Chapter 7

Chapter Seven: The Gift

After curiosity turned to disappointment, Ming Dynasty City quickly lost its appeal to Chen Xie. He even thought, how could he survive here for a whole month! In Zhang Family Village, there was no electricity at night, and one had to use a lantern to go to the toilet. Otherwise, one would have to use a chamber pot, but seeing the young maid Yuzhu carrying the chamber pot, Chen Xie felt truly sorry for her.

During the three days in Zhang Family Village, Chen Xie saw hope in Yuzhu's eyes, but in his view, the girl was too young. When he found out she was only fifteen (in Chinese age), Chen Xie felt guilty about exploiting child labor.

In short, since his first time travel, Chen Xie's most prominent feeling was discomfort. As a passerby (his self-positioning), Chen Xie had no intention of changing anything but was focused on bringing some good things from the Ming Dynasty back to sell for money.

What? Save the people from suffering? Save the Ming Dynasty? Don't joke around, I'm just a college student, don't scare me!

After walking for a while, Chen Xie stopped at a place that looked like a market. He had only seen people selling themselves in movies before, but now he saw it in real life. A little girl in tattered clothes was kneeling on the ground, looking about seven or eight years old. She had a grass tag in her hair, and her big eyes were filled with fear for the future.

Seeing this little girl, Chen Xie couldn't move any further. He was too familiar with the look in her eyes. A little orphan named Xiaoxuan used to follow him around. She died at nine due to congenital heart disease. That year, Chen Xie was only ten, and the look in her eyes, always worried about being abandoned, pierced his heart.

Seeing Chen Xie stop, a ragged couple panicked and approached. The woman used her body to shield the little girl, while the man bowed repeatedly to Chen Xie, saying, "Master, we are just selling our daughter, not making her a nun."

Not knowing how to explain, Shuigen rushed forward and waved at the man, "Blind fool, this is the divine doctor Chen Shao from overseas, not a monk or Taoist. Do you know the Zhang family? The old master's tuberculosis was incurable by all the doctors in the city, but Young Master Chen cured him with his miraculous hands."

Shuigen then bowed to Chen Xie, "Young Master Chen, if you want to buy a maid, you don't need to do it here. Go to the broker, and if anything goes wrong, you have a place to turn to. Selling children on the street like this, who knows what trouble might come later."

Hearing that he was a young master, the couple and their daughter knelt down and kowtowed, saying, "Young Master, we are blind and ignorant. Please be magnanimous and buy our daughter. She may be small, but she eats little and works hard."

"Enough of this nonsense! Move aside! I've seen people like you before. Bullying Young Master Chen because he's from overseas? I'll tell you, Young Master Chen has recognized our master as his uncle and is now part of the Zhang family. Bullying Young Master Chen is bullying the Zhang family." Shuigen spoke loudly, and Zhang Yao, who had gotten off the carriage, heard clearly and nodded in satisfaction. He liked hearing this! Now, he found Chen Xie more and more likable.

Chen Xie gently pushed Shuigen aside, slowly squatted in front of the little girl, and, without fear of dirt, held her small hand, saying, "Get up, what's your name?"

"Second Daughter!" The little girl replied. Chen Xie's eyes were full of gentleness, and at that moment, Second Daughter felt a sense of peace.

"Brother Shuigen, I don't have any silver on me. Can you help pay for her?" Chen Xie's tone was very polite, but Shuigen didn't dare to be presumptuous. He quickly bowed and said, "Since Young Master Chen likes this girl, it's her good fortune. I'll take them to the government office to sign the contract, and from now on, she will belong to you."

Chen Xie nodded and walked to Zhang Yao, slightly bowing, "Uncle Zhang, I'm sorry to trouble you. This girl looks so much like my little sister. Unfortunately, that child was too frail and didn't survive."

Even if Chen Xie didn't explain, Zhang Yao wouldn't have minded. But this explanation moved him. This boy wasn't someone who would cause trouble lightly. He quickly smiled and waved, "It's a small matter, not worth mentioning. Don't worry about it, leave it to Shuigen. He'll bring her back to you for sure."

Chen Xie didn't hesitate and smiled, "Thank you, Brother Shuigen."

They got back into the carriage and continued on their way. Zhang Yao thought for a moment and said, "Sihua, whether you like it or not, I have to say this. You're just one person. There are many people in this world who can't make ends meet and are selling their children. Can you handle all of them?"

Chen Xie was stunned. Yes, this is the Ming Dynasty. In a few years, it would be the Little Ice Age, and the "rebels" would sweep across the country, eventually capturing Beijing and forcing Chongzhen to hang himself on Coal Hill.

"I'll remember that!" Chen Xie firmly remembered these words in his heart. But at this moment, the self-proclaimed ordinary person, who would do some immoral things for profit, had quietly changed a little. At least in the Ming Dynasty, Chen Xie thought, if he couldn't save the whole world, he would save one person at a time.

Compared to the large mansion in Zhang Family Village, the Zhang family's residence in Dengzhou City had only three courtyards. The front, middle, and back courtyards had red lanterns hanging at the gate, with the words "Zhang Family" written on them. Inside the gate, a middle-aged woman led three boys, one older and two younger, waiting. Seeing Zhang Yao, she greeted him, "Husband, you're back. How is the old master? Xing'er said he would visit the old master after the school break."

Zhang Yao had three children. The eldest was sixteen and had a betrothal arranged, with the wedding next year. He was currently studying at the prefectural school as a scholar. Being a scholar at sixteen was already quite good, but with a father who was a jinshi (high-ranking official), he couldn't be too proud. The second son, Zheng, was twelve, and the third son, Zhuan, was eight. Both were being taught at home by a private tutor.

Zhang Yao formally introduced Chen Xie to his family, "This is the divine doctor Chen Xie, who has returned from America. His ancestors were Southern Song loyalists, hence his courtesy name Sihua. He crossed the ocean from afar, enduring great hardships, and was the only survivor on the ship. Doctor Liu said the old master's illness was incurable, but Sihua's miraculous hands saved him. With continued medication and care, he will recover in half a year."

Hearing this, Zhang's wife could not help but be solemn, "In that case, we should pay our respects!" She was about to kneel, but Chen Xie tried to stop her, only to be held back by Zhang Yao. Helplessly, Chen Xie had to step aside, "I cannot accept such a grand gesture. I have already recognized Uncle Zhang as my relative, so we are family."

Zhang Yao smiled and watched as his wife and children finished their bows. He then said, "Sihua is a guest in the Zhang family and should be treated as the master. I will make sure the servants understand, or I will punish them."

Chen Xie seemed to understand Zhang Yao's intentions. As an outsider in strange clothing, he needed to establish his status in the Zhang family. Zhang's wife, understanding her husband's intentions, cooperated well. This way, Chen Xie's position in the Zhang family was secured.

Since they were family, they could enter the inner courtyard. Because Zhang Yao had just visited the old master and had a guest, the lunch was prepared abundantly, with a chef from the city's Chunxiang Building specially invited.

Zhang Yao led his family to the living room to chat with Chen Xie. This was Chen Xie's chance to shine. After sweetly calling his aunt, he took out a round mirror, a bottle of Six God Flower Water without the label, a bar of Lux soap, two tubes of toothpaste, and a toothbrush for each person. These were all prepared the night before and now placed on the table, "The journey was long, and I could bring only a few things. Please accept these small tokens, Uncle Zhang and Aunt Zhang."

Zhang's wife, of course, wouldn't accept them without consulting Zhang Yao. Her heart was pounding, especially for the round mirror. When she saw it, she almost jumped. The mirror was so clear, and showing it at a gathering of ladies would surely make her the center of attention.

Zhang Yao smiled and shook his head, "Sihua, it wasn't easy for you to bring these things from afar. We are family, so there's no need for formalities." Chen Xie smiled and shook his head, "Since we are family, there's even less need for formalities. Besides, I can make these things, so I can produce as many as I want."

This statement stunned Zhang Yao. Although he was a scholar and not very sensitive to wealth, he could see the value of these gifts. Chen Xie's claim that he could produce as many as he wanted was a significant point.

"Then I'll accept them," Zhang Yao agreed. Chen Xie smiled and picked up the flower water, "This is a special gift for Aunt. See, you just unscrew the cap, pour a few drops, and apply it after bathing to avoid mosquito bites."

The scent of the flower water was strong. In the modern world, it was a common item, but here, it was a rare treasure. No woman could resist this temptation, and Zhou's eyes were wide open. Chen Xie, however, was calm, explaining how to use each item. After the explanations, Zhou carefully packed everything and took it back to her room.

At this moment, Shuigen returned with a package and the little girl. Chen Xie immediately came forward, holding the little girl's hand, "From now on, I will treat you like a sister. Here, you can feel at home."

Zhang Yao clapped his hands and said, "Good! Good!" Zhou came out, surprised, and after Zhang Yao explained, her maternal instincts kicked in. She sighed, "Who would willingly sell their child? They do it only when they can't survive."

Zhang Yao said, "This girl is fortunate. She looks like Sihua's little sister, and her luck has changed."

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