The Daily Life of a Down-on-Hard-Life Medicine Girl Supporting Her Family

Chapter 144

A relationship that grows stronger is definitely not something one person can do alone.

The Xiao family never sits back and reaps the benefits; they all do their best to share the burden for Chunnuan.

That day, Madam Lin came to ask her aunt and the others to embroider a screen.

“When I took this job, I was thinking that I must find a few ladies to help me. Only you can do this job.”

Madam Lin said with a face full of sincerity, "Don't worry, we'll split the profits fifty-fifty, half for you and half for me, how about that?"

Actually, it wasn't anything special, but since they had cooperated before and were just killing time, the First Madam asked Madam Xu and Madam Huang and they readily agreed to take the order.

When I returned home in the spring, I felt sorry for my elders when I heard that they had taken on embroidery work again.

Previously, they were needed to do this to supplement their family income because of financial difficulties.

Now that I have a stable income, and my elder sister has also sent back silver notes, I no longer need to work so hard doing embroidery.

Everyone knows that embroidery is very hard on the eyes, especially since they are all getting old. In addition, in the days following the passing of the old lady, they would often be reminded of the past and would often tear up. Doing embroidery would be even more harmful.

"Nuan Nuan, we won't think too much when we have something to do," Auntie said. "There's no rush for Madam Lin, we can embroider slowly."

This is a large three-panel screen, perfect for the three sisters-in-law to each embroider one, which is a good way to pass the time.

“Yes, Nuannuan, we’re just sitting around doing nothing anyway. It’s good to do some handicrafts to supplement our income and pass the time,” Huang said. “Otherwise, we wouldn’t know what to do.”

As daughters of minor officials, they had never done farm work. When they went out, they would socialize and browse jewelry shops. Most of the time, they stayed at home, taking care of their husbands and raising their children.

In Sichuan, they were not used to going out. When they did go out, the women in the village didn't know how to address them. They stared at them as if they were rare species. They would stare at each other, at most nodding and smiling, and then everyone would laugh awkwardly.

They mostly speak a dialect, but it's not like authentic Sichuan dialect. You can understand Sichuan dialect, since Doctor Xiao often speaks it too. But they speak a language called Hakka. Their ancestors migrated from Huguang, and they still speak the language of Huguang. This is very difficult to understand. You can't understand it at all.

Listening to their chatter and smiling in the direction of Mrs. Xiao and her family is quite intriguing.

Rather than going out and becoming the subject of gossip, it's better to stay home and embroider.

In fact, Mrs. Xu had also asked Mrs. Luo next door what they were talking about.

Sister-in-law Luo said they were praising the three wives of the Xiao family for their good looks, fair skin, and slender figures, unlike themselves, who were women with thick waists, thick legs, and dark skin.

The three wives of the Xiao family didn't think this was a compliment; in short, they just didn't want to go out.

Seeing that her aunts and the others enjoyed embroidery and treated it as a way to pass the time, Chunnuan suddenly had an idea: to open an embroidery shop.

"Open an embroidery shop?" Madam Xu was taken aback. "Are we capable of doing this?"

“Aunt, the embroidery you, your mother, your third aunt, and your eldest sister-in-law make is very good. Don’t worry about whether you can do it or not, but worry about whether anyone can afford to buy it.”

Compared to Lin Niangzi's embroidery shop, Chunnuan positions itself as a higher-end brand.

"It's a waste for you to use such good embroidery skills on such poor fabric. Use high-end fabric to make high-end embroidery and sell it to wealthy people."

“We embroider our own embroidery with a mark, and customers who have bought it say it’s good. Then they only buy from this mark, which will give us a stable source of repeat customers and new customers.”

They value quality over quantity, and each piece of embroidery is as precious as a work by a scholar or artist.

The three sisters-in-law of the Xu family thought it made some sense, but they were also a little skeptical and worried about losing money.

"Don't worry, if the embroidery is good, it will sell. If it doesn't sell, it can be used as dowry for your sisters."

"Yes, how come I didn't think of that?"

Anyway, most of what they embroider are dowry items; if they can't sell them, they can keep them for themselves.

Seeing that she had persuaded her aunt, Chunnuan found it amusing herself.

Who would think of losing money and selling their own products first when starting a business?
Therefore, the Xiao family members are fundamentally unsuited for business!

However, Chun Ning suddenly had the idea of ​​starting a business.

What kind of business do you want to make?

"Isn't Sister processing medicinal herbs? I was thinking, why don't we process them ourselves and then sell them?"

Which pharmacy are you targeting?

"Not really, I just feel like we're relatively more familiar with this industry," Chun Ning said. "We're just starting out, we need to slowly open up sales channels, accumulate customer resources, and develop gradually..."

"You'll be getting married in three years. I hope the Xiao family will remain a family of doctors, and I hope you can work hard to train one or two apprentices to uphold the reputation of the Xiao family."

Listening to Chun Ning's analysis, Chun Nuan felt that he must have done a lot of research.

"Who do you want to learn how to process medicinal herbs?"

"I hope Chunqiang and Chun'an can learn."

They are all children of the third wife, and the third aunt, Huang, might not agree.

“Of course, I can learn too.” Chun Ning said, “Although I’m a bit older, I will study hard.”

“Chuning, if there is anyone who wants to learn, I would prefer it to be you,” Chunnuan said. “But right now, the entire Xiao family depends on you, so you can’t concentrate on learning. And Third Aunt has always looked down on business and medicine; she would prefer Chunqiang and Chunan to become great scholars like the ancestors of the Huang family.”

“It’s easier said than done!” Chun Ning said, “Our Xiao family cannot take the imperial examinations for three generations. It’s really too difficult for Third Aunt to make Chun An and Chun Qiang take that path.”

"It all depends on human effort."

Chunnuan thought that her two younger brothers were still young, and anything was possible. Maybe one day things would change again, and someone would clear their grandfather's name and exonerate him. Maybe then they would have the opportunity to participate in the imperial examinations.

"There is hope only if Third Aunt has such thoughts and ideas."

My third aunt is definitely different from my eldest aunt and mother.

After experiencing a great calamity, my aunt and mother have become much more at peace. They just hope that the family can live a peaceful and healthy life. However, my third aunt still has high aspirations and always wants to return to the capital one day and for her children to achieve success.

Chunnuan believes that everyone has the right to dream. If dreams come true, everyone is happy. Even if dreams are shattered, it doesn't matter. At least this thought can help her get through these lonely and dark years.

"If you want Chun'an or Chunqiang to learn how to process medicinal herbs, you must get Third Aunt's permission first."

“Okay, I understand.” Chun Ning said, “Sister, please teach me first, I will try my best to learn.”

"it is good."

The succession of a family business relies on male descendants, which is why many families pass it down to sons but not daughters.

Chunnuan was very grateful that her grandfather did not impose so many rules on her to prevent her from learning, but instead taught her everything he knew. His study and pharmacy were always open to her, and he even pleaded with her grandmother to give her special treatment.

Therefore, after her grandfather's accident, she did her best to take on the responsibility of the family, just to repay her grandfather's kindness.

Chun Ning wanted to learn, and Chun Nuan was willing to do her best to teach her.

Yes, the Xiao family, the Xiao clan, two generations of imperial physicians, what glory! The prescriptions and secret formulas in my grandfather's medical records truly need to be passed down.

Seeing how busy Chun Ning was, she felt a little sorry for her. Chun Ning went to find her third aunt.

"What did you say?"

"Third Aunt, I'm planning to set up a small Xiao family pharmacy to pass down some of our family's secret recipes. Chun'an and Chunqiang are still young, which is a good time for them to learn. Third Aunt, what do you think..."

“No, you can’t study medicine.” Madam Huang flatly rejected the idea: “Look at what benefits your grandfather got? Look at your eldest uncle, your father, and your third uncle, why didn’t any of them study medicine? Because your grandfather thought it was meaningless.”

Is this really the case?
Chun Ning felt that her third aunt's idea was a bit biased.

"Chuning, I am very grateful for your sacrifices. Without you, my five children and I might not have survived."

At first, the Huang family was quite afraid of splitting up the family property.

After all, there are precedents for this in the capital: "Husbands and wives are like birds in the same forest; when disaster strikes, they fly away separately."

If this is the case between husband and wife, what about between sisters-in-law?

She didn't choose to divorce her husband for the sake of her child. The nanny sent by her mother hinted that if she divorced him, she wouldn't be able to take the child back or live at home. Instead, she would be given another identity and sent to a remote place. After a few years, she would return to the mansion as another young lady and remarry.

The arrangement seemed appropriate, but in reality, it was a way of showing disdain for her.

She knew very well that having a divorced woman in a prestigious family that had produced great Confucian scholars would tarnish the reputation of the other girls in the family.

Moreover, as a mother, Huang Shi couldn't be so selfish as to abandon her child and go off to enjoy a life of luxury alone, so she chose to come to Sichuan with the Xiao family.

Throughout the journey, she was constantly torn between regretting her decision and compromising.

When Huang saw that the Xiao family had been exterminated, she was filled with anxiety. She was really afraid that she and her four children would starve to death in Shu.

Fortunately, with Chunnuan's help, the Xiao family was able to live a comfortable life with enough to eat and wear.

Compared to the various thoughts about spring warmth and tranquility, Huang had only one idea: she hoped that her children would work hard and live up to expectations, so that they could remain silent until they made a name for themselves and soar out of Sichuan.

Although the Emperor had issued an edict barring the Xiao family from taking the imperial examinations for three generations, she still knew one way: by gaining renown among the common people, she could still become a great Confucian scholar and shine brightly in the public eye. She firmly believed that hard work would always pay off.

"But Chun Ning, you have to understand your third aunt. She has been influenced by the Huang family for many years and knows how difficult this path is, but she will not give up. She only wants Chun An and Chun Qiang to achieve something."

Chun Ning nodded.

"Third Aunt, I understand. Since you don't agree, just pretend I didn't say anything."

"Chuning, I'm sorry."

"Third Aunt, we're family, so let's not be so formal. Everyone has their own ambitions, and we won't force anyone," Chun Ning said. "Let's put this matter behind us and not mention it again."

Chun Ning originally wanted to choose one of the two brothers to learn from, but her third aunt was unwilling to learn from either of them.

As the daughter-in-law of a royal physician, she openly despised studying medicine and pharmacy.

You can't force something to be sweet; if you don't want to learn, then don't.

Chun Ning rolled up her sleeves and decided to take the lead herself.

"How was it? Hit a wall, huh?"

"Sister, you really know Third Aunt too well."

“I don’t know my third aunt, but I know what a mother thinks.”

“Yes, my third aunt told me to understand her, and I can understand,” Chun Ning said. “Sister, please teach me, I will learn diligently.”

“Okay, I will teach her diligently.” Chun Nuan felt that it was good for Chun Ning to learn from her.

It must be said that Chun Ning studies very diligently.

Every beginner starts by memorizing the soup recipes, and Chun Ning was able to memorize them after only a short time.

Seeing Chun Ning's confident demeanor, Chun Nuan felt sorry for him.

Yes, in the Xiao family, the most studious one is definitely not Chun'an or Chunqiang, but her younger brother Chunning.

Despite possessing such great talent, he was struck by an unexpected calamity and fell into obscurity, becoming a lowly merchant.

In order to make a decent living, he even did jobs that were considered lowly, like being a merchant.

Xiao Chun-ning had to learn everything from memorizing herbal formulas, recognizing medicinal herbs, memorizing their properties and effects, as well as their contraindications, and so on—all from thick medical manuals.

“This isn’t something you can learn in a day or two, so don’t rush it.” Chun Nuan comforted her younger brother, “Don’t feel pressured. Learn as much as you can. You have three years to teach you. If you really can’t learn it, don’t worry. I will always be the Xiao family’s support. If you need my help, just say the word and I will help you to the end.”

"Sister, thank you. Your words give me more confidence."

When Chunnuan told Chunning that she planned to open an embroidery shop in Changzhou and have her aunt and uncle run it, Chunning objected again.

“My aunt and the others have never run a business before. If we ask them to do it now, they will be completely lost and even more confused when they go out.”

Then, the worry about spring's arrival was not unfounded.

"First, let my aunt and the others go to Changzhou to check out the shops, and then buy some good fabrics and embroidery thread..."

As they were talking, a carriage stopped at the intersection, and the first thing the carriage said was that it was looking for Xiao Chunnuan.

"Did Tang Liu send you?"

When Chunnuan looked up, she saw a stranger, a waiter. She didn't know him. He said he had brought a letter and some items, but why wasn't it Tang Liu?
"It's Master Qi," the waiter said. "Master Qi sent me to deliver these bolts of cloth."

When Chunnuan looked through the fabrics, she found they were all very nice and must be new products from this year.

Did Seventh Master say anything?

"No."

Chunnuan was at a loss for what to do. How did he know she needed fabric? Was the fabric sent from Cheng?

"Oh, right, there's also a letter from home here." The waiter quickly took the letter out of his pocket: "Seventh Master asked me to bring it."

See? She knew it. Seventh Master Zhou shamelessly stole the credit that belonged to Tang Liu.

They didn't even arrange for Tang Liu to come to deliver gifts or letters home, which is a huge loss for Tang Liu.

However, she knew clearly that Zhou Qiye did some things on purpose in order to strengthen their relationship.

Presumably, this Master Zhou wanted to make his presence known to me, right?
Zhou Qiye is such a clever man; he's managed to cling firmly to General Huaiyuan's coattails.

"Where is Tang Liu?" The waiter seemed quite unfamiliar with the question.

"Sixth Brother Tang was injured and is recuperating at home."

What? Tang Liu is injured? How did he get injured?
(End of this chapter)