Shuse Jinjia

Xie Zhaotang's melancholy mood passed by quickly.

Xue Jintong is now considered her friend, and Huo Beiyu is her business partner.

If they could become husband and wife, Xue Jintong would have someone to back her up and would no longer be afraid of Madam Xue's torment.

As for myself, I helped Xue Jintong this time. I would be content as long as they remember this favor and lend me a hand when I am in trouble in the future.

After dinner, Madam Pei didn't let Xie Zhaotang and the others rush back. She asked Xie Zhaotang what kind of ointment she wanted to make and what medicinal herbs she needed.

Since Pei Yu felt that Xue Jintong was suitable for Huo Beiyu, and Old Madam Pei also pitied Xue Jintong and did not want her to die like this.

"Fourth Miss, just tell me what medicinal herbs you need. You can use whatever you have in the manor. If you don't have any, have Song'er go out and buy them. Just brew them in my courtyard, it won't be convenient for you to go back."

Xie Zhaotang originally planned to go to the Li family to brew medicine, but since Old Madam Pei was so enthusiastic, there was no need to refuse.

Recalling what Pei Song had said, she knew perfectly well that Old Madam Pei was looking after Xue Jintong on behalf of Huo Beiyu.

"Granny Zhao, could you please get me some paper and pen? I'd like to write this down."

Granny Zhao had been following Madam Pei closely, and she knew exactly what Madam Pei was thinking, so she quickly went to fetch paper and pen.

Li Qin wasn't surprised when Xie Zhaotang went to the table to write a prescription. From the fact that Xie Zhaotang had given a prescription to Chief Physician Luo, she could tell that Xie Zhaotang wasn't completely ignorant about medicine.

She could understand the idea of ​​hiding one's talents, considering Xie Zhaotang's background.

After a while, Xie Zhaotang wrote down the prescription and handed it to Madam Pei. After practicing for so long, her calligraphy, although not very good, was already presentable.

After taking a look, Madam Pei asked Pei Song to prepare it, and she said to Xie Zhaotang and Li Qin with a smile.

"Once all the medicinal herbs are gathered, they will need to be decocted, and by the time they are finished, it will be late at night. Why don't you two young ladies stay at my courtyard tonight? I will send someone to your home to inform you."

Li Qin looked at Xie Zhaotang.

Xie Zhaotang thought that what Madam Pei said made sense, so she nodded and said, "Thank you, Madam Pei."

Madam Pei then sent Granny Zhao to make the trip herself.

"Ying'er, take some people and prepare two rooms..."

Madam Pei sent Ying'er to keep watch, while Xie Zhaotang and Li Qin stayed behind to talk to her.

"Does the Fourth Sister also know medicine?" she asked casually.

Xie Zhaotang had already made it clear to Xie Jianghuai that he knew medicine, so he wasn't afraid of being exposed. He smiled and said, "I've read some medical books, but I wouldn't call myself an expert. I can only say I know a little bit."

After chatting with her for a while and feeling a sense of familiarity, Madam Pei asked, "Fourth Miss, I've heard that your father intends to give you to Lord Gong as a concubine after you come of age. Is that true?"

Before Xie Zhaotang could speak, Li Qin said urgently, "Tangtang, if it's true, don't hide it from the old lady. Tell her and let her make a decision for you, or let her arrange a good marriage for you. Your father has to give the old lady some face!"

Xie Zhaotang had already realized that Madam Pei was a kind-hearted old lady, so he lowered his eyes and said in a low voice.

"My father mentioned this before, but there are still two months until my coming-of-age ceremony, and I don't know if he will change his mind..."

Fearing that she was young and naive, Madam Pei said, "Fourth girl, the Xie family is cunning and manipulative. Your grandmother has always been like that. As long as it benefits the Xie family, they won't care about the life or death of a concubine's daughter. Your second sister is like that, and so are your two concubine aunts!"

"Don't hold onto any illusions; you'd better find another way out for yourself as soon as possible!"

Xie Zhaotang nodded when he saw that Madam Pei had pointed out the Xie family's ruthlessness so incisively, and that she was truly thinking of him.

"You're right, madam. I will find another way out."

Madam Pei said, "Song'er mentioned Zhu Feng earlier. I've met this boy a few times. He's an honest and kind person. Although his family is large, they are quite harmonious. If you think he's suitable, I'll act as your matchmaker."

"With me stepping in, your father can do whatever he wants. Just like Miss Li said, he'll always give us some face."

Xie Zhaotang hesitated.

With Elder Pei's intervention, this carries far more weight than Xie Jianghuai climbing the social ladder to Lord Gong. This marriage is sure to succeed!

However, what she wanted was not only for herself to escape the Xie family, but also for Aunt Shen, Xie Tiantian, Xie Yan, and Xie Yiming's entire family to escape their misery with her.

Can Zhu Feng afford to drag them down?

"Madam, I understand your good intentions... Could you give me some time to consider it?"

Xie Zhaotang said sincerely, "I want to know more about Zhu Feng... Madam, I'm not afraid of being poor... but I still have my aunt, my sister and the others..."

Upon hearing this, Madam Pei recalled the investigation that Zhao Mama had conducted into Aunt Shen and her group.

She could act as a matchmaker, but Xie Zhaotang would have to live her own life afterward; she couldn't help her forever.

"Fourth daughter, you are a smart person, and your concerns have their own reasons... Alright, I'll put it this way, you can ask me for help anytime you've thought it through."

"Thank you, Madam!"

Xie Zhaotang was sincerely grateful.

She felt that the old lady was someone she could befriend; she liked such a reasonable, upright, and warm-hearted old woman.

After Pei Song brought all the medicinal herbs, Xie Zhaotang and Li Qin went to the old lady's small kitchen to get busy.

Pei Song lit a fire and ground medicine for them, taking the opportunity to get close to Li Qin.

Xie Zhaotang watched the two talking while silently preparing his medicine.

The ointment was boiled and filled into three small jars. Xie Zhaotang also prepared a large bag of medicinal powder, which was divided into six small packets.

Pei Song volunteered to deliver it, and Xie Zhaotang instructed Pei Song to give Xue Jintong the powder three times a day and the ointment three spoonfuls at a time.

"Brother Pei, please remember to tell Jintong to drink plenty of water when taking these medications, as she might experience diarrhea. Don't worry, I'll adjust the dosage based on her specific condition after we bring her out..."

Pei Song smiled and said, "Okay, I will definitely tell her."

Li Qin was worried and insisted on going with Pei Song. Pei Song did not refuse, and the two left with the medicine.

Xie Zhaotang didn't rush to rest. He tidied up the remaining medicinal herbs and cleaned the small kitchen before fetching water to wash up and returning to the room Ying'er had prepared for him to rest.

The area quieted down. Old Madam Pei was still awake, lounging on the bed chatting with Granny Zhao.

Granny Zhao chuckled softly, "Fourth Miss is a good girl. She keeps the small kitchen spotless. No one else would be so meticulous in their work."

Madam Pei nodded in agreement.

"She's decisive and capable. She's more than a match for Zhu Feng, or even for Bei Yu... If Zhu Feng weren't already interested, I'd definitely give her to Yu'er. Ah... let's wait and see!"

……

Xie Zhaotang was too tired and fell asleep after lying down for a while. She didn't know when Li Qin and Pei Song returned from delivering the medicine.

When she woke up in the morning, there was still no movement in Li Qin's room, so she quietly washed up and took a walk in the yard.

Madam Pei was thinking that she would bring Xue Jintong out in a couple of days anyway, so she asked Granny Zhao to go to the Xie family and tell them that she liked Xue Jintong and Li Qin and asked them to stay for a few days.

Therefore, Xie Zhaotang does not need to return to the Xie family for the next few days.

She got up too early, and after wandering around twice, she came back to find that Granny Zhao had also gotten up and was busy in the small kitchen making breakfast for Madam Pei.

Xie Zhaotang walked in and said with a smile, "Good morning, Granny. What kind of breakfast do you want to make? I'll help you."