When asked about her apprenticeship, Su Xiaoqi paused. How was she supposed to explain that her skills were inherited, a tradition passed down through generations? But her current identity was that of a beggar from the streets.
After some thought, Su Xiaoqi replied, "A physician named Lu." Although Mr. Lu hadn't personally taught her medicine, the books he had given her had taught her a great deal. This explanation, she felt, wouldn't cause any major issues.
The Old Madam listened thoughtfully. Just as she was about to inquire further, Su Xiaoqi smoothly steered the conversation toward the Old Madam's injuries. She asked about each wound in detail, discovering that they matched what she had perceived not with her eyes, but with a kind of spiritual sense. In short, they were identical. She confirmed that her spatial ability seemed to have granted her a new function. She felt a flicker of excitement, wondering if she could peer into people's minds.
However, she couldn't. She then found this new ability rather redundant. After all, what use was it to constantly check if people were injured, unless she specifically wanted to help or save them?
Despite her internal grumbles, Su Xiaoqi couldn't help but feel a pang of sympathy for the Old Madam's chronic ailments. She arranged a time to visit and examine the Old Madam.
"Xiao Qi can treat it. How about tomorrow?" Madam Wen had always known that the Old Madam's health was not good. However, she had no idea about the extent of her injuries. Hearing the Old Madam and Su Xiaoqi chat, the old and young, she realized how severely her mother-in-law was actually injured. She felt immense concern and wished Su Xiaoqi could heal her mother-in-law's injuries immediately.
Su Xiaoqi understood Madam Wen's urgency but could only shake her head. "I need to prepare the medicinal herbs and other necessary materials first. We can't rush this."
"Xiao Qi, tell me what herbs you need. My family business deals in furs and medicinal herbs. We can procure them from the south, the north, the snow mountains, or even the deep sea," Madam Wen offered.
Su Xiaoqi thought for a moment. "I'll make a list of the herbs when we get back. I'll have to trouble you to prepare them, Aunt."
"Of course, of course," Madam Wen agreed readily.
The Old Madam looked at Su Xiaoqi with great affection. Noticing that Su Xiaoqi was only accompanied by two young maids, she narrowed her eyes. "When you were in Mianzhou City, it was fine. But now that you've come to the capital, and your husband is such a capable man who will surely become an official, having only a few attendants like this won't do."
Su Xiaoqi respectfully replied that she was already arranging for more people to be purchased.
"Mm, buying some young maids and training them is a feasible option. I've observed these two maids by your side. On the surface, their etiquette is not flawed. However, they lack a certain depth, especially the younger one. Her interactions with others are still somewhat lacking."
Su Xiaoqi, adept at understanding implied meanings, naturally picked up the conversation. "Grandmother, you speak truly. Guo'er is a maid I selected from our estate in Yizhou Prefecture. She can read, and she's quite clever. But her manners are indeed a bit rough. Do you happen to have anyone steady and mature who could help me refine her conduct?"
Hearing Su Xiaoqi speak so intelligently, the Old Madam smiled with satisfaction. She declared that she had plenty of experienced wet nurses, and she would send one to Mao'er Hutong later.
Su Xiaoqi was overjoyed and touched by the Old Madam's meticulous consideration. Truth be told, upon arriving in the capital, she regretted not keeping the wet nurse, Zhuang Momo, whom Yuru had given her. At the time, she had no intention of staying in the capital; her plan was to escort Shen Yun to the capital and then return. However, along the journey, seeing Shen Yun disregard his own safety to save her and sustain such severe injuries, and his constant consideration for her well-being, she was deeply moved. Her mindset had shifted entirely. Since she was to remain in the capital and manage Shen Yun's social affairs, she naturally needed someone knowledgeable about the various households in the capital, someone with proper etiquette and bearing, to guide her. Especially at the recent flower appreciation banquet, seeing how meticulously the attendants behind others were dressed and behaved, she felt she hadn't truly integrated. She had been wondering where to find a capable housekeeper, and now, as if summoned, the opportunity had arisen. Su Xiaoqi thanked the Old Madam sincerely.
As they had reached their destination, Su Xiaoqi bid farewell and alighted from the carriage. Shen Yun had arrived earlier and was waiting for her at the entrance. He bowed to the Old Madam and Madam Wen before watching their carriage depart. Su Xiaoqi looked around, not seeing Liang Jingchen, and glanced at Shen Yun with a hint of confusion. She had expected him to stay for a visit.
"He had an urgent matter and had to leave," Shen Yun replied, a slight frown creasing his brow. He could tell that Liang Jingchen had very much wanted to stay and wait for Xiao Qi's return. But his attendant had approached him, whispered something in his ear, and he had to leave in a hurry, mentioning he would pay a visit another day. Deep down, he wished Su Xiaoqi would have no further dealings with Liang Jingchen, but he also understood that some things couldn't be prevented. In fact, the more one tried to obstruct certain matters, the faster they might progress. Shen, the learned scholar who had studied the classics, history, and military strategy extensively, well understood the principle that "blocking is not as good as opening the sluice gates."
Su Xiaoqi was unaware of Shen Yun's rapid train of thoughts. She helped prepare the medicinal herbs needed for the Old Madam's treatment, sealed the list with wax, and then asked Shen Yun to help her draw something. Su Xiaoqi often asked Shen Yun to draw things for her, sometimes for project proposals, sometimes for design drafts, and even for shop posters—a wide variety of requests. He had grown accustomed to it. Upon hearing that she needed something drawn, he automatically sat down at his desk and, raising an eyebrow, asked, "What are we drawing this time?"
"A knife," Su Xiaoqi stated concisely and firmly. Shen Yun looked up. A knife? A kitchen knife?
Su Xiaoqi offered no explanation. Instead, she drew a surgical knife on the draft paper. She then described in detail its usage and how the blade and handle were separated. She had Shen Yun sketch it for her, making revisions until she was completely satisfied.
"Draw a few more, with different models and sizes," Su Xiaoqi instructed, marking three sizes. She asked Shen Yun to draw them on three separate sheets, combine them with the medicinal herb list, and have Li Shushao deliver them.
"First, take the medicinal herb list to the Duke of Yu's mansion. Then, find a cutlery shop to forge this set of knives for me. And also, order a set of acupuncture needles." The silver needles didn't require special drawings; many physicians of this era practiced acupuncture, and a cutlery shop should know the dimensions. Su Xiaoqi also mentioned lamb intestine gloves and catgut sutures. Li Shushao noted everything down, drew the silver from Guo'er, the accountant, and hurried out.
As he left, he encountered He Qiulei entering with another person. Seeing his hasty departure, He Qiulei couldn't help but ask curiously, "Where is he off to?"
"Running an errand," Su Xiaoqi replied casually. She then looked at the middle-aged, portly man following He Qiulei and narrowed her eyes.
He Qiulei quickly introduced, "Come, come, this is Mr. Meng, a professional agent. He has extensive connections in the capital. For buying shops, estates, or even maids and servants, you find him."
Su Xiaoqi smiled and gave He Qiulei a thumbs-up, thinking he was quite reliable. She had been so busy with the flower appreciation banquet today that she had forgotten about this matter, yet he had kept it in mind. After both parties exchanged greetings, Su Xiaoqi informed Mr. Meng of her requirements for the people she wished to purchase.
"Buy four maids, one housekeeper, and two male servants." If possible, she would have liked to buy more at once. However, considering Shen Yun's current status, they couldn't afford to be too ostentatious. Also, introducing too many strangers at once would make training difficult. It would be better to proceed gradually.
Mr. Meng was delighted, his plump, fair face breaking into a smile. "I've brought about twenty people here. Mrs. has pretty much what you're looking for. Why don't you take a look?"
Su Xiaoqi raised her eyebrows, finding it too much of a coincidence. She had expected that after stating her requirements, he would at least bring people over the next day, but to have them here so quickly was astonishing. He Qiulei quietly explained that he had likely briefed Mr. Meng on the situation in the mansion. Mr. Meng had then speculated on the type of people she might need and made precise arrangements. Su Xiaoqi nodded upon hearing this and inquired about the backgrounds of these twenty individuals.
Mr. Meng glanced at Su Xiaoqi, then at Shen Yun. The man who was originally the head of the household was seated in the main position but seemed to be observing without speaking. Mr. Meng understood that the decision-maker was this madam.