Shuse Jinjia

Xing'er stopped crying. The Fourth Miss often went out with the Third Miss and the others to attend flower banquets. Perhaps she could find out a folk remedy that could cure the disease!

She said with a glimmer of hope, "The doctor said my mother has a disease called shingles, which means that if the herpes vesicles completely encircle her back, she will die. My mother has already developed more than half a circle of it, and she has been in excruciating pain these days, unable to eat anything..."

Snakes wrapped around the waist? Xie Zhaotang was skilled in traditional Chinese medicine and knew that this was an ancient name for shingles.

Shingles is actually not that dangerous. The high mortality rate in ancient times was mostly due to complications such as secondary infections and internal organ involvement.

She had a plan in mind, pretended to think about it for a moment, and then smiled.

"Xing'er, isn't this a coincidence? I've actually heard of folk remedies for this kind of illness..."

"I overheard two old women chatting about this when I went to a flower banquet with my third sister. I thought it might be useful someday if my aunt contracted this disease, so I kept it in mind... Wait, I'll write it down for you!"

Xie Zhaotang found paper and pen, and Xing'er quickly helped her pour water and grind ink.

Xie Zhaotang pondered.

Xing'er served the original owner of this body and knew her background. To avoid causing trouble, she could not reveal her medical skills for the time being.

But after leaving the Xie family, she still wants to support herself and Tian Tian through medicine, so she needs to find a way to expose herself.

Xing'er's mother's illness might be a turning point!

After Xie Zhaotang and Xing'er finished grinding the ink, they picked up their brushes and began writing the prescription.

The original owner of this body could read, but lacked the patience to practice calligraphy. Coincidentally, Xie Zhaotang was also not used to writing calligraphy, and his ugly handwriting matched the original owner's style.

After Xie Zhaotang finished writing the prescription, he handed it to Xing'er and instructed her, "The first prescription is for oral administration. Take it out tomorrow, get two doses of the medicine, boil them into one bowl, and have your mother drink it for one day. The next day, it will be one dose per day!"

"Grind this medicine into powder. If you have realgar wine, add some to make a paste. Apply it externally to the areas with blisters, one application per day... Come back and let me know if there are any changes!"

Xie Zhaotang gave Xing'er the hairpin and the loose silver.

She didn't know the market price yet and was worried that the little money wouldn't be enough to buy the medicine, so she took off the silver bracelet from her wrist and gave it to Xing'er as well.

Xing'er knelt down with a thud, clutching the hairpin and silver bracelet in her hand, and kowtowed three times to Xie Zhaotang, choking back tears.

"I will never forget the kindness that Fourth Miss has shown to my family. If my mother manages to escape death this time, I will serve you like a slave for the rest of my life to repay you!"

Xie Zhaotang quickly helped her up and comforted her, "You've served me diligently ever since you came to my side, so it's only right that I help you in this small way. Don't be so polite... It's getting late, go and rest!"

Xing'er wiped away her tears, hid the hairpin and silver bracelet in her bosom, and then stood up, saying, "I'll keep watch tonight. I've let Gu Zi sleep. I'll go fetch water for you to wash up, Miss..."

There were only two maids in Xie Zhaotang's courtyard, and the other maid, Gu Zi, was only ten years old.

Gu Zi was specially arranged by her grandmother, Aunt Xia, to work in Xie Zhaotang's courtyard, which she paid five taels of silver to the head maid.

It was sent because Xie Zhaotang was simple and wouldn't have a temper that would bother people.

Because Gu Zi was young, Xing Er also received favors from her mother and helped take care of her, so she was rarely asked to do tiring work such as keeping watch at night.

Xing'er was on night watch last night, and tonight it's Gu Zi's turn. Xing'er's words were meant to help Gu Zi out.

Xie Zhaotang, thinking of the relationship between Gu Zi and Xie Yiming, saw through it but didn't say anything.

After Xing'er brought the water, Xie Zhaotang washed up and then told Xing'er to go and rest.

Xing'er helped her to bed before taking the oil lamp and leaving.

Xie Zhaotang only turned to look at Tian Tian after hearing her leave.

With the moonlight streaming through the window, she could only vaguely make out the outline of Tian Tian lying on the pillow.

Xie Zhaotang stared at her intently for a long time before finally reaching out to gently stroke her soft, delicate face...

……

The next day.

Xie Zhaotang got up early, but Xie Tiantian was still asleep.

After washing up, Xie Zhaotang took a walk in the courtyard, pondering how to put his plan into action.

She was an adult at heart; how could she entrust her fate to a mere boy like Xie Yan!

Xie Zhaotang could only strategize and find a reliable person to help him figure out the basic situation.

For example, which unmarried families in the capital are of higher social standing than the Xie family?

What are the character, personality, and hobbies of these men?

After clarifying the situation, select the target to conquer.

A chance encounter, catering to their interests, seduction...

As long as she could marry into the family and become the official wife, able to control her own destiny, she was willing to use any means necessary to engage in a charade with the other party.

She doesn't crave love!

She and Jiang Qiao developed feelings for each other over time and supported each other, but they still broke up over her third sister. She has seen through the true nature of marriage.

She only wanted to take advantage of the situation to break away from the Xie family, and then work hard to earn money and provide a better future for Tian Tian!

As Xie Zhaotang was walking, her maid Gu Zi ran over to report.

"Fourth Sister, Brother Stone has brought you something!"

Gu Zi wore her hair in two buns, her round face was fair with a rosy glow, and her eyes were bright and clear.

Xie Zhaotang looked at the ten-year-old girl and thought of her family's misery, a trace of pity flashing in his eyes.

She followed Gu Zi to the courtyard gate, where she saw Xie Yan's servant, Shi Tou, waiting there with a cloth bag in his hand.

Shi Tou was only twelve years old, a head taller than Xie Yan, with dark skin, but he looked very clever.

"Fourth Miss, Sixth Master sent me to bring you your books! He said he'll visit Consort Shen after school. Please take good care of her!"

Xie Zhaotang took the cloth bag, and Shi Tou left.

Xie Zhaotang took the cloth bag and went into the room next to the bedroom.

I opened the cloth bag, and inside were several books, the first of which was "Arithmetic".

The original owner of this body was literate, and Xie Zhaotang inherited her memories, so she could easily recognize these traditional Chinese characters.

Xie Zhaotang smiled. Xie Yan found this kind of book for her so that she could learn from the housekeeper, right?

After breakfast, Xie Zhaotang asked Gu Zi to guard the courtyard and Xing'er to take the prescription home. Then, she took Tian Tian's hand and escorted her back to Haitang Courtyard.

Before leaving, Xing'er reminded her that now that she was better, she should go and pay her respects to Madam Xie. She planned to meet with Aunt Shen first, and also take the opportunity to leave the manor to look for opportunities...

Upon entering the Begonia Courtyard, Xie Tiantian broke free from her hand, called out "Auntie," and ran inside.

Xie Zhaotang was well aware of Aunt Shen's condition, so he didn't rush in and walked at a leisurely pace.

"Eighth Miss, be careful not to touch Aunt's injury..."

As soon as Xie Zhaotang entered, he saw Chun'er gently giving Xie Tiantian some advice.

Chun'er was about thirteen years old, a little shorter than Xie Zhaotang, and had delicate features.

Another maid serving Aunt Shen breakfast was Qiu'er, who looked to be only about eleven years old.

"Fourth Sister!"

Qiu'er turned her head and saw Xie Zhaotang, and said with a smile, "Auntie is feeling better today, she can even drink some porridge!"

Xie Zhaotang smiled back, stepped forward to take the bowl from her hand, and said with a smile, "Let me feed you, Auntie!"

Aunt Shen glanced at her, then turned to Xie Tiantian and said softly, "Tiantian, I'm injured and can't stay with you. How about letting Sister Qiu'er take you out to play?"

Xie Tiantian glanced at Aunt Shen, who was leaning weakly against the headboard, and then at Xie Zhaotang, before obediently nodding.

Qiu'er washed her hands in the basin, then came over and took Xie Tiantian's hand as they walked out.

"Chun'er, you go out first. I want to talk to the Fourth Miss!"

Aunt Shen looked at Chun'er tidying up the room and said again.

Chun'er obediently withdrew.

Once there were no outsiders in the room, Aunt Shen grasped Xie Zhaotang's hand and whispered.

"Tangtang, you mentioned wanting to marry into a family of higher social standing than the Xie family. Your aunt thought about it for a long time last night and finally thought of someone who might be able to help you..."