"Concubine?" The words left Tao Lengshuang speechless as Mo Lingxi stared at her, "What do you take me for?"
Tao Lengshuang didn't look up, her hands moving quickly, "A man."
"..." He suddenly didn't know how to respond to that.
Tao Lengshuang added, "If you're not a man, could you possibly turn into a woman, or be something in between?"
Upon hearing this, Mo Lingxi felt a pang of exasperation, "I think you have the ability to infuriate people to death."
Tao Lengshuang nodded repeatedly, smiling as she said, "I think so too, but it's a shame I haven't managed to anger you to death yet. Otherwise, I could live a comfortable life with Xiao Feng."
Mo Lingxi let out a couple of dry laughs, his gaze like a cold blade falling upon her, "Don't dream about it."
Tao Lengshuang thought to herself, this isn't a dream. Sooner or later, I'll be able to cast you aside, this man, and live a good, comfortable, and free life with Xiao Feng.
Seeing her like this, Mo Lingxi clenched his fists, thinking he really couldn't be even a little bit nice to this woman, or she'd push her luck.
He turned and left the kitchen, going to Xiao Feng's room to accompany him.
Tao Lengshuang breathed a sigh of relief, raising a hand to wipe the cold sweat from her forehead. Mo Lingxi standing in the kitchen made her feel immense pressure.
After eating and resting for a while, Tao Lengshuang thought about giving herself acupuncture to speed up her weight loss.
Unexpectedly, Aunt Shen Er arrived with Aunt Li.
In the main hall.
Aunt Li took Tao Lengshuang's hand, her eyes brimming with tears, filled with immense gratitude, "The Mo family, since I started following your methods, my health has improved significantly."
"Whether it's my family or the villagers, everyone says I look much better and appear younger."
Initially, her in-laws didn't quite believe it, thinking the money spent wasn't much, so they let her continue.
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However, after a few days of following the regimen, her complexion, energy, and spirit all improved considerably. She was no longer so weak, and she and her in-laws finally believed in the Mo family's medical skills.
"Aunt Li's condition was due to severe depletion, which is why you've seen such good results in such a short time."
As she spoke, Tao Lengshuang took Aunt Li's pulse, "Aunt Li, you must persevere and absolutely not give up halfway, otherwise, future treatments will be even more troublesome."
Aunt Li repeatedly agreed, looking at Tao Lengshuang as if she were a divine doctor, "My cousin mentioned that your family doesn't have chickens, ducks, or pigs, so I brought some. You must accept them."
"I can't afford much money, and these chickens, ducks, and pigs were raised by my in-laws. They insisted on giving them to you."
Tao Lengshuang did not refuse. It was reasonable for her to accept chickens, ducks, and pigs as consultation fees for treating Aunt Li.
"I will rewrite the prescription for Aunt Li and give you two more doses of medicine. After you finish them, you can get the medicine in town, and it won't cost many copper coins."
Aunt Li's main purpose for this visit was to get a new prescription, "Do I need to change my dietary therapy prescription?"
The dietary therapy prescriptions from the Mo family were not only effective but also used common ingredients, making them cheap and easy to use.
Tao Lengshuang indicated that it wasn't necessary, rewrote the prescription, and gave Aunt Li two doses of medicine, reminding her to take them on time and pay attention to her health.
"After about half a year of treatment, at most a year, and then nurturing your body for a few more years, you might even be able to have another child."
Aunt Li's eyes lit up, her slightly raised voice filled with joy, "Really?! I can have another child?"
Tao Lengshuang smiled and nodded, "When the time comes, Aunt Li, come find me, and I'll give you a thorough check-up."
Aunt Li was overjoyed. She had always wanted another child, even if it was a girl, it would be better than having only one child who would be all alone.
Now that she had hope, she felt a sense of purpose.
"If my cousin can get pregnant again, I wonder how many women will come to the Mo family for medical treatment," Aunt Shen Er teased.
Tao Lengshuang replied helplessly, "I'm not omnipotent. Besides, having a child isn't just about the woman; it's a matter for both partners."
Aunt Shen Er and Aunt Li disagreed with this statement but said nothing.
The two stayed for a while and then left happily.
As soon as they left, Aunt Wang San arrived.
Aunt Wang San came to thank Tao Lengshuang. She handed Tao Lengshuang a large piece of pork, her smile never ceasing.
Since Tao Lengshuang began treating him, Uncle Wang San's condition improved day by day. In the last couple of days, he could even use his crutches to walk around the yard, and his appetite had improved significantly.
Seeing Uncle Wang San like this, Aunt Wang San's family was incredibly grateful to Tao Lengshuang, repeatedly saying that if they ever needed anything, they should come to their family, and no matter what it was, their family would help.
Tao Lengshuang smiled and said she would, then gave Aunt Wang San some instructions and saw her out the door.
Afterward, she welcomed many villagers seeking medical treatment.
Some brought a dozen eggs for their elderly family members.
Some brought a chicken or a duck for their family members.
There were also visitors from other villages who had heard of her reputation, bringing bolts of cotton and linen cloth.
Gradually, Tao Lengshuang's medical skills became renowned in the surrounding villages, and many people came to her for treatment.
Although there were many patients, Tao Lengshuang charged low consultation fees and still had to provide several doses of medicine, so her earnings were meager, barely enough to cover her family's basic needs.
One day, she took Xiao Feng with her, accompanying Aunt Shen Er and Aunt Wang San to the town to do some business.
The weather was getting colder, and everyone wanted to sell some goods and buy supplies before it got completely cold, so they could safely get through the winter.
However, none of them expected to see people standing in groups of three or two at the city gate, many of them holding goods and looking anxiously towards the city gate.
Tao Lengshuang exchanged glances with Aunt Shen Er and Aunt Wang San. What had happened? Why were all these people waiting at the city gate and not going in?
Tao Lengshuang, holding Xiao Feng's hand, smiled and asked a middle-aged woman, "Auntie, why aren't you going in? If you're any later, you'll be late getting back."
The middle-aged woman, carrying a basket of eggs, wiped away tears as she replied, "How can we go in?"
"It costs ten copper coins to enter, and another ten copper coins to exit. How much can I earn from selling this basket of eggs? Isn't this trying to kill us common folk?"
Tao Lengshuang was astonished and continued to inquire with the middle-aged woman.
According to the middle-aged woman, when the city gate opened, several constables were stationed at the gate, stating that anyone entering the city had to pay a ten-copper-coin entry tax. Even returning to the city required payment, and exiting the city also incurred a ten-copper-coin exit tax.
If anyone refused to pay, they would be beaten and scolded, then arrested and imprisoned. Afterward, their families would have to spend several taels of silver to bail them out.
Tao Lengshuang looked utterly bewildered, regarding the constables at the city gate with the eyes of someone witnessing brutality. It was the first time she had heard of entry and exit taxes.
She quietly told Aunt Wang San and Aunt Shen Er what she had learned.
Hearing this, Aunt Wang San and Aunt Shen Er became worried.