novelhk Chapter 25: Cherish Every Opportunity
Chapter 25: Cherish Every Opportunity
A short while later, Madam Qian came out with Qian Shao and Qian Yao.
Seeing Xiao Wuya dressed like this, they were both surprised and delighted. Shen Huai quickly stepped forward and said:
"I'll explain later, let's move the things first."
The servants of the Marquis's residence began carrying the gifts, and the wet nurse carried the young master downstairs.
The maidservant immediately wrapped a cloak around the child, and upon seeing this, Madam Qian quickly invited everyone inside.
After entering, since the young master was still young, they all went into the inner courtyard, to the courtyard of Old Madam Qian.
Shen Huai paid a visit to Madam Qian.
I learned that the doctors who were supposed to be seeing patients during the first month of the lunar calendar would not start work until after the eighteenth day of the first lunar month.
Doctor Qian and Qian Erlang went to Jishetang, and Qian Er's newlywed wife also accompanied them.
The group went to Madam Qian's courtyard again. Only the wet nurse and Xianglan remained at the young master's side. The other servants and maids from the Qian family were led aside to have tea and snacks.
Shen Huai explained the current situation:
How could someone be wearing these clothes and bringing this group of people to pay a visit?
The Qian family members were all moved upon hearing this:
It's the good fortune that Wuya deserves.
After chatting for a while, Madam Qian helped Old Madam Qian leave, leaving Qian Shao to entertain the young friend herself.
The three chatted for a while, discussing their respective situations after parting ways, and Shen Huai also reminisced about the lessons they had missed before the new year.
The young master listened intently beside Shen Huai.
The two of them each took out a silver melon seed, saying that they were the older brother and sister, and that they had specially saved their pocket money to give Shen Huai New Year's money.
Shen Huai:
My chest felt warm, and the heat was spreading out, making my nose tingle and my eyes feel hot.
Before they knew it, it was getting late, and Shen Huai was about to take the young master back for dinner.
Shen Huai almost forgot his main purpose and asked Qian Shao which gold and silver shop in the city was better, so he could go shopping there tomorrow and choose a cover for the birthday gift he was making.
Qian Shao and Shen Huai then made an appointment to meet at the shop in the morning.
After returning to the villa and having dinner, Shen Huai gave instructions on the young master's meals for the next day. He then accompanied the noblewoman and the young master as usual, strolling through the luxurious garden.
After returning home, I took the child with me and spent some time with the wealthy woman at work.
That evening, Shen Huai was arranged to return to the young master's side room.
This time, it's not that I have to work the night shift, but there will be a lot of people coming and going, so please don't worry if the young master is there to take care of things.
Shen Huai brought it up himself; he was just there for a follow-up consultation, so he couldn't really treat himself as a guest.
Shen Huai: When it's time to perform, you should perform!
Even at night, they still served bird's nest with milk!
To be honest, I couldn't taste any difference between it and Baiyan, but I'm still satisfied.
The next day at breakfast, the young master saw Shen Huai drinking milk, so after finishing his breakfast, he also drank half a bowl of milk.
The lady was even happier seeing this.
Shen Huai told the noblewoman about his itinerary for the day, and the noblewoman happily said goodbye to her son.
The wealthy woman: It's so relaxing not having to take care of the kids!
When they arrived at the gold and silver shop, Shen Huai and Qian Shao spent a long time choosing, while the young master also sat at the counter and observed for a long time.
Finally, after selecting a round pendant with a floral openwork design, Shen Huai had someone put the prepared medicine packet inside.
Please have the shop assistant hang up the cord and the net below, and put it in a gift box. It's five taels of silver.
Shen Huai hurriedly paid the money, unable to keep up with Xiangju's speed.
Then I went to a nearby sachet shop and bought a bunch of sachet shells and inner bags.
Two of them were wishes for peace and joy, and the others were all auspicious phrases. As soon as she made her choice, Xiangju paid the money.
Shen Huai: I knew I couldn't keep up with Xiangju's speed!
At noon, Qian Shao knew that Wu Ya couldn't come to her house for lunch, so they went their separate ways. Shen Huai invited her to Jishetang in the afternoon.
After the meal, I went for a walk with the lady and her son to digest.
The servant waiting at the post station returned to deliver a message, saying that the gentlemen and ladies would be arriving that afternoon.
Shen Huai thought for a moment and gave the lady a recipe similar to sour plum drink, instructing her to brew the tea for people traveling long distances.
He then took the young master to Jishetang and visited several people working there.
Upon seeing Qian Shao, he found an empty clinic, took the herbs, weighed and divided them, stuffed the herbs into the inner pouch, and then put the pouch inside.
Taking advantage of a break, Xiangju went to pay for the herbs.
Shen Huai thought to himself: This noble family is indeed different; they can see the big picture from small details.
After finishing, it was already late afternoon. Shen Huai quickly bid farewell to the Qian family and returned home with the young master.
Upon arriving at the back gate of the villa, several Mercedes-Benz G-Class and Maybachs were parked there, and about a hundred people were moving things in and out in an orderly manner.
Shen Huai guessed that the wealthy woman's relatives had already arrived, so he had to make a good impression and seize the opportunity, perhaps to gain more wealthy clients.
Shen Huai and his group returned to the young master's courtyard.
A little while later, a maid called him to have dinner. Shen Huai told Xiangju to take the young master over, and that he would just eat whatever he wanted.
A little while later, Xiangzhu arrived and took Shen Huai with her.
Upon entering, an aura of wealth and luxury immediately greets you.
The scenes from the 87 TV series "Dream of the Red Chamber" are now unfolding before my eyes:
The elderly men were wealthy and kind-looking, the ladies were adorned with gold hairpins and jade pendants, and the children were precious and jeweled.
Shen Huai entered and bowed to the elders.
"Tang'er and I are in good health thanks to this little girl. Although she is very young, she is the young doctor I invited to our manor."
The lady introduced it with a pleasant expression.
Everyone's faces immediately showed curiosity. Xiangzhu led Shen Huai to a table next to the children and sat him down next to the young master.
"Since we are all family today, and both fathers are elders, we have not arranged for them to sit separately. We hope you will understand."
The lady said with a smile.
After the meal began, they did not remain silent while eating; instead, they chatted happily about their feelings of parting and the joy of reunion.
At the children's table were two children with airs of nobility, who spoke politely but acted distantly.
The young master was quite familiar with Shen Huai, and often popped up with a...
"good to eat!"
"Sister, eat~" and similar phrases.
Shen Huai didn't take the initiative to talk to the children; he was only immersed in the food.
After enjoying their dinner, the guests and hosts prepared to move to the living room to continue their reminiscing.
"Father, Mother, why don't we take a walk in the garden?"
This little habit was something the young doctor encouraged me to develop.
Although it may sound insignificant, look at me, it's only been a month or so, and my complexion has improved noticeably. I even feel much more relaxed now!
"Good child, although you're busy, you do look quite well. Alright!"
Then let's all take a walk together~
"Alright! In-laws, let's take a walk together then!"
Shen Huai felt that it would be inconvenient for the family to talk while he was an outsider, so he got up to say goodbye.
The noblewoman glanced at Shen Huai, then covered her mouth with her handkerchief and smiled:
"Little one, let's take a walk together! You're still so young, you understand everything we say~"
The shrewd individuals immediately understood:
The little one felt that it would be inconvenient for them to talk if he was there.
Everyone laughed along.
It's quite amusing that he's acting like an adult at such a young age!
Shen Huai's inner thoughts:
I may not say anything, but I can definitely understand everything you hear!
Although in your eyes, Xiao Wuya can't be considered a 'person' yet, there is definitely a 'person' inside her shell.
I already said I was leaving, but you're insisting on keeping me here!
I'll listen to it openly and honestly!
Hehe~ I really want to hear about the secrets of ancient nobles!
The wealthy woman and her two close friends, who were also wealthy women, chatted about the past, gossip about Kyoto's social circles, men, and children.
The four elders chatted about their children, their mutual old friends, the situation in Beijing, and the situation in various countries.
The two elderly ladies quickly lost interest in the situation and went off to chat privately.
Shen Huai remained silent, listening quietly beside the two venerable masters.
Listening with great interest:
The old emperor in the capital is nearing his end; he's just barely hanging on.
The crown prince's position is legitimate and secure; if he were to succeed to the throne, he would likely be a benevolent ruler.
The eldest prince died young, the second prince, born to Consort De, was not very talented, and the third prince, the son of Consort Gui, was somewhat of a threat.
The fourth prince and the crown prince are half-brothers, and it seems that the fourth prince is of one mind with the crown prince.
The fifth prince fell off his horse when he was a child, which left him with a slight disability and prevented him from becoming the emperor.
The sixth and seventh princes were both born to low-ranking concubines, and were not favored in the palace and had no support outside.
The eighth, ninth, and tenth princes died young, and the oldest among them was only thirteen years old.
The situation in Beijing could change at any moment.
Shen Huai thought to himself:
If the situation really changes soon, the first thing to pay attention to is national defense!
This is the time when countries are most likely to cause trouble.
Every time a major disaster occurs in China, the country has to conduct military exercises on the border.
Sure enough, the two titans immediately started talking about this topic.
If something goes wrong, it doesn't matter what kind of trouble the princes might cause.
These individuals will unite all the high-ranking officials and noble families to persuade the new emperor to deploy troops to the border and guard the nation's gates!
Shen Huai was listening with great interest when the two old ladies yawned. The noblewoman immediately said that it was almost time to go back, wash up, and go to bed.
After washing up in the evening, the lady came to see the little boy. Seeing that the child was getting healthier and healthier, she felt a great sense of happiness.
Shen Huai: Your satisfaction is my pursuit!
Shen Huai then took out the young master's birthday gift and gave it to the noblewoman.
She explained its purpose, and the noblewoman immediately instructed her maid to hang it above the young master's bed.
Shen Huai then gave him another pair of sachets with two characters on them, one with a peace charm and mugwort.
There was another one containing anti-inflammatory powder, which was given to the lady and its purpose explained.
He also took out two stacks of sachets, one for repelling snakes, insects, and rodents, and the other with added mugwort, which was better for women.
The lady was somewhat surprised and delighted when Shen Huai took out the birthday gift, and what he took out next was even more heartwarming.
So they used bird's nest mixed with milk together at Shen Huai's place.
Shen Huai then suggested that the ladies could soak their feet in herbal teas such as mugwort, ginger, and saffron whenever they had time, for at least half an hour each day, ideally until they sweated all over.
The noblewoman asked Xiangmei, who was standing next to her, to write it down, and that she would start preparing it after the baby's first birthday celebration.
Shen Huai was extremely satisfied:
Hiring a nanny in the village costs several hundred yuan.
In a small town, hiring a postpartum nanny costs over a thousand yuan.
Hiring a postpartum nanny in a small town costs several thousand yuan.
Hiring a postpartum nanny in a big city costs tens of thousands of yuan.
The wealthy spend tens of thousands of yuan to hire a nanny.
I've ended up working as a nanny and family doctor for a wealthy man in ancient times!
The potential for wealth is limitless!
We must learn steadily and diligently, work hard for our future financial goals, and not falter at crucial moments!