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

Handing them over to the authorities might not be enough to control these two children.

To see things through to the end, Mrs. Xu decided to stay at the teahouse and wait.

As a result, when Xiao Xi heard that Madam Xu wanted to buy a maid, she hurriedly begged Madam Xu to take her in.

“We can serve you without pay, and wait until we find our mother…” Xiao Xi’s tears flowed again as she said this: “If we can’t find our mother, we will sell ourselves into slavery to serve you.”

This child is very shrewd at such a young age; he knows how to find a way out for himself.

"You are still young, and you have a long road ahead of you. Selling yourself into slavery means a lifetime of hardship."

Xu couldn't bear to see her two bright and literate children sold into slavery.

“Then…” Xiao Xi thought for a moment: “Madam, I can sell myself into slavery, and my brother can also sign a contract for life, for three, five, ten or eight years, it doesn’t matter.”

When the contract expires, Xiaoqing, the younger brother, will come of age.

Once he's an adult, he can do whatever he wants.

What does Xiaoqing want to be when he grows up?

"To take the imperial examinations." Xiaoqing said, "Grandfather said that Xiaoqing is a bit smart, and if he studies harder, he can take the imperial examinations."

Ms. Xu nodded, "She is indeed a clever person."

No, both children are smart.

"Alright, you can come with me if you're willing."

Madam Xu thought of Chun'an and Chunqiang from the third branch of the family, and Madam Huang was determined to get them into a good school.

Her path to officialdom was blocked by the Xiao family's misfortune, but she remained as determined as ever, even to the point that her anxiety caused health problems.

Xiao Qing is stronger than Chun An Chun and knows some characters, so we can take her back and keep her by our side.

Xiao Xi... can also read, which is perfect since everyone Nuan Nuan wants is literate, and she's young and clever.

I decided to take them with me right then and there.

"What if we find your mother?"

“As long as Madam doesn’t mind, Xiao Xi is willing to serve Madam.”

Xiao Xi knew perfectly well that even if she found her mother and the three of them, they might not be able to survive.

All the way there, my mother kept saying that it would be good to find my father.

But is it really that easy to find Daddy?

There has been no contact for more than three years. Either something happened to him, or he has changed his mind.

In either case, he wouldn't be able to take care of himself and his two children.

In this chaotic era, to make a living, they needed a source of income and a place to live.

Selling himself to secure a place for his mother and younger brother to live is also a viable option.

“Alright, then how about this: you stay here for three days. If you still haven’t found your mother after three days, Xia Yu will send someone to take you to our home.” Madam Xu said, “However, there’s one thing I need to make clear: our family isn’t wealthy. There will definitely be work, and it might be quite tiring, so you…”

"Xiao Xi is willing."

What could be worse than constantly on the road, not knowing where your next meal will come from?
Zhao Minghua quickly brought Uncle Wu, the boy, along with more than thirty other people.

“Madam, your eight maids are all well-trained. They used to work in wealthy households, so they are all experienced and know the rules.”

Uncle Wu was very thin and looked like a smooth talker.

But he was extremely respectful to Zhao Minghua.

"The Third Young Master said he wanted the best, so I picked them out. Madam, please feel free to choose."

“Step forward and answer me.”

"Yes."

The eight maids spoke in unison and stepped forward together.

Judging from their manners, they have clearly studied etiquette and are people who follow the rules.

"What are your names?"

"This servant is Spring Equinox, this servant is Peach Blossom, this servant is Summer Rain..."

“My original name was Fen’er. If you do not mind, please give me a new name.”

Madam Xu sized up the girl named Fen'er; she was indeed very clever.

As a servant, one does not have one's own name; one is called whatever name is given to one by one's master.

"My original name was Yuan'er. Please bestow a new name upon me, Madam."

"Very good, they are all smart," the three people said afterward.

Ms. Xu asked a few more questions, such as where she had worked before and what skills she possessed.

Each of them had their own specialties in needlework and cooking. Although they all claimed to know a few words, when Xu Shi tested them, only Tao Hong, Yuan'er, and Fen'er could answer.

"Xiao Xi, come here."

Xiao Xi walked forward, puzzled. Madam Xu looked at everyone and said, "Take a look and see who is more suitable."

"May I ask for whom you chose this, Madam?"

"We're choosing a maid to accompany our second daughter, Chunnuan, in her dowry," said Madam Xu. "She should be literate and clever."

How many people do you need?

"Four people, I guess."

"Madam, Xiao Xi..."

"Speak freely, it's okay."

"Yes, Xiaoxi thinks Taohong, Yuan'er, and Fen'er are suitable, and also Chunfen, well, her name and the girl's name are taboo, so she has to change her name."

"Alright, we'll do as Xiao Xi says. The four of you can stay here for now."

Mrs. Xu greatly admired Xiao Xi's discerning eye.

Look, this child thinks the same way I do.

When choosing a room for a concubine, Madam Xu also asked Xiao Xi.

Uncle Wu brought four families as hostesses. Two families consisted of three people and one family of four, while one family had six people.

Xiao Xi also asked them questions, and finally told Xu Shi that she wanted one for a family of four and one for a family of six, so that they could make a total of ten, which would be perfect.

"You've thought this through very well. Okay, let's go with these two."

Uncle Wu was naturally delighted that all the people he brought had been chosen by the lady.

He immediately signed the indenture.

Xiao Xi and Xiao Qing watched the whole thing.

Once the people were chosen, Mrs. Xu was about to take them back to the village.

"lady……"

Xiao Xi was very worried that Madam Xu would abandon her.

"Stay here for now. If you haven't found your mother in three days, Xia Yu will arrange for you to be sent to our home."

“Madam, whether or not we find Mother, Xiaoxi wants to serve you.”

"Good, you child..."

She's quite clever, and the Xu family likes her too.

Xu and Chun Ning led the selected people back to Chun Nuan's estate, instructing them to stay there for the time being and to teach them the proper etiquette.

When it comes to teaching manners, Mrs. Xu wants to do it herself.

"Aunt, you've worked so hard."

This kind of thing is usually done by a governess, but Madam Xu did it in order to cultivate a capable candidate for Chunnuan.

"By the way, Nuannuan, we met a pair of twins in Changzhou..."

He then recounted the small joys and celebrations.

"That girl is incredibly clever. Xiao Qing doesn't talk much, but she's not simple either."

Mr. Xu, who prided himself on his extensive experience in judging people, thought the two children were quite good.

"Aunt, if possible, we won't sign any indenture contracts for now?" Chun Nuan thought for a moment and said, "Aunt, if possible, we won't sign any indenture contracts for now."

No indenture?

"Having been a servant will always leave a stain. Since Aunt says Xiaoqing is a promising talent, why not take a gamble?"

Madam Xu looked at Chunnuan, thought for a moment, and nodded. "Only sign Xiaoxi?"

“I won’t sign any of them,” Chunnuan said. “We’ll treat them like distant relatives and support them, and see how things go.”

"You've thought this through."

In an instant, Xu understood what Chunnuan was thinking.

It has to be said that Nuannuan has a long-term perspective.

At the Changzhou Teahouse, Xiao Xi followed Xia Yu, busying herself with various tasks.

"Xiao Xi, you don't actually need to do these chores."

"It's okay, sister, Xiaoxi isn't tired." Xiaoxi admired Xia Yu greatly: "Sister, are you the shopkeeper?"

"Yes, the manager of the women's teahouse." Xia Yu smiled and said, "I used to be a maid serving the madam. When the young master asked someone to manage the teahouse, I thought I would give it a try, and I didn't expect it to actually work out."

"Sister, Xiaoxi wants to learn from you."

"Madam values ​​you highly. Study hard, and you will be able to serve Madam in the future."

Xia Yu only realized after becoming the manager of the women's teahouse that serving people was more mentally exhausting than being a maid, but of course, it was also more fulfilling.

The ladies and young women of Changzhou all respectfully addressed her as Miss Xia.

"Yes, sister."

Xiao Xi thought for a moment, then finally asked, "Sister, do you have any news about my mother?"

"Not yet, don't worry, your mother will definitely come looking for you."

To Xia Yu's surprise, news of the Yun family arrived very quickly.

That was at the entrance of the yamen in Changzhou.

With her hair disheveled, Lady Yun struck the grievance drum at the yamen (government office).

"Who is kneeling before me? Whom are they accusing?"

"A woman named Yun Yu accuses her husband, Yu Changfa, of abandoning his wife and marrying another..."

Someone beat the drum to appeal for justice, and the crowd of onlookers filled the courtroom.

The news spread like wildfire, and with the people Xia Yu had sent out also inquiring, it quickly reached the Women's Tea Garden.

"Sister, could you take us to the yamen (government office)?"

Xiao Xi said to Xia Yu, "I'm going to bring my mother back."

"you……"

Xia Yu looked at Xiao Xi and sighed: The world was already bad enough, but this mother and her two children were even more unlucky to have such a scumbag father.

Yu Changfa had been out of contact for more than three years, not for any other reason than that he had married the daughter of his employer.

When Yun entered the city with her two children, she encountered rebel troops entering the city amidst the chaos of war. A young woman with a large pregnant belly beside her kept calling out to her husband.

"Don't be afraid, my dear, I'll protect you. Let's turn left."

The voice sounded so familiar. When Yun looked over, she saw her husband, whom she hadn't seen for more than three years, tenderly helping the heavily pregnant woman retreat to a small alley.

In a moment of panic, Yun followed them and watched helplessly as they boarded the carriage and drove away.

She chased after it for a very long time, and finally saw the courtyard of a grand mansion. Upon inquiring, she learned that it was the courtyard of the Ma Family Trading Company.

Yu Changfa was the son-in-law of the Ma family, who married into the family.

It's really ridiculous to think about it. I was struggling to raise my children in Shu County, while he suddenly became the son-in-law of the landlord.

Yun waited outside the Ma family's gate for two days before she finally saw Yu Changfa emerge.

She immediately went up to confront him, but Yu Changfa refused to acknowledge her as his wife who had shared his hardships, and even called her a crazy woman.

They even had their servants beat her out.

Outraged, Yun went to the yamen to file a lawsuit against Yu Changfa.

Xiao Xi was not surprised at all when she heard the news; all she wanted was to bring her mother back.

"Your mother told him, you..."

"It's no use. Mother is too naive." Xiao Xi said calmly, "Officials have always protected each other. We are just a poor family. To bring down the Ma family, you need power and influence. We have nothing. We just need to bring Mother back safe and sound."

"Are you just going to let them go like that?"

Xia Yu was surprised by Xiao Xi's composure.

"Let him be," Xiao Xi said coldly. "If we're inferior to him, then there's nothing we can do about it; if we're superior to him, what does it matter who he is?"

It seems to make sense.

"However, if you ever surpass him, he will claim to be your biological father and accuse you of being unfilial."

Xia Yu still offered a friendly reminder: "The best way is to avoid any connection whatsoever. Either he should issue a statement in his own hand, or he should sign a divorce agreement."

“Okay, I understand, sister. I’ll go to the yamen.”

"Where's Xiaoqing?"

"Xiao Qing is not suitable to show her face. I can handle this kind of thing."

Xia Yu looked at Xiao Xi and sighed inwardly: This child will definitely be someone who does great things when he grows up.

She was very calm and knew exactly what she wanted, without getting entangled in things she couldn't change; and she did her best to protect her younger brother.

Because she knew clearly that her younger brother, Xiaoqing, was her and her mother's future, their support.

During their two days at the teahouse, Xiao Xi helped out with chores, while Xiao Qing was only allowed to help with the fire in the kitchen. In their spare time, the siblings would take books from the bookshelf to read.

Xiao Xi also asked them not to let the commotion at the yamen reach Xiao Qing's ears.

Sometimes I envy Xiaoqing. He's so lucky to have such a sister who protects him so wholeheartedly.

Xia Yu brought Xiao Xi to the yamen.

The crowd, three or four deep, was watching the spectacle, waiting to see what fate awaited Chen Shimei.

The result was very disappointing to them; Yu Changfa vehemently denied knowing Yun Shi.

"Why, why did you do this to me..."

Yun was heartbroken and looked incredulous: "We were so in love, and you were so good to me and the children..."

Seeing her mother's heartbroken grief, Xiao Xi immediately begged the bailiffs to let her go to court.

"Please, sir, do me this favor and let this child go to court to bring Yun back."

Seeing this, Xia Yu quickly stuffed a purse into the hands of the yamen runner.

"Oh, it's Manager Xia. No problem, no problem."

Having received a bribe, the yamen runners naturally turned a blind eye and were willing to cooperate.

"Who is making a noise here?"

"Your Excellency, a young girl who claims to be the daughter of the Yun family requests an audience."

"pass."

"This humble woman, Xiaoxi, greets Your Excellency."

"You've come at the right time." The magistrate was also completely bewildered: "Yun has accused Yu Changfa of abandoning his wife, but Yu Changfa claims he doesn't know her. Do you recognize this person?"

“There are many people in the world who look alike, and I haven’t seen my father for more than three years, so my memory is a little blurry,” Xiao Xi said. “I hope you will allow me to come forward and take a closer look.”

"allow."

Xiao Xi walked up to Yu Changfa and circled around him.

"Does this gentleman recognize my daughter?"

"I don't recognize it."

Yu Changfa kept his eyes straight ahead, not glancing at Xiao Xi even once.

Haha, the things in this world are truly ridiculous.

Some people, even if they turn to ashes, you should still recognize them.

It seems he's determined to play the fool to the very end.

Then let's grant his wish.

"I don't recognize her. Little Xi's mother is probably missing her husband so much that she mistook her for someone else."

"Since you don't recognize them, please have this uncle write a statement in front of the adults and all the villagers, stating that you are completely acquainted with the Yun mother and her two children, have no relation whatsoever, and will have no relation in the future. Is that acceptable?" (End of Chapter)