The head of the Mu family

Chapter 32: Hard work pays off with a good job.

"Silly child, these gifts are from the Duke's mansion."

You collapsed from exhaustion when you got back yesterday; I reckon the Duke's mansion will be hosting a formal banquet for us in a few days.

"mine?

No, no, no, Madam, I receive a salary from the Duke's mansion, so I am naturally going on behalf of the Marquis's mansion.

The Duke's mansion's gesture was naturally intended as a gesture towards the Marquis's mansion.

"Our two governments have thus formed a good relationship, and this gift is indeed specifically for you."

"Madam, I have some questions. Even though I cured the eldest son of the Duke's mansion..."

"Aren't these gifts a bit excessive, given only to a doctor who is treating an illness?"

"Hehe, that's true. There's something I didn't tell you when the Crown Prince's wife came to see you for treatment."

The young master of hers almost died in the early hours of the morning he came to the manor.

The entire household was in chaos, and they frantically sought out the imperial physician overnight, working through the night and into the morning.

Atan and she were very close friends. He had only mentioned that his daughter Tang'er was doing well to her before, without saying much more.

After learning about her family situation.

After having lunch, he went to find the Crown Princess.

Seeing that the child was indeed not well, I mentioned that it was you who cured Tang'er at my residence.

When they arrived, the Crown Princess was actually unsure of your abilities since you were just a child.

I figured that since things had come to this point, I might as well give it a try; things couldn't get any worse.

When I described the illness, I didn't mention that the child almost died in the early hours of the morning, because I was afraid you wouldn't dare to go.

I didn't expect that after you arrived, you would be so organized, calm, and dedicated.

They said that during the ten days or so you were there, you didn't sleep or rest, and all your thoughts were focused on treating your child.

They ate and slept together with the young master. After the child recovered, he looked even more plump than before he got sick.

The whole family was overjoyed, but when they saw you like that after bringing you back, they felt really bad.

They said they owe our Marquis's mansion a huge favor; those gifts were truly for you~

I've already put it away separately for you. Here's the storeroom key; you can check it yourself when you have time.

As she spoke, the lady stuffed the gift list into Shen Huai's hand again.

Shen Huai felt a little dizzy.

"Madam, the key is still with you. I don't need it for the time being, whether you count it or not."

Shen Huai left the key on the lady's table.

"I would like to ask you to keep an eye out for small shops in good locations in the capital that aren't too expensive, and help me buy them."

I don't have the capital to open a shop, but I'd appreciate it if you could take it over and help me rent it out.

In addition, regardless of which side of the household there is a young steward.

It doesn't matter if a person is honest and ambitious, has kind parents, or is missing both parents.

My eldest sister is sixteen years old. She is pretty and can do accounting. She works as an accountant at the market in a neighboring village and knows a few characters.

I will teach you again in the future, don't worry.

Because she's too kind and honest, I'm afraid her parents will sell her off.

My family are farmers. I have four older sisters and one younger brother. My younger brother's name is Baozhu.

The eldest sister is called Da Mao, and the others are called Er Ya, San Ya, and Si Ya.

Unless it was a bumper harvest year, my younger brother was the only one in the family who always had enough to eat.

"Alas! In our noble families, many daughters are paving the way for the men of the family."

What about the farmers who don't have enough to eat or wear?

"I didn't want to trouble you, Madam. During the New Year, I broke a bowl with my parents over my sisters' affairs..."

I had planned to earn some money, go back home, and bring my older sister along to find a job.

Having seen the world, she can stand on her own two feet.

If I meet someone I like in the future, I will secretly prepare a dowry for her.

Madam, I secretly saved all the wages you gave me last year.

The money I earned from practicing medicine at Jishetang last year is also kept with my master.

I asked my master to give my parents five or six hundred coins each month, and more during festivals.

The premise is:

You are not allowed to marry off your sisters casually and use the money to pay dowry to your brothers.

Even if something unexpected happens, you must not sell the sisters.

The amount I gave them for household expenses was about the same as what the village head's family gave to other farmers.

Thanks to you, I have the good fortune to have the opportunity to learn from the Dean on this trip.

If you don't go to Panlong County for the time being, I plan to stay at your house.

So I'm worried that they'll cause trouble if this goes on for too long.

Whether or not I can stop receiving a few hundred yuan in household expenses each month is a minor issue.

The older sisters are the real focus.

The noblewoman's eyes welled up with tears upon hearing this, and she took Shen Huai's hand, saying:

No wonder you're so ambitious and hardworking at such a young age!

Leave the shop matter to me. Don't rush to find one. I'll let you know as soon as I find a suitable one.

You can take the monthly allowance I give you without worry; you deserve it!

Putting everything else aside, my body and Tang'er's body are something that no amount of gold could buy.

After you came to the manor, you took the initiative to take care of everyone's health.

When guests from our household come and need care, you really make us proud.

You always do your best in everything you do.

It also created a good relationship between my family and the Duke's mansion, which is worth more than ten thousand pieces of gold.

Do you know that those gifts amounted to almost a hundred taels of gold, with some to spare?

All things considered, the little bit of money I gave out each month was a great bargain.

Believe it or not, if I were willing to let you go with your current wages, the Duke's mansion would come and take you away right away!

Shen Huai knew the kind noblewoman was comforting her, so she turned away and wiped away two tears.

Hearing the noblewoman continue:

"Leave your sister's matter to me."

There are plenty of managers in their twenties, but you have to assess their character before you can decide.

Tomorrow I will send someone to Panlong County to deliver the message.

Send someone to find your master and ask about your family situation.

It will be convenient to go once a month by fast horse. Once we find a suitable place, I will send someone to accompany you back to pick up your sister.

If it really works out, I'll be happy too!

"In that case, I truly don't know how to thank you enough, Madam!"

"Don't just thank me verbally; you're not allowed to go when the Duke's mansion comes to poach you in a few days!"

"Oh dear, madam!"

The two chatted for a while longer about the health of the people in the mansion and how to change the medicinal diet for maintenance.

When Shen Huai lay in bed that night, he felt as if he had finally seen a glimmer of hope.

My nerves, which have been on edge for the past few years, have finally relaxed a little.

Some time later, the Duke's mansion indeed sent an invitation.

The noblewoman asked Shen Huai for leave, and the whole family took Shen Huai to the banquet.

The Duke of Anguo's family expressed their gratitude to the Marquis's Mansion and Shen Huai. The Duke of Anguo's Mansion had three legitimate sons.

The eldest son died in battle years ago, leaving behind only a daughter who is now over ten years old.

The second son is the heir apparent. He was married for four years before having this son last year.

The third son is just eighteen years old and was the top scholar in the imperial examination last year.

He was a child prodigy known far and wide when he was young, and he is the youngest Grand Slam champion in Dahao.

Although my current position in the Hanlin Academy is not high, I frequently come into contact with princes, so my future prospects are limitless.

Both daughters are married.

One married into the Prince of Pingnan's household, and the other married the heir of the Marquis of Anbei.

There were also two illegitimate sons and three illegitimate daughters, ranging in age from seven or eight to fifteen or sixteen.

Shen Huai was still a little excited to see such a young and dashing national champion.

After all, who wouldn't envy and admire a child who gets good grades?

Who wouldn't like a handsome guy with good grades?

The young master born to his close friend is the only legitimate grandson of the Duke's mansion.

No wonder it's so precious~

The masters of the Duke's mansion all presented Shen Huai with a generous gift upon their first meeting.

The Duke and Duchess presented Shen Huai with a jade hairpin.

Yes! Green!

How much gold can I get if I sell it? So exciting!

The First Madam gave him a pair of gold bracelets for a child, weighing about twenty grams. Shen Huai thought to himself that it was a loss for a child to receive such a gift.

The Crown Prince and his wife presented him with a pendant made of mutton fat jade, about the size of a five-palm handle!

My goodness! It's the size of a palm! It's a family heirloom!

If I sell this one, can I find another shop?

The top scholar presented him with a stick of red flower ink from the Ancient Plum Garden.

I don't know its value, but it should be enough to exchange for a lot of ordinary ink sticks, which I can then use to grind ink and write.

Shen Huai accepted them all generously and bowed to express his gratitude.

After exchanging pleasantries, the two families, who were close friends, invited Shen Huai to go and see the young master again.

Shen Huai went to check on the baby, and it seemed that the baby had grown a little since she last saw him in ten days.

After carefully taking her pulse, I found it was a little weak but otherwise normal. I then said to my close friend:

"Princess Consort, rest assured, the young master is doing well."

However, the young master is a bit weak, so as the weather gets warmer, he shouldn't wear too many layers or get too cold.

Just follow my previous advice regarding diet.

"When the young master is a bit older, we can consult a renowned doctor to gradually adjust his medical regimen based on his individual condition."

After a while, a maid came to serve the meal, and the Crown Princess took Shen Huai with her.

The men and women still sat at separate tables, with a screen separating them. After lunch, everyone went to the garden to admire the flowers.

Since the guests from the Marquis's residence were married people and children, there was no distinction between male and female guests when they enjoyed the flowers; they were all in the same garden.

The people from the Marquis's residence said some polite and flattering things.

The Duke's mansion also returned some polite words.

The garden was bursting with flowers, a truly breathtaking sight.

"Little girl, your name is Liang Wuya?"

Was the answer to the riddles you gave those two young masters from the Grand Tutor's family that group of women?

"Hmm? Third Master?"

The pride of the Qi family suddenly came over and spoke, catching Shen Huai off guard.

Ah~ that!

Yes, it's just a trivial game, please excuse my poor attempt to amuse myself, Third Master~

"It's just that I'm better at this."

That game was anything but trivial; it was very interesting.

I know the answer, but I didn't tell those two little ones.

If you encounter any difficulties in your studies in the future, you can come and ask me.

Thank you so much for saving my nephew!

"Thank you so much, Third Master! Your words are more precious than that red ink!"

As he spoke, he bowed deeply.

Just as the Third Prince was about to introduce various flowers to Shen Huai, he overheard the Crown Princess speaking hesitantly to the noblewoman beside her:

"I also want to thank Atan this time. She saw that my family was really..."

"I know! My Tang'er was pretty much the same when she was little; no one could bear to see her like that."

"Sister Li, I have a favor to ask. I see that Tang'er is full of energy and doesn't look weak at all when she was born."

I... I'd like to ask the young doctor to come to my house and help me with my treatment for a while!

I wonder if it would be possible to part with it for a few months?

Once Zi'er's health is like Tang'er's, I will immediately send the young doctor back to the manor, and I will not break my promise!

As she spoke, she even had her maid bring the child over for the noblewoman to see.

The noblewoman saw how small the nine-month-old baby was, and then she looked at the Crown Princess with teary eyes.

Thinking of myself six months ago, I immediately softened.