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

Chapter 95 Lawsuit
How to make it seem like it has nothing to do with him? Do we even need to teach him that?
In the courtroom, the official in charge is the one who can adjudicate cases!
After confirming that Wu really wanted to get rid of the Fu family, Chunnuan directly suggested that she ask the county magistrate to preside over a divorce.

As the Cao family wailed and helped their half-dead son up, they received another piece of bad news: Wu, because the Cao family had abused her biological daughter Daya and disliked that she had not given birth to a son, filed a lawsuit to apply for a divorce!
Since Magistrate Yang learned that the young lady before him was someone that Master Zhou wanted to protect, he was naturally willing to grant her request.

"My lord, it's not a divorce, it's that our Cao family wants to divorce my wife."

Divorce and divorce are not the same thing.

After divorcing his wife, Wu was not allowed to return to her parents' home. Let's see how she can still cause trouble.

“You abused your child first, even your own daughter. You are the most despicable. I cannot tolerate such heartless people. I hereby grant you a divorce. The child belongs to the Wu family and has nothing to do with your Cao family.”

Magistrate Yang had no desire to get involved in such trivial matters and dismissed the man with a few words.

The Cao family never expected that this attempt to sue the authorities would backfire so badly, resulting in them losing both their wife and their army.

Seeing Wu Shi and Daya get into the carriage arranged by Master Zhou, the Cao family instantly understood why they couldn't win the case.

"She wasn't helping the Zhao family, so how did she end up helping the Zhou family?"

The Cao family always thought that Wu was a wet nurse in the Zhao family, and had no idea that the employer had become the Xiao family.

"Mrs. Zhao is a member of the Zhou family. Seventh Master Zhou even calls her his cousin."

"This bitch, so she's hooked up with Master Zhou. That Master Zhou isn't a good guy, he likes..." Before he could finish speaking, someone grabbed him and started beating him again.

"You little brat, are you tired of living? How dare you make fun of our Seventh Master?"

"I'm so sorry, I didn't mean it. I was just angry and had nowhere to vent, so I just blurted out a few things. I wasn't making things up about Master Zhou, it wasn't like that..."

“We know you very well. Calling you stupid is too kind.” This person was none other than Li Qing, one of the servants of Master Zhou. “You should know your place. If you can’t afford to offend someone, then get the hell away from me.”

I've seen arrogant people before, but I've never seen anyone this arrogant. He beat someone up right in front of the yamen, and Li Qing just walked away without a care.

Moreover, the Cao family truly understood the gravity of the situation and realized that Wu was no longer the same Wu as before.

"It's all your fault."

The Cao family not only lost a daughter-in-law, but also a cash cow—a monthly stipend of one tael of silver, which they would never receive again.

"Whose fault is it? Isn't Daya your own daughter? You didn't teach her properly, and she went astray. When Wu saw you hitting her, she took her away. What's it to blame us for?"

Sister-in-law Cao was unwilling to take the blame.

Anyway, any responsibility is always someone else's, and it's definitely not my fault.

The Cao family dogs are fighting, their mouths full of fur.

Over here, in the Xiao family, Madam Wu knelt before the eldest wife, Madam Xu.

"Ms. Wu, today Chunnuan is in court because of your actions. Do you know your mistake?"

"Madam, I know it's my fault that I've dragged the young lady into this."

“Originally, I was unwilling to use you anymore, but my family member Nuannuan is kind-hearted and wants to give you another chance.” Madam Xu was once the head of the Xiao family and had very strict requirements for her servants: “I’ve also been thinking that you’re currently divorced and have nowhere to go, so keeping you isn’t out of the question. However, your daughter will have to sign a contract of indenture.”

"Sign, we'll sign."

On the way back, Chunnuan analyzed the key points for Wu Shi, saying that, given the current situation, it was a good thing to stay and continue working for the Xiao family.

Of course, Chunnuan was also aware of Xu's habits; any servants who caused trouble would no longer be used.

So he gave her an idea: to have Daya sign a contract of indenture as well. Since Chunxin liked her, he let Daya stay by Chunxin's side and serve her.

"Your daughter's name is Daya?"

"Yes, Madam, she doesn't have a name, only a nickname, Cao Daya."

"Since you're divorced and the child is with you, don't call her Cao Daya anymore. Change her surname to Wu." The first wife asked, "What month was she born?"

"Reporting to Madam, she was born in the twelfth lunar month."

"Then let's call her Wu Lamei, Mei'er."

"Thank you for bestowing this name upon me, Madam."

Daya was overjoyed to learn that she had a new name, Mei'er.

"Mommy, are we really not going back to Grandma's house? Won't Grandma look for me?"

"Of course it's true, they can never hit you again."

Holding her daughter tightly, Wu felt extremely distressed. Her daughter had done nothing wrong, yet she had to suffer so much pain and torment.

"Mother, I have a new name. My name is Wu Lamei, Mei'er. Doesn't it sound nice?"

"It sounds beautiful, my Mei'er sounds so beautiful."

"Mother, the First Madam said that I will follow Fifth Miss from now on. I will be Fifth Miss's head maid. What does 'head maid' mean?"

Mrs. Wu was heartbroken and reluctant to leave, but there was nothing she could do. They no longer had a home, and they could not return to the Wu family, so they had no choice but to live here.

Working as a wet nurse, working as a maid... But then she thought, if it weren't for the unworthy family taking her in, and if it weren't for the girl's help, how could she have escaped the Cao family unscathed?

Therefore, if you're going to be on duty, do it properly and don't be careless.

I then told my daughter a lot about the things a maid should do.

"Mei'er, you must do your best when serving Fifth Miss in the future. Fifth Miss is your mistress..." Madam Wu instructed her one by one, and Mei'er said she understood.

However, Mei'er did not expect that the Fifth Miss would not ask her to serve tea and water, but instead would pull her to learn to write, recognize characters, and draw.

"Mei'er, I'm happy just to have you with me," Chunxin said. "I need a study partner, and I think you're smart, so it'll be good for you to learn more."

"Okay, I'll listen to you, miss."

"Tsk tsk, what a cute little face..." If it weren't for the injury, it would probably be very well-behaved, and you could probably squeeze water out of it.

Chunxin had heard her mother say that Wu's nanny's daughter was quite pretty and would definitely grow up to be a beauty.

Does your injury still hurt?

"It doesn't hurt anymore, it's just a little itchy."

“Itching is normal; it means new flesh is growing.” Chunxin said with concern, “You have to listen to my older sister. Her medicine is very effective and won’t leave scars.”

"Yes, I'll listen to Sister Bodhisattva. She's really beautiful."

"You're pretty too." Chunxin knew she was referring to her older sister, but the girl really was quite good-looking.

The simple phrase, "You look good too," successfully made Mei blush.

She had never received such praise before. Her family would only scold her for being stupid and lazy, saying she was a money-loser and a burden... So how could she possibly get along with them the same way?

She liked the Xiao family.

The Xiao family's residence was finally completed after more than twenty days of construction.

"Sister, what other areas do you think need improvement?"

“Not bad, very grand.” Chunnuan had told Chunning that the height of the house should be at least 3.5 to 3.8 meters, otherwise the house would not be so magnificent and imposing.

After touring the place, Chunnuan was quite satisfied with the new house. "Sister, let's find a chance to move here."

This new house cost a total of thirty-eight taels of silver. It has twelve rooms, so that everyone has their own room. It also has a large pharmacy, which was prepared for the elder sister, and a study.

My older sister once said that the one thing a family should never give up is reading.

Although the Xiao family members were not qualified to take the imperial examinations and enter officialdom, they still had to study diligently.

Reading can enlighten people and broaden their horizons.

Once the Xiao family could feed themselves, they never ran out of writing materials, which were even more inconvenient than running out of food.

"I'm still thinking about something."

Chunnuan stepped on the soil and said, "This ground gets slippery when it rains."

"Sister, the tiles on this house were laid by Uncle Luo and a bricklayer, and they are very tight."

How could a newly built house leak?
Therefore, the older sister's worries were too far ahead of her time.

It's something that doesn't even exist, so why is she worried about it?

"Any surface that is wet will be slippery."

Chun Ning... what my elder sister said makes sense; there's no guarantee there won't be water on the ground.

"Sister, what do you suggest we do about this ground?"

"I remember you could buy stone chips?"

"A stone slab is a large, thin piece of stone, made up of individual stones?"

"Yes, that's the kind where you buy some and spread them on the floor to keep it clean and tidy."

"Okay, I'll go ask tomorrow and find a few people to help pave the house with stones."

Chun Ning said she would listen to her older sister.

Since my sister is satisfied with everything except this one thing, then we'll change it.

"For the moving, we still need Uncle Luo's help. He should find someone to look up the almanac and choose an auspicious day for the move."

“Okay, I’ll go ask Uncle Luo.” Chun Ning said, “Sister, about Master Zhang’s courtyard…”

“I’ll stay there; it’s more convenient there,” Chunnuan said. “If anything happens at home, just let me know. I have a pharmacy there that makes pills, so it’s convenient for me.”

"Ok."

Chun Ning knew that her older sister was currently developing some kind of medicine, and she could smell various fragrances from a distance from the pharmacy.

He also knew that his sister collaborated with Master Zhang on herbal tea and with Zhao Minghua on pastries. So, who did his sister collaborate with for this particular product?

"What do you want to say?"

Seeing that Chun Ning seemed hesitant to speak, Chun Nuan asked directly.

"Sister, that fragrance you made..."

“It’s essential oil,” Chunnuan corrected. “It’s a type of skincare product used by women.”

"But didn't my sister make any preparations for use in Changzhou?"

"Yes, I will send it back to the capital after I finish making it, so that my elder sister can use it at her shop."

"Sister." Chun Ning looked around the new room and, seeing no one else there, asked directly, "Sister, has something happened to eldest sister?"

Spring is here... I've been so careful to keep it a secret, how did this child find out?

“Sister, I am the eldest son of the Xiao family. I have the right to know these things, and I will take responsibility for them. But I cannot let my eldest sister and the other sisters suffer any injustice.”

"Your words are enough." Chunnuan's nose tingled with tears. "Since you asked, I'll tell you the truth. My elder sister isn't doing as well as we imagine. On the contrary, she's already died twice."

One instance was the birth of Panpan. If it weren't for the fact that the midwife had interacted with her before, and she hadn't taught the midwife her skills, which were later used to benefit her elder sister, then both her elder sister and Panpan would be long gone.

Another time was when she was divorced by the Wu family, she went directly to the emperor to file a complaint, and was utterly humiliated.

“My elder sister has suffered so much.” Chun Ning’s nose tingled and her eyes reddened as she listened: “My elder sister didn’t mention it at all in her letter, and she even sent us so many New Year’s gifts.”

“The seeds of the Xiao family are all so stubborn. Even if they suffer all kinds of grievances, they will not tell their family members.” Chunnuan said, “My eldest sister is not having an easy time in the capital. How could Father and the others be having an easy time in the northern desert? Relatively speaking, we are lucky. It is a miracle that we have not starved to death.”

When they first arrived in Sichuan, digging up wild vegetables and roots forced Chunyan and Chunshu out of their homes.

The Xiao family members, who originally held pens, all picked up sickles and hoes.

Unlike before when they were waited on hand and foot, they now grow crops, fruits, and vegetables.

"You must keep this in mind about your eldest sister and never tell anyone in the family."

“Sister, I know,” Chun Ning said, choking back tears. “My elder sister has had such a hard life.”

The beautiful and charming daughter of the Xiao family was asked to marry into the Wu family, but in the end, she was used for abuse.

Moreover, the Wu family was particularly shameless, attempting to seize the entire dowry of their eldest sister under the pretext of divorce.

What was even more unexpected was that the eldest sister, who had always been gentle and weak, dared to file a lawsuit even against the emperor when pushed to the limit.

“My elder sister is ostracized by a group of noble ladies and young women in the capital. She is only safe because she is living on an estate bestowed by the Empress Dowager,” Chunnuan said. “My elder sister owns a beauty salon called Qingcheng Pavilion, which sells skincare products that only noble ladies and young women can afford. This essential oil is the same and will have a very good effect. Qingcheng Pavilion is doing very well. Having this will be the icing on the cake.”

"My eldest sister has opened a shop in the capital too?"

"Yes, she asked Granny Ma and the others for help, and no one outside knew that Qingcheng Pavilion was her property."

Even if they knew, they probably couldn't protect it. After all, people thought that since Physician Xiao was gone and the Xiao family had been raided, anyone could rush to grab a share of the spoils.

"That would be wonderful."

As long as it's safe, it's fine for the older sister not to show her face.

"Brother Chun Ning, Brother Chun Ning..." Luo Xiaogang called from outside the door.

"You're here, come in." Chun Ning was wary of everyone, but she was very friendly to the Luo family.

"Sister Chunnuan is here too."

"I'm here," he said, thankfully he still greeted her, even though she was standing right in front of him.

"Is there something you need from me?" Chun Ning asked.

"My dad said that Brother Chun Ning built a huge study room. Is he going to hire a tutor to teach Chun Qiang and the others?"

Chunnuan had never really thought about this, because her third aunt was a talented woman who was perfectly capable of teaching the children to read.

"Not for now, but my brothers and sisters need to study seriously," Chun Ning said. "Why did you ask?"

"Brother Chun Ning, can I join you when you're studying?" Luo Xiaogang suddenly remembered: "San Ya also wants to study. Can we come and learn with her? Don't worry, we can pay for her tuition."

(End of this chapter)