In front of the clinic, the family placed their dead daughter, demanding compensation from the clinic. They claimed their daughter died from taking the clinic's medicine, and they praised their daughter for her ability and filial piety, and how much they loved her.
As soon as Doctor Shi saw it, he knew what the family was doing.
The child was very thin and much smaller than his peers. His hands were so rough, they must have been worked a lot.
Some families favor sons over daughters and treat their daughters as a mere loss of money, not caring for them at all.
In the winter, the weather was cold, and sometimes it was the daughter who froze to death. She had very little and often suffered from cold and hunger.
"If you died from taking the medicine, just report it to the authorities." Doctor Shi wasn't afraid of being reported. Many people died of typhoid fever every year, and doctors couldn't cure everyone. If those who saw a doctor and then died demanded compensation, who would be willing to be a doctor?
The family was stunned as they didn't expect Doctor Shi to report him to the police.
"Did your daughter die of starvation or freezing? We'll know after an investigation," Doctor Shi said. "The county government has a coroner who knows some medical skills. How about that?"
"you……"
"Do you want to lift up her clothes and take a look at her hands to see if there are any purple bruises? Did you hit her?" Doctor Shi continued.
"She's my daughter, so what if I hit her?" the family member said. "I hit her before, but nothing happened to her. It's obvious that you killed her."
"Call the police! If you don't and continue to cause trouble, I'll do it for you." Doctor Shi said coldly, "Do you think your daughter is something you can make money from?"
Doctor Shi didn't like seeing people excessively favoring sons over daughters. It's okay to favor sons over daughters, but if it's excessive, that's not okay. This family treated their daughter very badly, and that was the main reason for her death.
However, this reason was so common that even when the case was brought to the county government, the family received no punishment. Many people could understand that the family valued their son more than their daughter, and given their limited financial resources, they naturally prioritized their son.
"Nonsense." The family was unwilling to admit this. "You are just bullying us because we have birth, old age, sickness and death, and we need to find doctors like you."
The family left, cursing. When they arrived, several men who appeared to be quite formidable had emerged from the clinic. Doctor Shi then threatened to report the matter to the authorities. Knowing they couldn't get any money, the family returned with their dead daughter.
"Bah, it's useless." The family felt that their daughter died in vain and was useless. She died so easily, and they would not be able to let their daughter continue to work in the future.
Doctor Shi looked at the people gathered around him, not worried at all that they wouldn't come back to see him in the future. "In recent days, quite a few people have bought cold medicine and cough syrup. I don't need to tell you whether the medicine is effective or not; you should be able to feel it."
"Yes, that pill is really good and very useful."
"After my son took the medicine, his fever subsided quickly and his forehead wasn't as hot anymore."
"It's good for children and adults, and it's cheap. It's pretty good."
…
Some people have used certain medications and found them very effective. They're also inexpensive, so they don't have to worry about not being able to afford them. If a medication is good, they might buy it again.
Doctor Shi resolved the matter directly, without having anyone bring the matter to the attention of the Liu family's eldest wife. Their clinic wasn't completely incompetent; they had been operating in this town for many years and had encountered similar situations before, so they knew how to handle them.
These scoundrels were afraid of seeing the officials and also afraid of thugs. Seeing that the clinic was about to report to the authorities, and that the clinic had guards, they didn't dare to cause any trouble. Ordinary people were afraid of seeing the officials and would avoid them if possible. Some scoundrels could tell that someone might have connections to the government, so they didn't dare to cause any trouble.
Doctor Shi thought the pills were very useful, and the clinic could earn some income from selling them. Although the prices were low, the accumulated amount was still very good.
The second branch of the Liu family lived in the town. Liu Yanbo heard what happened at the clinic and told Su Qiuya when he returned to the shop.
"I remember that Sui Xin Shop also sells some kind of medicinal pills." Su Qiuya heard this from a diner before.
"Yes." Liu Yanbo nodded, "But they rarely open."
Liu Yanbo believes that people from the eldest wife's family just can't endure hardship. They have shops in the town but don't know how to do business.
"The people at that clinic were really impressive. They directly asked to see the official," Liu Yanbo said. "They didn't even pay a penny."
"People like that shouldn't be given money." Su Qiuya believed that those people weren't good people at all. The doctors in the clinic treated patients, but they couldn't save everyone. If the doctors couldn't save them, those people shouldn't make a fuss. "If you give them money, they'll come back in the future, and others will follow suit."
Those families valued boys over girls, making them work like slaves at home. If they knew they could blackmail the clinic if a girl died, wouldn't others follow suit, and many more girls would die.
Su Qiuya didn't want such a thing to happen. She didn't care too much about other people, but that didn't mean she wanted to see such disgusting things.
"That's exactly what happened." Liu Yanbo nodded. "Fortunately, the people at the clinic are very capable and they solved the problem."
"Buy some more meat these two days, and I'll make it into bacon." Su Qiuya said, "After a while, I can also sell bacon steamed rice, which is very delicious."
Su Qiuya used to cook like that when she was in the capital, and it was very fragrant. She thought that ordinary people would not be willing to spend a lot of money to eat meat, so she controlled the cost. As long as the price was not too high, those people would buy it.
Su Qiuya had noticed that the shop was doing well recently. She also made some cakes and pastries to sell, which were also selling well. With the Lunar New Year approaching, many families were stocking up, even buying things they normally wouldn't.
Su Qiuya made a lot of cakes and sold them, and even asked the third wife to carry them to sell. Su Qiuya thought that the third wife lived next door to them, and even if the second wife came to the town, she would give the third wife some benefits, so the third wife would definitely stand on the side of the second wife and would not go against the first wife.
As for the fourth house, Liu Yanqing from the fourth house likes to gamble, so they can't get too close to the people from the fourth house.
"I have to buy some cloth to make new clothes for you and mom so you can celebrate the New Year." Su Qiuya did not forget this.
"Hasn't the new dress already been made?" Liu Yanbo asked. "Wouldn't it be inappropriate to make another one?"
"We still have money for clothes at home, don't worry." Su Qiuya said with a smile, "After arriving in town, we earn more. It's time to spend more money during the New Year."
Su Qiuya didn't want to have a miserable New Year, and she hoped that her family could live more comfortably.
"Okay." How could Liu Yanbo say no? His wife was considering him and his mother, so of course he had to say yes.
At General Xu's mansion, Mrs. Xu originally wanted He Xiyuan to celebrate the New Year at home, but He Xiyuan wanted to go to the Liu family with Liu Yanjing to celebrate the New Year.
"Do you really want to go?" asked Mrs. Xu.
"Yes, I have to go over there." He Xiyuan said, "Thank you, aunt, for helping me prepare these things."
He Xiyuan had previously asked Madam Xu to help prepare some things suitable for Liu Yulian, as well as some gifts for the Liu family. Since he had just left the military camp, he might not have the time to buy so many things, so he asked Madam Xu to prepare some, and he would add a few more, which would be enough.
"They say girls can't stay at home when they grow up, and the same goes for boys when they grow up." Madam Xu said with a smile, "I heard from your uncle that your future father-in-law's family will be able to return to the capital sooner or later. You don't have to worry too much about your grandmother's disapproval. Mother is just like that. Everything will be fine after the Liu family returns to the capital."
"Then she can still use her status as an elder to threaten me." He Xiyuan didn't think he was that stupid. If he went back without making any achievements, his grandmother would definitely think that Liu Yulian was not a good person and that he had tacitly agreed to cancel the engagement.
He Xiyuan didn't want to cancel the engagement just like that. He wanted to take the initiative and be able to compete with those people in his family.
"It's not easy to tell mother too much about what's happening here." Mrs. Xu originally planned to write a letter to the old lady to tell her about some things, but General Xu stopped her.
General Xu believed that since there was no further movement from the Emperor, there was no need to tell the old lady any more, lest the situation change and become unfavorable. Furthermore, the old lady's temper was definitely not something they could appease simply by praising the Liu family in a letter.
"If your brother can get better..." Mrs. Xu felt a headache when she thought of her eldest nephew. If her eldest nephew's legs could get better and he could become the crown prince, then the old lady would not have forced He Xiyuan so much.
"It will be alright." He Xiyuan said, "It will be alright. The throne of the Crown Prince belongs to my brother."
He Xiyuan never thought about becoming a prince. He studied so hard in his early years, knowing that the throne belonged to his elder brother, so he took the imperial examination. Who could have imagined that something bad would happen to his elder brother, causing problems with his legs, and that he would be confined to a wheelchair.
Over the years, the Chengguo Mansion has been looking for a miracle doctor, hoping that someone can cure Brother He Xiyuan's legs.
Previously, when He Xiyuan was in the capital, he heard people say that if Liu Yulian was not allowed to marry his brother, then the Chengguo Mansion would not be considered treacherous. He Xiyuan was particularly angry after hearing those words. He didn't think his brother was not good enough, but he had never thought of marrying anyone other than Liu Yulian.
Not to mention the age difference between Liu Yulian and his brother, the key point is that he has no intention of giving up Liu Yulian at all. What basis do those people have to say that?
He Xiyuan got angry just thinking about it. It was an insult to himself, to his brother, and to Liu Yulian.
Is it possible that because he is not mature enough and young, he has to agree to those things?
"I happened to be at the Liu family, and my eldest uncle told me that Sister Lian had read quite a few medical books. My eldest uncle's leg was injured, and it was Sister Lian's ointment that cured it," He Xiyuan said. "Didn't Sister Lian ask my eldest uncle to bring the prescription to my uncle?"
"I did bring it." Madam Xu said with a smile, "But your brother's legs are not that simple..."
Mrs. Xu sighed. If her nephew's leg could be healed quickly, they wouldn't have to go through so much trouble.
"Forget it, I'll ask Sister Lian. I don't know what kind of books she likes, so I'll bring her some medical books." He Xiyuan muttered. Sister Lian even bought land to grow crops. Sister Lian is really amazing.
"Okay." Mrs. Xu said.
In the capital, at Duke Cheng's Mansion, Old Madam He was not in a good mood when she saw that He Xiyuan had not returned to the capital yet.
"I asked you to write a letter to the Liu family to cancel the engagement. Have you done it?" Old Madam He looked at the wife of Duke Chengguo. "If you don't, I will write it for you."
Madam He believed that the Liu family had been exiled and it would be difficult for them to return to the capital. Even if they did return, it would not be a marquisate, so there was no need for her grandson to marry Liu Yulian.
"Mother." Lady Chengguo had just visited the palace a few days ago and heard from her elder sister, the Imperial Concubine, that the Liu family might be able to return to the capital soon. The Imperial Concubine didn't say much about the Liu family, only that He Xiyuan's engagement should continue. "The Imperial Concubine said it would be best if they could be together."
"You're using the Imperial Concubine to pressure me?" Old Madam He was unhappy. "Your son hasn't even married anyone yet, but he's already abandoned literature and embraced martial arts, running off to the battlefield where swords and spears are blind. And you don't have any temper at all? If a woman like that really came into our family, would Yuan'er listen to you or her?"
"Then we can just leave it to him." Lady Chengguo had long felt how much her youngest son valued Liu Yulian. If he didn't value her, how could he possibly give up literature and pursue military action?
The reason why the youngest son did that was because he was worried that the old lady did not like Liu Yulian and was afraid that the old lady would force him to cancel his engagement with Liu Yulian.
Lady Chengguo had always respected Madam He, her mother-in-law, and she didn't want her mother-in-law to make trouble at this time. Liu Yulian hadn't reached the age of marriage yet, and her son had only been in the northwest for a few months, so there was still time to wait.
If their son couldn't stand the hardship of the northwest and returned, it would mean that his son and Liu Yulian were not destined to be together. If their son continued to persevere, then they should also help He Xiyuan and Liu Yulian get together.
"Let him?" Madam He frowned. "You don't care about your son? Are you waiting for your daughter-in-law to put pressure on you?"
"That's impossible," said Lady Chengguo. "Mother, the eldest young master of the Liu family has also gone to the military camp."
"That's really helpless. The Liu family has been exiled, so they can only fight on the battlefield." Old Madam He said, "How can they compare to my precious grandson?"
“…” Lady Chengguo was speechless.
"There are so many good girls in the capital, and the girls from your mother's family are better than those from the Liu family." Old Madam He said this deliberately.
"That's not what you mean." Lady Chengguo thought it was ridiculous. She really didn't want her niece to marry He Xiyuan.
He Xiyuan was engaged, so it was impossible for Lady Chengguo to talk nonsense to her family. Even if some people in her family had some ideas, Lady Chengguo did not give in.
"That's not what you said, what do you say?" asked Mrs. He.
"Brother Yuan fought on the battlefield just to keep his engagement with Miss Liu. If you write a letter like this to cancel the engagement, he'll be heartbroken. If he continues to stay in the barracks, what will happen if he loses his focus on the battlefield?"
"..." Madam He was silent. Forget it, then wait a little longer.
In Shiyuan Village, Liu Yulian was unaware of the events unfolding in the capital. She was looking at the bundles of things in the house. He Xiyuan and Liu Yanjing had returned together for the New Year, bringing with them a considerable amount of gifts.
"Is this the room we stayed in last time?" He Xiyuan asked. He had previously told Liu Yanjing that he would spend the New Year here.
Liu Yanjing glanced at He Xiyuan and said, "Yes, it's that room. It should be unchanged."
"No, it hasn't changed." Liu Yulian said with a smile, "I just dried the quilts two days ago. They are all new quilts."
"It must be very warm there." He Xiyuan looked at Liu Yulian. Sister Lian must also be hoping that he would come over to celebrate the New Year. Look, Sister Lian has already tidied up the house.
In fact, Liu Yulian prepared it because she heard from Liu's father that He Xiyuan was coming. Liu's father sometimes went to give Liu Yanjing some things, so he knew some things.
He Xiyuan thought about what he could do here, so he just bought some food and some cloth. He also prepared a pair of pearl hairpins and earrings for Liu Yulian, because the little girl wanted to dress up a little.
But he also thought that he was in the military camp and not with Liu Yulian. If Liu Yulian dressed up beautifully, those people would target her and propose marriage to her.
While in the military camp, He Xiyuan heard from people around him that girls from the countryside were often betrothed early. Some families couldn't afford to raise children, so girls were sent directly to their husband's house when they were seven or eight years old. Even some families who raised daughters would have men come to propose marriage to their daughters when they were twelve or thirteen years old.
Liu Yulian is also at this age, and He Xiyuan is worried because Sister Lian is so capable.
He Xiyuan thought of the dream he had again. Even without him, there were still other people who liked Sister Lian, and Sister Lian would have no trouble finding a husband.
"Is there any work to do?" He Xiyuan asked. "I can do it."
"Just kill chickens and ducks." Liu Yulian said.
Mrs. Xie went to the village specifically to buy a few chickens and ducks for the New Year. They hadn't processed the chickens and ducks yet, as they were a large family and ate them quickly, and the weather was cold, so they could probably process two more.
"I can." He Xiyuan said.
"You can?" Liu Yulian was surprised.
"When we were in the military camp, sometimes we wanted to have a snack, so we would go to the nearby mountains to hunt pheasants and rabbits." He Xiyuan was honest, the food in the military camp was not that good, so they sometimes had to make something for themselves.
He Xiyuan had previously enjoyed excellent food at the Duke of Cheng's mansion, but now that he was in the northwest and at the military camp, living conditions were vastly different. He didn't find these days difficult at all, and instead felt hopeful.
"Brother, you've seen me handle it." He Xiyuan said, "My skills are pretty good, right?"
"Let's go to the yard." Liu Yanjing decided to take He Xiyuan to the yard to deal with the chickens and ducks.
"You just came back. Go and rest first. We don't need you." Mother Liu said hurriedly.
"It's okay, it's just a small matter." Liu Yanjing said, "You can go and take care of other things. Xiyuan and I also have something to do. We can't just sit and wait for food while watching you busy yourself."
"Yes, big brother is right." He Xiyuan didn't dare to rest. He had to show more and let them know how good he was. Then they would marry Sister Lian to him early.
Liu Yulian did not stop them. If they were willing to do something, then they could do it.
There were also some greens and strawberries planted in the yard. Liu Yulian had been willing to add extra culture medium to the strawberries in the yard, so they grew faster than those in the fields outside. Some of the strawberry plants had already blossomed and borne fruit, and some were already quite red.
Liu Yulian went into the house and took a small bamboo basket, intending to pick some strawberries first.
"Auntie, I want one too." Little Liujia trotted over. The little child was wobbly but not afraid of falling.
"My sister Lian and I's daughter must be even cuter." He Xiyuan couldn't help but mutter as he watched this scene.
"What?" Liu Yanjing looked at He Xiyuan. He seemed to have heard something extraordinary just now.
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