“No problem at all,” Li Yaoyue replied.
“As the saying goes, at home you rely on your parents; away from home, you rely on friends,” Miaozhen said.
Li Yaoyue laughed, “True. Although we have some maids and helpers, I’m still worried about how we’ll manage here.”
“Same here, but all we can do is wait. I just wonder how my father is,” Miaozhen sighed.
After Miaozhen entered the Cheng family, Xu Erpeng found an inn nearby and inquired around.
Seeing that the Cheng family was the most prominent local family, he felt relieved and let Laiwang learn the way while he went to a Jinling bookstore to look around before returning.
He thought that parents must plan long-term for their children.
Girls needed to be stronger because when they married, they had to live in their husband’s family, unlike boys who remained with their own.
Some hid their daughters in deep chambers, pampering and spoiling them, but once married, they were hard to manage.
He wanted to raise his daughter to be strong and promised to help her if she encountered difficulties.
On the boat to Jinling, he was inspired and wished he could rush back to write immediately.
Miaozhen, understanding her father, though missing him, focused on her own matters.
Yet by the third day, she still couldn’t go out much in the courtyard.
Xiao Xi learned from the kitchen that they were making mooncakes, probably preparing for Mid-Autumn Festival.
“Alas, we can’t celebrate Mid-Autumn at home again this year,” Miaozhen mused, resting her cheek on her hand.
Xiao Tao quickly stretched out her arm, “Miss, if you see patients for me, I won’t be bored.”
“Nonsense. Healthy people don’t see doctors.”
Miaozhen knew they were teasing her, so she took out silk thread and sewed with them.
She strictly forbade her servants from wandering freely except when carrying meals with Gu Mama, to avoid trouble.
They chatted and laughed, enjoying themselves.
But in the afternoon, Gu Mama hurriedly brought a maid wearing a silver silk shirt over a peach-colored vest.
“Our young lady just came back from her maternal home and developed a high fever and diarrhea. Please send someone quickly.”
Miaozhen asked at the door, “How old is the girl?”
“Five years old.”
Miaozhen pointed west, “Li big sister there is skilled in pediatrics. Send her there.”
The maid went to Li Yaoyue, who packed her medical kit and rushed out.
Pediatrics differed from other fields; medicines safe for adults might not be for children.
Li Yaoyue handled the case well, with care and diligence, personally watching the child all night.
Though she looked tired the next day, she seemed to be walking on clouds.
Miaozhen felt no jealousy but was glad.
Xiao Xi said, “Miss, you’re so humble, letting others take the lead.”
Nowadays people often talk about “lying flat,” but in a group, always doing nothing was not good.
Miaozhen understood the servants’ worries and comforted them, “Do you think they invited us for nothing? I wasn’t good at pediatrics before, so why rush to act? Wait and see. After this, we’ll have more patients and I’ll be busier.”
The two agreed it made sense.
The little girl Li Yaoyue treated was the daughter of Cheng San Ye Cheng Junxian, named Yu Jie.
She and her brother Bi Ge’er were twins.
San Ye’s wife, Lady Ruan, a niece of the legitimate wife, controlled the entire Cheng household.
“Now, the eldest madam Ji Shi lives in the capital with her husband; the second madam is the head of the West Mansion and doesn’t interfere with the East Mansion. So the third madam manages the household affairs, coordinating with San Ye, who handles external business. They make a good team,” Gu Mama shared local gossip.
Miaozhen asked, “Why did they suddenly invite several female doctors here?”
Gu Mama warned, “Miss Xu, keep this to yourself.”
Usually, such warnings meant everyone already knew.
Gu Mama said, “Our Nanjing Zongbingguan’s daughter had a wrong diagnosis through a curtain, made a rash incision on her abdomen, and had pus inside for six or seven years. She passed away earlier this year. Because of this, the old madam decided to bring in several female doctors to avoid misdiagnosis.”
“Now I understand. I originally studied medicine for this reason. When my mother gave birth to my brother, it was difficult to diagnose due to gender taboos, nearly delaying treatment,” Miaozhen said, surprised.
Gu Mama often stayed up all night, suffering aches.
Miaozhen helped her with moxibustion and was treated well in return.
Gu Mama advised, “Miss Xu, you have such a kind heart. Last time when Third Madam sent for help, you recommended Li big sister. Next time, don’t give in. Now that Third Madam has a grandson and runs the household, she’s the main authority.”
Miaozhen smiled and made a note.
She did not recklessly seek patients but acted cautiously.
Li Yaoyue went daily to see little Yu Jie until the child fully recovered.
She was diligent and never took credit, always appearing very hardworking.
Miaozhen sent two pills of benzoin incense, and when not moxibusting, she studied medicine or did embroidery quietly.
On August 15, Li Yaoyue received mooncakes and fruit from Third Madam Ruan Shi, who personally distributed some to Miaozhen and Yu Zhoujin.
Miaozhen was delighted and said, “Thank you for thinking of me.”
Yu Zhoujin pushed the gifts aside, “You have so little. Eat it yourself. Besides, this is your reward. I already received gifts from the old madam.”
She thought Li Yaoyue was showing off.
Li Yaoyue bit her lip and went back to her room.
Miaozhen cut the small cakes for her maids, “You two eat some sweet snacks. Maybe someday you’ll get my thank-you gifts.”
Inspired by the diligence of Li Yaoyue, Miaozhen hoped to learn from her example.
Mid-Autumn passed quietly.
Soon, someone came at night requesting a doctor—
Madam Zeng had diarrhea and didn’t respond to several pills.
Remembering them, Miaozhen sent Xiao Xi to rest while taking Xiao Tao along.
Unexpectedly, Xiao Xi said, “Miss, Xiao Tao is timid; she’s better staying home. I’ll go next time.”
Miaozhen looked at Xiao Tao, who nodded quickly.
They followed a woman named Zhao Mama carrying a lantern, accompanied by two maids.
Zhao Mama asked, “How long have you studied medicine?”
“Almost six years. When I learned to read, I memorized the Ling Shu, Nan Jing, and Mai Jue,” Miaozhen answered.
Zhao Mama, seeing her youth, was worried but eased upon learning she was Tan Yunxian’s disciple.
The main mansion had three courtyards, and the eldest madam lived in the central one.
Miaozhen entered without hesitation, as they were all women and no curtain separated them.
The eldest madam was in her thirties and still beautiful, but she had a furrowed pit between her brows from constant frowning.
“Madam, please stretch out your hand so I can take your pulse,” Miaozhen said.
Despite her youth, Miaozhen’s demeanor was calm and steady.
Although the eldest madam doubted a young girl’s skill, she was willing to try, especially since her diarrhea had persisted since Mid-Autumn despite many medicines.
She was also proud and concealed her illness in public.
“The right guan pulse is deep and thin; your spleen is weak. Please stick out your tongue,” Miaozhen requested.
The madam did so, showing a pale, white, smooth coating.
“How long has your diarrhea lasted? When did it start?”
“I used to have diarrhea but it stopped after a few pills. This time, it’s been since Mid-Autumn,” she replied.
“Did you eat anything special during Mid-Autumn?”
“Nothing but crab. I love crab the most. Also fruit and pastries, the same as everyone else.”
She didn’t think she overindulged.
Miaozhen immediately had a treatment plan.
“Your spleen and stomach are chronically weak. When diet is excessive, digestion fails and causes diarrhea. I’ll moxibust five acupuncture points, and have the pharmacy prepare Hewei Baizhu Wan to stop symptoms temporarily. I’ll come back in a few days for follow-up moxibustion.”
The madam, noticing Miaozhen’s neat handwriting unlike other doctors’ illegible scrawls, felt a spark of trust and told Zhao Mama to hurry the pharmacy.
Miaozhen took out the moxa rolls she had prepared.
She applied moxibustion at Shangwan, Zhongwan, Xiawan, and two Tian Shu points.
The first three are on the Ren Mai meridian; Tian Shu is on the Stomach meridian. Moxibustion at these points warms the spleen.
Her movements were fluid and practiced.
Having studied tuina massage and acupuncture, then learned from Ru Shi and Tan Yunxian, it was by coincidence that this method came from the Female Physician’s Miscellany, which she had just read a few days before.
Otherwise, she wouldn’t be so composed.
Since the madam’s spleen and stomach were very cold, each moxa cone burned for about fifteen to thirty minutes, totaling over two hours.
The madam fell asleep during the treatment.
Miaozhen told Zhao Mama, “Buy the Hewei Baizhu Wan as soon as possible. If anything happens, come find me.”
She was a family-hired doctor and didn’t require consultation fees.
Afterward, Miaozhen changed and washed up before sleeping.
The next morning, Madam Zeng woke feeling much better, and after taking one dose of the pills, the diarrhea stopped.
She couldn’t believe it.
Miaozhen came early, rechecked the pulse, and confirmed Madam Zeng was fine.
The two daughters came to thank her, and she politely declined.
After follow-up moxibustion, Madam Zeng’s old illness fully healed, and she looked much refreshed.
She praised Miaozhen to Lady Ruan, “Junxian’s choice of this young doctor is truly excellent.”
Lady Ruan felt proud to hear such praise from the madam, who was known to be critical of her housekeeper and niece.
Miaozhen received two sets of clothes from Madam Zeng: one a red robe embroidered with chrysanthemum, lotus, and camellia patterns paired with a dark green skirt; the other a yellow jacket with brocade paired with a white embroidered skirt.
In ancient times, precious fabric and clothing were hard currency, sometimes more valuable than money.
Miaozhen kept the red robe, thinking, “I’ll give this to my mother.”
Xiao Xi and Xiao Tao were delighted.
Yu Zhoujin stood at the door and remarked, “Such few things have you so excited? They aren’t even new. Wearing them outside wouldn’t be proper. If I were you, I wouldn’t want them.”
Miaozhen smiled, “Sister Yu is a noble lady, unlike us. Such fine clothes are gifts from madam, so I’m happy. It wouldn’t matter if they weren’t given, but since they are, it’s a bonus.”
Only those who hadn’t received gifts spoke sourly.
If you’re capable, why work here?
What’s to be proud of?
“Just saying,” Yu Zhoujin said, shaking her fan, “I’m just trying to spare you from being looked down on by the other maids.”
Miaozhen didn’t care.
If she could take home several trunks of clothes and jewelry, it would be a big gain.
Why reject that?
Workers don’t strive for nothing.
Is it for some illusory pride?
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