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

Chapter 177

Even though Chunnuan was going to the northern desert with Master Zhou's caravan, the Xiao family was still worried.

"It's alright, I'll accompany you to the northern desert."

Zhao Minghua was even more worried, so he canceled some things in Shu Prefecture and went to the northern desert.

The journey was undertaken by two horse-drawn carriages.

One vehicle carried various food, clothing, and other supplies that the Xiao family wanted to give to their relatives, while the other was the vehicle Chunnuan would be riding in and the supplies she would need on her journey.

Her family members gave her repeated instructions, and Ms. Xu was even more worried.

“Mother, there are more than twenty people in the caravan. Master Zhou’s caravan travels to the northern desert several times a year. They know the way well and are very experienced.”

“Be careful on the road, you…” Xu Shi glanced at Zhao Minghua and didn’t know what to say: “Mother believes you are a reasonable person, and there are some things that Mother doesn’t need to say more about.”

Chunnuan was stunned for a moment, then suddenly realized: Was her mother worried that she had crossed the line?
His face turned red instantly.

As Chunnuan was about to board the carriage, Zhao Minghua came over.

"You will ride in this carriage."

There doesn't seem to be anything wrong with unmarried couples riding in the same carriage.

"The journey is long, so we can play chess and chat in this carriage." Zhao Minghua lifted the carriage curtain.

"Why is there another small table?" Chunnuan was quite surprised when she saw it.

Whose carriage is so spacious? There's even a small table inside with pastries and fruit on it.

“Miss Xiao, my young master specially modified this carriage so that you would be more comfortable and at ease when you travel to the Northern Desert.”

He grinned and said, "Happy birthday."

"talkative."

Zhao Minghua glared at him, thinking to herself, how could someone as smart as Chunnuan not understand?
Chunnuan glanced at Zhao Minghua and praised him, "You're thoughtful."

These few words made Zhao Minghua feel sweeter than if she had eaten honey.

Setting off with the caravan, they traveled at frequent stops, and despite Chunnuan's thorough preparation, problems still arose.

The first symptom is lower back pain.

"How about we go horseback riding?" Zhao Minghua said, "I'll give you a ride."

Anyway, they were engaged and on the road, so they were both江湖儿女 (people of the martial arts world) who didn't care about trivial matters.

"Are there any extra horses? I'll ride them myself."

Zhao Minghua expressed his doubts.

The main concern is that horseback riding is quite dangerous; what if something happens?
"I can ride a horse."

Chun Nuan wasn't lying. She had worked in a pharmacy in the capital for many years, but she had also learned to ride horses because she started riding horses disguised as a boy to collect medicinal herbs in the mountains outside the capital when she was twelve years old.

She also enjoyed the joy and freedom of galloping on horseback.

Believe it or not, it's been three years since I last rode one.

“There’s a small town ahead where you can buy horses,” Zhao Minghua said. “I’ll take you there to pick one out.”

Spring warmth nods in the air.

There were quite a few horses in the town, and without exception, they were all very thin, as if they hadn't eaten enough.

“After autumn, the water and grass become less abundant, and there’s no surplus food to feed them, so they’re not growing very well,” Zhao Minghua said. “If we choose a horse and feed it well, it won’t be long before it grows back to normal.”

In the end, Chunnuan chose a chestnut horse. The main reason was that the horse stretched out its head and nuzzled her when it saw her walk by. It must have been fate.

Zhao Minghua had actually also taken a liking to this horse from afar, but since Chunnuan was going to ride it, she decided to let her choose. Unexpectedly, the two of them had such similar ideas.

"From now on, I'll call you Xiaozao. Come home with me."

Chunnuan hugged the horse's head and whispered, and the horse rubbed against her again.

Zhao Minghua felt that the horse was about to become a spirit, which was why it was interacting with Chunnuan?

After leading the horse back to the inn from the market, Qingsheng quickly poured out the food that his own horse had been eating for it.

This is the girl's mount; he can't be negligent.

"How much abuse have you suffered before? Why are you so thin?" Qingsheng stroked its mane: "Eat well, eat more, and you will definitely be a beautiful horse when you recover."

The horse raised its head and let out a long neigh.

"Okay, okay, I understand. You really have been wronged."

Celebrating his birthday, he remarked that the horse seemed to possess a spirit.

Chunnuan also felt that it had a spirit, mainly because there was a sense of comfort when riding on its back.

Even though she hadn't ridden a horse in a long time, and this was a strange horse, a long-lost sense of familiarity welled up inside her.

With horses, Chunnuan alternated between riding in a carriage and riding a horse.

The long journey is a test even for a grown man, let alone a girl.

When the days of spring arrived, the warmth of spring completely vanished.

She was careless; she had considered everything except this one thing.

She used to not feel anything each month, mainly because she knew how to take care of herself and how to protect her body.

This trip, which lasted for almost half a month, involved very casual eating, lodging, and transportation. I was constantly on the road, which took a toll on my energy and spirit, so my period was particularly miserable.

"Why is your face so pale? Are you feeling unwell?" Zhao Minghua asked anxiously when he saw Chunnuan clutching her stomach. "Did you eat something bad?"

Chunnuan looked at this clueless straight man speechlessly. Did he even understand that women have their period every month?

"It's a bit far from town. How about this, I'll ride as fast as I can to get you to the doctor."

"I am a doctor myself."

Zhao Minghua was taken aback. Oh right, he had forgotten.

"Then why don't you examine yourself?" Zhao Minghua thought for a moment and said, "No, that's not right either. A doctor can't heal himself, and he can't help others. You still need to see a doctor."

This is what it means to be blinded by concern!
Chunnuan was stunned by what he said.

I have to admit I was careless. I brought all sorts of medicines and pills, but I forgot about my own situation. I should have at least brought some medicines to regulate qi and blood, warm the uterus, and regulate menstruation.

One slip-up, and well, you'll have to suffer the consequences yourself.

"Nuan Nuan, let's go, I'll take you to see a doctor. Look, you're sweating all over."

Seeing that Chunnuan had sweat on her forehead, Zhao Minghua quickly took out a handkerchief to wipe it for her.

"No need." Chunnuan felt embarrassed and reached out to block his hand, but accidentally touched his palm. Goodness, it was so warm.

For a fleeting moment, Chunnuan boldly guessed: it would be quite comfortable to place this hand on her lower abdomen.

Sigh, you can't think like that, and you definitely can't do that. That's not good!
"Nuan Nuan, you're sick. We need to see a doctor."

"I already said it's not true." Chunnuan had no choice but to tell the truth when she was pressed: "Every woman has a few uncomfortable days every month."

"why?"

Zhao Minghua blurted it out.

After saying that, he suddenly realized what he had said, and his handsome face turned bright red. "Um, I heard that drinking brown sugar water might help?"

"No need, just keep warm."

Keep warm, especially on the road. What should you do to keep warm?

"How about..." Chunnuan felt that between enduring the pain and enduring the embarrassment, she should choose the latter: "Your hands are warmer."

Chun Nuan placed her hand on her lower abdomen through Chun Nuan's inner garment, and a warm sensation made her feel comfortable, allowing her to let out a long sigh of relief.

"I was careless."

The phrase "spring warmth" refers to the fact that insufficient preparation leads to such suffering.

“Yes, you’re a girl, and you have to travel such a long distance, and it’s getting colder and colder. How can you stand it?” Zhao Minghua said, “Why don’t you stay at an inn when we reach a county town? I’ll have Qingsheng stay behind to protect you, and I’ll go with the caravan to deliver supplies.”

Zhao Minghua, however, described a different situation.

"I went through all sorts of hardships to come to the northern desert to take the pulses of my uncle, father, and brothers, and to take care of their health as well." Chunnuan gave a wry smile: "You know how?"

"I don't know how." It seems I haven't learned enough; this is blatant disdain. "However, I can call a doctor."

Are there any good doctors around here?

It's not that Chunnuan is questioning things; it's that this place is too poor and miserable. Good, capable doctors wouldn't stay here long; they would just leave.

Furthermore, even if you have a good doctor, you still need good medicinal herbs.

In the spring, the carriage was filled with mostly medicinal herbs, in addition to clothing.

She brought every medicinal herb she could think of.

"Besides, I wouldn't trust anyone else to take my pulse. I've reached the ninety-ninth step, and I definitely can't give up on the last one. I wish I could rest for a day."

Chunnuan felt that she only needed one day of rest to be fully recovered.

"Okay, I see."

That night, they stayed at the inn of the post station.

It must be said that Master Zhou is quite capable. Post stations are generally only for officials and their families, but his caravan can stay there. It can only be said that he manages them well. The caravan feels as comfortable as if it were home when it arrives at these places.

Zhao Minghua went to find Zhu Sige, the leader of the caravan.

"Rest for a day before continuing?" Brother Zhu asked doubtfully. "We'll reach the northern desert in two days. Do you know what resting for one night means?"

Zhao Minghua waited patiently for his answer.

"If we rest for a day, we'll have to stay here for two nights. Staying here costs money, and there's also the cost of food, drink, and shelter for more than twenty people a day. We always calculate the costs when we go out. This time, because we brought you along, we've been moving slower. If we were to follow the usual schedule, we should have reached the northern desert by now."

Master Zhou will approve of the extra two days, since he was the one who instructed Miss Xiao to accompany him, so it makes no problem to push everything onto Miss Xiao.

However, we can't have too much of it.

We won't be able to deliver on our promises then.

"Then you can go first, we'll come back later."

Zhao Minghua didn't expect that Brother Zhu would refuse so directly.

But thinking about it, it's understandable. After all, he's someone who gets things done, and Master Zhou has a terrible temper that not everyone can handle.

"Young Master Zhao, aren't you putting us in a difficult position?" Brother Zhu was very dissatisfied: "Do you know that the further you go into the northern desert, the greater the chance of encountering danger?"

Zhao Minghua genuinely didn't know this.

"Most of the people in the northern desert are exiles, and it's right next to a neighboring country, so there are always spies mixed in. There are all sorts of people here," said Brother Zhu. "Those who are after fame and fortune are all desperate criminals. The reason our caravan can pass through smoothly is because we have the caravan's name. If you mess with us, you'll definitely suffer the consequences. But if it's just a few carriages of independent travelers like you passing through, then you'll be their food."

"Is there no law?"

"The emperor is far away, and those who have nothing to lose are not afraid of those who have something to lose."

This is a place where even the law can't govern; it's all about who has the bigger fist.

"Alright then, take another day off, and I'll cover the expenses for that day." Zhao Minghua finally had to compromise: "I'll explain things to Master Zhou when we get back."

"I'm relieved to hear Young Master Zhao's words." Who wouldn't want a slower, easier journey? But what right do those on duty have to complain about comfort? "Then let's do as Young Master Zhao says: rest at the post station tomorrow, and depart the day after tomorrow morning. Is that alright?"

"Okay, I'm done."

Chunnuan was very uneasy knowing that Zhao Minghua had delayed everyone's schedule because of her.

“You are so kind, always thinking of others and never thinking of yourself.” Zhao Minghua felt sorry for her. “Why not do something that can solve a big problem with a small amount of money? Sharpening your axe won’t delay your work. Let’s get you well before we continue our journey. When we get to the northern desert, if you look better, your family won’t worry too much about you.”

That sounds reasonable.

"Actually, I'm a little worried about myself."

Zhao Minghua then changed the subject and started talking about what he was worried about.

why?
"Just as an ugly daughter-in-law is meeting her in-laws, I, the ugly son-in-law, am about to meet my father-in-law and brother-in-law." Zhao Minghua was genuinely a little apprehensive: "I'm from a small town, and I don't have any special skills. Do you think I'll be looked down upon?"

So even the arrogant Zhao Minghua has his moments of weakness?

Chunnuan couldn't help but smile.

"My father and brother aren't tigers, what are you afraid of?"

"I'm afraid it won't meet their expectations."

Zhao Minghua felt that his identity was somewhat embarrassing.

“You are the person I chose myself. My father and brother trust my judgment, so don’t worry. They are not the demanding type and are easy to get along with.” Chun Nuan smiled and said, “You don’t need to be nervous. Just do what you need to do. Perhaps they will like you very much.”

At least he accompanied her to the northern desert and took good care of her along the way, saving him a lot of suffering.

I'm sure my father and brother would be at ease entrusting themselves to him.

"I don't know what my father-in-law and brother-in-law like. I brought some gifts, but I don't know if they will like them."

"Who are your father-in-law and brother-in-law?"

Chunnuan blushed. Was this person acting a little too quickly, changing their mind so soon?

“It’s only right to call them that once they’re engaged.” Zhao Minghua smiled slightly. “They’re in the northern desert, and they might not be able to go back to attend our wedding, so there’s nothing wrong with me calling them that a little earlier.”

"You're shameless."

What did this person say?

They're becoming less and less concerned about their appearance.

"You're shameless and have eaten your fill." Zhao Minghua extended her hand: "Do you need me to warm it up for you with my hands?"

"No, no, no."

Chunnuan quickly refused: "I slept very warmly last night. I didn't expect the inn to give me two blankets. I felt very warm and cozy, and I feel much better today."

"That's good. Have some nourishing soup later, get well and set off tomorrow. No need to rush."

Where would you find such a nourishing soup?

It wasn't until lunchtime that Chunnuan learned that the quilt had been added separately by Zhao Minghua at the expense of the postman the previous night, and that the nourishing soup had also been prepared by him paying the cook separately, who then slaughtered her own old hen to make the soup.

Zhao Minghua made perfect arrangements for Chunnuan's food and daily necessities.

How could spring not be filled with warmth with such a person?