Chapter 67 (combined with another chapter)
"The meat is so delicious when braised like this, especially with this chili sauce." Miaozhen has become much plumper after her postpartum period, but she loses her hair or gets anxious whenever she is hungry, as if she always needs to eat something. So she can only eat her favorite foods in the morning or at noon.
So, the braised pork belly she ate for lunch, about the size of a small fist, was enough to make her very happy.
Xiao Xi chimed in, "If you like it, please eat more. It's not like we can't afford it. Why bother? Someone of your status looks more impressive with a more prosperous appearance."
"Go away, don't talk nonsense." Miaozhen was afraid that she would have the same constitution as her father, who was the kind of person who could lose weight 361 days a year without getting thinner, so she had to become lighter as soon as possible.
Unfortunately, Xiao Jingshi only ate dinner at home. Seeing that Miaozhen was only eating vegetables and only a fistful of rice, he put a large lamb chop on her plate and said, "Eat up."
"I ate the stir-fried chicken breast. You can have this yourself. I'm not eating it." Miaozhen picked it up and put it back in his bowl.
"What's wrong?" Xiao Jingshi wondered if something had happened at home that he didn't know about, and that Zhenzhen was really angry with him.
Miaozhen took a bite of rice and asked, "What? What happened?"
"I put food on your plate, and you took it back? Did I make you angry?" Xiao Jingshi asked directly.
Miaozhen chuckled: "That's not it. After giving birth to Zhengge'er, I ate a lot of nourishing foods during my postpartum period. It's been a month or two since I finished my postpartum period, and my belly still hasn't gone back to normal. So I have to eat less and get back in shape."
It would have been better if he hadn't listened, because Xiao Jingshi got angry as soon as he heard it: "What nonsense are you talking about? You're not fat at all. Besides, you're not the kind of person who's naturally slender and thin. Why bother?"
He was angry, and Miaozhen was angry too. Xiao Jingshi clearly meant that she wasn't a natural beauty. Although what he said was true, it still didn't sound pleasant.
Actually, Xiao Jingshi felt sorry for her because her pregnancy was very difficult. After finally giving birth to her second son, she also developed some health problems. Now she's making a fuss about not eating meat. Isn't that ridiculous?
For the first time in all their years of marriage, the couple had actually argued over this matter. Miaozhen still carried out her plan. She usually seemed very reasonable, but once she made up her mind, no one could persuade her otherwise.
She also went to the palace during the day. Consort Wang had developed eczema on her face, and Miaozhen prescribed Fangfeng Tongsheng Pills, as well as face wash and face cream before she returned.
Upon returning home, she found a patient already waiting for her. This patient was the daughter of Marquis Cui Yuan of Jingshan and the wife of Earl Chen Wangmo of Pingjiang. Miaozhen was no longer the doctor who traveled around practicing medicine, nor did she rely on her husband's influence. Rather, it was due to her own medical skills. She was now considered a leading expert in gynecology and had the authority to not make house calls and instead have people come to her for treatment.
After Miaozhen finished her greetings, she invited her to the consultation room for a private conversation: "Mrs. Chen, what's wrong?"
Madam Chen thought to herself that this female doctor Xu was famous in the capital. She looked very young, but since even the emperor and his concubines had praised her, she must be quite good. She spoke very politely and exchanged pleasantries for a while before saying, "I don't know why I can't sleep day or night. For the past six months, I haven't even been able to get out of bed. I've taken a lot of medicine, but it hasn't worked."
No wonder she was helped in by several people. Miaozhen noticed that her face was pale and her pulse was weak and feeble, so she could almost tell that she had flaccid paralysis. However, there are several types of flaccid paralysis, so she naturally asked, "How is your appetite? How is your menstrual cycle?"
"Her period is normal, but she doesn't usually have much of an appetite," Madam Chen said, sounding uncomfortable after only a few words.
Miaozhen continued, "How are your bowel movements and urination usually?"
“I usually have loose stools, and it’s hard for me to even get up.”
It's so difficult for her to get up, yet she still came to seek medical help in person. That's quite considerate of her. Miaozhen then said to her, "You have a deficiency of qi due to weakness of the spleen and stomach. Have you often been irregular in your diet or overworked in the past?"
Madam Chen's father was also a nobleman, and she married into another nobleman's family. These wealthy families all have their own methods of maintaining their health, so how could she have an irregular diet or overwork? It's really strange.
"Ahem, last year my mother, the Grand Princess Yongkang, passed away. I kept vigil for a long time, and I was so heartbroken that I couldn't eat," said Madam Chen.
Miaozhen said, "I see. Let me have someone help you to the bed in the back. I will first apply moxibustion to your main acupoints, such as Zusanli, Yanglingquan, Sanyinjiao, Pishu, and Shenshu. Then I will apply moxibustion specifically to Zhongwan and Qihai, along with Taibai and Gongsun. After the moxibustion, I will prescribe some Sijunzi Decoction and Qiongyu Ointment, and then send someone to deliver them to your residence."
Women seem to have a natural faith in female healers. After Miaozhen told her, Madam Chen did not hesitate at all and took off her clothes. Miaozhen was very experienced in doing this.
After receiving moxibustion, Madam Chen felt as if she were immersed in a hot sea, and her whole body felt much more comfortable.
After the moxibustion was finished, it was already noon. Miaozhen instructed, "You should have moxibustion every other day for now. After half a month, if your spleen and stomach are better, you can reduce the frequency every ten days."
Madam Chen couldn't help but say, "Would it be too much trouble for you to come over for moxibustion? I haven't been able to get up lately, it's too much of a hassle."
She was worried that Miaozhen would disagree, but Miaozhen smiled and said, "Okay, I'll come to your door then."
Madam Chen was delighted and sent another generous gift, which Miaozhen accepted, since her illness would take at least two months to treat.
After seeing Madam Chen off, Xiao Xi put away the gifts and couldn't help but exclaim, "This Madam Chen is really generous."
Miaozhen took a look. The gift was very elegant. It consisted of an inkstone inlaid with the Five Sacred Mountains and a sandalwood box inlaid with figures and stories. The so-called treasures were materials such as gemstones, pearls, jade, agate, amber, coral, ivory, rhinoceros horn, tortoiseshell, gold and silver.
"I'll just give this inkstone to Fourth Master." Miaozhen took out the inkstone and placed it on her dressing table.
She was exhausted from the morning and was still quite hungry, so Miaozhen quickly had someone set out the meal. The children also came over to eat together at this time. In the afternoon, when there were no patients, she spent her time talking to the children.
Xiao Jingshi returned earlier today, and Miaozhen had already forgotten about the cold war a few days ago. She stood up and said, "Today a patient came to my door and gave me a piece of ink inlaid with the Five Sacred Mountains. I thought I didn't need it, so I'm giving it to you."
"Really? I also have something to give you." Xiao Jingshi took out a long box from his sleeve.
When Miaozhen opened it, it turned out to be a pair of phoenix-shaped hair ornaments with pearls in their mouths. The hair ornaments were made with filigree inlay, and there was a fragrant ball inside the small round ball in the center of the hair ornament. The tassel flowers were decorated with gemstones and turquoise, making them even more magnificent.
“This is really beautiful, you have excellent taste,” Miaozhen said with a smile.
"What I meant was that you look good no matter what," Xiao Jingshi said slowly.
So that's what it was about. Miaozhen slapped him lightly: "It's alright, I forgot about it. Actually, I know you meant well, but I just got carried away. Okay, don't worry about my business anymore, I know what I'm doing."
Xiao Jingshi dared not say anything more.
That evening, Xiao Jingshi said again, "Sixth brother wants to come to the capital to study. I think it's indeed easier to take the imperial examinations in Shuntian Prefecture, so I agreed. You prepare a courtyard for him, because his wife and the others will probably come over too."
"It's good that they're coming; my sister-in-law can help us out a bit." Miaozhen got along well with Lou Qiongyu back in their hometown. Even with Mrs. Lou's encouragement, Lou Qiongyu never did anything wrong, which shows that she's a decent person.
A few days later, Miaozhen went to the Marquis of Pingjiang to treat Madam Chen. Unexpectedly, she ran into Madam Qiu, who was the sister-in-law of Lady Qiu. Miaozhen hurriedly said, "I wonder how my teacher is doing now? It's been so many years since I last saw him. I miss him terribly."
Madam Qiu smiled and said, "Our Qiu family now has a girls' school. My sister teaches them to read at home. When she has nothing to do, she leads a few girls to hold poetry gatherings and tend to flowers and plants."
"That's good, I'm happy for her." Miaozhen felt relieved that Qiu Niangzi was now living a leisurely life.
Knowing that Lady Qiu was a good person, Miaozhen was also very satisfied.
Madam Qiu, who was now serving as an official in the capital with her husband, invited Miaozhen to her home, and Miaozhen readily agreed. Madam Qiu indeed sent an invitation, and Miaozhen told Xiao Jingshi before taking Fu'er out for the banquet.
Madam Qiu did not neglect her, a guest who was not even related to her, and even had a relative accompany her. Miaozhen had no choice but to introduce herself: "I used to live in Changmen, Suzhou. I studied with my teacher for a few years. I never expected to meet Madam Qiu at the Pingjiang Marquis's Mansion that day. It's really like family members don't recognize each other."
This relative was none other than Xu Tongpan's daughter. Although her father had passed away, her family was a prominent one in eastern Zhejiang. After the mourning period, she married smoothly. Her dowry was saved up before her father died and had not been touched. Now that her cousin, Lord Qiu, had come to the capital to take up an official post, she naturally had to visit him more often to find a powerful backer for herself.
Upon hearing that Miao Zhen was a frequent visitor to the palace and that her husband was a junior compiler in the Hanlin Academy, Xu Ling, in an attempt to build rapport, recalled that her former teacher seemed to be a disciple of Lady Qiu. She couldn't help but ask, "I had a teacher before who was also a disciple of Lady Qiu. Her name was Xu Miao Zhen. Do you know her?"
Miao Zhen was taken aback: "I am Xu Miao Zhen."
Xu Ling glanced at her. "You must be Xu Miaozhen?"
"Yes, that's me." Miaozhen seemed to realize something, but she just didn't mention Miaoyun's situation, which didn't mean she was going to lie for her.
This Miaoyun actually impersonated me.
In fact, many families hire female tutors, even talented nuns, so why would she need to impersonate herself?
Xu Ling muttered to himself, "Could it be that there really are people in the world with the same name?"
No, that can't be right. One of them must be lying. So Xu Ling looked at Miao Zhen and said, "It seems I've run into a liar."
"I don't know about that." Miaozhen didn't reply, but instead asked which family Xu Ling belonged to.
Xu Ling smiled and said, "My father-in-law is the Chief Clerk of the Department of Military Affairs in the Ministry of War."
After chatting with her for a while, Miaozhen discovered that Xu Ling only had some experience in dressing up and banquets, and nothing else to say.
She was unaware that Xu Ling had secretly inquired about Miao Zhen's background, but people in the capital weren't really familiar with Miao Zhen. Only a few knowledgeable people, like Liu Shi from the third branch of the Xiao family, who had a close relationship with Xu Ling's husband's family, said, "Oh, her? She started learning medicine at a young age. Her father was just a student of the Imperial Academy, doing some small business. He didn't have much of a family background. Later, I don't know how she ended up marrying into our husband's family."
Liu was purely jealous of Miaozhen. Her family was also from an official background, and although she married a concubine's son, her husband was also a high-ranking official, unlike Xiao Jingshi, who was just a merchant from a second wife's family. Yet, of these two, one passed the imperial examination and entered the Hanlin Academy, while the other entered the palace.
But these weren't the main points Xu Ling was asking. She thought it was impossible for there to be two Xu Miaozhens; one of them must be lying. She couldn't help but frown and ask, "Is her identity real?"
Liu was completely baffled: "What identity?"
Xu Ling thought about her female teacher, who looked very noble. It was said that her family had fallen on hard times and she had become a female teacher. Before that, her family had been students of the Imperial Academy.
But thinking about it, there might be some issues with the fact that her father was a student of the Imperial Academy.
Therefore, Xu Ling inquired about a few more details and was quite certain that the person in the capital was real. Although Liu said that she didn't know how the person married into the Xiao family, since the person was able to marry into the family, it must be a good person.
So, her female teacher was really lying to both sides. She lied to them, saying that she was Qiu Niangzi's disciple, and she also lied to them, saying that Zhang Juren wanted to marry her and that she had to marry as the eldest daughter of the Xu family.
Her mother liked her very much at the time, and since she was doing her a favor, the girl was clever and gave her family the six hundred taels that Zhang Shihua had sent. Her mother thought that she couldn't take the furniture from Nanjing with her, so she gave it all to her as part of her dowry.
I never expected this person to be a liar.
Well, I don't know where that female swindler has gone, and I can't find her either.
In early July, Xiao Jingtang and Lou Yuqiong brought their two children to the capital. The four of them had not seen each other for several years and had a lot to talk about. Miao Ge'er had no playmates at home, so as soon as he arrived in the capital, he was pulled together by Zhao Ge'er and Fu Jie'er to play, running around happily.
"I feel so much more relaxed now that you're here. I'm usually so busy treating patients, this is wonderful!" Miaozhen said with a smile.
Lou Qiongyu asked, "Sister-in-law, besides going to the palace, do you still frequently go out to see doctors?"
“Now I mostly see patients at home, but I only go to their homes when some patients are too unable to get out of bed. I even went to a free clinic with your fourth brother at the end of last month.” Miaozhen didn’t think there was anything wrong with it.
Lou Qiongyu then said, "Now that Fourth Brother is an official, Sister-in-law, you should make more connections with him."
Miaozhen knew she meant well; the traditional view of men being the breadwinners and women staying at home was mainstream in this era, and women were expected to help their husbands maintain relationships so they wouldn't have any worries. However, Miaozhen wasn't the type to be completely devoted to men. She also had her own career, and it was quite successful, so she mostly focused on her own affairs.
Xiao Xi usually takes care of the gift boxes and such. She just checks them and makes sure they're in order, without doing anything herself.
After Xiao Jingtang and his wife settled down, Miaozhen took Lou Qiongyu to the third house. Lou Qiongyu and Gao Shi hit it off immediately. She secretly wanted to be like Gao Shi, who was very good at socializing and got along well. That was the kind of lady who should be the head of a family.
Of course, she also had a good relationship with Miaozhen, but she couldn't hide her admiration for Gao Shi in her words. Miaozhen could tell that she also thought Gao Shi was very good at socializing, but praising her didn't mean she would learn from her.
Lou Qiongyu rarely brought up this matter with Xiao Jingtang: "I think Fourth Sister-in-law has a lot of connections, but it seems that she is not willing to maintain relationships unless the other party mentions her or our Fourth Brother. But we can't say she is wrong. Third Sister-in-law is different. She maintains very good relationships with Third Brother's mentors, superiors, and colleagues, and has been of great help to Third Brother. So who do you think is right between the two of them?"
Even after leaving Mrs. Lou, Lou Qiongyu and Xiao Jingtang were still childhood sweethearts. She had a good temperament, and their relationship was still acceptable.
Xiao Jingtang said, "I haven't thought of the problem you mentioned. Fourth Sister-in-law is not very good at building relationships. I heard that her relationship with the Third Branch is also lukewarm. But it's hard to say who is right and who is wrong. Third Sister-in-law is doing this for Third Brother's good. Although Fourth Sister-in-law did not actively fight for Fourth Brother, he has actually benefited a lot. Moreover, because of this, Fourth Sister-in-law has no burden when people seek her medical treatment."
"I think so too, but I don't have any medical skills, so I'll learn more from my third sister-in-law." Lou Qiongyu confirmed her direction.
Miaozhen also mentioned to Xiao Jingshi, "Since Sixth Sister-in-law came, her relationship with Third Sister-in-law has become even better."
Xiao Jingshi laughed and said, "Are you jealous?"
"Nonsense, I was just thinking that I need to work on my interpersonal skills more. But then I thought it would take too much time and effort, so I'll forget it." Miaozhen said with a smile as she applied rose ointment to her legs.
Xiao Jingshi couldn't help but say, "Look at your bulging purse, why worry about these things and make a fool of yourself?"
"I was just saying. I'm going to the Pingjiang family's house tomorrow. But they always insist I stay for meals, so I'll just take the two kids with me. We'll come back after the feast. You don't know how much your son and daughter think I'm eating delicious food outside every day," Miaozhen said with a smile.
Xiao Jingshi thought to himself that he couldn't get used to the food at the Hanlin Academy, so he went out for special meals with his colleagues every day. Otherwise, he would go to see Miaozhen at noon.
The next morning, Miaozhen took her two children over and instructed them, "Your mother told you how to behave when visiting someone's home. Whoever tells me first is the first to answer."
Sister Fu said, "You must not move around, run around, or take things randomly."
"You can't speak carelessly; you have to be polite and respectful," Zhao Ge'er added.
Miaozhen nodded: "That's right, that's exactly it."
After receiving moxibustion from Miaozhen for half a month, Madam Chen's spleen and stomach improved considerably. Seeing that Miaozhen had brought the child over today, she quickly took out a gift to greet her.
"Please don't be so polite. These two children are very attached to me, which is why I don't make house calls. I had no choice but to bring them along." Miaozhen was still a little embarrassed. She didn't want to mention that she had brought some pastries from the Chen family back last time, and the two children had been eyeing them ever since.
Madam Chen was very kind to the siblings and had some snacks brought to them.
Miao Zhen had just begun moxibustion on Madam Chen when Madam Chen prepared a feast. Miao Zhen thanked her, and then someone outside announced that Xiao Jingshi was coming to pick them up to go home.
"Why is he coming to pick us up at this time?" Miaozhen thought something was wrong, so she asked Tianjie to ask. Xiao Jingshi said that nothing serious had happened, and he just thought it was time to go home, so he came over.
Miaozhen then suggested, "Why don't we have her wait for us to finish eating before we go back?"
The Chen family said, "Let's just invite Xiao Hanlin in and have some fun together."
Miaozhen was still a little embarrassed. It wasn't good for one person to bring three burdens along, was it? But she couldn't let him wait in vain, so she had no choice but to invite him over.
The Chen family's food was very thoughtful. For example, there was a special soup called Fish Playing with Lotus Leaves Soup, which was refreshing and delicious, and the fish had no fishy smell at all. The best dish was crab. Before eating the crab, you had to wash your hands with water infused with perilla leaves. Miaozhen also ate two osmanthus flower cakes, which were said to be made using the imperial recipe.
After finishing his meal, Xiao Jingshi said to the three of them, "I have to rush to the Hanlin Academy. You should go back first."
Miaozhen had three big question marks above her head. "Didn't you say you were going to take us home?"
Xiao Jingshi chuckled twice and then galloped away on horseback.
"What are you saying your dad is doing?" Miaozhen asked the two children.
Fu-jie chuckled to herself, "Father misses Mother."
Miaozhen shook her head, noticing that he had eaten quite a lot, and perhaps he had come just for the food.
When the three returned, the wet nurse said that Zhengge'er had vomited milk. Miaozhen examined the child and said, "This child seems quite irritable. Did he not sleep well at night?"
The wet nurses didn't dare to say anything, but Miaozhen said, "It's alright. It's normal for babies to be uncomfortable when they're young. You should tell me the truth."
"The young man hasn't been sleeping well these past few nights. We thought it was because of the hot weather."
When Miaozhen was examining Zhengge'er, she felt that she was very skilled in gynecology, but there were still many shortcomings in pediatrics. She carefully diagnosed the condition and gave the child a cooling drink. The child got better, but still had a slight diarrhea.
"In the future, I will not only excel in gynecology, but also in pediatrics," Miao Zhen thought to herself. Not for anything else, but for the sake of her own child, she had to cure the illness.
When she returned home that evening, Miaozhen told Xiao Jingshi about it, feeling very guilty. Xiao Jingshi comforted her, saying, "You yourself said that children are the most delicate and it's normal for them to get sick. I was also weak when I was young, but I'm fine now."
“That’s not how it works. I learned most of it from Madam Yang, but after careful analysis, I still haven’t quite mastered it. So, I have to put in a lot of hard work to study it,” Miaozhen said.
Because Miaozhen was always the type to do whatever she said she would, and was very tenacious and persevering, which Xiao Jingshi knew, he didn't want to discourage her. Instead, he said, "Alright, I'll hurry up and find a teacher these next few days. Once summer is over, the children will start their studies, and then you'll have time to learn. What do you say?"
“You’ve thought of everything very carefully, but you’ll have to buy me some children’s medical books on Qipan Street, okay?” Miaozhen said with a smile.
Xiao Jingshi immediately agreed, adding, "You're treating me to dinner today."
"Huh, you really went to freeload today?" Miaozhen looked at him in surprise.
Xiao Jingshi retorted stubbornly, "You all went, so why can't I go?"
Miaozhen was both amused and exasperated: "Why are you acting like a little baby, doing everything that everyone else is doing?"
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