Throughout the four seasons, gossip and quarrels were common among the neighbors living on Stone Well Lane on South Street. Everyone knew that Madam Chen and the Chen family head didn’t get along and would frequently bicker.
But actually coming to blows and smashing household items was rare.
Clay pots, earthenware jars, food bowls… The sound of shattering mixed with quarreling voices reached their ears. Before long, neighbors who had been busy at home all came out to watch the commotion.
Madam He was no exception.
“Yi’er, come talk to me.” Madam He called across the courtyard walls of two houses, her face somewhat tense as she asked Xu Yi, “You’re closer, did you hear anything unusual? How did the Chen family start quarreling so fiercely out of nowhere?”
She was worried about Madam Chen but didn’t feel comfortable going over first.
Xu Yi said in a low voice that he wasn’t sure. “Ah Xu and I were busy in the kitchen. We just heard the sounds too.”
“Someone needs to go check.” Madam He couldn’t wait any longer. As she spoke, she left her door and hurried over. Before she could even knock on the Chen family’s door, she saw an elderly woman run out.
The old woman wore her hair in a low, flat bun topped with a silver-gilt auspicious cloud hairpin. She wore a thick, agarwood-colored short jacket with a matching pleated skirt below. With deep-set eyes and a hooked nose, her eyes gleamed sharply as she stared at the wide-open door, her voice loud as she pointed and cursed.
“You shameless shrew! I’m still Erwang’s aunt. I thought you were putting on an act of virtue all this time, and I fell for your tricks. Who knew you were the kind of person who disrespects her elders, your heart blinded by greed!
Since you’ve already married into my Chen family, you’re a Chen family woman. Instead of thinking of the Chen family’s interests, how can you act against us and resent that Zhen’er might marry into a good family?”
As she cursed, Madam Chen rolled up her sleeves and ran out.
“Aunt, your words are laughable. This matter has nothing to do with anything, how could it possibly work out?”
After Madam Chen finished speaking, from the corner of her eye she glimpsed Xu Yi standing not far away, and her heart immediately felt apologetic.
This matter was originally Chen Erwang’s fault. He had gone to talk about it but couldn’t out-argue his aunt. The aunt had then chased after him, cursing, using Madam Chen as a target, while he didn’t dare say a word.
The two of them had already quarreled outside. No matter how much Chen Erwang found it embarrassing, he couldn’t continue hiding inside. He could only slink out sheepishly, pulling at his angry, shrewish aunt, saying in a placating tone, “Dear aunt, let’s go back inside to talk.”
“I won’t go back! I want these neighbors to see what kind of wicked heart this cheap woman has!” The aunt couldn’t let it go and continued cursing. “Erwang, don’t be afraid of her. Today your aunt will back you up. If she won’t listen, we’ll divorce her!”
Madam Chen laughed angrily at these words. “Fine! Then divorce me. I’ve long since stopped wanting to be a Chen family woman.”
Chen Erwang’s face reddened as he said furiously, “Shut your mouth!”
“Defying your elders, do you really think I won’t divorce you?”
…
Now the surrounding onlookers all understood what the Chen family was quarreling about.
“Madam Chen usually seems so gentle and never quarrels with anyone. She only doesn’t get along with Chen Erwang. For it to escalate to divorce, it must be that this aunt is too oppressive.”
“I think if Madam Chen just apologizes, this matter will pass. Actually divorcing her would be too much.”
“Indeed. If she’s divorced, how will Madam Chen manage in the future?”
…
Among the watching neighbors, there was also quiet discussion. Most felt that Madam Chen’s temperament was too strong and she should just bow her head and apologize to settle the matter. If she was truly divorced under the charge of “disrespecting elders,” how could she remarry in the future?
Aunt Chen and Chen Erwang were shameless, so why should Madam Chen preserve their good reputation?
She laughed coldly and said, “Divorce me then. Whether it’s mutual separation or divorce, what difference does it make to me?”
Chen Erwang’s breathing quickened. “You… you… you shrew!”
Madam Chen’s gaze swept over the surroundings. Seeing Xu Yi and Madam He’s worried looks, she smiled sadly, shifted her gaze away from them, and looked toward the neighbors.
“Chen Erwang, today in front of all the neighbors, let’s make this clear, do you want to divorce me or not?”
After she spoke, seeing that the aunt wanted to say something, she quickly interrupted with cold words. “Aunt, you’ve long resented me. Ever since Erwang and I moved to the county town, you’ve wanted to come too. But since Fourth Uncle couldn’t grant your wish, you’ve been scheming to marry Zhen’er off to someone in the county.
“Coming to the city isn’t that easy. If good young men were so easy to find, would there be any good marriage connections left unfound in this world? It’s nothing but wishful thinking. As a junior, it’s not my place to say much, but you can’t scheme against me and make me the one who loses face.”
Everyone knew this in their hearts. Now that it was spoken aloud in front of so many people, the aunt felt completely humiliated, so angry that her shoulders shook.
She egged Chen Erwang on. “She’s insulting both you and me like this, not putting the Chen family in her heart at all. Won’t you divorce your wife?”
Chen Erwang was completely dazed…
Why…
Why had the situation spiraled completely out of control in just a few breaths?
Chen Erwang’s original intention wasn’t to divorce his wife. He only spoke of divorce to frighten Madam Chen, to make her understand the consequences, being divorced was no good ending. But now Madam Chen and his aunt had him roasting over the fire from both sides, his face red and ears burning with anxiety.
Looking again at the neighbors watching the excitement around them, he felt he would have no face to continue living on South Street.
Chen Erwang covered his face. In that instant, he seemed to age several years.
…
Before long, the Chen family’s commotion died down. Just when people thought Chen Erwang wouldn’t divorce his wife, the Chen family head, along with clan uncles and others, hurriedly arrived at South Street on an ox cart.
This time, no sounds of quarreling came from the Chen house.
Outside, dark clouds pressed down. The sky was entirely gray and gloomy, as if it might rain.
Ah Jin poked her head out then withdrew it, telling Xu Yi, “Young master, should we bring in the medicinal herbs first?”
Xu Yi looked at the sky and sighed. “Bring them in.”
After receiving his answer, Ah Xu and Ah Jin moved quickly to bring the herbs drying outside back into the kitchen.
After collecting the herbs, cold wind began to blow outside, making the wooden windows creak annoyingly.
From the corner of his eye, Xu Yi glanced seemingly casually at the Chen family’s courtyard wall. The commotion there had died down considerably. He didn’t know what the outcome would be.
Madam Chen had burned her bridges today. A good ending wouldn’t come easily. He didn’t know what attitude the Chen family elders would take, but regardless, Xu Yi still hoped Madam Chen would have a good result.
“Young master, are you worried about Madam Chen?” Ah Jin tugged at his sleeve and asked quietly.
Xu Yi noticed her small gesture and looked down at her.
Ah Jin bit her lip and said, “I’m a bit worried. That old aunt looked very frightening, acting like she wanted to drive Madam Chen away. Isn’t that Madam Chen’s home? Why can she order Chen Uncle to drive Madam Chen away?”
Xu Yi said, “In current times, clan relationships are tight. Sometimes the parties involved can’t make their own decisions. Madam Chen wants a mutual separation. If Chen Erwang agreed, they would only need to go to the government office to apply for separation papers. But today’s scene is very unfavorable for Madam Chen. Chen Erwang could charge Madam Chen with being ‘unvirtuous’ as grounds for divorce.”
In the law, if a wife was divorced for wrongdoing, the wife had to return to her natal family and pay compensation to the husband.
If Chen Erwang truly divorced Madam Chen on these grounds, she would have to return to her natal family and even pay money.
After hearing Xu Yi explain this, the worry in Ah Jin’s eyes deepened.
Since coming here, besides Xu Yi and Madam He, Madam Chen had treated the siblings best. If Madam Chen was driven away, would she still be able to see her in the future?
Ah Jin felt troubled, thinking that if she couldn’t see Madam Chen, she wouldn’t be able to drink the beverages Madam Chen made anymore.
Xu Yi patted her head, pulling back his thoughts. There was no use overthinking. He entered the kitchen and continued rolling digestive pills.
Soon, Ah Jin ran in saying, “Young master, it’s raining!”
Xu Yi said, “Keep watch on the Chen house. If you see Madam Chen come out, invite her in to talk.”
As soon as he finished speaking, Madam He came over from next door holding an oil-paper umbrella.
After entering, Madam He said with a sigh, “I’ve been thinking and thinking, but my heart still isn’t at ease. Yi’er, what do you think happened? Why does Madam Chen want a separation?”
Xu Yi knew some of the inside story but didn’t say anything.
Logically speaking, this matter had nothing to do with Madam He. If it were anyone else’s family, she would just be watching the excitement. When discussing it privately later, she would just sigh deeply, where would this kind of worry come from?
But Madam He remembered that a few days ago, Madam Chen had said to her that if she could leave South Street and go to the prefectural city, how wonderful that would be.
At the time she had only thought it was Madam Chen’s passing fancy. Now, thinking carefully, Madam Chen had long been considering this.
Xu Yi said, “Don’t worry, Madam He. I can see Madam Chen knows what she’s doing.”
Madam He said with a sigh, “I only knew she was stubborn. I didn’t expect her to be this stubborn. I’d like to help ease her worries, but I’m useless and can only worry helplessly.”
Among women, having a close friend to share heartfelt words with was rare. In this entire county town, only she and Madam Chen were close. Now that Madam Chen faced this situation, she couldn’t help at all.
Xu Yi consoled her. “Madam Chen has skills and ideas. Her stall selling food at the market and temple is doing well. Not to mention anything else, just during spring and summer, Madam Chen can sell beverages. If she doesn’t want to show her face in public, she can still work as a cook in a wealthy household. There are always different ways to live.”
After listening, Madam He suddenly understood. She had been thinking incorrectly, only focusing on the bad aspects of separation without considering that separation also had benefits.
…
The next day, the dark clouds dispersed from the sky’s edge. The common people living on South Street began their day’s bustle as usual.
Only Stone Well Lane was somewhat different. Those who had watched yesterday’s excitement discussed privately what the result of the Chen family drama had been.
People didn’t have to wonder for long. Soon they learned that Madam Chen and Chen Erwang had mutually separated!
“They really separated?”
“Could Chen Erwang really tolerate a woman like Madam Chen and not divorce her?” a neighbor asked mockingly with dissatisfaction.
Another person nodded. Yes, this Madam Chen was too arrogant.
In one household, the wife was weaving cloth and asked her husband, “Husband, do you think there’s something wrong with this?”
“Of course there’s something wrong! Madam Chen violated the Seven Grounds for Divorce. Since ancient times there have been parental commands and matchmaker’s words. She’s so improper as a wife, bringing up separation first, shouldn’t she be divorced?”
His wife: “…”
She vaguely felt something was wrong but didn’t know what.
No one knew what Madam Chen had actually paid to obtain separation papers instead of a divorce certificate.
This way, she didn’t have to return to her natal family. When she left the Chen house, all she had with her was a trunk of clothes and two taels of silver hidden on her person.
She had given up the dowry she brought to the Chen family, and only then did Chen Erwang agree to the separation. In front of Uncle Chen, her parents-in-law, and her aunt, she also had to sign a contract not to tell anyone.
Even so, Madam Chen still didn’t compromise. She would rather give up her wealth than leave the Chen family.
Seeing the outcome was set, Chen Erwang viciously cursed her to die badly, while his eyes glowed as he greedily claimed her dowry. His appearance was truly ugly.
–
Madam Chen didn’t care what others thought.
After leaving the Chen house, she hired an ox cart, loaded her trunk onto it, and told the driver to wait a moment. She wanted to say goodbye to Madam He and Xu Yi.
“Madam Chen.” Xu Yi looked at her.
Madam Chen smiled, in good spirits. “I’ve gotten my wish now. It wasn’t in vain, this result I fought for. Yesterday, you must have worried for me.”
Given the circumstances yesterday, propriety prevented her from saying much. Now that she was alone, she could speak freely.
Madam He worriedly grasped her hand and asked softly, “Where will you live from now on? Do you have a plan?”
Madam Chen answered, “I’ll first find a house outside the city to live in, then think about starting a food business and save some money first.”
Xu Yi said to her, “If there’s anything I can help with, Madam Chen, just ask.”
Madam Chen said, “I don’t need anything now, but who knows about later.”
Xu Yi raised his eyebrows and nodded at her.
Hearing she would live outside the city, Madam He said worriedly, “It’s not safe for you to live alone. Why not find a cheap house on South Street instead? Living closer, we could look after each other.”
Madam Chen laughed at her. “Just because I live outside the city, does that mean I can’t come find you if something happens? If I can’t walk over, can’t I hire a cart? For just a few coins I can make the trip. It’s still convenient.”
The three continued chatting for a bit. Madam Chen didn’t make the driver wait too long. She said goodbye to Xu Yi and the others, saying that once she made some food, she would send them a portion to try.
…
After Madam Chen left, the gossip about the Chen family on Stone Well Lane gradually died down. Soon there was new after-dinner conversation material.
On this day, Xu Yi separated out a batch of the finished digestive pills to send to the Xing family.
Ever since Jishi Hall stopped selling “Chen’s Digestive Pills” and changed to “Shen’s Digestive Pills,” the price changed from twenty wen for five pills to twenty-five wen.
When the Xing family was purchasing medicine, Xing Yuesen received the news and went to ask Xu Yi. After learning the inside story, he was extremely angry. He went back and told the steward in charge of household purchases that from now on, they would no longer buy the family’s needed medicines from Jishi Hall and would go to Miracle Hands Hall on East Street instead.
The newly appointed physician at Jishi Hall was over forty years old. When he came from the prefectural city, he brought two students he had personally taught. Unexpectedly, just after taking up his post, he lost a major customer. He personally sent a visiting card to the Xing family, but couldn’t even get through the door.
Only then did he realize this assignment wouldn’t be easy.
But what he hadn’t expected was that even more difficulties lay ahead.
Within half a year, the reputation of Chen’s Digestive Pills had become known throughout the county town. Previously everyone could only buy them at Jishi Hall. When the digestive pills suddenly changed names and increased in price, people initially thought it was due to rising medicine prices. Later, after buying them, they discovered not only had the name changed, but the efficacy was different too.
Compared to the original “Chen’s Digestive Pills,” these “Shen’s Digestive Pills” were only half as effective. Each time someone had bloating or food stagnation, they needed to take two pills to see results.
This was a major issue for the common people of the county town and surrounding small towns and villages!
Never mind the expensive price, how could the efficacy be so poor? This was clearly a scam.
“What kind of logic is this? No, we need to go to Jishi Hall and demand an explanation.”
“Which physician at Jishi Hall made the digestive pills they sold before? Why are they different this time?”
“Could it be Doctor Yan?”
“I don’t think so. If Doctor Yan made them, they should have been surnamed Yan long ago. I think this was made by a physician surnamed Chen.”
“…”
While everyone was discussing, some had already gone to Jishi Hall’s door to demand answers.
This matter generated considerable discussion in the marketplace. Many common people cared deeply about it. Originally these digestive pills weren’t expensive, and many families kept a package as household medicine.
Among them was an old man over fifty wearing a blue cross-collar robe. At a vegetable stall, he bought a piece of ginger and two radishes.
He heard the conversation between the stall owners and stood nearby listening curiously.
After returning to his residence, he handed the vegetables he’d bought to a servant to handle, then carried a pot of freshly boiled hot water to the corridor pavilion in the back courtyard.
“Young master, do you know what interesting matter I heard in the marketplace?” Uncle Pang poured fresh hot tea for Pang Boyi and placed it on the low table beside him, saying with a smile.
Pang Boyi was holding a book and reading. Hearing this, he paused, raised his eyebrows, and looked at him. “What interesting matter did Uncle Pang hear?”
Uncle Pang spoke slowly. “I don’t know if it counts as interesting, but I thought it would be enough to relieve your boredom, young master.” Seeing the young master put down his book with interest and wait for him, he didn’t play mysterious and said directly, “There’s a medicinal pill in Yanting County that was originally called Chen’s Digestive Pills. These past few days it suddenly changed names, the price increased, but the efficacy decreased, causing much dissatisfaction.”
“Oh?”
After listening, Pang Boyi sat up straight with some interest and asked with a smile, “What miraculous uses do these Chen’s Digestive Pills have?”
Uncle Pang said, “I asked around. They say Chen’s Digestive Pills effectively treat food stagnation, abdominal bloating and pain, nourish the stomach, and eliminate belching. Compared to the digestive powders and digestive decoctions prescribed at ordinary medical halls, the efficacy is better and the price cheaper, only twenty wen for five pills, and you only need to take one pill at a time.”
Pang Boyi suddenly frowned. “I’ve read countless books. How have I never heard of such a medicinal pill?”
“Indeed.” Uncle Pang shook his head. “Among the common people, there are many who hang out a divine physician’s sign and sell so-called miracle drugs. I originally thought these digestive pills were the same, but looking at their expressions, it didn’t seem false.”
Pang Boyi said, “Uncle Pang, can you buy these Chen’s Digestive Pills?”
“Young master, I’ll go ask.” Uncle Pang didn’t dare make promises.
Pang Boyi knew of his caution. His eyebrows moved slightly, and the corners of his mouth showed a smile. “This Yanting County seems more interesting than I thought.”
His friend serving as county sheriff here should know more than him.
Thinking this, he had Uncle Pang write a card to send to the Pan family, saying he was inviting Pan Wenji to the residence for tea.
Such an interesting matter required someone to listen to it together.
…
The Xu residence.
At this moment, Xu Yi was extremely busy. The finished pills still needed to be packaged. With just him and the Ah Xu siblings, one cutting paper and two packaging, they stayed busy until dark before finally finishing packaging all the digestive pills.
He rested and drank half a cup of water to moisten his throat, then said to Ah Xu and Ah Jin, “After morning exercises tomorrow, there will be no writing practice. We’re going to the marketplace to set up a stall and sell digestive pills.”
Hearing they would set up a stall at the marketplace, both siblings’ eyes brightened.
After so many days of preparation, they would finally earn money. These past couple of days, they had heard plenty of talk in the marketplace, and neighbors from South Street had come to ask Xu Yi. Only after learning they could still buy digestive pills from him did they feel relieved.
This time setting up a stall, Xu Yi didn’t want to do it the usual way. He wanted to bring a table and hang a sign so people at the marketplace would know he was selling Chen’s Digestive Pills.
That night, Xu Yi cut out a rectangular piece of cotton cloth, rolled and tied wooden rods at the top and bottom, made a hole, and connected the sign with hemp rope to hang it at the top of a three-legged wooden frame.
He tested by shaking the frame. Seeing it didn’t fall, he took down the sign, spread it out, and wrote in large characters: Chen’s Digestive Pills.
Bold and magnificent strokes.
With one flourish, Xu Yi looked at the sign he’d made himself with satisfaction and went to sleep.
The next morning, Old Liu arrived early outside the Xu residence.
Several people got onto the ox cart and headed toward the marketplace at the City God Temple. On the road, Xu Yi heard merchants discussing how people had gone to Jishi Hall to demand an explanation, but Jishi Hall refused to admit the medicine was ineffective and had those people escorted out of the medical hall.
Old Liu laughed heartily. “Jishi Hall has stirred up a hornets’ nest.”
Xu Yi: “…”
The current Jishi Hall had no Doctor Yan presiding over it. The newly arrived physician was hit with this blow before becoming familiar with the business and had panicked. He had just sent a letter to the prefectural city to inquire with the main family when another wave of people came to the medical hall demanding explanations.
This time, those who came weren’t just ordinary commoners but stewards from wealthy households wearing silk and satin, radiating affluence. Facing these people, the new physician naturally didn’t dare be negligent. He could only refund money and offer apologies…
Xu Yi didn’t yet know these details. They had already arrived at the marketplace outside the City God Temple on the ox cart.
Old Liu stopped the ox cart and helped them unload things. Ah Xu and Ah Jin carried large and small bundles while Xu Yi carried the table. They quickly found a satisfactory spot.
The two youngsters had been excited the whole way. Now that the stall was set up and they heard Xu Yi would let them sell on their own, they were even happier. Looking up at the bustling marketplace with people coming and going, their faces flushed red as they began calling out.
“Digestive pills!”
“Chen’s Digestive Pills!”
“First come, first served Chen’s Digestive Pills, only twenty wen per package!”
With a few calls, passing pedestrians looked over. First they saw the sign with the digestive pills’ name written on it, then saw it was two children, and couldn’t help but be surprised.
“Are you selling real Chen’s Digestive Pills?”
“Even Jishi Hall doesn’t have them. Could yours be real?”
Someone asked, and Ah Xu and Ah Jin answered readily, “Of course! These digestive pills were made by our young master. We guarantee fair dealing with all customers.”
Ah Jin opened a package and held it straight out in her palm for them to see. “If you don’t believe us, you can smell them. Aren’t they the same as what you bought before?”
Those people, seeing this, half-believingly brought them to their noses to sniff. They truly smelled the familiar medicinal fragrance.
“They’re real!” one person cried out joyfully.
With this cry, the other people all crowded over to smell for themselves. Discovering it really was the scent of Chen’s Digestive Pills, they all spoke up wanting to buy.
Xu Yi didn’t get involved.
He sat on a small stool to the side, propping up his chin and watching Ah Xu and Ah Jin happily selling digestive pills, his eyebrows curved in delight.
good for Madam Chen! good! for! her!
also, get wrecked shen family lol