The Fallen Medicine Woman: The Daily Life of Chun Nuan-Chapter 275 - 181

First to be examined is, of course, the eldest uncle.

"Everything else is fine, just this waist..." Xiao Changhe pressed on his waist, "When I first arrived, I lifted stones. I’ve never done such heavy work before. A heavy object was on my shoulder, and I couldn’t stand steady, so I fell. Since then, this waist has never been well."

Members of the Xiao family, who could neither bear burdens nor grind on their backs, came to the Northern Desert with no one to care for them and no money to spare, naturally being assigned the heaviest work.

Xiao Changhe was unlucky, injuring his waist on the first day.

And with no money for treatment, it was left to linger.

Only later, because of the medicine Chun Nuan sent, coupled with some Silver Tael, and with Chun Quan’s efforts, the tasks became lighter.

Sometimes it felt truly like a tiger fallen to the plains being harassed by dogs. Back in the Capital, even the noble sons would address the three brothers respectfully as Brother Xiao. Now, here they are, doing the hardest labor, receiving the worst share, and getting scolded from time to time.

"Uncle, lay on the bed, let me have a look."

"This..."

Xiao Changhe felt rather awkward.

"Uncle, at the moment I am both a doctor and your niece, so there’s no need to be overly concerned."

It seemed right.

Xiao Changhe lay on the bed, and Chun Nuan lifted his clothes on the back gently, pressing to ask if it hurt.

"Does it hurt here?"

"No, it doesn’t hurt."

"How about here?"

"Also doesn’t hurt."

Xiao Changhe turned over and pressed the spot above his left waist, "This spot, it hurts the most, hurting every day."

Chun Nuan followed the direction of his fingers and pressed down.

"Hiss"

Even being a tough man, Xiao Changhe couldn’t stand it and sucked in a cold breath. 𝚏𝐫𝚎𝗲𝕨𝐞𝐛𝕟𝚘𝐯𝚎𝗹.𝕔𝐨𝗺

"Relax, don’t be afraid, I won’t press hard anymore."

Chun Nuan pressed twice again, and Xiao Changhe couldn’t help but cry out in pain.

"Uncle, haven’t you seen a doctor?"

"Seeing a doctor requires spending Silver, where do we have spare money for that?"

If there were Silver, eating a little better would also be good.

"You have a fracture, this rib," Chun Nuan said, feeling heartache, "How have you managed all these days?"

"Ah, just going along, sometimes turning over even hurts." Xiao Changhe said, "I just thought, could it be broken? Turns out it really is."

"Uncle, you truly can endure."

Working so long dragging a broken rib, hurting every day but still enduring daily, is truly not easy.

"After leaving the Capital, we all learned to endure."

The past days were truly accustomed to luxury, only to find out suffering outside.

An extra waist pain seems indifferent.

"Nuannuan, can it be treated?"

"Of course it can be treated, it’s just that the effect isn’t great, and you’ll suffer more."

Old injuries are much more uncomfortable to treat.

"It’s okay, as long as it can be treated, suffering a little isn’t feared, prolonged pain is worse than a short pain, once the short pain is gone, everything will be fine."

Choosing between two harms one takes the lighter, between two benefits one takes the heavier. Xiao Changhe naturally knows which choice is best for him.

"Nuannuan, it’ll likely cost a lot to buy medicine, medicines here are expensive."

In a place lacking doctors and medicine, getting sick is truly life-threatening.

Either there’s no medicine or no money, it won’t let the poor live well.

"No worry, I brought these medicinal ingredients along."

Chun Nuan still felt grateful for her foresight.

She knew that in such places where labor is required, bumps and bruises are inevitable.

So specifically brought some such medicinal ingredients along.

Chun Nuan opened the medicinal ingredients she brought.

Finding natural copper, bone fracture repair, Angelica, safflower, red peony root, licorice among others.

"Uncle, take these medicines decocted, one dose daily," Chun Nuan said, "These medicines have the effects of promoting blood circulation to remove stasis, reducing swelling and alleviating pain, bone-setting and tendon-healing, take them first, the prescription can be preserved for future need."

"Alright, you child, you even brought medicine?"

"Had to bring it, preparing for the lack of doctors and medicine here, see how much you’ve suffered."

Chun Nuan felt very heartache for her uncle.

Sometimes Chun Nuan thought why in aristocratic families when dividing shares, the main branch gets a larger share.

That’s because the main branch shoulders more responsibility.

Uncle and aunt are both honest and straightforward people, possessing the demeanor of the main branch.

Back in the day aunt managed the household affairs, handled them fairly, and never took advantage, accounts were clear and straightforward.

Uncle, as the eldest son, took on many responsibilities of the Xiao family, allowing grandfather to focus wholeheartedly on his official duties without letting family matters delay the slightest.

"Ah, who says so, fortunately, our Nuannuan came, Nuannuan, you are the blessing of our family."

Therefore, father was wise.

Back then Nuannuan liked to go to the pharmacy, they were all worried she’d get scolded by the old master.

Unexpectedly, father not only didn’t scold her but also strongly supported her in studying medicine.

Xiao Changqing and his two brothers were a bit puzzled: why weren’t the three brothers allowed to study?

Later, when the old master had trouble, the three brothers felt he was foresighted.

In the Capital, especially for families like theirs, learning medicine ultimately means entering the Imperial Hospital, living days where serving the emperor is like accompanying a tiger.

Nuannuan learning medicine is different; she is a woman in an inner chamber, wouldn’t be chosen to enter the Imperial Hospital for duty.

Moreover, if Nuannuan learns medicine, the Xiao family’s medical skills won’t be lost.

After knowing elder brother’s waist pain is due to a fracture, brothers Xiao Changhai and Xiao Changqing felt heartache for him.

"Back in the day I wanted to learn, but was not allowed." Xiao Changqing still showed some regret, "Otherwise, elder brother’s waist wouldn’t have hurt for so long."

"Father strictly forbade our family’s men from learning medicine, only supported Nuannuan’s study." Xiao Changhe said, "You can’t blame him, it’s all kindly thoughts."

"Indeed..."

Speaking of the past, the three brothers could only sigh.

It’s been more than two years, and still, their father’s experience leaves them with resentment.

"I ultimately disobeyed grandfather’s command, letting Chun Ning and Muyang learn medicine."

Chun Nuan felt she wasn’t a filial granddaughter.

"Today’s not the same as the past, in a place like Shu City, Chun Ning and Muyang learning medicine is not a bad thing, it can be a livelihood and alleviate others’ pains."

"Indeed, our Xiao family’s medical skills need to be passed on, they should learn, and need to learn."

Xiao Changhai said, "Our kids Chun Qiang and Chun An should learn too."

Third Uncle spoke rather boldly.

"If you can think this way, it’s certainly excellent." Xiao Changhe looked at his three brothers and then swallowed the words he had intended to say.

His wife Mrs. Xu mentioned in the family letters about Mrs. Huang’s actions.

Preventing their two sons from learning medicine; envying Chun Nuan’s dowry, even demanding Chun Shu’s dowry to be equal to Nuannuan’s; also planning to send Chun Shu back to the Huang family as a concubine...

One thing after another all showing poor judgment.

Such actions are far from the grace and demeanor of the former young lady of the Huang family.

Therefore, people change with their environment and family situation.

Should he mention these matters to the third brother?

If mentioned, it would seem like Nuannuan is complaining; if not, fearing the third brother’s wife might go further.