Chapter 294: Miao Chu Chapter 316: Strenuous

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Protagonist:

Song Miao

Recalling that Shen A'po had said yesterday that her niece had not been well lately, Song Miao understood there was most likely some unspeakable difficulty, but since they had only just met, it was not appropriate to ask too much.

And after Shen Xingniang returned, she had already pretended nothing had happened, saying: "I just seriously thought for a good while, and among the people I know, there isn't a single suitable one — either they aren't surnamed Yang, or they aren't an Embroidered Lady."

Song Miao then said: "Trouble Young Lady to help think again; it's also possible she changed her surname. That Yang Young Lady excels at embroidering flowers, birds, insects, and fish, especially fish; the golden carp she embroiders look as if they could swim right off the fabric, and she often does double-sided work. Looking at Young Lady's screen painting here..."

Speaking, Song Miao suddenly reacted, reached out her hand, and gently flipped over the bird-pecking-pomegranate side.

Somewhat unexpected, yet also very pleasantly surprised — sure enough, the reverse side also had an embroidered design, but the pattern was not the same as the front; it was a pond of lotus flowers reflecting the sun, with golden carp playing among the lotus leaves.

Several fish flicked their tails, opened wide mouths, about to eat dragonflies perched on the edges of drooping lotus leaves, a posture of eager contention, vivid beyond measure.

Song Miao couldn't help flipping the screen embroidery back over again.

The bird on the front looked left and right, still pecking the pomegranate.

Flipped back again, the golden carp on the other side stared intently at the dragonflies.

She couldn't help asking: "Shen Niangzi's embroidery skill is truly ingenious; I wonder if it was self-taught, or if there is another master?"

Shen Xingniang said: "I have a master; I went specially to another place to become her disciple. A few years ago she passed away from illness; only her surname was Yi, not Yang..."

She described her master's appearance and age in detail.

Song Miao listened carefully; neither Yang Xiu Niang on Pingyang Mountain nor Uncle Shen bore any resemblance.

And Shen Xingniang then asked: "Is Young Lady trying to inquire about that Yang Xiu Niang?"

"My family ancestors have quite a connection with her..." Song Miao pointed at the carp on the embroidery, "My grandmother usually liked eating carp, and was extremely close with that Yang Xiu Niang's family; they separated midway due to some cause, thinking they could still reunite, but who knew there would be no further news afterward."

"Golden carp commonly have two gills; literati like eating four-gill carp, so when painting they depict four gills, but my elder liked eating Microshan carp; that carp is not very similar to ordinary carp — above its mouth are two extra depressions, shaped like four holes; when I was little I even gave it a nickname, calling it Four-Nostril Carp..."

Xingniang at this moment also went to look at the carp on the embroidery; sure enough, above the mouth were two tiny depressions; if not examined carefully, one would even think the carp had grown four nostrils.

She murmured: "No wonder I always thought it strange that the golden carp my master taught me to embroider grew in such an odd way; because I had never seen a golden one, I just thought golden carp naturally grew like that..."

She sighed again, saying: "Only she has been dead for several years now; there is no way to ask."

Song Miao was stunned for a long while, momentarily at a loss for words; after a long time she finally said: "I have always heard Mother mention that Yang Young Lady; when I was little I even saw a set of treasured dowry garments at home made by her; Grandmother preserved them for many years, but just in these past one or two years the family situation was bad, and they were sold off..."

"Because when the old lady passed away, she always kept thinking of her sisters from those days; although I knew most likely they had already passed away, I thought this trip might yield some news; I had no other thought, only wanting to fulfill a heart's wish, sending a stick of sandalwood incense from afar as consolation for the elders at home."

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

She stood up, also went to look at the embroidery, then said: "Young Lady, don't be anxious; just looking at these golden carp, my master and that Yang Xiu Niang your family knew must definitely have some connection; it's just unknown what connection."

"My master had no offspring; I handled her funeral. She left some relics; because she was going to the Capital, they are temporarily placed at my home. If Young Lady doesn't mind this, I'll have someone bring them over, and we can see if we can find some explanation; if really nothing is found, and if there is no one more suitable, just treat her as — she should truly be! — burn a stick of incense for the family, let them recognize each other down below, that would be fine too!"

Song Miao hurriedly thanked her, then asked: "Yesterday I heard Shen A'po's tone; at first she said Shen Niangzi wanted to open an embroidery shop in the Capital, then after getting more familiar she said she would return home once autumn came — I wonder what the actual plan is? If you really intend to go home, bringing things over here, will it delay your journey?"

Shen Xingniang hesitated a moment, first turned her head to look at Shen A'po beside her, then sighed and said: "I originally wanted to start my own embroidery workshop; just got it started, but now my health is poor, I really can't keep it up, and have already prepared to return home."

She added: "Here also can't be packed up in a short time; originally rented a house, and there's quite a lot of material, actually also hired people; everything has to be slowly disposed of. Young Lady needn't worry; it won't delay my original arrangements."

Hearing this, Song Miao couldn't help asking: "Since you made so many preparations, to just leave and abandon everything, isn't that a pity? If your health is poor, you'll need to seek doctors and medicine; compared to Jiangnan West Circuit, the Capital is at the Emperor's feet, with more famous doctors; why not take another look?"

"I've already seen many doctors in the Capital, not very effective; although I have skill, I originally made mostly wedding garments and such festive clothes; now that something has happened, few people come looking, and even if there is work, because I can't sit for long, it also delays things terribly..."

"Seeing Young Lady has such good skill, it's not necessarily required to make festive clothes; what can't you become famous doing?" Song Miao couldn't help saying, "If it's about seeing a doctor, our Cheng Erniangzi's daughter Xiao Lian also became a disciple to a doctor; her medical skill and ethics are both excellent; if Young Lady has time..."

Shen Xingniang's face darkened, saying: "I really don't want to see doctors anymore; these past few months, medicine hasn't stopped for a single day, doctors come every three or five days, I've visited famous doctors no less, not only no effect, but they also make me..."

She gritted her teeth, looked at Song Miao, and said: "Facing Young Lady, there's nothing to hide — I have incessant vaginal discharge, and constantly feel the urge to urinate, very hard to hold; other illnesses are easier to speak of, but this illness, as soon as you walk in, the doctor first asks how this illness came about... I... have to answer every day, repeating it over and over, my heart feels truly awful; I just think since it's no use anyway, left or right seeing them is useless, might as well not see them!"

Shen A'po at the side hearing this, said: "Xingniang, how can you say such words? At your age, you still have to marry and bear children in the future; if you don't treat it now, what will you do later??"

She hurriedly looked at Song Miao, saying: "Young Lady, don't listen to her; if there's any good doctor, just tell this old woman, I'll drag her there even if I have to pull!"

Shen Xingniang shook her head: "Not necessarily have to marry and bear children — Aunt has me; in the future I might not fail to encounter someone like me to care for myself, provide for my old age and see me off; what difference is that from giving birth to sons and daughters oneself?"

"Besides, haven't I seen enough doctors? Except for being humiliated once more..."

Shen A'po paid her no heed, only pressed Song Miao: "Young Lady, you just say it — where does that doctor sit in clinic, and what's her name? I'll personally bring Xingniang to seek treatment!"

Song Miao gave Doctor Lin's name, and added: "Currently at Tianyuantang outside Baokangmen Waizi..."

Shen Xingniang let out a long sigh, saying: "I know Young Lady means well, but there's no need to trouble yourself further; I've been to that clinic before, consulted two doctors, the medicine they prescribed wasn't very effective either; and because it's too close to Yunxiang Embroidery Workshop, going in and out one always easily runs into acquaintances... I..."

Song Miao thought a moment, saying: "If it were another doctor I wouldn't mention it, but this one is a female doctor, and her medical skill is truly excellent."

She told how Doctor Lin brought disciples to various villages for medical rounds, and added: "Young Lady feels Baokang Gate is too close, afraid of being seen; actually it's also fine — I'll think of a way to invite that doctor to sit a while in the food shop, have a meal."

"Young Lady can just come over on the pretext of measuring everyone for tailoring; after meeting, if you're not shy seeing people, then have a look; if you really don't want to, treat it as if nothing happened; how about that?"

"This..."

Seeing Shen Xingniang still hesitating, Shen A'po was frantic, hurriedly saying: "Young Lady helping you like this, just seeing how wholeheartedly she's trying, you shouldn't refuse — that Doctor Lin is truly a good person, and a female doctor; what's wrong with letting her examine you??"

Song Miao said: "Young Lady also needn't worry — Doctor Lin has rarely sat for consultations these few years; what I'm saying now is just wishful thinking on my part; I still have to ask her intention, see if she has time, is willing to make a house call to treat someone, before we can discuss details..."

Shen Xingniang had been undecided before; now seeing the situation take a turn, her heart suddenly sank with disappointment, but she no longer refused, agreed at once, then hurriedly thanked her again.

Both sides sat and talked a while longer, then Shen Xingniang and Shen A'po both rose to take their leave.

Before leaving, that Shen A'po from the back picked up two large bamboo baskets from the ground and said to Song Miao: "Old woman's heart remembers Young Lady, thanking you day and night; I'm not like Xingniang with embroidery skill, so I specially asked someone to find these two things to come, as a token of thanks, to express my sincerity!"

Song Miao lowered her head to look; they were two cured hams.

She hurriedly declined and thanked.

Shen A'po said: "Brought from Wuzhou; all good hams; tried before, cut open, inside is bright red, like the sun's fire — right now the Capital is very damp, not good to keep long; Xingniang hasn't been eating much lately; I made a vow since spring that as long as she can come back, I'd eat vegetarian for a year, also can't eat them; if Young Lady doesn't accept, they'll just go bad!"

Song Miao thought of inviting Doctor Lin, prepared to re-gift them, so didn't stand on ceremony.

She looked at the several screen paintings spread on the table at the moment, and said to Shen Xingniang: "The embroidery Young Lady gave me, I'll accept all of it; no polite words needed."

She smiled and said: "Although my food shop is small, fortunately many patrons come to support; everyone has discerning eyes; when I make these embroideries into screens and place them in the front hall, first it adds luster to the shop, second it lets more people see them; it might not fail to bring Young Lady some customers; by the time your illness is cured, who knows, there may already be plenty of business waiting!"

Hearing these words, Shen Xingniang's nose inexplicably soured, her eye rims reddened; she barely held back tears.

She said, "Young Lady is so kind-hearted; I have nothing more to say. If it weren't for you back then... this time I must rely on you again..."

Song Miao smiled faintly and said, "We can only call it fate — when my grandmother was acquainted with that Yang Xiu Niang, they would chat about future children's names; the character 'Xing' was chosen by her, saying if a boy was born he would be named Shen Xing, if a girl, she would be called Shen Xingniang."

"Precisely because of this name, and because my grandmother and my mother repeated it over and over when they were alive, when I saw the reward notice that day, I suddenly had an extra thought, which led to the subsequent karmic encounter — if thanks must be given, better to thank that Yang Xiu Niang..."

"I only hope Young Lady recovers quickly!"

The tears Shen Xingniang was holding back could no longer be contained; they fell all at once.

However you put it, the two were merely a chance encounter; to be able to do this much moved Shen Xingniang deeply.

She simply did not know how to repay the kindness!

Seeing the two off to the doorway, Song Miao only then sat back down on the armchair.

She spaced out for a while.

She also did not know what relationship that Yi Xiu Niang had with the Yang Xiu Niang Yang A'niang of those years.

But regardless, there was already a bit of a clue.

One could guess the person was certainly no longer alive, but if there could be even a single thing left behind, or if she could learn the whereabouts of those seniors on the mountain from before, it would give her something to hold onto.

But even if it turned out not to be so, it didn't matter.

Just as she said a moment ago, because of the three characters "Shen Xingniang" from the past, today's "Shen Xingniang" was finally rescued and came to know her and gradually become acquainted — this was not without being a new kind of fate.

She sat thinking for a bit, then went to the back to call Cheng Erniang, concealing Shen Xingniang's condition, only saying the other party was unwell, that many doctors had been seen to no avail, and she wanted to try recommending Doctor Lin, just not knowing if the other party had time.

"I was thinking Xiao Lian has been apprenticed to Doctor Lin for a stretch now; we ought to invite her over as a guest for a meal, right? Can Er Niangzi help by checking if the elder has any availability, and make clear there's a friend here who wants a consultation — whether it works out or not, if it doesn't it's also fine..."

Even without Song Miao saying it, Cheng Erniang was originally meticulous; seeing a young lady come here and sit for only an hour, during which she had already run to the toilet seven or eight times, how could she not see the trouble.

She knew Shen Xingniang's past affairs; she had guessed several parts in her heart and immediately said, "Young Lady rest assured, tomorrow I'll go early to ask — Lin Shifu has a doctor's disposition; as long as it's said there's a patient here, even if she wasn't planning to come, for the sake of treating illness she'll most likely come to the door!"

Finished with Shen Xingniang's matter, seeing the hour was not early, Song Miao counted out some snacks and fruit, had someone help call a carriage, and took the things out the door.

This trip she was bringing things to find the various creditors.

Since she had decided to reopen the food shop, although she had mentioned it to everyone before, now that the matter was at hand, she should give another round of explanation.

Song Miao went household by household delivering gifts, spoke of the food shop reopening, and discussed with everyone: if they agreed, the previous debts would continue to be borrowed by her first, following the official documents both sides had agreed to before, repaying principal and interest together monthly in one lump sum.

If they disagreed, she would settle the accounts according to the amounts these two days — she had already entrusted someone to borrow money, specifically for early repayment.

Song Ji's interest was not high, but it was very steady, and business was good; not to mention other things, creditors need not worry about not recovering the money, and could steadily collect several years of interest.

The same money, even if recovered, might not find such a reliable way to make money breed money.

So everyone agreed one after another; some asked when it would open, saying they would come to support; some said lend with peace of mind, no need to worry.

But in the end there were a few who urgently needed money; Song Miao spoke and acted — she immediately settled the accounts and thanked them.

Apart from these few, there were several others who, for some reason, every time she went to their doors she couldn't see anyone; asking the neighbors on both sides carefully, none could say why, only saying they were usually there, not knowing why they suddenly vanished.

Song Miao always felt something was not quite right.

These few were all major creditors; if they all demanded cash, relying on herself alone, she would find it somewhat difficult.