Chapter 72 (Combined Chapter)
It's almost 500 li from the capital to Xuanfu. Normally, it takes three to five days by post, but for ordinary people, it would take at least twenty or thirty days by land. Xiao Jingshi planned to arrive in about twenty days. He prepared the carriages and horses himself, which saved Miaozhen a lot of trouble.
Leaving the capital was a chance for her to rest and recuperate. Every time she went to the palace for medical treatment, she felt like she was going bald. Since preparing for the imperial examinations and going to the capital, she had lost more hair than she had given birth. She had achieved success in her career, and she knew she needed to balance work and rest.
With this free time, she realized that she wasn't having trouble sleeping, but rather that she had too many things to worry about on a daily basis. Now that she didn't have to worry about anything, she was able to sleep for four to five hours a day.
Lian Xiaojing looked at her face and asked, "What kind of rouge are you wearing?"
"No, I just washed my face, why would I put on rouge?" Miaozhen said.
Xiao Jingshi glanced at her face: "You look much better."
Miaozhen laughed and said, "That's because I've been sleeping all the time these past few days. You all have things on your minds, but I have nothing on my mind. I've been sleeping so soundly with Zheng-ge'er in my arms that I can't wake up at all."
"It's snowed outside. I plan to stay at the inn for two days. You should rest well." Xiao Jingshi was also from the south. At first, he was not used to the north because of the dry weather and cold winter. But now he was quite used to it.
But he knew about his wife's anxiety, especially when she went to Beijing for the entrance exam. She studied day and night to memorize those things, and her hair was everywhere—on the bed, on the pillow, and on the floor.
Not to mention that after each visit to the palace, she would pray at home that the patients she treated would be alright. She also had to worry about things both at home and outside, so she was constantly on edge. Now that she's out for some fresh air, she feels much better.
Miaozhen then asked him, "Where did you go before we left the capital the other day?"
"I went to see Eunuch Huang," Xiao Jingshi said with a smile.
Miaozhen said "Oh," realizing that was the case. She meant that Xiao Jingshi was not even thirty years old yet, so how could he be appointed as the Imperial Inspector of Xuanda? So that was the reason.
Xiao Jingshi asked her a few more questions before leaving. Miaozhen called the children over for dinner. Fu Jie'er came fully armed, wearing a hat, earmuffs, and woolen gloves. She complained of the heat as soon as she entered the room.
Miaozhen had some of her clothes returned to her, and then said with a smile, "The inn is not like home, so you're not allowed to be picky about food."
"Don't worry, I'm not a picky eater," Sister Fu said with a grin.
Zhao Ge'er played with Zheng Ge'er on the side. The two brothers were several years apart in age, but it was still strange that they could play together.
In the morning, someone delivered rice porridge, plum blossom dumplings, goldfish dumplings, four side dishes, and two dishes of pickles. Miaozhen and the others were eating when they heard a commotion outside. Xiaoxi hurriedly said, "It must be other officials coming."
"That should be true, this post station is a passage between the north and the south," Miaozhen said.
Xiao Xi understood.
Over the years, Xiao Xi has matured and become much more capable than before. In addition, Tian Jie and Mi'er were bought before her marriage, and they are not young anymore. She will let them go out to get married next time she returns to Beijing.
After the meal, Miaozhen taught Fujie how to make knots and split threads, while Zhengge played pitch-pot by himself in the room. Then a maid came in and said, "Grandma, the wife of the Prefect of Xinzhou has sent an invitation."
The wife of the prefect of Xinzhou?
Before Miaozhen could speak, Xiao Jingshi outside sent a message saying that Zhang Shihua, their classmate whom they had met before, had been transferred to Xinzhou as the prefect, and that Miaozhen should not stand on ceremony.
Zhang Shihua? Then wouldn't that mean he'd run into Miaoyun again?
It was quite a coincidence that they ran into each other halfway through their few trips, which even surprised Miaoyun. When Miaoyun first met Miaozhen, Miaozhen was just a scholar's wife. Miaoyun was already the wife of a county magistrate, and now she was the wife of a prefect. Zhang Shihua had risen through the ranks quite quickly, while Miaozhen was an imperial inspector. Although her rank was lower than that of a prefect, her power and responsibilities were enormous. She represented the emperor on his inspection tours of Xuanfu and Datong, and even her own husband had to curry favor with her.
"Second sister, it's true what they say, life is full of unexpected encounters," Miaoyun said with a smile.
Miaozhen also said, "Sister, you are still as beautiful as ever."
Miaoyun was dressed in fine clothes and fur coats. Looking at the snow outside, she couldn't help but laugh and said, "I used to hate winter the most. I didn't have leather boots to wear, and my cotton shoes would get soaked when I walked in the snow. I also didn't have a fur coat to wear, so I was always shivering from the cold. Moreover, I was at the age when I cared about my appearance, but I always had a runny nose. I didn't know why. Later I found out it was because I was so cold."
"Now it's all right, isn't it?" Miaozhen said with a smile.
Miaoyun sat down, took a sip of hot tea, and looked at Miaozhen, saying, "I can only talk about the past with you."
Over the years, her identity has remained undiscovered, likely because Miaozhen covered for her. Naturally, she often brings up the past. Miaozhen, however, doesn't intend to tell her about Xu Ling, because Xu Ling already knows the truth and is even inquiring about it everywhere. If they encounter each other in the future, there will likely be some trouble.
But Miaozhen was concerned about her using her own name, so she pointed it out to her: "Elder sister, I met Madam Qiu in the capital. She said that I was a female teacher at her relative's house, which startled me. Nowadays, everyone in the world knows that I study medicine. Even the Emperor has issued an edict to praise me. Who in the world is still using my name? But I think I will let bygones be bygones. If it happens again in the future, I will definitely not forgive it."
Unlike her father Xu Yiming, Miaoyun was very honest. She said to Miaozhen, "Actually, it was me. When I was a female teacher, everyone else claimed to be a great person, but I didn't. So I borrowed your identity. But don't worry, it didn't work after I left."
After she said that, Miaozhen couldn't say anything more. She just looked at her and said, "Sister, it's fine if you had no choice in the past, but please don't do it again in the future."
"Don't worry, I won't," Miaoyun said with a smile.
Since Miaoyun had been honest about the matter, Miaozhen couldn't say anything more. In fact, Miaoyun was very good at dealing with people. Although the maids around her were bought from outside, they were all loyal. When they saw the beggars at the inn, they even had someone bring them steamed buns and hot soup.
She also said to Miaozhen, "Seeing how well you and your brother-in-law get along, I'm truly happy for you."
“But Lord Zhang doesn’t have any concubines either,” Miaozhen said.
Miaoyun shook her head: "It's not that he didn't have concubines, and it wasn't for me, it was purely for his own reputation. Although he didn't formally take a concubine, which of the maids in my room, or any decent-looking girl in the house, hasn't he gotten involved with one? I just turned a blind eye."
Miaozhen thought Zhang Shihua should be very worldly-wise and cherish her hard-won life, so why was she like this? For some reason, in the end, she sincerely wished Miaoyun well: "Sister is now the wife of the prefect, and her fortunes will surely turn around in the future."
Miaoyun smiled and said to her, "You too."
After the snow stopped, both families set off at the same time. Miaozhen and Miaoyun tacitly stopped seeing each other. Miaoyun was really kind-hearted. When she saw a woman selling herself to bury her father on the road, she didn't care whether it was true or not and gave her fifty taels of silver. She also said to everyone, "Whether it's true or not, with this money, her life will be better."
Miao Zhen remained silent, but Xiao Jingshi laughed and said, "Murderers and arsonists wear golden belts, while those who repair bridges and roads leave no trace."
Seeing that Miaozhen didn't speak, Xiao Jingshi looked at her again and said, "You don't feel bad spending money that you didn't earn yourself."
“I understand what you mean,” Miaozhen said.
After traveling for five or six days, they arrived at the next post station. Miaoyun and the others tactfully went ahead first. Miaozhen got off the carriage and saw two coffins lying across the middle of the road.
"Seeing a coffin brings wealth, seeing a coffin brings wealth," Miaozhen murmured twice, and then sent someone to inquire.
Soon someone came over and said, "These are the bodies of soldiers who fought on the front lines."
So that's how it is. Although Miaozhen was not clear about the major events and people, she did know one thing: in the 29th year of Jiajing's reign, Qiu Luan bribed Altan Khan to bypass Datong, causing him to advance eastward and plunder the capital region, while he himself claimed the military merits.
She didn't know about other people, but Qiu Luan was no good.
Miao Zhen said to Xiao Jingshi, "Isn't Cui Ningzheng from next door in Datong? Why don't I write him a letter? When we meet again, it will be especially warm and friendly."
"Don't rush. Cui Ningzheng is a mediocre man. He might not even know about any truly important matters," Xiao Jingshi said confidently.
"Nowadays, there are many factions in the court. I've heard that the Imperial Inspector is usually a local official who is close to the people. You should be careful." Miaozhen herself probably wouldn't dare to take on such an important responsibility.
You must know that being an official involves not only the duties of the official position, but also personnel arrangements. Miao Zhen was really worried about Xiao Jingshi. Xiao Jingshi looked at his wife and said, "Although I am young, it doesn't mean I don't have the means. Don't worry."
Miaozhen usually only pays attention to her own affairs and doesn't know much about Xiao Jingshi. But she remembers that he can easily earn tens of thousands of taels of silver, is good at studying, and has a very strong ability to deal with Lu Shi'an without being reckless. He can seize the right opportunity to strike and can even deal with tigers and wolves.
Where did her father find such a person?
Just as Miaozhen and the others were on their way to their new posts, Cen Yuan was also promoted to the position of Director of the Ministry of Revenue. He was able to finally vent his frustrations. Xiao Jingshi went to a local post, while he went to one of the Six Ministries. He had essentially sided with Yan Song and his son, and naturally, he rose rapidly through the ranks.
Of course, he hasn't reached the main figure yet; he's still on the fringes, but that's enough.
Xiao Suyin was not at home today; she had gone back to her parents' home. Cen Yuan went to eat at Aunt Zhou's place. Aunt Zhou was originally a maid who served in his study. She was very beautiful, and he thought she was quite obedient and well-behaved, unlike Xiao Suyin, who was always thinking about her own reputation and often acted without thinking.
Even better, Zhou gave birth to a son and a daughter in succession. She was a very considerate person. For example, when the two of them were having a meal together, Zhou ate her food with relish, unlike Xiao Suyin, whose meals were bland.
The braised cherry meatballs and steamed spicy eel were better; Aunt Zhou's lips were red from eating them, which made Cen Yuan's mouth water, and he ate an extra bowl of rice.
"You just love to eat," Cen Yuan teased Aunt Zhou.
Aunt Zhou smiled and said, "That's all I know how to do."
After the two finished their meal, Cen Yuan, feeling full and warm, began to indulge in lust. He and Aunt Zhou lowered the bed curtains and played dice inside. They then took off their clothes and made love. The red curtains were filled with the sounds of their lovemaking. Only after Xiao Suyin returned did Cen Yuan triumphantly emerge from Aunt Zhou's room.
Xiao Suyin was saying to Erxi, "You originally had a daughter, now you should hurry up and have a son."
“If you don’t come to my place, there’s nothing I can do,” Erxi said, head bowed.
Xiao Suyin originally promoted Erxi to use her as a counterbalance, but she didn't expect that Aunt Zhou was still so powerful. Now even Aunt Zhou's father has become a minor official in Wu County. You know, the brother of the second wife, Lou Shi, is a local bigwig, but he only managed to become a clerk.
Aunt Zhou's younger brothers were also arranged to study at the Chao family, and it is said that they did quite well.
For the time being, the Zhou family cannot compare with the Xiao family. After all, the younger generation of the Xiao family has an elder brother who has already passed the imperial examination and a cousin who has also passed the imperial examination. However, in the face of the imperial examination, today's peasants may be tomorrow's officials. Everyone is equal.
“Never mind, she was just a concubine after all,” Xiao Suyin said.
Erxi thought that all the women in this mansion were obedient to their husbands, and Aunt Zhou was especially good at understanding the master's thoughts. They were all inferior to her in both appearance and mind. However, the mistress of the house had the ability to do so, but it seemed that her status destined her not to flatter or curry favor.
In fact, Xiao Suyin also felt that she didn't need to do that. Look at her fourth brother and sister-in-law. Her sister-in-law was busy with her medical skills and free clinics all day long, and her fourth brother, a grown man, often had to take care of the children at home. Her fourth brother was such a dashing and capable person, yet he still did the same thing.
Even though the third sister-in-law was quite old when she married the third brother, and the third brother had a concubine, he treated his third sister-in-law with the utmost respect.
Why should I lower myself like this? Does he think he's the emperor?
Xiao Suyin was born out of wedlock and longed for someone to truly respect and acknowledge her, but she never expected that the relationship between husband and wife would make her so uncomfortable.
Third Madam Rao also heard about the Cen family's affairs. She wouldn't help her illegitimate daughter make a scene at her son-in-law's house, but she talked about it enthusiastically. Soon, many people couldn't help but step forward to advise Cen Yuan not to favor his concubine over his wife. This angered Cen Yuan and Xiao Suyin, and their relationship deteriorated to the point where they were as cold as ice.
Previously, Xiao Suyin could have complained to Miaozhen, because her fourth sister-in-law was a very outspoken and righteous person who kept her mouth shut. She wouldn't say anything to her. But now, she didn't even have anyone to talk to.
Meanwhile, Miaozhen had already arrived in Datong, where local officials welcomed her with cannon fire, a truly grand occasion.
After settling his wife and children in, Xiao Jingshi went to Xuanfu incognito, while Miaozhen stayed at the mansion. She had never been to the Northwest for the New Year before, especially Datong, which was the most important town among the nine border towns and had a wide variety of delicious food, such as the Hundred Flower Shaomai.
She ate shumai in her previous life, but she had never tasted such authentic and delicious shumai.
Besides the Hundred Flowers Shaomai, there are many other delicious foods that make one's mouth water. Knowing that Hunyuan Astragalus is famous, Miaozhen even sent her servant Ping'an to buy a lot of it.
Xiao Xi said, "I wonder when our Fourth Master will return? Why did he leave you and the young masters and ladies here as soon as he came back?"
With no adult male head of the household and people peeking around outside, Xiao Xi was quite scared in this unfamiliar place.
Miaozhen thought that Xiao Jingshi's move was like a surprise attack. Everyone thought that he had moved his whole family to Datong, but they didn't expect that he went directly to Xuanfu. He was just using his family as a smokescreen, so Miaozhen was living a normal life.
"It's almost Chinese New Year, and I'm short of some medicinal herbs. Luckily, he doesn't have to go to the government office, so I asked him to handle it for me. It won't be quick. Don't let anyone into the house on ordinary days. If there's an invitation, just bring it to me first."
Xiao Xi paused for a moment after hearing Miao Zhen's instructions.
Soon, someone came to visit. It was the wife of the magistrate of Datong County. She sent someone to bring a lot of New Year's gifts. Miaozhen was already at the door when she found out.
"Then please invite her in." She knew very well that this Madam Ma was probably here to test the waters.
A short while later, Madam Ma, the wife of the magistrate of Datong County, entered. Upon seeing Miaozhen, she feigned surprise and said, "The censor's wife is so young. We are late in visiting."
As the saying goes, corrupt officials are not made in a day; they gradually rise from small to large, and by the time they manage to extricate themselves, they are already stuck in a quagmire.
To put it simply, Madam Ma came to "corrupt" Miaozhen.
Unexpectedly, as soon as she sat down, she heard Miaozhen say, "When I held your hand just now, I accidentally took your pulse and found that your pulse was floating, tight and slippery, your face and head were swollen, and your tongue had a thin, white and greasy coating. You may have kidney disease caused by wind-water binding the lungs."
"Huh?" Madam Ma was completely baffled.
Miaozhen laughed and said, "To be honest, I am a palace physician, so when I see people, I get itchy to use my skills and feel embarrassed."
Madam Ma composed herself and remembered that she had felt chills when she woke up that morning, but she hadn't taken it seriously, thinking it was just because of the cold weather. She asked, "Madam Xiao, is this an illness?"
“It’s definitely an illness. If you don’t get treatment, your face may become more and more swollen, you may have difficulty breathing, and you may even suffer from kidney failure.” Miaozhen really wasn’t trying to scare her.
Mrs. Ma chuckled dryly a few times: "Is it really that serious?"
"Of course, you can ask a doctor to examine you if you don't believe me." Miaozhen took a sip of tea, looking relaxed.
...
A short while later, Madam Ma emerged from the Xiao family home. Not only had she failed to "corrupt" them and taken all the gifts back with her, but she also appeared worried, causing many officials who were preparing to take action to hesitate.
Miaozhen continued preparing for the New Year when Zhang Shi came to visit. Zhang Shi was an old acquaintance of hers, and she said with great enthusiasm, "Sister Xu, I didn't expect to see you again so soon."
“Yes, you’ve been here for a few months longer than us, so you must be quite familiar with the place by now, right? I’ve only just arrived, so you’ll have to teach me a lot,” Miaozhen said, holding her hand.
Zhang sighed, "It's almost like everyone here is a soldier. But the New Year is quite fun now, and Datong is quite prosperous."
Miaozhen asked with concern, "How does Commander Cui treat you?"
"Don't worry, don't worry, he doesn't dare to act recklessly now. It's just that he's a good-for-nothing, and I'm too lazy to talk to him. Sister Xu, you don't know how scared the officials in Shanxi are when my brother-in-law comes over," Zhang said with a smile.
Miao Zhen waved her hand, half-jokingly probing, "You know my master, he's very proud and arrogant. He originally thought he could at least stay in the Censorate, but he was unexpectedly sent out. Anyway, it's only for a year. Once it's over, we'll go back to the capital. We won't have time to deal with them."
Hearing Miaozhen say this, Zhang breathed a sigh of relief. She knew that the former Inspector Hu had quelled the mutiny in the army and was now on his way to inspect Beizhili. However, Inspector Hu was a member of Yan's faction, so he acted with great restraint.
However, Xiao Jingshi was just a young probationary official, and the Shanxi officialdom knew nothing about him. He didn't even have any resume, which made him uneasy.
Madam Ma was sent away when she went to visit, and it was said that she even fell ill, which made everyone even more fearful.
Zhang was also there to test the waters. She chatted with Miaozhen for a while, and when she saw that Miaozhen looked tired, she quickly took her leave.
After they left, when someone asked, Madam Zhang said, "The Censor's wife said that since the officials are currently on leave, her family is preparing for the New Year and has no time to deal with these things."
Some people were relieved to hear this, wishing that Xiao Jingshi would be more muddleheaded, while others who wanted to eliminate dissidents were inevitably disappointed.
Compared to Miaozhen dealing with these people, Miaoyun's life was much better. Her husband had been promoted to a high position, and she was the highest-ranking noblewoman in Xinzhou, so she was naturally in a good mood.
Zhang Shihua, however, was filled with worry. "When we came here with Xiao Jingshi, he only talked about poetry and songs, but I know him well. He's definitely not someone to be trifled with. I wonder what will happen?"
"In that case, we should be more cautious in Xinzhou." Miaoyun had long been dissatisfied with some of Zhang Shihua's actions, and it would be good if he could restrain himself a bit now.
Zhang Shihua said, "Although Xiao Jingshi was my classmate in the provincial examination, I don't know him very well. But young people are always full of ambition. He is not even thirty years old yet he has been able to become an imperial inspector. This is already exceptional. I think this person will definitely achieve great things."
Hearing this, Miaoyun couldn't help but say, "The Xiao family is considered a wealthy family in Suzhou. The wealthier a family is, the less they care about petty gains. They naturally want to achieve something great and then use their influence for both public and private purposes once they are in a high position."
Miaoyun's analysis was correct, but these words made Zhang Shihua's expression change, because he came from a poor family and was only interested in petty gains, just coasting along in the officialdom, without any expectation of making any real achievements.
Therefore, Zhang Shihua said, "Both Xuan and Da are formidable figures. If he acts rashly, his fate will likely be even worse than mine. It's just a pity about his wife and children—"
Miaoyun dared not say anything more.
Xiao Jingshi returned on the eve of the Lunar New Year, and he really did bring back a lot of medicinal herbs for Miaozhen. When Miaozhen saw him, she smiled and said, "It's been a month since you came back. I was really worried that something might have happened to you."
"It's alright, I'm back. Let's have a proper New Year." Xiao Jingshi was in high spirits.
Seeing him like this, Miaozhen's mood also lifted, and she recounted how she had dealt with the people who had come to inquire over the past month. Upon seeing this, Xiao Jingshi couldn't help but give her a thumbs up: "Excellent, that's how it should be done."
"You're praising me randomly again," Miaozhen said.
Xiao Jingshi then said, "Wife, I've been eating noodles every day these days. Although noodles are delicious, I can't stand it anymore. Could you please tell the kitchen to make some rice?"
Although southerners also eat noodles, their staple food is still rice. They feel like they haven't eaten if they don't eat rice.
Miaozhen naturally had the kitchen staff make the arrangements, and then brought him a wedding invitation: "This is a wedding invitation from Fu Yu, the governor of Shanxi. The wedding is on the eighth day of the new year. Shall we go?"
Xiao Jingshi said with interest, "Go ahead, why not? I heard that Fu Yu is a devoted lover. His wife died while pregnant ten years ago, and he has never remarried. Now, his second wife's child looks a lot like his first wife, and Fu Yu is very resistant to it. Let's go and see what's going on."
The "white moonlight substitute" trope is all here! This is the first time Miao Zhen has encountered a real-life version of it; she thought it only existed in storybooks.
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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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