The young woman in green smiled. "My name is Yingcui. That is my madam—she is from the Fang family of Beikuo. Doctor Mo, have you heard of them? My madam is the legitimate eldest daughter-in-law of the main branch."
Mo Lixia nodded and offered a greeting toward the carriage. A clear, elegant voice came from inside. "Doctor Mo, you're too kind."
As the curtain lifted, a woman in her twenties stepped down. Her hair was arranged in a married style, and she carried herself with a quiet grace—leisurely, refined, with a delicate, orchid-like air about her.
When she saw Mo Lixia, she looked startled at first, then lowered her head slightly. "I didn't expect Doctor Mo to be such a beauty."
"You flatter me, Madam."
"I came today because I'd like you to take a look at me."
"Oh? Has your illness not improved?"
Madam Fang shook her head, embarrassed. "That one is already better… I mean a different illness."
Mo Lixia understood at once. "Please."
She quickly led Madam Fang into a side room in the rear courtyard of the pharmacy—the place Mo Lixia used to receive more private cases. After Xiqiu served tea, Mo Lixia asked gently, "What seems to be the problem, Madam?"
Madam Fang sat down uneasily. This was the sort of matter that was hard to speak of. A young woman who could not bear children might never marry, or could only become a concubine. A married woman with the same problem could be cast aside by her husband's family.
"I've been married to my husband for five years," Madam Fang began. "In our second year, I gave birth to a daughter. When she was two, I became pregnant again. The whole family was overjoyed… but the happiness didn't last." Her voice trembled. "At four months, there was an accident… and I miscarried. That poor child was a boy. Just like that, he was gone."
Her eyes reddened, mist rising in them. "Since then, I haven't conceived again. My mother-in-law has grown dissatisfied with me. Last year, without even asking my opinion, she had my husband take a concubine."
She wiped her tears with a handkerchief and forced a smile. "I'm making a spectacle of myself in front of you, Doctor. But my husband does treat me well. He hasn't allowed that concubine to bear him any children. He says the legitimate heir must come from the main wife."
So this was the position of women here: after marriage, you needed a son to stand behind you. If your husband didn't support you, your life became bitter indeed…
Mo Lixia watched Madam Fang like this and felt her own thoughts about marriage retreat even further into hiding.
"Madam Fang, extend your hand. Let me take your pulse first."
Madam Fang hurried to dab her tears away and held out her wrist. "Mm."
After a long while, Mo Lixia released her pulse and said, "Do you sometimes have aching pains throughout your bones, fear wind and cold, and catch chills easily?"
Madam Fang's face brightened. "Exactly. But no matter how much decoction I drink, it never truly improves."
"Was your body weakened after that miscarriage?"
Madam Fang sighed. "A perfectly good child, lost like that—how could it not hurt me? That night the wind was strong, and I was caught in some rain. I drank ginger soup and felt better by the next day." She continued, "The physicians all said my body was depleted and needed nourishment. But drinking decoctions every day hasn't helped. If anything, my complexion has only turned sallow."
"Your condition is a cold-damp obstruction with blood stasis," Mo Lixia said. "A decoction can still regulate it."
She wrote a prescription for Lisheng Decoction, then added two more herbs—Sophora flavescens and motherwort. When she finished, she handed the paper to Yingcui. "Go to the front hall and have this filled. One dose a day. Decoct in water and take it."
"Yes."
After Yingcui left, Mo Lixia smiled at Madam Fang. "Finish this course, and I can guarantee you will conceive a son."
Madam Fang's eyes filled again. She grabbed Mo Lixia's hands and dropped to her knees. "This woman, Li Yan, thanks you, Doctor Mo."
Mo Lixia hadn't expected her to be so emotional. She hurried to help her up. "Please don't. Treating patients is what I should do. When you decoct the medicine at home, it's best to have someone you trust handle it."
Madam Fang understood immediately. "You've made me laugh at myself. You don't know what it's like in a big household—too many things happen behind closed doors."
Mo Lixia only smiled and did not comment. Once the medicine was prepared, she reminded Madam Fang not to eat cold, yin foods, and personally saw her to the door.
"If Doctor Mo has time, don't forget to visit my home," Madam Fang said.
"I will."
After a few more polite exchanges, they reached the entrance. Madam Fang noticed the shop next door, newly opened, and asked curiously, "Is that a fragrance shop?"
Xiqiu did not miss a chance to advertise. "Madam, that shop is ours as well. We sell face powders and rouge, scented sachets and incense—everything. Would you like to go in and see if anything suits your taste?"
The pitch was so direct that Madam Fang could hardly refuse. "Since I've happened upon Doctor Mo's grand opening, I should support it. Yingcui, let's go take a look."
Mo Lixia smiled awkwardly. This was her fault—at home she spoke this way with her family, but outside they needed to be more tactful. It seemed she would have to train her "staff" properly.
Mo Lixia was about to accompany Madam Fang inside when Mu Tong arrived at just that moment. Mo Lixia immediately called out, "Xiqiu—anything Madam Fang buys, give her twenty percent off."
Madam Fang smiled in satisfaction. "Doctor Mo, go on and attend to your business. Don't mind us."
"My apologies for the lack of proper reception."
Only after she had seen Madam Fang into the fragrance shop did Mo Lixia finally breathe out and walk toward Mu Tong.
"Li'er," Mu Tong asked with a grin, "already have customers?"
Mo Lixia nodded. "Mm. Why are you here so early?"
"It's time for acupuncture today. Don't tell me you forgot."
"…I really did forget."
"I came earlier so you wouldn't be too busy later to spare the time."
"How busy could I be? If there are customers in the shop, it's better if we don't show our faces. If anyone asks, we'll say it was taught by my master."
As they spoke, the two of them headed into the rear courtyard.
"Ah… but isn't your 'miracle doctor' master—"
Mo Lixia gave her a look. "Other than you few, who knows my master has passed away?"
"…Right."
"Mu Tong, have you been keeping it up these past few days?"
"I've been keeping it up. I don't even dare go out now. I lock myself in my room all day and won't let Miaoning bring me any snacks." Mu Tong looked mournful. "Li'er, how long do I have to keep this up?"
"It's been about a month, hasn't it? Look—your belly is already much smaller. Keep going."
Mo Lixia patted Mu Tong's abdomen as she spoke, making Mu Tong blush.
"Young Miss Mo doesn't know," Miaoning said, "but our young lady eats so little now. Before, the pastries never stopped. Now she won't even look at them."
Mo Lixia nodded with approval. "Good. New Year's is coming—Mu Tong, you have to keep it up. And you must continue the medicinal broth. After the new year, I'll recommend a tea for you. Then you can just drink tea."
"Really?" Mu Tong's eyes lit up. "That's wonderful. Li'er, you don't know—these days, the moment I see medicinal soup, I feel like vomiting." She sighed. "I can't even stand it after only a few days. Yet Brother Lan drinks his all year round, every day… I wonder if he's sick of it."
Mo Lixia finished her examination and paused.
Prince Kang?
Last time, A-Mu seemed to like him quite a lot. And sometimes… Mo Lixia also felt he was strangely familiar.