Miao Chu

Chapter 293 Struggling
Remembering what Granny Shen had said yesterday about her niece's recent poor health, Song Miao knew there was probably some unspeakable reason behind it, but since they had only just met, she didn't want to ask too many questions.

When Shen Xingniang returned, she pretended that nothing had happened and said, "I just thought about it seriously for a long time, and among the people I know, there is not one who fits the description - either they are not surnamed Yang, or they are not the embroiderer."

Song Miao then said, "Please help me think about it again, madam. It's possible that she has changed her surname. That Madam Yang is skilled at embroidering flowers, birds, insects, and fish, especially fish. The golden carp she embroiders seem to swim right out of the embroidery. She often creates double-sided works. I think this screen of yours..."

As she spoke, Song Miao suddenly realized something, reached out, and gently flipped the bird-pecking pomegranate over.

Somewhat unexpected, yet delightful—sure enough, there was an embroidery pattern on the back as well, but the pattern was different from the front. It depicted a pond of lotus flowers reflecting the sun, with golden carp playing among the lotus leaves.

Several fish, swishing their tails and opening their mouths wide, were about to eat the dragonfly that had landed on the edge of the drooping lotus leaf. They looked eager and competitive, their movements incredibly lively.

Song Miao couldn't help but turn the embroidered screen back over.

The bird in front of us is looking around, still pecking at the pomegranate.

Turning it over again, on the other side, the golden carp are eyeing the dragonfly intently.

She couldn't help but ask, "Madam Shen's embroidery skills are truly exquisite. I wonder if you learned them on your own, or if you had a teacher?"

Shen Xingniang said, "I had a master, whom I specially went to visit in another place. She passed away a few years ago due to illness. Her surname was Yi, not Yang..."

She described her master's appearance and age.

Song Miao listened carefully and found that neither Yang Xiuniang from Pingyang Mountain nor Uncle Shen had any similarities to her.

Shen Xingniang then asked, "Does Madam want to inquire about this Yang Xiuniang?"

“My ancestors had a long history with her…” Song Miao pointed to the carp on the embroidery. “My grandmother loved to eat carp and had a very good relationship with Yang Xiuniang’s family. They were separated for some reason, and she thought they would be able to reunite, but then she never heard from them again.”

"Golden carp usually have two gills, and scholars and artists like to eat four-gill carp. When they paint, they will have four gills. But my elders like to eat Weishan carp. That carp is not quite the same as ordinary carp. It has two extra indentations above its mouth, which look like four holes. When I was a child, I even gave it a nickname, called the four-nostril carp..."

Xingniang then went to look at the carp on the embroidery. Sure enough, there were two small indentations above its mouth. If you didn't look closely, you might even think that the carp had four nostrils.

She murmured, "I wondered why the golden carp my master taught me to embroider looked so strange. I had never seen gold before, and I thought that golden carp naturally looked like this..."

She sighed again and said, "But she has been gone for several years, so there is no way to ask her."

Song Miao was stunned for a long time, speechless for a moment. After a long while, she finally said, "I have heard my mother mention that Lady Yang since I was a child. I even saw a set of treasured wedding dresses made by her in our family. My grandmother kept them for many years, but in the last year or two, our family's situation has deteriorated, and they were sold..."

"Because when she passed away, she always thought of her former sisters. Although I knew that most of them had already passed away, I thought that I could get some news this time. I didn't have any other thoughts. I just wanted to fulfill my wish and send a stick of sandalwood to my elders as a way of comforting them."

Seeing Song Miao's melancholy tone, Shen Xingniang became somewhat anxious.

She stood up and looked at the embroidery before saying, "Madam, don't worry. Just look at this golden carp. My master must have a relationship with Yang, the embroiderer you know well. I just don't know what kind of relationship it is!"

“My master had no children, and I arranged her funeral. She left behind some belongings, which are currently being kept at home because she is going to the capital. If you don’t care about such things, I can send someone to bring them over and see if we can find any explanation. If we really can’t find any, and if there is no one else more suitable, we can just assume that she is—and she really is! Let’s burn some incense at home and let them recognize her in the afterlife!”

Song Miao quickly thanked her and then asked, "Yesterday I heard Granny Shen say that she was going to open an embroidery shop in the capital. Later, after we got to know each other better, she said that she would be returning to her hometown in the fall. But I don't know what her plans are. If she really is going home, will bringing things here delay your journey?"

Shen Xingniang hesitated for a moment, then turned to look at Granny Shen beside her before sighing and saying, "I originally planned to open my own embroidery shop, but I've only just started. Now that I'm not feeling well, I really can't keep up, so I'm preparing to go back to my hometown."

He added, “This place can’t be cleaned up in a short time. We’ve already rented a house, and we have a lot of materials. We’ve also hired people. It will take time to deal with everything. Don’t worry, my wife. It won’t delay my original plans.”

Upon hearing this, Song Miao couldn't help but ask, "Since you've made so many preparations, wouldn't it be a pity to just leave like this? If you're not feeling well, you'll inevitably have to seek medical treatment. Compared to Jiangnan West Road, the capital is right under the emperor's nose, and there are many more famous doctors here. Wouldn't it be better to take another look?"

"I've seen many doctors in the capital, but none of them have been very effective. Although I have skills, I mainly make wedding dresses and other festive garments. Now that this has happened, fewer people are coming to me. Even if there is work, I can't sit still for long, which would be a huge waste of time..."

“With your excellent skills, Madam, you don’t necessarily have to make wedding dresses. You could make a name for yourself doing anything,” Song Miao couldn’t help but say. “If you’re talking about seeing a doctor, Cheng Er Niangzi’s daughter, Xiao Lian, has also apprenticed under a doctor here. Her medical skills and ethics are both excellent. If Madam has the time…”

Shen Xingniang's face fell, and she said, "I really don't want to see a doctor anymore. For the past few months, I haven't stopped taking the medicine for a single day, and the doctor has been coming to see me every few days. I've also visited many famous doctors, but not only has it not worked, they've also called me away..."

She gritted her teeth, looked at Song Miao, and said, "There's no point in hiding it from you, my wife—I have persistent vaginal discharge and frequent urination, which I find hard to hold in. Other illnesses are manageable, but with this one, the doctor asks me how I got it as soon as he comes to the clinic… I have to answer every day, repeating myself over and over. It's really unbearable. I just think that if it's really not working, there's no point in seeing a doctor anyway, so I might as well not see one at all!"

Hearing this, Granny Shen said, "Xingniang, how can you say such a thing? At your age, you will get married and have children in the future. If you don't get treatment now, what will you do in the future?"

He then hurriedly looked at Song Miao and said, "Wife, don't listen to her. If there's a good doctor, just tell this old woman, and I'll drag her over no matter what!"

Shen Xingniang shook her head and said, "It's not necessary to get married and have children—Auntie has me, and in the future, I might meet someone like me to take care of me, to care for me in my old age and to see me off in my final days. What's the difference between that and having children of your own?"

"Besides, haven't I seen enough doctors already? Aside from embarrassing myself again..."

Grandma Shen ignored her and kept asking Song Miao, "Madam, just tell me—where does that doctor practice and what is his name? I will take Xingniang to him for treatment!"

Song Miao gave the name of Doctor Lin, and then said, "He's currently at Tianyuantang outside Baokangmen Wazi..."

Shen Xingniang sighed and said, "I know you mean well, madam, but there's no need to go through all that trouble. I've been to this clinic before and consulted two doctors, but the medicine they prescribed wasn't very effective. Besides, it's too close to Yunxiang Embroidery Workshop, so I always run into acquaintances when I go in and out... I..."

Song Miao thought for a moment and said, "If it were any other doctor, I wouldn't say anything, but this one is a female doctor, and her medical skills are truly excellent."

She recounted how Doctor Lin led his apprentices on medical rounds in various rural areas, and then added, "Madam feels that Baokang Gate is too close and that people might see us, but it doesn't really matter—I'll find a way to invite that doctor to sit down and have a meal at the restaurant."

"Since you're just passing by, let's pretend we're taking measurements for everyone. If you're not intimidated by the people we meet, then take a look. If you really don't want to, then just pretend this never happened, okay?"

"This……"

Seeing Shen Xingniang still hesitating, Granny Shen became anxious and hurriedly said, "My lady is helping you so much, just look at how dedicated she is, you shouldn't refuse—that Doctor Lin is such a good person, and she's a female doctor, what's wrong with letting her take a look?" Song Miao then said, "My lady doesn't need to worry—Doctor Lin has rarely seen patients in recent years. What I'm saying now is just wishful thinking. I still need to ask her opinion, see if she has the time, and whether she's willing to come to our homes to treat patients, before we can discuss it in detail..."

Shen Xingniang had been hesitant before, but now that things had taken a turn for the worse, she felt a sudden sense of disappointment. Instead of refusing, she readily agreed and quickly thanked him.

After sitting and talking for a while, Shen Xingniang and Granny Shen got up to say goodbye.

Before leaving, Granny Shen picked up two large bamboo baskets from the ground behind her and said to Song Miao, "This old woman has been thinking of you day and night, thanking you. Unlike Xingniang, I don't have embroidery skills, so I specially asked someone to find these two things as a token of my gratitude!"

Song Miao looked down and saw that they were two pickled chicken legs.

She quickly declined and thanked her.

Granny Shen said, "These are all from Wuzhou, and they are all good legs. I've tested them before. When you cut them open, the inside is bright red, as hot as the sun. But it's very humid in the capital right now, so they can't be kept for long. Xingniang hasn't been eating much lately. I made a vow in the spring that if she could come back, I would eat vegetarian food for a year and not eat anything else. If you don't accept them, they'll just go bad!"

Song Miao thought of inviting Doctor Lin and planned to give it as a gift, so she didn't bother with further details.

She glanced at the several folding screens spread out on the table and said to Shen Xingniang, "I will accept all the embroidery that you gave me, Madam, without any further formalities."

He then laughed and said, "Although my restaurant is small, it's rare to have so many customers who come to patronize it. Everyone has good taste. Once I turn these embroideries into screens, I'll put them in the front hall. This will not only add luster to the shop, but also let more people see them. It might bring some customers to your door, madam. By the time you recover, there might already be plenty of business waiting for you!"

Upon hearing this, Shen Xingniang felt a sudden lump in her throat and her eyes reddened, barely managing to hold back her tears.

She said, "My wife is so kind, I have nothing to say. If it weren't for you that day... I'd have to rely on you again this time..."

Song Miao smiled slightly and said, "It can only be said to be fate. When my grandmother was acquainted with that Yang Xiuniang, they would often talk about the names of their future children. The character 'Xing' was chosen by her. She said that if a boy was born, he would be named Shen Xing, and if a girl was born, she would be named Shen Xing."

"It was because of this name, and because my grandmother and mother kept mentioning it when they were alive, that I immediately took notice when I saw the reward notice, which led to the events that followed—if I were to thank anyone, I should thank that Yang Xiuniang..."

"I just hope my wife gets better soon!"

Shen Xingniang could no longer hold back her tears, and they fell instantly.

After all, the two were just strangers who met by chance, and Shen Xingniang was deeply moved that they had gone to such lengths.

I just don't know how to thank you properly!

***
After seeing the two off at the door, Song Miao then sat back down in her chair.

She stared blankly for a while.

I wonder what relationship that Yi Xiuniang had with Aunt Yang Xiuniang from back then.

But in any case, we have already found a clue.

It's obvious that the person is no longer here, but if there's anything left, or if she can find out the whereabouts of the people on the mountain before, it would give her something to look forward to.

But even if it turns out not to be true, it's okay.

As mentioned earlier, because of the name "Shen Xingniang" from before, the current "Shen Xingniang" has finally been rescued and has become acquainted with me and gradually become friends. This is not a bad thing.

She sat and thought for a while before going to the back to call Cheng Erniang. She concealed Shen Xingniang's illness, only saying that the other party was unwell, had seen many doctors but was not well, and that she wanted to try to recommend Doctor Lin, but did not know if the other party was available.

“I’ve been studying under Doctor Lin for a while now, so shouldn’t we invite her over for a meal? Second Madam, could you do me a favor and see if she’s free? Just let her know that a friend here wants to consult a doctor, and if it’s not possible, that’s fine too…”

Even if Song Miao didn't say it, Cheng Erniang was very observant. She saw that the young woman had only been sitting there for a little over half an hour, and had already gone to the outhouse seven or eight times. How could she not see the problem?

Knowing about Shen Xingniang's past, she had already guessed what was going on and immediately said, "Don't worry, Madam, I'll go and ask early tomorrow—Master Lin is a doctor by nature. As long as he says there are patients here, even if he didn't plan to come, he'll most likely come to see the doctor!"

After finishing discussing Shen Xingniang's matter, seeing that it was getting late, Song Miao counted some snacks and fruits, asked someone to help her call a carriage, and then left with the things.

She was carrying these things to visit her creditors.

Since the plan to reopen the restaurant has been made, and although it has been mentioned to everyone before, it is time to give an explanation again when the time comes.

Song Miao went to each household to deliver gifts, explained the matter of reopening the restaurant, and discussed with everyone that if they agreed, she would continue to borrow the previous debts, in accordance with the previously agreed-upon document, and repay the principal and interest together monthly.

If they disagree, she will settle the accounts in the next two days according to the amount—she has already borrowed money from someone specifically for paying off the debts early.

The interest rates offered by Songji are not high, but they are very stable, and the business is good. Putting everything else aside, creditors don't have to worry about not being able to collect their debts and can reliably collect interest for several years.

Even if you get the same amount of money back, you might not be able to find such a reliable way to make money.

So everyone readily agreed, some asking when it would open so they could come and support it, others saying they could borrow it without worry.

But there were a few people who urgently needed money, and Song Miao kept her word, immediately settling their accounts and thanking them.

Besides these few, there are several others who, for some reason, are nowhere to be found every time I visit. I asked the neighbors carefully, but none of them could give me a clear answer. They only said that they were usually there, but suddenly they disappeared.

Song Miao felt it was not quite appropriate.

These are all major creditors. If they all demand cash, she will have a hard time repaying them on her own.