After entering the room, the two children were already lying in bed, tucked under the quilt, but it was still early and they were not yet asleep. Instead, they were chatting to one another in hushed voices.
There were benefits to raising two children. They could keep each other company and would not be clinging to the adults all the time.
There was a stool in the room. ZhiXia let ZhiXian sit down, then sat herself on the edge of the bed. "Eldest brother, did you want to talk to me about something?"
ZhiXian did not stand on ceremony and nodded directly. "We are blood siblings. I will speak plainly. ZhiXia, a few years ago didn't you give me a medical book? I have been studying that medical book for the past two years and am very interested in the acupuncture and medicine preparation described in it. Over time I have gained some humble skills. May I ask where that book came from, and if there are other similar books that can be found?"
Things had been tightly controlled over the past few years. Many famous traditional Chinese medicine practitioners had gotten into trouble. ZhiXian's medical skills originally tended more towards Western medicine.
However, since obtaining that medical book, his attitude had gradually changed from casually flipping through it at the start, to later reading it more and more carefully. Naturally this was because the medical book itself was extraordinary.
As a result, there were no shortage of times when the family members became his "guinea pigs" as he tried out acupuncture on them. From the initial reluctance to indulge him, to the present where grandfather, grandmother and uncle Pei occasionally still asked him to give them a few needles to relax their muscles and bones, saying that it made them feel comfortable. ZhiXian's attitude had also become increasingly prudent.
Since the introduction of Western medicine into the country, traditional Chinese medicine had gradually been replaced, and was now even seen as dregs.
He had previously thought this way too. After all, the effects of Western medicine were more direct and convenient.
However, after learning about acupuncture for two years and personally verifying the results, ZhiXian was currently clearly more interested in traditional Chinese medicine.
"If elder brother is truly interested, I can try to find some sources for you." ZhiXia did not reject him, and was happy to help.
She had no experience with how skilled the genius doctor elder sister's medical skills were.
But according to her, as long as there was still a breath left, there was no patient she could not save.
If elder brother truly had talent in this area, even if he could learn a tenth of her skills, he would be able to benefit many people.
Even for herself, who could guarantee a lifelong existence free from illness and disaster? Having a family member highly skilled in medicine would always be advantageous.
ZhiXian did not ask anything more. He only told her to take care of her health, and that there was no hurry for the medical books. Her health was most important.
In fact, what he really wanted to ask was, who had provided that medical book. If possible, could he apprentice under them? That would surely be much more effective than learning by himself.
But they were all smart people. From his little sister's words, he understood that she did not wish for him to inquire further about the source, otherwise she would not be so close-mouthed about it.
However that was to be expected. Being born in this time period, even if one did gain true skills, one would have to keep it hidden. In case it provoked anyone's gaze, things would become unsightly.
"Elder brother, I didn't see Wang Caixiang today. Could she and second brother already be divorced?" After all, the last time she left, second brother was already working hard to deal with the Wang family. It couldn't be that he still hadn't succeeded after two years, right?
Yet in the family letters she had received over those two years, no one had ever mentioned news about the two of them getting divorced.
ZhiXian's previously smiling expression clearly darkened upon hearing ZhiXia bring up Wang Caixiang's name.
Of course, this displeasure was surely not directed at ZhiXia, but at Wang Caixiang.
"Not yet. It should have been settled two years ago, but who knows what Wang Caixiang is thinking. She just refuses to divorce second brother no matter what. Even when he gave her conditions or pressured her, she still wouldn't agree. When she got desperate she would threaten suicide, causing trouble for the neighborhood committee office who kept calling second brother in to talk things over. So the matter has been dragged out until now."
Upon hearing that name, ZhiXian felt irritated to the point of gnashing his teeth. He cursed, "She's just pretending to threaten suicide. There are so many ways to really die if you want, yet each time she creates a scene that everyone knows about. She won't actually die, yet makes everyone disgusted having to keep her around."
ZhiXia's first impression was that among the brothers, ZhiXian had the coldest personality. Second brother was gentle, fourth brother was rash, and eldest brother gave off the air of a steady, dignified first son.
And now, seeing third brother's furious reaction, she felt that he seemed just like an immortal descended into the mortal world, suddenly full of human touch.
"Elder brother, don't get angry over someone like that, you'll only hurt yourself." ZhiXia tried to placate him.
Only then did ZhiXian notice his own loss of composure. He let out a long breath, forcing himself to calm down.
"Forget it, I won't talk about her anymore. Just mentioning her makes me nauseous. Fortunately the only trouble she can cause is threatening suicide. She can't stir up any other storms." ZhiXian suddenly glanced at ZhiXia's stomach. Although she was only a bit over 7 months along, carrying three babies and with the bulk of winter clothing, she looked even bigger and more concerning.
In particular, ZhiXia's slender figure gave the impression that she could barely support herself.
"Little sister, let me take your pulse."
"Sure, I was thinking of going to the hospital anyway. The medical facilities in Lingjiang City are just average. I've only gone to the hospital once before coming back here and finding out it was triplets." ZhiXia walked over to stand in front of him and pulled up a chair to sit down, stretching out her wrist to place on the table.
"Still wouldn't hurt to go see a doctor at the hospital too. Triplets are..." He wanted to say that while triplets were rare, the danger during childbirth was also relatively greater. But stopping halfway through as to not alarm ZhiXia, "Let me take your pulse first. Do you have plans tomorrow? Have mother or elder sister-in-law accompany you to the hospital to take a look. There's an elderly doctor in the maternity ward over there who's very accurate at checking the fetus position. Have him examine you properly later."
ZhiXian said no more, concentrating on checking her pulse.
It was about the same as what the doctors in Lingjiang City said. No problems, the fetus state was also good.
Having finished speaking, ZhiXian also left.
When ZhiXia turned around, she saw that the two little ones had already closed their eyes under the quilt, breathing evenly in sleep.
She smiled helplessly, going over to adjust their sleeping postures before lying down herself.
As if having a sixth sense, as soon as ZhiXia laid down, Wanqing immediately turned over with her little body and snuggled into her embrace.
ChenYe closely followed his sister's motions and shifted closer towards them.
In the middle of the night, ZhiXia heard the sound of whimpers next to her.
Supporting her belly, she adjusted to a better position before realizing the cries were coming from Wanqing in her sleep, occasionally calling out "Papa" between sobs.
When Jing had left before while in the army, it was still their familiar home. Although they missed him, it did not make them too sad.
This time was different from before. It was she bringing the mother and children away from Jing. The little ones felt uneasy in their hearts.
ZhiXia gently patted Wanqing's back with her hand. Feeling her presence, Wanqing gradually settled back down into deep sleep.
Suddenly feeling a wet hotness on her hand, ZhiXia opened her eyes. Day had already broken. Over Wanqing's little head, she and ChenYe exchanged blank looks.
As if frightened, ChenYe bolted upright with a rumble, noisily waking Wanqing as well.
"Mama, my butt got wet..." Wanqing mumbled without even opening her eyes fully.
ChenYe pressed his lips together thinly. An embarrassed flush spread over his young face as he unconsciously tried to deny responsibility. "Wasn't me who peed."
Hearing this clearly, Wanqing instantly blew up, disgustingly holding out her hand. "Brother, you wet the bed and got my clothes and hands all dirty!"
