Ch 69: Reborn to Raise My Husband

After a few days, Xiao Yuanbao went out according to the set time.

He stood for quite a while at the street corner outside Xinglin Medical Hall, watching people enter and exit the hall.

At last, a blue cloth sedan chair stopped at the entrance. The maid attending the sedan lifted the curtain, and out came a woman.

Her hair was styled in a neat and elegant chignon, which Sister Gui had once explained was called a ji.

In front of the bun was pinned a silver-inlaid jade comb. She wore a sober dark-smoke robe of fine quality, even from afar.

Xiao Yuanbao guessed this must be the Madam Feng he had been waiting for.

Though called “old madam,” when he saw her today she did not appear old at all—she looked merely like a woman in her thirties.

He followed her inside the medicine hall, walking just behind.

When he saw her face up close, her features were gentle enough, but her eyes—though not strikingly beautiful—were sharp and clear, as if nothing could escape their gaze.

It was Xiao Yuanbao’s first time deliberately approaching someone this way, and upon seeing Madam Feng, who clearly was no simple person, his heart grew even more uneasy.

But after planning for so long, now that the chance had finally come, how could he retreat?

“Madam’s comb is truly exquisite. Might I ask from which shop it was made? I have an elder sister soon to be married, and I’ve been thinking of what gift to send her. Seeing your comb today, I thought perhaps I might have one made for her as a wedding gift.”

Madam Feng had just collected her medicine and was waiting to pay.

Xiao Yuanbao also bought some common household herbs and joined the line, seizing the chance to speak.

Madam Feng gave him a look up and down.

Today, Xiao Yuanbao had taken special care with his appearance, wearing a silk robe that kept him from looking like some poor common ger.

Seeing his pleasant features, Madam Feng answered: “This comb was not made here in the county.”

“I see. No wonder it looks so fine. I was just saying I had never seen such craftsmanship among the artisans of this city.”

Xiao Yuanbao sighed with regret.

Then his eyes fell on the maid beside Madam Feng, who held a box of medicine pills. “Madam is taking Zhuyan Dan?”

At this, Madam Feng turned back to look at him again. “You recognize this pill?”

Xiao Yuanbao replied: “I have a friend who specializes in women’s medicine. She sometimes teaches me about herbs and formulas. I happened to see this pill before and heard it is often prescribed for women’s abdominal pain.”

Hearing this, Madam Feng asked more: “Your friend specializes in women’s medicine? Is she a male doctor, a female doctor, or a ger?”

“She is a female doctor.”

At that moment, the medicine boy called, and Xiao Yuanbao skillfully cut the conversation short, going forward to pay.

After paying, he did not press further but prepared to leave.

“Ge’er, wait a moment.”

Xiao Yuanbao turned and saw Madam Feng following him out.

“I just heard you say you know a female doctor who specializes in women’s medicine. Might I ask which medical hall she practices at? Could you introduce me?”

Joy surged in Xiao Yuanbao’s heart, but his face remained calm. “It’s no trouble. I’ll take you there myself—it’s on my way home.”

“Then I thank you.”

As they walked, Xiao Yuanbao chatted casually with Madam Feng, and before long he brought her to Sister Gui’s place.

After he explained the situation, Bai Qiaogui warmly received Madam Feng.

Once she had taken Madam Feng’s pulse, she invited her inside to examine her further.

Xiao Yuanbao did not linger. Seeing this, Madam Feng asked his name and exchanged addresses before he left.

Outside Baichun Hall, Xiao Yuanbao finally let out a long breath.

What seemed like a chance encounter had actually taken him much work.

He had learned Madam Feng often visited medical halls for her condition, but since he did not know the details of her illness, he had no way to help her directly.

So he had asked Sister Gui to go with him to Xinglin Hall, where after some careful questioning they discovered Madam Feng was taking Zhuyan Dan.

Sister Gui immediately knew what this meant: Madam Feng had a woman’s ailment.

This made everything easier. Female doctors were rare, and ger doctors even rarer. When women or ger husbands fell ill, it was hard for them to seek treatment from male physicians.

If Madam Feng could find a female doctor specializing in women’s medicine, she would surely prefer that to frequenting halls and buying generic Zhuyan Dan.

The next day, Xiao Yuanbao went again to Baichun Hall to ask Sister Gui about Madam Feng’s condition.

Sister Gui explained: “It’s not life-threatening. Her body is simply unwell at times. Zhuyan Dan alone cannot cure her; she needs coordinated treatment.”

“I told Madam Feng to come every three to five days. With proper care, she should be cured in less than two months.”

She added with a smile: “If you want to talk with her, just come when she visits.”

Hearing this, Xiao Yuanbao praised: “Our Sister Gui’s medical skill is truly remarkable. Without you, I would have had no way at all.”

Bai Qiaogui scolded lightly: “Of course my medical skill is decent. I’ve been working hard at my studies, even Grandfather praises my diligence.”

Her cheeks flushed as she added softly: “And since Bookworm has been reading with such effort, I cannot fall behind him.”

Xiao Yuanbao clicked his tongue. “Truly, it’s Scholar Luo who inspires you most. Makes me rather envious, seeing you two push each other like that.”

Bai Qiaogui smiled: “But when it comes to perseverance, who could outdo you? Just to find a good teacher, you’ll use any method you can think of.”

After this day, Xiao Yuanbao followed the times when Madam Feng came for consultations, and went to see Bai Qiaogui twice.

He could not follow Madam Feng every time she went to the medical hall—such persistence would make it too obvious that he had another motive.

Fortunately, after they had become a little familiar, Madam Feng was kind and would exchange a few more words with them.

Yet Xiao Yuanbao still found no chance to bring up the matter of apprenticing, because Madam Feng never once spoke of knowing cooking herself.

That day, Sister Gui begged Xiao Yuanbao for some braised meat.

To thank her, Xiao Yuanbao went early to the meat market and bought a pig’s head and a basket of pig intestines.

He also bought chicken and duck intestines and gizzards. These were best when braised, though troublesome to clean and prepare.

He cut lotus root, soaked black fungus, peeled fresh bamboo shoots, and cracked quail eggs, cooking them all together with the meat in a rich braise.

Since moving to the city, he had not made such dishes for quite some time.

As he had made plenty, he prepared a food box to bring to Bai Qiaogui and also set aside braised dishes for Qi Beinan’s lunch.

He sliced a plate of pork cheek, scooped a bowl of braised vegetables, and shared them with Madam Liu, Brother Zhao Wu, and Tienan.

“I’ve been craving this taste for so long. Brother Bao, what you make is better than anything from the city’s shops and stalls.”

Bai Qiaogui could not resist when Xiao Yuanbao brought the food box. Since the hall was quiet at the moment, she pulled him into the inner room to eat.

The braised dishes had only just come off the stove, still hot and fragrant. The bamboo shoots were crisp, the meat rich and savory—she squinted with pleasure. “I’ll set some aside to give to Bookworm tonight.”

“You, always thinking of him.”

Sitting on a round stool, Xiao Yuanbao watched her eat. Seeing her pause mid-bite to save some for Luo Tingfeng, he couldn’t help but shake his head. He rose to help her pack some into another food box.

“If you’re leaving some for him, there’s plenty anyway. I prepared enough dishes and meat today. The autumn livestock are all fat, trade is lively, and these things are easy to buy. You just sit and eat, I’ll portion some for him.”

Bai Qiaogui nodded, content. Behind closed doors, she did not bother with manners, stuffing large pieces of braised intestine into her mouth. The fat was soft and fragrant, growing more delicious with every chew.

Just then, a knock came at the door. A little medicine boy called in: “Miss Gui, that Madam Feng who often comes for consultations is here.”

Bai Qiaogui froze, then blinked at Xiao Yuanbao. “Why is she here today? Isn’t this not her usual time for a visit?”

Xiao Yuanbao handed her a cloth. “You’re the doctor—why ask me?”

“Tell her to wait a moment, I’ll be right there.”

Bai Qiaogui gave the message to the boy and hurried off to wash her hands.

Meanwhile, Xiao Yuanbao gathered up the bowls and dishes on the table before going out.

He came out to see Bai Qiaogui taking Madam Feng’s pulse, her face bright with joy.

“The new medicine agrees with you. You’re improving even faster than expected.”

Madam Feng withdrew her wrist. “I felt better and couldn’t help but be glad, so I came earlier than scheduled.”

Then she noticed Xiao Yuanbao stepping out from the inner room. “Ge’er, you’re here today as well—what a coincidence.”

Bai Qiaogui laughed: “My mouth got greedy, so I begged him to make some braised food for me. It wasn’t even midday and I couldn’t resist sneaking a bite inside.”

“No wonder I smelled something so fragrant—it really stirs the appetite.”

In good spirits from her recovery, Madam Feng was more talkative than usual. “When I was young, our family wasn’t wealthy. When I craved meat, Mother would buy some braised food home to satisfy us. The whole family would feast happily together. That taste stuck with me—no delicacy since has ever matched it.”

Seeing the chance, Xiao Yuanbao said: “If Madam doesn’t mind, why not try some of my braised dishes? See if the taste resembles what you remember from childhood. My teacher is skilled in braising offal, and many people have praised it. I’ve learned a bit myself.”

“How could I impose so?”

Madam Feng chuckled. “Doctor Bai has surely never seen a patient asking to eat the doctor’s food.”

“Madam, what’s there to say? Food is best when shared with others.”

Bai Qiaogui added: “Please don’t be polite. Tasting a bite won’t hurt anything.”

So they invited Madam Feng inside, opened the food box, and gave her fresh chopsticks.

She did not refuse further—she picked up a piece of braised intestine, then a slice of bamboo shoot, and smiled.

Madam Feng had spent ten years in the palace—there was no delicacy she hadn’t tasted.

This humble street food, coarsely prepared pig offal and vegetables, could never compare to the golden-feathered fowl or rare meats crafted with dozens of intricate steps in the imperial kitchens.

Yet folk cooking had a unique quality: smoke and fire, warmth and humanity.

What the nobility might scorn as filth, the common people cherished as comfort food.

One bite of meat, one bite of vegetable, and memories stirred in Madam Feng—back to her girlhood, when her parents were alive and the family gathered together.

Though they had little money, they were easily content.

Her mother would bring home a piece of tofu or a bundle of braised scraps, and she would run around the courtyard with joy.

“Ge’er, you truly have skill. The braised meat shop I frequented as a child has long disappeared. I’ve tried many stalls in the marketplace, yet none matched that taste. Your braised dishes, however, truly suit my palate.”

Madam Feng spoke with courtesy, but for Xiao Yuanbao, being praised by someone so well-traveled and skilled in cooking still brought him joy.

“Luckily Madam doesn’t mind their roughness. My little bit of skill is hardly worth showing off.”

“Why belittle yourself? I may not speak of other things, but in food I have some discernment. The flavor of this meat—once it touches the tongue—it’s clear you are a person of skill.”

Xiao Yuanbao smiled. “Madam has a keen tongue. To tell the truth, since childhood I thought cooking a great art. My family worked hard to find me a teacher, and by twelve or thirteen I had mastered the ladle. In the countryside I could manage a few banquet tables with ease.”

“When I came to the county this year, I had hoped to continue my trade of cooking for banquets. But I had no connections. I learned about the Cooks’ Hall, where chefs gained networks, but the fees were high. Worse, when they heard I was a rustic cook, untaught in city banquet dishes, I couldn’t even qualify for entry no matter the silver.”

Madam Feng replied, “You’re ambitious. So young and already master of the ladle—that’s quite the talent.”

Xiao Yuanbao said: “Please don’t flatter me. Back in the countryside, with everyone praising me, I got arrogant, thinking I was truly skilled. Coming to the county showed me a wider world—my little tricks aren’t enough at all.”

“Good thing I was splashed with cold water early, while still young enough to grow. Cooking skills are easy to practice, but finding a master is hard.”

Madam Feng listened silently, already drawing her conclusion.

Now she understood his true purpose.

She had spent ten years in the palace and decades in the capital. She might not claim to be worldly-wise, but her eyes had long been sharpened.

From the very first day at the medical hall when Xiao Yuanbao struck up conversation, then eagerly brought her to Baochun Hall, she had suspected his intent. A ger so close to Doctor Bai, living near Baochun Hall—why take the trouble to go to Xinglin Hall for common medicine?

Later, whenever she visited Baochun Hall, he “happened” to appear. The number of times wasn’t many, but the signs were clear—he was approaching her deliberately.

She kept her silence, since he did no harm. Today, finally, he spoke his true purpose. She had to admit—he’d kept it hidden well.

Madam Feng had no wish to take disciples, nor to be summoned by officials’ households to teach their children. She was older now, after a turbulent life, and only wanted peace in her hometown.

Thus, to such deliberate approaches, she felt neither resentment nor fondness. She had seen too much—this was merely a way of dealing with people. So long as there was no ill intent, there was no harm in keeping the peace.

But the ger had indeed worked hard, even helping relieve her illness. He was ambitious and capable—seeking advancement was never shameful.

If she offered him pointers on a few banquet dishes, it would cost her nothing.

At most, it would be someone to chat with, to pass a morning or two.

So Madam Feng looked at Xiao Yuanbao. “Ge’er, if you have free time, you may come sit at my home. I have seen a few dishes in my day—I can discuss them with you.”

Xiao Yuanbao’s heart leapt with joy. He hadn’t expected Madam Feng to agree so readily. “How could I not make time? If Madam doesn’t mind my disturbance, I’d be honored.”

Bai Qiaogui also shared his happiness. She said: “When you two exchange culinary skills, could you invite me as well? I may not cook, but at least I have a mouth for tasting.”

Madam Feng laughed. “If Doctor Bai wishes to come, I’d be more than glad.”

When Qi Beinan returned from the academy that day, he saw Xiao Yuanbao watering flowers in the garden, humming a tune.

“What’s got you so cheerful?”

Seeing Qi Beinan, Xiao Yuanbao dropped the ladle and ran over. He lifted his chin proudly. “Madam Feng invited me to her home, said she would guide my cooking! I finally have a new teacher!”

Thinking of Madam Feng’s skills, Xiao Yuanbao was elated.

Qi Beinan raised his brows. He knew Xiao Yuanbao had been striving to find a master, but hadn’t heard of any progress. To suddenly hear success was a surprise.

“How did you persuade Madam Feng?”

Xiao Yuanbao recounted his efforts over the past days. Then he said: “Today meeting her was a stroke of luck. Step by step planning is one thing, but sometimes chance works better.”

Qi Beinan smiled. “If you hadn’t prepared beforehand, even if you met her today, the chance might have slipped by. Her agreeing to guide you is repayment for introducing her to Sister Gui. Otherwise, who would take on burdens for no reason?”

Xiao Yuanbao thought carefully and agreed—it was true, preparation had paved the way.

From this, he tasted the sweetness of effort. He no longer minded the trouble it took to achieve something.

Qi Beinan patted his head. “So, our little Bao knows how to scheme now. Very capable—your future will be bright.”

Flattered, Xiao Yuanbao grew giddy, showing emotions he would never in front of others.

“Of course. Once I’ve learned a few tricks from Madam Feng, won’t families compete to hire me for their banquets? Then I’ll even put on airs and raise my price, else I’d be wasting all this effort.”

Qi Beinan laughed. He recalled how he too had once schemed for teachers’ guidance during his studies. Looking at Xiao Yuanbao now, he felt much moved.

The two walked side by side, chatting happily. Soon Tienan came in with news—Fang Youliang had arrived.

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