Jiang Liuli nodded and said:
"I can teach you, but take the money back—I won't accept it! In a few days, I'll be teaching childbirth techniques at home, and I'll need your help spreading the word."
Upon hearing this, the midwife Zhang's face lit up with delight, the wrinkles at the corners of her eyes smoothing out:
"You're willing to teach? Really willing? And you won't take my money?"
Her voice trembled with excitement, and she nearly dropped the copper coins in her hand.
Jiang Liuli nodded, her tone calm and even:
"Yes, in three days, right here in this courtyard. If you can gather people who want to learn, not only will I waive your fee, but I'll even share the profits with you?"
"No need for profit-sharing, just teaching me is enough. Da Ni, don't worry, I'll do my utmost to help you spread the word. I know all the midwives nearby, but I'm not sure how much silver those wanting to learn this skill would need to pay?"
Jiang Liuli hesitated for a moment before asking, "What do you think about setting the price at one tael of silver?"
The midwife's smile faded slightly upon hearing this, her brow furrowing slightly as she rubbed her hands together somewhat awkwardly: "Da Ni, one tael of silver… I'm afraid that might be a bit too high."
She sighed and counted on her fingers:
"You see, most folks in the villages around here are farmers working the land. Those who'd want to learn this skill are either women from modest families or experienced midwives like me—none of us have much spare cash. One tael of silver is enough to cover two or three months of expenses for an ordinary family. I'm afraid not many would be willing to spend that much to learn this."
The midwife glanced up at Jiang Liuli and, seeing she wasn't angered, continued: "Of course, your skills are precious—they can save lives and are worth the price. But we should think long-term. If the price is set too high and no one comes to learn, you won't earn any money, and these valuable skills won't be passed on. Wouldn't that be a pity?"
She paused, then tentatively suggested:
"In my opinion, how about setting it at five hundred coins? That amount is manageable for families in slightly better circumstances, and those truly eager to learn might scrape it together with effort. If more people come, the small fees will add up. You might earn no less than with one tael of silver, and you'll gain a good reputation! What do you think?"
"Alright! Let's go with your suggestion!"
Jiang Liuli wasn't very familiar with the prices in this world, and her original self had never handled silver, so she knew even less about costs. Thus, she decided to follow Midwife Zhang's advice.
The two then discussed the details of promotion thoroughly.
Midwife Zhang patted her chest and promised to gather all interested people from nearby, then hurried off with the copper coins, clearly eager to spread the news.
When the old physician entered the main room, he discovered three additional injured individuals: Jiang family's two daughters-in-law and Jiang Laotou were lying on the floor, apparently unconscious.
No wonder the second branch's daughter had snatched so much silver without anyone chasing after her—they had all been knocked out.
The old physician shook his head, crouched down, and examined the three.
Jiang Jinbao and Jiang Tongbao still wanted the physician to check them first, but the old physician ignored them and instead knelt to examine the three on the floor.
He found that all three had been struck on the back of the neck. The force wasn't too severe but was enough to render them instantly unconscious.
The old physician took out silver needles and selected specific points on Jiang Laotou's neck, gently twisting the needle tips as he inserted them.
Within moments, Jiang Laotou let out a low groan, his eyelids fluttering before slowly opening.
He blinked in confusion, and upon seeing the old physician squatting before him, actually began to sob uncontrollably…
It was too humiliating. In all his years, he had never felt so utterly defeated…
He couldn't win with words, couldn't prevail with force, and could only watch helplessly as the silver was snatched away, powerless to do anything about it.
That was his lifelong savings!
"Stop crying! Your granddaughter didn't take all the silver—half of it remains. Your injuries are all minor, and treating everyone won't cost more than four taels. Except for Jiang Tongbao's foot, which will need a few days of medicinal poultices, the rest of you will recover after treatment! So, will you undergo treatment or not?"
Jiang Laotou's sobs caught abruptly in his throat. With tear-filled eyes, he glared at the old physician: "What did you say? Half the silver is left?"
"Mmhmm! On the table!"
The old physician pointed at the broken silver on the table.
Jiang Laotou scrambled up from the ground, ignoring the soreness in the back of his neck, and stumbled toward the table.
When he saw the pile of silver fragments, tears still clung to the corners of his eyes, but his throat emitted hoarse, ragged breaths—somewhere between crying and laughing.
"Thank goodness… some is left…"
He gathered all the silver, picked out four taels from it, then carefully wrapped the remainder in a cloth handkerchief and stuffed it into his bosom.
Then he handed the four taels to the old physician, "Treat us! Start with my Tongbao!"
The old physician shook his head and approached Jiang Tongbao, applying medicine and bandaging his wound, before proceeding to set Jiang Jinbao's bone.
After much commotion, he finally administered acupuncture to Jiang Qianshi and the two Jiang daughters-in-law.
Once Jiang Qianshi regained consciousness, she wanted to go settle scores with Jiang Liuli, but Jiang Laotou stopped her directly.
"Go where? If you get knocked out again, I won't pay for your treatment. Our family's money was mostly stolen by Jiang Dani, and we've already spent four taels on your medical care. There's hardly any left now!"
Upon hearing this, Jiang Qianshi was so enraged that she nearly fainted. Together with her two daughters-in-law, she began cursing Jiang Liuli, though their voices were hushed, as if afraid Jiang Liuli might overhear.
The old physician shook his head, packed his medicine chest, and left the main room.
By then, Liu Shi had already returned with the purchased herbs and was brewing medicine in the courtyard.
The old physician exchanged a brief greeting with Liu Shi before departing.
Not long after he left, Jiang Jinbao's two sons and their wives barged in, leading a group of men dressed in coarse short jackets, their faces menacing.
At the forefront was the family's younger sister, Jiang Yinzhu, who had married into a wealthy household in town as a concubine and was said to be extremely favored.
Jiang Yinzhu had delicate features and was clad in fine silks, holding a handkerchief to the tip of her nose as if disgusted by the rustic dust.
Supported by her two daughters-in-law, Jiang Qianshi shuffled out of the room. At the sight of Jiang Yinzhu, her confidence surged, and she pointed toward the main room, wailing:
"Yinzhu! You've finally come!"
"It's that little wench Jiang Liuli who beat me and your two brothers half to death! She even stole the family's silver! You must avenge us!"
"And Zhao Shi, Liu Shi, and their little brats—beat them all to death!"
Jiang Laotou also emerged, his murky eyes gleaming with malice, "Yinzhu, just tie up Jiang Dani and sell her to a brothel! I'll teach her to be so arrogant!"
"Father, Mother! Don't worry! Now that I'm here, I'll make sure you get justice…" Jiang Yinzhu said nonchalantly.
She cast a glance at Liu Shi, who was squatting in the courtyard brewing medicine.
"Erbiao's wife, go and gather everyone from your second branch who can still get up. Today, we're going to settle accounts properly!"