Chapter 71 (Combined Chapter)
The eldest princess is fourteen years old this year. What kind of illness could she have? Miaozhen has not treated this eldest princess and does not know her condition, but her medical skills have improved over the years. The palace has summoned her, and she must take good care of her.
Miaozhen was preoccupied with her illness, but in the gaps she recalled Xiao Jingshi's anxious expression, and found it amusing. She wasn't some stunning beauty, so why was Xiao Jingshi so suspicious, even thinking that the Emperor might take a liking to her?
Thinking about it now, she still finds it unbelievable.
But she didn't expect that as she got older, she would become more charming, and today she dressed up specially, attracting a lot of attention as she walked.
When she arrived, the emperor was with the eldest princess. Miaozhen immediately knelt down and bowed, saying, "Your Majesty, I, Xu from the Xiao family, wish Your Majesty a long and prosperous life."
Although the Emperor had bestowed a plaque upon Miaozhen at the time, he had never actually met her. Now, upon seeing her, he thought to himself that Xu was so young and her medical skills were so highly praised, she must have extraordinary abilities. He couldn't help but ask her a few more questions, and when he learned that Miaozhen's ancestral home was also in Huguang, he couldn't help but smile and say, "I also studied in Anlu Zhangda when I was young."
Miao Zhen thought to herself that she was in a good position. She and the emperor were from the same hometown, and she had helped him treat his child. She was sure she would have some influence with him in the future.
His voice was no longer so impatient: "No need for formalities, go and check on the eldest princess's illness first. If she is cured, I will reward her handsomely."
"Yes, Your Majesty, I will go and take a look first." Miaozhen stood up and took a few steps back before being led to the inner room by a palace maid.
The eldest princess was just about to turn 18 and was already a young woman. Miao Zhen asked the nanny beside her, "What illness does the eldest princess have?"
The old woman said, "It's an old problem. She'll have diarrhea when she's not feeling well before, but this time it's quite serious. The princess is having bloody stools."
"Blood in the stool?" Miaozhen glanced at the eldest princess and then said, "May I take her pulse?"
The old woman said, "Madam Xiao, you are too kind. His Majesty invited you here to help treat the princess's illness. This is only right."
The eldest princess's birth mother died early, and this nanny could practically manage half of her household. Miaozhen first examined her tongue, which had a thick, greasy coating and was pale red. Her pulse was floating, thin, and weak.
"Princess, in order to cure your illness, I must examine you carefully. When you have diarrhea, does your stomach hurt?"
"It hurts a little here."
Female doctors are naturally more approachable to women, especially Miaozhen in this outfit, which makes her even more endearing. The eldest princess pointed to her lower abdomen, but then said, "It doesn't hurt that much."
Miao Zhen thought this was likely relapsing dysentery, or what Western medicine calls chronic dysentery. This disease does indeed come and go, and is difficult to cure over a long period of time. If left untreated, it could lead to other illnesses in the future. Especially since the princess's constitution is relatively weak, if a severe infection causes dehydration or shock, she may die from circulatory failure.
She first diagnosed the condition, explaining that chronic dysentery can be categorized into several types. If the disease is related to the Qi (vital energy) level, it will be accompanied by abdominal pain; if the disease is related to the blood level, it will result in visible bloody stools.
Actually, the eldest princess's illness was likely related to the blood. The previous doctor, upon hearing the princess complain of lower abdominal pain, diagnosed it as related to the qi.
Miaozhen immediately prescribed a decoction of ginseng, coptis, and dried ginger, along with angelica, white peony root, salvia miltiorrhiza, and carbonized human hair. She first gave the prescription to the nanny next to her, asking her to have someone take it to the imperial pharmacy. She then prepared to give the eldest princess acupuncture and moxibustion.
"Let's skip acupuncture, I'm afraid of that, it hurts too much," the eldest princess shook her head.
Miao Zhen smiled and said, "I've heard that only doctors with bad skills cause pain. Why don't you try my skills? If they're not good, you won't need my treatment in the future."
The eldest princess smiled upon hearing this, which was taken as her agreement.
Miaozhen then changed the subject to divert her attention. The eldest princess appeared dignified, but was actually still a child at heart, asking herself, "Do the twins look alike?"
Miao Zhen selected several acupoints, including Tian Shu, Zu San Li, Shang Ju Xu, and Guan Yuan, and chatted with her casually.
After the acupuncture was finished, Miaozhen chatted with the eldest princess. The child seemed to get along very well with Miaozhen and said to her, "The acupuncture you did on me just now really didn't hurt. Could you teach me how to do it too?"
“Alright, but Princess, you are so precious, it wouldn’t be good if you accidentally pricked yourself. Why don’t we wait until you’re better, and then I’ll teach you how to take your pulse first,” Miaozhen said with a smile.
The eldest princess nodded emphatically.
When the medicine arrived, Miaozhen watched the princess take it, and after waiting for another half hour, seeing that the eldest princess showed no abnormalities, she took her leave.
Don't be fooled by her seemingly pleasant conversation with the eldest princess. Anyone who wants to stir up trouble could easily ruin her life with a single sentence, which is why she doesn't want to stay in the palace.
Just like the Imperial Concubine Wang, who had no control over her own laughter or tears, she had to be extra careful when moving around the palace.
As soon as she came out of the palace, Xiao Jingshi was waiting outside. Miaozhen immediately came to life and ran over: "What are you doing here?"
"I'll pick you up here," Xiao Jingshi said with a smile.
Ignoring the stares of everyone, Miaozhen took his hand and said, "Let's go back."
The eldest princess recovered after a month of treatment. Upon hearing this, Cheng Yuan couldn't help but wonder why the eldest princess, who had passed away in her previous life, hadn't died in this one. Could it be that Xu Miaozhen was the biggest variable in this life?
Because of his demotion, Lu Shi'an was begging for help from his family. His sister wrote to him saying that Lu Shi'an had been very good to her. Now that the Lu family's past had been exposed, Lu Shi'an's dream of marrying a daughter of the Yan family was over. Cheng Shu knew that Lu Shi'an had ill intentions, but if she really did something to Lu Shi'an, her sister would be the first to suffer.
Moreover, her younger sister is now pregnant, and Lu Shi'an will surely cherish her dearly, but she always feels vaguely uneasy.
Sometimes Cheng Yuan felt that in this second life, it seemed that besides changing her own fate, she hadn't changed anyone else's. She thought for a moment, then glanced at the letter from Madam Ji, inviting Miaozhen over for a talk.
When Miaozhen received the invitation, she was surprised and said, "This third young lady spoke to me a few times when I was at the Cheng family. Although we know each other, we're not close. Besides, we retaliated against Lu Shi'an. Is she going to cause me trouble?"
With these thoughts in mind, when Miaozhen arrived at the Xu family home, she cautiously exchanged pleasantries with Cheng Yuan.
But Cheng Yuan seemed quite sensible and didn't mention Lu Shi'an at all. Instead, she said to her, "I heard that you cured the eldest princess. Your medical skills have become more and more refined. That's wonderful."
"Actually, it's not a serious illness." Miaozhen didn't know that the eldest princess had actually passed away at the age of fourteen in her previous life, so she didn't think her achievements were that great.
Cheng Yuan sincerely praised, "Those who are good at fighting throughout history do not have outstanding achievements. This is exactly the point. I called you here today because I want to ask your opinion on something. My sister-in-law wrote that Gao Ge'er is not well and wants to ask you to go to Nanjing to help treat him."
"This..." Miaozhen really didn't want to go. Although doctors are supposed to be benevolent, she also had a husband and children in the capital, unlike when she came to the Cheng family alone as a servant.
Cheng Yuan smiled and said, "I know your difficulties. It's alright, I'll go back for you. Just say that the palace wants you to see a doctor, but you can't leave for the time being."
Miaozhen looked at Cheng Yuan and quickly stood up to thank her, saying, "I really don't know how to thank you."
Cheng Yuan looked at her and said sincerely, "We all have the same enemy. I knew Lu Shi'an was not a good person, but my mother wouldn't listen. Now she has ended up like this, which is her own fault."
"I never expected the Third Miss to be so understanding. To be honest, I had a very difficult time during that period. To be honest, I didn't even recognize him. I don't know why he retaliated against me like this. Does he expect me to marry him even though we're engaged?" Miaozhen also expressed her grievances, and thought that the Third Miss was a wise person, but unfortunately Zeng Shi was not.
Cheng Yuan felt a pang of sympathy upon hearing this. In her previous life, Xu Miaozhen's life was even more difficult. In this life, at least she was a physician who entered the palace, and Xiao Jingshi treated her very well, much better than Cen Yuan. At least he helped her deal with Lu Shi'an and always trusted her.
Therefore, Cheng Yuan looked at her and said, "Regarding Lu Shi'an, I can only discuss it with you. He has been demoted to Yunnan, but I don't think he's a peaceful person. Right now, because of me, he's treating Shu'er very well, but I'm afraid he'll..."
“Actually, the incident with ‘Ding Feng Bo’ only affected him temporarily, and besides, no one was named. Several years later, if a different group comes to power in the capital, probably no one will know.” Miao Zhen wanted to tell her that this was certain.
Cheng Yuan made up her mind: "You're right, but I don't have a good idea yet, but I'll keep an eye on him first."
Miaozhen nodded: "In that case, if there is anything you need me to do for you in the future, please just send someone to tell me."
In their past lives, the two women had suffered greatly at the hands of Lu Shi'an. It was only by fate that they were able to join forces in this life, Cheng Yuan thought to herself.
After September, Zhang, who lived next door, returned from the Marquis of Jingshan's residence. Coincidentally, Madam Chen also went next door and invited her over. If it were Zhang herself, Miaozhen would definitely not have gone, but since the Marquis of Pingjiang's wife was her patron and they had always maintained a good relationship, she went.
Zhang had prepared a feast, and seemed very happy to see me arrive. "Grandma Xiao not only cured many people inside and outside the palace, but also my aunt. I really don't know how to thank you."
"You flatter me, Madam Zhen," Miaozhen said.
Madam Chen inquired about Miaozhen's medical treatment process, and after hearing Miaozhen's account, she couldn't help but exclaim, "This is truly no easy feat!"
Miaozhen made a few modest remarks, but Madam Chen had to leave first. Madam Zhang came over to pour the wine herself, and Miaozhen looked at her and said, "Madam Cui, I once heard that my husband saved you back then?"
She no longer wanted to play games with Zhang, and at some point she had also learned some of Xiao Jingshi's frankness.
Upon hearing this, Zhang felt a pang of panic, but said calmly, "That is indeed the case."
“Hmm, but you’ve met me so many times and you’ve never mentioned it before.” Miaozhen looked at her.
Zhang's mental fortitude wasn't very strong, and upon hearing Miaozhen's words, she became somewhat embarrassed and angry: "I didn't know any of this before."
"Now that you know, just tell me whatever you want. Don't go looking for your husband in private. We all have families, and it's not good to be in a compromising situation." Miaozhen simply spoke frankly. She would never have said such things before, because she couldn't grasp Xiao Jingshi's mindset.
She always felt that she could only make her own decisions, and dared not speak too confidently or do things too drastically. She was too protective of herself. Now she has changed. At least she is now confident in her relationship with Xiao Jingshi.
Zhang couldn't help but say, "Don't worry."
Having made her point clear, she got up to leave, but unexpectedly, Cui Ningzheng returned drunk and stumbled in. Upon seeing Zhang Shi, he remembered her affair with her cousin and punched her. Miaozhen, seeing him suddenly hit a woman, rushed over.
Zhang was startled, but then she saw Miaozhen somehow take a silver needle and prick Cui Ningzheng's hand, causing Cui Ningzheng to collapse to the ground.
"No matter what the reason, you can't hit a woman. Since you have a military rank, you should go to the front lines to serve."
Zhang hadn't expected Miaozhen to help her. She was instantly moved and asked Miaozhen, "Doctor Xu, is he alright?"
Miaozhen glanced at Cui Ningzheng, then said to Zhang Shi, "It's nothing, you'll be fine after a nap. Can you handle it?"
"Yes, he only acts like this when he's drunk. He wouldn't normally do that. Thank you so much today." Zhang Shi had shed her usual gentle demeanor and was now treating Miao Zhen with new respect.
Miaozhen felt that any normal person would stand up in such a situation, let alone her, who was no longer the lowly, unconnected female doctor she once was; her words and actions carried weight.
After she finished what she did today, she told Xiao Jingshi, "I had no choice at the time. I couldn't just watch him beat people, could I? I'll send someone to check on him later."
"It's nothing serious, so it's fine. You don't need to send anyone. I'll have someone go check on Cui Ningzheng," Xiao Jingshi said with a smile.
"I thought you would blame me?" Miaozhen said, somewhat surprised.
Xiao Jingshi laughed and said, "How could I blame you? On the contrary, you have impressed me by being willing to help the Zhang family."
“I’m not helping her, I’m helping women who are abused by their husbands. I’m not some savior, I just couldn’t live with myself.” Miaozhen doesn’t like to boast, she really did it subconsciously.
Cui Ningzheng woke up that night and started arguing with Zhang and his wife. Zhang said, "You've had a few drinks and you're already blaming your mother. You have so many prostitutes outside and so many concubines at home that they could fill a whole room."
Hearing this, Cui Ningzheng dared not make a sound. Seeing his behavior, Zhang Shi knew he was a coward and was relieved. She then personally came to thank Miaozhen, and even when Miaozhen went to provide free medical services, she followed along diligently. Lou Qiongyu couldn't help but say to Xiao Jingtang, "I don't know how Zhang Shi changed her ways. Now she doesn't even look at Fourth Brother, but she treats Fourth Sister-in-law very well, like a younger sister."
Zhang had always thought that a capable and robust man like Xiao Jingshi was competent, but she never imagined that a delicate woman like Miaozhen could also be talented and capable, even better than Xiao Jingshi. She didn't know why, but she just wanted to be closer to her.
This displeased Xiao Jingshi: "I saved her once, and she became attached to me. Now that you've saved her once, she's doing the same thing."
“It’s always better to have one less enemy than one more. She’s always wanted to find someone to rely on, so I told her that only she herself can be her savior. I mentioned that our female doctors can practice medicine and save lives in peacetime, and that many female soldiers help treat the wounded or wear down the enemy during battles. After listening, she seemed thoughtful, and it seems she has a plan,” Miaozhen said.
Using her connections with the main branch of the Cui family, Zhang secured a position for her husband in Datong. It was a substantive post, and he was under the command of Zhang Da, the general of Datong.
She even came to Miaozhen herself to tell her her plans: "If we encounter enemy troops, I am not afraid. I have heard that the men, women and even children in Datong are all on edge. I have learned a lot from you these days."
“You’ve really changed a lot,” Miaozhen said with a smile.
Zhang said, "I used to always think that I would attach myself to whoever was capable, but now I feel that if I fail, so be it, and life is not as hard as I thought."
I never expected Zhang to be this kind of person. It only took a moment for him to go from admiring heroes to becoming one himself.
No woman should be underestimated.
Lou Qiongyu secretly admired Miaozhen, who was able to turn a love rival into a friend and get rid of her without lifting a finger. This was even better than Gao Shi's.
After the start of winter, the Hanlin Academy closed its doors, and Xiao Jingshi was assigned to Xuanda as an imperial inspector under the Censorate. Miaozhen naturally had to go with her husband.
Although the Imperial Inspector was only a seventh-rank official, he represented the emperor and wielded considerable power. He could assess the performance of local officials and impeach corrupt officials, which suited Xiao Jingshi very well.
Master Xiao also said to Xiao Jingshi, "The Imperial Inspector, the Governor-General, and the Garrison Commander are all three high-ranking officials. Xuanda is also a military stronghold, so you should be more discreet."
When it comes to others, Master Xiao San asks them to let go, but he knows his nephew's temperament very well.
"Uncle, rest assured, I understand." Xiao Jingshi was already eager to take on the role, but it was a pity that the position of Imperial Inspector was only for one year. Otherwise, he would have really wanted to serve for three years.
After returning from the third house, Xiao Jingshi went to see Miaozhen first. Miaozhen smiled bitterly and said, "Everyone is saying that you should go to Shanxi for a year, so I'll let you go by yourself and let me stay in the capital."
"That won't do. Zhenzhen has to be by my side all the time." Xiao Jingshi just can't be without his wife and doesn't want to be separated from her for even a moment.
Miaozhen smiled and said, "Of course I'll go with you. The children are still young, and they'll get to see the sights and broaden their horizons. Besides, he's the Imperial Inspector of Xuanfu and Datong. I heard the court also requires you not to arbitrarily dispatch high-ranking officials from the Provincial Administration Commission and the Provincial Judicial Commission; not to mistreat or insult local military officers; not to humiliate law-abiding local officials; and not to demand that the prefect kneel before you. You can see how much power this Imperial Inspector has. I'll go with you to supervise you."
"Okay, I only want to be supervised by you." Xiao Jingshi was overjoyed as long as Miaozhen was with him.
After Miaozhen finished speaking, she was about to go back to pack her luggage when Xiao Jingshi pulled her into his arms. Miaozhen felt her chest being pressed against his and quickly tried to break free: "What evil spirit are you spouting in broad daylight?"
Xiao Jingshi took out a gold-flecked fan and tapped Miaozhen on the head: "Always so clueless about romance. What about during the day? Since ancient times, yin and yang have been in harmony. Even cats and dogs mate in winter. This is only human nature."
“You should take care of your health, that’s what I mean…” Miaozhen wrinkled her nose.
The couple burst into laughter.
Since they were only going to Xuanda for a year, Miaozhen would be carrying less luggage. She was saying to Lou Qiongyu, "Your fourth brother and third uncle have told Miaoge'er to go there to study."
This was the biggest concern for Lou Qiongyu and the others. Xiao Jingshi was going to Shanxi, and he had hired all the tutors, so he would have to take them with him. But Miao Ge'er would be without a tutor. Now that Miaozhen had told her about it, she had nothing to worry about.
"Fourth Sister-in-law, Eldest Sister-in-law just left not long ago, and now you've left too, leaving me all alone here with no one to talk to," Lou Qiongyu sighed.
Miaozhen patted her shoulder: "We're back in just one year. Originally, the Imperial Inspector was supposed to set off in August, but now we're leaving. I don't know why. But I think we'll be back pretty quickly."
Lou Qiongyu's father had also served as a county magistrate, so she had some guesses: "Maybe they're sending Fourth Brother to handle some big case. Sister-in-law, you must take good care of the children."
"Yes, I understand. You also need to take good care of your health. The capital is not like home; it's dry and windy, and you're prone to getting rashes on your face. Unfortunately, I haven't had time to make medicine this year, so you need to buy some medicine as soon as possible, lest your face become very itchy." Miaozhen said to her.
She hadn't noticed it when Miaozhen was around, but now that she was leaving, Lou Qiongyu was very reluctant to let her go.
Seeing Lou Qiongyu like this, Miaozhen laughed and said, "Oh dear, we're not leaving so soon, please stop being like this."
The people who couldn't live without Miaozhen were actually her patients, but Miaozhen thought that even without her, there were other doctors; out with the old, in with the new.
Fu-jie came over and asked, "Mother, do we need to bring so many things?"
“Yes, it’s only the beginning of winter, but it gets colder the further north we go, so we need to bring some thick blankets and furs, otherwise it will be very cold on the road. We also need to bring charcoal, so we can warm ourselves by the fire on the road.” Miaozhen then handed over a list for Xiaoxi to prepare.
As the eldest sister in the Xiao family, Fu Jie'er was more concerned about her than her younger siblings. She said, "Mother, I'm afraid you'll leave me in the capital. Although Aunt is good, I'd rather stay with you all."
Miaozhen understands this feeling best. Children don't really care about conditions; sometimes they just want to be with their parents.
Some of Xiao Jingshi's colleagues in the Hanlin Academy stayed in the Hanlin Academy to do self-criticism and editing, while others went to the Six Ministries or the Censorate. Some, like Xiao Jingshi, became imperial inspectors. Everyone went their separate ways, but their friendship remained.
Their fellow townsman Zhang Mianxue was appointed as a supervising secretary in the Ministry of Personnel. Xiao Jingshi invited him to a private banquet and said, "Brother Zhang and Brother Xie are now the heads of the six ministries. They are truly enjoying great success. I wish you continued promotion."
Zhang Mianxue said, "I originally thought you would be with us in the censorate, or perhaps stay in the Hanlin Academy. I never expected you to go to Xuanda as an imperial inspector. This is truly beyond my expectations."
"It was also beyond my expectations." Xiao Jingshi originally thought that he would at least be assigned to one of the Six Ministries.
Zhang Mianxue couldn't help but say, "I think it's because you wrote an essay called 'On the Loyalty and Forgiveness of Punishment' during the Mid-Autumn Festival. I heard that the Academician of the Academy greatly admired your essay and probably intends to cultivate you."
Xiao Jingshi thought to himself that if they really wanted to cultivate him, they should have kept him in the capital. Now that they had sent him to Xuanda, there must be a major case there, which was why they sent someone like him who had no connection with any of the parties. If he went along with the corrupt practices, he would be punished by the emperor. But if he stood out, even if many people slandered him, he could still rise steadily in rank.
He's not afraid of lone wolves or tigers, so why would he fear a few corrupt officials?
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Author's Note: My novel, *A Girl from a Humble Abode in the Ming Dynasty*, is participating in a Mid-Autumn Festival poetry contest. Interested readers are welcome to submit their poems in the comments section. The website is awarding prizes: First Prize - 10,000 Jinjiang Coins, Second Prize - 5,000 Jinjiang Coins, Third Prize - 2,000 Jinjiang Coins. There are also author-selected prizes: First Prize - 5,000 Jinjiang Coins, Second Prize - 3,000 Jinjiang Coins, Third Prize - 1,000 Jinjiang Coins. Many opportunities, but limited spots available, so please comment enthusiastically! The deadline is the 25th!
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