There is a god in the sky

Chapter 271 The Xie Family, Imperial Merchants 2

The Xiao family is overjoyed today; the main gate is wide open to welcome the Emperor's gifts.

The neighbors were alarmed.

Seeing the endless stream of gifts being delivered to the Xiao family, many other families were green with envy.

When a close friend came to offer congratulations, they discovered that Mrs. Xiao was pregnant.

The news of Madam Xiao's pregnancy could no longer be kept secret.

However, this is a joyous occasion, and there's no need to hide it.

Madam Xiao busied herself putting the rewards into the storeroom, and even allocated a separate storeroom for Shen Lan.

Although Shen Lan's reward was not much, everything she gave was of high quality. It would be a valuable dowry that would be highly regarded by any family.

"Miss Shen, you're in the prime of your life, don't you really plan to get married? If you're interested, I can introduce you to a few good young men."

The Xiao family school has some ambitious children from collateral branches, as well as a few students from impoverished families who are temporarily enrolled. They are all quite nice and don't place too much importance on the woman's family background.

Before Shen Lan could refuse, she added, "If you think scholars are too formal, military officers are fine too. There are plenty of unmarried young guards in the Pingyang Marquis's mansion. As long as you don't mind their rudeness, it's fine."

Shen Lan was both amused and exasperated. "With my background, I wouldn't dare to look down on others. I don't want to stay at home as a wife and mother; I want to be a coroner."

Master Xiao walked in from outside, his face beaming with joy, his steps brisk.

“Miss Shen’s idea is excellent. I happen to have a very good marriage proposal available. You just need to agree.”

Seeing that the two were looking at him, Master Xiao said excitedly, "On the way back, I met Ji, the coroner from the Criminal Investigation Department. He invited me to drink and then mentioned that he wanted to marry his grandson into the Shen family and become a son-in-law, and he would even give him a house."

I don't think I'd be at a disadvantage agreeing to this marriage. The boy seems honest enough; I'm not worried about him having any ulterior motives.

Shen Lan never expected that the coroner, Ji, could actually get through to Master Xiao.

If she hadn't met Ji Zeqian, she would have even suspected that he might have some hidden illness.

Otherwise, what ordinary family would be willing to let their son marry into another family? Especially one like hers, who has no father, no mother, and no family.

Madam Xiao's first reaction was the same as Shen Lan's: "Is the coroner Ji's grandson missing an arm or a leg, or is he an idiot?"

"He is going to inherit the mantle of Counselor Ji and will become a coroner in the Ministry of Justice in the future."

It just so happens that the Emperor has granted Miss Shen the official title of an eighth-rank coroner, so I think this marriage is a good idea.

Most importantly, Miss Shen wants to continue working as a coroner, and the Ji family has made it clear that they will not stop her.

To be honest, even Madam Xiao was tempted when she heard it.

This is a great respect and a great freedom for women.

"What did Miss Shen say?" Madam Xiao thought, if it were her, she would definitely agree.

What could Shen Lan say? Ji Zeqian was too naive, only sixteen years old; in her eyes, he was still a child.

She thought even an old ox trying to eat young grass wouldn't be able to bring herself to do it.

"Coroner Ji mentioned this before, and I know he was sincere, but I have no romantic feelings for young Coroner Ji."

Master Xiao winked at his wife, signaling her to try and persuade her.

Sure enough, as the coroner Ji had said, young people don't think things through, and it's best for elders to handle important matters like marriage.

If everything were done according to her ideas, very few couples in the world would be able to make it work.

"Is Miss Shen not afraid of rumors and gossip?" Madam Xiao asked.

Shen Lan stated frankly, "I'm not afraid of being called an old maid who can't get married."

"Aren't you afraid that the Shen family line will end?"

She shook her head. "There's no need to take the matter of incense offerings too seriously. These are the words my mother said when she was alive."

Madam Xiao was surprised, never expecting that Madam Shen would have such an open-minded idea.

Indeed, if it weren't for a family with good upbringing, how could they have produced such a bright and intelligent girl as Shen Lan?

Shen Lan was lost in her memories for a moment.

When the Shen family suggested that she study medicine and inherit the Shen family clinic when she grew up, although it was said in a half-joking manner, no one in the family objected.

Her father had said that the clinic would be part of her dowry and she would take it to her husband's family.

"That being said, they would be pleased to know that the Shen family has a successor."

"They are relieved, it must be because they see that I am doing well."

Shen Lan curtsied to them and said, "Thank you for arranging things for me, sir and madam, but really, it's not necessary. Shen Lan is not getting married."

Seeing her determination, Madam Xiao stopped trying to persuade her.

If it were a woman who was not independent, Madam Xiao might feel sorry for her, but Shen Lan was different; she could live a good life on her own.

The only thing to worry about is how she will establish a household after her godfather passes away.

As evening approached, Shen Lan went out.

The curfew has not yet been lifted, and there are not many pedestrians on the street.

She walked through two streets and saw a flag that read "Xie," which was the Xie family's pharmacy.

She knew about Xie Family Pharmacy; they had many branches in Bianjing City and were quite famous.

Most importantly, this pharmacy has the most complete selection of medicinal herbs, and the prices are reasonable.

It's so late, and the pharmacy is still open.

A waiter escorted a patient out, reminding him, "Remember to take the medicine half an hour after meals for the best effect. Remember to come back for a follow-up appointment after you finish the three-day course of medicine."

"Thank you so much...cough cough..."

The patient clearly has a lung problem; medication will likely only alleviate the pain.

She approached the pharmacy, and the clerk asked curiously, "Miss, are you here for a consultation or to pick up some medicine?"

"Is there still a doctor available?"

"Yes, the doctor at our shop stays until closing time. What's wrong, young lady?"

Shen Lan walked around the store. The tall Chinese medicine cabinets covered an entire wall, and the names of the medicines were written on each drawer.

These were things she was familiar with; even the smell of the pharmacy was familiar.

"Miss..." The waiter called her several times before Shen Lan came back to her senses.

She said apologetically, "I didn't come here for a consultation. Please prescribe three doses of medicine to relieve wind and clear heat."

"Who is the medicine you're prescribing for? We don't dare to prescribe medicine without a prescription."

"I have the prescription." Shen Lan took out a prescription she had written before leaving home.

It was just a prescription for dispelling wind and clearing heat, nothing special, so the waiter just dispensed the medicine according to the prescription.

He wrapped up the herbs, took the money, and casually asked, "The dosage of Coptis chinensis in this prescription is a bit high. Is the patient experiencing severe fever?"

"Yes." Shen Lan didn't consider whether the medicine would taste good when she wrote the prescription, so she used a bit too much Coptis chinensis.

The waiter didn't say anything more.

As Shen Lan was about to leave, a man rushed in carrying a girl.

"Doctor...Doctor, please save my daughter!"

Shen Lan stopped and peered at the girl.

A little girl, about seven or eight years old, was pale, covered in cold sweat, and was groaning softly while clutching her stomach.

An old doctor came out from the inner room, wiping his hands as he said, "Put the patient on the examination table, let me take a look."

While taking her pulse, he asked about her symptoms. Shen Lan listened from the side and knew that the girl had bacterial dysentery.

Fever, abdominal pain, bloody stools, and recurrent seizures are the obvious symptoms, and the condition seems quite serious.

Then, according to the father's account, her symptoms had lasted for three days.

If she hadn't been suffering from persistent abdominal pain, unable to eat, and even fainted, her father certainly wouldn't have brought her to the clinic.