Chapter 85 (Combined Chapter)
Although Fu Jie'er also studied, she did not have to participate in the imperial examinations, so her studies were not so heavy. In her spare time, she followed Miao Zhen to learn medicine, identify herbs, study medical books and case records, and process medicinal materials.
If you're not going to learn, then don't learn. But if you're going to learn, then learn it well. Otherwise, you'll end up as a mediocre doctor, which will definitely kill people.
From a young age, Fu'er had been influenced by what she saw and heard. Now that she has officially started learning, she is even more serious about it than about her studies. This is because her mother's acceptance of her was a very formal matter; she is a disciple who carries on the mantle of her mother's teachings, not an ordinary person, and she cannot bring shame to her mother.
For her medical introductory books, she specifically chose "Introduction to Medical Classics," "Song of Meridians," and "Ode to the Properties of Medicinal Herbs." These books would take two years to learn, so Fu-jie'er had to study them diligently.
If you can persevere, that's when you truly begin; if you can't, you'll stop there.
Zheng Ge'er was handed over to Xiao Jingshi for his first education, while Miao Zhen mainly focused on teaching Fu Jie'er, which was quite easy for her. However, her life soon became much more difficult as many people came to her seeking medical help. Previously, due to various funerals in her family, people were hesitant to visit, but now that half a year had passed, people were starting to come.
The first person to come had postpartum back pain, to the point that she couldn't even stand up and walk.
Miaozhen took her pulse and saw that it was weak and thin, with a thin white coating on her tongue. She couldn't help but ask, "How many children have you had?"
"This is my fourth pregnancy, and my lochia has long since stopped. I don't know why this is happening," the sick woman said anxiously.
Miaozhen didn't answer directly, but asked what she did on a daily basis after giving birth. After hearing that her family owned a brick kiln and that she had been busy at the brick kiln almost after her confinement period, she couldn't help but say, "No wonder, Heye, you've been overworking your kidneys after childbirth, and wind and evil have entered your body."
He immediately prescribed Yangrong Zhuangshen Tang and said, "Take two doses first. If you are still in pain after two doses, add three qian of Rehmannia glutinosa to this prescription."
The woman received the prescription and left as if it were a priceless treasure.
Another grandmother brought her granddaughter to see a doctor. The little girl was only five or six years old and was thin and frail. A few days ago, she suddenly went mad, saying that there was a ghost upstairs and making a backward bowing motion. She had seen a doctor, who thought it was infantile convulsions and prescribed medicine for three days, but it was ineffective.
Miaozhen examined her closely and saw that she had a sore neck and back and a slight cold. She said, "This is not infantile convulsion, but a mild spasm that causes the child to sweat on its own. The child's appearance is frightening. You must go back and prepare the medicine quickly."
After saying this, he personally took the medicine for Hai Cang Gui Zhi Ge Gen Tang and handed it to the old woman.
The old woman's son and daughter-in-law run a business in Tiger Hill, Hangzhou. They are usually very busy, and she is afraid that if something bad happens to her grandson, she will have a hard time explaining it to them.
Another child contracted erysipelas. She first prescribed Fangfeng Shengma Decoction to relieve the symptoms, and then said, "Your child probably needs to expel the poisonous blood from inside."
"We'll leave it to Dr. Xu to arrange."
Miaozhen's years of studying pediatric methods were not in vain. This magnetic needle Bian technique is not like piercing with silver needles; it requires skill. First, take a piece of porcelain, gently break it, take out the sharpest piece, point the magnetic tip at the erysipelas, and gently tap it with chopsticks until blood comes out. Then, have someone bring a sharp betel nut to chop, dry it over a low fire, grind it into powder, mix it with rice vinegar, and apply it.
After the child left, another pregnant woman came in; it turned out she was experiencing morning sickness.
She didn't stop at all, and people were still coming in late at night. Miaozhen said, "That's all for today. If you need to see a doctor, come back tomorrow."
She had to turn down several outpatient appointments, which left Miaozhen exhausted by the end of the day.
Don't assume that people who see a doctor are tired; doctors are tired too.
That evening, Xiao Jingshi massaged her. Although Xiao Jingshi's technique wasn't particularly exquisite, he was strong enough, and Miaozhen was the kind of person who could withstand a lot of pressure. After being massaged by him for a while, she felt so comfortable that she cried out.
"Your period should start in a few days, right? Don't see patients for those few days, just rest at home." Xiao Jingshi knew that sitting for too long wasn't good.
Miaozhen readily accepted good advice. She was past the age where she had to work herself to the bone. In her younger years, she was too young to learn so much, which often caused her headaches, but now they have been relieved quite a bit.
After seeing patients the next day and resting for two days, Madam Mei happened to come over for a visit. She learned from Miaozhen that Xiao Suxin had forcefully told her about her daughter's engagement, which made Madam Mei furious and kept complaining.
"Honestly, even your father, though he used some tricks back then, never intended to force his daughter to marry into the family."
Miaozhen said, "I'm afraid my mother-in-law won't say anything now, but she'll blame me later."
"It's nothing. It's better that you two are capable. You can't force a cow to drink water if you don't make it."
Miaozhen didn't want to continue the topic, so she asked Madam Mei, "Mother, what are you busy with at home these days?"
Madam Mei smiled and said, "Your younger brother will be twenty years old soon, and our family needs to find him a wife. Your father also said that he is still an official, which is good for your brother to find a wife."
"Have you chosen a candidate yet?" Miaozhen asked, eating a roasted chestnut.
Madam Mei counted on her fingers and said, "Anyway, our family doesn't pick and choose those extremely wealthy and powerful families. We're all about the same. You can take a look at them too."
"Sure," Miaozhen said with a smile.
"One family is the daughter of Scholar Gong, who is also very beautiful and I heard she can read. Another family is Miss Yu from the silver shop, who speaks politely and seems clever. And the last family is the daughter of the prefectural magistrate." Madam Mei described the three families that seemed suitable.
Miaozhen asked, "Then what are their shortcomings?"
“Miss Gong is the eldest daughter who lost her mother, and her stepmother is in charge. I’m afraid that, like me, her family will be practically nonexistent, and her dowry will probably be meager. As for Miss Yu from the silver shop, she has two sisters. Your father said that the owner of the shop is ambitious but incompetent, and probably not cut out for running a business, especially since she only has daughters and is even less willing to work hard.” Madam Mei spread her hands.
Miaozhen coughed lightly: "What about the magistrate's daughter?"
Madam Mei shook her head: "This magistrate is interested in you because of your brother's background. He'll probably have a lot of demands when you marry him. Besides, they're from the Northwest. Your father said that southerners should marry southerners and northerners should marry northerners. That way, their customs won't be too different."
It sounds like none of them would work!
In important matters, Madam Mei listens to Xu Erpeng very much. It's not that she is naturally gentle, but rather that Xu Erpeng is quite good at judging people.
"Since none of these three people are suitable, are there any other candidates?" Miaozhen asked.
Madam Mei nodded: "There's no rush. Our family is now considered a minor official family, and we're also quite wealthy. Your younger brother has the title of Xiucai (a scholar who passed the imperial examination at the county level). Let's take our time choosing."
Seeing that her mother thought this way, Miaozhen felt relieved.
After returning from the Xiao family, Madam Mei was surprised to find that Xu Si Niang had come to visit, bringing her two children with her. Madam Mei didn't hold a grudge and, as usual, asked for some refreshments. She then asked, "Young lady, is there something you need today?"
"Where did you go, sister-in-law?" Xu Si Niang asked with a forced smile.
Madam Mei said, "I went to your niece's house."
After Miaozhen got married, she stopped contacting her relatives. Even when Xu Si Niang visited, she didn't know which way the Xiao family's gate faced, so she naturally didn't dare to act presumptuously.
When she lived with her parents, they never bought her anything. Now that she has children, she gives them everything they want. But this indulgence has cost them all the rent for the next year's shop.
She looked around, trying to borrow money, and asked for twenty taels: "I want to use it for next year's rent."
"Fourth Sister, you still owe us ten taels of silver." Madam Mei was unwilling to lend money. These people from the Xu family were the type to take advantage of a situation; if you softened your heart once, you would be entangled with them.
Hearing Mei's bluntness, Xu Si Niang blushed and said, "It's all because we're struggling to make ends meet."
“Regardless of whether we were struggling financially, when our daughter got married, we provided her with a dowry and a wedding gift. Now, your eldest and third brothers have abandoned our parents, and your second brother and I have to support our parents and send our two sons to school. Life isn't easy for us either,” Madam Mei said calmly, refusing to agree.
Xu Si Niang had anticipated this outcome, so she left dejectedly. The next day, she went to Miao Lian's place again. Miao Lian was a peddler, and her business was quite good. She and He Huai had bought one or two shops, selling small trinkets like hair combs and rouge. Business was so-so, mainly relying on Miao Lian visiting people's homes.
It was very difficult to get started in this industry. I faced countless rejections and a lot of pressure. But now that I've made it through, it's much better to have a stable network of acquaintances.
When Xu Si Niang arrived, Miao Lian was sleeping at home, while He Huai was minding the shop alone. Upon hearing that Xu Si Niang was coming, Miao Lian yawned and got out of bed.
"You seem to be having a very comfortable time," Xu Si Niang said with a smile.
Miaolian tied her clothes sash and looked at Xu Si Niang who had come empty-handed. Her eyes dimmed slightly. No one had ever told her that she should bring gifts when visiting someone's home. She only learned how to give gifts when she visited her second uncle's house.
"How do you all eat lunch?" Xu Si Niang asked, trying to make conversation.
Miaolian laughed and said, "We have an old maid in our family who cooks and cleans. There's no other way. He Huai's mother can't stay here forever."
Xu Si Niang thought that Miao Lian was really shrewd. She had let He Huai's mother raise her children day and night, turning a strong woman into a toothless, withered old woman, and then she abandoned her.
But she had come to borrow money, so she couldn't speak ill of Miaolian. She could only say, "You're right. No matter how good a mother-in-law is, she and her daughter-in-law can't get along."
"Mothers-in-law all dote on their sons and grandsons; it's none of my business," Miaolian said with a smile, looking at Xu Si Niang with a leisurely air.
Xu Si Niang stammered out her request: "The landlord is pressuring me to pay, and I have no choice. You know my second brother; he's never been very easy to get along with, unlike you guys."
Upon hearing that Xu Si Niang had gone to Xu Er Peng's house, Miao Lian said, "I heard that Sister Zhen Zhen came back for the funeral? I haven't seen her."
“They’ve always looked down on people like us. To be honest, you’re just not vain. If you were like her, you’d definitely be living a better life.” Xu Si Niang said these things on purpose to please Miao Lian.
Miaolian was thinking of her three sisters. Her eldest sister, Miaoyun, was nowhere to be found, and her second sister had married into a wealthy family and no longer lived with them. Only she was left.
Looking at Xu Siniang again, Miaolian said, "Twenty taels is quite a lot."
“Yes, if it were only a few taels, I wouldn’t have come to borrow from you.” Xu Si Niang pursed her lips.
Seeing that Miaolian neither agreed nor disagreed, Xu Siniang pleaded for a while longer before she finally gave her twenty taels of silver: "Take this for now, it's all I have. You must pay me back next year."
After receiving the money, Xu Si Niang stepped out of her house and breathed a sigh of relief.
She used the money to pay the rent, reopened her business, earned a few days' worth of money, made clothes for her children, and then smiled happily while holding the clothes.
Miaozhen was unaware of these family matters. After the most painful days of her period passed, she reopened her clinic. This time, she asked Fu'er to come and record the medical cases. She needed to learn how to record medical cases first to understand what specific areas to look at when treating patients. No matter how many books you read, nothing is as insightful as actually seeing patients in person.
Fu Jie'er is very busy all day long, while Wei Jie'er has not started studying. She mostly follows Lou Qiongyu to do needlework and copy some calligraphy. She said, "Eldest sister is learning medicine from Fourth Aunt all day long. She is even more diligent than when she was studying. We sisters used to talk together often, but now we don't even have time to talk anymore."
"Don't worry, I've already spoken to your father. We'll hire a female tutor for you to teach you to read," Lou Qiongyu said, stroking Wei Jie'er's head.
Wei Jie'er had a very good temperament, and she didn't react negatively to Lou Qiongyu's words.
However, Lou Qiongyu also had something troubling her, namely Xia Xianjie. It was said that Wu, the concubine of the first wife, had given birth to the eldest son, but after they went to their posts together, the child was lost. Wu was so grief-stricken that she also passed away. Xia Xianjie's position was now very secure.
Now that Xia Xianjie's son is so clever and adorable, Chao Shi likes him very much. Who would be so blind as to mention Aunt Wu and her son?
Of course, these things had nothing to do with her, but she remembered her mother telling her that her cousin Ding had married hastily and become a second wife, and that her life was very difficult, especially after she became a widow and was bullied by her stepson. Ding Jiaoyu had long since passed away, and there was no one to stand up for her.
Her mother told her to talk to Madam Chao. After all, Xiao Jingyan was also a student of Instructor Ding back then, and the two of them almost got married. It was only out of a sense of duty, but in doing so, Xia Xianjie might easily hold a grudge. But she couldn't worry about that now.
After letting Sister Wei go back first, she went to the main house.
If it were true that the Chao family already felt indebted to the Ding family, then naturally they would send Xiao Jingyan to intimidate them. When Xia Xianjie found out about this, she said to her trusted confidante Qiqiao, "They say that a dog that bites doesn't bark, and now that I think about it, it's really true."
Qiqiao snorted coldly: "What does this have to do with Sixth Grandmother? Even if Ding is her cousin, are all the people in her Lou family dead? Why does she want our Master to come over?"
Xia Xianjie has had a son and established herself in the past few years. She is naturally intelligent and manages all social interactions very well. Xiao Jingyan had neglected her for a while, but later he couldn't bear to part with her again.
Therefore, her temperament became much more peaceful, and she had everything she needed.
As for the concubines her family helped her take in, she didn't feel anything about them anymore. Anyway, these people were all around her and were extremely loyal to her.
Life was going well until Ding became a widow. At this time, Lou Qiongyu stirred things up, which was completely like provoking a major disaster.
"She fed me maggots, so I retaliated in kind," Sister Xia sneered.
Qiqiao smiled and asked, "What does Grandma plan to do?"
"What else do I need to do? Don't we already have someone ready to go?" Sister Xia blinked.
Qiqiao thought for a moment before finally saying, "You're not talking about Miss Qin Biao, are you?"
This Miss Qin is a distant granddaughter of Old Madam Xiao. Although she is distant, she is not actually related to the old lady by blood. However, when the old lady returned to her parents' home two years ago, she was entrusted by her family to be raised by them. The girl is quite beautiful and talented, but she has lost both her parents and is worried about where to go.
"Who else could it be but her? She's already destitute. Our madam is kind-hearted, but she's not related to our family after all. Where will she go after the old lady's mourning period is over? Since that's the case, I might as well help her find a way out." Sister Xia was very confident.
She may not be as good as others in other things, but she is very good at these things.
But Qiqiao worried, "What if Sixth Master disagrees with our idea?"
"That depends on Miss Qin's methods. If she's not very capable, I'll tell that guy surnamed Lou to make her feel disgusted. If Miss Qin is skillful, then I'll have become a celebrated figure. Men are all like that. You all say Xiao Jingshi is good, but how old is he? Xu Miaozhen is capable. When he's truly successful, why would he still care about his wife?" Sister Xia has figured these men out thoroughly over the years.
Regardless of what Xia Xianjie's methods might be in the future, Xiao Jingheng, the eldest son of the second wife, actually shared a similar view with Xia Xianjie, and even felt that his younger brother was wronged: "How could Shi Di be afraid of his wife with his personality? I just can't understand it."
Han Yueyao, who was spinning thread to the side, looked up at him and said, "Isn't it good that they have a good relationship as a couple?"
"That's good, but it's not advisable to go out and see anything. Haven't you heard anything about it?"
Han Yueyao had certainly heard that Miaozhen was somewhat jealous and had a bad reputation, but these rumors were just gossips spread by jealous women in the clan, and no one would take them seriously.
Besides, she remembered Miaozhen's kindness, so she said, "No one said anything, they just said whatever came to mind. It's just that those people don't like her. People like Lao Wu's wife can only talk about these things."
Xiao Jingheng shook his head: "I think Fourth Sister-in-law has sharp eyes and often speaks very sharply. Unfortunately, she is lucky and her medical skills are valued in the palace. Now, Fourth Brother still has a place to rely on her. If she doesn't become more virtuous in advance and prepare a few virtuous people, things might not look good later."
Han Yueyao didn't understand: "What happens in their room is none of your business..."
"That's not quite right. A husband and wife share both glory and misfortune. If they are not on good terms, it will affect the fourth prince's career, which would be bad." Xiao Jingheng himself admired others. If his wife could have such a career, he would definitely support her. He was envious in his heart but had to say no. Even Han Yueyao couldn't quite understand his feelings.
Miaozhen was able to handle the situation fairly well the previous two days, but on this day, there were so many people that she couldn't keep up. She saw patients until noon, and then she closed her clinic to go eat.
Unexpectedly, an old woman pointed at her and said, "Why isn't Dr. Xu seeing patients anymore? Doctors need to eat too!"
Miao Zhen couldn't help but laugh wryly at these words. She ate her meal and drank her soup in her room before going to the clinic to see the patient. Fortunately, only three people were allowed in at a time, otherwise the courtyard would have been packed to the brim.
However, this medical visit was not without its rewards. She encountered a patient who turned out to be a relative of Lu Shi'an. This person was unaware of the past grievances and was boasting, "We are not an ordinary family either. Our family has produced scholars who passed the imperial examinations and served as officials in Yunnan."
Miao Zhen feigned surprise and said, "Who is it? We might even know each other if you tell me."
Upon hearing the man's name, Miao Zhen thought it was indeed Lu Shi'an. She couldn't help but ask, "I've heard of him, but I don't know him very well. However, I heard he was raised by his aunt or maternal aunt? Why did he go back to your Lu family?"
The Lu family members, having nothing better to do, started gossiping to show off their knowledge: "She's our aunt, also a daughter of the Lu family. However, her daughter married someone from a very far place. To be honest, we don't know why she would agree to a marriage so far away. But she had no choice but to marry someone from so far away. I once heard that she was doing some shady business. Luckily, Shi'an is kind-hearted and even provided a dowry."
After she finished speaking, a member of the Lu family who had accompanied her said, "What do you mean by a dowry? It was the mother and daughter who begged for it desperately. I even saw Aunt Lu begging for money once. She asks for dowry money for her daughter every few days."
Miao Zhen thought that the mother and daughter probably saw through Lu Shi'an's character long ago and married him off after getting the money.
Then, at night, the couple rarely slept together anymore, and they were both busy during the day. It was rare for them to sit down and talk together. Xiao Jingshi saw that she was wearing a nightgown and had just washed her hair. Her hair was loose and she looked lazy. He immediately had a thought and put his arm around her, rubbing against her.
They were already husband and wife, so Miaozhen knew all this, but she said, "You're still in mourning, so just bear with it and don't let people laugh at you."
"I've already prepared that stuff. Have some pity on your poor husband. Don't you miss me at all? I don't believe it."
The once imposing Xiao Jingshi is now like a child begging for candy, leaving Miaozhen helpless. She had no choice but to grant his wish, especially since she herself had been celibate for so long. The two of them were like a spark ignited between heaven and earth.
When Miaozhen got up the next day and dressed, she still felt sore all over, but overall she felt very relaxed, and she even blushed a little.
At noon, Xiao Jingshi had ordered someone to send over some nourishing soup. When she saw it, she scolded him, "If you do this, aren't you going to announce it to everyone? That's not good."
"What's wrong with that? I made it for my wife, is that wrong?" Xiao Jingshi flicked Miaozhen's nose.
Miaozhen asked, puzzled, "Why do you always bite my cheeks and arms? It doesn't hurt, but it feels weird."
"Ahem." To avoid embarrassment, Xiao Jingshi changed the subject: "My sixth brother told me today that he wanted me to recommend him to study at the Imperial Academy. I think he just wants to coast along, but I still agreed."
Miaozhen sighed, "We don't care, but we're afraid your sister-in-law won't agree."
Xiao Jingshi pinched the jade button on Miaozhen's collar: "She's probably too busy taking care of herself."
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