The daughters of the Tao family also enjoyed a life of ease, with everything provided and everyone doting on them.
...
Tao Lengshuang kept track of the Tao family's affairs, but her main focus was on storing supplies and earning money.
One day, Zicheng arrived quietly with two people.
He asked Tao Lengshuang for her help.
"Doctor, one of them has a long-standing old injury and their health is deteriorating, while the other suffers from occasional headaches. Please take a look."
Tao Lengshuang glanced at the two, recognizing them as servants, likely important ones.
Otherwise, Zicheng wouldn't have asked her to treat them.
She took their pulses and inquired about their detailed conditions.
"It's been dragging on for too long, and it might not be fully curable, but it won't be as severe."
The lack of medicinal herbs and adequate medical equipment here made a complete recovery difficult.
Zicheng smiled upon hearing this, "Being able to reach this point is already very good. Please treat them with peace of mind, Doctor."
Tao Lengshuang assured him she would do her best.
She then performed acupuncture on both individuals, prescribed medication, and gave them instructions on care.
Zicheng jokingly said he would bring more patients in the future and that he had come to get some medicinal herbs this time.
Tao Lengshuang asked him about the herbs he needed and went back inside to get them.
"Doctor, aren't you going to ask about my uncle's condition?" Zicheng teased.
Tao Lengshuang rolled her eyes and quickly produced a silver needle, "I think your mouth is too idle. Would you like me to help you with a needle?"
Zicheng covered his mouth and repeatedly refused, "Doctor, my uncle should be back tonight."
Tao Lengshuang replied indifferently, "If he's back, he's back."
"Do you expect me to prepare a feast?"
Zicheng chuckled, "Doctor, you are truly outspoken."
Tao Lengshuang hummed, "Do you have anything else?"
"Nothing can be hidden from you, Doctor. The other reason I came is to talk to you about Sheng Li."
"What is her current situation?"
She was very concerned about Sheng Li's situation, especially since the woman was narrow-minded and insisted on causing trouble for her, a village woman.
Zicheng detailed Sheng Li's circumstances.
Sheng Li's refusal to have children had already brought criticism from her in-laws.
Furthermore, she maintained a high-handed attitude in her marital home, looking down on everyone in her husband's family and acting imperiously.
If General Sheng's status wasn't so high, Sheng Li wouldn't have been allowed to act so wantonly.
However, her good days were numbered.
The Emperor's suppression of General Sheng intensified, and he deliberately favored General Sheng's son-in-law, Cheng Han.
Consequently, the Cheng family was no longer as submissive as before and forced Sheng Li to make a choice.
Either she would have children, specifically a son, or she would be divorced.
Sheng Li, having been spoiled for years, was unwilling to comply and clashed fiercely with the Cheng family.
She not only wanted to return to her maiden home but also demanded that her family support her and deal with the Cheng family.
The Sheng family, however, shut their doors, refusing to let Sheng Li return and insisting she sort things out with her in-laws.
This made it clear to everyone that the Sheng family would no longer shield Sheng Li. Instead, some were ready to kick her while she was down or seek revenge.
Over the years, Sheng Li had done many wicked deeds, relying on the Sheng family's influence, and had offended many people.
Now, her life was utterly miserable.
Upon hearing this, Tao Lengshuang felt immensely pleased and relieved.
With Sheng Li so preoccupied, she wouldn't have the time to bother her anymore.
"Why would the Sheng family suddenly stop supporting her?"
Zicheng smiled gently, "It was my uncle's doing."
"My uncle exposed some of Sheng Li's clandestine activities. A family as strict and upright as the Sheng family could not tolerate someone as malicious and despicable as Sheng Li."
Tao Lengshuang's heart stirred, and she smiled with raised eyebrows, "As long as Sheng Li doesn't come looking for trouble with me, that's fine."
Zicheng winked, "Doctor, with my uncle around, if Sheng Li dares to bother you again, my uncle will make her pay."
"Are your eyes malfunctioning?"
"...Doctor, it's not good to be so humorless."
Tao Lengshuang snorted, "Look at how fat I am. Even if I were naked, your uncle wouldn't be interested."
Zicheng burst out laughing, "Doctor, that's not necessarily true."
Tao Lengshuang, unwilling to continue the conversation, waved him away to go spend time with Xiao Feng, while she continued preparing medicine.
As she was mixing herbs, Aunt Shen Er arrived and pulled her outside.
"The man from the Mo family, that middle-aged man, said he wouldn't help the Tao family build their new house and got into an argument with them."
Hearing this, Tao Lengshuang quickened her pace towards the Tao family's home.
By the time she arrived, a crowd of villagers had already gathered. She and Aunt Shen Er had to push their way through.
Once inside, they saw the Tao family arguing with Brother Zhang San.
"You promised to help my family build a new house and said you'd help my family live a better life. Why are you refusing to build the new house now?"
"You can't just say you won't build it. There's no such logic."
"I'm telling you, if you don't help my family build the new house, I won't let this go."
Brother Zhang San had brought several thugs with him and was not intimidated. He directly ordered his thugs to deal with the Tao family.
The Tao family, no matter how much they thrashed and wailed, were no match for the thugs and were left lying on the ground, unable to get up.
"How dare you negotiate with me? You must be tired of living."
Brother Zhang San had seen all sorts of people and was adept at dealing with individuals like the Tao family. "If you dare to babble again, I'll beat you to death."
The Tao family dared not make another sound, yet they were unwilling to let the wealth they had almost secured slip away. They brought up the noble young master.
"My daughter is going to marry the noble young master. You dare to treat us like this, and you'll regret it later."
Brother Zhang San scoffed, uttered a parting remark, and left with his thugs.
The Tao family, seeing their house reduced to just a foundation, were on the verge of tears. Where would they live now?
Tao Lengshuang, witnessing this scene, returned home in good spirits.
In the evening, she learned from Aunt Shen Er that the Tao family wanted to build their new house with their own money but were unwilling to spend much and demanded that the craftsmen bring their own tools.
As a result, no one was willing to help the Tao family.
Homeless, the Tao family had to move into dilapidated houses at the edge of the village.
Aunt Shen Er cautioned Tao Lengshuang to be careful, lest the Tao family come asking for a place to stay again.
Tao Lengshuang reassured Aunt Shen Er, stating that if the Tao family dared to ask for a place to stay, she had plenty of ways to deal with them.
After sending Aunt Shen Er off, she saw Mo Lingxi return, looking travel-worn.
"You've returned just in time for dinner."
Tao Lengshuang called for Xiao Feng and took Mo Lingxi's cloth bag, "Supplies?"
Mo Lingxi picked up the running Xiao Feng and nodded, "Some rice and flour. Put them away."
"There's also a hairpin, it's for you."
This statement surprised Tao Lengshuang, "Why are you giving me a hairpin for no reason?"
Mo Lingxi pursed his lips, "I've never given you anything before."
Tao Lengshuang blinked, even more confused, "It's normal for you not to give me anything. What kind of relationship do we have?"
Mo Lingxi couldn't bear to hear this and walked into the main hall, carrying Xiao Feng.
Tao Lengshuang, unable to fathom it, decided not to dwell on it.
She put the items in her room and then took out the hairpin to examine it.
It was a jade hairpin shaped like a pomegranate.
"This person is truly strange, giving me a jade hairpin for what?"
"To please Mother."
Startled by Xiao Feng's voice, Tao Lengshuang jumped, "Why is Father trying to please me?"