Chapter Fifty-One: The Dowry

The arrival of Madam Fang the next day calmed the turmoil in Xu Ruojin’s heart. Gone were Chun Cao’s incessant chatter, the probing visits from Yang’s maids, and the daily presence of Xu Zi Mo idly sipping tea in her courtyard. Only Madam Fang’s smiling gaze remained, dispelling the oppressive haze within her, leaving her feeling light and unburdened.

“Whenever I see you, my heart settles peacefully within me. Madam Fang, you are like a living Bodhisattva—far more effective than bowing before any statue,” Xu Ruojin praised effusively.

Madam Fang laughed softly at her flattery. “You mustn’t speak so carelessly and disrespect the Bodhisattva. Such words could shorten my years.”

“It’s all my fault. I won’t dare again,” Xu Ruojin said, personally serving tea to Madam Fang. Madam Fang studied her for a while before asking, “I’ve heard about your situation from others in the household. That prescription of yours—was it ever written in the medical books?”

Since Madam Fang had exposed her, Xu Ruojin did not conceal the truth. “I formulated it myself. I had intended to wait until the wine was brewed and invite you to inspect it. But Father ordered that the jar be used for the ancestral offering, so I abandoned the idea, thinking I’d consult you next time. I never expected someone would drink it by mistake. It’s my fault—if I’d told them earlier, none of this would have happened.”

Madam Fang’s smile deepened. “I’m glad you see it that way.” Her gaze lingered on the neatly arranged medical books on Xu Ruojin’s desk. “Are you still hesitant to touch them, shaken by what happened?”

Xu Ruojin shook her head slightly and, instead of answering, asked, “Madam, did you emphasize teaching me to brew wine because of my marriage to the Zhang family?”

“Not entirely,” Madam Fang replied candidly. “This is the ancestral home of the Zhang family. The annual rites are the most important duty for the family who guard the ancestral house. So, knowing how to brew wine is essential—it’s not solely for ancestral offerings.”

“Not just the Zhangs, but other great families have this custom as well.” Seeing Xu Ruojin gently bite her lip, Madam Fang laughed lightly. “But the reason I focused on teaching you was because I saw the eager, thirst for knowledge in your eyes.”

“Me?” Xu Ruojin pointed to her own nose.

“Yes, you,” Madam Fang affirmed. “Of all the things I taught you, this was the one you were most enthusiastic about. You have a natural talent for household management and arithmetic, but those skills are acquired through experience, not simply by listening. As for embroidery…” Madam Fang smiled wryly. “You are astonishingly poor at it—though that’s really because you dislike it. If you applied your perseverance, you could excel, but you simply lack interest. When it comes to brewing wine, your eyes shine, and you deliberately pore over medical books.”

“I never imagined you’d be able to create such a recipe after so little time. Not even the physicians at the clinic would attempt it lightly,” Madam Fang continued.

“I suppose I was bold, thinking those medicines would complement or counter each other, and combining them with wine would yield good results. I forgot I’d only studied for a few days…” Xu Ruojin would never confess her origins to Madam Fang.

Still, Madam Fang was right—she truly was far too reckless! Even understanding the theoretical properties of those medicines, without a teacher’s clinical guidance, how could she have dared to experiment so freely?

She stuck out her tongue, covering her unease, and her expression took on a child’s mischievousness.

Madam Fang patted her gently. “What I want you to know is that everyone must face many things in life. Marriage is but one. If you abandon your talents and passions for a single person or event, that is truly foolish.”

“Madam, I…” Xu Ruojin hesitated, then nodded after a moment’s thought. “I’ll keep learning. I mustn’t give up. No matter how great the difficulty, I’ll face it head-on and never act rashly or suffer a major loss in this matter!”

Madam Fang’s warm smile melted the knot at the core of Xu Ruojin’s heart.

Using wine brewing as a pretext, she could continue studying medicine, not only utilizing her existing skills but possibly gaining unexpected advantages in the future. The more she accumulated, the broader her choices would be.

If she gave up her beloved pursuits because of that fool Zhang Zhongheng, she would truly be the most foolish of all.

After Madam Fang left, Xu Ruojin devoted herself to reading medical books. She didn’t just study; she also researched various wine-brewing methods and made a list of necessary supplies.

There were quite a few items. She couldn’t ask Xu Zi Mo to spend his own money again; she would have to find an opportunity to request them from Yang.

Early the next day, Xu Ruojin rose to find Chun Cao already gone. She glanced at the sand glass—nearly the end of the fourth watch. She’d lost herself in medical books again last night, and by the time her eyes were dry and tired, it was already midnight.

Madam Fang would not be coming to teach today due to other matters, so it didn’t matter that Xu Ruojin woke late.

She fetched water and washed, then sat at her dressing table to comb her hair. This was the set Yang had prepared the last time Zhang Zhongheng visited as a guest.

Though it only had a small bronze mirror, it was clear enough for her to see her face. Xu Ruojin’s mood was quite good.

Her complexion was a little pale, the result of staying up late.

After finishing her preparations, she noticed that Chun Cao still hadn’t returned. Where could that girl have gone?

Just as she was wondering, Xu Ruojin prepared to return to her desk and continue reading.

Chun Cao hurried back, breathing heavily, “Second Miss, you’re already up!”

“What’s the matter? Why are you so flustered?” Xu Ruojin asked, puzzled.

Chun Cao replied urgently, “Seeing you weren’t up yet, I went to the kitchen for breakfast. The matrons there said that early this morning, a child broker brought over more than ten maids for Madam, perhaps to add to your dowry. Hearing this, I went to the gatehouse to inquire, and the broker is still there, choosing people in Madam’s courtyard!”

Xu Ruojin’s heart skipped a beat.

So soon—they were already adding people to her retinue?

Although she’d always known she would marry into the Zhang family, the household had remained unchanged, and she’d felt little about it. Now that Yang was beginning to select her dowry maids, she felt a distinct sense of unease.

“They haven’t called us over yet. We’ll deal with it when the time comes. Let’s eat first,” Xu Ruojin said, setting aside her discomfort and refusing to let the matter spoil her mood.

But before Chun Cao had finished setting the bowls, Madam Huang’s voice came from the courtyard:

“Second Miss, are you awake? Madam has chosen four maids to accompany you as part of your dowry. I’ve brought them here for your inspection.”

Xu Ruojin’s heart tightened.

She hadn’t been called over to make her own selection—they had already been chosen and sent to her.

Did she not have any say in the matter?