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

What should have been a joyous New Year celebration turned into a nightmare because of Huang's antics, causing Chun Shu considerable distress. Her once-black hair was now completely ruined, making her unpresentable to others, and everyone in the household felt terrible.

Xiao Changqing convened another family meeting.

“They say that while parents are alive, the family doesn’t separate. Now that both parents have passed away, and the three of us brothers have been through a lot, it’s already a miracle that we were able to return safely from the northern desert.” Xiao Changqing said, “Originally, I thought that since the three of us brothers were doing well, we wouldn’t need to separate into different households. But now, with the situation in the mansion…”

Xiao Changhe and Xiao Changhai exchanged a glance: Is the eldest brother going to split up the family business?
"Whether or not to divide this family, we should hear your opinions."

Xiao Changqing wants to separate the family.

After all, the third son's family was causing trouble and making everyone uneasy.

It is said that one should marry a virtuous wife. Huang is a daughter of a prominent family, but I never expected her to be so narrow-minded and to have such a narrow path.

If there's even one person in a family who can't get things sorted out, there's never any peace in the house.

"Second brother, you go first."

"I'll listen to my older brother."

Xiao Changhe felt it didn't matter whether they broke up or not; anyway, he wasn't really worried.

His son-in-law is a good man, and his daughter is capable; his son is about to enter the imperial examinations. In any case, the second wife can live independently without relying on anyone.

This is his bottom line.

"Where is the third child?"

"I'll listen to my older brother too."

Xiao Changqing... You guys have never been this obedient before.

But thinking about it, it does seem like we're all listening to him.

"The eldest brother is like a father. If you need anything, go to your eldest brother. If the wind blows across the hill, do whatever your eldest brother says."

Xiao Changhai lacked confidence.

He was genuinely enjoying the shade under the big tree.

"Since you're listening to me, I'll make the arrangements."

Xiao Changqing took a deep breath: "Three years. We'll have a three-year term. After three years, we'll be separated into different prefectures."

That's a good idea. After all, the Xiao family has suffered great trauma and has a weak foundation. After the family splits up, it will fall apart even more, and the smaller families will be even weaker.

“A family with a thousand members has only one person in charge. I am the eldest son of the eldest son’s family, so I will be in charge of this family now.”

"We'll all listen to our eldest brother."

"Yes, we should listen to our eldest brother."

They never intended to usurp the throne.

“Your eldest sister-in-law gradually handed over the management of the household affairs to Madam Zhu, so Madam Zhu is in charge of the internal affairs of the household.”

"Yes, we have no objections."

"After the New Year, we all found some jobs that we could manage."

This was agreed upon beforehand.

"Then there's the children's future and marriage." Xiao Changqing said, "Let me repeat myself, no matter what, the Xiao family rules cannot be changed: men cannot take concubines and women cannot become concubines. Anyone who violates this rule will be expelled from the clan."

"Yes, we all know."

"And then there's the children's future."

Xiao Changqing said, “When Father was alive, he always said that the world was full of hardships, and we all lived our lives in vain, never truly shouldering any burdens. Now that Father has passed away, our Xiao family was able to return to the capital entirely thanks to Chunyu and Chunnuan. The men of our Xiao family have been unable to contribute. Have you ever reflected on this?”

It can only be said that the sons of the Xiao family are all useless.

“Our generation has little hope, but the next generation of the Xiao family, and the generation after that, still have hope.” Xiao Changqing said, “Chuning has finished his performance and will be coming out soon. Changhe, have you made preparations to receive him? I heard that those who come out of the competition are all very weak and need to see a doctor. Have you asked one?”

"No." Xiao Changhe replied somewhat embarrassedly, "I asked Chun Ning before, and Chun Ning said there was no need to call a doctor. He's in good health and can handle it. Also, he said that Nuan Nuan made him a kind of pill that would help him maintain his strength."

Chun Ning not only ate one herself, but also gave one to each of Zhao Minglang and Zhu Haodong. Whether they ate it or not was up to them.

"You're coming out tomorrow, right? You should be prepared."

"Yes, I'll listen to my older brother."

"Third brother, I've already heard about Chunshu's marriage from your sister-in-law. It's good to leave it to her to handle. Huang should just focus on recovering."

"yes, Sir."

Xiao Changhai was also at a loss.

"Don't look down on her, let her recover properly," Xiao Changqing said. "Chun'an and Muyang are both studying at the academy, we'll have Chun'an take the exam later..."

"Wait, Uncle."

Chun'an stood up and bowed.

"Uncle, Second Uncle, Father, Chun'an has an unsolicited request."

"Tell me, what's the matter?"

Xiao Changqing watched as the young boy stood up and glanced nervously at his father, sighing inwardly: What is this child afraid of?

This doesn't seem like a child from the Xiao family.

"Uncle, Second Uncle, Father, Chun'an never really wanted to take the imperial examinations. Chun'an wanted to study medicine and carry on and pass on Grandfather's medical knowledge."

"This is a great thing, why do you seem so scared?"

"My mother disagrees."

Chun'an lowered his head.

“My mother said that of all professions, only studying is noble.” Chun’an took a deep breath: “My mother wants me to study and take the imperial examinations, saying that the Huang family bloodline is full of scholars, and I can too…”

Madam Huang wanted to control Chun Shu's marriage and Chun An's future.

Xiao Changqing looked at Xiao Changhai.

Your wife is yours, and your son is yours too. You can decide what to do with him.

“Chun’an, since you want to learn medicine and become as skilled as your grandfather, you have to find a master.” Xiao Changhai was quite clear-headed: “Look at the four famous doctors in the capital. Which one do you want to learn from? I’ll take you to visit them later and see if they will accept you as their apprentice.”

“Father, there’s no need to take anyone else as your teacher. Just take my second sister as your teacher. She’s a very skilled doctor.”

Chun'an then told the story of how Chunnuan provided free medical consultations to poor women in Changzhou.

“They all respect Second Sister very much. They all say that Second Sister is a miracle doctor, a female physician.” Chun’an said, “Second Sister taught female disciples in Changzhou, and Chun’an also wants to learn medicine from Second Sister.”

The Xiao family all knew that Chunnuan was skilled in medicine, but they never expected that Chunnuan had even practiced medicine in Changzhou.

"It's not really like practicing medicine; it's more like helping out with medical care," Chun'an said. "The Zhao family has a herbal medicine clinic. After my sister married into the Zhao family, whenever there were difficult or complicated cases at the clinic, they would ask my sister to come and treat them, and she always solved the problems. My sister's medical skills are indeed good enough to be a doctor."

Even so, Nuannuan is in Changzhou, so she can't teach you medicine, can she?

"After the second son of the Zhao family passes the imperial examination, the Zhao family will move to the capital. Then I can ask my elder sister to teach me medicine."

Chun'an had already planned his escape route.

"Third brother, what do you think?"

Xiao Changqing asked his brothers.

“I agree with Chun’an studying medicine; it’s better than me being ignorant and unskilled my whole life.”

"Grandfather, Muyang also wants to study medicine."

Xiao Muyang stepped forward: "I also want to learn medicine from my second aunt."

Xiao Muyang's desire to study medicine startled Zhu Shi, who dared not utter a sound, cautiously glancing at the man, hoping he would stop her son. (End of Chapter)