Re-embroidering life

Shui Minghua returned to Yuquan Town and visited the Ji family the next day.

"Auntie!" Ji Fei and Ji Rui flew into Ming Hua's arms like little birds flying into the forest. Ming Hua took out Xiangtaiji's cloud cake and sesame candy and shared them with the two little ones. Seeing the cakes, even Fei'er couldn't wait.

"That's right, now she's like a little kid!" Minghua touched Fei'er's head with concern. Rui'er was already biting her heartlessly, drooling all over her hands.

If Fei'er is like me, with the maturity and stability of an eldest daughter, Rui'er is most like my mother Shui Qinghua. She has a beautiful face, two small buns on her head, and black grape-like eyes that are round and bright. Who would not praise her as a New Year picture doll? But her temperament is also like her mother's, soft, not good at speaking, and submissive.

There are five siblings in the Shui family. The eldest daughter is self-evident. The third brother, Shui Yongming, is the only son. He has been brought up by Shui Xiucai since he was a child. The fourth sister, Shui Xiuhua, has a congenital cough and is weak, so her parents love her a little more. The fifth sister, Shui Yuhua, is still young and the youngest in the family. Only the second sister, Shui Qinghua, is the oldest, has a tough body, and is not sweet-mouthed. She is a little transparent person who is not loved by her uncle and grandmother. The eldest sister is studying in a girls' school and is not at home all year round. Basically, all the big and small chores in the family are done by Shui Qinghua. At the age of ten, she followed Aunt Li to do embroidery work to supplement the family income. Even the tuition fees for Shui Minghua's school were earned by Shui Qinghua, but Shui Qinghua herself did not go to school, but just learned to read with her. The Shui family owes Shui Qinghua a lot, and Shui Minghua also owes her second sister.

Shui Qinghua was shocked when she received the five hundred taels of silver. This was the largest sum of money she had ever received in her past and present lives. It turned out that her embroidery skills could make so much money! This realization made Qinghua extremely excited.

After thinking for a while, Shui Qinghua took out fifty taels and handed it to Shui Minghua. It was really hard for the elder sister to make a special trip to the county town. Shui Minghua's face flushed and she refused firmly: "You have done enough for your mother's family. I see that your face is sallow and your vitality is seriously damaged. You should find a good doctor to check your pulse." This sentence touched Shui Qinghua's heart. At any time, seeking medical treatment and medicine is a waste of money, so she no longer insisted.

After Minghua left, Shui Qinghua looked at the banknotes and wondered how to spend the money.

The first priority is of course to treat illnesses. Shui Qinghua remembered that there was a famous doctor named Chen in Echeng. He had retired due to his advanced age and rarely went out to see patients. Even if he did, the cost was not low, at least ten taels of silver per visit, and the cost of medicine was calculated separately. How could he invite Doctor Chen to come to his home without attracting the attention of his mother-in-law and sisters-in-law? After much thought, he decided to ask Ji Zimo to come forward.

Then she had to hire someone. She felt sad when she thought about this. In order to share her mother's burden, Fei'er, who was not even as tall as the stove, had learned to wash clothes and cook. When she was in confinement, Fei'er also followed her and took care of her. She must not mistreat her daughter in the future. She wanted to hire some maids to take care of her, hire a wet nurse for Wei'er, and find a housekeeper for herself.

She had to think carefully about the remaining money. It was not good to live off the savings. It would be best to use it as capital to start a business. People have confidence only when they have money. In the previous life, the Ji family's situation improved two years later. At that time, Ji Dalang suddenly returned to his post and all the confiscated property was returned. She couldn't wait that long, and she didn't want to rely on the eldest house. She hoped that the third house could stand on its own.

In the evening, when Ji Zimo came to see his daughter, Shui Qinghua said to him, "This premature birth has depleted Qi and blood, and I am dizzy and I am afraid I will get sick. I heard that the famous doctor Chen in Echeng is very skilled, but he rarely comes out. Does Sanlang have any way to get a doctor for me?"

Ji Zimo pondered for a while and said, "I didn't think it through. I should have thought of it earlier. I will find a way to invite him."

"I heard that Doctor Chen's consultation fee is very high..." Shui Qinghua was planning to pay for it herself, but before she could finish her words, she was interrupted by Ji Zimo: "I'll pay for the consultation fee, you can just rest assured and take care of yourself after the baby is born."

Shui Qinghua nodded hesitantly, but she was not so sure in her heart. Ji Zimo was aloof and never wanted to sell his paintings and calligraphy, let alone ghostwriting. Where was he going to get the money? Was he going to ask the old lady for her private money? If so, the eldest sister-in-law would definitely make a scene.

Ji Zimo didn't want to say more. Qinghua had been married to him for seven years and had never asked for anything. This was the first time, and he had to do it no matter how difficult it was.

Back in the study, Ji Zimo took out the painting of "Running Horses", rolled it up carefully, and went out.

Ji Zimo went to Echeng County to look for his childhood friend, Tang Hao, the younger brother of his ex-fiancee. The Tang family is a century-old prominent family in Echeng. Many of the family members passed the imperial examinations and became officials. Most of them did not hold high positions, but the whole family united as a force to be reckoned with. After the Ji family got into trouble, the Tang family broke off the engagement with the Ji family, and the young lady of the Tang family married to Jiangnan. After this incident, the two families basically cut off contact.

When Ji Zimo was young, he often followed his mother to visit the Tang family. Tang Hao had been his follower since he was young, not much different from his own brother. Now, to avoid embarrassment, they haven't visited for a long time.

Ji Zimo posted a message to Tang Hao to meet him in the teahouse. If Ji Zimo was like the moon, emitting a faint and clear light, Tang Hao was like a little sun, with endless energy. He ran upstairs, pushed open the door of the teahouse, and punched Ji Zimo on the shoulder: "Good boy, brother Zimo, you still remember to look for me!" They were so familiar with each other as if there had never been a barrier between them.

Tang Hao was straightforward, and Ji Zimo didn't hesitate. He opened the scroll he carried with him and said, "Brother Hao, I'm in urgent need of money recently. I'll use this painting as collateral, and you lend me some money for turnover. I'll find a way to redeem it in the future. The condition is that you can only look at this painting by yourself, and you can't show it to others."

This painting embodies Ji Zimo's hard work, represents his exploration in painting skills, and also maintains his future. He is determined not to send it to a pawnshop or calligraphy and painting shop, so he can only shamelessly ask old friends for help.

Tang Hao was immediately attracted by the "Running Horses" and couldn't help but applaud: "Brother Zimo, your skills have improved again. Soon no one in Jiangxia Prefecture will be able to match you. Do you want me to introduce you to Master Dong as a disciple..."

"I appreciate your kindness, but I have no intention of becoming your disciple. I just hope to have a chance to travel around the world in the future and enjoy the beauty of nature." Ji Zimo declined politely.

Tang Hao didn't force it, he knew his old friend very well. The friend yearned for a free and unrestrained life and was tired of the petty intrigues in the world of fame and fortune. He didn't want to be bound by others or be labeled by anyone.

Tang Hao couldn't help but think of his sister Tang Fu. Ji Zimo was definitely not an ordinary person. They were originally a perfect match, alas!

Pulling his wandering thoughts back, Tang Hao said: "I have three hundred taels of silver here, you can use it first, and you can return it at any time. Leave the painting with me, and I will definitely keep it properly. If you are willing to sell it, one thousand taels is not a problem..." Looking at Ji Zimo's face, Tang Hao stopped talking in time and laughed dryly: "I understand, I won't sell it, I won't sell it!"

"By the way, Brother Zimo, is there any trouble at home? If there is anything I can help with, just let me know."

"My wife just gave birth and is in a very weak condition. I would like to ask the famous doctor Chen to come and take her pulse." Ji Zimo said truthfully.

Tang Hao laughed, "My family knows Dr. Chen well. How about this, I'll send him a letter in the name of the Tang family, asking him to come and see my sister-in-law, and you can pay for the consultation and medicine yourself."

Ji Zimo was overjoyed and bowed deeply to Tang Hao, which in return earned him another punch: You’re trying the same trick on me!