Chapter 37: A Fine Kidney-Tonifying Remedy

"Mother, why are you here?" It was Zhao Yuejiao waiting for her.

Upon seeing her daughter, Madam Zhao smiled tenderly. It was this very daughter who had brought hope to their household. She had never imagined that her own child could be so insightful. She had masked her true nature so well while at home that even she, her own mother, had been deceived. If her daughter hadn't taken the initiative to reveal that she had been pretending all along, she might have suspected that her daughter had been swapped by someone else.

"I came to see you, and also to tell you that Elder Master Jin has agreed to take your father and younger brother as his students. However, your brother will be under Master Jin’s direct guidance for now, and after your father finishes the metropolitan examination, he will continue to instruct your brother."

Yu Yunzhi and his son had visited the Jin estate early that morning, and to their surprise, they were granted an audience with Elder Master Jin with ease. The three spoke for a while from a distance of over ten feet before the elder put them through a rigorous examination. Though the father and son were trembling with nerves, they managed to answer sufficiently. The elder had given his affirmative response on the spot.

"That is wonderful!" Yu Yuanzheng was overjoyed at the news.

"I heard when I arrived that the Princess Consort was occupied with some matters, so I didn't pay a visit then. Could you take me to see her now?" Her daughter had been married into the Prince’s estate for over ten days, yet the two families had not formally met. They had seen each other before when the Princess Consort came to the Earl’s estate to propose the marriage, but their statuses were different then. Furthermore, it had been a proposal for the second son, so the atmosphere had not been particularly warm.

"Of course. Let’s chat for a bit, and then I will take you. The Prince is currently in the main courtyard," Yu Yuanzheng said, pulling her mother down to sit.

"Did Elder Master Jin mention when he would start tutoring your father?" Yu Yuanzheng was deeply concerned about her father’s studies; time was running too short.

"Elder Master Jin’s health isn't up to tutoring your father in person yet, but he has already pointed out the right path, told him what books to study, and even provided him with many books and materials. Your father treats them like precious treasures. The elder also instructed your father to write an essay every five days and send it to the Jin estate for his review." Mentioning this, Madam Zhao smiled brightly. In all these years, today was the happiest. Her husband had always been a man of talent, but because he was born to a concubine, his future had been cut short. Now, finally, there was hope again.

"Well, Mother, you will have your hands full from now on, taking care of two people’s daily lives while supervising their studies," Yu Yuanzheng teased.

"This little bit of hardship is nothing. As long as they have a future, I am willing to suffer any amount."

After chatting for a while, Madam Zhao suggested seeing the Heir Apparent. She hadn't met him yet. Yu Yuanzheng led her into the inner chamber. Seeing her son-in-law lying quietly on the bed, she couldn't help but wipe away tears.

She had only seen the eldest young master from afar in the past; they could never have had any interactions, and Shangguan Ziqi would not have known Madam Zhao even when he was healthy. But now, he was her son-in-law.

"Mother, don't be sad. Being married to the eldest young master is actually quite good. I don't have to deal with jealousy or backstabbing. Even if he never wakes up, I am still the eldest daughter-in-law of the Prince’s estate. Who would dare to bully me? Even if Yu Zhaoyang is the Heir Apparent's wife, she still has to call me sister-in-law. Once the family splits, I just need to live my own life well. The Prince’s estate won't skimp on my food or clothing, and the Prince has been very kind to us—he even gave me ten thousand taels in banknotes earlier." As she spoke, Yu Yuanzheng took out the banknotes she had received, still warm from her pocket, to show her mother.

Seeing her daughter’s smile, Madam Zhao didn't know what to say. The child was still too young and did not understand the loneliness that lay ahead. Forget it; it was useless to say anything now. Hadn't her daughter mentioned a miracle doctor who wanted to repay a favor? Perhaps one day her son-in-law would wake up.

At that moment, Shangguan Ziqi heard their entire conversation clearly. A desperate longing to wake up surged within him, and he concentrated his mind with all his might.

"Oh! Zheng’er, I think I just saw the eldest young master’s hand move," Madam Zhao whispered in disbelief.

Yu Yuanzheng had been staring only at his face, not his hands. "Oh? Let me see." The two watched his hand intently, but unfortunately, it did not move again.

"I really saw it; my eyes didn't deceive me," Madam Zhao said with absolute certainty. But since she didn't see it a second time, she became less sure.

"It’s alright, Mother. He won't die that easily. In a while, I will invite the miracle doctor to come and examine him."

As they were talking, Nanny Zhao from the Princess Consort’s courtyard arrived in person. "Greetings, Madam. The Princess Consort invites you to the main courtyard for a chat," the nanny said with a polite bow.

"Mother-in-law knows my mother is here?"

"Yes, Eldest Young Mistress. The Prince has already left."

No wonder she had sent someone to invite them. The mother and daughter went together to the Princess Consort’s courtyard.

After exchanging greetings and sitting down, Madam Zhao, being a merchant’s daughter, had never suffered in terms of upbringing and was actually quite outgoing, though she had not moved in the circles of officials and nobles. After she married and saw the difference between official and merchant families, she had restrained her temperament and stayed quietly in the inner courtyard.

"Princess Consort, Zheng’er is a good child. Her embroidery is even better than mine, and her temperament is gentle," Madam Zhao said, praising her child before the in-laws in hopes that her life in the husband’s family would be easier.

"Do not worry, in-law. Zheng’er is truly a gem. Even if someone offered to trade a princess for her, I would not agree," the Princess Consort said with a smile, praising her daughter-in-law.

"Mother-in-law, how can you praise your daughter-in-law like that? Be careful, or one day I might cause trouble and make you clean up the mess," Yu Yuanzheng joked.

"Haha..." The Princess Consort laughed outright. Seeing their interaction, Madam Zhao also smiled, feeling deeply at ease. With the Princess Consort’s support, her daughter would have a good life in the Prince’s estate. The two families chatted happily, and the worry Madam Zhao had felt for her daughter finally dissipated.

As the days passed, after Yu Yuanzheng treated Elder Master Jin again, he felt much more comfortable. Although his cough had not fully ceased, other discomforts had basically vanished. He was eating well, his nutrition was properly balanced, and the acupuncture stimulated his immune system, making him feel better day by day.

The news that Elder Master Jin had found a miracle doctor spread like wildfire. The high-ranking officials and nobles in the capital all heard the news and began to inquire about the identity of this mysterious healer.

Meanwhile, over the past few nights, Yu Yuanzheng had secretly made ten bottles of various medicinal pills with her two maids. In this era, most wealthy men had more than one woman. These people had the most money to spend, and she had targeted this market specifically, creating five types of medicine, all intended for men: Jinkui Shenqi Pills, Wuzi Yanzong Pills, Liuwei Dihuang Pills, Zuogui Pills, and Yougui Pills—all renowned tonics for the kidneys.

Each pill had its own focus. She had written instructions for each, placing them in boxes along with the bottles. The boxes were crafted from wood, the packaging was high-end and sophisticated, and she had even included an illustration on top: a strong, vigorous man. Everything was self-evident. Once her reputation as a miracle doctor spread, the medicine she made would definitely fetch a high price.

On the twenty-eighth of April, Yu Yuanzheng had Chunlei take the ten bottles to the Shiri Hall to display them. But when Chunlei arrived outside the shop, she found several people inside, pestering Lin Houde and refusing to leave.