As the sun set, just as they had imagined, Wu Caiwei was still busy. Finally seeing off the last patient and closing the door, Wu Caiwei stretched. As she stepped out of the medical hall, she bumped into the two of them.
"You two are still here? You're quite patient, aren't you? Truly the love of parents," she said, a little surprised.
Upon hearing this, Father Xu knew Wu Caiwei had guessed their intention. He said sincerely, "You've been part of our Xu family for seven years. Put your hand on your conscience and ask yourself, how have we treated you? Yijie needs your prescription. For the sake of us old folks, can you fulfill his request?"
Wu Caiwei looked at them with cold sarcasm. No wonder Xu Jie was so thick-skinned; he learned from his parents. She said disdainfully, "If he's a grown man, why doesn't he ask me himself for what he wants? Oh, right, he did come, but I refused him, and he went to you instead. Don't tell me how good you've been to me. Haven't I worked alongside you in the fields? Haven't I served you? Besides, if you truly cared about me, why didn't you tell me when Xu Yijie was still alive?"
"We didn't know how to say it then. After all, everyone thought you were already a widow. Although you've suffered with us, wasn't that due to poverty?" Mother Xu quickly defended herself. She felt Leng Shui Xiang was very happy in her own home. Didn't she see how other village daughters-in-law were mistreated by their mothers-in-law?
In reality, the original owner had feelings for Mother Xu. She had been in the Xu family for so many years, and Mother Xu had treated her quite well. But when compared to her son, she was nothing. It was no wonder Xu Yijie had developed such an unruly temper.
"Yes, you have been good to me. Knowing your son was still alive, you encouraged me to remarry. Did you ever consider the consequences? If your son returned one day, wouldn't everyone laugh behind my back, saying I couldn't bear loneliness? If I had waited a few more years, wouldn't the outcome be different? I suppose at that time you would have played the victim and feigned regret. By then, my reputation would be ruined." It wasn't that Wu Caiwei was judging others by her own standards, but Xu Yijie truly harbored such thoughts.
For a moment, the couple felt a pang of guilt, as if their thoughts had been seen through, and they were speechless.
After she had thoroughly refuted the Xu couple, sending them fleeing, she hurried home. After a busy day, she thought she could finally rest at home. Unexpectedly, as soon as she entered the courtyard, she saw the eldest daughter-in-law of the Zhang family and Shu Qin playing.
Upon seeing her, the other woman smiled and said, "Doctor Leng is back. You truly are a busy person, from morning till night."
Wu Caiwei felt a bit guilty. "I've been quite busy lately, neglecting her. Thank you, Madam, for taking time out of your busy schedule to play with her."
As Wu Caiwei went forward and stroked her daughter's head, she asked a maid to take her to play elsewhere.
When they were alone, the eldest daughter-in-law of the Zhang family, as if chatting casually, said gently, "Actually, I envy Doctor Leng. As a woman, you can go out and do business and treat people. Unlike me, I can only manage the household within our small courtyard to alleviate my husband's worries. It was about ten years ago, I went on an outing and encountered heavy rain. On the way back to the city, our carriage got stuck in the mud. We had few people with us, and no matter how much we pushed, it wouldn't move. It was someone passing by who helped us."
Wu Caiwei listened, utterly confused. Who cared how they met and ended up together? After a tiring day, she just wanted to rest. But since she was currently staying at the Zhang mansion, she couldn't very well turn them away. She could only smile and continue to listen.
Seeing her lack of reaction, the eldest daughter-in-law of the Zhang family continued, "From then on, I developed a good feeling for him. I thought, how wonderful it would be if I could become his wife in the future. When I heard that the Zhang family was coming to propose to our family, I thought it was a dream. Who knew my dream would continue like this? For so many years, I have diligently performed my duties as the eldest daughter-in-law of the Zhang family, managing everything in the mansion and witnessing the comings and goings of the women in the back courtyard. I am fortunate to be his wife."
At first, Wu Caiwei's mind was hazy, and she couldn't understand what the other woman was trying to say. After a while, she finally realized that the other woman was here to show off, to tell her that no matter what, she was the eldest daughter-in-law of the Zhang family.
If she were to enter, she would only be a concubine. Concubines came and went in the back courtyard, and she might fall out of favor at any time. Wu Caiwei smiled helplessly. If it weren't for the Zhou family, she could have moved out overnight. But circumstances were stronger than people, and one had to bow their head when under someone else's roof.
Seeing Madam Zhou still chattering away, Wu Caiwei couldn't help but interrupt, "I think Madam is mistaken. Young Master Zhang and I are merely business partners. I have someone I admire, and I am waiting for him to formally marry me and bring me into his home."
While the eldest daughter-in-law of the Zhang family breathed a sigh of relief, she also felt a sense of shame at being seen through. Her face turned red instantly, and she didn't forget to admonish, "I hope you remember these words today."
Without waiting for Wu Caiwei to respond, she fled in embarrassment. Wu Caiwei thought that if a normal woman encountered such a situation, she would likely shed tears into her pillow that night. Fortunately, she was long past that age. She ate, she drank, and she slept soundly that night.
Conversely, after leaving Wu Caiwei, the eldest madam of the Zhang family was filled with regret for her actions that day. If Wu Caiwei were to complain to her husband, given how much he valued her, wouldn't it affect their marital relationship? Especially since that night, the eldest son of the Zhang family had stayed with a concubine, making her toss and turn sleeplessly.
When she went to the medical hall again, Wu Caiwei encountered Xu Yijie once more. She was utterly fed up, feeling that his entire family was never at peace, with one person appearing today and another tomorrow.
Wu Caiwei walked straight past him. Xu Yijie immediately reached out, attempting to grab her wrist. Wu Caiwei turned and skillfully dodged him, looking at him with dissatisfaction. "Is this ever going to end? Don't come looking for me anymore. Wanting me to give you the prescription? That's impossible. Don't daydream."
Xu Yijie looked at her menacingly. "Leng Shui Xiang, I advise you to know when to stop. Don't push your luck. For so many days, we have reasoned with you kindly and given you plenty of face. Don't you really think you're so high and mighty?"
Seeing this, Wu Caiwei became interested. She crossed her arms, her expression one of amused observation. "Finally dropped the act? You look much better this way."
Upon hearing this, Xu Yijie's anger flared. "I've come today to give you my final ultimatum. The Zhang and Zhou families are in opposition because they have backing and strength. You are just a woman, and you have a child. Have you considered that the Zhang family might have a moment of carelessness? Aren't you worried about your own life?"