The Cheng Family Patronage…
She first spoke in detail with the maid serving Ma Yulan, ruling out tapeworm disease. Then she considered that if it were a malignant tumor, she would need to help activate blood circulation and resolve stasis, as lumps must involve tangible blood stasis. However, she couldn’t overdo it. So, she first prescribed Dangxie Powder, followed by Tiaozheng Decoction, and also prepared Guixiang Pingwei Powder.
“I see Sister Ma seems to have difficulty swallowing now. I’ll go back first to fetch my silver needles. When the medicine is almost ready, call me over,” Miaozhen said.
By evening, Miaozhen had just arrived. She first lit Bihui Incense, then used the needles to make Ma Yulan open her mouth. When Ma Yulan saw it was Miaozhen, she managed a faint smile.
“Sister Ma, I’ll personally feed you the medicine.”
Ma Taitai’s eyes were red and swollen, clearly having stayed up for a long time. They brought the medicine first, and after Ma Yulan took it, there was no initial reaction. Then, late at night, Miaozhen had another dose prepared and administered. Immediately, Ma Yulan clutched her stomach and cried out in pain.
Miaozhen breathed a sigh of relief: “Quickly assist her to relieve herself.”
By dawn, the maid reported that she had expelled half a bucket of foul blood. Miaozhen then had the Tiaozheng Decoction brought in. This decoction was specifically designed to replenish qi. Once qi was strengthened, blood circulation would follow.
She said to Ma Taitai, “There are four doses of Tiaozheng Decoction in total. Normally, after taking them, the spleen and stomach will improve, qi and blood will circulate smoothly, and menstrual flow will normalize. Don’t worry, I’ll come morning and evening.”
After staying up all night, Miaozhen was utterly exhausted. Though grieving, Ma Taitai still observed etiquette. After Miaozhen returned home, she sent five taels of silver, one bolt of Songjiang Standard Cloth from Sanlintang, and one bolt of green shuttle-woven cloth.
Miaozhen put the money in a box and sent the two bolts of cloth to Mei Shi, asking her to tailor summer clothes from them. Then, she fell into a deep sleep.
When the cloth arrived, Xu Erpeng was stretching his neck. He remarked, “The consultation fee is quite generous.”
“Indeed, one bolt of Songjiang Standard Cloth costs one and a half qian, and the green shuttle-woven cloth four and a half qian. But it’s exhausting—she stayed up all night at the Ma residence yesterday,” Mei Shi said, feeling sorry for her daughter.
Xu Erpeng replied, “Our daughter is building her reputation now, so why mention that? At her age, we should arrange a good marriage for her. But the Xiucai Luo I had in mind doesn’t seem suitable.”
“Why?” Mei Shi asked, puzzled.
Xu Erpeng whispered, “Although Scholar Luo passed the Xiucai exam at fifteen, he knows nothing about practical matters. His family is poor, relying entirely on his mother spinning and weaving to support his studies. When I congratulated him on becoming a Xiucai, I specially sent a string of meat. They let it almost spoil before finishing it. Moreover, I’ve heard that Mother Luo is very stubborn, and Scholar Luo is timid and submissive in front of her. For a man, having an official title isn’t the most important thing; what matters is whether he can prevent his wife and children from suffering.”
“With a widowed mother and an only son, the daughter-in-law ends up feeling like an outsider. Even if they don’t covet the dowry, the daughter-in-law would have to endure poverty alongside them. If the mother-in-law and husband eat chaff and wild vegetables, would you dare to eat meat? Our daughter would be better off unmarried than living like that.”
Mei Shi smiled and said, “You’ve thought it through, dear. I recall Ma Taitai knows many people—wasn’t it through her matchmaking that the Tong Family’s marriage was successfully arranged? This works out perfectly. If their daughter recovers, I’ll accompany her to more incense gatherings, which will help me meet more people.”
“Mm, that would be ideal,” Xu Erpeng nodded in agreement.
Just as the two finished their meal, Miaoyun arrived, saying she had come to see Miaozhen. Mei Shi quickly explained, “Zhenzhen was busy tending to patients yesterday and is exhausted—she just fell asleep. Why not sit here with me for a while?”
Upon hearing this, Miaoyun replied, “I only came to borrow a embroidery pattern from her. Since she’s asleep, I’ll head back now.” She made to leave in a hurry, but Mei Shi, concerned for a young woman walking alone, insisted on having her escorted home by donkey cart. After Miaoyun departed, Mei Shi directed the servants to clear the table and began preparing birthday gifts for Mei Juren. She made efficient use of resources, crafting a long gown from the Songjiang Standard Cloth Miaozhen had brought back, while assigning Jinchai and Yinhuan to stitch shoe uppers and soles.
Feng Niang, never one to stay idle, also dropped by. As she chatted, she split thread and remarked, “Speaking of strange occurrences—this morning, when I went to Maple Bridge to buy rice, I saw Miss Miaolian. She looked utterly distraught, so I pressed her about it. She said her master, Liu Wenpo, had her house demolished by others.”
Mei Shi gasped in shock and summoned a errand boy to investigate. The boy, who often handled external tasks, went out to gather information. By the time he returned with his report, Miaozhen had woken and come to her mother’s quarters. She overheard Lai Wang explain, “This Liu Wenpo originally worked as a midwife, but somehow picked up acupuncture skills. The wife of the Right Thousand-Household Commander summoned her for treatment, but the old woman bungled the needling, causing a healthy child to miscarry. When the military officials questioned her medical knowledge, she couldn’t justify it. After interrogation, she admitted buying pills from a retired imperial physician in our prefecture—so they tore down her house.”
“Actually, Liu Wenpo got off lightly. When I was in Wuxi, I heard of quack doctors causing deaths—they were directly beheaded,” Miaozhen commented.
Mei Shi, timid by nature, looked at her daughter and pleaded, “Perhaps you should stop going out? Stay home—your father and I can provide for you.”
“Mother, I’m no quack. Besides, I still need to check on the Ma family,” Miaozhen replied before heading to their residence.
Ma Yulan had taken two doses of medicine by then. Her abdomen had flattened considerably, but she remained very weak. Knowing Ma Taitai was suffering, Miaozhen sat with her awhile to offer comfort.
“I’m just enduring each day, waiting for her to recover,” Ma Taitai sighed, having lost count of the sleepless nights she’d endured.
Miaozhen advised gently, “Give it a few more days. If she improves, well and good. If not, we must call a physician—we can’t avoid treatment out of fear.”
Ma Taitai clasped Miaozhen’s hands and said, “Dear child, I trust only you and the prescriptions you prepare.”
After six or seven arduous days, before dawn broke, Ma Taitai noticed her daughter’s complexion had stabilized—no longer fluctuating between flushed and pale—and her menses had returned. Overjoyed, she rushed to fetch Miaozhen. Upon seeing Ma Yulan’s condition, Miaozhen smiled warmly and said, “All is well now, Ma Taitai. Just pay closer attention to her diet going forward. Since Sister Ma has just recovered, she needs careful nurturing.”
Ma Taitai beamed, “I don’t know how to thank you enough. Your medical skills surpass even your master’s.”
“Please don’t say that! If you truly wish to thank me, just help make some introductions for me—that would be gratitude enough,” Miaozhen replied with a light laugh.
Her daughter’s illness cured, Ma Taitai was overjoyed. The family had initially worried about gossip due to the daughter’s condition, but now that she had fully recovered and life returned to normal, how could she not be delighted?
After this episode, Ma Yulan treated Miaozhen like her own younger sister, while Ma Taitai spared no effort in recommending Miaozhen. Additionally, Xu Erpeng spread word everywhere that his daughter was a disciple of the renowned female physician Tan Yunxian from Wuzhong. Soon enough, Miaozhen was earning two taels and seven mace of silver per month and had gained a modest reputation.
Upon hearing of this, Ru Shi summoned her for an inquiry: “I heard you cured the Ma family’s daughter?”
Miaozhen replied, “It was merely luck. I happened to try a prescription I’d seen earlier, and it coincidentally worked.” It would be disrespectful if word got out that a disciple had cured a patient her own teacher couldn’t heal, so she chose her words carefully.
“I’m delighted to hear you’ve now established yourself,” Ru Shi said with a smile.
Miaozhen grew even more deferential: “I stumbled into it by accident. Truthfully, without your guidance back then, I could never have entered this path.”
Though Ru Shi harbored some complex feelings, she found no fault in Miaozhen’s response and maintained surface cordiality.
Later, when Miaozhen returned home, her Third Uncle came to vent his frustrations. He complained that Eldest Uncle had borrowed money from him to make ends meet and was now teaching at a rural Community School, with no indication of when he might repay the debt.
Miaozhen tactfully changed the subject and returned to converse with Mei Shi.
“Teacher Ru is currently instructing two girls surnamed Zhang, said to be the daughters of an apothecary owner. But Teacher Ru complains they study in fits and starts – after all this time, they still haven’t mastered the Nanjing. I thought it best to just listen to such remarks without commenting on others’ shortcomings.”
“How many possess your diligence and talent? Take Xiniang from the Ru family for example – she still can’t prescribe treatments independently,” Mei Shi praised her own daughter.
Miaozhen hastily waved away the compliment.
At noon, the family invited Third Uncle to stay for lunch. The meal featured fragrant pan-fried whitefish, a glistening dish of shredded radish with cured meat, savory scrambled eggs, and a small pot of soup simmered with wild rice stem, lotus root, water celery, and fox nuts.
After the meal, Third Uncle had barely left when Xu Erpeng prepared for his afternoon nap. But then a shop assistant came to report a young gentleman of distinguished appearance seeking him.
Xu Erpeng went out to find a tall, imposing young man dressed entirely like an official’s son. He quickly bowed: “May I ask what brings you here, young master?”
Then another person arrived behind the young gentleman. Xu Erpeng recognized him – it was a member of the Tan family whom he’d met before. This Tan Daren said: “Xiucai Xu, this is the eldest son of the former Grand Secretary Cheng’s grandson, who serves as Left Councilor of the Jiangxi Administration Commission.”
Startled but maintaining composure, Xu Erpeng said: “Young Master Cheng, Young Master Tan – this humble one failed to recognize your esteemed selves. Please come in for some tea.”
Hearing this inside, Miaozhen and Mei Shi wondered about the visitors’ purpose. Having studied tea ceremony under Chou Niangzi, Miaozhen selected Songluo tea harvested after the Awakening of Insects from the tea caddy. Mei Shi prepared three plates of assorted nuts and sent someone to buy a qian’s worth of rose-filled crispy cakes from the lane entrance. Miaozhen drizzled a teaspoon of rose syrup over them.
Outside, Cheng Junxian would never touch common pastries, but he took a sip of tea and found it quite pleasant – the liquor emerald green, its aroma refined and elevated.
He said, “My father is currently serving in Jiangxi, and my mother has been slightly unwell lately. I’ve heard there are many skilled Sanwu women doctors, so I wanted to find one to come to our home and treat my mother, as a way to fulfill my filial duty. Originally, I went to Wuxi to invite Yang Ruren, but she is now unable to endure the rigors of travel. Instead, she recommended your daughter.”
Xu Erpeng was delighted to hear that his daughter had been recommended to serve in an official’s household, but he couldn’t help worrying. His daughter was already thirteen and a half years old, and people often said that once you enter a noble family’s gates, it’s as deep as the sea. Girls from humble families like theirs had never suffered any hardships.
Thus, he hesitated and said, “My daughter does know some medicine, but I am currently tied up with responsibilities and cannot let her travel alone to Jinling.”
“That’s no problem,” Cheng Junxian replied. “She can come with me on my boat. I still need to go to the Cheng Family in Anhui to invite a woman doctor specializing in pediatrics to help regulate my little niece’s health.”
Xu Erpeng thought to himself that noble families indeed had strict rules, truly emphasizing the separation between men and women. He simply said, “To be honest, matters concerning my daughter are mostly decided by my wife. Let me discuss it with her and get back to you. Would that be acceptable?”
Cheng Junxian was a young master from a prominent family. Tan Daren, fearing he might take offense, inwardly admired Xu Erpeng for his integrity, unlike others who would fawn like lapdogs upon hearing such an opportunity. So, Tan Daren mediated, “In my opinion, this is reasonable. A mother worries when her child travels far. You should discuss it properly with your wife.”
Xu Erpeng quickly agreed and personally saw Cheng Junxian out. Cheng Junxian asked him to send someone to find him in three days.
For Miaozhen, this news was undoubtedly a great opportunity. If she could establish a connection with the Cheng Family, she might later be recommended to serve as a Woman Doctor in the palace, which would significantly enhance her status.
However, ancient times were not like the modern era. Leaving her parents and relatives to enter a powerful household meant that the slightest offense could lead to an unknown fate. Without influence, it was difficult to expect fairness.
So, she said to Xu Erpeng, “Taking the shortcut through the Cheng Family is indeed tempting, but I’d rather build a solid foundation gradually here in Suzhou Prefecture. There’s no need to rush for quick success.”
“I think the same way,” Xu Erpeng said. “The Cheng Family is of high status, and Cheng Junxian seems reasonable. Why not decline for now and simply say you are preparing for marriage?” He wasn’t afraid of offending anyone; after all, he wasn’t the Cheng Family’s servant, and he held an official scholarly title himself.
As the saying goes, it’s better to tear down ten temples than to break up a marriage. If needed, they could always ask someone to mediate later, which would be better than anything else.
The next morning, the family went to the Mei residence to celebrate Mei Juren’s birthday.
Mei Juren had been in good spirits these past two years. When he saw the gifts from Mei Shi—two boxes of longevity peaches, two boxes of fine silver-thread noodles, a basket of fortune oranges, two long gowns, and two pairs of shoes—he stroked his beard and smiled.
Among the sisters, Mei Shi had married into the humblest circumstances, but now, since Xu Erpeng had accumulated some wealth, no one dared to look down on her.
When Qiao Yimu entered, Miaozhen felt somewhat puzzled. This aunt had always dressed extravagantly in the past, but today she wore an oily green long gown paired with a sapphire-blue skirt, which felt rather dull.
Mei Shi whispered to Miaozhen, “Your Uncle Qiao brought a prostitute home who stirred up trouble, throwing the household into chaos. Even his lawful wife has been cast aside. Last New Year, nothing was sent to her place—your Uncle Qiao only celebrated with those two concubines.”
Miaozhen gasped in shock. When she looked up, she saw Qiao Yimu staring intently at her. Thinking she might have imagined it, she blinked, only to find Qiao Yimu already standing up.
Qiao Yimu had fallen out of favor after Fifth Concubine gave birth to a son. Last year, she learned from Fifth Concubine’s deliberate taunts that it was Miaozhen—this little girl—who had played tricks behind the scenes, filling her with resentment.
Moreover, her husband was seduced by a prostitute from outside, while the one brought home was sharp-tongued and contentious, constantly picking fights and leaving her with no place to stand.
Unable to direct her hatred toward her husband or overcome the concubines, she turned her wrath toward Miaozhen.
If someone ruined her marriage, she would repay every slight. Thus, she whispered to her mother about arranging a marriage that appeared splendid on the surface but was rotten within. Her mother then told Mei Juren, who, unaware of the women’s scheming, mentioned it to Xu Erpeng.
Xu Erpeng, though plump and gentle in appearance, was a man of strong principles. Knowing that a poor marriage would burden his daughter for life, he declined despite hearing it was the County Magistrate’s family, excusing himself: “Dear father-in-law, you may not know, but my Zhenzhen has become a disciple of Yang Ruren in Wuxi. Even the former Chief Grand Counselor’s family has invited her as a retainer. We cannot discuss this matter now.”
Mei Juren and the others pressed for details, remarking, “This is your family’s good fortune. As the saying goes, ‘Even a gatekeeper at a minister’s mansion holds the rank of a seventh-grade official.’ Perhaps you could even secure an official position through donation.”
“I’m like dog meat—unfit for a grand feast. Please don’t tease me,” Xu Erpeng replied, knowing well he wasn’t cut out for officialdom.
Uncle Qiao, who had recently closed a money shop and was anxious for connections, grew very enthusiastic upon hearing Xu Erpeng’s words. He urged him to drink, but Xu Erpeng only took a few sips. When the banquet ended, he insisted on returning home to write—a commitment no one could deter.
Miaozhen and Mei Shi also returned, unaware of Qiao Yimu’s scheme. Qiao Yimu waited in anticipation, only to have Mei Taitai inquire and later tell her, “It seems unlikely now. I heard the former Chief Grand Counselor’s family has invited her as a retainer.”
“What? That girl has only studied medicine for a few years? How can she already treat patients? I think Brother-in-law is making this up, isn’t he? He loves writing books so much he often confuses fiction with reality.” Though Qiao Yimu knew Xu Erpeng was not one to lie, she couldn’t help feeling her sister was a jinx—how could she have such luck?
Mei Taitai advised instead, “As the saying goes, ‘Bend and stretch as needed.’ Your husband is currently seeking patronage and was fawning over your elder brother-in-law at the banquet. Since that’s the case, why not pretend to befriend them? Once you regain favor and have support, you can deal with her later.”
Hearing her mother’s words, Qiao Yimu felt suddenly enlightened.
Meanwhile, just as the Mei family’s banquet concluded, Xu Dalang’s household was similarly occupied. Recently, he had been teaching at a rural Community School, exchanging poems with a local scholar, which somewhat eased his frustration and gloom.
He truly considered the man a confidant, unaware that the scholar had ulterior motives. Though Xu Dalang was poor, the scholar knew his two younger brothers—one ran two bookshops in Jinchang, the other a bustling pastry shop—were thriving.
After Miaozhen returned home and saw Ma Yulan had brought a box of assorted fruits, she couldn’t help saying, “Why stand on ceremony between us? Here, give me your hand—I need to properly check your pulse.”
Ma Yulan quickly extended her hand. After taking her pulse, Miaozhen said, “It’s not too bad, just some deficiency in qi and blood. Avoid strenuous activity and focus on recuperating.”
“Alright, I’ll do whatever you say, how’s that?” Having been saved by Miaozhen during her illness, Ma Yulan trusted her more than ever.
Miaozhen joked with her for a while longer, then gave her a scented sachet to wear for protection against evil influences.
After Ma Yulan left, Miaozhen was called to the front hall for dinner. Having eaten rich meat and fish dishes at noon, she only had some fine porridge with two side dishes now.
After eating, she went straight to bed.
Unexpectedly, late at night, Xu Dalang arrived with a mournful face. At that moment, only Xu Erpeng was there, writing furiously. Hearing of his brother’s untimely visit, his eyelid twitched.
“Elder Brother, why have you come at this hour?”
“Erpeng, you must save me! Someone has caught me in a mistake. If I don’t come up with five hundred taels, my life is forfeit!” Xu Dalang never expected that a drunken slip would reveal his false status as a Tribute Student.
Xu Erpeng frowned. “Brother, first tell me what leverage they have over you?”
Still refusing to be truthful, Xu Dalang retorted, “Just say whether you’ll save your elder brother or not!”
“I can’t save you.” Xu Erpeng was not one to yield to threats and responded immediately.
Xu Dalang grew frantic. “Are you really going to watch me die?”
“So what exactly have you done? If you won’t say, there’s nothing I can do.”
Frustrated, Xu Dalang choked up. When threatened earlier, he had nearly slit his wrists, but the pain was too much to bear. He considered drowning himself but found the water too cold. Having mustered the courage to borrow money, only to be refused by his younger brother, he covered his face and began to sob.
Seeing his elder brother in such a state, Xu Erpeng felt a twinge of pity, but then remembered an unresolved plot point in his writing. He crossed it out and polished the passage again.
Seeing that Xu Erpeng still ignored him, Xu Dalang added, “Let me tell you, if this comes out, it won’t just be me—all of you will suffer too. Believe it or not, as you wish.”
Xu Erpeng waved a hand. “As you like.”
Since his elder brother refused to explain, Xu Erpeng saw no point in further discussion. He knew Xu Yiming well: outwardly fierce but inwardly timid, pretending to be aloof while prone to offending others. Yet the man was cowardly at heart and unlikely to truly commit any major offense.
Fuming, Xu Yiming stormed out, only to be seized by several servants waiting outside. Instantly, despair washed over Xu Dalang, but a flicker of hope remained. If his brother wouldn’t spend the family fortune to save him, wouldn’t he himself pay for peace when his turn came? Comforted by this thought, he settled down.
Early the next morning, visitors arrived. When Miaozhen came to the front hall, she found her parents looking extremely grave.
Her father looked at her and said, “Zhenzhen, your uncle has brought disaster upon us all. He impersonated a Student of the Imperial Academy and a Xiucai—he’s actually neither! Someone is going to report him. If he’s convicted, we’ll be implicated too.”
“What? Uncle’s statuses were all fake?” Miaozhen was stunned.
Xu Erpeng continued, “Indeed, they’ve already obtained his forged Imperial Academy Certificate. Now there’s only one solution: we might as well spend money to purchase an official title for your uncle and arrange for him to become a Student of the Imperial Academy. But I simply can’t swallow this injustice—why should I be left cleaning up his mess?”
At this thought, he looked at his daughter and said, “When I respond to Cheng Dashe later, don’t panic. Once we go to the Cheng Family, there will at least be a path to survival. In the seventh month of the fourteenth year of the Chenghua reign, Yang Fu, who impersonated Wang Zhi, was executed. Although your uncle’s case isn’t that severe, I fear we might be implicated and exiled. When that time comes, I’ll write a letter of divorce for your mother. Remember to strive for success and take your mother and younger brothers away with you.”
Miaozhen knew her father was preparing for the worst-case scenario, yet she remained remarkably composed. “Don’t think like that,” she said. “Nowadays, one can even reduce penalties with money, let alone when you’re not the one who committed the crime. I have a solution that benefits both sides. Later, buy some bolts of fabric and spices as gifts for Cheng Dashe. Casually mention to him that I’m willing to serve as an offering at the Cheng Family, then ask him for an invitation card, explaining that you’ll need it to fetch me later so people will recognize you. With gifts given, no one strikes a smiling face. With a Cheng Family’s card in hand, the officials in Suzhou Prefecture wouldn’t dare touch you. This way, I secure a promising future, and you avoid this disaster.”
Xu Erpeng clapped his hands and laughed. “This truly is a win-win solution.”
Seeing her father agreed, Miaozhen felt somewhat relieved, even letting out a sigh of relief. She then carefully reiterated her instructions to him.
Xu Erpeng listened attentively, but by the end, his tone turned fierce. “Now I only care about our own family. I couldn’t care less about anyone else’s fate. Your uncle’s vanity is one thing, but coming to our house without revealing the truth, deliberately trying to drag me down—such a person deserves whatever punishment he gets, whether it’s beating or exile.”