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

Chapter 328

The capital city is like a circle, and everyone in that circle knows exactly what's going on in any of the slightest disturbances.

On the surface, everything appears peaceful, but secretly, they are watching the spectacle with amusement.

The matter of the third young lady of the Zhong family quickly became known to others.

"Sister Xiuxiu, did Sister Zhong Xiaosan really go to the Lin family to become a concubine?"

Zhong Xiuxiu's best friend is the second young lady of the Lei family, who is also born out of wedlock.

Moreover, her aunt was not favored. When the family said they wanted to send someone to Chunshan Women's Medical College to study medicine, Lei Ying immediately volunteered.

Her idea was simple: since the Empress Dowager was so encouraging women to study medicine, perhaps a few female doctors would be selected to enter the palace.

Nine times out of ten, the fate of a concubine's daughter is to marry someone as a concubine. The concubine was tormented by the mistress her whole life, and she never wanted to live the same life as the concubine.

For her, even death was better than being a concubine.

Therefore, when Zhong Xiuyao, who was renowned for her talent, was sent to the Lin family to serve the old man, the hearts of all the concubine's daughters in the capital tightened.

Despite her talent and fame, she could not change her fate; on the contrary, it only sealed her fate as a concubine.

"Sister Xiuxiu, I'm a little scared."

Lei Ying gripped Zhong Xiuxiu's hand tightly: "Tell me, if that day ever comes, could I just concoct some medicine and end my life?"

"Don't be silly."

Zhong Xiuxiu was startled: "Life is difficult in a lifetime. Since we are born as human beings, we should live this life well."

"How can someone live a good life as a concubine, serving an old man like Miss Zhong?"

"So we should study medicine well and become female doctors who heal the sick and save lives. That way... perhaps our fate won't be so tragic."

Zhong Xiuxiu said this because Madam Zhong was indeed not a malicious or ruthless person.

Just by looking at the shops she gave her third sister as part of her dowry, you can tell that she also felt sorry for her third sister's situation, so she tried her best to pave the way for her and make her life in the Lin family less difficult.

Moreover, she also offered advice to her eldest sister and helped her get pregnant. Both her stepmother and eldest sister had promised to find her a good marriage.

Even if things aren't much better, I definitely won't follow the same path as my third sister.

"Sister Xiuxiu, do you think the palace will want female doctors to come to the palace?"

"I'm not too sure about that, but opportunity favors the prepared. If we study hard, maybe one day it will come."

"Yes, Sister Xiuxiu, I will definitely learn from the teacher. I must learn well. I want to enter the palace as a female doctor. I don't want to be someone's concubine. Even if I never marry, I will not suffer that kind of torment."

Zhong Xiuxiu noticed that she trembled when the topic of becoming someone's concubine came up, which piqued her curiosity.

"Your aunt?"

"I……"

Lei Ying's eyes were filled with tears, and she didn't dare to say a word, only shaking her head repeatedly.

Zhong Xiuxiu was an extremely intelligent person. Just by seeing her reaction, she knew that Lei Ying's aunt must be living a life worse than death.

Looking at Lei Yingxiu's face, Zhong Xiuxiu had a bad feeling.

Yes, it's not necessarily a good thing for a concubine's daughter to be beautiful.

Sure enough, less than two months later, Lei Ying suddenly stopped attending classes at Chunshan Girls' Academy.

He didn't come in for a day, nor did he ask for leave.

She still hadn't come the next day... Thinking about what she had said back then, Zhong Xiuxiu was a little worried about her.

"Xiuxiu, what's wrong? You seem a bit distracted today."

Chunnuan noticed that among this group of daughters of officials, Zhong Xiuxiu and Lei Ying were the most diligent. She had thought that two outstanding disciples would emerge, but Lei Ying hadn't come for two days, and Zhong Xiuxiu was still daydreaming.

"Sir, I have something to report to you."

"You speak."

"gentlemen……"

When Chunnuan saw Zhong Xiuxiu looking around and changing the subject, she knew that Zhong Xiuxiu had something private to say to her.

"Come to my study."

As soon as she entered the study, Zhong Xiuxiu knelt down before Chunnuan.

"Sir, please save Lei Ying."

"what happened?"

“Master, about two months ago, Lei Ying told me that she was afraid of being sent away as a concubine,” Zhong Xiuxiu said. “She told me that if she were to become a concubine, she would rather take some medicine to end her life, Master…”

"Are you sure?"

“Master, Lei Ying and I share the same wish to study medicine well and heal the sick and save lives.” Zhong Xiuxiu said, “Lei Ying once dreamed that if the palace needed a female doctor one day, she could be selected. She is determined to study medicine and will definitely not skip classes easily.”

There's only one way she could skip class: the Lei family forbids her from studying anymore.

"You're right, the palace does indeed intend to select a few female doctors."

Chun Nuan said, "Since you think Lei Ying is in danger, then you go for me. If something really happens, I'll step in then."

"Thank you sir."

Zhong Xiuxiu was extremely grateful.

"I've said it before, since you are my disciples, I have to protect you."

Chunnuan understood all too well the plight of illegitimate daughters in the capital.

They couldn't control their own destiny, and being born out of wedlock was not their choice, yet they always became the victims. Therefore, it was truly a great blessing that the Xiao and Zhao families had no concubines or illegitimate children.

Following her teacher's instructions, Zhong Xiuxiu specially arranged for a carriage to travel to the Lei residence after school.

Lord Lei's official rank was one level lower than Lord Zhong's. Although he was displeased with Zhong Xiuxiu's visit, there was nothing he could do but politely invite her into his residence.

"Miss Lei?"

When Lei Yingshi saw her, Zhong Xiuxiu could hardly believe her eyes. The once fresh and tender girl looked completely different: "What's wrong with you? Are you sick? The doctor asked me to come and see you."

"Sister Xiuxiu..."

When Lei Ying saw Zhong Xiuxiu, she had a million things she wanted to say to her, but with the nanny sent by her stepmother to monitor her by her side, she didn't dare to say a single word.

"Are you sick? Let me take your pulse."

"Why are you so weak? Did you not eat?"

"Miss can't eat," said the maid Hong'er, her eyes red. "Miss hasn't eaten for two days, not even a drop of water or a grain of rice."

“I can’t tell what’s wrong,” Zhong Xiuxiu said. “Why don’t you go study medicine tomorrow? Your teacher is so skilled, she’ll definitely be able to save you.”

Upon hearing Zhong Xiuxiu's words, Lei Ying's eyes widened.

"The lady specifically asked me to come and see you. She said that if there was an illness that I couldn't handle, she would personally examine you, otherwise it would tarnish her reputation."

Zhong Xiuxiu's words had a hidden meaning, and Lei Ying understood the implication, but she couldn't believe that she was really so happy.

Will the man really take care of her?

Moreover, this is a family matter of the Lei family, how can you, sir, interfere?

"Why don't you go and have the doctor examine you tomorrow?"

"Miss Zhong, I'm sorry, but my young lady is in poor health and cannot go out."

"So, it seems that you, sir, need to come to our door in person to examine Miss Lei?"

Upon hearing the nanny's objection, Zhong Xiuxiu knew what was going on.

That old lackey is truly wicked!

"It would be wonderful if your husband were willing to come."

Listen to this old servant, he's such a scoundrel.

"That depends on whether the Lei family has the ability," Zhong Xiuxiu said coldly. "My master sees patients who are all nobles in the palace in the capital. It seems that the Lei family's gate is just as noble as the palace."

"I wouldn't dare, this old servant did not say that."

The old woman realized something was amiss with those words.

This means that the Lei family has overstepped their bounds.

The women of the Lei family were treated the same as the women of the palace.

She would never admit to such a thing, even if you beat her to death.

“Miss Lei is a disciple of the academy. It is only natural for the master to treat a disciple when she is sick.” Zhong Xiuxiu looked at this fool with utter sarcasm: “I asked Miss Lei to go to the academy tomorrow to ask the master to treat her, but you said she can’t go out. Isn’t that just a way of asking the master to come to your door?”

"No, what this old servant means is that our second young lady is not so noble as to need to invite a gentleman."

"How is she not noble?" Zhong Xiuxiu looked at the old man and thought that the Lei family was really unruly. If such a wicked servant appeared in the Zhong family, she could give him twenty lashes and then tell her stepmother: "She is the second young lady of your Lei family. She is also the first student of Chunshan Women's Medical College and the first disciple of the teacher. The teacher treats each of us disciples as his own daughter. Do you think she is noble or not?"

“How can someone of your status compare to Miss Lei’s nobility?” Zhong Xiuxiu said, “I was sent by the master to visit Miss Lei. If you don’t send her to Chunshan Academy tomorrow, then you can explain to the master yourselves.”

Zhong Xiuxiu was convinced that Lei Ying's poor health was caused by her own hunger strike, and that her husband had said she would take care of it.

We'll see what tomorrow brings.

As a result, the Lei family did not send Lei Ying out the next day.

"Sir, the situation is like this..."

Zhong Xiuxiu was getting anxious. If this dragged on any longer, Lei Ying would definitely die. He would either be beaten to death by the Lei family or starve to death.

She didn't want to lose such a good friend.

"Someone, prepare the carriage. I'm going to the Lei residence myself."

"Sir, thank you so much for saving my life."

Zhong Xiuxiu was so moved that tears welled up in her eyes. How fortunate they were to finally be treated like human beings in this world.

Yes, their aunts might feel sorry for them and love them, but their status as aunts is lowly, and they cannot protect them.

However, the lady is different; she is the most trusted female doctor among the noble ladies in the palace.

Someone who walks among the nobles in the palace can surely save Lei Ying.

"This disciple greets the master."

Lei Ying had been starving for three days and was already feeling dizzy and lightheaded.

Seeing spring arrive, I could hardly believe my eyes.

However, she truly saw her husband arrive.

"Stop being so polite, go lie down."

When Chunnuan took her pulse, she knew that her condition was truly caused by a lack of food intake.

This child, how could he be so foolish as to use his own body to bear the mistakes made by others?

"Go and pour some rice water for your young lady, add a little salt, and pour another bowl with some broth."

I ate two bowls of rice soup.