The early autumn ferry was shrouded in mist, dispelling much of the lingering summer heat.
Inside a black-canopied boat, Miaozhen sat with Tan Yunxian while the voices of Xu Erpeng and Tao Erlang carried from outside. She had ultimately chosen to accompany Tan Yunxian to Wuxi, but Xu Erpeng remained uneasy and insisted on personally escorting her to the Yang residence.
As a writer of detective storybooks, he naturally distrusted everyone, regardless of their esteemed reputation.
The previous evening, her father had informed her that he would send the servant Lai Wang to visit monthly. While urging her to adapt as much as possible daily, he emphasized that she must immediately send word with Lai Wang if encountering any troubles, and he would come fetch her.
“Madam, would you like to lie down and rest?” Miaozhen asked.
Tan Yunxian waved dismissively. “Lying too long depletes one’s energy. This must be your first long journey? When I was young, I grew up accompanying my parents at their official posts.”
The Tan family had produced officials for generations, as had the Ru family. Miscellaneous Words of a Female Doctor recorded that Ru Luan, Ru Xu’s ancestor, had once served as the Administration Commission of Fujian and was Tan Yunxian’s cousin. Though her grandson Yang Qiao suffered collateral persecution, Tan Yunxian had grown detached from worldly concerns, embracing life with remarkable equanimity.
“This is indeed my first trip away from home, all thanks to you. Truthfully, my parents weren’t entirely comfortable with me traveling so far,” Miaozhen reflected. “But I thought if I don’t venture out while young, I might never get another chance.”
Tan Yunxian smiled approvingly. “So young, yet so decisive in all matters—that’s commendable.”
At noon, the boatman brought their meal: river snails stuffed with pork, stir-fried Taihu white shrimp, steamed Taihu knife fish, eight-treasure duck, watermelon chicken, and several lighter dishes. Xu Erpeng had arranged this feast—when traveling, he was determined to ensure his daughter was treated with respect.
Young people typically have hearty appetites. After finishing one bowl of rice, Miaozhen served herself another half-bowl, prompting Tan Yunxian to remark wistfully, “Watching you eat so heartily makes me hungry too.”
“Let me peel some shrimp for you,” Miaozhen offered.
Despite her advanced age, Tan Yunxian remained sharp-minded and exceptionally knowledgeable. She mentioned that with favorable winds, the journey from Suzhou to Wuxi would take less than a day, and along the way shared insights about local customs.
Outside, Xu Erpeng ate with Tao Erlang. Fortunately, he had rushed to complete his manuscripts earlier—otherwise, he’d be anxiously torn between deadlines and his daughter’s safety. The break was welcome; years of writing had left his hands too sore to lift and his body aching even in sleep. In a few more years, with enough savings, he could finally stop this relentless day-and-night writing.
By dusk, they reached the dock. Seeing vendors selling iced drinks nearby, Miaozhen unconsciously swallowed—everyone aboard was parched from the sun, and ordinary tea no longer quenched their thirst. Hesitating for a long while, fearing Tan Yunxian’s disapproval, she was relieved when the older woman finally said, “If you’re thirsty, have someone buy some drinks.”
Miaozhen blushed slightly. “I thought you’d tell me to avoid cold foods.”
“Eating less raw and cold food is generally wise,” Tan Yunxian conceded, “but unhappiness makes one more prone to illness. A contented mind matters most.” She recalled being similarly cautious in her youth.
Somehow, these words eased Miaozhen’s lingering anxiety, leaving her unexpectedly relaxed.
Xu Erpeng had already hired a carriage from a nearby carriage and shipping firm to take them back. He was a man skilled in handling practical matters and valued face greatly. Though usually lazy at home, his diligence when outside had even startled Miaozhen.
After helping Tan Yunxian into the mule cart, he dared not let go of her the entire way, fearing the elderly lady might bump into something. Half an hour later, they arrived at a residence whose stone archway bore no plaque. The house featured double-eaved roofs with beast-shaped ridges and a three-bay-wide main entrance.
Before they could alight, an old steward hurried forward and said, “Madam, a patient has been waiting here at the gate for two days—a six-year-old girl who’s said to be dying.”
Upon hearing this, Tan Yunxian immediately went inside with Miaozhen, without even taking time to freshen up. They saw a couple carrying in a little girl who was already on the brink of death, barely clinging to life.
The young parents wore anxious expressions, but Miaozhen noticed her master remained perfectly calm as she asked them, “What happened to this child? How long has she been like this?”During the Qixi Festival, we didn’t let her go out, so we coaxed her into eating many sweet dumplings to comfort her.” But since that day, her condition has worsened. We’ve consulted many doctors and tried numerous medicines, but nothing has worked.”
Miaozhen watched as Tan pressed the little girl’s abdomen and asked, “Does it hurt?”
The girl nodded slightly. Then Tan Yunxian asked her parents, “What does this child usually like to eat?”
“She eats everything. We buy her whatever she wants to eat.” The couple clearly doted on their daughter.
Miaozhen recalled that “Danxi’s Mastery of Medicine” mentioned Baobe Pills, which were said to cure all food retention. The child’s abdominal pain indicated an excess syndrome, but she refrained from speaking up, as she wasn’t well-versed in pediatric medicine.
Instead, she heard Tan Yunxian say, “I’m prescribing Zhuiji Pills. Have her take them first and see how she responds.”
After writing the prescription, the couple immediately took their child to an herbal shop to fill it. Once they left, Miaozhen voiced her doubt: “Based on my limited knowledge, I thought this illness would be treated with Baobe Pills.”
“Notice how sallow and emaciated the child is, with worm patches on her face, and her family doesn’t regulate her diet. The Zhuiji Pills I prescribed not only promote digestion, relieve stagnation, and harmonize the stomach but also kill parasites,” Tan Yunxian explained.
Miaozhen suddenly felt that from only knowing acupuncture to studying gynecology, and now expanding into all areas, her life seemed on the verge of transformation.
That evening, she slept in the courtyard adjacent to Tan Yunxian’s quarters. After a hasty tidy-up, she settled down for the night.
The Tan family was known as “Half of Wuxi,” wielding significant influence, yet Tan Yunxian still resided with the Yang family. Her rooms were filled with medical texts, and even at her age, she continuously refined her skills—truly a blessing for future generations.
With these thoughts, she drifted off to sleep.
She was asleep, but Xu Erpeng lay awake. He had spent considerable time questioning the old servant who delivered meals. Learning of the Tan family’s status in Wuxi and that Tan Yunxian used to frequently travel to the capital to treat the empress dowager, queen, and imperial concubines—though now she remained in the countryside due to her advanced age—he concluded that having his daughter study medicine under her was undoubtedly worthwhile.
Moreover, the Yang household served both vegetarian and meat dishes, and though they didn’t employ many servants, those they had were highly capable. That was more than sufficient.
For families like theirs with no influential background, every step forward had been carved out through their own efforts, necessitating extra caution. Many who preached benevolence and morality might not be virtuous behind closed doors, which was precisely why he sent someone to check on things once a month.
Lost in thought, he remained awake until dawn.
He rose and changed into a new silk robe. At home, the family usually wore cotton clothes, reserving finer attire only for outings to avoid being mocked. This entire journey had been arranged by him, and while there were expenses, they were kept minimal. Money must be spent where it mattered most; having savings for future family emergencies was more valuable than anything else.
Early in the morning, the parents of the little girl who had come for treatment the previous day arrived. Though not wealthy, they brought seven or eight kinds of aquatic gifts, explaining that after taking the Zhuji Pills, the girl had passed sticky round substances and was feeling much more comfortable.
Miaozhen, standing nearby, felt genuinely happy. It seemed she had discovered the true meaning of a healer’s existence—saving a life brought profound satisfaction.
After breakfast at the Yang residence, Second Young Master Tao was set to visit the Ru family, so Xu Erpeng prepared to take his leave. Miaozhen came out to see him off: “Father, do be careful on your journey.”
“Don’t worry, traveling by day poses little danger. It’s you I’m concerned about—I gave you ten taels of silver. Don’t spend it all recklessly like a charity fairy. Be mindful of your expenses. While staying at someone else’s home, don’t mistake a few kind words for genuine familiarity as if you were in your own house. If you encounter any difficulties, be sure to inform your mother and me, understood?” Xu Erpeng admonished.
Miaozhen nodded emphatically.
Xu Erpeng walked out the main gate, waving behind him without turning back: “No need to see me off. Go back inside.”
“Please take good care of yourself and Mother,” Miaozhen waved vigorously in response.