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

Chapter 343

Zhong Xiuyao made an excuse to go to the street to buy some rouge and face powder, and then sent a maid to deliver a letter to Zhong Xiuxiu.

We arranged to meet at a cosmetics shop.

"Miss, this is a letter from the Third Miss's side."

Zhong Xiuxiu sighed as she looked at her sister: "Third sister's life is too hard."

Since we've agreed to meet, let's meet.

I asked my husband for leave early, and then went to the cosmetics shop to wait.

"Miss, the Third Miss has arrived, accompanied by two rough-looking old women."

Banxia was a little worried: "It seems that the Third Miss has difficulty speaking."

"Try to stall those two old women, so I can have a few words with my third sister."

"Yes, ma'am."

Banxia thought for a moment and simply bumped into an old woman, and then "accidentally" stepped on another old woman's foot.

"Are you trying to get yourself killed? Whose daughter are you? How dare you be so unruly?"

"I'm so sorry, Auntie, I'm so sorry. I was so anxious to find my young lady, but she's gone..." Banxia tried to run away, but the two old women chased after her.

"You little hussy, you think you can just run away after hitting someone? No way!"

The two old women chased after her, cursing as they went. Of course, Banxia could outrun them. In fact, fearing she wouldn't be able to catch them, she would stop and look around as she ran, apologizing all the while.

The two old women were already rather plump, and now they were both angry and annoyed, vowing to catch her.

Over here at the rouge shop, Zhong Xiuxiu had already asked the waiter to take them to a private room on the second floor to choose face powder.

"Third sister..."

"Fifth sister, please take my pulse."

Zhong Xiuxiu took his pulse and nodded.

"It's been two months." Zhong Xiuxiu asked, "Is Third Sister planning to give birth?"

“I want to give birth,” Zhong Xiuyao said. “I have no hope in this life, but I want to see my child be better than me. My two legitimate children are both useless. I want to take a gamble.”

It's a big gamble.

But life is inherently a gamble.

Her life was ruined because of her talent, beauty, and reputation; she sacrificed her entire life for the Zhong family.

"Madam Lin is a formidable character. If it weren't for the pills given to me by my fifth sister, I'm afraid I would never have been able to become a mother in my entire life."

"But what if she finds out?"

“With the money you and Mother gave me, and with my source of income from the shop, money makes things easier. I’ve already subdued the people in my courtyard.”

Money can make the world go round.

The two rough-and-ready old women had already sided with her, and she had also caught the maid sent by the madam having an affair with a servant in the mansion. The head maid she brought with her was also shrewd, so Zhong Xiuyao felt she could keep it a secret.

As long as she can give birth, even if Madam Lin hates her, she can't do anything about it.

“It’s still a bit risky,” Zhong Xiuxiu said. “As the pregnancy progresses…” “So, I came to ask Fifth Sister for a solution,” Zhong Xiuyao said. “I’m thinking that I’ll be full-term by next spring. When the time comes, Madam goes to the temple to pray for seven days every March. During those seven days, you can help me adjust the medicine to induce labor earlier.”

"Third sister, you've suffered so much."

“It’s not bitter,” Zhong Xiuyao said. “I’ve figured it out now. If I really felt bitter, it would be like I was soaking in bitter melon, and I wouldn’t be able to live like this. I have to think positively. Although I’m just a concubine now, I’m still the youngest concubine. The old man is almost sixty years old this year. How many more years do he have left to live…”

Zhong Xiuyao is such a clever person. She outlived her old man and became a concubine. Madam Lin dared not beat, kill, or sell her. She had children to rely on and a shop given to her by her family. She wanted to set up a small estate.

“From now on, I will take the children to live on the estate and live our simple life.” Zhong Xiuyao said, “If my son is capable, then I will fully support him to go to school and take the imperial examinations; if my son is not capable, then he can marry a wife on the estate and live a simple life.”

"It would be wonderful if Third Sister could think that way." Zhong Xiuxiu smiled: "When we live our lives, we should play the pipa under the bitter tree and find joy in hardship."

"Yes, life was already tough enough. I can't let it continue like this. I need to have a child, to have my own flesh and blood, so that I can have hope for the future."

"Okay, third sister, this is for you."

"what?"

More pills.

“This is for when you have a high fever from a cold. I don’t hope you’ll ever need it, but I just hope you have enough of it,” Zhong Xiuxiu said. “After I learned that you wanted to see me, I wondered what it was about and what I could do for you, so I specially made Purple Blood Pills for you.”

"Fifth Sister is so thoughtful," Zhong Xiuyao said. "I've heard about Fourth Sister's situation."

Zhong Xiuxiu didn't know what to say.

“She’s not that bold; it’s just that she was ruined by her aunt,” Zhong Xiuyao said. “To be honest, living in the Lin family, I realized that our stepmother is a good person. It’s true what they say, there’s no harm without comparison. If Fourth Sister were smarter and didn’t dream of those unattainable men, she could have gotten a good marriage by asking our stepmother. What a pity…”

“Fourth Sister’s marriage to the shopkeeper’s son isn’t too bad.” Zhong Xiuxiu shook her head. “Her aunt is really selfish and heartless. After the affair was exposed, she refused to admit anything and pushed all the blame onto Fourth Sister. Even Mother shook her head when she saw it, so her aunt was severely punished.”

"Serves you right!" Zhong Xiuyao said, "Although you are illegitimate daughters, your aunt is still very good to you and is devoted to us."

"Yes, we are fortunate in our misfortune. Auntie is not very bright, but she is kind-hearted."

"I wonder if Fifth Sister is engaged?"

Zhong Xiuxiu was taken aback. Should she tell her about this?

Will she be envious or jealous?

"Fifth sister, among us sisters, you have the best chance. No matter what, your third sister hopes you will marry a good husband." Zhong Xiuyao suddenly smiled sarcastically: "However, fifth sister, let me remind you: don't expect a man to be faithful. A good man who doesn't favor his concubines over his wife is already the best man."

"A woman should not be too affectionate, for deep affection is short-lived."

"Yes, thank you for your guidance, Third Sister."

Zhong Xiuxiu thought about it for a moment and decided to tell the truth.

“My mother registered me under her name and wanted me to marry into the Tang family.”

"Really? Congratulations, Fifth Sister!" Zhong Xiuyao was overjoyed. "I knew it! Among us sisters, you are the truly blessed one. Third Sister is so happy for you."

"Thank you, Third Sister."

Zhong Xiuxiu could tell that Zhong Xiuyao was genuinely happy for her and had no jealousy whatsoever.

That's where her cleverness lies. Unlike her fourth sister, who always tries to outdo others but is actually no match for anyone.

There are still many differences between people.

"When should we set the auspicious date? I need to prepare some dowry for you, please don't mind!"