Chapter 3: Preparing Medicine for the Daughter-in-Law

Otherwise... Sigh, I have no solutions right now. I even sold her remaining dowry. I'm not skilled at anything and can't earn much money. What will happen to us then Will we just be at the mercy of f...Right now, in the main room of their home, Zhao's wife was sitting on the earthen kang with her legs crossed, sewing clothes for her youngest son. Her youngest son, Xu Huaiyu, was the most promising one in the family. He studied well, was handsome, and had a sweet mouth, winning her heart the most. Now he was studying at a private school in town, having already passed the Tongsheng exam, and would be taking the Xiucai exam next year.

As the future scholar, of course, he had to dress more presentably. The whole family wore the cheapest rough hemp clothes, patching them up when they were torn; as long as they didn't show skin, it was fine. But him He wore soft and comfortable fine linen, close-fitting and not irritating to the skin. It was made into a scholar's light blue tunic. Standing with these rough, short-sleeved peasants from the countryside, he was simply worlds apart.

Zhao Pozi, thinking of these children, even her cruel mouth turned up in a smile. Her good mood lasted until the eldest daughter-in-law, Wang Suyun, came in. "Father, Mother…"

Xu Maoshan was dozing off against a pile of neatly stacked quilts. He stirred at the sound but only opened one eye before closing it again.

Zhao Pozi didn't even raise her head, casually asking, "What's the matter"

Wang Suyun chuckled softly, "It's nothing much, just saw his uncle lock the door and go out..."

Hearing this, Zhao Pozi finally raised her eyes to look over, her voice carrying a hint of anger, "What did the third child go out for"

Wang Suyun shook her head busily, "How could this daughter-in-law know Just now his second uncle did ask, but his third uncle ignored him and left in a hurry..."

Old Mrs. Zhao narrowed her eyes and remained silent for a moment.

Wang Suyun, seeing this, tentatively asked, “Could it be that his third uncle went out to borrow money”

Zhao Pozi sneered, "Who would he borrow from Which family in our village could afford to lend him ten taels of silver to play the fool with He should look at himself and see what he's worth. Besides, without my approval, who would dare lend him money Would I, Mother Earth, have to pay his debts for him Don't be ridiculous!"

Relieved, Wang Suyun thought to herself. She had been worried that Xu Huaiyi's debts would fall on the whole family. Thankfully, Lao Qianpo remained as stingy and hard-hearted as ever.

After she left, Xu Maoshan opened his eyes and said faintly, "If you really can't afford it, just get a little bit from the third brother. It’s too expensive to buy a full set of medicine, but with dozens of coins, you could make do with several sets.”

Zhao Pozi immediately refused, "No way! Our family's money is carefully accounted for. You spent it elsewhere, and how can Huaiyu study The whole family relies on him to become successful! The third son is a silent gourd, and even his wife is useless. She didn't lay eggs for two years, and finally gave birth to a child who costs us money. Does she even deserve this expensive medicine"

"It's not good to make the third brother feel embarrassed. Let's just make a few sets with a few dozen coins, at least to give him an explanation and prevent him from feeling even colder. There are so many things to do at home, all relying on him…"

Xu Maoshan's reminders fell on deaf ears. Zhao Pozi refused to give him any money, it hurt her like cutting flesh. "What is he capable of He has no possessions; he crawled out from my belly! I eat his flesh and drink his blood, he has to endure it, or he’s unfilial! Even a mouthful of spit from one person in the village could drown him!"

Xu Maoshan listened to her words becoming increasingly incoherent, frowning and patting the kang table in front of him, "I think you're confused. You've forgotten how he married his wife back then"

Hearing this, Zhao's face finally changed, but she still refused to lower her head. She snorted coldly and disdainfully said, "Borrow him two guts, he really dares to live in Gu's house Gu's house has no clan support and no relatives to help. It's a lone wolf, and it can be bullied to death if it goes out"

Xu Maoshan, hearing this, tapped her hand with his own and sighed. After that, he said nothing more, closed his eyes, and once again leisurely cultivated his spirit.

Xu Huaiyi, who was considered a coward for not daring to move out and start his own household, stood in front of a small courtyard, racking his brains on how to move here with his wife without raising any alarm.

This is his father-in-law's house, at the westernmost end of the village, nestled against the mountainside. It's a secluded courtyard with no neighbors around. Shutting the door would allow them to enjoy their own world in peace. Wouldn't that be better than being crammed together with those cold-hearted animals from Lao Xu's family

The original owner ate the worst, did the most work, and was the least liked. They were at the very bottom of Lao Xu's family, someone anyone could belittle. Xu Huaiyi thought about it more and more, feeling increasingly stifled. He felt sorry for the original owner but also angry that they didn't fight back.

Mingming held a good hand, but played it terribly. He ended up losing his last life and it was truly pathetic.

Since he was sold to the Gu family as a son-in-law for fifty taels of silver by his own mother, and the documents were signed, wouldn't it be a good opportunity to take this chance and get away from those parasites from the old Xu family who ate his flesh and drank his blood

But he didn't. Instead, he dragged his wife along and continued to work like a cow or horse for the old Xu family. Did anyone appreciate it Not at all! They not only didn't appreciate it but treated the two of them with even more contempt. They were simply foolishly filial and weak to the point of no return!

Now he's come through, absolutely can't drag his wife through this pathetic life any longer.

He pondered for a moment, then turned and walked across the street. Fifty meters from Gu's residence was a small courtyard with three brick houses. This was where Dr. Jiao lived.

Xu Huaiyi pushed open the door and saw that the courtyard was filled with round winnowing baskets, inside which were spread out various Chinese herbs. He couldn't name them, but just smelling their fragrance made him feel a sense of awe.

Dr. Jiao was sorting through medicinal herbs when he heard the noise. He looked up and saw him, and couldn't help but be taken aback, "Huaiyi How did you get here Is it your wife..."

"Doctor Jiao, I apologize for the intrusion…" Xu Huaiyi politely greeted before stating his purpose, "I'm troubling you to prescribe some medicine for my wife."

"Doctor Jiao blurted out unconsciously, 'It takes two taels of silver for a prescription to work. Your mother, would she be willing to give you the silver' "

Xu Huaiyi suddenly put on a look of heartache and helplessness, shaking his head. He took out the silver bracelet from his bosom, then put on an expression of reluctance and guilt. After rubbing it for a while, he seemed to have made up his mind and handed it to him as if he were breaking the pot and sinking the boat.

Dr. Jiao hesitated to take it, took a close look, and asked in surprise, "Is this your daughter-in-law's dowry"

Xu Huaiyi nodded sorrowfully, "It's the last one. I originally wanted to keep it as a memento, but now...my life is almost gone, what use is keeping it"

Dr. Jiao had lived in the village for several years and knew quite a bit about the Xu family's affairs. Zhao, the maternal grandmother, was partial; she had five sons and two daughters. She disliked Xu Huaiyi, her third son, the most. One could understand why. The eldest son worked as an accountant at a restaurant in town, bringing silver home every month. The second son was lively and good at pleasing people. The fourth son was skilled at hunting and occasionally brought meat back to the family. The youngest son was a studious child and a precious gem. Only the third son lacked any remarkable skills; he wasn't articulate either. In the Xu family, he had little presence. It was easy for parents to overlook such a child.

However, to the point of ignoring one's life, it's still too much.

Dr. Jiao sighed in his heart and comforted him with a smile, "Don't worry too much, with this bracelet and five doses of medicine, you'll be able to make up for it. Hold on tight, even seven doses are possible. Based on my previous pulse diagnosis, after finishing these seven doses, you should recover about 70-80%. The rest will depend on gradual conditioning. It can't be rushed..."

Upon hearing this, Xu Huaiyi was overjoyed and thanked them profusely. He even made a graceful bow.

Dr. Jiao smiled and accepted, but in his heart he felt that the person before him was slightly different from before. His face was still the same, but his personality had obviously become more lively. He no longer stammered awkwardly, unable to squeeze out a few words, which made people anxious. His gaze fell on the wound on his forehead, and he felt that his change was also within reason. After enduring these blows, if he didn't open up, he would truly be a blockhead.

After dispensing the medicine and carefully explaining how to take it, Dr. Jiao also helped him treat the wound on his forehead. It was no longer bleeding, only swollen and red with bruises around it, looking quite pitiful.

After finishing his work, Xu Huaiyi remembered his wife and hurried to leave. He held the medicine tightly and rushed back home.s a little annoyed. It wasn't that he was bothered by the Yao family taking over his job of leading the way, but rather that after they joined, some things became very passive. For example, the speed...