Chapter Eighty-One: Astonishing

Xu Ruojin dared to step forward and speak, causing Madam Liang to glance at her a few more times. The events just now, though using Xu Ruojin's wine and recipe as a pretext, were nothing more than subtle sparring between her and Madam Zhang. The magistrate’s wife and the other ladies understood perfectly, so none of them interrupted; they simply feigned ignorance. Even Yang, who was always eager to curry favor, kept her mouth tightly shut—who would have expected Xu Ruojin to speak up?

Was she truly naive, or merely choosing sides on purpose?

This girl was rather interesting...

Madam Liang had heard from Nurse Huang that the Xu family’s young lady was not as mediocre and timid as rumor suggested, but a clever girl. Judging from the sharpness in her gaze, she was not only perceptive but also remarkably bold...

Catching a glimpse of Madam Zhang’s furious face, Madam Liang couldn’t help but continue the act: “That’s a good suggestion. Students taught by Nurse Fang, I can certainly trust. I’m not trying to put on airs—Nurse Fang worked as the Master of Ceremonies in the palace in her youth, instructing noble ladies. To call you her student is hardly an insult.”

“Ruojin has long considered Nurse Fang her mentor, which is why she tried her utmost to assist earlier,” Xu Ruojin replied calmly, deftly shifting the topic and simultaneously complimenting Madam Liang.

Madam Liang’s smile deepened as she nodded slightly.

Madam Zhang gnashed her teeth, wishing she could devour Xu Ruojin. Was the girl truly foolish, or just pretending? To praise the person she despised most right in front of her—wasn’t that openly opposing her? With such behavior, how could she possibly enter the Zhang household? Madam Zhang felt dizzy, wishing she could dissolve the engagement immediately and grant Zhang Zhongheng his wish!

Unfortunately, Madam Zhang had no authority in such matters; all she could do was silently vow to teach the girl a lesson once she married into the family.

As Xu Ruojin received Madam Liang’s approval, Yuan Huiling was the least pleased. A girl from a fallen household, engaged to the Zhangs—who knows what good fortune she stumbled upon. Just look at her shameless demeanor! Beyond her foxy beauty, what talents could she possibly possess? That simple recipe she mentioned—who could tell if it was genuine or not? She must not be allowed to succeed so easily!

With this in mind, Yuan Huiling stood up and said, “Sister Xu, why only speak? Write down the recipe you mentioned. You just said each person’s age, temperament, and condition are different. There are so many ladies here—you can’t just flatter Madam Liang and ignore the others, can you?”

Xu Ruojin looked over as Yuan Huiling raised her chin in a mocking smile. “If you ask me, each lady present deserves a recipe and a jar of wine. Well? Do you dare?”

“Don’t be ridiculous! Today is your nephew’s first birthday—what are you making of it?” The magistrate’s wife immediately stepped in to stop her.

She understood best the rivalry between Madam Zhang and Madam Liang. Though the Liang family had been demoted to Zhonglin County by the Emperor, one must still show respect; even if General Liang was out of favor, there was still Marquis Loyal and Courageous—Madam Liang’s elder brother. Her own husband was merely a county magistrate; if they offended the marquis’s household, their days would be numbered.

Yet she understood, but pampered Yuan Huiling did not. Meeting Madam Liang for the first time, she felt more familiar with Madam Zhang and disliked Xu Ruojin, so she began to provoke.

“What’s wrong with what I said? Whether she dares or not is her business; if she’s unwilling, so be it.”

Yuan Huiling turned provocatively, but Xu Ruojin stood her ground, showing no sign of nervousness: “I’m happy to serve the ladies. However, you must trust Ruojin and be willing to share your hidden ailments. I can observe, listen, and question, but I am not skilled in pulse diagnosis.”

She made her conditions clear—the next step was for the ladies to decide.

But they weren’t fools; they could see that today’s events were unusual. Madam Liang and Madam Zhang said not a word more, leaving the others to look to Yang.

Under their gazes, Yang felt uneasy, forcing a smile as she responded, “Why is everyone looking at me? This girl may lack in other areas, but her wine is quite good. I sent a jar to Master Wang’s mother recently, and she praised it. Otherwise, even with the magistrate’s wife’s request, I wouldn’t have dared to ask her to brew wine.”

Mentioning Master Wang’s mother reassured the ladies, who nodded in agreement. Thinking it over, what harm could there be in revealing a few ailments for the girl to prescribe?

With Madam Zhang and Madam Liang at odds, they had no reason to offend anyone. It was merely a social performance; better not to stir up trouble.

Madam Jiang, the wife of the assistant magistrate, had been silent, but unexpectedly spoke first: “Speaking of nourishing the body, I’ve had some minor issues lately. I asked Doctor Cen to check my pulse. I just can’t sleep well; even the slightest noise wakes me, and I dream continuously. Doctor Cen said I need calm and restful recuperation—medicine alone isn’t much help.”

“I wonder if a little medicinal wine would be effective?”

With someone raising the issue, all eyes turned to Xu Ruojin.

While she pondered, Yuan Huiling had already ordered a maid to prepare brush, ink, and paper, forcing Xu Ruojin to write out the prescription. Black and white on paper—no room for empty talk or seeking help later. She had to ensure Xu Ruojin embarrassed herself on the spot!

Xu Ruojin understood Yuan Huiling’s intentions but was unafraid. After a moment’s thought, she walked to the table, moistened the brush, and wrote the prescription:

“One ounce chrysanthemum, one ounce goji berry, half a tael angelica, half a tael prepared rehmannia, half a pound of wine—treats fatigue, blurred vision, insomnia, and dreaming.”

She noted Madam Jiang’s name on it.

Yuan Huiling approached, dissatisfied, and pursed her lips.

Madam Zhao, wife of the judicial officer, joined in, “Let me join the fun! I mainly suffer from dizziness, blurred vision, and aching back and legs—sometimes it’s so bad I can’t get up. How should this be treated?”

Xu Ruojin bit her red lips gently, thought for a moment, and switched to another sheet, writing:

“Raw Sichuan aconite, raw wild aconite, ligusticum, Corydalis, Datura, camphor, wine... to unblock the channels and relieve pain.”

After finishing, she placed the paper nearby for Yuan Huiling to inspect, then looked to the next lady and continued prescribing.

At first, the ladies were merely playing along, but seeing Xu Ruojin produce prescriptions one after another, their curiosity was piqued. After all, they were women, and minor ailments were nothing to hide. Upon sharing their symptoms, the Xu girl would ponder for less than the time it takes to burn a stick of incense and immediately write out a medicinal wine recipe.

This was indeed remarkable!

Five or six prescriptions were written in no time.

Wiping sweat from her forehead after the last stroke, Xu Ruojin looked up and met Nurse Fang’s gaze, her kind face tinged with helplessness.

Xu Ruojin knew Nurse Fang was reproaching her for her stubbornness.

But she did not regret it. She had been waiting for such a moment.

No matter how deferential she was to Madam Zhang, marrying into the Zhang household would not bring her happiness—so why bother currying favor now?

She would follow her own heart and delight in it!

For the first time in her life, Xu Ruojin could share her knowledge with others—why conceal it?

The ladies discussed the prescriptions among themselves, all smiling and chatting, though none truly understood whether the recipes were correct.

Yuan Huiling, confident that Xu Ruojin was bluffing, gathered the prescriptions, feigning coyness, “Today is my little nephew’s first birthday, and Father has invited the senior physician from Honglin Hall. I’ll take the prescriptions to him—wouldn’t want to mix up the medicine and cause trouble for the ladies. Wait here, I’ll be right back!”

With that, Yuan Huiling dashed out.

The ladies were left awkward, unsure what to say.

Madam Liang glanced at Xu Ruojin, who had retreated behind Yang, her expression calm and smiling, without a trace of fear or anxiety.

What she exuded was confidence.

That genuine, heartfelt confidence could not be faked.

Was she truly so sure of herself?