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

Chapter 287

Zhu Haodong, right? Xu silently memorized the name.

Unexpectedly, Chun Ning brought Zhu Haodong home one day.

"Aunt, Brother Zhu accidentally sprained his ankle, so I brought him back to apply medicine."

"This nephew greets the First Madam."

Zhu Haodong greeted him in a very generous and open manner.

"Young Master Zhu is too kind. Please make yourself at home."

Madam Xu remembered that she had seen this child when she was at the Zhu residence, but at that time he was only twelve or thirteen years old. In the blink of an eye, he had grown into a young man.

Moreover, it's clear that he is a truly well-educated and courteous young gentleman.

Mr. Xu became increasingly satisfied.

Chun Ning took Zhu Haodong back to her courtyard and found the medicinal wine that her older sister had taught her to make.

"It will sting a little when you apply this first, and I will also massage it in quite hard. If you can't stand it, you'll have to see a doctor."

"Compared to doctors outside, I have more faith in Physician Xiao's family secret recipe."

Zhu Haodong said, "My mother said that Physician Xiao is a highly respected doctor in the capital, known for both his medical ethics and skills. Many people have benefited from his medical expertise."

Imperial physicians usually only treat nobles in the palace, but Physician Xiao also treats commoners.

During his days off, he would hold consultations at a pharmacy.

Many people came here because of its reputation.

Unlike others, he did not charge consultation fees, but only wrote prescriptions, which the people could then purchase.

Of course, some high-ranking officials and nobles in the capital would invite Physician Xiao to their homes. At this time, Physician Xiao would charge a consultation fee or accept some precious medicinal materials.

In the capital, Physician Xiao is one of a kind; he is so memorable that people will always remember him.

"It's a pity that my grandfather's medical skills were not passed down. We are all useless descendants. I am ashamed."

“You’ve already done very well,” Zhu Haodong said. “My mother has mentioned your situation in Sichuan. If you were in another family, it would be very difficult to make it to the top.”

“When Xiao Jiacai left Beijing, my mother often cried and missed her eldest sister very much.”

“Yes, my elder sister-in-law has suffered a lot,” Chun Ning said. “Especially when we first arrived in Shu, we were completely helpless, with no one to turn to for help. We didn’t even have anything to eat, and we even ate a lot of wild vegetables…”

"Fortunately, we made it through; there's always a rainbow after the storm."

"Yes, let's work together and see the rainbow together."

The two nodded and smiled.

The feelings between people are so wonderful.

Chun Ning was the last to arrive at Hanwen Academy. She had met Zhao Minglang back in Changzhou, but she didn't expect to hit it off with Zhu Haodong so quickly. Moreover, after exchanging names, they discovered that they were related by marriage.

Because he was born out of wedlock, Zhu Haodong was not well-regarded at the academy.

He was not self-conscious, but rather poised and generous. He neither befriended nor antagonized anyone, and his calm and composed demeanor impressed Chun Ning.

Yes, that's the kind of life one should strive for: to remain unmoved by external gains or losses, and to live each season with equanimity.

"Miss Yan."

The voice of the pageboy Mo Hua came from outside the door: "Does Miss Yan have something to discuss with the young master?"

"Yes, I'll ask Brother Chun Ning for a box of pills."

The pills Chunyan got from Chunning were intended for a young lady named Jingran whom she had recently met.

The young lady suffered from qi deficiency, and countless doctors had tried to treat her without success.

Chunyan remembered a blood-nourishing pill that her older sister made and decided to give it to her to try.

"But young master has guests."

"Oh, then I'll wait here."

"Mo Hua, let Miss Yan in. Everyone in this room is a relative, not an outsider."

Chun Ning believed that a gentleman is open and honest, while a petty person is always anxious and worried. They are all relatives, so it's only natural to greet each other when they meet; there's no need for so much formality.

Perhaps it's because he's lived in Changzhou for so many years that he's developed a habit of not being particular about details.

Upon hearing this, Chunyan went into the study.

"Brother Ning..."

Only then did she notice the young man sitting opposite Chun Ning, and her face instantly turned red.

“Sister Yan’er, this is Young Master Zhu from my elder sister-in-law’s household. He is the fourth in his family.”

"Chunyan greets Young Master Zhu Si."

"Miss Chunyan, you are too polite." Zhu Haodong quickly blushed and avoided her greeting: "I have heard from my elder sister that the young ladies of your family are all very talented, and seeing them today, I can confirm it."

"Young Master Zhu is too kind."

Chunyan replied shyly, then asked Chunning for the pills.

"Okay, I'll get it for you right away."

Chunyan took the pills, bowed to the two of them, and turned to leave.

Zhu Haodong... If there is such a thing as love at first sight, he feels that this is it.

Chun Ning applied medicine to his foot, and Zhu Haodong thanked her before heading back to his residence.

He remembered his mother saying that she would find him a good marriage.

The Wang family broke off the engagement because he was in mourning, but less than two months later, Zhu Haodong heard that the Wang family's daughter had married one of her cousins, which he found very funny.

Fortunately, the engagement was called off; otherwise, many things would have been very different.

His mother had also arranged several marriages for him, but he was never satisfied with either, so he lost interest in dating.

Last night, he refused his mother's offer to arrange another marriage for him, saying that he would wait until after the imperial examination to discuss marriage.

After all, although he was registered under his stepmother's name, it did not change the fact that he was born out of wedlock.

Those young ladies from noble families looked down on sons born out of wedlock.

Similarly, the mother also looked down on some of the concubine's daughters.

Zhu Haodong believed himself to be the most fortunate illegitimate son in the entire capital. In his early years, when his concubine was still alive, his stepmother never hesitated to let him show filial piety to his concubine, always saying that his concubine had not had a hard time raising him. After his concubine passed away, his stepmother also gave him the greatest respect.

As for this illegitimate son, his stepmother never lacked anything he was entitled to. It's no exaggeration to say that she raised him as her own son.

One should be kind and honest; one cannot have it all.

His stepmother gave him the utmost respect, so naturally he had to bring honor to her.

Therefore, Nko is determined to win this time.

He wanted to make those young ladies who looked down on him regret it so much: today they ignore Zhu Haodong, tomorrow they won't be able to reach him.

But now, he suddenly wants to get engaged first.

"The Xiao family's daughter?" Madam Zhu was quite surprised to hear her son mention the Xiao family's daughter. "How did you come to know the Xiao family's daughter?"

Could it be because Lingling went back and told them, and the Xiao family was interested, so they specially arranged the meeting?

But how could he possibly let himself off the hook?

"It's like this, my son sprained his ankle today..."

I will now explain the reasons and process of my visit to the Xiao family.

"Which daughters of the Xiao family?"

"My son doesn't know either; he only heard Chun Ning call her Miss Yan."

"That's your eldest sister's aunt, Chunyan."

Madam Zhu was very pleased: "I was talking to you about this girl last night. I think the Xiao family has good family traditions. The girl was delayed because she went to Changzhou, so she is not engaged yet at a certain age. If you are interested, I will ask a matchmaker to go and propose marriage."

“Mother, why don’t we postpone the marriage proposal?” Zhu Haodong pleaded for himself. “You should go and explain to Madam Xiao that we can propose marriage and get engaged after I pass the imperial examination. If I don’t pass, and they mind, we can pretend we never discussed it.”

"You child, how could you..."