiting for her to come back and comfort her, which is why he made this confession.
Xiao Jingshi simply said, "Talking about these things makes me feel uncomfortable."
Miao Zhen sighed inwardly, knowing he was oblivious to romance. She knew he wasn't one to talk about these things, but whenever she needed him, he would appear without her even having to ask.
However, Miaozhen was not one to be trifled with. The two were intimate until late at night, and she forced him to say what she wanted to hear, which satisfied him.
The next day, Xiao Jingshi couldn't help but get up and say to her, "You are the reincarnation of Yama, the King of Hell. It's just a pity that no one in the world knows your true face."
"Good to know." Miaozhen said coquettishly.
Seeing her like this, Xiao Jingshi couldn't help but sit down and pull her into his arms. After a tender moment, he said breathlessly, "Actually, I've been very gentle with you."
Miaozhen opened her eyes wide. In fact, all she knew about Xiao Jingshi was inside the house; she knew nothing about him outside.
In reality, they spent a considerable amount of time together as a couple, but compared to modern couples, they weren't as intimately connected.
Miaozhen arranged everything for the New Year that year, and fortunately nothing went wrong. She wasn't power-hungry, so after Lou Qiongyu finished her postpartum confinement, she told Ren Shi that Lou Qiongyu would take charge first, and the three of them would each take charge for half a month. After Han Yueyao gave birth, the three of them would take turns.
By handing over the management of the household, she could focus more on her medical skills, since one cannot do two things at once.
The Lantern Festival was her twentieth birthday. On this day, relatives and clansmen came to offer toasts. Miaozhen was not a good drinker, so she only took a sip or just touched her lips to the alcohol.
Han Yueyao was almost eight months pregnant, and Xia Xianjie watched with great envy. Taking advantage of Xiao Jingyan's return home for the New Year, she kept him very close and hardly let him leave the room.
Since she was forced to stay at home, she naturally had no sex life. She was also secretly taking Miaozhen's medicine. Several months after having sex with Xiao Jingyan, she suddenly felt listless. Miaozhen took her pulse and said, "You are already four months pregnant."
"Really?" Sister Xia Xian was somewhat incredulous.
Miaozhen said, "It's true, didn't you notice that your period hasn't come?"
Xia Xianjie shook her head: "No, because my period has always been irregular, so I could feel it, but it wasn't obvious. I thought it was because I ate too much and my belly got bigger."
Miaozhen smiled and said, "Now that we know, we must be careful in everything we do."
"Okay, thank you." Sister Xia touched her belly; success or failure hinged on this moment.
She thought that she had indeed taken Miaozhen's medicine honestly and it was working, so she kept saying, "I'm entrusting my belly to you. You can pick out any set of jewelry from here. I won't feel bad about it."
Miaozhen waved her hand: "No need, sister-in-law, just call me if you need anything."
Although they seem to be living in peace now, how could Miaozhen completely forget what happened before? So she didn't completely agree.
Xia Xianjie laughed and said, "You're just so inconsiderate."
She's finally pregnant now, and once she gives birth, things will turn around eventually. Besides, her mother-in-law is getting old and can still manage the household for a few more years. She's no longer that impatient young girl. With her parents gone, she has to learn to lie low.
Miaozhen returned home from the main house and then went to her second sister-in-law Han Yueyao's place. She had finally given birth to a son and treated the child as if he were her lifeblood.
Miaozhen finally breathed a sigh of relief. As the saying goes, everyone has children, so the child is not so rare. There will be no jealousy, harm, or even adoption in the future.
This is a good thing for her, and it's also a good thing for the women of the Xiao family.
Xiao Jingshi's third uncle in the capital sent a letter urging him to come to the capital as soon as possible so that he could make some connections there. Master Xiao and Madam Ren also prepared gifts worth over a thousand taels of silver for Xiao Jingshi to take to the capital.
Miaozhen smiled and helped him pack his luggage: "It's good to go early. The exam will be held next February. It's quite a distance from Suzhou to the capital. There are storms along the way, and we have to wait for the ship to be booked."
"Zhenzhen, if I pass the imperial examination, I will take you to the capital with me. If I fail, I will come back as soon as possible." Xiao Jingshi was reluctant to part with his wife, but he also knew that his wife would be more honored if he passed the examination.
All those everyday words of love are useless. Being good to the one you love means giving them money and status; everything else is nonsense.
Miaozhen said, "Look at what you're saying, it's only been a year or two. Having two children with me is better than anything else."
Seeing that her eyes still held a hint of sadness, Xiao Jingshi pressed her hand and said, "I'll leave after the Dragon Boat Festival. Don't rush things now."
"Do we have to wait another month?" Miaozhen looked up.
Xiao Jingshi seemed completely unconcerned: "That's right, it will take at least three months to get to the capital anyway. Besides, there's the invitation you got for me last year. Commander Lu was promoted to Vice Governor-General at the end of last year. I can get in through channels that others can't. What's there to be afraid of?"
Many men are unwilling to speak of the favors they receive from their wives, but he spoke of it so frankly. Miaozhen smiled and said, "If you stay for another month, we can spend another month together."
Xiao Xi was originally going to come in and talk, but after hearing Xiao Jingshi and Miao Zhen's conversation, she inexplicably felt goosebumps all over her body. It's only been a short time apart, is it really that serious?
The next day, Madam Mei came to visit. Miao Zhen had just seen off a patient and asked in surprise, "Mother, didn't you say you were supposed to come over on Dragon Boat Festival? Why did you come early?"
“It’s not about that. I have something to tell you.” Madam Mei pulled her daughter inside.
Miaozhen couldn't help but ask, "How is it?"
“Da Baoshi is dead,” Meishi said.
Miaozhen breathed a sigh of relief upon hearing this: "Didn't she go to jail? The conditions in jail are bad, it's normal for her to get sick and die."
Madam Mei waved her hand: "She and her son were released from prison last year and then went to live with your third uncle. After all, she couldn't make a living locally, and her son had been to prison, so it was difficult to find her a wife. I heard that she has become much more honest and upright. She borrowed thirty taels from your third uncle and bought a lot of cosmetics and started working as a prostitute."
“The woman who sells goods is the one who goes from street to street, especially in the inner chambers of women’s homes. Could it be that Father suspects that she saw the eldest sister and was silenced?” Miaozhen immediately made the connection.
Madam Mei nodded: "It's amazing that you and your father thought of the same thing. Your father also said that your third uncle and aunt, who run small businesses, could hardly meet the county magistrate's wife, and besides, they were both very timid. If she didn't acknowledge them, they wouldn't dare to curry favor. But Aunt Bao is different... Your father later asked Aunt Bao's youngest son, and he said that she had indeed gone to the county government office in Huating County to deliver flowers to the county magistrate's daughter, and was proud of being favored by the county magistrate's daughter. Little did he know that she would freeze to death by the stinking ditch."
“The death of a person is no small matter. What did the coroner say?” Miaozhen asked.
Madam Mei shook her head: "If a family member has their own opinions, they will naturally demand these things, but Aunt Bao's son doesn't understand. He just does whatever others say. Because he was worried about the money, he brought back the ashes directly."
Her father wrote a lot of detective novels, so his reaction was instinctive, while Miaozhen made a lot of connections.
But she still comforted her mother, saying, "One lie requires countless more to cover it up. You and Father don't need to worry about it."
Madam Mei said, "I came here just to give you a heads-up. By the way, isn't the son-in-law leaving soon? You two can come over to the house and see him off."
"We'll leave after the Dragon Boat Festival," Miaozhen said with a smile.
When Madam Mei asked again why the date had been changed, Miaozhen sweetly explained the reason. Madam Mei smiled and said, "You're such a lucky girl, your husband really dotes on you."
The maidservant serving Miaoyun spoke in the same way, carrying a tray with several sets of Shu brocade clothes: "Our master really dotes on his wife. Every inch of Shu brocade is worth its weight in gold, and he used an entire bolt to make clothes for her."
Miaoyun smiled and said, "It's nothing."
"That's true, you wore that velvet cloak so casually last year." The maid flattered her again.
Miaoyun glanced at her and said, "You can go now. I'll stay here quietly for a while."
The maid realized she had spoken out of turn and immediately left. Miaoyun, however, sat blankly in front of the dressing table, feeling both relieved and horrified.
Da Bao was a relative of her third aunt. When she came to sell flowers, she saw her. At first, she didn't dare to recognize her. But since they were all relatives, she treated her to a meal. She originally thought that most people would be like Miao Zhen, who would leave after receiving her benefits. She didn't expect Da Bao to be so ungrateful and to find out her identity in private.
She kept saying she knew this secret and asked me to help her son find a good job in the government and get a wife, otherwise she would be very rude.
Miao Yun realized she had been naive and had been tricked by the thieves.
She had no choice but to tell Zhang Shihua that Da Baoshi had stolen money from the Xu family and run away after the death of the Xu family head. She originally just wanted him to drive her out of Huating. However, when Da Baoshi heard that the officials were arresting people, she jumped into the river. The water in early spring was as cold as ice, and she died just like that.
While Da Baoshi certainly had her problems, Miaoyun felt a pang of sadness at her death. But in the blink of an eye, she stood up and looked at herself in the mirror. The woman whom Zhang Shihua revered as a deity was now so noble and dignified; she was no longer the little girl living in the slums.
Meanwhile, Uncle Xu, who was doing business in Huating, said, "How could your sister have died when she was perfectly fine?"
In order to monopolize the resources, the Bao family didn't reveal a single word to Uncle Xu and his wife, so the two of them still don't know.
Bao also said, "Who knows? She saw Miaolian making money by selling women, so she followed suit."
"It's a pity, we're not going to get our money back." Uncle Xu had always been afraid of his sister-in-law, so when she came to borrow money, he lent her the money. Anyway, he didn't need to pay her since he had Da Bao's son work for him. He never expected that the mother and son would be gone now.
Speaking of Miaolian, Madam Bao said, "Our Miaolian is more educated than Miaozhen, but you're not as cunning as your second brother. You sent your daughter to a wealthy family, ostensibly to be a concubine, but who knows how she ended up as a mistress. She didn't get that position, and now she's somehow managed to get involved with the Xiao family. He looks honest and simple on the outside, but he's the most scheming one. He doesn't support his elders, doesn't help his brothers, and ignores his relatives. He only cares about his own family."
After she said that, Uncle Xu scolded her a few times: "Don't talk nonsense, your words are too harsh."
But even though he said it, he took it to heart and couldn't help but say, "Now that the two old people are old, they don't need to work hard anymore. Let the second son take care of things for a few days."
Bao was secretly delighted to hear this, as she had completely forgotten about the death of her eldest daughter, Bao.
It is also said that during the few days that Xiao Jingshi was at home, Miao Zhen did not go to his study to find him during the day, for fear of disturbing his studies. However, the two of them spent their nights together in a tender embrace.
Besides their intimate moments, they would also talk a lot. At first, Xiao Jingshi would only respond with an "um" after a long time, but gradually he would start chatting with her for a few minutes every day.
“I’ve already spoken to the Wu family and asked them to send the dividends directly to you. You and the children can just use them; don’t worry about it too much.” Xiao Jingshi came up with the idea that being kind to them meant giving them money.
Miaozhen smiled and said, "I know, you've told me everything. Speaking of which, ever since Grandma Wu gave birth to her daughter that year, her health has not been good, and she has not been able to conceive. It is said that she helped Grandpa Wu take in several concubines, but none of them produced offspring. The other day she came to see me, and I saw that her health was fine."
If the woman is fine, it's most likely that the man has the problem.
Xiao Jingshi guessed it immediately. He wasn't surprised. Wu Zhang was a veteran in the world of pleasure. In recent years, he had even donated money to obtain a military post and was addressed as an official. That made him even more outrageous. He brought all sorts of women home, both good and bad, and he especially loved widows. How could he not ruin his health?
Aside from your wife at home who cares about your health, aren't all the women outside hoping you'll die on their bodies? Only by pleasing you to the extreme will a man obediently hand over his money.
"I heard the prefect submitted your list?" Xiao Jingshi asked.
Miaozhen nodded: "Yes, but I don't think it's going to work out. I've given up hope. I'll just focus on doing things well locally."
After being disappointed several times, she lost hope. Even if she got involved with the Huang family, they might not speak up for her.
Seeing that Miaozhen had let it go, Xiao Jingshi stopped mentioning it.
A few days later, Lou Qiongyu was in charge of the household again. When Mrs. Lou came to the door, she immediately asked Lou Qiongyu, "When I went out just now, I saw Commander Han's wife coming over. What was it about?"
Lou Qiongyu made a counting motion, "Isn't it all for this? But the second branch of the family has to tell the second brother before they can withdraw any money for any major expenses."
"The Xiao family is so wealthy, yet they live such a refined life," Mrs. Lou said with a smile.
Lou Qiongyu laughed and said, "That's right. But Second Sister-in-law is doing better now. She has this son, and her mother-in-law's attitude towards her is different. She used to not dare to care about those concubines at all, and just pretended to be confused. A few days ago, she even dared to say a few words."
After chatting idly for a while, Mrs. Lou asked, "Why hasn't Shi Silang gone to the capital yet? Last time I heard your mother-in-law say that he was going to the capital."
Lou Qiongyu couldn't help but say, "They said the date was chosen poorly and they had to choose a new one, but our courtyard is not far from Furongwu. I think it's because Fourth Brother wanted to accompany Fourth Sister-in-law."
"It's really strange. They had so many daughters of officials to choose from, but only the daughter of a student in the Imperial Academy. She's not even a beauty that could topple kingdoms, yet they're so infatuated with her." Mrs. Lou herself couldn't understand it.
But she still urged Lou Qiongyu, "You still need to tell your son-in-law to study hard. If his brother really becomes a Jinshi while he hasn't even become a Xiucai, that would be incredibly embarrassing."
She said it wasn't good in front of Lou Qiongyu, and when Xiao Jingtang came back, she criticized him again. Although she said it with a smile, her tone was uncomfortable for anyone who heard it.
“Son-in-law, you should study more seriously. As the saying goes, a woman follows her husband wherever he goes. My daughter has married you, so she can’t just drift along like this.”
Xiao Jingtang, being a young man, was also indignant: "Mother-in-law, please don't say that. I am young now, and there are many people my age who are not old enough."
"How did they manage to pass? Your cousin passed too, and your brother passed the imperial examination when he was your age." Mrs. Lou, who had always loved giving advice, was now really into it.
Xiao Jingtang retorted, "I disagree with what you're saying. My eldest sister-in-law brought a dowry of ten thousand taels of silver when she married into the family, and my fourth sister-in-law is a skilled doctor who has helped my brother get to know people in the palace. You only praise others, why don't you talk about your own shortcomings?"
These words made Mrs. Lou so angry that she almost fell over. Lou Qiongyu didn't step forward, knowing in her heart that her mother had gone too far, but she didn't want to say anything to her husband.
As the group was arguing, they heard a commotion outside. It turned out that the prefect himself had come to invite Miaozhen to the capital so that the imperial physicians and the Directorate of Ceremonial Affairs could examine her. If there were no problems, she could await imperial summons and prepare to enter the palace.
The inner chambers have already sent word, instructing the local government to send Miaozhen to the capital.
Regardless of what Mrs. Lou is like, Xiao Jingshi laughed and said, "I really didn't wait a month for nothing. I never thought that my husband and I could come to the capital together."
Miaozhen smiled and agreed, all the resentment of those years had already drifted away with the wind.
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