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

Chun Ning had no experience in preparing her elder sister's dowry. Fortunately, her aunt had prepared a list, telling her to just buy whatever she could, as the limited funds wouldn't be enough to cover everything, and she could only buy as much as she could.

Chun Ning was dumbfounded after asking about the prices of a few items: the little silver he had on him really couldn't buy two of them!

The elaborate bridal procession is a source of confidence from the bride's family, representing not only gold, silver, and fine silks, but also the woman's entire life.

The scene of a wealthy family marrying off their daughter is still vivid in my mind. When my eldest sister got married, a large red bed led the way, and a grand procession was escorted into the Wu family home by hundreds of servants and guards.

Looking at the price of the big red bed in front of her, Chun Ning understood why her aunt sighed when she was planning her older sister's marriage: she knew that the entire Xiao family's assets were not enough to buy her older sister a big red bed.

"Young master, this is a wedding bed made of rosewood. Which street is your residence on? If you are interested, we will deliver it to your door."

"Thank you, I'll take another look."

It must be said that reading has given Chun Ning a refined air. As a young master raised by a wealthy family in the capital, standing there, coupled with the clothes she is wearing today made of the new-style fabric from the capital sent by her elder sister, she exudes an even greater air of nobility.

Seeing him standing in front of the big red bed, looking at it again and again, as if he was making some kind of decision, the waiter didn't dare to be negligent and quickly said that he could deliver the goods to his door.

"Not for now, let me take another look."

Chun Ning felt terrible. If her grandfather hadn't been wronged and the Xiao family hadn't fallen on hard times, her older sister's dowry wouldn't have been so meager: he couldn't even afford to buy her a big red bed!
"Alright, young master, please feel free to look around. All the furniture in our shop is made of the finest wood, and my master craftsman's skills are top-notch." The waiter enthusiastically recommended, "It's no exaggeration to say that if my master carpenter Guo is second in Shuzhou, no one would dare to claim to be first."

"Young master has excellent taste, choosing our Guo Carpenter's shop. We also offer on-site measurement and custom furniture services. Furniture can be tailored to the layout of your new house; you can provide the materials or specify the wood."

The craftsmen are skilled, the materials are good, and the designs are novel, but the prices are also high.

This furniture store isn't like other stores that are bustling with people every day. This place can go three days without opening, but once it opens, it can feed you for three years.

Finally, a discerning customer arrived, so the waiter enthusiastically made recommendations.

"Young master, which one do you fancy..."

"No need, thank you. I'll come back to you if I need anything else."

The more enthusiastic the other person was, the more embarrassed Chun Ning felt, and she tactfully prepared to leave.

The waiter was still disappointed as he watched Chun Ning walk out of the store.

"You really aren't afraid of getting tired, talking to him so much. Does he look like someone who can afford a rosewood bed?" A young man next to him was much more snobbish: "I'm not saying this to be mean, but I could tell when he walked in. He doesn't look like someone who can afford it at all."

"why?"

Xiao Er was a new apprentice who took every word his master told him to heart.

The chef said that customers should be greeted warmly and given a detailed introduction as soon as they enter the door, and that they should not be neglected.

Third Senior Brother said it was obvious he couldn't afford it.

Indeed, given Third Senior Brother's personality, he would fawn over customers who could afford to buy things, like a lackey. His sweet talk could be sickening.

"How old is he?"

"Around fourteen or fifteen years old," the waiter said. "It's normal for rich kids to get engaged at fourteen or fifteen and get married at sixteen or seventeen. Unlike us poor kids, we can't get married even at twenty without some skills."

"Yes, a fourteen or fifteen-year-old young master, what kind of family would need a child who is not yet an adult to arrange a marriage bed?"

The waiter was taken aback for a moment.

"Marriage is a major event, and it is decided by parents and matchmakers. From the initial betrothal to the six rites, the elders are in charge. How can a child who hasn't even grown up yet be expected to arrange it?"

"So, Third Senior Brother could tell that he really couldn't afford it?" the waiter asked, puzzled. "If he couldn't afford it, why did he come to look?"

Xiao Er felt he couldn't afford the things he bought, so he didn't even dare to enter the gate.

"By the way, did Third Senior Brother say he can't afford it, so why is he looking at clothes?"

"Clothing?" Third Senior Brother chuckled. "You're still quite young. His clothes certainly make a good impression. The fabric isn't available in Shu Prefecture. If I'm not mistaken, it should be the latest style from Jiangnan. This person may not come from a prominent family, but he's worldly and knows our good stuff. He really can't afford it."

"Third senior brother is really amazing. He can not only recognize the wood, but also the identity of the guests."

No wonder his fellow apprentices all said he was an opportunist; he sold a lot of furniture and was highly regarded by his master.

I've been here for half a year, but I'm not good at learning the skills, and I'm not popular in the shop. The younger apprentices who came after me are all better than me.

Sigh, I'm still a bit slow.

I still need to study hard!
Thinking back to the young master, the waiter felt a pang of regret. He was the only customer who had listened attentively to his entire explanation, and he seemed quite agreeable. At the time, the waiter had even assumed the young man would like it, especially if he could afford it…

Chun Ning ran into Zhao Minghua as soon as she stepped out of the store.

"Chuning, why did you come out alone? This is Shuzhou..."

After saying that, he felt that he was too stupid. Although Chun Ning had never been to Shu Prefecture, he grew up in the capital. As long as he could read and knew the way, what was there to be afraid of?

"Is Brother Zhao finished with his work?"

As soon as Zhao Minghua arrived in Shuzhou, he was busy with the accounts of his shop, so Chun Ning decided to go out and take a walk.

Thinking about the money in his hand and the prescription from his aunt, Chun Ning felt a little embarrassed. He was too ashamed to mention it to Zhao Minghua.

"Chuning, I've made an appointment with the owner of Shumozhai to look at some calligraphy and paintings. Why don't you come with me?"

"it is good."

The antiques and calligraphy are all on the dowry list prepared by my aunt. Chun Ning just passed by one of them and went to take a look. There were a few good pieces of calligraphy and painting there, but unfortunately, the prices were also high.

Chun Ning felt a sense of powerlessness: she couldn't afford the ones she liked, and she didn't like the ones she could afford.

Zhao Minghua said he was familiar with the owner of Shumozhai and wondered if he could get a discount on the price. He thought that if he could buy two suitable pieces, he could make up the difference.

Chun Ning followed Zhao Minghua for a while and arrived at a calligraphy and painting shop.

Wait, isn't this what I just saw?
Looking up, I saw that it was indeed Shumozhai, but I had been so focused on walking into the shop that I hadn't even noticed the sign.

"Young Master Zhao has arrived." Upon seeing this, the waiter hurriedly greeted him warmly: "Our manager instructed that Young Master Zhao should go directly to the private room on the second floor for tea. I will go and invite the manager right away."

"Okay, thank you." Zhao Minghua nodded and said to Chun Ning, "Let's go upstairs to the private room for tea."

Chun Ning discovered that not only the waiters, but even the waiter on the second floor who served tea was very familiar with Zhao Minghua.

"Young Master Zhao, please; this young master, please."

Zhao Minghua nodded and tapped the table lightly with his index finger.

Chun Ning understood; this was a nod of greeting to the waiter who was pouring the tea.

I learned about tea from Zhao Minghua.

He used to dislike drinking tea; he preferred health-preserving soups prepared by his grandfather or older sister.

After arriving in Sichuan, I discovered that both the rich and the poor, the elderly, all enjoyed drinking covered-bowl tea.

There are teahouses of all sizes in the town. You can spend two coins to sit for half a day. Of course, what they drink may not be tea, but the feeling and the atmosphere.

Zhao Minghua once took Chun Ning to a teahouse where old people sat, smoking tobacco leaves and coughing as they talked about family matters, national affairs, and world events.

In Zhao Minghua's words, every teahouse had one or two boastful old men enjoying the admiration of the crowd. At that time, they had long forgotten their age, talking eloquently, as if they knew everything from astronomy to geography, and were aware of half of what was happening in the heavens and all of what was happening on earth.

The elderly people drinking tea listened with great interest, sometimes even joining in the discussion. Of course, there were also those who disagreed, insisting on arguing and debating until they were both red in the face and neither would admit defeat.

Chun Ning knew that teahouses in Sichuan were completely different from those in the capital.

In Beijing, teahouses often hired storytellers, and people would sit around listening to a story. When the story was exciting, people would cheer and give tips.

In Sichuan teahouses, patrons chat and entertain themselves, making the atmosphere more lively and down-to-earth.

"Drink up, this is pre-Qingming tea from Sichuan, it's different from the tea in your capital."

Zhao Minghua raised his glass to Chun Ning and said, "When Manager Wen arrives later, let's look at some calligraphy and paintings."

"Okay." Chun Ning nodded.

Seeing Zhao Minghua abandon his carefree attitude and adopt the demeanor of a young master from a prominent family, she was secretly alarmed. Just as her elder sister had said: one's identity is determined by oneself!
If Chun Ning hadn't spent more than two years with him, she wouldn't have known that the third young master of the Zhao family could change his attitude faster than flipping through a book.

Just then, footsteps came from the doorway.

"Young Master Zhao, how have you been?"

"Manager Wen, sorry to bother you. Are you busy?"

"Hey, just busy with nothing," said Manager Wen. "I acquired an ancient book a few days ago. It's an authentic copy, but unfortunately, most of it is damaged. I felt bad for it and tried to restore it, but I found that I didn't know where to start."

Manager Wen suddenly remembered: "Speaking of which, Young Master Zhao is quite accomplished in this area. Please give him your guidance."

“Repairing ancient books? That’s incredibly difficult.” Zhao Minghua cleared his throat. “I’ll take a look later.”

"Let's not look back. It's better to be lucky than early. Young Master Zhao, you must give me some pointers."

"Manager Wen is really something..." Zhao Minghua said with a hint of helplessness, "I came here today to see some calligraphy and paintings that suit my taste, nothing else."

"Sure, sure. Let's look at the ancient books first, and whatever Young Master Zhao likes later, we'll give it to you at cost price, how about that?"

"Manager Wen really knows how to play the game."

Chun Ning watched as Zhao Minghua and Manager Wen chatted about something that interested him: the restoration of ancient books.

He couldn't quite understand how Zhao Minghua, a notorious playboy in Changzhou, could possibly know anything about ancient book restoration.
Or is he just pretending?
Chun Ning has some knowledge of and interest in the restoration of ancient books, but she doesn't really understand it.

Of course, he also knew that restoring ancient books was no small matter; a single mistake could destroy a classic.

Zhao Minghua couldn't keep up the act even if he wanted to, could he?

He also expressed his anticipation to witness such a miracle.

"Young Master Zhao, please do me a favor."

"Since Manager Wen has brought it up, I'll go take a look."

Manager Wen led the two to a study. The study had bookshelves on three walls, and the books on the shelves were so numerous that he was momentarily lost in thought.

Chun Ning was a scholar who loved books dearly. She recalled that the Xiao family's study once boasted a vast collection of books, what a pity…

“Young masters, here is that ancient book.”

It must be said that the manager is very perceptive. Zhao Minghua did not deliberately introduce Chun Ning because of his special status, but he always took him along in everything.

Manager Wen is such a shrewd person. I won't ask if you don't tell me, but I will show respect to the friend you brought.

When calling Zhao Minghua, Chun Ning would also be called.

When Chun Ning looked at the ancient book... well, it was seriously damaged.

The entire book was rolled up, and it was damaged in many places, to the point that the words were barely legible.

"Manager Wen, are you kidding me? Is this kind of product even worth repairing?"

Zhao Minggong laughed in exasperation upon seeing this: "Are you too idle? If you want to follow my advice, you might as well copy it again."

"Young Master Zhao, would you like to take another look?"

Zhao Minghua stepped forward and took a look.

"Okay, I admit, it's worth repairing."

Chun Ning also looked, and when she peeked out, she was stunned. It was a medical book.
Because the drawing depicted the human body's meridians and skeleton, Chun Ning's eyes widened in surprise.

If this book were...

"This is a handwritten copy of the 'Records of Traumatic Injuries' by the medical sage of the previous dynasty," Shopkeeper Wen introduced. "This kind of ancient book is priceless, but unfortunately, I am not knowledgeable enough in medicine and can't even understand half of its contents. I really don't know where to start."

“Young Master Zhao, if you can restore this book, I, Wen, am willing to…”

Zhao Minghua raised his hand to interrupt him from mentioning the reward.

"Manager Wen has forgotten that I, Zhao, also know nothing about medicine." Zhao Minghua did not miss the subtle change in Chun Ning's expression when she looked at the medical book: "To repair this book, one certainly cannot do without medical skills, and one must also have the ability to repair ancient books."

"How could I not know that?" Manager Wen said with great regret, "It's a pity that such a person is nowhere to be found."

"Manager Wen, why don't we sell this ancient book?"

What?
"What I mean is, I'll collect this ancient book and find it a kindred spirit later. Putting aside everything else, the fact that the key points recorded in the book can be passed down is a great merit."

Manager Wen... I sent you here to restore ancient books, not to take advantage of the situation and rob them.

"Everything depends on fate. Today I have come across this ancient book, and I can also find it a kindred spirit. Manager Wen, why don't you do me a favor and give this ancient book a chance to be revitalized?"

"Is Young Master Zhao certain that he can bring life to the ancient book?"

"Confirmed, but this person is definitely not me."

"May I ask if I may meet that esteemed master?"

"No, she has been living in seclusion for many years and no longer sees outsiders."

"That's really a pity," Manager Wen said, clearly conflicted.

"If Manager Wen is willing to pay, the price is negotiable."

"It's not about the price, it's just..." Manager Wen thought for a moment, "I have a request that I won't ask."

"please say."

"After the ancient book is restored, may I have a look at it?"

“Sure,” Zhao Minghua said, “but I estimate it will be at least one or two years from now.”

"Three to five years is fine." Manager Wen really liked this book: "I should still be able to live for a few more years, and I hope to see the day when this book comes to life."

“Of course,” Zhao Minghua said. “How much will it cost?”

Shopkeeper Wen held up one finger.

"Ten taels of silver?" Zhao Minghua asked. (End of Chapter)