As the winter solstice approached, Miaozhen and the others received seasonal gifts: a bolt of Sea Sky Rosy Color silk, a bolt of bright red satin, two chi of ramie cloth, two jin of cotton, a bowl of powdered rice dumplings, and a bottle of Peach Blossom Vinegar.
The rare quality of such silk and satin lay in their beautifully dyed colors. Miaozhen stored them away and said to Xiao Xi and Xiao Tao, “We’ll use the cotton to make some shoes and socks. Since we’ve finished the dumplings, let’s take out some leftover satin pieces.”
No sooner had she spoken than someone from outside came with gifts. Zhang Ma from the kitchen, whose daughter was suffering from prolonged menstruation, requested acupuncture treatment, hence sending a roasted goose, a box of Snowflake Cakes, and a bottle of sesame oil.
Miaozhen said, “Tomorrow, have her come to me during the Shen hour.”
Zhang Ma smiled, “Thank you, Xu Langzhong.”
After she left, Xiao Xi and Xiao Tao brought a knife to slice the roasted goose, both thinking how their days with the young lady were getting better and better. Miaozhen placed a goose leg and wing on a plate, then arranged some Snowflake Cakes on another dish. She told Xiao Xi, “After you finish eating, take these to Zi Su in the tea room later.”
Zi Su was one of the maids who boiled medicine in the tea room. After over three months of interaction, Miaozhen found her quite decent and was willing to associate with her, especially since she sometimes needed the tea room’s help with boiling medicine when busy.
“Zi Su is quite good-natured and knows what’s proper. But that Pin Hong acts like her eyes are on the top of her head. You boil medicine for the masters, not for us, yet she makes it seem like we’re begging her?” Xiao Xi couldn’t stand such people.
Miaozhen said, “Why bother with her? If there are any delays, let each household settle accounts with her. What does it have to do with us? Sooner or later, she’ll get into trouble.”
After they finished eating together, Xiao Xi delivered the food to the tea room. Then the mistress and her two maids closed the door and made cotton socks and arch shoes together. The cotton socks were made of Songjiang Standard Cloth, very comfortable to wear, while the arch shoes used satin with Ruyi Cloud Pattern.
It was a warm and cozy time. Xiao Tao remarked, “It’s rare for us to have such leisure. Speaking of which, the young lady and Li Dajie’er are always running about, while that Yu Xiaojie keeps making excuses.”
“I believe one should act according to their position. She’s already like this before even reaching that stage—who knows what will become of her in the future.” Miaozhen was also annoyed. Every time someone came seeking help, Yu Zhoujin would make excuses, leaving most tasks to Li Yao’e and Miaozhen.
Taking advantage of the light, Miaozhen pasted the shoe uppers, applied bean oil, and began sewing shoe soles under the lamp. Xiao Tao snatched them away, saying, “Your hands aren’t for rough work.”
Miaozhen lay down on the bed. “We can’t go back for New Year’s this year. We might receive some rewards during the festival—we three can celebrate well with whatever we get. Besides, not that I wish illness on anyone, but winter brings coughs and wind-cold, not to mention diarrhea from all the rich meat and fish feasts. I’ll have my hands full.”
Unexpectedly, the next morning, servants from First Wife, Second Madam, and San Tai Tai were waiting at her door. Startled, Miaozhen quickly asked, “What’s going on?”
Zhao Ma from First Wife Zeng Shi’s household spoke first: “Our First Wife would like to invite Xu Langzhong over for a discussion.”
Miaozhen said, “Then I’ll have my maid carry the medicine chest.” She then addressed the servants of Second Madam and San Tai Tai: “I’ll visit each of you in turn later. If it’s an emergency, you can also seek help from Sister Li next door or Miss Yu.”
“Xu Langzhong, you’re the most skilled in gynecology. Everyone in the household knows this – there’s no use calling anyone else,” said Huan’er, Second Madam’s maid.
“Alright, I’ll come after finishing here.” Following the order of seniority would never be wrong.
Miaozhen first followed Mama Zhao to Da Fang, where it turned out Zeng Shi wanted her to help regulate the menstrual cycles of the two young ladies. Pointing at Cheng Yuan, she said: “She only has her courses once every three months. Although it’s neither early nor late, it’s different from others. Normal people have them monthly.”
“Third Young Lady, is the flow consistent each time?” Miaozhen asked Cheng Yuan.
Cheng Yuan blushed and nodded.
After taking her pulse, Miaozhen smiled: “This isn’t an illness – rather, it’s an innate celestial constitution. Not every woman in this world menstruates monthly; some have quarterly cycles. As long as the timing and flow remain consistent, there’s no problem.”
Then there was Fourth Young Lady Cheng Shu. Zeng Shi said: “She experiences abdominal pain for several days before her period arrives, and when it comes, there are purplish-black clots. My maternal family prepared Ejiao Red Dates for her, but they were completely ineffective.”
After taking her pulse, Miaozhen said: “This is due to liver fire stagnation, not caused by cold invasion, so random tonification is inappropriate. I’ll first prescribe Xuan Yu Tong Jing Tang to be taken for seven days before each expected period. Try this for half a year initially.”
Having said this, she first recorded the medical case here, then wrote out the prescription anew and handed it to Mama Zhao.
After completing this, she took her leave and hurried to Second Madam’s quarters.
After Miaozhen left, Cheng Yuan intentionally remarked to Zeng Shi: “Mother, although Miss Xu is retained by our family, her medical skills are exceptional. Such talent deserves proper respect.”
“I already rewarded her with two outfits last time. There’s no need to elevate her so highly,” Zeng Shi said noncommittally.
Cheng Yuan thought to herself that her mother was like this – she’d rather spend money on praying to gods and buddhas, overlooking people right before her. Unlike Zhu Yiniang, who knew well how to win over subordinates. So she said: “This physician saves lives. She’s the only one who cured your chronic condition – two sets of clothing are nothing. You give much more to that nun Hu.”
Zeng Shi glanced at her daughter: “Now you’re criticizing me.”
“After younger sister takes the decoction next month, we’ll send appropriate gifts,” Cheng Yuan could only say this.
Meanwhile, when Miaozhen arrived at Second Madam’s quarters, she noticed that after being welcomed inside, Second Madam dismissed the servants, seeming to have some embarrassment. Miaozhen thought to herself that the weather was so cold, she needed to finish treatment quickly and leave.
Therefore, she said: “As the saying goes, physicians have parental hearts. Whatever concerns you have, feel free to tell me. I never disclose anyone’s medical conditions.”
Second Madam and Er Laoye had an excellent relationship, truly a case of husband singing and wife following. But she had one problem – after each intimacy, she would bleed continuously. Although not to the point of flooding, it still damaged both her qi and blood.
It was for health reasons that she hadn’t accompanied her husband.
Hearing Miaozhen’s words, she haltingly revealed the issue.
After listening, Miaozhen’s expression turned serious: “If this condition isn’t treated promptly, such chronic continuous bleeding may lead to blood depletion and amenorrhea.”
Second Madam panicked upon hearing this: “What should be done then?”
“I must be frank—such illnesses often stem from engaging in marital relations during menstruation.” Miaozhen needed to make this clear from the start.
Though she was only thirteen or fourteen, while Second Madam was around forty, the latter dared not take her words lightly, for Miaozhen had hit the mark directly.
Her attitude grew respectful: “Miss Xu, what should I do then?”
“Blood vessels are most fragile, so we must first unblock the Uterus Palace to induce flow, then expel the old stagnant blood with qi and essence-tonifying herbs. This way, the vessels can heal, and your illness will be cured,” Miaozhen explained with a smile.
Hearing this, Second Madam looked at her and said, “If you can cure me of this wretched ailment, my dear child, I will surely reward you handsomely.”
“I thank you in advance. This prescription is called Yin Jing Zhi Xue Tang. Renshen Baizhu replenishes qi, Shanzhuyu Shudihuang nourishes essence and blood, Fuling Cheqianzi unblocks the orifices, while Huang Bai clears heat and dries dampness, allowing it to penetrate directly into the Chong Ren Bao Gong. Jingjie Sui expels stagnant blood, and Paojiang Tan stops bleeding. Take four doses first. If you feel better, continue with six more. However, after recovery, you must abstain from marital relations for three months, or the cycle will repeat,” Miaozhen advised.
Her explanation was so clear that Second Madam breathed a sigh of relief.
After leaving Second Madam’s quarters, Miaozhen went to see San Tai Tai, who was slightly younger than Mei Shi, with high cheekbones and a sallow complexion. Her issue was simple—infertility.
Miaozhen thought to herself that neither Pinellia nor the two tongfang, Huang Shi and Lin Shi, had conceived. San Tai Tai actually had no major ailment, and she wasn’t foolish enough to proclaim that the issue lay with the third master. Instead, she said, “As winter has arrived, you need only consume some warming and nourishing foods for now.”
“Miss Xu, won’t you prescribe me medicine?” San Tai Tai asked.
Miaozhen thought, “Why prescribe medicine when you’re not ill?” But she could only phrase it differently: “We live on the five grains—nourishment through food is better than through medicine.”
She hadn’t expected anyone to insist on medication, but San Tai Tai insisted on acupuncture. Hungry and tired, Miaozhen had no choice but to perform moxibustion for her briefly before returning.
Back in her room, she changed clothes first. Xiao Xi remarked, “To be honest, though Pinellia is just a maid, she’s very generous. San Tai Tai may be a mistress, but she’s the stingiest. You helped her with moxibustion for so long, and she didn’t even offer you a cup of tea, let alone a reward.”
“Some people may not respect us inwardly but put on a good show outwardly. Others care neither in heart nor appearance, treating others like mere plants—unaware that even plants have feelings,” Miaozhen mused. Even the young maids she brought along herself received her thoughtful consideration.
Xiao Xi had Xiao Tao hang her clothes and re-scent them. Miaozhen opened the food box and found the noon meal still warm. She buried her head in eating, first appeasing her own hunger.
Only with a full stomach did she feel energized. Just then, Mama Gu came to inform her that her family had sent someone. Miaozhen followed Mama Gu out and learned that her father had sent the servant Lai Wang with a letter. Miaozhen first gave him a string of coins for lodging, then returned to write a reply. She stated that she wouldn’t be returning home for the New Year this year, assured them she was doing well at the Cheng Family, and requested that Lai Wang bring a few Buddhist scriptures printed on white cotton paper next time, as the ladies here were devout Buddhists.
After speaking, she had someone wrap the items sent by the First Wife—a Red Camellia Patterned Zhaohua Satin Wide Sleeve Robe and a delicate green satin skirt, one bolt of patterned satin, two gold-embroidered sweat handkerchiefs, and a pair of silver hairpins—in felt cloth. The next day, these were sent back with Lai Wang along with a letter, and she also gave Lai Wang two boxes of sesame seed cakes with rock sugar to take back.
Lai Wang found it quite remarkable that his young lady, who had only arrived at the Cheng Family in August, had already acquired so many things in just over three months.
Having seen her father’s earnest advice, urging her to endure for another year, Miaozhen couldn’t help but cry. After wiping her tears, she went to Fourth Miss and Second Madam for follow-up consultations. No matter what, she was determined to do her job well.
Seeing that Miaozhen had come despite the strong wind, Second Madam specially rewarded her with a Sea Otter Skin Lying Rabbit and invited her to stay for a meal. It happened that Wu Shaoye came to pay his respects, so Miaozhen quickly retreated behind the screen and only emerged after he had left.
Wu Shaoye was Second Madam’s own son, a year younger than Miaozhen, a fair and handsome youth with rosy lips and white teeth. But Miaozhen was well aware of her position: she was here to work, not to engage in romance. She had to avoid any suspicion, or else she might invite unnecessary trouble and render all her efforts in vain.
Second Madam was quite pleased with Miaozhen’s propriety. She often worried that her son might be seduced by the young maids, and seeing Miaozhen dressed plainly, she felt this girl lacked the frivolous intentions of others.
Later, when Miaozhen returned to her room, she found that Huan’er, the chief maid from Second Madam’s household, had delivered a set of thick fur clothing: a Lotus Root Pink Velvet Feather Satin Gray Rat Cape, an Oiled Green Gold Brocade Skirt, and a Bright Red Gray Rat Braided Jacket, along with a silver thread cloud hairpin.
Miaozhen gave Huan’er fifty coins as a reward, then closed the door and tried on the clothes. They were very warm; though the gray rat fur couldn’t compare to silver rat fur, it was still quite good. Moreover, the velvet feather satin was impervious to rain, and the silver thread cloud hairpin was uniquely beautiful.
But after satisfying her curiosity, she had the items packed away in a chest and changed back into her own white silk jacket, layered with a silver-red Bijia and a turquoise blue skirt.
When going out, she would change into the Lotus Root Silk Braided Jacket sent by Pinellia, paired with the Lotus Root Silk Flower and Bird Cape. This way, she appeared elegant without drawing attention.
After lunch, Miaozhen saw that Xiao Tao had finished mending her cotton shoes. Trying them on, she found they fit perfectly. Stretching lazily, she prepared to take a short nap when someone knocked at the door, saying that Yu Zhoujin had referred them—the chief maid of Si Shaoye was ill.
Si Shaoye was born of Zhu Yiniang from the eldest branch, and since the patient was merely a maid, Yu Zhoujin felt it beneath her status and simply passed the task along.
Miaozhen suppressed her frustration and immediately had Xiao Tao carry the medicine chest as they set off. At the door, she asked Mama Gu, “What’s going on? Why am I being called for external consultations? That other sister specializes in colds and fevers—why isn’t she handling it?”
Mama Gu replied, “What can we do? Just bear with it, miss.”
And so, Miaozhen braved the wind and frost to go.
Seated on the heated basket, Yu Zhoujin heard that Miaozhen had left and smiled, then said to Lingdang, “If I hadn’t made a scene with the tea room last time, would they have been so accommodating? Besides, it’s not like I haven’t done my part.”
Just then, Lingdang looked up and saw someone from Qin Guniang’s place making a request. She immediately followed suit and redirected them to Li Yao’e. Li Yao’e bit her lip but said nothing.
Only Li Yao’e and Miaozhen, having returned from separate medical visits, met at the gate. Both felt exhausted and chilled, their hearts swelling with resentment toward Yu Zhoujin.
Unaware of this, Yu Zhoujin invited them to play leaf cards after dinner. Miaozhen smiled and waved her hand: “No, I must first organize my medical records. Sister, please find someone else.”
Though they hadn’t openly fallen out, when night calls came, Miaozhen refused to go: “I’ve already made three late-night visits in a row. Why call me again? There are others available.”
Though Li Yao’e hadn’t coordinated with Miaozhen, she also pretended to be asleep. Cuiyu, ever perceptive, pointed toward the easternmost room: “She hasn’t gone out all day and is well-rested. You should call her instead.”
Seeing neither would rise, Yu Zhoujin—being clever—realized she had provoked collective displeasure and slowly went herself.
Soon it was the twelfth lunar month. Miaozhen counted the days and went to the fourth young lady of Da Fang’s quarters, informing her she could begin taking medicine for seven consecutive days before reassessment. Strangely, while previous visits yielded no rewards, this time Mama Zhao from First Wife’s retinue brought a sky blue Fan Ba silk crane cloak.
Though feather satin and camlet surpassed doronize and Fan Ba silk, this piece was half-worn. Even new, it would be worth seven or eight taels at most; this used one might fetch one tael at a pawnshop—if that.
Truthfully, if paid per visit, her ten trips should have earned two taels normally.
No wonder everyone preferred running errands for Second Madam’s household. Sometimes Miaozhen thought that, as a subordinate, she finally understood a servant’s perspective.
After Mama Zhao left, Third Young Lady’s maid delivered a pair of golden lantern earrings and golden fish hairpins.
Xiao Xi remarked: “This Third Young Lady seems decent. Last time I delivered items, she specifically kept me to chat, expressing great admiration for you.”
“I see,” Miaozhen nodded slightly.
During Laba Festival, they ate Laba porridge. Miaozhen tried to complete all problematic patients’ treatments before nightfall, as night visits could easily make physicians fall ill themselves.
Previously, Yu Zhoujin kept shifting patients to her and Li Yao’e. Later, even First Wife and Second Madam’s people sought Miaozhen’s services. First Wife rarely rewarded—perhaps once in forty visits—but Second Madam was exceedingly generous. Soon Miaozhen’s reputation flourished in the mansion.
Even Xiao Ruan Shi, the household manager, heard of Miaozhen. This time, feeling unwell, she summoned Miaozhen instead of Li Yao’e.
Xiao Ruan Shi was strikingly beautiful, radiant and slender as a lantern. She told Miaozhen: “I have abdominal masses and have tried many medicines—Ganqi Pills, Moyao Pills, Shuifu Dan—but these three years it persists.”
“Then let me palpate the lumps first,” Miaozhen said.
Facing a young girl, Xiao Ruan Shi felt no shyness. After having her lie flat, Miaozhen pressed the mass and asked: “Does this hurt?”
“Sometimes it feels distended, and pressing causes sharp pain.” Though managing the entire household, Xiao Ruan Shi’s health wasn’t robust—yet she forced herself to hide it.
Finding the mass firm, Miaozhen checked her pulse—deep and rough—noting thick tongue coating with purple tongue body. She asked: “Does Third Madam often experience dry mouth?”
“Frequently,” Xiao Ruan Shi quickly replied.
Miaozhen inquired further about her menstrual cycle and found it was often delayed. She concluded, “This is a condition of internal blood stasis. It requires both external and internal treatments to be effective.”
She then added, “Since I need to perform moxibustion on you, there will be five acupoints in total. Each point requires fourteen cones of moxa. One acupoint takes nearly two hours, so all five will take ten hours. Please let me know which day you’re available to call me over.”
Xiao Ruan Shi sighed, “There’s so much to do during the New Year period.”
Still, she wanted to recover quickly, as Miaozhen clearly didn’t engage in idle chatter and provided precise diagnoses.
Miaozhen didn’t say much else, merely listening as Xiao Ruan Shi decided, “Then let’s make it the tenth. We’ll start early in the morning. If it goes until evening, you needn’t return home.”
“Alright. Let me remind you: after moxibustion, you must avoid wind, bathing, and consuming raw or cold foods. Be sure to eat breakfast half an hour before the treatment,” Miaozhen instructed.
Xiao Ruan Shi smiled, “That’s no trouble. Come early and we’ll eat together before starting.”
After settling the arrangement, Miaozhen prescribed Xiangsha Tiaozhong Tang and Zhishi Wan.
On the ninth day of the twelfth lunar month, she obtained moxa wool from the pharmacy and tirelessly rolled moxa cones until a wicker basket was filled. She never used to consider her medical skills exceptional, but through gradual diagnosis and wholehearted dedication, she began to feel confident in her abilities. If the Cheng Family could help build her reputation, she might become a renowned physician despite her youth—a status that would bring extraordinary privileges.
Early on the tenth, Miaozhen arrived to find Cheng Junxian present. She hurried to a side room and waited until he left before entering.
The invitation to breakfast had been mere politeness, so Miaozhen had already snacked on pastries beforehand. When Xiao Ruan Shi urged her to eat, she declined. As Xiao Ruan Shi hastily finished her meal, people kept arriving outside. She remarked, “The gifts for the capital were sent long ago.”
Once things quieted down, Miaozhen reminded her, “Third Madam, we may begin now.”
One might ask about the patient’s daily mood to understand their condition, but beyond that, prying into personal affairs was unnecessary. Familiarity often led to loose tongues, which could breed displeasure—especially when status differed. Caution was paramount.
“I’ll start with moxibustion at your Shangwan Xue. If you feel any discomfort, you must tell me,” Miaozhen stated.
Perhaps because Xiao Ruan Shi’s body was excessively cold, she found the treatment quite soothing. Meanwhile, she observed Miaozhen, who was fully focused, sweat beading on her forehead, unaware that the edges of her silver-red Bijia were frayed.
Yet one question revealed her refinement: “You attended a Girls’ School?”
“For a few years. My teacher was Madame Qiu, sister of the current Sichuan Provincial Administrator, Lord Qiu,” Miaozhen replied with a smile.
Xiao Ruan Shi exclaimed, “Why didn’t you say so earlier? Our families had some dealings with the Qius in the past.”
Miaozhen maintained a humble demeanor. Xiao Ruan Shi, impressed by her competence and modesty, felt a sudden fondness.
They completed moxibustion on two acupoints in the morning, resumed after a post-meal rest. The patient couldn’t move during treatment, and Miaozhen herself was exhausted, but she persevered, determined to earn her keep.
During this time, Xiao Ruan Shi would complain about whether the moxibustion was being applied too much and so on, and she had to explain repeatedly. Finally, they reached Xinglong Xue—the last acupoint. The sky had already turned completely dark, and she was both hungry and exhausted, sweating profusely.
Fortunately, after gritting her teeth and persevering, it turned out to be past midnight. She finally managed to stand up, then curled up and lay down in the maid’s room. At first, she couldn’t fall asleep, but later she slept for two hours. Seeing that it was dawn, she led the others back.
After returning, she simply collapsed into bed and slept until noon. About ten days later, Xiao Ruan Shi sent someone with twenty taels of silver wrapped in felt cloth along with several pieces of clothing: a silver squirrel cloak with crimson Gu-velvet exterior, a crimson feather satin jacket with front opening, a white silk padded jacket, a golden Bijia embroidered throughout, and a mud-gold skirt.
The New Year gifts were considerably more lavish than those for Winter Solstice. It was only then she realized the Winter Solstice gifts had been standard allocations, while the New Year gifts included two bolts of pongee, two bolts of Leizhou Ge, one bolt of Qing Sha, a pair of gold and silver ingots, and two food boxes.
Miaozhen organized her small treasury: fourteen taels saved from monthly allowances, plus the twenty from Xiao Ruan Shi and the gold and silver ingots, totaling over forty taels. The clothing and accessories alone were of considerable value.
Understanding the importance of reciprocity, she personally copied Buddhist scriptures and did needlework to send to the Old Madam, various Madams, and young mistresses.
For the New Year visits to the mansion’s masters, everyone dressed up. Li Yao’e wore a pomegranate-red gray rat cape, while Miaozhen wore the Lotus Root Pink Velvet Feather Satin Gray Rat Cape gifted by Second Madam. Only Yu Zhoujin, who usually put on airs of being a young lady before them, still wore the peach-red satin cape originally bestowed by the Old Madam’s chief maid.
Watching them all upgrade their attire, Yu Zhoujin thought scornfully, “The poor suddenly becoming rich.” Unbeknownst to her, during the New Year visits, many people engaged Li Yao’e and Miaozhen in conversation. Due to her infrequent consultations, limited patients, and impatient demeanor, no one paid her any attention.
“Just you wait, all of you,” Yu Zhoujin swore inwardly.
Little did she know that after the New Year, they would each advance even further beyond her reach.