The fifteenth day of the first lunar month was both the Lantern Festival and her birthday, known only to Xiao Xi and Xiao Tao. Each had made needlework gifts for her—Xiao Xi presented a pair of pouches, while Xiao Tao, whose needlework was less refined, made two pairs of shoes.
Miaozhen rewarded each of them with a string of coins and two feet of Sea Sky Rosy Color silk for spring garments, delighting them both.
Xiao Xi said, “During this festive season, you’re constantly out on medical visits. It must be exhausting.”
“No one has it easy,” Miaozhen replied with a smile. “I see Third Madam bustling about alone, still having to flatter the old madam and the other wives. Even the various madams can’t rest—they must socialize. Compared to all that socializing, I only have to focus on this one thing.”
In the Cheng Family, aside from the eldest daughter who remained at home in widowhood, there were three other unmarried daughters. The First Wife had little affection for the concubine-born daughters but was eager to secure matches for her own.
Cheng Bin had noticed this and fumed in her room, “If only my birth mother were here! But she’s far away in Shandong, and my marriage prospects are entirely in the First Wife’s hands.”
Her nurse hurriedly advised, “My young lady, please lower your voice. Surely she wouldn’t dare be too overtly unfair.”
“Not too unfair? My father is, after all, the Governor of Shandong. She actually suggested the son of a prefect for me, emphasizing he’s the legitimate eldest son—as if I care! Fortunately, the old madam won’t let her act recklessly and gave her an out by saying she should discuss it with my father first.” The mere mention of this infuriated Cheng Bin.
Noticing two pimples on her forehead, she added, “Later, please summon Xu Langzhong for me. She’s quite popular in our household now and probably busy. Take a bottle of rosewater and jade flower powder from my things.”
The nurse acknowledged but couldn’t help remarking, “It’s strange—Third Young Miss used to only care about painting and wasn’t so ambitious. But lately, whenever she goes out, she seems to be competing for attention.”
“She wants a good marriage too,” Cheng Bin understood perfectly.
Before the mistress and servant could send for Miaozhen, news arrived that the Second Elder Master had died of illness in the capital. The eldest young master of the main branch was escorting the coffin home, having sent a fast rider ahead with the message days earlier.
The old madam of the West Residence was said to have fainted from weeping upon hearing the news, taking a while to recover. Miaozhen noticed Yu Zhoujin hadn’t gone over, unaware that Yu had her own troubles—her exceptional beauty made Second Madam Ye of the West Residence dislike having her around, so she rarely visited.
When Third Madam sent word requesting someone to attend, Li Yao’e went immediately upon seeing Yu Zhoujin hesitate.
After they left, Pinellia came to chat. “Good thing you’re still here, otherwise I wouldn’t know who to see about my ailment.”
“What’s wrong? Has Third Master been visiting you again?” Miaozhen asked.
Pinellia moved to cover her mouth. “How can an unmarried girl like you speak of such things! He has been coming recently, but I keep complaining about various discomforts, which always puts him in a bad mood.”
Miaozhen sympathized, “You should be careful these days. With the household in mourning, if you were to conceive, you wouldn’t be able to keep it.”
“Thank you for reminding me,” Pinellia realized.
Miaozhen examined her and observed greenish, thick, foul-smelling vaginal discharge—so severe that changing undergarments three times a day wasn’t enough.
“The liver corresponds to wood in the five elements, and wood’s color is green. Your condition stems from a liver issue. I will prescribe a modified Xiaoyao Powder for you, which can relieve stagnant fire in the liver meridian and clear damp-heat from the lower jiao.” Having said this, she promptly wrote out the prescription.
Pinellia grasped her hand and said, “I wouldn’t know what to do without you! Last time I suffered from female consumptive jaundice, I truly thought I was going to die.”
“I cannot promise anything about the future, but as long as I remain in the Cheng Family, if you seek me out, I will help treat you,” Miaozhen replied.
Then Pinellia tried to offer her gifts, but Miaozhen hurriedly declined: “I’m truly not being polite with you. When I treat the madams, they always reward me. Besides, I still receive my regular allowance. You should save more for yourself.”
Pinellia was immensely grateful and confided in her: “First Madam will be returning soon. She’s a smiling tiger, quite different from Third Madam. Third Madam may seem stern, but she’s actually very principled. Even if Third Young Master were to take someone as a concubine, she would tolerate it. First Madam is different.”
“Although I have no such intentions, I still thank you for the warning,” Miaozhen said with a smile.
Pinellia sighed enviously: “That’s true. Your family are local gentry after all, so you don’t have to endure such treatment. Things may look glamorous from the outside, but it’s not easy living here.”
Miaozhen handed her the prescription and instructed her to go prepare the medicine.
Six or seven days later, Second Elder Master’s Lingshu returned. The Eldest Young Master also returned from Mourning Leave. Unfortunately, his only daughter Qinfang fell ill. Knowing that Li Yao’e specialized in pediatric medicine and had raised Third Young Master’s twins to be plump and healthy, Old Madam Cheng directly transferred Li Yao’e to treat her.
As for Miaozhen, she also received an assignment. Because she had successfully treated the lump on Xiao Ruan Shi, the daughter-in-law of the Cheng Family’s old relative who served as River Governor specifically sent a sedan chair to invite Miaozhen for a consultation.
First Madam Lu’s condition was similar to Xiao Ruan Shi’s, both being abdominal mass disorders, though with slight differences that required gradual treatment over at least three months. During this period, Miaozhen had to visit every few days.
She explained the medicinal properties and effects to First Madam Lu. After the first moxibustion treatment, First Madam Lu immediately felt much better. Seeing how clearly Miaozhen understood syndrome differentiation and carried herself like a proper physician, and noting she never spoke unnecessarily during visits, First Madam Lu packaged sixteen taels of silver along with two bolts of fashionable satin as gratitude gifts.
Returning today, Miaozhen saw a woman wearing a blue headscarf entering Yu Zhoujin’s room. Upon entering her own quarters, she asked: “Who came to visit next door?”
Xiao Tao shook her head.
Miaozhen put away the money and satin – this was three months’ worth of consultation and treatment fees that must not be lost. After securing the money, she changed clothes. Xiao Tao took her and Xiao Xi’s clothes out for washing. Usually, whoever stayed behind would help with laundry for those who went out. Their clothes weren’t particularly dirty, but having been exposed to many germs outside, they needed thorough washing.
When Xiao Tao went out carrying the wooden basin, she saw Lingdang standing guard at the door and asked quietly: “Why aren’t you going inside?”
“Miss’s aunt is visiting,” Lingdang replied helplessly.
She actually envied Xiao Xi and Xiao Tao. Not only was Miss Xu highly skilled in medicine, she was also cheerful and talkative, never beating or scolding servants, and even shared nice fabric with Xiao Xi and Xiao Tao. Her own mistress made her do all the dirty and heavy work, being extremely lazy.
Thinking this, she glanced again at the room.
Aunt Yu was speaking with Yu Zhoujin: “What’s the matter with you, niece? I heard the other two have had some good fortune, while you’re left sitting on the cold bench here.”
“One can’t very well hope for someone in this household to fall ill,” Yu Zhoujin wasn’t desperate enough to appear so grasping.
As long as she maintained her integrity, there was no need to compete with them. They were merely seeking more rewards, which was different from her own situation.
Yet she still felt somewhat unsettled, especially since Li Yao’e had been praised even by First Madam Ji Shi these past few days for serving Miss Qinfang well.
To say Ji Shi felt quite at ease with Li Yao’e was understandable—after all, Li Yao’e had a plain, unadorned appearance that made her seem very honest.
Ji Shi was a beauty with willow-leaf eyebrows and cherry lips, the cleverest girl in her maiden days. But now she often wore a worried expression. It was said that her husband doted on her and was unwilling to take concubines, but in reality, he did have two Tongfang. One of them had become pregnant but, after hearing someone’s instigation, claimed she was frightened of Ji Shi and miscarried from fear. The Cheng Family all believed it was Ji Shi’s fault.
Thinking of this, she sighed softly.
After the three-month mourning period for distant relatives ended, she would have to select one or two women to maintain appearances—she couldn’t let outsiders criticize her for being unvirtuous.
While she was pondering, Li Yao’e approached and said, “First Madam, the young mistress has fallen asleep. She’s still too young for acupuncture, so I’ll return tomorrow to continue the massage.”
Ji Shi looked at her and said, “Don’t go back. Later, you can stay in the rear annex rooms. I’ll have someone prepare two rooms for you until Fang Jie’er recovers.”
“Thank you, First Madam,” Li Yao’e replied with an air of resigned acceptance.
Ji Shi then said, “Your maid Cuiyu is getting older. I’ll assign someone else to you.”
Li Yao’e hadn’t liked Cuiyu at first since she was difficult to order around, but now she had developed some affection for her. However, this wasn’t something she could decide.
Cuiyu had originally been sent by the Cheng Family. Now that the new mistress wanted to dismiss her, she had to leave. Fortunately, Li Yao’e gave her two sets of clothes, though no one knew where she would go after leaving.
“Sister Xu, please keep an eye on things here for me. I’ll return once the young mistress over there recovers,” Li Yao’e said.
Miaozhen, however, remarked, “We’re here to serve the entire Cheng Family. Last time when you treated the child from the second branch, you didn’t have to move in there. Why do you need to stay over now?”
Li Yao’e sighed. “Since she said so, I couldn’t refuse her.”
This First Madam wasn’t the type to scold or reprimand loudly, but her tone always carried an undeniable authority. Li Yao’e couldn’t defy her, and Miaozhen could only sympathize helplessly, saying, “Come back as soon as you’re done with the treatment. At least we can keep each other company.”
Sometimes, when alone, Miaozhen couldn’t help but feel homesick.
But then she thought that perhaps everything was for the best. She had been recommended by Xiao Ruan Shi to First Madam Lu. If she could build a reputation among these official families, she wouldn’t be confined to the inner quarters after marriage someday.
She still had to take things step by step—nothing could be achieved overnight. Sometimes, haste makes waste.
Meanwhile, the elder master from Shandong returned with Zhu Yiniang. Zhu Yiniang’s eldest son was already eighteen, and she was nearly forty herself. With her oval face, fair skin, and exceptional social skills, she was a very capable woman. When she stood next to Zeng Shi, everyone felt they should swap places.
No wonder the master favors her alone—it’s because of her gentle temperament and charming demeanor.
When Zhu Yiniang returned this time, the First Wife claimed to have chest pains and summoned Miaozhen over. By the time Miaozhen arrived, Zhu Yiniang had just entered as well, and they heard the First Wife moaning “Aiyo, aiyo” repeatedly.
Miaozhen initially thought she genuinely had heart trouble and hurried to check her pulse without further questions. But a casual glance revealed the First Wife’s evasive eyes. After careful consideration, Miaozhen detected no real pulse abnormality, yet she still said, “If First Wife is suffering from acute internal heat, you must rest properly and avoid frequent agitation…”
After circling the issue and quoting medical texts at length, she finally left the main residence.
Xiao Xi wondered, “Miss, why didn’t you diagnose and prescribe medicine today?”
“There’s no illness at all—what medicine should she take?” The First Wife was merely feigning sickness to torment the concubine by making Zhu Yiniang attend to her.
Xiao Xi gasped in surprise.
Miaozhen snorted coldly, “I shouldn’t have gotten involved in conflicts between wives and concubines. The First Wife just tried to make me falsify medical records claiming she’s truly ill—that’s absolutely unacceptable. Medical practice isn’t a tool for their inner-household struggles. Next time they send for me, just say I’m out.”
“But always avoiding them like this isn’t a solution either,” Xiao Xi said.
After some contemplation, Miaozhen replied, “I suspect Zhu Yiniang is no ordinary person. For now, we’ll evade as much as possible. I won’t help fabricate lies anyway.”
Zhu Yiniang was the younger sister of the master’s deceased first wife—who knew how she got along with the eldest young master? But she must be highly favored. Though appearing modest, she wore first-grade brocade with hidden patterns and seemingly plain but superior mutton-fat white jade hairpins.
Meanwhile, the First Wife Zeng Shi alternately complained of chest pain demanding Zhu Yiniang serve tea, then deliberately spilled it for being “too hot,” falsely accusing Zhu Yiniang of attempting harm.
“First Wife, how could I ever harm you? Please don’t misunderstand,” Zhu Yiniang immediately knelt and kowtowed. She too was formidable—her fair skin made the forehead redness from kowtowing instantly conspicuous.
In truth, Zhu Yiniang felt deeply humiliated. Initially, she respected Zeng Shi and feared offending her. But she eventually realized Zeng Shi never sought peaceful coexistence—as the legal wife, she believed she could freely abuse others. Rather than endure this, resistance became preferable.
Seeing her mother like this, Cheng Bin cried out loudly, “Yiniang, what are you doing? You just returned and this happens…” Then turning to Zeng Shi, “Please punish me instead, don’t blame Yiniang.”
Zeng Shi told Cheng Bin, “Second Girl, this doesn’t concern you.”
Just as Cheng Bin felt helpless, the master arrived. Dismissing all servants except his wife and concubine, he didn’t help Zhu Yiniang up but said to Zeng Shi, “Such noise will upset the Old Madam if she finds out.”
Zeng Shi’s arrogance vanished at the master’s appearance.
Little did she know the master privately cherished Zhu Yiniang, who whispered, “On surface I can’t openly favor you, but since she goes this far, must you always endure?”
“Does the master mean… this humble one may resist slightly?” Zhu Yiniang deliberately asked with feigned timidity.
The elder master saw her like this and looked at the swelling on her forehead, saying, “Alright. You’re a mother with children now, and you’re the one closest to my heart. How could I stand to see you like this?”
Zeng Shi was still smug, boasting to her second daughter about how she controlled the concubines, unaware that Zhu Yiniang had already gained the elder master’s support.
Cheng Yuan sensed trouble immediately: “I just went to pay respects to the old madam earlier—how did this situation erupt? You really mustn’t act like this anymore.”
“Act like what? Isn’t it a concubine’s duty to lift curtains, serve tea, and attend to chores? Can I not even expect that?” Zeng Shi felt utterly aggrieved.
Cheng Yuan knew her mother, though a second wife, came from an excellent family background and had been pampered at home, thus unskilled in scheming. Yet Zhu Yiniang excelled at using weakness to overpower strength.
The more her mother fought, the more she lost—this was ultimately why she agreed to let Cheng Yuan marry Lu Shi’an, a man from a humble family, believing that marrying beneath her station would spare her from bullying.
So she sat down and advised, “Mother, you’re absolutely right. But Zhu Yiniang isn’t an ordinary concubine. She comes from a respectable background as a legitimate concubine, is the cousin of the late wife, has given birth to Second Sister and Fourth Brother, and even has connections with Eldest Brother.”
“What of it? I’m still the legal wife.” Hearing her daughter’s analysis, Zeng Shi—who had been focused on asserting authority—began to feel some regret.
Cheng Yuan said, “Just ignore her from now on. Father values rules and won’t truly let her disrespect you. Only if you make a mistake and fall would she possibly be elevated to wife status.”
Zeng Shi scoffed, “How could a concubine ever be made the legal wife?”
Cheng Yuan used to think the same, but after marriage, witnessing many worldly affairs, she realized anything was possible—who would know if those in power didn’t speak of it?
So Cheng Yuan still insisted, “Mother, anything is possible.”
Zeng Shi shook her head and said nothing more.
Meanwhile, after Li Yao’e moved to the Da Fang quarters, Yu Zhoujin started visiting more frequently. Miaozhen showed her a floral pattern she’d drawn, asking, “What colors do you think I should fill in here?”
After discussing it with her for a while, they saw Second Young Lady’s maid come to ask for bruise ointment. Miaozhen had Xiao Xi fetch a porcelain bottle for her and quietly inquired, “Is this for Zhu Yiniang?”
“Of course it is. Never mind, I should go.” The maid didn’t wish to say more and hurried away.
After she left, Yu Zhoujin eagerly asked what was happening. Miaozhen vaguely replied, “Even without her two children, Zhu Yiniang still has the eldest young master’s support. Who knows what she’s up to?”
While Miaozhen was taking her afternoon nap, Yu Zhoujin secretly gave twenty coins to Xiao Xi. Though Xiao Xi hesitated outwardly, she eventually revealed everything, adding, “Zhu Yiniang has been badly mistreated. If the eldest young master visits her later, who knows how much drama there’ll be? East wind or west wind—who can predict which will prevail?”
Yu Zhoujin, who originally planned to rely on the old madam and later be bestowed as a concubine, reconsidered. The old madam was aging and often fatigued—why not change tactics? If she could get Zhu Yiniang to put in a good word for her with the eldest young master, it would be quite advantageous.
Having decided this, Yu Zhoujin knew what she needed to do.
Xiao Xi closed the door and whispered everything to Miaozhen, who finally breathed a sigh of relief: “It’s just as well if they all fight for that position. This way, I won’t get caught in the crossfire of wives and concubines battling each other.”
“Why do you say ‘they’? Isn’t it just Miss Yu?” Xiao Xi said.
Miaozhen shook her head: “You’re still looking at this too superficially. Never mind, these matters have nothing to do with us anyway. Actually, the Cheng Family started as salt merchants originally. They’re wealthy and quite generous, so we workers can earn better compensation here. That’s good enough – don’t think about getting involved in their family affairs.”
A few days later, when she went to the Lu residence to perform moxibustion for First Madam Lu, there happened to be guests visiting. Miaozhen sat drinking tea in the reception room while waiting. When she was finally summoned, First Madam Lu told her: “The visitor just now was the wife of the Nanjing Ministry of Rites Secretary, who came to invite me over.”
“Then you should avoid cold and raw foods. Even after you recover in a few days, you still need to be careful about what you eat.” As a physician, Miaozhen only spoke what was medically appropriate.
Whatever about which madam was how – such matters had nothing to do with her current position as a minor staff member.
Sometimes when she walked through these official residences, she would admire their towering buildings and exquisite clothing, but after shaking her head, she still felt quite content with her own situation.
Although First Madam Lu noticed she didn’t speak much, every time Miaozhen visited, her symptoms would alleviate. She actually found this better than the previous female physician she’d hired.
Initially, she had felt somewhat awkward about this young, unmarried girl, but now she greatly admired her medical skills.
“I often hear that many cultured ladies in the Jiangnan region study medicine, but I thought it was just for amusement. Now I see your skills are no worse than seasoned physicians.”
“You flatter me too much.”
“Spring is coming soon. Last time I gave you two bolts of satin, but I realized it might be inconvenient for you to have clothes made while living with the Cheng Family. Coincidentally, we’re about the same size now, and I received some clothing for my birthday recently that I don’t care for the color of. If you don’t mind, please take them to wear.”
This was her offering clothing. Miaozhen said: “You’re always finding ways to give me nice things. I don’t know how to thank you.”
First Madam Lu: “Just wear them when I give them to you. After the Cheng Family completes their mourning period, your Second Young Lady will likely have happy news soon. These outfits would suit you well.”
“Is Second Young Lady getting married?” Miaozhen hadn’t heard.
First Madam Lu smiled: “The Ministry of Rites Secretary’s wife who just visited came to ask me to be matchmaker.”
Now Miaozhen understood. Zhu Yiniang had endured humiliation to secure such an excellent marriage for her daughter – this was the Nanjing Ministry of Rites Minister’s household! Though not equal to the Beijing Ministry of Rites Minister, it was still a first-class family.
This news naturally couldn’t be kept secret. Although they were still in mourning, rumors had leaked out. Zeng Shi’s sources weren’t well-informed, but Cheng Yuan, who often attended the old madam and was close with her maids, had learned about it.
Knowing what happened in her previous life, she naturally knew whom Second Sister Cheng Bin would marry. People used to say Cheng Bin’s husband was flirtatious and had many concubines and tongfang, but recalling that Second Sister had been pregnant without apparent distress even before her own death, she realized Second Sister valued status more than marital fidelity.
Of course, Zeng Shi didn’t yet know about Second Sister’s future husband, only complaining: “Such a good marriage should have been saved for you by your father. Why did he give it to her?”
“Second Sister is older than me and is the eldest daughter of our main branch. Her good marriage is beneficial for me as well. You should display the dignity of the principal wife. If you criticize her harshly and cause a scene, Father might feel sorry for her and give her even more advantages—perhaps exactly what Zhu Yiniang hopes to see,” Cheng Yuan said.
Before Zeng Shi could respond, Mama Zhao interjected, “That’s precisely the case. We might feel satisfied venting our anger, but in the end, we’re the ones who suffer.”
“Mama Zhao, what do you suggest we do then?” Zeng Shi asked, utterly bewildered.
As Zeng Shi’s chief strategist, Mama Zhao had to come up with an idea even if she had none. She said, “The first option is for you to buy a beautiful concubine to divert favor. No matter how capable Zhu Yiniang is, she’s getting on in years—how could she compete with a younger woman?”
Cheng Yuan also approved of this method: “You can sit back and watch the tigers fight, letting them battle it out. But you mustn’t choose someone of low status; she must be a respectable, attractive concubine with cunning—someone capable of holding her own in a rivalry.”
“What about that Miss Yu?” Zeng Shi recalled that Yu Zhoujin was quite beautiful, came from a decent family, and had the backing of the West Residence.
Mama Zhao shook her head: “That girl does have a somewhat seductive appearance, but she lacks cunning. Even among the female physicians who entered together, she fails to win people over.”
Zeng Shi had a sudden inspiration: “What do you think of that Miss Xu? Her father is a Xiucai, her medical skills are excellent, she’s dignified and lovely, and she’s well-versed in poetry and literature.”