Chef Hua
Chapter 171: Episode 109 Lively_2

Chapter 171: Episode 109 Lively_2

...

After the meal, Dazhong, Lv Bin, and the others had to rush back to the County. They chatted by the table for a while before mounting their horses and leaving one by one. Meng Yuhuai and Jing Taihe had a laugh, but as time flew by, they too bid their farewell and returned to the southern part of the village.

Hua Erniang always forbade Hua Xiaomai from washing dishes, saying that her constant bustling in the kitchen had already made her hands incredibly rough. Washing dishes, therefore, was something to avoid if possible. Unable to argue against her, Hua Xiaomai could only help put away the dishes and leaned on the door frame to chat with her.

"Erjie, how about, tomorrow, I accompany you to Fuzhe County to seek Doctor Xing’s pulse diagnosis?" After chatting idly for a while, Hua Xiaomai suddenly remembered this and suggested.

Hua Erniang turned her head to glance at her and chuckled, "Didn’t you say just yesterday that your brother-in-law should be accompanying me and you wouldn’t be of any help? How come you’ve suddenly changed your mind?"

"Well, isn’t that because there was a reason for it?" Hua Xiaomai grinned at her, "Now that things have been resolved, as your sister, it is my duty. Firstly, I want to hear what that old immortal has to say, and secondly, I plan to buy some wine on the way."

"Buy wine?" Hua Erniang, having put the clean dishes into the cupboard and wiped her hands on her apron, turned around, puzzled, "Why on earth buy wine? Besides, our village already has wine readily available; why bother going to the County?"

"Dazhong mentioned that during summer nights, people who go out to eat often like to sip a little wine, but you know the wine in Fire Knife Village—it’s hardly palatable. Who would like it?" Hua Xiaomai pursed her lips, "Besides, I remember, the distillery in the village is owned by Niu Ali’s family. I am one to hold grudges; I wouldn’t patronize his business."

"Fine, since we need to buy wine, let’s just take the cart tomorrow. We can bring back a couple more jars." Seeing that it was good for business, Hua Erniang naturally had no objections and readily nodded her head in agreement.

The next morning, after Jing Taihe went to the blacksmith’s, Hua Xiaomai and Hua Erniang both made themselves presentable, pushed the cart, and headed to Fuzhe County without a word. They went straight to Baosheng Medical Hall located to the east of the city.

Ever since the first time Hua Xiaomai had "deceived" Hua Erniang into seeking medical help at Baosheng Medical Hall, for the subsequent few months, Hua Erniang came regularly with Jing Taihe for pulse diagnosis. Over time, she became quite familiar with that old healer. When they entered, Doctor Xing didn’t bother with pleasantries but pointed to a bamboo rattan chair for Hua Erniang to sit on and immediately fetched a pulse pillow.

"How has the medication been recently?"

After a while, the old healer finally withdrew his hand, slightly lifting his eyelids, and asked indifferently.

Hua Erniang, who dreaded and detested medical consultations, had found it very difficult to acknowledge her "possible inability to conceive." Even after several visits to Baosheng Medical Hall, sitting in its bright and clean hall still filled her with anxiety, as if being pricked by needles all over, feeling uneasy everywhere, leaving her usually bold and fierce demeanor far behind.

Hearing Doctor Xing inquire, she glanced at Hua Xiaomai, then said with a trembling voice, "Well... the medicine has been taken on time every day, without failing a single day. Besides that, I haven’t noticed anything else. Doctor Xing, my condition... what exactly...?"

She hesitated to ask, so she tugged at Hua Xiaomai’s sleeve to signal her to speak on her behalf.

Hua Xiaomai, somewhat helpless, pursed her lips and smiled at the old immortal, "Sir, my sister has also been taking that medicine for some time now, in your opinion, has she shown any improvement?"

Doctor Xing stroked his chin, adorned with graying whiskers, and nodded thoughtfully, "Hmm, you suffered from cold exposure in your early years, and your body is colder than most. The medicine I’ve prescribed you recently is mainly warming and nourishing. Indeed, it seems to have had some effect. Just now, when I checked your pulse I noticed your liver fire is very weak—haven’t I told you before that to properly treat this condition, maintaining a calm mind is crucial? Have you thrown my advice out the window?"

Hua Erniang was at a loss for words, but Hua Xiaomai nodded vigorously on the side, "Right, you’re absolutely correct, that’s exactly it! Once her temper flares up, nobody can hold her back. If you disagree with her, she is raring to jump, and if you speak a few more words, she immediately starts cursing. If you dare to talk back, she greets your head with a fist, which can be quite frightening!"

"What nonsense are you spouting? Are you asking for a beating?!" Hua Erniang immediately wanted to jump up and hit her. Hua Xiaomai quickly dodged to the side and gave Doctor Xing a "you see?" look.

"All of you settle down!" Doctor Xing slammed his hand on the desk, raising his voice fiercely, "Baosheng Medical Hall is not your home’s yard, this disturbance is unacceptable!"

Startled, Hua Erniang quickly retracted her hand and with a drooping head, she earnestly apologized to Doctor Xing.

"If you don’t heed my advice, even if you take the medicine for a lifetime, I’m afraid it’s all in vain. And should you by some fluke give birth to a boy or a girl, that child will just inherit your temperament, not affording you a moment’s peace!" The old immortal took a breath, dipped his brush in ink, and hurriedly wrote another prescription, handing it over, "This prescription has been carefully revised with some additions and subtractions. Take it and follow the dosage for two months, then come back to see me."

Hua Erniang quickly accepted the prescription with both hands, paid the consultation fee, and left Baosheng Medical Hall.

Seeking medical advice is generally like this: one always goes in full of hope, wishing the doctor would say that the illness is cured, and that there’s no need for further medication, only to end up carrying a big bag of medicinal herbs back home every time.

Although Hua Erniang had repeatedly told herself to be patient, after several months of daily swallowing that bitter medicine, no one would feel at ease or joyful. Since leaving Baosheng Medical Hall, she had been grumbling nonstop in Hua Xiaomai’s ear.

At first, Hua Xiaomai was willing to listen and occasionally offered some advice, but as she grew tired of the constant nagging, she simply stopped paying attention and instead looked around, searching for the location of a wine shop. As she looked around in bewilderment, her ears suddenly picked up some noise.

About ten steps to the left was a small tavern with two large pots placed in front of the door. The stoves were burning fiercely, and two men dressed in shorts were energetically stirring the pots. A crowding gathering was cheering them on around the large pots, clapping and applauding, creating quite an atmosphere.

Hua Xiaomai found it amusing and nudged the Hua Erniang beside her, "Second Sister, what are they doing? They’re cooking on the street and the smoke is so heavy, yet why does nobody complain? Instead, they look so entertained?"

(To be continued. If you like this work, feel free to cast your recommendation ticket and monthly ticket at Qidian (qidian.com). Your support is my greatest motivation. Mobile users, please visit m.qidian.com to read.)