As winter solstice approached, Miaozhen and the others received some seasonal gifts: a bolt of Heaven and Sea Mist Silk, a bolt of bright0 red Dahong Chouzi, two feet of Leizhou Ramie, two catties of cotton, a bowl of Shuifen Tangyuan, and a bottle of Taohuacu.
Such fine silks with well-dyed colors were rare, so Miaozhen carefully put them away.
She told Xiao Xi and Xiao Tao, “Let’s use the cotton to make some shoes and socks. Once we finish the tangyuan, we can take out some scraps of satin.”
No sooner had she spoken than more gifts arrived from outside.
Zhang Ma’s daughter came by, saying that the kitchen’s Zhang Ma was suffering from prolonged menstruation and needed acupuncture, so she sent a roast goose, a box of Shuahua Gao, and a bottle of Mayou.
Miaozhen said, “Have her come by at the Shen hour tomorrow.”
Zhang Ma smiled, “Thank you, Xu Langzhong.”
After she left, Xiao Xi and Xiao Tao fetched knives to cut the roast goose, both thinking that life with Miss was getting better and better.
Miaozhen placed a goose leg and wing on a plate, set out the Shuahua Gao on a dish, and said to Xiao Xi, “After you finish eating, take this over to Zisu in the teahouse.”
Zisu was one of the teahouse maids who prepared medicine.
After more than three months of interaction, Miaozhen found her agreeable and was willing to cooperate with her.
After all, when she was busy, she needed the teahouse’s help with brewing medicine.
“Zisu is decent and understands what’s what,” Xiao Xi said, “But that Pinhong—her eyes are always turned to the sky. You’re making medicine for the masters, not for us. Why should we be groveling to her?”
Xiao Xi couldn’t stand such a person.
Miaozhen replied, “Why bother with her? If she ever delays anything, let the respective households hold her accountable. It’s nothing to do with us. It’s only a matter of time before she causes real trouble.”
The three ate together, and after Xiao Xi delivered the food to the teahouse, the three of them locked the door and busied themselves making cotton socks and bow shoes.
They used Songjiang Marked Cloth for the socks, which were very comfortable, and chose Ru Yi Yunwen Duanzi for the bow shoes.
Such peaceful times were warm and pleasant.
Xiao Tao remarked, “It’s rare for us to have such leisure. Speaking of which, Miss and Sister Li are often running all over the place, but that Yu Xiaojie always finds excuses to avoid work.”
“I know where she stands and what she’s capable of. She hasn’t even reached that point yet, and she’s already like this. I don’t know what she’ll be like in the future,” Miaozhen said with some frustration.
Every time someone came looking for Yu Zhoujin, she found ways to push them off.
Most of the work was done by Li Yaoyue and Miaozhen.
As the light faded, Miaozhen finished gluing the shoe uppers and applied tung oil.
She was about to stitch the soles when Xiao Tao snatched the work away.
“Your hands aren’t made for rough work.”
Miaozhen lay back on the bed.
“We won’t be able to go home for New Year this year. If there’s a New Year’s gift, we’ll have something. The three of us will have a good New Year here. Besides, it’s not like I wished for illness, but colds and coughs are inevitable in winter. Rich food like meat and fish can easily cause diarrhea. It’s a busy time for me.”
Yet she didn’t expect that the next morning, people from the households of the First Mistress, Second Mistress, and Third Mistress were all waiting at her door. Miaozhen was startled and quickly asked, “What’s going on?”
Zhao Mama, the First Mistress’s attendant, spoke first.
“Our First Mistress wants to see Xu Langzhong for a consultation.”
Miaozhen said, “I’ll have my maid bring the medicine box.”
Then she turned to the attendants of the Second and Third Mistresses, “I’ll come by one by one. If it’s urgent, you can also ask Sister Li or Yu Xiaojie next door.”
“Xu Langzhong, you’re the best gynecologist now known in the household. It’s no use asking anyone else,” said Huan’er, the Second Mistress’s maid.
“All right, I’ll come over after I finish here,” Miaozhen answered, following the proper order of seniority.
She first followed Zhao Mama to the First Mistress’s quarters. It turned out Madam Zeng wanted her help to regulate the menstrual cycles of two young ladies.
Pointing to Cheng Yuan, she said, “She only gets her period every three months. Though it’s neither early nor late, it’s different from others; most women have a monthly cycle.”
“Miss Third, is your flow about the same each time?”
Miaozhen asked Cheng Yuan.
Cheng Yuan blushed and nodded.
After feeling her pulse, Miaozhen smiled.
“This isn’t an illness but a natural Xian Gu (celestial bone). Not every woman has a monthly cycle; some have one every season. As long as the cycle and flow are regular, there’s nothing wrong.”
Then Madam Zeng mentioned the Fourth Miss, Cheng Shu.
“Before her period, she suffers from abdominal pain lasting several days. When it comes, there are purple-black clots. My family gave her donkey-hide gelatin and red dates, but it didn’t help.”
After taking her pulse, Miaozhen said, “This is liver fire congestion, not caused by coldness. You must not take tonic medicine recklessly. I’ll prescribe Xiangsha Tiaozhong Tang to take for seven days before each period. Take it for six months and then we’ll reassess.”
She quickly recorded the medical case and prepared the prescription for Zhao Mama before politely taking her leave to visit the Second Mistress.
After Miaozhen left, Cheng Yuan said pointedly to Madam Zeng, “Though Miss Xu is our family’s appointed doctor, her skills are superb. Talents like hers should be treated with respect.”
“I already gave her two pieces of clothing last time. No need to flatter her so much,” Madam Zeng said noncommittally.
Cheng Yuan thought her mother was like that—spending more on prayers than people.
She wasn’t like Zhu Yiniang, who knew how to win favor from the lower servants.
So she said, “This doctor saves lives. She cured your old illness. What are two sets of clothes compared to that? You gave Hu Guniang even more.”
Madam Zeng gave her a look.
“You’re making things up.”
“We’ll arrange to send the medicine after the younger sister finishes her course next month,” Cheng Yuan replied.
When Miaozhen arrived at the Second Mistress’s quarters, the Second Mistress summoned her in and dismissed the servants.
There seemed to be something unspeakable on her mind.
Miaozhen thought, with the cold weather, she’d better treat her quickly and leave.
“Doctors have a heart like parents. Please tell me anything. I never reveal anyone’s illness,” Miaozhen said.
The Second Mistress and her husband had a harmonious relationship—almost inseparable—but she had a problem: after every time they were together, her bleeding wouldn’t stop.
Although it didn’t reach hemorrhage levels, it was damaging her qi and blood.
She hadn’t followed her husband this time to protect her health.
Hearing Miaozhen, she stammered her condition.
Miaozhen’s face turned serious.
“If this isn’t treated quickly, years of continuous bleeding could lead to blood depletion and amenorrhea.”
The Second Mistress panicked, “What can I do?”
“To be frank, this illness is caused by normal sexual relations during menstruation,” Miaozhen said bluntly.
Though the Second Mistress was around forty and Miaozhen just thirteen or fourteen, she dared not ignore Miaozhen’s words since they were so accurate.
She respectfully asked, “Miss Xu, what should I do?”
“The blood vessels are very fragile. First, the uterus must be cleared and old clots expelled. Then, tonic medicines to replenish qi and essence can be taken. This will help the vessels heal and cure your illness,” Miaozhen smiled.
The Second Mistress looked at Miaozhen.
“If you cure me, I’ll reward you handsomely.”
“Thank you. This prescription is called Yin Jing Zhixue Tang. Ginseng and Atractylodes can tonify qi; Cornus and Rehmannia replenish essence and blood; Poria and Plantago help clear the channels; Phellodendron clears heat and dries dampness, directly affecting Chongren Baogong; Schizonepeta helps expel clots; and charred ginger stops bleeding. Take four doses first. If it improves, take another six. But you must avoid sexual relations for three months after healing, or it will recur,” Miaozhen explained clearly.
The Second Mistress breathed easier.
After leaving her, Miaozhen went to the Third Mistress, who was younger than Mei Shi.
Her cheekbones were high, and her complexion was slightly yellow.
Her problem was simple: infertility.
Miaozhen thought that neither Ban Xia nor the two concubines Huang Shi and Lin Shi had conceived either.
The Third Mistress really wasn’t seriously ill, and she wasn’t foolish enough to blame the Third Master.
“Now that winter is here, you should eat some warming tonic foods,” Miaozhen advised.
“Miss Xu, won’t you prescribe medicine for me?” the Third Mistress asked.
Miaozhen thought, you have no illness, why prescribe medicine? But she had to phrase it differently: “A balanced diet is better than medicine.”
She hadn’t expected anyone to beg for prescriptions, but the Third Mistress insisted on acupuncture.
Miaozhen, with an empty stomach, reluctantly gave her some moxibustion before leaving.
Back in her room, Xiao Xi said, “To be honest, Ban Xia may be a maid, but she’s generous. The Third Mistress is stingy. You moxibustioned her for so long and didn’t even get a penny or a cup of tea.”
“Some people may not respect us inside, but keep up appearances. Others don’t care for anyone, treating people like trees and plants, forgetting that plants have feelings too.”
Miaozhen was quite understanding even of her own maids.
Xiao Xi asked Xiao Tao to hang up Miaozhen’s clothes and re-scent the room.
Opening her lunchbox, Miaozhen saw her midday meal was still warm and hungrily ate to replenish her energy.
Afterward, Gu Mama came to say that her family had arrived. Following Gu Mama outside, Miaozhen learned that her father had sent the servant Laiwang, who brought a letter.
Miaozhen gave him fifty qian to stay at an inn, then wrote back saying she wouldn’t return for New Year this year, that she was doing well at the Cheng family, and told them to bring some White Cotton Paper Sutras next time, as the ladies of the household all believed in Buddhism.
She also had the servant wrap the First Mistress’s gifts—a Red Chanzhi Chrysanthemum Camellia Brocade Robe, a Jiao Green Satin Skirt, a bolt of Anwen Duan, two Golden Brocade sweat towels, and a pair of Silver Hairpins—to send back with Laiwang the next day, along with two boxes of Bingtang Zhima Bing.
Laiwang found it surprising that the young lady, who had only arrived at the Cheng family three months ago in August, had already received so many gifts.
Having seen her father’s earnest instructions, Miaozhen cried once but quickly wiped away her tears and went to reexamine the Fourth Miss and Second Mistress.
No matter what, the work had to be done well.
The Second Mistress, seeing Miaozhen braving the wind, rewarded her with a Haita Pi Wotu’er and invited her to stay for a meal.
Just then, Wu Shaoye came by to pay respects. Miaozhen quickly hid behind a screen and only came out after he left.
Wu Shaoye was the Second Mistress’s own son, a delicate young man just a year younger than Miaozhen.
But Miaozhen understood her place—she was here to work, not to seek romance.
It was better to avoid any trouble.
The Second Mistress appreciated Miaozhen’s discretion, always fearing her son might be led astray by the maids.
Seeing Miaozhen’s plain attire, she believed the girl had no frivolous thoughts.
Later, when Miaozhen returned to her room, Huan’er, the Second Mistress’s chief maid, brought a set of warm furs: a lotus-red velvet Yuzhou grey sable cloak, an oil-green brocade skirt, a bright red grey sable jacket, and a Yin Si Yun Ji headpiece.
Miaozhen rewarded Huan’er fifty qian, closed the door, and tried on the clothes.
They were very warm—though grey sable was inferior to silver sable, it was still quite good.
The velvet Yuzhou was especially rain-resistant, and the Silver Silk Cloud Bun was exquisite.
After enjoying them, she packed them away and changed back into her own white silk jacket, layered with a silver-red brocade vest and a Cuilan Qunzi skirt.
When going out, she changed into the lotus-silk Ousi Duijin Ao’er with the matching Ousi Huaniao Pifeng cloak—both elegant and unobtrusive.
After lunch, Miaozhen saw Xiao Tao finishing sewing the cotton shoes, which fit perfectly.
She stretched and was about to rest when someone knocked, saying Yu Xiaojie had sent word that the Fourth Master’s chief maid was ill.
The Fourth Master was born to Zhu Yiniang of the First Household.
Moreover, the patient was a maid. Yu Xiaojie considered it beneath her to treat such a person and passed the matter along.
Miaozhen gritted her teeth but allowed Xiao Tao to carry the medicine box and went out with Gu Mama.
At the door, she asked, “How is this managed? Why do they always call me for outside visits when there’s a specialist for febrile diseases?”
Gu Mama sighed, “What can be done? Miss, just endure it.”
So Miaozhen braved the cold wind.
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